A Chance Encounter

[Farryn Loragwyn]

An Unspecified Graveyard, New Santaissa ​

A pair of fraternal twins - one of flesh, and blood, the other a disembodied figure - stood side by side before a grave in an unkempt section of the graveyard. The gravestone that marked the grave was a large, unremarkable stone that Farryn had found near the church she had taken sanctuary in. On the said stone was a simple plaque that read:

Calix Loragwyn​

Died: 3138/09/11​

“This is weird, and a little creepy,” Calix mused, staring at his grave.

"I'm sorry I couldn't afford a proper funeral for you, or anything nicer like a better burial site, a better gravestone, or more words on the plaque. I promise I'll move you somewhere better when I regain my rightful position," Farryn looked at Calix's disembodied form with a sombre expression.

"This is more than enough. Honestly, I would have preferred if you had spent the money from selling the jewellery on yourself if, but if this was what you needed, then I'm not going to complain." Calix tore his gaze from the grave, and turned to his twin. "Besides, even if you held a funeral, you'd be the only one in attendance, sweet sister."

"True," Farryn sighed sadly, and gently lay down a small bouquet she had fashioned from flowers she had picked in, and around the vicinity of the graveyard. "Let's get back to the church, it's getting late."

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]​

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Sofia Annesley"]


Duty. Devotion. Faith. Strength. These were the guiding principles of the Most Noble House of Cadalthor. Noblesse oblige flowed through their veins like blood. Its Scions were crusaders, stalwart guardians of Ashira's holy law. At least that was the official party line.


Tarissa Cadalthor, Duchess of Galandrona, sat in a place of honour amongst the manifold worshippers that filled the prayer hall. Fervour and zeal were written across her face while the ceremony took place. Pink mist rose into the air, stained glass on either side of the wall depicted saints, deities and martyrs of the faith. Standing upon an elevated podium, where also the altar lay, the Cannoness directed the ceremony like a conductor does a symphony. Musical instruments played, the children's choir sang about the glory and majesty of the Goddess.


"Great Mother of Heaven, look down on us.
Great Mother of Heaven, preserve us.
High Goddess, grant us your favour.
High Goddess, show us your mercy and grace.
Revered Lady, take us and lead us to salvation.
Revered Lady, allow us to imitate your virtues.
Holy Ashira, preserve us from evil and sin. Holy Ashira, in your name we worship."


Their devout faces and obvious enthusiasm pleased Tarissa. The Cadalthor clan had been one of the main contributors to the Cathedral's construction, ensuring that once again the faithful would have a place to make obeisance to the Goddess. Alas, there were many whose faith had waned after the Exodus, for they took it as proof that Ashira was either weak or a fraud. Foolishness. The Heavenly Mother had not forsaken her children, but guided them to the promised land. Whenever I doubt, I turn to Her, for our Goddes is a strong fortress. She gives me the fortitude to do the right thing, Tarissa thought to herself, while chanting filled the hall and rose to the heavens.


Out of the corner of her eye, Tarissa spotted Vaena Askari amongst the throng. The sight of her bastard cousin filled her with mixed feelings. "Has Vaena been in contact with my aunt lately?" she asked quietly, so as not to disturb the beautiful choir.


"The last call was a week ago, Your Grace. They spoke of general trivialities. Angelii Askari was reluctant to discuss personal details. She mainly spoke of Angelii life. There have been no personal meetings." Her loyal assistant, a blonde, statuesque Eldorai called Cyraea Aetani, sat alongside her. Her expression was demure, but alert. She performed the duties of an aide, harem girl, bodyguard and, occasionally, assassin.


"I see," Tarissa looked pensive. "She is a smart girl. A good soldier, by all accounts. Nonetheless, continue your surveillance. Mylea is a wily snake." Even though Vaena had made no attempt to be legitimised as a Cadalthor, the Duchess could not help feel suspicious.


"As you command, Your Grace. On another note, the Matriarch of House Loragwyn has expressed interest in a meeting, prior to the next council session..." The Loragwyns were old allies of the Cadalthors. Both tended to support one another in the Council of Nobles. Little did Tarissa know that she'd run into the matriarch's disgraced daughter today!

