<[DM]_Hatter> As the ocean breeze begins to pull across the ship, the sight of the island of which was nightmare for the party slowly fades away in the distance behind them. The sailors keeping active with the maintaining of the ship and knowledge that they are free of their draconic bonds that were once a prison to them was enough to keep them happily working for the party even if it was merely for free.

* [PC]_Cyenen looks over the side of the ship with clouded eyes. Her heart felt heavy in her chest, and her thoughts rolled like the waves of the sea. She was alone. How she wished she could be among her people at this moment. Surely their songs could make her laugh, smile and dance again.. it had been too long since she had been happy.

* [PC]_Lystos sits slumped in a chair, locked in the captain's quarters with an empty mug of ale in his hand, his mind racing with thoughts of long ago, when he knew *her.* She saved his life, that night. "Why... why does Makal's face... Samantha..."

* [PC]_Cyenen walks along the edge of the deck, overlooking the happy sailors. Surely one of them would... "Excuse me sir?" *She walks over to the nearest sailor* "Do you happen to have any instruments on the boat?"

<[DM]_Hatter> Most of the sailors sigh as they heard the words "We do not have instruments, we barely have what we have on our backs..." as one of the younger sailors which looked to be only fourteen pulls out a small ocarina "I have this... Tis not much but it will suffer if you are in need of a good spirit and a release from the depths of hell."

* [PC]_Cyenen smiles kindly at the young boy "My dear lad, this will be perfect!" *bends down to kiss the boy on both cheeks and takes the ocarina from him, flitting to the cabins to find Lystos

* [PC]_Cyenen walks briskly down the corridor, stopping in front of the captain's chambers. She takes a deep breath, then knocks a few times calling through the wooden door "Lystos? May I have the pleasure of speaking with you..?"

* [PC]_Lystos grunts, and turns his head slowly, scanning across the room, to the sound at the door. The chair, barring the entryway, rattles a small bit at the knock. "*Sigh* That insufferable aristocrat is not with you, is he?"

<[PC]_Cyenen> "No... no.. Just me. I beleiev he has disappeared again.. knowing him, he is doing something to cause more mischief.. *sighs* No.. I simply wish to be in your company.. if you will.

* [PC]_Lystos slumps his head and sighs heavily. After a few seconds, he responds. "...Surely. I'll open the door for you." He rises and walks slowly to the door, pulling the chair away and releasing the lock. He creaks open the door, scanning with his sharp eyes for any sign of Adonis. He steps back and waves Cyenen in, still wary. "Come."

* [PC]_Cyenen smiles back at him realizing the muscles in her face were not used to it. She enters the room calmly, and looks around, before sitting on the floor and looking at him.

<[PC]_Cyenen> "Lystos. I know you may not want to be in my company right now. I know I have offended you in my actions. But I wish to make it up to you. Please, will you allow me to do that?"

* [PC]_Lystos takes one last look at the outer hallway before closing the door and barring it again. "I am sorry about the door, but I would much prefer it if I were nowhere near Adonis at the moment."

<[PC]_Cyenen> "It is understandable.."

* [PC]_Lystos looks down at Cyenen with a piercing gaze. "...You may try. I hope that it will do us both some good."

* [PC]_Lystos sits on the edge of the bed near Cyenen

* [PC]_Cyenen rises from her spot on the floor, and walks forward, nealing before him. "My friend.. What trouble you so?"

* [PC]_Lystos sighs heavily once again, and explains himself without looking her directly in the eyes. "There is... much that I must tell you before you will understand." He looks down towards her. "I am willing to speak, but you must be willing to listen."

<[PC]_Cyenen> "You may speak my friend. I have grown to learn patience in my many year. Please.."Kwentra lye amin" (Tell me the tale)

* [PC]_Lystos mumbles a bit before speaking... "There was a time... about eight years ago. I was an assassin. A bow-for-hire, killing counts and dukes for profit."

* [PC]_Cyenen nods slowly in understanding

<[PC]_Lystos> "It was thrilling, to be sure, but it made me devalue life to the point where people were nothing more than cattle, killed to further my goals." He stands up and walks over to the bay window, looking out to the island.

