RP:To The City Of The Dead! (The -Other- City Of The Dead)

This is a Necromancer's Guild RP.

Summary: Bradyn escorts Khitti to the ruined city in Frostmaw, wherein she makes him sign a contract to get in (sorry, Bradyn), shows him what she does to keep the spirits pacified, and they briefly discuss what Bradyn knows with regards to necromancy. There's the promise of talking about Khitti's own knowledge in the future, as well (sorry, Khitti).

The Ruined City, Frostmaw

Doing as Larewen instructed, Khitti would drag Bradyn along to Frostmaw, likely much to his chagrin. With the Feast of Gostaragov happening later that day, and her intent to meet Brand then, she opted to start this journey to the ruined city rather early in the morning, just after sun-up. Hope you got enough sleep, Bradyn. She’d give the Vailkrinian noble a choice once they both reached the icy region: Bradyn could either take the wyvern from the tavern and meet her at the Warrior’s Guild headquarters where the flight connected to or he could go through the forest with her. Either way, she was going through the forest. She’s always been a bit of a wild child what with having spent half of her teen years and nearly all of her twenties in or around a forest. Sorry, dude.

If he actually went with her, Bradyn would find that Khitti was not always snarky and hot tempered nor doom and gloom--only a few people actually knew that, sadly. She really wasn’t much at all like Larewen. Between using her vampiric speed and shadow-stepping powers, she’d dart about between the trees in a rather elf-like manner, savoring the silence of the forest before she’d find herself at the bridge the leading towards the ruined town itself, stopping just in front of the ancient snow-covered gates. She actually looked she was enjoying herself and he’d probably be able to see her from up above if he took the sky route.

Before they went any further, she’d have him sign an oath--one that everyone must swear to before entering the ruined city--so that she could present it to Hildegarde later on. It was nothing fancy; not the sort of contracts you’d see given to you by a lawyer or some such. It merely stated: ‘I do hereby swear not to tamper with the sacred spirits of Frostmaw’s ruined city, with magic nor blade.’ It was quite simple and to the point and there was even a line for him to sign across. “Sorry, but seeing as how zhe Queen’s handling zhe festivities for today and I’d rather not get devoured whole by a dragon or lose my job, it’s necessary. Anyone zhat comes in here has to take zhe oath.” Khitti doesn’t specify which would be worse out of the two punishments, but she does have a pen for him to use. It’s a very spiffy pen with weird magic shadow ink; a trick she picked up from a Shadow Plane creature she murdered awhile back.

Bradyn would come along for the adventure, dressed in his standard day to day attire. Suffice to say he has made no effort to dress for warmth, it made no difference to him. Traveling with Khitti would not be in his plan of action, route of wyvern was sufficient enough of a means of travel in his eyes. He could see Khitti below which suggested that his wait for her at the guildheadqauter's would not be a long one. Not that he would mind either way, a wait was a wait and they had matters to tend to.

It is not the fact that he has been instructed to undertake this journey with Khitti that Bradyn minds, Khitti made for better company than Larewen in his eyes! Honestly Bradyn was intrigued to see what the point of this entire endeavor was. Grievance comes when Khitti informs him that he must sign a contract. Perhaps it was not a formal one, maybe he could even have it destroyed before it is presented too anyone....but at this point that does not cross his mind too seriously. He was trying to garner good will points but these necromancer ladies were making it hard. "Do you guys think it might have been respectable to inform me...before I came all the way out there...That I would have to sign something that will be presented to some official somewhere? This is not my home, these are not my own people, Hildegarde is not my Queen, and I would not have come if I had to sign something that leaves trace of my name in this area." Not that he had intentions of causing trouble, but one might be hard pressed to come to that conclusion with these words.

The fact that Khitti is just revealing this information breeds nothing but mistrust. This could be some sort of trick. Who knows what the deal is with that pen. Larewen could have had Khitti come all the way out here with Bradyn not to observe the sacred spirits of Frostmaw but to see out his demise. One less member of the Maharan household for Larewen to deal with. This is likely an inaccurate conclusion but these are the thoughts in his mind as she stares at Khitti's shadow pen. Come on Khitti. What Hildegarde does not know won't hurt her. He will be nice to the spirits, even though he is without question not going to any ridiculous festivities.