 

[Farryn Loragwyn]

With the Grand Cathedral in sight, the pair could hear the sound musical instruments being played, and the choir's songs about the glory, and majesty of the Goddess, Ashira in the distance, alerting the twins that mass was in session.

"We should hurry," Calix said to his sister. "Wouldn't want to miss mass."

"Yeah," Farryn replied simply, and began to jog towards the conical cathedral.

The events of the asteroid impact on Kaeshana, watching her own twin slain before her eyes, and discovering her subsequent fall from high society that occurred while she was in a comatose state had deeply shaken her belief in Ashira. If the Goddess existed, she did not smile on her.

However, much to her annoyance, Calix did not want her faith to waiver. "Everything that happens is a part of Ashira plan," he would say to her, and tell her about the girl who used to frequent his dreams, and everything that led up to their meeting.

"The girl who appeared in my dreams was a message from Ashira, to tell me that I wasn't alone, that I have you, and she disappeared so I could concentrate on my studies without distraction," he would reason. "I know this to be true because of our bond. I can feel it, the bond we share is similar to the bond I shared with her."

Although Farryn loved her brother dearly, she thought him a bit of an idiot at times like these. This is why women rule instead of men unlike the offworlders' inferior societies, and cultures, she would think to herself.

Out of breath from several minutes of continuous jogging, Farryn entered the Grand Cathedral, careful not to distract those who were worshipping the Goddess, and sat alone in the back of the hall as Calix watched over her, out of sight so as not to alarm those who were in the cathedral.

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]​

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Farryn Loragwyn"]


By the time Farryn and her ghostly companion arrived, the ceremony would've moved on a bit. Soon it was time to partake in the sacred meal, eating the blessed bread and drinking the blessed wine. It went without saying that children would drink fruit juice instead of wine, though the latter was very watered down since no one wanted a congregation full of drunk elves.


This was also a moment to give alms, when the lay sisters made their rounds, passing out food and drink. After the meal was over, it would be time for the benediction. One by one, the believers would walk to the elevated podium and receive the blessing of the Goddess. Women would be served first, while men would have to wait their turn. Even though Eldorai society had liberalised a lot since the ascension of [member="Anya Venari"] to the throne, it was still very sexist. It was probably progress that men and women could sit together now, instead of being wholly segregated like in the old days.


Would Farryn walk to the altar and receive Ashira's blessing? Or would she stick to the corner or try to slip away? The days of burning heretics and atheists were over, but there was still a good deal of conformism and unspoken social pressure.


Either way, the disgraced noblelady would probably see Tarissa arise from her seat and walk towards the clerics with her chin held high, projecting power and confidence. The noblelady was an imposing presence, wearing a royal purple gown that reached down to her ankles and had long sleeves. In other words, she was less into revealing attire than Siobhan. She bowed her head when she beheld the Goddess' majestic statue, her eyes seemed to glow with fervour.


"May Ashira's light guide you, sister, and lead you to salvation. May she be a candle in the dark. May she banish all evil from your soul and fill it with righteousness. Carry her and her children in your heart." These were the approximate words the Cannoness and the Priestess assisting her would say, before sprinkling the believer's forehead with holy water. They might vary a bit, since they were occasionally tailored to the believer in question.

 

[Farryn Loragwyn]

Farryn quietly accepted the bread, and wine, and consumed it hungrily. Her trip to the cemetery had caused her to miss lunch, and with only a small number of credits to her name, she chose to go without it instead.

Once everyone in the hall had consumed the blessed bread, and wine, the benediction commenced. With her belief in the Goddess shaken, the disgraced noble watched as the worshippers received their blessing one by one. Tradition had instilled in her the importance of worship, but experience had changed that. Torn between the two choices, Farryn pondered over the decision until only a few remained.