* [PC]_Cyenen watches him with guarded eyes, keeping her expression emotionaless, trying to make it easier for him to speak.

<[PC]_Lystos> "I became more cold-blooded with every passing day, until the final contract I ever accepted nearly took my life." His eyes narrow in contemplation, choosing his words carefully as he speaks, his gaze never straying from the shrinking island. "I stumbled blindly through the streets, leaving a blood trail in the moonlight. I passed out, and when i woke up... a girl was tending to my wounds."

* [PC]_Cyenen keeps her gaze locked on the form of Lystos, listening to his every word

* [PC]_Lystos 's lips widen in a smile. "She had curly blonde hair, and the warmest voice that I had heard since my days in the castle as a boy. She was a cleric. We grew... close. I had to leave her, though, for fear that the country's authorities would find me. I returned home to Ostia, and a few weeks later, I departed for Eldin - her country - to see her again." His face turns grim and pale as a ghost.

* [PC]_Cyenen sees his reaction and braces herself for something unpleasant

<[PC]_Lystos> "I went into the captial, as a civilian this time, and made my way to her house near the castle square. There was a sign on the door... 'Occupant is in violation of penal code nine-nine-five.' I knew this code well, from my days of studying the Eldinese military and guard procedures. Penal code nine-nine-five meant 'civilian fraternizing with hostile invader." He hardens his gaze. "They learned of my visit. They learned what I was there to do. I grew sick to the stomach... The punishment for breaking the penal code was death."

* [PC]_Cyenen drops her gaze, keeping her emotion hidden, as a single tears runs down her cheek

* [PC]_Lystos 's upper lip quivers a bit. "I made my way to the castle grounds, and.... and... She was there." He swallows the word, "Hung. Her angelic eyes... when I looked into Makal's eyes.. he turns to Cyenen, his eyebrows lifting. "...I saw hers."

* [PC]_Cyenen holds herself together, and quickly rises from her seat on the floor and approaches him, holding out her arms to embrace him, not caring about the laws that forbade her as an elf to do so

* [PC]_Lystos catches her in his arms. "...It was horrible. I had to relive it, Makal walked down that gangplank. I couldn't stop her. I couldn't save her. You two forbade me."

<[PC]_Cyenen> "I am so sorry... Lystos.. please forgive me... I am so sorry..."

* [PC]_Lystos looks down at Cyenen and sighs. "It is.... you're.... forgiven."

<[PC]_Cyenen> "I know the gravity of what I have done... but I am so sorry Lystos.. for you loss.. I did not know..."

* [PC]_Lystos releases Cyenen and looks back slowly across the water, to the island, growing smaller still. "I will see her in the next life. I will see Samantha. I will see Makal... I will bathe in godly light with them for eternity, when I go. He looks down to his right, to a table next to the window, and sees a pendant.

<[PC]_Cyenen> "Lystos.. I am sure you will."

<[PC]_Lystos> "What is..." He picks up the pendant, and holds it in his long, rough fingers.

* [PC]_Cyenen nods quickly and steps back, following his gaze and sees the pendant.

* [PC]_Lystos turns to Cyenen. "...Is this for Adonis? I did not see him wear it."

<[PC]_Cyenen> "I... I do not know... Cyenen looks at the pendant growing weary again.

* [PC]_Lystos turns back to the pendant. "No. No, it cannot be. It is a pendant of..." His eyes turn hard again. "This is the pendant of a cleric... A cleric of Bahamut."

<[PC]_Cyenen> "Aiya... I... I do not wish to deal with such items again Lystos.. the last only brought me pain, suffering and trouble... please.. let us set it aside for later.. my spirits cannot handle any more turmoil.."

* [PC]_Lystos turns his hard eyes to Cyenen. "...Turmoil. What do you know--" He catches himself, and takes a deep breath. "Calm, Lystos. Calm."

<[PC]_Cyenen> "You ask me what do I know of turmoil.. I have been BANISHED from my people. I have been an outcast my entire life, not growing close to anyone. Not trusting my heart with anyone. And then, when I do it is cast aside and kicked about? You ask me what I know of turmoil my friend, it is this. I have always been alone. I have never had anyone.... I have never had anything... So for you to be so bold, to save I do not know of turmoil... after i come in here to help YOU? I believe my assumption is correct my friend. Do not be so hasty in your path to judge."