Just shut up and sign Bradyn, wtf.

Khitti was in a good mood, Bradyn. Was. Thanks. Whatever sort of pleasant air she was putting off thanks to said good mood has wore off, whatever smile she’d had now gone. In its place was a very different sort of Khitti, one that took her job seriously. “You sign or you go home. You vere instructed to come here by zhe headmistress of zhe guild. I don’t care vhat your quarrel vith Larewen is. Zhat has nothing to do vith me. Hildegarde may not be -your- queen, but she is mine, as I vas made a resident of Frostmaw some time ago. Do you know vhat Hildegarde is, Bradyn? A dragon. A powerful dragon. Vith zhe state zhat Vailkrin is in currently, whether Larewen is in zhe picture or not, Hildegarde alone could probably eradicate zhe city.” She makes no mention of whatever god-powers Hildegarde might possess on behalf of Aramoth--the woman being a dragon was enough to make Khitti nervous. “You sign once, you come and go as you please if it’s needed, so long as I’m made aware.”

The redhead wouldn’t wait long. If he refused, well, that pen would disappear, the parchment would get folded back up, and stuffed into the satchel that she’d carried with her. It might -maybe- actually dawn on him that she wasn’t out to get him. She didn’t give a damn about vampire politics; she just wanted to learn her craft as a necromancer and get her cure.

The sentiments were the same, Bradyn was in a good mood right up until this moment. Fine. Fine. Maybe he was being a bit hypersensitive about the issue, something about signing a contract that was not -really- a lawyers contract with a pen that Khitti provides. Was there some hidden script? Really. The timing just made him twich, given that Lady Larewen keeps threatening his House. All he had in this moment was Khitti's -word- that his issues with Larewen are not her issues. Which to him meant that her issues may not always fall in line with Larewen's. Khitti was right about one point, he was instructed to come here by the head mistress of the guild and she was looking to obtain rank within that guild...A guild that Larewen has not always had control of so regardless of who holds the title of headmistress, it does behove him to follow these instructions. One never knows when the tides will change and power will exchange hands. Salty thinking, he would argue that he could not entirely be blamed given present politics. Khitti would not be waiting long, he would take the pen and wordlessly sign. "Why -only- if you are made aware? Is that special instruction from Queen Hildegarde herself? Or some special stipulations you are placing upon me?" His wording choice may be poor but it was actually a sincere line of questioning, law of the Queen or rules of the teacher, is what he was trying to understand.

“Okay. Look, Bradyn. Let me make zhis real simple for you. Frostmaw--that is to say everyone here and not just Hildegarde--hates necromancers. Probably even hates vampires too, just to be on zhe safe side, even zhough zhere’s been a fair few of us vandering around here for quite awhile. Zhey don’t trust us vhatsoever and I’m trying my damnedest to keep zhings from falling apart. I’m sure you noticed zhat zhings in Vailkrin aren’t exactly zhe greatest right now. Larewen’s literally trying to prevent zhe Corruption from escaping as ve speak and I’m trying really frakking hard not to zhink of zhe consequences should zhat actually come to pass.” Khitti didn’t need to tell Bradyn about how part of Vailkrin was destroyed the first time the Corruption was dealt with, seeing as how he -lived- in Vailkrin.

She was getting to the level of exasperation that Brand normally got with her when she was being combative and it was definitely showing. “It’s not just you. I vould do zhis vith anyone--necromancers especially--because I don’t goddamned trust anyone.” Okay, that wasn’t entirely true, but the list of people she did trust was far shorter than the list of those she didn’t. “I’ve got a long damned history vith necromancers and you know what? I don’t exactly blame zhe frost giants for their lack of trust in us. So, you can either swallow your pride, signed zhe damned zhing, and come vith me for something zhat’s not even going to take zhat long or you can disobey your guildmistress -and- zhe one zhat’s been tasked vith teaching you and Go. Home.” Khitti’d said a hell of a lot, but damn can you blame her? Bradyn was being a bit of a jerk and she could only take so much of it right now. “If it’s not to be you zhat comes zhrough here vith me, zhen it’ll be someone else. I need to find someone I can trust to takeover for me here in zhe event zhat something happens to me--and right now, vith how little you obviously distrust Larewen, you’re an excellent candidate for zhe job.”

