"What did he do to you?"
Roen angrily poked at the coals, sending a flurry of embers and ash scattering to the winds. She replaced the metal grid above the brazier without care, the iron hinges clanking in protest at the harsh treatment. The paladin spun away from the cylindrical grill, a sharp glance given into the blizzard that had begun to whirl about the campsite.
Delial Grimsong and Kage Kiryuu had long gone, but their footsteps were still visible in the snow from where they had left her; their words had left their own impression upon the paladin.
Roen did not know how they found her. The paladin had volunteered to watch the campsite just south of Greytail Falls, knowing it would give her the solitude she wanted. The group she worked with under Ser Tournes left her alone for the most part, though Bellows had been asking more questions of her lately. She did not care to talk about herself, nor did she even want to get to know any of the other mercenaries she was working with. Despite being afforded a room at the Forgotten Knight, Roen rarely stayed there for long, only returning to make certain the kitten was being fed and taken care of.
She had to yet to even give the fat little thing a name.
The paladin sat back down on the stool next to the fire, running her hands through her frost licked hair. She mulled over the words that were exchanged between herself, Kage, and Delial, thoughts awhirl like the chaotic spin of snowflakes tossed by the Coerthas winds.
They were not a welcomed sight when they approached: the tall dark Highlander and the smallest of the Lalafell that Roen would ever know. The former rarely came bearing good news, and the latter…
The latter the paladin had not seen in over a cycle. When I last saw Kage, Natalie had been alive, Roen thought with a shake of her head.
At first Roen had just frozen in place, staring at them in shock. She had never expected to find those two--in Coerthas, of all places--or together, for that matter.
But together they had come, in search of her, and bearing ill tidings about Gharen, her brother.
“He is gone, duckling.†Delial relayed the news. Kage remained somewhat timid; the Lalafell was just watching her while the Highlander spoke in her usual gruff tone. “Gone and vanished and none would know where or why he has gone. I had hoped that he would have sought you out. But… well. I suppose not, hm?â€
Roen winced. Last time she and Delial had spoken was about Gharen; Delial had beseeched her to seek him out, for he had habitually begun to fall into dark moods as the siblings had grown further apart. Roen had promised Delial that she would speak to him after her ordeal with Nero was done. But that was back when she thought that she would simply find the smuggler and bring him back to Ul’dah to face justice for his crimes. Such was not to be.
“I left him in your care,†the paladin accused the Highlander.
“And you made a promise, did you not?†The Highlander retorted back.
“....I could not keep that promise.†The paladin fought the sudden constriction in her throat.
Delial crossed her arms with a displeased look on her face. “The Sergeant relayed your message to me that you were fine. But honestly, I was quite unsure if he believed it himself. Drifting about Coerthas after a spat with your love, fighting dragons if what I have heard is true. Now, I have a mind for violence now and again, but even I must wonder if that might qualify as being 'fine'."
Roen instantly shot her a glare. "Is that why you are here? To pass judgement on what I choose to do? Is that not what you do? You had plenty to say when I was trying to change Ul'dah. You had plenty to say when I awaited judgement for being a spy. Matter of fact, you had plenty to say when we first met, but that was the only time you whispered honey in my ear."
The paladin found her ire rising quickly, vitriol spilling from her tongue. “Even after all that you have done, I asked you to look after him. And now that he is gone, you come here to pass judgement on me? You are not welcomed here. Do not stand there and speak of things you know nothing of.â€
There was a smoldering frown on Delial’s face that barely changed when she barked out a laugh. "Plenty to say, mayhap, to a girl with not the wit to heed me when it mattered. Let it not be said that I, at least, have fled my obligations. I would not be here were it not for him."
Kage raised his hands, interrupting both the women. "I-I'm not here to judge! But Roen! Dragons! I had to fight them helping Melkire and it's... well..." The look he gave her was one of deep concern. "You don’t look fine to me, Roen. Somethin’s happened over the cycle since I’ve seen you. But..." The Lalafell's voice softened. "I'm still happy to see you after all this time. I wish I was able to support you before."