* [PC]_Lystos softens his gaze and notices something strange about the pendant. He inspects it closer.

The pendant, on the back with a rough sketch into the back of the silver amulet that was done by a knife "To my friend" was apparent. The amulet has no mystical properties other than being a holy symbol.

* [PC]_Lystos cannot hear Cyenen; he is lost in deep thought.

<[PC]_Lystos> "My name... She never knew my name..."

* [PC]_Cyenen turns to face him "She did not know your name, no. But she knew she had a friend on this earth. you showed her compassion when most would not. You gave her strength when most would not. Take solace in that Lystos."

* [PC]_Cyenen places a hand on his shoulder, then mutters "Cormlle naa tanya tel'raa" (your heart is that of a lion...) then exits the room

* [PC]_Lystos turns to Cyenen, hearing her words clearly now. "I cannot forgive myself for allowing her to be destroyed so needlessly..." He puts the pendant around his neck. "...but I can make up for my failing."

* [PC]_Lystos shouts to Cyenen. "Wait..."

* [PC]_Cyenen turns to face him "What is it lystos."

* [PC]_Lystos looks up from the pendant, tucking it into his undershirt. "...I feel the need to 'inspect' a keg of ale." He smiles a bit. "...Care to assist me?"

<[PC]_Cyenen> "I had something in mind, that might require a good drink, if you would come with me my friend" She holds her hand out to him

* [PC]_Lystos nods. "Certainly." He takes her hand. "Come on, drinking buddy..." He thinks to himself and smiles. "...one pint for the road," He says aloud.

* [PC]_Cyenen pulls Lystos out onto the deck, and calls to the sailors "Gentlmen! I believe it is time for a lifting of spirits, and the consuming of drink!" She puts the ocarina to her lips, and begins to play an elvish melody, he feet finding time with the music, dancing around the deck

* [PC]_Lystos looks at Cyenen dancing around the deck and smiles. "Well, someone's in a bright mood all of a sudden... wait a moment." He rushes down below decks.

* [PC]_Cyenen continues to dance, pulling on the hands of the sailors one by one, pushing them into a dance as well

* [PC]_Lystos comes back a moment later, hauling a keg of ale from the island. "A wonderful drink, this." He taps the keg and pours himself a pint. "...I am not one to drink this heavily. Oh, well. Special occasion."

* [PC]_Cyenen hands the ocarina to one of the sailors to play, then skips over to lystos "Lle merna salk?" (do you want to dance)

* [PC]_Lystos looks at the elven girl, and at his pint, then back at her again. "Surely." He chugs his drink quickly. "Aaaah! That hit the spot. Now, shall we?"

* [PC]_Cyenen takes both his hands and begins to dance, swinging around and laughing

* [PC]_Lystos begins to chuckle a bit as he dances. "This is certainly not a waltz... I am out of my element. Haha!"

<[PC]_Cyenen> "Lystos! Let your feet guide you! they will not lead you astray!" *dances more giggling to herself

* [PC]_Lystos looks down at his feet, still dancing. "I should hope not!" He laughs at her expression.

* [PC]_Cyenen laughs as she lets his hands go, swinging around and sitting fluidly in a heap, grabbing a glass of ale, and laughing heartily

* [PC]_Lystos is thrown away from Cyenen as she lets go. He catches his footing quickly, and bounds over to the keg once again.

* [PC]_Cyenen takes a long sip from her glass and laughs at Lystos calmly.. everything seemed better now.. she could laugh again...

* [PC]_Lystos chuckles at her, and takes a seat on the keg, crossing his legs. "This trip is horrifying. Dangerous. Unpleasant...." He looks down at the keg. "Delightful." He smiles widely, thinking fondly of the past.