He signed Khitti! Bradyn signed! He did! He was not happy about it and it was right before he thought to question why he could not come here alone, but he did sign. That's fine, he would take her rant and deal with it in his way, which...she may or may not like. He does not seem to be faring very well with Khitti (she is kind of a pistol though, so...) He was not going to take the pen up and sign the document twice, for that seeme too jerky even for his standards. "It was a question." He was not caught up with all the politics of Frostmaw, or all of the lands, as he was usually caught up in his own little world between Vailkrin and Cenril. "Perhaps poorly worded." IE: as close to an apology as Khitti is going to get from Bradyn.

Khitti has her signature but it is clear that there is tension between the two of them; his pride and social graces,her snappy attitude and...social graces. He was actually not seeking to make matters worse by blazing the way past Khitti, he would let her take the lead when and if she saw fit. Which did not feel like right now? It felt like they needed to hash something out, set a few matters straight. Maybe they could stop bumping heads. "If you mean what you are saying...about looking for a candidate just in case, presumably to guard the sacred spirits? Then we need to take a step backwards and re-evulate how -both- of us are speaking to one another." He was trying to acknowledge his part in how he was speaking to Khitti. "I am not a child, Khitti. I am likely older than you, and while you may be my teacher? ...Which I have no qualms in respecting....We could probably -both- stand to start affording one another a little bit of respect." He could probably list the grievances but he does presume that it is obvious to Khitti, how she is speaking to him and when she is doing it. But he is not a child and he has not died yet...hurhur. "I will stop treating you like you are guilty by association." With Larewen. "And we can get moving."

Khitti’d been so caught up in being pissed off at Bradyn that she hadn’t even realized he signed! (Well, actually, it’s more that her writer really should not write posts when she’s half asleep, but shhh.) There was another exasperated sigh as she listened to him, but she actually -was- paying attention to him. He was actually admitting that he was kind of in the wrong (wut? Guys around here actually do that???), but likewise also pointing out that she was too. Okay. Fine. Maybe she -was- overreacting. A little. (That’s all you get.)

She pivoted on her heels, turning towards the gates and heading into the outskirts of the city before she actually said anything, that parchment he’d just signed shoved into her satchel. “I don’t care about your age, Bradyn,” she started, her tone a bit calmer than it was minutes ago, “I’ve met many who are older zhan me zhat act quite childish--both undead and living--spoiled, even.” Onyx was the first to come to mind, as she’d only just discovered a few weeks back that the Tranquility’s first mate wasn’t at all a child like they seemed. “I vas trying to give you as much respect as I could, given how little I really know you or your house.” Was she trying to say she was sorry? Probably. She’s about as good as Bradyn is with it, though. “I mean it vhen I say zhat it vasn’t anything against -you- specifically. A human, a non-necromancer, had to take zhe oath as vell. It’s just precaution. Zhey take zheir dead very seriously out here; perhaps moreso zhan anyone in Vailkrin, but it all boils down to religion.” There’s a bit of a dismissive hand wave, as if to say that she didn’t really believe in that nonsense.

Her attention was soon drawn from the conversation to the crying child spirit that they were passing. “Don’t pay her any mind. Unlike zhe rest of zhe spirits here after zhey’ve been soothed, she never stops crying. Vorse yet, if you stare too long, she starts in vith her horrid shrieking. I don’t quite understand vhy zhey just don’t let me put zhem all to rest, but… I’m not about to argue vith zhem about it.” It wasn’t exactly that she feared the giants, but rather that she liked living--or unliving...whatever.