His words of sympathy only made Roen harden further. She was determined not to be moved. The paladin turned from him to scowl at Delial. “What do you want from me?â€
"Eyes and ears, of course.†Delial shrugged, as if exasperated. “Yourself, your Huntress friend ... These are the people he was meant to see before he vanished. I have found little and less of him, much less you. But even Ser Crofte had reason to think there may be something foul stemming from nearby Ishgard." She paused, her expression darkening. "Banurein. And if Banurein is indeed afoot, then I imagine this disappearance is indeed not a matter of choice."
That name should have moved her. Banurein was the woman Roen had only heard about, the woman that plagued her brother’s nightmares, and the same woman who was the very reason that Roen began to investigate Taeros in the first place. It was that investigation that led her to follow the smuggler that was suspected to work for the Monetarist...
Roen did not want to think on those memories. She had come to Coerthas looking to bury them and to find a new path, and yet she was constantly being reminded of what had passed before and what she had left behind. The two standing before her and even the political state of Ishgard itself were just yet another reminder of what she wanted to forget. She was tired of questioning the choices she had made, of what could have been. She did not want anything to do with Banurein. Nor Delial. Nor Kage. Nor anyone.
“I will ask Kiht to aid you,†she offered coldly after a pause.
A long white breath was released through the Highlander’s nose as she studied the paladin. “And what of you?â€
Roen no longer looked to either of them. She only stared at the flames. "I will keep my eyes and ears open." She heard her own voice, and it was without emotion. A part of her wondered if she was relieved or shocked. This was her brother’s fate they were speaking of. And yet, the paladin took comfort in the cold numbness that quelled any stirring within. “I am no tracker."
"I suppose not, but that is not the whole of what I ask.†Delial glanced down at the Lalafell. “Mayhap Kage might be better in your company than mine. I am a tiresome creature, I know."
Another scowl twisted the paladin’s face instantly. "Setting a sitter on me? Still worried, aye? Worried about the fate of poor Roen Deneith. When will she end up in trouble yet again?" Her voice had taken a cynical turn. "I do not need anyone to stay with me, travel with me, or watch over me." She shot a glare to both of them. "I do not need you."
"Spare us," Delial sighed. "Ever a poor liar, duckling, but it matters not. We will need you."
Kage looked taken back. "You may not need anyone Roen, but you are needed by your friends."
Roen turned away from them both, a deep frown etching her face. "I... I have nothing to give you. Understand?" She looked over her shoulder to them both, without meeting their eyes. "I have nothing to give. I am tired of caring. Of trying." It was a lie, but it was one she becoming more comfortable with.
"I don't want you to force yourself to give anything.†Kage blurted out, his voice shaking with disbelief. “I don't expect you to give me anything."
“Then leave." Roen sharpened her words even as she kept her back to them. "I will send a missive when I hear anything about Gharen."
The paladin heard the defeat in Kage’s voice. "I'll leave Roen... but I'll be at the Forgotten Knight if'n you ever need me, you need but ask and I will come." From the corner of her eyes, she could see the Lalafell trudging away. But Delial remained where she stood for a moment longer, unmoved by her words.
"What did he do to you?"
Roen could not answer. She did not want to answer. For her to even ponder a response would open up the wounds that had frozen closed since her arrival. They were no longer raw--they were just numb. She had deadened them with a resolve to kill monsters, and she had buried the sadness with resentment instead. It was easy to blame the smuggler for her broken heart and for her shattered ideals. She had been a fool to believe in the man, and the condemnation she held for him as well as her own naivete withered away what emotions that would only bring despair.
The paladin clenched her fist tight by her side. She did not want to care, nor did she want to feel any stirrings of sorrow. So she refused to.
“Leave,†Roen said once more without turning around.
And so Delial left.
Their footprints were no longer visible upon the snow as Roen absently stared out into the blizzard. The bitter chill bothered her no longer, nor the howling winds that constantly wailed in the distance. They were becoming familiar companions to her solitude.
Roen sat there for a long time, trying to convince herself it was better this way.
