RP:The Return of The Law
Part of the Rynvale New Dawn Arc
LOCATION: Kelay, Town Hall Meeting Room
Centered in the narrow, well lit room before you sets a large, rounded oak table, its darkened wood intricately carved, matching that of the walls and woodwork of the numerous cushioned chairs tucked neatly beneath it. Five chandeliers burn refulgently, suspended sturdily from the low ceiling. In each of the four corners, tall potted plants seem to thrive, stretching forth their limbs in search of light. A small desk to your right holds many stacks of blank paper and several inkwells and quills. Tidy and plain, no windows for distraction, you can only guess that a lot of important people spend many long hours here, tending to the business of Kelay. The only exit is to your north.
Lucia sat idly behind her newly painted desk... one of the few surfaces in the old meeting chambers which was not covered in some years worth of dust. Her attention was, as it had been for some time now, focused entirely upon the recent murders. Under her watch, half-a-dozen local merchants were dead. Some were professionals... others simply made a couple extra gold bits to feed their families... but either way, each one felt like a personal failure. Worse, the distraction had caused her to make a stupid error... and it was likely that the killer had a copy of her evidence books. Should the individual be smart enough to detect an enchantment... there was a chance that he or she might actually manage to break the locking mechanism without destroying the words and information written inside. Should that unlikely scenario unfold... well... it would spell disaster. Thoughts of disaster were hardly what Lucia wanted at the moment. She... really wanted a drink. Unfortunately for her, she'd left the bottle of bloodwine out in the lobby... and couldn't manage to pry herself away from her papers to bother fetching it.
It was good to be home, for that was what it was. Although she had been born and spent her earliest years on the isle of the High Elves, fate and the dark hearts of others had found an eight yr old Arien cloistered away in the forests of sage being raised by her wood elf kin. It was to Sage she had returned after years on the road, and Sage where she had chosen to build her new family in The Order. Thus, as seriously as she took her new responsibilities to the land of the High Born, the heart of this one still abode in the green forests that enfolded the village of Kelay in warm embrace. The governor found herself this night however, not roaming those green woods, but knocking gently upon the door of the apparent new office of the Knight she had come to see. Melodic voice rippled out into the quiet intensity of Lucia’s focus. “ I hope I am not interrupting Lucia, but I found myself in the neighborhood, and thought perhaps to have that visit with you before duty called me elsewhere once more.” She lingered at the door. “May I come in?”
Lucia shifted her single emerald eye up from the oak desk... offering for the fleetingest of moments a gentle smile. "A sight for sore eyes, ma'am... of course... please." The Knight Commander pushed herself up from her seat, momentarily stripping herself of the rank and file... and speaking very much as one woman to another. "Any other evening... and one might have accused me of being flirtatious... but in this case, my eyes are so badly strained from pouring over these lists of names and dates and important connections... that your arrival truly is a relief. I am not certain if that qualifies as ironic. Can I offer you a drink? I've got a bottle of emergency bourbon tucked away for just such an unexpected arrival as this." Her laughter was tired, but jovial... a rare thing to experience what with all the trouble surrounding the woman's post. In fact, this was one of the more candid moments she had ever shared with another living being. "I do hope you have a moment to linger... it is not so often I find myself having cause to socialize. I might actually develop a knack for it some day if I keep it up."
An impish smile, unexpected perhaps from one so similarly burdened, lit the pale features of the elf, her own sense of the ridiculous tickled by the absurdity of their situation. They were females both carrying the burden more typically borne by a male and excelling at it-or at least from what she could determine, the woman seemed more than competent at her calling. Arien moved into the room, her graceful stride eating the distance between them it might seem, within moments. “I am pleased enough to accept the bourbon, though I confess to brandy being my own personal vice. I cannot think of a day that has failed to see the sunset without my having tasted of its burn.” A guilty shrug ensued. “It helps me forget, for a moment, the darker things the day has wrought.” Her own emerald gaze flickered to the single green eye. Were it not for her own gently tipped ears and the injury of the other, she might well be looking at some human mirror reflection of herself. “And I would not be so vain as to think you had found any part of my person worthy of flirtation- I recognize well the signs of one who works too hard. It is these murders you wrote of which plague you, yes?” The elf lowered herself into a seat opposite the knight, one long leg crossing over the other. It would be evident from her relaxed pose that she had no intentions of rushing off, but in case it was not clear she would qualify. “I am free for the evening, in fact, and will only return directly to the barracks after this meeting, so I am yours for the evening..” Her expression was carefully neutral, perhaps too much so-though a careful enough look would reveal the hint of mischief lurking in emerald depths. The governor was not above words games between equals.