On one hand, her upbringing dictated that she walk up to one of the women, and accept the blessing, but on the other, was there a point when she was so unsure of her own faith in the Goddess? As far as social pressure was concerned, she no longer cared about her reputation. Systematically dismantled by Faith, and Cecil, what remained of it was laughable at best so what others thought of her no longer mattered. And then there was Calix. Much to her annoyance, her twin had been harping on at her to return into the arms of Ashira because is was something she 'ought' to do. Though her faith was questionable, and social pressure no longer mattered to her, Calix did. If accepting the blessing lessened his worries even a little bit, she would comply - even if reluctantly.

With her decision made up. Farryn stood up, and walked down the aisle towards the women who were administering the blessings with her eyes on the floor. Embarrassed by her own ill-fitting attire, and her messy brown hair that had been cut short, a far cry from the beautifully tailored dresses she used to wear on Kaeshana, and her long brown hair, well-groomed, and plaited with fresh flowers from the gardens, Farryn could not bring herself to lift her head up to look at the woman who she now stood in front of.

Who blessed her? She did not care. To her, the blessings were just empty words.

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]​

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Farryn Loragwyn"]


Tarissa was just heading out when Farryn made her way towards the podium. The duchess blinked when she looked upon her face. The Eldorai's hair was messy, she was dressed in clothes that fit her poorly and in general looked like she'd fallen on hard times, but her identity was unmistakeable.


She was believed to have perished during the exodus when that abominable asteroid - undoubtedly sent by the Archenemy Illyria - devastated their homeworld. Some rumours said she'd tried to assassinate her sister Faith. Yet here she stood.


"Farryn Loragwyn," she muttered to herself. Tarissa had self-control and knew this was a public sphere, so she did not make a scene. That would've been unbecoming of a noblelady. Instead she kept walking and kept her voice low when her aide Cyraea linked up with her. "That girl over there. When she leaves the church, intercept her. I would like to have a word. Away from prying eyes. Make sure she understands this is not a polite request."


"Yes, Your Grace."


Meanwhile, Farryn would receive the cleric's blessing. "Raise your chin, sister," the Priestess ordered softly but firmly. "May Ashira's light guide you, and lead you to salvation. May she be your candle in the dark. May she banish all evil from your soul and fill it with righteousness. Carry her and her children in your heart." That was the standard mantra, but she added a bit to it while she sprinkled Farryn's forehead with holy water.


"I sense great pain inside you. The Goddess has not forgotten you, dear. As she saved our people from destruction, she shall right the wrongs committed against you." Perhaps the priestess was a bit of an empath.

 

[Farryn Loragwyn]

Obediently, Farryn raised her head at the Priestess’ order as she listened to the words of blessing that were being bestowed upon her, and closed her eyes as droplets of holy water trickled down her face. A look of surprise appeared on Farryn’s face as when she had heard the Priestess’ additional to the usual mantra.

"I sense great pain inside you. The Goddess has not forgotten you, dear. As she saved our people from destruction, she shall right the wrongs committed against you."

"Thank you," she muttered after she had received Ashira’s blessing, trying to sound sincere, and made her way to the corner of the room where her brother waited – a most unusual sight.

"I thought you didn't want to alarm the other worshippers, Calix," she whispered, hoping no one noticed his presence.

"I don't, however, this is important. I saw a noblelady in a long purple gown glance at you, it seemed almost as if she recognised you or something," he whispered back.

“What?” Farryn almost exclaimed. Luckily, she had remembered to keep her voice down before the words escaped her lips. With a serious expression, she tried her best to recall the noblelady that Calix described, but it was to no avail. She had not been paying much attention to the other patrons of the cathedral.

“I don’t trust her,” he frowned. “If anything happens, I’ll make an appearance to scare her off so you can run ok?”

“Ok,” Farryn agreed and made her way to the cathedral’s exit, and not a moment too soon, she had been stopped by an unfamiliar woman at the door, prompting Calix to make his appearance.

“BOO!” he yelled loudly, arms raised above his head, a rather anticlimactic moment.

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]​

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Farryn Loragwyn"]


Almost as soon as Cyraea crossed the distance between her and Farryn, she suddenly heard a loud noise. It was like one of those old fairy tales, where a ghost suddenly popped up out of thin air and tried to spook you by yelling 'Boo!' Except, they did not live in a fairy tale. Cyraea was a religious woman, but not a zealot or superstitious. Perhaps there'd been something in the wine! The cocktail never seemed to agree with her.


