RP:Visitor for Kelo the Jailbird

Part of the Rise of Larket Arc

Summary: Josleen visits Kelovath in jail. They make a plan to get him out as soon as possible. Josleen threatens the sheriff’s job.

A Jail, Larket

Kelovath spent the entire night awake. Not that it was his choice. The sheriff and all his wonderfulness decided that it would be best if the paladin did not sleep. To make sure this happened, several things happened. Guards in full armor making their rounds more often than normal. If it looked like the paladin was sleeping, they were instructed to wake him by hitting the bars of the cage. This only happened once and it wasn’t because Kelo was sleeping. One of the guards simply decided to do it. Another measure that the sheriff took was throwing in a cellmate. The guy was an actual criminal, one who knew Kelovath, and was completely content on staring at the councilman for long periods of time. It grew awkward, at times, but at some point the criminal was removed from the cell. It was early morning now and a guard arrived to deliver food. The wooden tray was pushed into the cell, the food scraping against the bars. The bars were not clean and it made the food all the more unappetizing. Kelovath stayed calm through all of this unorthodox activity, but the lack of food was starting to wane on his body. It had been a long time since feeling this pain of hunger. Sure, it wasn’t anywhere near what he’d felt before given his history, but his life was usually so routine. The lack of food and movement were unusual. He stayed patient and when it was silent enough, the man prayed.

The Sheriff’s Office, despite its maltreatment of Kelovath, was duty bound to carry through some processes, one of which included informing someone close to Kelovath of his arrest. The fact Josleen was visiting Frostmaw made her the best candidate, as she would receive word late which would extend Kelovath’s jail time without contact from the outside world. Indeed, Josleen did not receive the letter until late in the evening, well after the Sheriff’s visitation hours, so his gambit paid off for one night. No matter, she requested an Eyrie transport just before dawn to arrive at the jail the moment the guards would be obligated to let her visit Kelovath. She smiled at noone, and spoke only what was essential to get in the door. Though no guard in the jail was mistreating her, she could feel hostility electrify the air. In her gut she knew that if she spoke out of turn they would find an excuse to turn her away. In the jail, she ran to Kelovath’s cell and reached through the bars for him. “Kelo,” she cried weakly, her composure rattling as soon as she sees him. Having come to rely on him for everything, she had developed a habit (unhelpful in this situation) of deferring to him in times of crisis. When alone, she could be strong, but when with him, his strength was always enough. “Baby, what happened?”

A prayer was running through the paladin’s head when a guard came to his cell. “You’ve got a visitor, Kelo.” His head snapped up at the voice of the guard. It was the same one who was present during the arrest. The message was quick and it didn’t take long until the guard was moving along. Was that a warning? A nice gesture? Hard to make sense of it right now. Anxious now, he waited for any new noise to be made, any clue that would tell him who was here. Just as he stood, his name was spoken again, but this time by Josleen. Without a second thought, the man went to the bars and as best as he could, wrapped his arms around her. “Jos.” Spoken weakly as he desperately grasped at her. “The high priest was murdered. They are claiming I did it…” The man attempted to be strong, mostly for Josleen, but his voice was unsure. Shaky. There was weakness in this moment, but also love. Even locked up, there was an obvious connect between Josleen and Kelovath. Cold, metal bars and the increasing amount of ‘evidence’ against the paladin could not keep them apart.

Josleen’s arms snaked through the bars. The dirt smeared on her sleeves, but she paid it no mind. “That’s absurd. How can anyone believe that?” She shot the guards a few yards away an incredulous look, but she wasn’t here for them. She looked Kelovath once, twice, and thrice over. Questions crowded her mind and she spat them out quickly, not giving him a chance to answer as she racked her mind for what comes next. “How are they treating you? When do you see a judge? How much is bail?”

Kelovath glanced at the guards as Jos did. He knew they were only following orders. The real threat came from the sheriff. “I’m fine, Jos. Really. Just tired.” He looked it too. The other questions went unanswered. “All I know is that they think I did it. The high priest gave evidence that I had done something and now he’s dead.” The look he gave after that brief explanation was of defeat. What more could be done? He was locked up. The real culprit was out there somewhere and the only person who seems to be in the direct light of the events is Kelovath. An unsteady sigh, “I don’t know what to do, Jos.” With Josleen being here, it figured it was only a matter of time that the sheriff would come waltzing in and demand that she be escorted out of the building. Thankfully that hadn’t happened yet, but the looming thought was there. “The council could help, but if they also think that I…” His eyes closed tight. “I’ve got to speak to them…”

