What do you get when two ruthless assassins raise their daughter travelling through the wildest reaches of Caido? Take one look at Theea and you'll get a pretty good idea. Cheerful and tenacious in equal measure, and curious beyond all else, she began her journey on a mission to find those her mother once called family. And find them she did, soon rubbing elbows with demigods, leaders and even ghosts from the past. Her determination is resolute, her thirst for knowledge unmatched. We can't wait to see where her next adventure takes her!
Congratulations, Theea!
Credits
Court of the Fallen was created in October of 2018 by Odd, Honey, and Crooked.
OG Skinning provided by Kaons, with functionality and many custom plugins made by Neowulf!
Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of evil.
They sped to the inn as fast as people might find socially appropriate. Their steps were quick and heavy with concern, but it still took them an annoying amount of time to reach the lodging they'd picked. Most conversations as they passed were directed on the tragic news of Stormbreak, yet few seemed overly invested in the events like they were, none had such emotional ties to the resulting chaos that was sure to ensue, no one had made it their purpose in life to protect the people and failed. It was a sobering reminder that they were part of a small group of people who cared.
Zavien hurried them into the door of the inn, a small bed and breakfast that was run by a lovely couple who had heard them speak of their home, who knew of the effect it would have on them. The homely old woman wasted no time, rushing forward to meet them, gripping at the fabric of her dress in her haste. "Here. This came for you but minutes ago." There was sympathy in her gaze as she offered forth a letter. Her hand clasped around Zavien's as he hurried to accept the envelope, soothing and kind. "I'm putting on some coffee and tea. Just let us know if you need anything." The Dragoon gave an appreciative nod of his head and a muttered "Thank you" before rushing them upstairs to the room, not willing to delay whatever news the letter may carry.
Only once the door was closed and he was certain they were alone, did he open the letter written in Koa's handwriting. His eyes struggled to read the words, but they caught easily on 'do not come home' like they'd been lit in neon lights. The other information helped ease some of the panic, although nothing would change the fact that it wasn't safe for them anymore.
Zavien turned so Lena could read it with him, waiting with bated breath for her reaction, not yet able to speak as he began digesting everything.
Mastered Item:
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
La Verbena | A personal skyboat (schooner) capable of travelling at 2x wagon speeds over most types of terrain. Can accommodate 2 people onboard during flight.
Despite the season, Lena hadn’t been able to stop shivering – that quiet taking starting from the inside and pouring outward through desperate fingers and quivering limbs. Hustling into the inn, her first thoughts had been on their bags and belongings, of hastening them into the port, of immediately flying off to home and figuring out where to go from there. Who had survived, who needed aid, who could –
Her eyes widened slightly, remembering where she was for a moment, and nodded politely to the innkeeper. “Thank you,” she echoed, and then they were suddenly in the room, and Koa’s letter awaited.
She let Zavien hold it, parse through, while she collected their things. Mittens rumbled and hissed from the corner, clearly agitated by her restlessness, but while things were in her hands, he glanced up at her, and she took it, ignoring the way the parchment fluttered in her grasp. “If this letter reaches you before you reach Stormbreak, do not come home,” to which she immediately fought a hot flurry of tears threatening behind her eyes, wallowing onward as she swallowed down the ash in her mouth. “There is nothing to be done. Casualties were fewer than last time. We’re getting everyone out that we can. Your families are safe. The Celestine is intact.” And perhaps those words were the only thing keeping her from drifting apart in the eaves of the room. “Those who can’t fight are being sent to Torchline. Those who can, to King’s End. You’ll find me there, Koa.”
Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of evil.
It was harder to hear the words aloud, the confirmation of what he'd read being weighed by Lena's own realization. He watched with his aching heart as the tears gathered in her eyes, powerless to fix the reason for them. Sol leaned against his leg, quieter than usual in the drowning of emotions down the bond. His soldier brain commanded tactical retreat, regrouping and rallying their forces. His resurrected self was in a state of panic, screaming and fleeing to the dark recesses of his mind. His valiant loyalist swelled, wishing him to rush into Stormbreak with swords blazing so he might save or avenge the people. And all the while, he pushed them aside in favor of what was needed for the moment: his compassionate heart.
He couldn't imagine what Lena was feeling. She hadn't been willing to leave the city with him, and he doubted she'd ever left for more than a day or two, and now to be told that she couldn't return without becoming infected...