Bradyn does not start any sort of diatribe about his House, the differences between the Houses, and what Larewen's issue is with House Mahara. It was not the point of this expedition and he well knew that, plus he still has not fully determined if he could trust Khitti without her running and telling Larewen every word that comes out of his mouth. They were still trying to establish a working relationship, at least they were making progress.

"So what is the point of this expedition outside of observing? Surely that is not the reason that you came up here." He presumed that it was the reason that Larewen instructed him to come along with Khitti. A question and a statement. That is it. He was content enough to listen to the red headed woman talk on, and not in a way that he minded really for at least she had something to say. It was informative, he could respect that much (and if he had a problem with it then he should not go on asking questions like he is, duh, thankfully this a non-issue.) The crying spirit gains his appraisal for a few short glances but as Khitti has cautioned him, he will not stare for long. They have reached a point of civility again and he really does not need to cause the child to shriek -right- after she just warned him not to. He did not usually try to be that much of an annoying gnat. Only sometimes. For now, the student is silent, outside of his two sentences, and the teacher gets to do as much talking as she does or does not want to do.

“I honestly have no clue vhy Larewen had you come vith me. I’ve done zhis job by myself for awhile now and have had no need for aid nor to teach. Zhen again, Larewen and I have only just repaired our relationship three months or so ago.” Khitti wouldn’t divulge anymore information than that, with regards to her relationship with Larewen; it was not something that was of Bradyn’s concern. Or, at least, she wouldn’t speak further of it until perhaps they were better friends--if that was to happen anyway. “Perhaps she does not vish for us to meddle in zhe affairs having to do vith zhe Corruption just yet and vould rather keep us at a distance.” A sigh is uttered as she continues on down the path and into the city itself. As they walked, more and more spirits would pop up here and there, phasing in and out between this world and the Shadow Plane (something Khitti only just discovered a short time ago). “Perhaps she does not vant my help at all…” It seemed like the things she said was only speculation, but it did trouble her a little and soon was eager to change the subject back to the spirits.

“For me specifically, it’s my job to observe and my job to soothe them vhen it’s needed. Over time, vhen spirits are not allowed to rest, zhey can grow malevolent--another reason vhy no one is allowed out here vithout Hildegarde’s knowledge--and can take to murdering zhe living -and- zhe unliving.” Khitti paused and drew out a violin and its bow from within her satchel, the vampiress having opted to leave its rather bulky case behind. “I zhink you’ll find zhat not all necromancers--” Her train of thought ceased for the moment, trying to find the right way to say what was on her mind without perhaps undermining Larewen or even offending Bradyn. “--not all necromancers are like Larewen, to vhich I mean, vould rather show respect for zhe dead, instead of lord over zhem. She tends to forget zhat she too vill be amongst zhem one day, and if she leaves nothing in her vake but more corruption, someone vill in turn do zhe same to her. It vill be an endless cycle of madness. She needs allies, not more enemies.”

At first Bradyn was not getting the answer that he was looking for, not until the woman began speaking of what she specifically does here. Prior to that, there is a sour look on Bradyn's face -- they are dwelling too much on Larewen. Bradyn looks like he is about to add some thoughts on the subject of Larewen but he thinks better of it, on the basis that they still needed to formulate more of a friendship first. If Bradyn was even capable of really having friends. Time will tell. Until that time comes he is going to remain guarded on what he says regarding the other vampire. Listening to matters related to Lady Dragana is an entirely different matter. "She is intent on making more enemies than she is allies," is all that Bradyn will come to say on anything related to Larewen.

Bradyn has been content to travel alongside Khitti, moving as she moves and giving pause when she gives pause. The violin and the bow that she retrieves from her satchel are both regarded with a studious look, giving the woman ample time to retrieve these items. Even if there had been no contract to be signed, Bradyn would have stood around waiting and observing like the good little student he is meant to be. He can only assume and presume that these items were drawn out with purpose, Khitti did not seem the sort to give an impromptu performance in the middle of nowhere for a total stranger. "Music to soothe the spirits?" Is the conclusion that he has come to. Grey eyes to do not remain on the redhead. His eyes are traveling the expanse of the land, looking at spirits, flecking off a buildup of frost from off the shoulder of his jacket.

