RP:Vampire Allies, Part 2
Part of the Thy Kingdom Come Arc
Summary: After meeting in the plaza, Pilar leads Hildegarde to the home she shares with the other members of House Dragana, in order to speak with Larewen. There, the Silver and the necromancer strike a deal. Hildegarde will support Larewen's claim to the throne of Vailkrin, if Larewen will lend her support to Hildegarde.
House Dragana
Hildegarde nodded as Pilar spoke of at least leading the way to Larewen’s vampiric estate, knowing that it was better than what some people might have offered. “That is kind of you, Pilar,” the knight said gently, “and I do appreciate it and your help so far. I… er, I cannot think of a way to repay you for your kindness in Frostmaw; but I would like to. If there is anything you wish to ask of me, something you desire that is, do let me know,” she bade the young vampire as she followed Pilar through the dark forest; her halberd at the ready given that Kenway had elected to remain within the city limits. Not everyone would invite a couatl into their home, after all.
Pilar's first instinct was to decline any reward. While her parents had tried to teach her to be opportunistic, and she could be when the situation called for it, she regarded Hildegarde highly and wasn't all that comfortable asking for anything. Besides, what could the knight offer her that she actually wanted? She wasn't interested in a place in Frostmaw, and she had teachers to help her learn to fight. Hm... "I will... think about it, thank you." Soon, they came upon the house. Pilar walked up the steps and opened the door, stepping aside to allow Hildegarde to enter.
Larewen was in her usual place, and in fact had hardly left it in the recent days: her study. The wards and charms within the walls of House Dragana came alive with the entrance of what the House deemed a stranger. After all, dragons weren't one of the races that usually visited the elf. Larewen closed her eyes briefly against the bright way in which the magic flared, and when it had settled after finding no threat, her eyes opened again and her lips pressed into a thin line. With a wave of her hand, the leafs that she'd been studying were swept into a neat, orderly pile and the elf rose to her feet. Steps that were far more sure than they had been before guided her from the room and to the foyer, where she would greet her visitors.
Hildegarde entered the House after Pilar, gently shutting the door behind her so as not to be rude. She felt watched within the confines of these walls, as if some kind of magical force was keeping an eye upon her until suddenly the sensation faded away. It would be impolite for her to comment upon it, however, for it was not her place to question the magics in place within another’s home. “Lady Larewen,” the knight said, as the matron of the house entered the foyer; bowing respectfully at the waist towards her would be hostess. “Pilar brought me to your home. I would like to speak with you, if I may?”
Pilar turned her eyes towards Larewen as the elf made her way into the foyer. A number of thoughts flitted through her mind, and while most were pleasant (Larewen had always been good to her, after all), there was a hint of creeping doubt. The elder vampire had taken a turn for the... darker... as of late. Her hunger for power was being worn more and more on her sleeve. And then there was that business with old... acquaintances, that had left her shaken. Larewen Dragana, shaken! It didn't seem possible. Pilar hoped she hadn't misjudged Larewen so badly that she had to fear being reprimanded.
Larewen blinked once, twice, perhaps even a third time when her gaze fell upon Hildegarde. It was the way that her magic swirled around the dragon and Pilar that helped guide Larewen's stare. To the latter, she lifted her chin in greeting; the former, those dark eyes sought her own. "You appear quite improved from last I saw you, Hildegarde," came Larewen's greeting in return. A gesture was made toward the verdant sofas within the foyer, inviting both to have a seat as Larewen responded with, "Of course. You've gone through the trouble of coming all the way out here, the least I can do is speak with you. Would you care for something to drink?" There was something slightly off in the way that the elf carried herself. Where before, Pilar might have noticed the faintest hints of pain within her voice, there was the coldness that had been there when the two first met, as if a part of the elf had begun to shut down. To Hildegarde, the way in which Larewen spoke would be just as it had been for the first while that they knew each other, when she'd sought to study the spirits of Frostmaw.