Roen angrily poked at the coals, sending a flurry of embers and ash scattering to the winds. She replaced the metal grid above the brazier without care, the iron hinges clanking in protest at the harsh treatment. The paladin spun away from the cylindrical grill, a sharp glance given into the blizzard that had begun to whirl about the campsite.
Delial Grimsong and Kage Kiryuu had long gone, but their footsteps were still visible in the snow from where they had left her; their words had left their own impression upon the paladin.
Roen did not know how they found her. The paladin had volunteered to watch the campsite just south of Greytail Falls, knowing it would give her the solitude she wanted. The group she worked with under Ser Tournes left her alone for the most part, though Bellows had been asking more questions of her lately. She did not care to talk about herself, nor did she even want to get to know any of the other mercenaries she was working with. Despite being afforded a room at the Forgotten Knight, Roen rarely stayed there for long, only returning to make certain the kitten was being fed and taken care of.
She had to yet to even give the fat little thing a name.
The paladin sat back down on the stool next to the fire, running her hands through her frost licked hair. She mulled over the words that were exchanged between herself, Kage, and Delial, thoughts awhirl like the chaotic spin of snowflakes tossed by the Coerthas winds.
They were not a welcomed sight when they approached: the tall dark Highlander and the smallest of the Lalafell that Roen would ever know. The former rarely came bearing good news, and the latter…
The latter the paladin had not seen in over a cycle. When I last saw Kage, Natalie had been alive, Roen thought with a shake of her head.
At first Roen had just frozen in place, staring at them in shock. She had never expected to find those two--in Coerthas, of all places--or together, for that matter.
But together they had come, in search of her, and bearing ill tidings about Gharen, her brother.
“He is gone, duckling.†Delial relayed the news. Kage remained somewhat timid; the Lalafell was just watching her while the Highlander spoke in her usual gruff tone. “Gone and vanished and none would know where or why he has gone. I had hoped that he would have sought you out. But… well. I suppose not, hm?â€
Roen winced. Last time she and Delial had spoken was about Gharen; Delial had beseeched her to seek him out, for he had habitually begun to fall into dark moods as the siblings had grown further apart. Roen had promised Delial that she would speak to him after her ordeal with Nero was done. But that was back when she thought that she would simply find the smuggler and bring him back to Ul’dah to face justice for his crimes. Such was not to be.
“I left him in your care,†the paladin accused the Highlander.
“And you made a promise, did you not?†The Highlander retorted back.
“....I could not keep that promise.†The paladin fought the sudden constriction in her throat.
Delial crossed her arms with a displeased look on her face. “The Sergeant relayed your message to me that you were fine. But honestly, I was quite unsure if he believed it himself. Drifting about Coerthas after a spat with your love, fighting dragons if what I have heard is true. Now, I have a mind for violence now and again, but even I must wonder if that might qualify as being 'fine'."
Roen instantly shot her a glare. "Is that why you are here? To pass judgement on what I choose to do? Is that not what you do? You had plenty to say when I was trying to change Ul'dah. You had plenty to say when I awaited judgement for being a spy. Matter of fact, you had plenty to say when we first met, but that was the only time you whispered honey in my ear."
The paladin found her ire rising quickly, vitriol spilling from her tongue. “Even after all that you have done, I asked you to look after him. And now that he is gone, you come here to pass judgement on me? You are not welcomed here. Do not stand there and speak of things you know nothing of.â€
There was a smoldering frown on Delial’s face that barely changed when she barked out a laugh. "Plenty to say, mayhap, to a girl with not the wit to heed me when it mattered. Let it not be said that I, at least, have fled my obligations. I would not be here were it not for him."
Kage raised his hands, interrupting both the women. "I-I'm not here to judge! But Roen! Dragons! I had to fight them helping Melkire and it's... well..." The look he gave her was one of deep concern. "You don’t look fine to me, Roen. Somethin’s happened over the cycle since I’ve seen you. But..." The Lalafell's voice softened. "I'm still happy to see you after all this time. I wish I was able to support you before."