The looks Bradyn had written all over his face hadn’t gone unnoticed by Khitti. She was likely boring him to death (haha) or irritating him--and she couldn’t decide which one exactly it was or if it was both at the same time. She frowned a little at the thought, then nodded to him, “Yeah, something like zhat,” before putting bow to string and silencing herself altogether. Today, everything seemed relatively quiet. For now, at least. But, she played nevertheless, the notes eeking their way out into the open air around them. The ghosts took notice almost immediately as a slow-paced waltz emitted itself from violin. Some gathered nearby the necromancer to listen, while others paired off and danced to it. It was likely quite strange to witness, considering the fact that most necromancers would rather take control of the undead and force them into submission.

The Maharan make was clearly a master of displaying his emotions for if he were in tune with Khitti's thoughts he would surprisingly answer with neither. The notion that not every necromancer was the sort to want to control the dead with force and submission is not an unheard of one to him but what Khitti is doing at present is something he has not witnessed before. He would watch and observe but he would not remain stationary. However, each movement was slow and calculated, not in a malicious sort of way either! He was in an unfamiliar environment and made a promise not to interfere or cause upset to these sacred spirits -- just don't make him say he was minding himself because of anything Larewen had to say, okay? There was the fact that he signed a contract. Or that Khitti had asked (not) so nicely (he was being a jerk). Khitti would play, Bradyn would listen to both her song while observing the spirits responses to the notes springing forth from the strings of Khitti's violin. If any trouble were to come it would not be through any intentional part of his own. Khitti would likely be the one having to chat with Larewen at some point about him, so he is doing (mostly) as asked (after some stern words maybe).

Khitti would play and the spirits would dance until her vaguely mournful song had ended. Since she wasn’t privy to his thoughts--and he likely wouldn’t trust her with many more of them--she wasn’t able to continue to defend herself. Not like it’d do any good anyway. He was rather combative, albeit in a somewhat passive-aggressive way. She didn’t bring up Larewen again now that she was finished with the violin, packing it away as she eyed Bradyn carefully, as if she were taking stock of him. “Vhat is it zhat you know? Vith regards to necromancy, zhat is. I need to know vhere you are knowledge-wise, so I can either teach you or ve learn it together.”

"Admittedly you and I are likely of opposing viewpoints in how we delve into the art of necromancy." His approach was likely more like Larewen's while Khitti's was not. With Khitti no longer playing and the spirits no longer indulging in their dance, Bradyn's wandering also comes to an end. The vampire crosses through the snow, finding a place to stand about a foot in front of Khitti. "I would not say that I have dedicated my life to studying necromancy but a better part of my life has been spent learning. I would not yet claim myself an expert in any specialty in specific but I would say I am adequately learned in the basics that one would hope every necromancer has knowledge in." Short of an in depth ramble of what it is he can or cannot do, he presumes this will suffice. Hopefully Khitti would learn overtime that he has provided an accurate if not modest description. "Part of my want to join the Necromancers Guild is a continuing thirst for knowledge. If I don't manage to drive you mad first, I think you will find I am willing to learn most everything presented before me." This next bit may be a joke but it is said with no change in expression or tone that maybe he was being a jerk again? "So long as I do not have to sign any contracts." Hurhur. "Is there any other goal that you wanted to accomplish while we are out here or shall we begin the journey back?" He was in no rush, but her violin had been packed up so it did stand to reason.

