• Closed • How to Begin

[Zvezdana Venora]

1st of Zi'da, 716
Docks, Rharne

This had been a great way to start her new life in a new city. Broke, alone, and lost. She had spent the afternoon yesterday attempting to track down the two men that had 'accidentally collided' with her. The collision had turned out to be a ruse to rob the visitor. She had lost the few nel that she had left to the conniving bastards. When the docks had cleared, she had been left alone. Unable to afford a room for the evening, she had taken to a covered stoop, expecting that would be good enough. Not a break later, she had been shuttled away from the doorway. Apparently having a homeless person on ones stoop was not welcomed. She wandered the docks for another break or so as the sun continued to set. Zvezdana had considered laying on the beach beneath the pier, but she noticed the tide coming in shortly after that thought came to mind. She elected not to add drowning to her list of miseries this night.

So, she had found a dark, scary alley in which to lay down behind a barrel. It was by far the worst night's sleep she had gotten in her entire life. Riddled by the same nightmare that she had had back in the forest, after the second Sessfiend appearance, she had tossed and turned beneath the cloak on the hard cobblestone. The baby kicked grumpily throughout the night. Sleep was fleeting, and dawn seemed to take an eternity to come. When life came to the docks, the exhausted mother-to-be was there at the edge of the alley, huddled beneath her red cloak.

Had you asked Zvezdana seasons before whether or not she would ever become a beggar, she might have laughed in your face. What a funny joke that would have been! Born to a baron and baroness, with every desire given to her by request, no one would believe that it was Zvezdana sitting there at the edge of the alley. Resolve and hope were crumbling within her, and she began to rock back and forth anxiously. Clearly, she was going to die if she didn't do something.

Must survive.

Zvezdana glared inwardly. So, the beast wanted her to do something so that it would survive to see another day in the mortal world? That made her despise what she was about to do even more. Tense and angry, Zvezdana stuck her hand outside of her cloak, palm up. It felt wrong, to beg, but it was all she could do. She deserved better than this. She wanted to be better than this! For Seven's sake, she deserved to be sitting on a throne with servants around her tending to her every need. Instead, she was sitting on the edge of a gutter, begging for scraps.

"Please, do you have spare nel?"

[Vincent D'Ordyn]

Vincent couldn't help but breath heat onto his hands as he strolled the docks. Even though the temperature hadn't dropped that low yet, the morning breeze still had enough of a bite to it to make Vincent wish he'd dressed a bit warmed. It looked like he was going to have to do a bit of shopping for himself before the season got too far along.

Vincent didn't have much of a reason to be down on the docks, but he had decided to get out and catch some fresh air and to empty his head of everything that had been on his mind for the passed few trials. It all seemed like a blur, and he still didn't know what to do about it. With a sigh Vincent resigned himself to not thinking about it anymore, and just enjoy the walk.

For a few bits he was able to do just that. Enjoy the clean, crisp air rolling in off the lake. Listen to the sailors call to one another, the gulls cry over head, a soft voice beg for spare nel. At first the last one didn't register with his mind, and Vincent had almost completely passed the woman before he registered what she had said. Looking back at her, Vincent turned back and knelt down in front of her.

"Excuse me miss, I'm not sure this is the best place to be doing that. If the Knights come along, they will move out into the Dust..." Vincent trailed off as he finally caught a glimpse of her stomach. The woman was pregnant. For a moment his eyes hardened in anger, before softening. "Do you have a place to stay?" Vincent asked his tone gentle and kind. "If not, I may know of a place that would welcome you."

[Zvezdana Venora]

Zvezdana looked up from her huddled position. Despite the flowing red fabric around her, her belly protruded out. It was difficult to hide nowadays. The white blouse tumbled in a way that the creases started where the baby bump blended in with her swollen breasts. The hem of her skirt was hidden beneath the white cloth and swollen belly. Zvezdana curled her fingers slowly, dragging her hand back to her. Knights? Rharne had knights as well? Was there a king that was destined to see her returned to Rynmere? Would she be used a pawn to build a relationship between the two cities. She paled at the thought. Begging felt wrong in the first place, but it suddenly felt a great deal worse when she realized it could draw unwanted attention to herself.

She looked at him curiously. It gave him the opportunity to see her as well. He was handsome, well groomed, and apparently kind. There was something comforting about the way he inquired about her home. Was he alarmed she was so far along in her pregnancy and having to beg? Was he ashamed for her? Well, he did not have to be. She felt enough shame for herself.

"I was unaware that Rharne had knights," Zvezdana stated simply, moving to stand up. Having slept on the cobblestone, her joints ached. They creaked with the cold and exhaustion that filled her body. For only being 25 arcs old, she felt ancient that exact moment. "I just came to Rharne and I was robbed in the process. I cannot afford a place to stay."