Hildegarde obviously knew nothing of what had been going on with Larewen. When they had last seen one another, Hildegarde had wound up dead. Yet, much like Desparrow, Larewen would see nothing out of the ordinary pertaining the magic that was about Hildegarde. The hints and traces of divine magic that had resurrected her would have been largely gone, perhaps only a faint trace of it remaining. “Indeed. Walking and talking is a great improvement from being… well… quite the opposite,” the knight said conversationally, as if her own death hadn’t truly bothered her. “No, no, thank you. I appreciate your offer, but I do not imbibe,” because she liked to have a clear head about her at all times. “Tell me, m’lady, what you know of Frostmaw’s present situation.”
Pilar followed the two to the couches, sitting down beside Larewen, across from Hildegarde. She looked at her benefactor with concern. She hoped to speak to her privately, later, to ask what was wrong, and offer comfort if she could.
Larewen dipped her head to Hildegarde's decline of drink, and then as the conversation turned toward Frostmaw, as she figured it would, the elf's lips pressed into a thin line. "It is not a safe place," she said, quietly. "Laezila returned here, fearfully. From what I understand, Ayras has gone berserk - and as much as I'd like to see my kind behave as what they are, even I cannot excuse the behavior he is rumored to have at present." That was saying a lot, really. Larewen had no qualms fooling with the dead, after all. Her hands weren't free of blood, either. "It appears you were the thread holding Frostmaw together."
Hildegarde smiled briefly at the mention of Laezila, “I am glad to hear that Laezila is safe. Though I fear for Ayras now… I must find where he is,” she said thoughtfully, “and try to bring him back from this brink.” The Silver paused for a long moment, as if considering how best to proceed. “I have spent some time in Gualon, securing the allegiance of Governor Tristram. He has pledged me his assistance in the retaking of Frostmaw and our continued friendship when I reclaim the city. And now I have come here.”
Pilar had nothing to add, really, and so simply stayed silent and listened to the discussion.
Larewen couldn't care less for the fate of the other vampire. As much as she proclaimed to want to bring her kind back to their former glory, a berserk vampire was just that: crazed. He was also Frostmaw's problem at present, and was not, as far as Larewen could recall, associated with Vailkrin in any form, save for what he was. Laezila, on the other hand... "Laezila is safe, for the time-being; however, with Daath's return, she does not trust in my ability to continue offering her refuge. As for the vampire, I can only wish you luck in bringing him back to his senses," the elf said, quietly. Then, as Hildegarde continued, a dark brow arched upward. "Gualon?" she echoed, perhaps for the sole reason that she'd not heard, let alone spoken the city's name in quite some time. The last statement brought them to the business of the Silver's visit. "I imagine then, that you've come to make a request of me, as well?"
Hildegarde raised a brow at the mention of Daath. She had only met him once, if she recalled correctly, and she had little intention of doing it again unless necessary. “This does not surprise me. She is wary of drow,” she reasoned. “But I should like to see Laezila soon. I can’t imagine her being all too comfortable this close to the Underdark.” The knight paused again, allowing Larewen to soak up the proffered information: the fact that she was in Gualon to reaffirm her alliance with the Governor, that she had rallied the support of the orcish people. “Oh, no, I have not come to beg a request of you, m’lady,” the knight clarified. “I have come to make *you* an offer.”
Pilar didn't recognize the name of Daath, but Larewen had mentioned her guildmaster reappearing recently. Could they be one and the same? Something else to ask about. Though when Hildegarde mentioned having an offer for Larewen, she looked at the dragon in surprise. She had mentioned looking for help... was this how political negotiations worked? Pilar really had no head for this kind of stuff.
Larewen shifted slightly where she sat, one leg raising to cross over the other as the elf leaned forward slightly. "I cannot fault her for that; however, it saddens me that she has become so fearful. She is a strong woman, should she put her mind to it," the elf said quietly. She was greatly disappointed in the way Laezila seemed to have gone from Matron, to Hero, and then regressed into what Larewen could only describe at present as nearly childlike. A moment later, when Hildegarde spoke as to why she'd come, Larewen blinked. "An offer?" she echoed, and her features mirrored Pilar's surprise. That term meant a lot of things, not all of which were so pleasant. Offers also came with an exchange, as far as Larewen was aware, and thus she could not help but wonder what it was that might interest the Silver enough to seek her out this evening.