"Farryn Loragwyn, my name is Cyraea Aetani. I mean you no harm. Her Grace the Duchess of Galandrona would like to have a word with you," she said. Her tone was soft and nonthreatening, but left no doubt that this was not a request Farryn could refuse. At least not without consequences. "You may know her as Tarissa Cadalthor," she added.


On occasion, the Lady had been a visitor to the Lorragwyn household. Usually in the company of her mother, who'd been accused of being complicit in a plot to murder Siobhan Kerrigan. Some suspected that her daughter had framed her. Cyreaea knew these rumours to be true, but did not shed any tears about Mikela's demise. She served whoever happened to be the Cadalthor matriarch.

 

[Farryn Loragwyn]

Seriously? Farryn thought, embarrassed for her brother. Of all the things he could have yelled, why 'boo'?

Too late to leave, the disgraced noble had no choice but to stay, and listened to what the woman who had approached her had to say. Though she did not know for what reason she was approached, she felt uneasy.

"Farryn Loragwyn, my name is Cyraea Aetani. I mean you no harm. Her Grace the Duchess of Galandrona would like to have a word with you," the woman began, addressing the young Eldorai by name. Although her tone was non-threatening, something in her voice made it clear to Farryn that this was no request. "You may know her as Tarissa Cadalthor."

Kark, Cadalthor, Farryn cursed mentally, recognising the name as one that belonged one of the noble houses allied to House Loragwyn. Though she could not pair the name with a face, she had a feeling that she had possibly met Tarissa before. Where? She could not be sure. She made an effort to forget about her past, especially after her mother's numerous rejections of her requests for a meeting. She was through with that family, and wanted nothing unless it involved a plot against Faith, and Cecil.

"Fine," Farryn replied firmly. She was scared, but could not allow herself to show it. The second she did, what little power she may have had would be no more.

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]​

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Farryn Loragwyn"]


"Good, come with me. We should move away from prying eyes," Cyraea spoke and led Farryn away, taking her by the arm. The hold was gentle, but firm enough to make the point. The Cadalthor aide moved with grace and purpose.


While the throng of people exited the Grand Cathedral, the disgraced noblewoman was led to Tarissa's speeder. The duchess was already seated, waiting expectantly. The sort of woman who expected her orders to be obeyed without question. "Driver, take off," she said to the minion sitting behind the steering wheel, without bothering to look at her.


Cyraea opened the door to the passenger seat for Farryn. She would board herself after the Loragwyn Scion had done so. Once all were seated, the vehicle would take off into the sky. "Farryn, dear, come inside. I see the rumours of your demise are greatly exaggerated. We believed you'd perished during the exodus." This was the exact opposite of tactful, but Tarissa was not particularly diplomatic. "What happened to you?"

 

[Farryn Loragwyn]

Cyraea took Farryn's arm, though her hold was gentle, it was also firm as if warning the disgraced noble against changing her mind, and taking off. Not knowing what to expect, Farryn shot her disembodied twin a nervous look as she was led to the speeder where the Duchess awaited her arrival.

With another nervous look at Calix, she entered the vehicle at the Duchess' beckoning, her eyes glued to the floor ashamed of her own dishevelled appearance, unsure of how to reply to the question. "Calix," she whispered, summoning her brother who never stayed far from her. His presence helped calm her a little as she recalled the event.

"As if Faith, and Cecil would just allow me to die," she replied weakly, getting right to the point. "They murdered Calix in cold blood, and forced me to watch. What they did to him...it was terrible."

Farryn trembled uncontrollably as she remembered the gruesome condition of her twin's corpse, his eye sockets were empty, his tongue removed, and his stomach gutted as if he was some wild animal. Tears ran down her face, her eyes became vacant, and she let out a blood-curdling scream as she crossed her arms to hold herself in an embrace. It was impossible for her to speak of the incident without flashbacks of her brother's mutilated corpse.