Zavien pulled her into a hug, uncaring if he crushed the paper between them. There wasn't much he could say or do that would make the situation any better for her. All he knew was that she was here and safe right now, and that had to be enough for him despite the pain that pulsed with every beat of his heart. "We're going to get through this," the words were soft but steady, practiced in a way that told of his familiarity with them, even as he added, "but there's nothing we can do to help right now." It was the simple reality of where they were. Few skyships would be heading to the floating city in light of the news, and air traffic would be too thick with the fleeing locals. It was best if they didn't add their arrival to the insanity of the catastrophe.
Hoping to reassure her, Zavien stood as an anchor, firm and immovable despite the storms raging around them. "The Celestine is still standing, and I trust Koa to get your family safely to Torchline." The reality still felt too uncertain for it to make any sense, but he let it slowly take root as he held her, mournful and burdened with the desire to protect the world.
Mastered Item:
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
La Verbena | A personal skyboat (schooner) capable of travelling at 2x wagon speeds over most types of terrain. Can accommodate 2 people onboard during flight.
Zavien swept her up into his arms, and she let him, crushing the paper alongside. She curled into his chest and tried not to sob, but the panic seized and soared and really, the only ievitable thing to do was either cry or flee, and she didn’t want to do either. Her arms went around him too, clenching and clutching for purchase, listening to the beat of his heart beneath her ear like some kind of resolute, grounding enterprise. “I know, but, the animals-,” her family would be fine, but they were in the Celestine, waiting for remedies and nourishment and kindness and care.
Biting at her lip again to ensure the rush of apprehension didn’t go any further, she took in another swell of breaths, letting them conform to her lungs and find some amount of solace. “So we just…we just go to King’s End?” Koa had been clear and certain, but her mind wasn’t.
By then, the innkeeper had knocked on the door, and Lena sniffled into something like regality that didn’t even touch her eyes, only parting from Zavien to open the aperture, taking in the tea and coffee, the little scones on the plate. “Thank you so much,” she permitted, before closing it again, glancing downwards, taking one of the warm cups in her hands. “Maybe…do you think I should talk to Frey?”
Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of evil.
Zavien moved his hand in a soothing motion down her back, trying to help calm the panic he felt in every line of her body. The pain in her voice hurt almost as much as being suddenly outcast from their home, and he squeezed his eyes shut against the ache of his heart. "I know. I know." She had the most caring soul for those weak, vulnerable creatures, and he knew being the Caretaker was her purpose in life. There were no words he could say to make her feel better about losing that, so he just let his hand remind her that she wasn't alone, to keep her from drifting into despair.
Lena's question stilled him, worried she may disagree. His head nodded, slow as not to startle her with his own certainty. "I think that's the smartest move right now. We need to figure out a plan." To regroup and plot where they wouldn't be disturbed by the Family.
Before he could say more, the knock sounded at the door and she was peeling out of his arms, composing herself admirably in spite of everything. Joining her at the door, he muttered his own "Thanks" to the kind innkeeper as he helped her bring the platter inside. He accepted a cup of coffee, knowing he wouldn't sleep tonight anyways. Too much weighed on his mind, and he got the dreaded sense that a nightmare might be stirring like dust on the sills of a window that had been cracked open. It was probably best if he avoided sleep altogether.
Sitting on the chair, he propped his elbows on his knees to cradle the mug. Even though his stomach still soured at the thought of food, Zavien forced himself to take a few sips, breathing through the initial nausea that hit. "I don't think it would hurt." Any talk with the gods might yield something beneficial, and his gaze offered quiet hope. "Maybe you could ask Frey to warn the animals away from the Celestine? Maybe even towards the Refuge in King's End?" It wouldn't be as comfortable or prepared as the gardens, but perhaps it would be enough to ensure fewer innocent creatures ended up in the Family's clutches.
Mastered Item:
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
La Verbena | A personal skyboat (schooner) capable of travelling at 2x wagon speeds over most types of terrain. Can accommodate 2 people onboard during flight.
The incessant notions to curl up into a ball compressed her, legs eventually wound around as she settled into the couch. “Okay,” though an argument could be said for not wanting to overwhelm King’s End either. Maybe Frey would have better alternatives.
Or that sinking feeling in her gut – that told her other multitudes to prepare herself for.
Glancing at their belongings, she sighed, barely capable of nibbling at the scone, but not wanting to be rude and leave food behind. “We can head out in the morning? Or this afternoon?” And then figure out accommodations and…everything else. Which now seemed to loom larger than ever, a great panic-sized hole in her chest.