Despite having a rather profound sob story, it was the truth. The cloak was the only thing left in her name that she could pass off as 'quality'. She sounded educated despite her poor appearance. Zvezdana threaded her fingers together, quietly anticipating being told to kick dirt for not having the money to spend on his offered 'place to stay.'

[Vincent D'Ordyn]

Vincent watched as the color drained from her face. He had frightened her with talk of the Knights it had seemed, and then she told him about her first encounter in Rharne. With a sigh Vincent shook his head. People could be so cruel sometimes. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you with the knowledge about the knights. They're mostly a good bunch, but they have a job to do, and keeping the street clear of vagrants is one. As for price I'm sure the sisters will be able to find a way for you to pay them back. They are very accommodating." Vincent explained as he raised from this crouched position in front of her.

"Come, we can use one of the lifts to get to the Glass Quarter, and walk the rest of the way." Vincent said offering her his hand. "Oh, and pardon my manners. I'm Vincent. Vincent Gray." With that he gave the young woman a small smile and encouraged her to take his hand. If she did decide to follow him, he'd start leading them to the Glass Quarter lift.

[Zvezdana Venora]

Zvezdana accepted his apology, but he did not really have to apologize. He was stating the facts. She was the ignorant one. She did not really enjoy being called a vagrant, but again, it was the truth. She had no home anymore. She was an interloper, a vagrant, a homeless woman. All of these words could be used to describe her. She took his hand, allowing him to help her up. Zvezdana took a moment to straighten her skirts and pull the red cloak around her.

"It is a pleasure Sir Gray," Zvezdana murmured, wondering if he was a knight. Was 'sir' even appropriate? It felt appropriate, due to his kind state. Vincent seemed far to personal at the moment. She wanted to keep people at arms length if possible. Even complete strangers were in danger around her. Then it dawned on her. Etiquette demanded that she share her name. Would the outcome of the civil war have come this far? Would they know that she was a wanted woman in Rynmere? She remained pale, despite the apology. The truth had done her justice so far. Besides, she was intelligent. She could steer the conversation somewhere else. "My name is Zvezdana. You talk of lifts and quarters. Will you tell me a little about Rharne? I would appreciate any help you can offer me."

It was the art of keeping the conversation off of her. It felt like she was back in the ballroom. Get as much information on the other person without revealing too much about yourself. It was simple in reality, and made sense. At least to her. Especially, since she had already cleverly neglected to give her surname. Her former training appeared to be paying off. For once.

[Vincent D'Ordyn]

"Just Vincent." He said to her acceptance of his greeting. When she gave her name something about it sounded familiar, but before he could follow up on the thought, she asked about the city.

"Ah, right you said you were new to the city. Well, first off, these are the dock, not the city proper. Rharne itself is actually built into the mountain here." Vincent said waving his hand at the massive wall of shear stone that rose above them. "The city is split into for districts, or Quarters. You've got the Dust, which is fairly run down and poor. The Earth Quarter is the first within the walls of the city, mostly stables, warehouses, and craft workers there. The Glass Quarter is the richest of the four by far. Mostly merchant families, and high end markets there, and the Sky Quarter is at the very top, housing mostly the Lightning Knights, and the Thunder Priestesses." He explained as the continued along the docks heading towards the right most side of the mount.

After a time they came to a wooden platform with railings surrounding its four sides. At each corner was a heavy wooden beam that had a rope attached to top of it. Each of the four ropes then connected in the center of the platform and then went upwards and out of site. "This is a lift. We're going to take it to the edge of the Glass Quarter. It would take much longer for us to walk around the mountain and then up to the Lightning Cathedral." Vincent said stepping onto the platform and offer his hand out the the woman to help her onto the lift. "You're in for a treat when we reach the top." Vincent said, again offering her a small smile to try to help her relax. The trip was often a bit nerve wracking the first time, but like he said, the view at the top was amazing.

[Zvezdana Venora]

Vincent. To call someone by their first name was rather strange to her, especially upon a first encounter. She referred to Vivian and Seira by their first names, but it had taken quite a long time for her to be comfortable with that notion. Originally it had been Sergeant Warrick. Seasons of loyalty had made their bond far more personal. Now, no longer a noble, she had to grow accustomed to new standards. Calling someone by their first name was something a peasant would do. To build her guise, she would have to learn to do the same.

"Dust, Earth, Glass, and Sky. I suppose that it makes sense that the words reflect the castes within them. The Thunder Priestesses and Lightning Knights must be very important to live above the aristocratic families. Are their noble houses here? Families in control of the city?" How similar was Rharne to Rynmere? Would she be able to adapt to a new lifestyle without being dragged back into the old one? It would be hard for her to avoid the temptations of the easy and pampered lifestyle of a noble; however, the thought of marrying someone in her current condition was sickening. It would be the equivalent to spitting on Veljorn's bones.

