Lord Arisoix of House Vaurtefort, concerned after unsettling reports of kidnappings in the area of the Convictory with both humans and dragons going missing, opted to call in reinforcements from several different sources to aid in defending the outpost and those stationed there.
"If the reports are then correct, we should have to encounter some resistance soon, and I want to make sure to find any traces or clues as to the nature of these disappearances and the incoming wave. Don't let the cold set in and ensure to watch every flank, this mist is hardly nature's will."
From the Long Climb Trading Company came Katharina Balk, Marisa Stormsong and Vex’ahlia Vess. Rageant Lacordaire of House de Bayle lent his axe to the cause. Ishgardian expatriates Lebeaux Desrosiers and Geofferaut Derosiers were also present to ensure the safety of the reinforcements.
Lord Vaurtefort’s prudence was fortunate, as whatever storm had been brewing in the Coerthan Western Highlands was finally coming to a head. No sooner had the reinforcements settled in where they set up upon by the rotting, animated corpses of dragons long dead. The mercenaries and soldiers alike fought hard, side by side. With much blood and determination the threat was eliminated. Yet as soon as had they paused to catch their breath and see to their wounds there was an ominous sound. Great skeletal wings carried a massive dragon into the sky, casting the entire group into its shadow.
Rather than swoop down to finish the injured and fatigued group, the beast took off into the swirling snows. Lost to the darkness but not gone for good. Only a brief respite before it would surely strike again...
((Thank you to LC-RP for having me along on this adventure! I had a lot of fun getting to know your characters and look forward to the next opportunity! ))
Lebeaux Desrosiers arrived at the scheduled meeting point early for a chance to inspect the surrounding area and settle himself in. It wasn’t that he didn’t entirely trust Geofferaut after their chat about blackmail and hidden motives… actually that was exactly what it was. The note had been short, concise and to the point. A time and place, nothing more than that. He wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, yet he didn’t seem visibly disturbed this. Rather he smiled as he leafed through a weathered journal. The cover was snapped shut at the sound of the door opening and he looked up. That calm smile never having any intention of reaching his icy blue eyes.
The door of the tower was pushed open and with it came cold and wind. The person opening the door was tall and pale skinned. Remarkable violet eyes and cutting-sharp features. The male Elezen was followed by a female, both donning purple and black attires. And looking eerily similar.
Well, at least the newest arrivals didn’t look like Temple Knights. “Good evening.” Lebeaux greeted them pleasantly enough, a fancy-meeting-you-here sort of cheer to it.
Arisoix Vaurtefort closed the door after the two had entered and grabbed his coat in order to shake the snowflakes off it. His black coated right hand was brought to his hair, fixing it backwards as he used to wear it. Then the nobleman glared at the female with a silent demeanor.
Lucrece Sauveterre blinks at the man, her head slightly tilted. “Good evening.”
Lebeaux darted his gaze to the door for a moment, as though expecting more company. When none was forthcoming he reached up and removed his hat, sweeping into a bow so grandiose it could only be called theatrical. “I presume you must be the Vaurteforts?”
Lebeaux greeted them as he straightened up and settled his hat back atop his head. “My apologies.” He noted without sounding the least bit apologetic. “I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I arrived, I see you two were likely left in a similar position? My name is Lebeaux Desrosiers, at your service. More or less.”
“Quite.” Arisoix curtly replied, soon walking closer to the man in order to bow his head in a swift and almost non-chalant manner. “I am Lord Arisoix de Vaurtefort, and this is my sister, Lucrece de Vaurtefort. We’ve been told of your… Discontent towards the current political status Ishgard so accursedly suffers. Correct?” The serious nobleman uttered, almost as if made of ice himself, molded by the frozen wastes of the land no doubt.
Lucrece smiles more freely at this, though she was silent and demure before, her eyes are narrowed as she steps up next to her brother regarding Lebeaux. “Hmm, good evening.” she bows her head briefly.