Lucia moved immediately back to her desk, prying out her bottle of bourbon and a pair of glasses tucked away in the bottom drawer. "Ah! Brandy... aye... a woman after my own heart. Now I feel slightly sorrowful for detracting from said flirtation. A woman who shares my love of brandy is certainly a woman with whom I could share a great many things." It was rare that a smirk broke her stoic expression... but as she poured the glasses full, passed the first to Arien, and raised up her own in the air, all bets were off. "Here's to forgetting the darker things, then... and hopes of locating a bottle of emergency brandy for the next time." The knight would, unless interrupted, down near to half her glass... then set it aside in favor of returning herself to her chair. The mention of murder earned a frustrated sigh... that all-consuming desire to protect and serve kicking in. There were a great deal of similarities between herself and the elven woman opposite... easily noticed even when darker matters overruled. "You guess right, about the murders... and sell yourself short by dismissing my comments as pandering to vanity. There is plenty to admire, ma'am... but that it certainly not why you thought fit to come meet with me! I presume that this is more of a... political and business conference... rather than a social calling, aye?"
Arien permitted herself only a slight smile in response to the reaction of Lucia to her observations, and made no move to hinder the act of the other in downing almost half of the fiery sweet liquid in a single intake. Arien had always been more careful with her liquor, taking the time to nurse and savor a single goblet, often for hours on end. It was not the alcohol in her blood that soothed, but the very experience of inbibing. If she could take in a molecule at a time she would-as it was she settled for sips, and tonight was no different. Her own glass was lifted in laconic salute, and raised to her lips for what might seem a mere wetting, before the toast was accepted. “ To walking in the light..” she murmured softly, pale face shadowed momentarily by thoughts of the darkness that ever lurked beyond. “And yes, you are correct in thinking that it is the business of government that brings me here.” The elf leaned forward, her expression assessing and thoughtful as she took in the woman that sat before her. “ How bonded are you Lucia, to the idea of leading the Kelay chapter of the Knights? Is it an office that might be delegated to another, if you chose to open a chapter elsewhere?” The elf would not push too far, too soon. First it would have to be determined if the knight might be open to working anywhere other than the place she had already established her presence.
Lucia considered the words which followed carefully... both curious to see where this discussion might go... and concerned about what it might end up meaning for the Order as it existed now. Her half-completed Town Hall project would not be done for some time, yet... was it too soon to consider moving along to the next Chapter? When eventually she did speak, she adjusted her leather eye guard nervously... a surefire tell that she was on somewhat unstable footing here. "The idea... of branching outward ever-further... is appealing, I admit. Still... I wonder if it is still too early for my Knights here to be left on their lonesome. I have only just finalized with them their ranking structure... could I truly ask of them to uphold everything I have worked for in so short a time? Do not misunderstand..." the second drink of her bourbon was taken slower, with less need, "... I would be more than happy to step into the leadership role of another Chapter whilst maintaining this one here in Kelay through a trusted second... such as Forgemaster Kain. It would not be an impossible task... but... well..." she glanced around her at the badly beaten building... much of its former glory lost forever. "This place... used to be beautiful. I would love to be able to sit here, behind my table... and feel that sense of majesty returned."