Calix's death, it was all her fault she thought, blaming herself for the umpteenth time.

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]​

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Farryn Loragwyn"]


This was where Tarissa and Siobhan diverged. Siobhan, being far more emotional, maternalistic and just plain nicer, would've probably tried to comfort Farryn, perhaps hugged her if the elf had permitted the contact. However, Tarissa was far more aloof and distant. Having been raised by a mother who subscribed to the principle of spare the rod, spoil the child, she was unused to dealing with emotion and grief. By contrast, she understood vengeance very well.


The question was whether the young, disgraced noble would be broken by the tragedy she'd endured, or be the stronger for it. She passed a tissue over and patted Farryn on the shoulder in a rather awkward manner. Farryn's extreme emotional reaction made it seem far less likely that the girl was lying. That sort of thing was very difficult to fake.


"Tell me exactly what happened. Every detail. Though painful, it is important," she spoke, keeping her tone firm. "You were ambushed because Faith coveted your position? She has taken your place as the Heir of House Loragwyn. Officially, you're dead. Does your mother know of your survival?" There was, of course, the possibility that the Loragwyn matriarch might not be an innocent in this, assuming Farryn spoke the truth. It probably said a lot about Tarissa's upbringing that she considered this a possible scenario.

 

[Farryn Loragwyn]

Farryn jumped at Tarissa's touch, and accepted the tissue, but did not wipe away her tears with it. Instead, she anxiously tore it up.

"T-there was blood...everywhere," she whispered, her face expressionless. "Cecil...he held me down while Faith...Faith..."

It was too difficult for her to continue. Memories of Calix's death was too painful. Distressed, and unsure relieve herself of it, Farryn dug her nails into her arm, and began to scratch her arm. The pain in her arm would distract her from the pain within her.

"Stop," Calix stared at his sister sternly as she began to draw blood. "Farryn. Stop," he repeated, and moved his arm to stop her, but it was to no avail. He was a ghost after all so, naturally, his hand passed through her's.

"Farryn. Look at me. I'm right here," he commanded his sister. "I'm ok now. See?"

Eyes still vacant, Farryn looked up at her brother, stopped scratching herself, and began to cry uncontrollably. It was all her fault. If only she wasn't so weak, if only she was able to push Cecil off...

With a frustrated sigh, Calix began to answer the Duchess' questions in place of his sister. Their story needed to be told.

"Faith ambushed Farryn during the aftermath of the asteroid while she was still confused, and disorientated, but it was not because Faith wanted her position. Usurping Farryn was only the cherry on top. For as long as I've known those two Hutt-spawns, Faith, and Cecil, have hated my twin because of our mother. They blamed her for mother favouritism. While Farryn was groomed to be the heir, we were trained to be her servants." Calix's eyes burned with hate as his spoke. Their family disgusted him.

"On that day Faith, and Cecil finally had the perfect opportunity to carry out their plan, and things went as they expected until I turned on them to protect my precious twin. Yes, I was one of their co-conspirators, but it was to protect Farryn so, as punishment, they tortured, and murdered me, and forced her to watch," he winced, and touched his stomach as he spoke. "And, don't call that woman our mother. She doesn't love her children, she only uses them. One of the first things Farryn did was visit that woman in an attempt to tell her what had happened, but that schutta refused to see her. However, we were unaware Farryn was officially dead though, I doubt that would have had much effect on the schutta's response."

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]​

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Farryn Loragwyn"]


Suddenly...there was a ghost! Tarissa had just been about to sharply reproarch Farryn when it looked like the girl was hurting herself and drawing blood, but then she was rendered speechless when the noncorporeal apparition that claimed to be Calix addressed her, speaking of a vile conspiracy against his sister. For a devout Ashiran, this was a shocking experience.


Was this being a restless spirit, a heavenly one or a demon? "What is this, a spirit? If you are Calix, your soul should've passed into Asur!" she exclaimed, looking quite disconcerted. Asur was the Eldorai's word for Ashira's heavenly realm. It was not often that the Duchess lost composure in such a manner, but then she didn't usually talk to ghosts. As for Cyraea, she remained quite stoic in comparison, checking to make sure that Farryn had ceased scratching. She wiped away the blood and checked to make sure the driver did not freak out.