His words of sympathy only made Roen harden further. She was determined not to be moved. The paladin turned from him to scowl at Delial. “What do you want from me?â€
"Eyes and ears, of course.†Delial shrugged, as if exasperated. “Yourself, your Huntress friend ... These are the people he was meant to see before he vanished. I have found little and less of him, much less you. But even Ser Crofte had reason to think there may be something foul stemming from nearby Ishgard." She paused, her expression darkening. "Banurein. And if Banurein is indeed afoot, then I imagine this disappearance is indeed not a matter of choice."
That name should have moved her. Banurein was the woman Roen had only heard about, the woman that plagued her brother’s nightmares, and the same woman who was the very reason that Roen began to investigate Taeros in the first place. It was that investigation that led her to follow the smuggler that was suspected to work for the Monetarist...
Roen did not want to think on those memories. She had come to Coerthas looking to bury them and to find a new path, and yet she was constantly being reminded of what had passed before and what she had left behind. The two standing before her and even the political state of Ishgard itself were just yet another reminder of what she wanted to forget. She was tired of questioning the choices she had made, of what could have been. She did not want anything to do with Banurein. Nor Delial. Nor Kage. Nor anyone.
“I will ask Kiht to aid you,†she offered coldly after a pause.
A long white breath was released through the Highlander’s nose as she studied the paladin. “And what of you?â€
Roen no longer looked to either of them. She only stared at the flames. "I will keep my eyes and ears open." She heard her own voice, and it was without emotion. A part of her wondered if she was relieved or shocked. This was her brother’s fate they were speaking of. And yet, the paladin took comfort in the cold numbness that quelled any stirring within. “I am no tracker."
"I suppose not, but that is not the whole of what I ask.†Delial glanced down at the Lalafell. “Mayhap Kage might be better in your company than mine. I am a tiresome creature, I know."
Another scowl twisted the paladin’s face instantly. "Setting a sitter on me? Still worried, aye? Worried about the fate of poor Roen Deneith. When will she end up in trouble yet again?" Her voice had taken a cynical turn. "I do not need anyone to stay with me, travel with me, or watch over me." She shot a glare to both of them. "I do not need you."
"Spare us," Delial sighed. "Ever a poor liar, duckling, but it matters not. We will need you."
Kage looked taken back. "You may not need anyone Roen, but you are needed by your friends."
Roen turned away from them both, a deep frown etching her face. "I... I have nothing to give you. Understand?" She looked over her shoulder to them both, without meeting their eyes. "I have nothing to give. I am tired of caring. Of trying." It was a lie, but it was one she becoming more comfortable with.
"I don't want you to force yourself to give anything.†Kage blurted out, his voice shaking with disbelief. “I don't expect you to give me anything."
“Then leave." Roen sharpened her words even as she kept her back to them. "I will send a missive when I hear anything about Gharen."
The paladin heard the defeat in Kage’s voice. "I'll leave Roen... but I'll be at the Forgotten Knight if'n you ever need me, you need but ask and I will come." From the corner of her eyes, she could see the Lalafell trudging away. But Delial remained where she stood for a moment longer, unmoved by her words.
"What did he do to you?"
Roen could not answer. She did not want to answer. For her to even ponder a response would open up the wounds that had frozen closed since her arrival. They were no longer raw--they were just numb. She had deadened them with a resolve to kill monsters, and she had buried the sadness with resentment instead. It was easy to blame the smuggler for her broken heart and for her shattered ideals. She had been a fool to believe in the man, and the condemnation she held for him as well as her own naivete withered away what emotions that would only bring despair.
The paladin clenched her fist tight by her side. She did not want to care, nor did she want to feel any stirrings of sorrow. So she refused to.
“Leave,†Roen said once more without turning around.
And so Delial left.
Their footprints were no longer visible upon the snow as Roen absently stared out into the blizzard. The bitter chill bothered her no longer, nor the howling winds that constantly wailed in the distance. They were becoming familiar companions to her solitude.
Roen sat there for a long time, trying to convince herself it was better this way.