Panic quickened Josleen’s heartbeat, but she did her best to look serene. She stroked Kelovath’s face. “The truth always wins,” she said, echoing her words spoken the night before she left for Frostmaw. With each new development she believes her own words less and less. She shook her head to reassure Kelovath as his final thoughts despaired. “Sabrina and Artia are on the council. They believe in you. They will defend you. There is nothing to connect you to the motive except circumstance, right? You didn’t do it. There is no hard evidence. Maybe the investigation will turn up a new suspect. In the meantime...” Her voice wavered. Would they let him out as he awaits a hearing, or will the judge deem him a flight risk? “How can we get you out of here? What are they feeding you? Should I bring food?” The need to free Kelovath competed for the need to make his stay comfortable, to liberate and to nurture.

The calming touch from Josleen did wonders, but the shock of the situation hadn’t worn off completely. Freedom sounded like the best thing right now. Away from this cold room and back home with Josleen. She was back from Frostmaw. They could have dinner together this very night. Enjoy each other’s company. Even make love. The thoughts of freedom were ideal, but instead his mind shifted forward. Right now is all well and good, but… “Should I stay here…? I’m innocent, I know, but it’s obvious someone is framing me. If I’m here, locked up, then…” He absolutely hated the words coming from his mouth. The paladin did not want to be here any longer. “I’m putting people in danger. The high priest, that guard, the ones that are diseased…Dead or dying.” It wasn’t on purpose, but the paladin was starting to weaken his grasp around Josleen. Pulling away from her was not on his mind, but the man did have a sudden thought. “You are in danger, Jos…” His hand on her back instinctively grabbed at her. Even thinking that she might be in danger made his protective side show.

At first the bard did not follow his reasoning, but then it became all too clear. So long as Kelovath was free, people would die so that he could be framed as culpable in their deaths. She shook her head at the suggestion. “Darling, I understand, but look at this place.” Her gaze led his around the room. “The thought of you cooped up in this horrible cell... You don’t deserve this, and the person who is framing you would love to see you cave and stay locked up in here. I don’t want to give him the satisfaction. Screw him. And let’s be clear that the person framing you is Macon.” This last fact she stated out loud for the guards’ eavesdropping benefit. She planted that seed knowingly. Some of them may be inclined to agree, or not. Macon was, for some of the guard, their former boss. Was he a good boss, or a bad boss? Do they believe the paladin or the former sheriff? “He would be a fool to come after me, for who would believe you’d hurt me?” She smiled a little at that and pressed his hand to her back as if to emphasize her point. He protects her, he wouldn’t hurt her.

Kelovath struggled to believe that Josleen wasn’t in danger. Whether he would have been framed for something happening to her or not, the fact that it’s because of him she’d be in danger is what brought the worry. Glancing around, the guards, the cell, and then to Josleen, he sighed and nodded. “You’re right.” He stated simply, pressing his lips to her forehead. “The sheriff isn’t going to let me out.” His gaze lifted to the nearby guards again, narrowing his eyes at one more than the other. The paladin knew most of the men here. How they felt about the situation was unknown, but there were a few he knew that were trustworthy. Unfortunately, none of them were here. “Marcel will help speed up the process. He’s probably at the fort. Training. The council needs to be involved. Whether they agree with me or not, I have rights. Bail. Fair trial. He’ll know how to handle it.” Marcel wasn’t a lawyer by any means, but the lad did have a great understanding for how Larket worked. Kelovath lifted a hand to Jos’s face, which also seemed to calm his nerves. “I’m glad you’re here.”

Josleen nodded softly, knowing that he was right but feeling powerless in the moment. She wanted to leave this place with him now, but she couldn’t force that outcome. It wound her up tight inside, a little coil that would spring later when her foes least expected it. She’d want revenge on Macon, and before this ordeal was over, on the sheriff too. His touch and kind words pulled her out of her darker thoughts. “Of course, my love. You’re here, so where else should I be?” She kissed his hand. “So, that’s the plan then, leave it to Marcel and the council.” Josleen already had plans of her own to hire an investigator to tail Macon, but she would not speak this within hearing range of the guards. Whispered would garner their suspicion. “Anything you’d like me to do for you? Bring you some clothes, soap, other comforts?”