"What is your purpose? Are you unable to move on till justice is served?" It seemd Tarissa was trying to rationalise this troubling experience a bit. She turned her gaze towards the Loragwyn Scion. By now, the speeder was being steered towards an ostentatious building that contained Tarissa's luxurious suite.


"You will have to speak. If you want to see justice served and this deed avenged, I require tangible evidence, Farryn. A ghost is not an admissible witness. And, for the love of Ashira, a male's testimony only matters when it is supported by a lady. Especially in a case involving nobility."

 

[Farryn Loragwyn]

"No chit," Calix answered in a monotone, unimpressed by the Duchess' reaction. Though such reactions had been amusing at first, he had tired of them over time. "I cannot enter Asur until I can ensure Farryn is safe from Faith, and Cecil, and I am confident she no longer needs me. As you can tell, she is a bit of a mess - to put it lightly," he continued, and turned to his sister.

"Farryn, take a big breath in, hold it, and breathe out, then tell the Duchess what happened. I understand it's difficult for you to talk about so, take your time," Calix whispered, smiling gently at his twin.

"Ok," Farryn replied with a small nod. The sound of his voice calmed her, and his presence gave her a little courage. "It is as Calix said. Faith, and Cecil attacked me during the confusion during the aftermath, and overpowered me. Cecil held me down, and forced me to watch, and Faith...she...she..."

Unable to continue, Farryn began to tremble uncontrollably at the memory. "Calix...blood...eyes gouged out...tongue...gutted," she said as she tried her best to recount her brother's murder to the women. It was no easy task, and had taken all of her self-control to speak of what she remembered without breaking down completely. "No evidence. Only witnesses...Calix, and I."

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]​

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Farryn Loragwyn"]


"I see. You need not elaborate further," Tarissa said after a long pause. There were many factors for the duchess to consider, both morally and politically. The duchess considered herself a devout Ashiran and the concept of restless spirits was not unknown in her religion. Moreover, she had a penchant for mysticism.


If Faith was guilty of this foul deed, then she had to be punished for her crimes. However, at the same time the Lorragwyns were old allies of the Cadalthors. Getting involved in this drama had a good chance of souring relations with their matriarch. On the other hand, it was Tarissa's mother who'd been close to her...and the duchess hated being reminded of the time when she'd been under Mikela's thumb. If Farryn was indebted to her, she could become an asset.


"Any move against your traitorous sister will have to be prepared carefully. I believe you, but if you have no proof, it will be your word against hers and that'll fare poorly in the court of courts. But trial by combat is still age-old, honoured tradition to resolve Kanly. One-on-one. The Goddess shows the victor and damns the defeated," she said with a touch of melodrama.


Kanly was a somewhat archaic Eldorai word for a bloody vendetta between nobles. "We shall discuss this further. Tonight, you shall stay at my suite as my guest." Her tone was polite as Tarissa could be, but this also meant that she'd be able to monitor Farryn. Gracefully, the speeder descended from the sky and touched down on the luxurious suite's private landing pad.

 

[Farryn Loragwyn]

Mentally exhausted from recalling the traumatic event, Farryn nodded absently as the Duchess spoke, only half listening to what she had said. "I doubt I would be able to defeat Faith in a trial by combat. Cecil easily overpowered me and held me down while...I...watched..." she paused to regain composure. "So, what chance do I have against Faith who is a trained Force-user nonetheless?"

"What if the evidence doesn't exist?" Calix frowned. "Cecil, Faith, Farryn and I are the only witnesses. Farryn is an unreliable witness and I'm dead so neither am I. Furthermore, I doubt we can persuade Cecil to speak and Faith, that sly schutta would never confess," his tone turned cold as he spoke Faith's name. Though he had suffered a traumatic death at her hands, that was not the reason behind his hatred. He hated them - Faith and Cecil both for what they had done to his twin and the impact their actions had on her.