Arien lifted her drink to lips for a second tasting, allowing this time for the single drop to sit upon her tongue as she leaned back in her seat, her gaze locked upon the woman. Every aspect of her intuition was homed in on finding the key, for there was always one, to the knight’s drive. Her love of law, order, justice. It was one thing to maintain the law in lands that yet harbored some pretense to civility, it was another entirely to enter into the lions den and wrench order from chaos. As governor, it gave -her- a sense of purpose, how much more so one for whom the way of the knights was the very reason for existence. She chose her words carefully. “ I can understand, and appreciate I suppose, how much it must mean to you to finish in person that which you have begun. But I would put to you, Sage is not without its protectors. Long has our clan stood between those who would harm the innocents and their intended victims-so too does the very nature of this village, and the towns which border it, mean that of an instinct most look out, one for the other. One only has to pay a visit to the message boards to see that chaos is not easily tolerated.” She lifted the glass a third time. “ With a competent second, my own experience and judgment dictates that the work of your order could be sustained in absentia of your person.” Leaning forward to rest glass upon the surface of polished wood she would dangle the bait. “ Rynvale, especially the southern shores, is a hornets nest of crime and barbarity. Thieves, murderers, prostitutes, pirates, smugglers..they all walk freely, plundering what civil communities remain on land and at sea. I am not foolish enough to think there is not a place for -some- creative trade within the shopping district, but when body parts are to be found in the sewers, it is past time that the hand of the law is brought down on the worst elements.” Her face was shadowed. “We have an empty sheriff’s office, and empty jail cells. All we need is a competent officer of the law, and one capable of assembling a team beneath him or herself. If it cannot be you, then one of the best that you have-I fear our resources are limited at the moment.” To be honest, the governor wanted the best-and the best was Lucia, but at this point she would just settle for -some- legal presence on the island she sought to restore to order.
Lucia eased her back into her seat, finished off her glass of bourbon, and poured herself another. This... seemed like a suitable time for a second drink, if ever there was one. "Aye... I suppose Forgemaster Kain -is- compitent enough to get this place running while I am busy elsewhere. I could delegate the majority of my efforts to him... and have a weekly report sent to me detailing anything worthy of note." Her thoughts began moving, then... to bigger and better things, perhaps? Regardless of what she thought, the truth was that she had likely made up her mind long before she ever began to rationalize it all out. "Prostitutes and thieves and murderers, indeed... it sounds to me like I would be trading in one set of problems... for four sets of problems, and then some." Swallowing down her second drink almost as swiftly as she had the first, Lucia sighed and nodded. "Aye... well, someone is going to have to do it. Better it be someone like me, who wants the job... than someone who finds themselves 'stuck' with it, as is so often the case."
Arien wasn’t aware that she was holding her breath, until the quiet exhale that relaxed her frame into the comfort of the plush padding of the seating. A smile blossomed then, sparking the pale features to life again. “ Then, you will take on the responsibility? The city, and I personally, will be in your debt. It is not my intention that we bite of more than we can chew. Long have the shadier elements of port Rynvale co-inhabited with its legal residents, often one has scratched the back of the other-it is the way of that world. But of late, especially in the last days of imperial rule, and in the absence of their current ‘Boss’ all sense or order, even within their world has slipped away. It is with the worst of the elements that we will begin.” She reached out for her drink again. “ Is there anything that you believe you might need, to make your work any easier or more efficient there? Perhaps a tour of our facilities and the areas of concern in general, would be in order. I can have Rho show you around tomorrow, if you wish.”
Lucia nodded her head, immediately running over a list of that which she would need. "Right... a tour first... I will familiarize myself with the layout of the city, as well. Then I will need a list of promising candidates... locals... perhaps members of The Fold? Anyone, really, who has either a proper grasp of how to win a fight... or a sharp enough mind to keep up with me during an investigation. I will also need to be made familiar with local institutions... criminal and domestic. After that, I suppose the real difficult part will be convincing the rougher element that I am the authority... and that their dealings will all be done through me. That last part is vital... so you know." The Knight Commander was suddenly all business again, her thoughts calculating and blunt. "I need clearance to do what needs to be done... without the bureaucratic nightmare of the typical City Guards. If you can manage this... then aye, I am agreeing to take on the responsibility. If I do, however, and find that my hands are tied... I can assure you that things will not end on a pretty note for the Rynvale chapter."
