RP:The Treasures of Friendship

From HollowWiki

Part of the The End's Not Near Arc

Summary: After a failed attempt to teleport into Alithrya, Reginae comes back to find Pilar in Xalious after receiving a letter from Vestra (who vanished at the end of Chartsend's second battle. They recover the gold that Siroche stole from Wilhelm Ilivaris after he ran out of town during the first attack.


The Xalious Tree

Pilar,
I must do something reckless. Please forgive me. I wish we could have had more time. I'm so sorry that I couldn't do more for you, but take this last token. Find the bird etched stone I placed near the Xalious tree. Dig beneath it to find the rest of Chartsends gold. Please put it to good use. Thank you for being my friend. I'll see you on the other side…
-Vestra, Fool of a Naga.


That was the note Pilar had received after the battle of Chartsend. She hadn't seen or heard from Vestra since, and fear for her new friend gripped her heart. She had to find a way to get into Alithrya. She had to find Vestra. She had sent word to Reginae to meet her by the Xalious tree as soon as was possible. She needed to get that gold, and ask Reginae what to do. She was waiting there now, having found the stone Vestra had mentioned in her letter. She'd brought a couple shovels for the digging, and was leaning on one now.


Reginae hadn't received Pilar's letters. She's been knocked off course from the battle in Chartsend and had only, just now, returned. Without teleportation potions, it had taken longer than she cared to admit. Still, she arrives looking like she'd just come from the battlefield; still in disguise as Nicolau and still just as panicked and covered in the same muddy ash that had littered the outside of the town. She hadn't bothered to check around the town itself. Instead, she'd been directed here by Yozenra, who was still in Chartsend, helping those recovering from various wounds. Luckily, the opposing forces hadn't left any bodies to bury. The male rogue thanks the naga and trotted off to Xalious to find Pilar beneath the tree. His expression is not one that brings good tiding. Instead, he looks more troubled than ever, even when Pilar comes into view. He can only offer a taunt, flat lined smile, if it can even be called a smile at all. "Pilar...." He whispers, as if it's the first time he's been able to breathe since the madness began.


Pilar embraced her friend, sighing. "Reginae... Are you alright? Where have you been? I've been so worried." She wasn't sure if Reginae had actually received her note, given the state she was in, so she pulled Vestra's letter from her pocket and handed it to the deposed queen. "I received that right after the battle. I'm so worried, the way she's talking in it, it sounds so... final."


The Rogue runs his gritty left hand through his matted hair, his fingers tangle - he smells like salt water and sweat. He takes the letter, anxiously reading the words therein while his lips move to mime their shape soundlessly. Vestra knew this would happen, sent this letter to Pilar without telling her why. "Pilar...I..." His hazel gaze is dodgy and shimmering. How could Reginae tell Pilar the truth? "I wasn't able to get back to Alithrya - I came back to make sure Jaize wasn't here before I tried again." She lied. Hopefully, she was convincing. "This does sound final..." The male clears his throat, wishing he could offer some hopeful sentiment like... 'Maybe Jaize is just using her for bait and we can save her!' but that feels worse than the white lie of saying she doesn't know. That she's just as confused and concerned as Pilar is. "Maybe there's another letter with the gold?" It's the one small hope she -can- offer as she reaches, tired and heavy with sorrow, to take a shovel from the vampiress.


Pilar bought it. Why would Reginae lie to her? She handed over the shovel and said, "I want to go with you. If Vestra's in trouble, I want to help her." Or if it was too late... recover her body. Pilar swallowed and, moving the rock from its place, began to dig.


Reginae couldn't remember if there was a body left to claim. She sighs heavily and takes to digging beside Pilar. "It's already been so dangerous..." Her voice is hung up in the preambling of a cushioned discouraging remark. The way parents might try to soften the blow of something before giving a 'no' to a request. Not that Reginae thought herself in the maternal role for Pilar but...she sort of did. Pilar was her student and she'd watched her grow from a meek girl into a strong, confident leader. How could she really tell her no? "I don't know what we'll find when we go back Pilar..." The soil gives way easily to the blades, despite the frigid winter surrounding. As if the soil was warmed by the magics the tree possessed. As if it wanted them to dig nearby as much as Vestra had wanted them too. Or maybe it was the stone the note mentions that kept the ground from freezing. Either way, the disguised naga pulled chunks of dirt up, one by one, focusing on the task as much as her addled mind would allow


"I can handle danger. I've defended Chartsend twice, I fought beside Hildegarde in her war for Frostmaw. I won't stand by idly while my friend's suffering." The pile of dirt grew higher as the hole grew deeper. "I know Yozenra wants to help her, too. We'll be okay." There was a clunk, then, as shovel struck wood. More digging revealed a chest, and when Pilar pulled it out, there was another revealed. "How much gold did she recover?" Surely not the whole vault's worth. Pilar opened the chest, hoping for a note, but finding only treasure.


Reginae didn't mention any more about it. It's possible she could lead a charge into Alithrya but...Pilar's shovel hits metal and reroutes her thinking to the task at hand. She helps dig around the edges, clearing away dirt as she helps Pilar haul the chest onto stable ground. There's a twitch of disappointment in her own hope, that their would be a note. Instead, only gold flows out of the chest. If it's not the entire stolen amount, it's damn near close to it. The chest is massive.


The second chest was smaller, and held mostly jewels and items of value rather than currency. Pilar looked it over, and tears came to her eyes. "Vestra... She's really saved Chartsend... Twice over."


Reginae nodded, wondering just where little Vestra had gotten all her spunk. "How did she save it twice...?" The male inquries after a composed but sympathetic sniff.


"First, with her warning. And now, with this. Chartsend desperately needs this gold." Pilar looked to Reginae. There was a nagging feeling in her stomach. "Reginae... You know Jaize better than anyone. Tell me... If she's captured Vestra... is there any hope?"


Reginae nods. So that's how Chartsend knew. Kreekitaka hadn't exactly -told- her how he knew what was happening. Just that it was and where to be to help. "I'm sorry I haven't been here to help more..." The male rubs the back of his neck, soiling it further with loose dirt and sweat. It's easier to say than to let her down. "I...don't thing the outlook is good." He cleared his throat, looked into the hole they'd dug. "That's why I tried to rush off after them but I...messed it up and didn't make it. I'm still trying to go back." A beat. "I need to gather people to go with me..." The context lingered in his eyes. "I don't want to ask you Pilar. I want you to stay where it's safe..."


Pilar frowned. "Reginae, you're my friend. I want to help you. Besides, I'm not unused to danger." She looked back at the gold. "... We need to get this back to Chartsend. Why don't you visit with us for a bit? You need rest."