Hildegarde nodded in agreement, “Laezila is fearful due to what she has encountered. In time, her strength and life will return,” she said with certainty, absolutely convinced of the inner strength the former matron had within her. Whether Hildegarde has noticed the surprise on Larewen and Pilar’s faces is unclear, for she does not comment nor react otherwise to such expressions. “Indeed,” she confirmed. “I am not one to dance about my words, so I will keep things blunt. You know Kasyr has abdicated the throne of Vailkrin. You seem like a woman who would have her eyes,” she doesn’t feel awkward about saying that to the blind woman, she too is missing an eye, “firmly set on the prize that is the throne. You’re a woman who has sought power, but also carefully balanced it with justice and levelled compassion: as you have shown in your saving and treatment of Laezila and in the management of your House, no?” the knight reasoned conversationally. “But… the throne is not yours. You do not command the city guard, nor the military. You do not control the City of Vampires, but you could… You could, if I were to support you in this claim. I am, after all, a friend of Kasyr and Satoshi. I am one who can reliably vouch, given my reputation as a woman of honour.” The Silver paused, allowing such to sink in. “But, as you would expect, such an offer is not without a price.”
Pilar felt that Hildegarde's assessment of Larewen was dead-on, and as such thought the offer of support was a very reasonable one. Vailkrin could do worse than Larewen on the throne. And surely, Hilde would only ask for her support in return. Surely Larewen would agree to that!
Silence lingered in the air, undoubtedly for longer than one would have expected. Hildegarde had, in a sense, hit the nail on the head. Kasyr had known it too, and that was why Larewen had been among the first to know of his impending abdication of the throne. He had come to her with advice, before he took his leave of the city. The Silver's choice of words, the intentional pairing of hunger for power with justice and compassion, did not escape Larewen and it drove an imaginary stake through her heart. Not so much for the offer, but for the fighting that had been occurring with Emrith as of late. For a moment, just the briefest of moments, her features twisted slightly to reveal a glimpse of that internal agony, and then it was forced away once more. She drew her breath inward slowly, then exhaled with equal calmness. After all, she had intentions, in the near future, that did not at all line up with those ideals, and yet Hildegarde was, quite literally, dangling one of Larewen's greatest desires, before her. "You would not be wrong in that assumption," she spoke at last. "What is your price?"
Hildegarde could see some kind of struggle, but it was not her place to comment on it. Not right this moment. She had to deal with this business first. “My price is threefold,” she explained. “In vouching and supporting your claim to Vailkrin’s throne, I would expect you to continue the friendly and good relationship with Frostmaw that was born originally of marriage. I see no reason to let a good thing end, do you? And in that vein, I would like to consider us friends or to work on becoming such. I want you to know that you may confide in me or speak with me about things that trouble you,” she said with a little smile that was borderline knowing. “Secondly. I would obviously desire your support in my retaking of Frostmaw, though I suspect you knew *that* price was coming along.” The knight paused, as if mulling over the third price. “The third and final price… I do not know whether or not you will feel it to be a dear one, but I know it is not something I could decide lightly. As you know, Frostmaw’s dead, Frostmaw’s spirits… they are ancient and powerful to my people. Yet they have been spoiled and defiled twice now by scheming necromancers. Necromancers are shunned and disdained in the North… and we cannot combat necromancy efficiently. I would ask you to give me a member of your House who is proficient in the necromantic arts. Someone who would remain in Frostmaw – obviously they have their freedom to come and go, I am no tyrant – and serve as a defender against other necromancers who would seek to prey upon my dead and my living. They would be an ambassador of sorts. I would promise them luxury and care; whatever they required would be met.”
Pilar caught the look on Larewen's face, and dared to place a hand on her arm in solace. She listened to Hildegarde's price, and found it all very reasonable, especially the part about friendship. Pilar loved friendship. She didn't know of any other necromancers in the House other than Larewen herself, but it's already been established that she knew little of who was actually a part of the House. Pilar watched Larewen, fully expecting agreement.