Kelovath nodded, “That’s the plan.” Faintly, the man thought he could hear the voice of the sheriff somewhere nearby. Again, the dread of that man showing up came to mind, but he also wondered how he looked. Probably a crooked nose after that punch from Aarika. “I’m okay, Jos. I’ve been in worse places.” He actually said that with a smile. It was the truth, after-all. This was easy compared to being a slave.” His thumb caressed the soft cheek of Josleen. “I’ll be out of here in no time.” On cue, the sheriff appeared from around the corner as the paladin finished his statement. The guards made his presence known as they both stood more at attention. Kelovath also pulled away from Josleen some, standing more upright, but not out of respect. Anger. His gaze narrowed at the smaller man who did in fact have a slightly swollen and maybe even crooked nose now. The sheriff spoke, to the guards, “He wasn’t allowed any visitors!” The official whipped his fingers toward one of the guards, head shaking in disgust. His attention locked onto Josleen, giving the woman a very slow once over. A quick glance to Kelovath, then right back to the bard. “Visiting hours are over!” Always with the almost yelling, voice having to be louder than everyone else’s. Even after making his statement, the sheriff made no attempt to motion for the guards. He was wanting a reaction from the woman.

“I will bring you fresh clothes and soap, and anything else I can think of. Easy or not, I want this as comfortable for you as possible, love” she said, her tone lighthearted for the first time sine she had arrived. Her mood lifted because she believed him; he would be out soon. He was innocent. Her hopeful moment was cut short by the surly sheriff. Her back stiffened and she turned to face the shouting man. She was not the least bit cowed. Few people think of the life of a bard, but verbal abuse by strangers is a common work hazard for all entertainers. It would take more than bluster to scare her. “He has a right to visitors, and let me remind you that he has been convicted of no crime. He is here under suspicions of a crime he did not commit, and when justice proves him innocent, you’d do well to remember what happens next. For he will return to his seat at the council, that is, your boss. I will fetch him clean clothes and soap and anything else I believe he needs, and if you want to keep your job when this is over, I suggest you prove you're good at your job by treating him with respect!”

Of all people, it appeared Kelovath was the most caught off guard by how ‘matter-of-fact’ Josleen was. A grin spread over his features, but that soon went away whenever the sheriff made his reply. “This man murdered the high priest! Killed a guard! Poisoned Larket citizens! Framed Macon!” The last statement about Macon was spoken the loudest. Whether it was because it was the last of his words or because Macon’s name was spoken. Whatever the reason, it was clear this man worked for Macon. As far as he believed, all of what he said was true. Kelovath was guilty. “This man will be tried and executed when it’s all said and done!” The sheriff adjusted his posture and stood a little taller, like his words made him larger and more powerful. He believed this were true. Other than Aarika, he believed to be untouchable. “Guards! Escort her out of here! Now!” Kelovath spoke now, to Josleen. “Go, Jos. Get Marcel. This man is impossible.” The guards stepped forward now, waiting to see if Josleen would follow the paladin’s suggestion.

Josleen knew a true believer when she saw one. There was no reasoning with the sheriff. “You’re wrong,” was all she said. She braved turning around to squeeze Kelovath’s hand supportively, quickly blew him a kiss, then left with the guard. Just before she turned the corner she tossed Kelovath a sympathetic look and mouthed the words, ‘ I love you.’ She’ll be back, hopefully with Sabrina or Artia. If the sheriff won’t listen to reason, she’ll have to go over his head.

The sheriff watched Josleen leave with a grin. He’d won and she lost. That’s exactly how he saw it and how he wanted it. Kelovath grew sad when the woman was no longer within sight, his attention now turning to the sheriff. “She’ll be back.” The words coming from Kelovath stung the sheriff and softened his victory. This needed to be absolute. “I’ll do everything within my power to make sure you never see her again, Kelovath!” The sheriff turned his head to look at the paladin, that grin reappearing. Unfortunately for the sheriff, Kelovath was also smiling and laughter soon followed. His head shook and he spoke, “You don’t have enough power in the world to stop that woman.” The sheriff lost his grin and his ‘merry’ attitude. Anger surfaced and being unable to think of anything clever to say, he responded fast. “We’ll see about that!” Ideally, the man would have kicked something, but there was nothing, so his anger continued to build up. A loud grunt and a bit of spit shooting from his lips, the sheriff turned and left the paladin behind. Quite a ways into the building, the sounds of the official screaming could be heard. Something about ‘damn that paladin’ and ‘to hell with that girl’ echoed throughout the building. Followed by ‘Don’t give him any food!’. Kelovath was definitely in for a long couple of days, at the least.