“It doesn’t matter how ve differ. Just because I’m opposed to it doesn’t mean I’m going to stop you from doing anything I might find unsavory. Even I’ve crossed into that realm one time or another because of an emergency, despite my qualms vith how necromancy is used. I’m here to teach--and learn--and you’re here to learn, as vell.” Khitti failed to mention, though, that that ‘emergency’ wasn’t actually an emergency at all and it was outright murder. Minor detail. “If you are zhat intent on leaving, zhen yes, you can return to Vailkrin. I’ll likely be here for a day or so depending on vhether or not zhis feast happens, as I’ve got to attempt to speak to zhe Queen’s Knight-Commander about zhat whole Corruption business.” She purposely left out the fact that the Knight-Commander, who was also her boss (why does Khitti have so many damn bosses?!), was none other than Lionel O’Connor--that dude that pretty much everyone in Vailkrin hates. “So, your task, vhile I’m gone, is to read up on zhe Black Tides. It’s vhat I particularly specialize in.” Of course, all this was said during their walk back, the path Khitti took leading Bradyn to the wyvern post at the Warrior’s Guild HQ.

During their walk there would be several periodic nods to Khitti, listening to what she says in earnest....Earnest is not a good word, as earnest as one can hope from Bradyn, or that he might display. "I could decide I want to be here to teach too, you know. It is not that I am intent on leaving with respect of what you were showing me." Contract or not. "But if there is nothing else related to our shared interest of necromancy then yes, I will be on my way and returning to Vailkrin. Where I will do just as you ask and read up on exactly what you have asked, at least during my free time." Which he was not short on, it was mostly added in as a caveat for one never knows what might come up in these lands. Larewen could try and kill him, for example. He could meet Redhale in the Black Library. "You are welcome to drop by House Mahara upon your return to Vailkrin, or when you are ready to meet again please feel free to send word to the Funeral Parlor in Cenril." Or his House in Vailkrin. Whichever. "What about the Corruption business are you hoping to talk about? And for what goal in mind?" If one had to guess by tone alone, not that Bradyn is a very expressive man, Lionel > Larewen. So far. Maybe.

Khitti nodded along as Bradyn spoke, speaking up only when he was finished, “Zhat’s fine. It’s entirely up to you how quickly you vant to progress. And you’re certainly velcome to offer homework to me as vell. I’m quite certain zhere’s zhings you’d know zhat I’ve not a clue about.” She wanted to tell him that she likely didn’t know as much about necromancy as he did, even if he was a jack-of-all-trades of sorts in the knowledge department (there were certainly a hell of a lot of things she knew too from studying in the Xalious Library, but the majority of it wasn’t about necromancy at all), but that seemed like a bad idea. His opinion of her might change rather quick-like like it had with Larewen and she really didn’t feel like being on another person’s bad side. She had enough enemies as it was. “He knows more about zhe situation vith zhe Corruption zhan I do, really. He vas zhere. If Larewen’s sending me to get his help, zhen zhings are probably a lot vorse zhan I zhought. Zhey don’t exactly like each other very much. I honestly don’t know how ve’re going to tame zhe zhing again, but ve can’t get Larewen back into her body vithout fixing zhis problem zhat Pilar and Emrith created.”

"Well, I suppose that if we were to even consider me assigning you anything, we would first have to discuss what it is you know." Outside of the Black Tides, which Bradyn has already been instructed to read up on. If there was ever homework he did not mind it was reading. "But perhaps that is a discussion saved for another time." For it sounded as though Khitti had business to tend to. Bradyn has already given her alternatives for reaching out to him when she was ready to do so. "For it does sound like you have business to tend do, from feasts to important meetings." It would be near impossible to ascertain what Bradyn would think of the fact that Khitti may not be as learned in necromancy as he was. That issue would no doubt come to light eventually, for if he was to share any of his knowledge with her then he would have to have an understanding of what she knows. This is said just as they approach the Warrior's Guild Headquarters and his wyvern ride back toward the main gates of Frostmaw, where he would head home to Vailkrin from there. "Until our next meeting then?"

Khitti only nodded, giving Bradyn a bit of a wave before allowing him to head off. Great, now she had something else to worry about: how the hell was she going to tell him that she’s probably less experienced in necromancy that he is? Ugh. Oh well. Time to go get ready for the feast. Except, she’d soon find out that it was cancelled and that her trip out here was partially wasted.