As Hildegarde spoke, so many things began to unravel within the necromancer. It was as if her resolve, the very reason she had been fighting with Emrith in the first place, began to falter. There was a slight sag to the woman's shoulders, almost undetectable, as realization came to fruition. Hildegarde's price was steep, but it was something that Larewen could do easily. The Silver knew what Larewen was capable of, and had played a large role in what Larewen had become. It was Hildegarde that had allowed her to study those spirits, after all. That gesture had meant a lot to Larewen, and even then the elf's heart had still be cold. Part of her wanted to tell Hildegarde what would happen soon, part of her was, dare she admit it, afraid to. "Those are prices I can pay, Hildegarde, but..." she trailed off, her gaze sweeping past her and toward the farther rooms of her home. Erlan and Molostroi were not present, and that afforded her some relief. Would she squeal on herself? She glanced sideways, to Pilar, and again, her expression was troubled. "I fear that I am not as just and compassionate as you might believe me to be."
Hildegarde shrugged her shoulder at Larewen’s final words, “No one is as compassionate or as just as we would like them to be or imagine them to be,” she replied, but her tone was gentle and kind though not patronising. “I believe we are all capable of cruelty. We all crave power in some shape or form, be that in physical strength, magical strength or knowledge. But… do we go the easy path that is made on the backs and bodies of others? Or do we scale the mountain and learn mastery through work and conviction?” The Silver paused a moment before adding gently, “Justice is no easy feat. Compassion is no easy thing. You must be strong and powerful to be those things, my friend. For who is stronger than the one who forgives? Who is stronger than the one who sacrifices for the good of all? I am not saying you must be saintly. I am saying you owe it to yourself to at least… to at least try. For that is all we can do in this world. Try.”
Larewen listened quietly to the dragon's words, her lips pressing into a thin line. The hard facade was dropped shortly after entirely, and Larewen's inner conflict once more was visible. Even more oddly, she had not shirked away from Pilar's touch. Part of her craved that contact. Finally, she broke. In fact, there was even a faint waver in her voice as she spoke. "I can, and am willing to pay your price, Hildegarde; however, I have already committed myself to something less than pleasant. My part is not out of malice, but out of my ever deepening desire to further my knowledge of my craft. This will come to pass, and in order to obtain this knowledge, this ancient, forgotten knowledge that is of great value to myself and my guild, I must."
Pilar looked into Larewen's eyes, seeing the conflict within them. "Larewen..." she murmured. Then Hildegarde spoke, and put into words Pilar's own thoughts, albeit more eloquently than the vampire ever could. Then, then came Larewen's... confession, of sorts. Pilar felt the cold grip of dread upon her heart. What had Larewen gotten herself into? And was it too late to put a stop to it? Or... was Pilar bound by her promise of loyalty to follow Larewen down a dark path? Swallowing, Pilar spoke. "Not everyone would look twice at a weak, pathetic creature like me, but you..." Her voice grew stronger with conviction. "You took me in, gave me a home, and never asked for anything in return. You are capable of such selfless love, Larewen. Let it guide you." Then, she wrapped her arms around the necromancer, pulling her into a caring embrace.
Hildegarde shook her in disagreement, “You do not *need* to, m’lady,” she said softly. “But it is the only path you see before you and therefore you are tricked into believing that the darkest path is the only one you must walk. You are powerful, Larewen! Forge your own path,” she said it firmly, though it was not a command nor order. “Look at the love you have evoked in the Lady Pilar,” she said quietly, smiling as she watched the vampire embrace the elder vampire. “Do you think you could have garnered such love and respect via cruelty? Fear is not respect. The darkest path is the easiest. The path that the just and compassionate must walk, now, that is true cruelty and true hardship. But worth every scar and every burden.” The Silver paused, before finally saying: “Think on what I have said, m’lady. I shall be residing in the castle, with many thanks to Kasyr. I had best be going, lest my host thinks I have abandoned him for the evening,” she said courteously. “Take care, Pilar. Take care, Larewen.”