The platform looked stable, but she did not understand the concept of a lift until it began to move. It lurched skyward. Zvezdana had not been prepared for the shift. Her sea legs had been gone for almost a trial now, so her knees crumpled to the side as solid ground fell away. She reached out, grabbing onto Vincent's arm with a sharp squeak of shock. Fear gripped her and she pulled herself instinctively close to the man, as far from the bars as she could. "Dear Seven, this is not right. Mortals should not be hoisted into the sky like this."

Zvezdana bit her lip after that comment, keeping her eyes cast down. Her heart thumped against her chest with anxiety and fear. Not only from the fact they were rising towards the higher quarter, but that she had just dropped another suggestion of her heritage. The Seven were probably not revered in far off lands like they were in Rynmere. She could only hope that he didn't know who they were.

[Vincent D'Ordyn]

Vincent smiled at the woman's reaction. Having to mentally check himself not to laugh at her, though it was comical in a sense. His reaction had been slightly similar on his first ride on one, though maybe without as much personal contact. Vincent just stood and let her hold onto his arm as they rose. Though her curse caused him to blink at her for a moment.

"You're a Ryn too?" Vincent asked. "Small world." He commented before she really had a chance to reply, not that he really needed her answer, only Ryn's swore by the Seven. "To answer your question, the Knights and Priestesses are really above anyone, they live in the Sky Quarter because that is were they operate out of and because the all answer to the Immortal Ilaren. As for nobles, no not really though there are some fairly wealthy families in the Glass that like to think they are. The city itself is actually run by a council. Though I hear Ilaren is the true ruler of the city." By the time Vincent's explanation came to a close the lift was almost to their destination at the Glass Quarter.

"Hey, if you keep looking at your feet you're going to miss it." Vincent said, nudging the woman in the side with his arm a little and pointing out to the lake that now stretched out below them, and to the horizon beyond. "Mortal's might not be made to be hoisted into the air, but a view made for an Immortal sure is worth the hassle." Vincent commented as he enjoyed the view himself.

[Zvezdana Venora]

Shit. Shitshitshit. Not only did he know who the Seven were, he was from Rynmere. Of all the people she were to meet in a new city, it would be a fellow Rynmeran. There was a glimmer of home. Her name was unique, even without her last name. If he had not reacted to it initially, maybe he did not know of her involvement with the civil war. She went pale. It was going to be hard to keep up the ruse if there were other Ryns in the city. She did not have a chance to come up with an excuse when he continued on about Rharne. She let out a breath. At least he had not clung to the notion that they were from the same place.

"This is a whole city dedicated to one Immortal? That seems a bit much." She did not know who Ilaren was exactly, but she must have been a very powerful person to have an entire city bowing before her. The nudged caused her to peer up and over the wood. The view was spectacular, and it made her jaw drop open. The lift continued to sail higher, but it only gave them a better view of the world beyond. The sea slimmed down at one edge to form the entrance to a river, barely seen due to expanse of water. Not a trial ago, she had been on a ship coming up that very river. Now she was on a bit of wood floating above it. From land to sea, to air. It was a rapid change. She left go of Vincent, placing a hand on the bar that kept them from falling to their death. The world seemed so much bigger suddenly. Zvezdana had been to each region in Rynmere at some point in her life. That island had become small to her. It had been the only world she knew. Now, she only began to sense that it was a drop in the bucket.

"Rharne must have been built for this purpose alone. Ilaren is a lucky Immortal. Who is, uh," Zvezdana chewed her lip, looking back at Vincent. "...he? Or is Ilaren a girl? I'm ashamed to say this is my first time hearing about Ilaren. It's actually my first time for a lot of things."

[Vincent D'Ordyn]

This time Vincent couldn't help but laugh at the thought of Ilaren being male. Though he quickly stifled it so as not to hurt his companions feelings. "Ilaren is a woman, and don't worry, most don't know much about Immortal. To be quite honest, I know only a little more than the names of those I've met. Though I know there are more than those few out there."

Soon after Vincent finished speaking, the lift slowed to a stop at the edge were the Glass Quarter met open air and was pulled closer to the wall by an attendant. Vincent stepped off first and then turned to help the woman off. "So, we're heading there." Vincent said, point upwards at the ornate building that crowned the mountain they now stood upon. "It's a bit of a hike, so if you get tired and need to rest let me know."

With that Vincent place a gentle yet firm hand on her lower back and started her walking with him. He didn't want her to get cold feet now that Vincent had shown her where they were headed.