"I guess it's kind of hopeless," Farryn muttered to herself. In theory, every had seemed so easy - present herself before her mother, explain what happened and resume her life. Unfortunately, things had not gone as she had hoped. Her mother had refused to meet her when she visited the temporary penthouse where her family stayed in New Santaissa and as a result, the disgraced noble was stuck at the cathedral.

"Thank you for generosity Duchess, it's been a while since I've been able to stay somewhere comfortable," she smiled weakly.

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]​

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Farryn Loragwyn"]


"Then you'll have to train and become stronger to match her Sciia. The Great Goddess helps those who help themselves and your cause is just. Alternately, per the laws of Kanly you would be able to select a champion to fight in your stead. It's what many nobles do."


Of course, if Farryn's champion lost the duel, they'd both pay the price. "The worst mistake you can make is give in to despair. Sooner or later, your sister will realise you're a loose end. We are Eldorai ladies of noble blood, not human monkeighs. We have our pride, an implacable will and take what is ours with fire and blood. We do not flag or flail." In spite of having regular dealings with Firemane and even being a lover of Siobhan Kerrigan, Tarissa was still rather racist. Having said her piece, the Duchess arose from the speeder and exited it after Cyraea opened the door for her and her guests. "Come with me."


An elegantly dressed Eldorai minion, who seemed to be the head servant, awaited them. Seeing her liege approach, she curtseyed deeply. "Your Grace, welcome back. I am humbled by your presence. We received your call. A room has been prepared for your guest, and dinner will be ready soon."


"Good. Prepare a bath for her. Farryn, Cyraea will take you to your room." Given the dire circumstances she'd found herself in, the disgraced noblelady would probably appreciate some fresh clothes. At least Tarissa thought so! A tastefully opulent penthouse awaited them as they stepped in.

 

[Farryn Loragwyn]

Train and become stronger to match her Sciia - that sounded more easily said than done Farryn though sullenly. Even if I can match schutta in strength, I doubt I could match her ruthlessness but what choice to I have?

"This is a matter between Faith and myself. Though I know I am no match for her, it would not feel right for a champion to fight her in my place to help me regain what is rightfully mine. It would be an injury to my honour and pride if I cannot defeat her myself," the disgraced noble spoke as she followed the Duchess in exiting the speeder where the latter was greeted by an elegantly dressed Eldorai who Farryn assumed was a high-ranking servant for the Duchess from the way she was dressed and how she carried herself.

Embarrassed that even a servant was better dressed than herself, silver-haired Eldorai could not help but turn her gaze to the floor, too ashamed of her current appearance and followed Cyraea to the room that had been prepared for her and a warm bath awaited her. It had been a year - give or take a little since the last time Farryn had been able to indulge herself in a warm bath - something she used to take for granted when she lived the life of a noble.

[member="Tarissa Cadalthor"]​

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Farryn Loragwyn"]


Tarissa glanced towards Farryn. Her lips curled into a thin smile. The noblewoman seemed genuinely pleased. "That's the spirit, girl. A true matriarch does not let another fight for her honour. Train, believe in Ashira and strike down the usurper. I have people who can train you in the art of combat. Work hard, and she'll fall to your blade. The Goddess preserved your life for a reason," she said piously. Presumably Farryn did not want to hear about the Goddess!


Perhaps noticing Farryn's discomfort, Cyraea took her by the arm gently but firmly, leading her away from the elegantly dressed servant and duchess. "Come with me, dear," she spoke softly, guiding the noblelady away from the reception area and past the living room.


Ornate chandeliers hung from the ceiling, while the walls were graced by beautiful tapestries, portraits of past Cadalthors and goddesses. The floor was made of marble and there were comfortable looking couches for guests to sit on. If one gazed out of the transparisteel window, one would have an excellent view of New Santaissa.


"There's the bathroom," Cyraea pointed to a rather large chamber on the way down the corridor. One could already hear the water running inside it. Farryn could look forward to a lovely bubble bath. "I can do your hair and nails if you want after you're finished there. And this is your bedroom," having said that she opened the door, revealing a room fit for a young countess.