Arien nodded in return. “ A tour I can provide, as well as a pool of possible candidates..Consider, however, that a man cannot serve two masters. Members of The Fold, cannot owe a higher allegiance to another order, this may prove some small conflict of interest perhaps, but a bridge that can be crossed when we get to it.” Again was her beverage lifted to her lips, and nursed for a sip. “Rho will be able to answer any questions that you might have regarding those local institutions-and it will be up to you, to convince that rougher element that you are the authority.” A wry smile tugged at her lips. “A task I suspect somehow, that you will be more than capable of performing.” Careful, and thoughtful expression rested upon the face of the elf. “ As of now..there -are- no city guards. There is no law in Rynvlae, such is the cesspool you inherit. And you will have clearance to do what you must..barring one thing. And you must tell me if you can live with the loss of one fish, for the catching of many.” Emerald gaze narrowed slightly. “The lycan known as Leoxander, sits atop the world inhabited in the island’s underbelly. He was an ally in our assault upon the Empire, and a promise made in honor that cannot be broken. It was a promise made in regard to land only, and not his criminal activity and the full details have not yet been hashed out-but there is some possibility that I may personally make a request of you regarding the handling of his person and assets at some point in the future. I can promise however, that I will never ask you to turn blind eye to any act he might commit against innocent citizens of this city.” Tension was retained in her frame once more. “Let me know, now..if this is likely to be a problem.”
Lucia smiled politely, rose from her seat, and bowed her head. "Ma'am... in the absence of law and order, the Order of the Violet Rose shines brightest. I can give you my assurance that I will put my fully attention to the restoration of peace and tranquility in Rynvale... just as I have put my attention to the task here. I will begin scouting amongst my own ranks for those who might be fit to make the transition to Rynvale. Knight Specialist Durrant, one of my key investigators, will likely accompany me. As for conflicts of interest... well... that warrants its own discussion another day." Her gauntleted fingertips thrummed against the top of her desk as she considered the case of Leoxander. After a moment, the knight shrugged her shoulder and shook her head. "So long as he stays clear of my affairs... I am content to remain out of his. The moment he crosses over into the realm of -my- work, however... he had best be prepared to face consequences. At least publically. I am not unfamiliar with such dealings, however... so I have no great of it becoming an issue." After a moment to recap the statement in her head, Lucia smiled. "So... was there anything else, then?"
Arien exhaled, again. She had been worried, very worried that principle would dictate that the Knight peruse the pirate regardless of promises made. She did not doubt, somehow, that Leo would find some cause or means to cross the invisible line in the sand, and her promise to leave the coves and beaches of western Rynvale unassaulted, did not extend to ignoring criminal activity that might disrupt the peace of Rynvale’s legitimate citizens. She had always known that someday, she would find herself once again facing the rogue from the other side of the line. It was where they had spent most of the time of their acquaintance. Some part of her grieved for what would inevitably be lost in the long term. “ No..that would be all, that I can think of, at any rate. I am sure any other concerns can be addressed as they come up.” The elf rose then, to her feet. “But the hour grows late, and I am sure we are both expected elsewhere. I thank you for your willingness to take up the task Lucia, and on behalf of the King and Queen, welcome you to the service of the City of Port Rynvale.”
Lucia raised her empty glass between armor-plated fingers and grinned brightly. "I look forward to surrounding myself with exotic elven men and women... even if they do resent me for ruining the party and restoring order to its rightful place. I do bid you good evening, then. Till next we meet, fortune find you."
Arien said to Lucia, "And you likewise, madame Knight. Rho will make contact in the morn, to see to your orientation." With a smile, and a final sketched bow, the elf would turn upon armored heel, and depart via the way she had come.