“A pleasure, truly.” Lebeaux continued politely as he tilted his head to the Lord and Lady each in turn. His movements and manners precise. “Correct indeed, I’ve been led to believe that House Vaurtefort sees the situation for what it truly is. As well as being sympathetic to others who share that same vision of the true state of the Holy See.” He smiled serenely all the while, as though political unrest was somehow amusing.
Arisoix took a deep breath to fill his grim lungs and took his time to exhale the gathered air out once more. “Before anything else, we are a House of noble birth from Ishgard, and as such it is our duty to support all that may happen if Ishgard demands it. We do not need to like it, but we have to follow orders just as the lowly do.” He moved his right gloved hand wavingly as he spoke. “That said, we pride ourselves in tradition and customs, to us the separation of the church from the government was naught but foolish. And thus we try to improve the situation of the Church both financially and otherwise. Needless to say, we are happy to gather those that wish to remain within tradition to our halls and under our protection should the need arise. Sadly, the law of today is to be followed, as we had sourly witnessed during the execution of Isarn Lacordaire. That means, our actions are hardly those of rebels, less wish to cause a civil war.”
The saintly smile remained firmly in place as Arisoix spoke, though Lebeaux’s pale eyes did narrow every so slightly as talk of nobility and lowborn was brought up. As though deciding whether or not he should be somewhat offended. Apparently he decided not as he let the matter slide and continued to listen attentively. “I was present for his arrest, though I did not attend the trial. That in an and of itself was surely a grim reminder that while the state of the Faith in Ishgard slowly festers, the fire of a single man is not enough to burn away the rot.” He noted. “I am devout, Lord Vaurtefort. Not dull. Otherwise it’d likely I would have faced a similar fate long before now.” He explained pleasantly.
Representatives of the Long Climb Trade Company and the knights in service to House Vaurtefort once more trekked into Coerthas Western Highlands to investigate a report of the Bone Dragon being spotted to the Northeast. The same direction several mysteriously cowled figures had recently been observed travelling in.
"A Convictor shared with us the information of several cowled figures passing by their camp and towards this area about several weeks ago. They thought them pilgrims at the time, but it is most probably a false assumption." Arisoix de Vaurtefort explained.
Vex'ahlia Vess pulls a small book out of a stachel on her hip, opening to a page and writing down information as people spoke, staying mostly silent as she listened.
Lebeaux Desrosiers opened his mouth to chime in with what it probably was, then shut it again. Wasn't supposed to use the 'H' word in polite company anymore.
Geofferaut Derosiers tabulated a short list of the five most likely explanations for cowled figures passing the Convictory, ranked from most likely to least.
"Heretics, most likely." Arisoix spat out with disgust. "Void or Draconic sorcerers if not sickened minds seeking Fury knows what. It is my duty to put an end to their pathetic tribulations."
"Heretics are not very nice!" Marisa Stormsong chirped cheerfully.
Lebeaux felt a lot better now that someone else said it first. He busied himself smoothing the lapels of his coat instead of commenting.
"...That's a good portion of why they're considered heretics, Marisa." Vex’ahlia noted flatly.
"And so, we're here to discern whatever happened and to form a plan as to where will these undead strike next." Arisoix glared over his shoulder towards the path between the cliffs. "My scout captain has sworn that the flying shadow we encountered went to this location and that the horde we fought seemed to have come from here as well. Does any of you have any questions?"
"They should try going to church some time!" Marisa offered helpfully.
"Yes." Came Geofferaut’s even answer.
Arisoix glared towards Geofferaut. "Hm?"
"None of my questions are for you at this time."
"...As you say." Arisoix glared towards the group. "Anyone else with questions I can answer?"
"No, lets get shite done?" Katharina Balk suggested, trying to usher the others along.
As they passed from the open plains to narrow passes between frozen ridges, the way was soon marked by a series of strange, dark shapes in the snow. Upon further examination it seemed to be the broken and frozen corpses of knights and soldiers. Sprinkled like decaying breadcrumbs leading into the darkness beyond...