<[DM]_Hatter> The ocean's calm waves and steady breezes continue for nearly nine days as the ship sails and no man on the crow's nest, the island seen in the distance was not quite as distant as it would appear, entering the dock at a hastily pace - the island was much larger than any of the others, it was considered the mainland but the port belongs to Ostia. The ship makes a rather hard bump into the docks, enough to shake the ship and crew alike.The crew gives a small cry as the Helmsman gives a loud laugh rubbing the back of his head roughly "I am quite sorry! I was not paying attention to the land and I was staring at the beautiful blue sky... Its an old tendency when you have not seen it in years..."

* [PC]_Cyenen stands and catches her footing after the bump of the boat. She was suprisingly happy these last few days. Hearing the songs and dances of her people seemed to have a marvelous affect on her. Waling out onto the deck, she stands by the bow, and looks upon the island before her.. calm, peaceful, and large. She felt calm.. this was not a place to fear.

* [PC]_Lystos comes up from below decks and looks around. "...This is the port of Ostia. What in hellfire are we doing here? I only just left..." he says as he descends the gangplank.

<[PC]_Cyenen> "Ostia?" *leaves her spot on the bow, and walks cautiously down the gangplank, eyeing Lystos with caution, gauging his reaction

<[PC]_Lystos> "Yes." He turns to the skyline of the populous city. "This is the nation I am to lead."

<[DM]_Hatter> The port's dock was cobblestone, very articulate cobblestone streets with buildings that surrounded the port as it pushes back into the city itself, a large and peaceful city with a dark past for one man. Onto the port, bodies hang from the gallows - some skeletal and some freshly hung. It was a brutal reminder of Ostia's strict laws.

<[PC]_Lystos> "I do not know why the sailors brought us here, but seeing as we are where we are, perhaps we should disembark."

<[PC]_Cyenen> "Do you think that is a good idea Lystos? Do you think you will be taken kindly to?"

* [PC]_Lystos chuckles a bit. "I know I will. I ran of my own free will, you know. My father is a kind man, while at the same time harsh. I do not believe he has hardened his heart to he yet."

<[PC]_Cyenen> "If you believe it safe, then let us disembark. I am sure that you may find comfort in seeing your family."

* [PC]_Lystos laughs openly. "And besides, mother's probably worried sick. She still thinks I'm the seven-year-old boy they adopted so long ago."

* [PC]_Cyenen laughs softly "your parents... they must miss you... " She moves forward to stand by him

<[PC]_Lystos> "One can only hope. Come, the estate is beyond the city. We need to pass through the temple district first."

* [PC]_Cyenen follows him, keeping close to his side, remembering his story of his life, and the wars on elves.. it may be safe for HIM... but was it safe for her?

* [PC]_Lystos leads Cyenen through the city streets, noticing her staying close to him.

<[PC]_Lystos> "Something the matter?"

<[PC]_Cyenen> "you spoke before.. of the wars. Elves do not exist in your city no? It makes one... nervous.. Is it safe for me here?"

<[PC]_Lystos> "It is very safe. Other races are highly welcome, so long as they obey the laws, like anyone." He is silent for a moment, then picks up again. "The elves were unfortunate casualties from fighting Eldin, they were not slain by us."

<[PC]_Cyenen> "Ah.. well, if you do not mind.. I shall wish to keep my back to someone familiar.."

<[DM]_Hatter> The streets being wide and activity was abundant but not as much as the city of the size would be. The district of which they walk through is known as the Temple Distrct, many deities have their names placed within these temples as they are all worshipped within the kingdom without restraint. As they walk past the temple of Bahamut, a stockade is placed near the streets with a lone girl within the stockades. A priest with a whip stands behind her screaming "You pray to Pelor and you're actions within the Bahamut church shall not be forgiven by him! Repent!" Screams are heard across the district as the woman's hair had been chopped to shoulder length and roughly done with her priestess robes cut by the whip itself.

* [PC]_Lystos hears the screams, stops dead in his tracks, and turns to hear them.

* [PC]_Cyenen grabs Lystos' arm and whispers "Mani naa lle umien???" (What are they doing?!?)

<[PC]_Lystos> "I... do not know. I was not aware that the priests were allowed to torture their followers. Come, we must end it."

* [PC]_Cyenen nods swiftly and grabs the hand of the man whipping the girl, taking the whip from him in a swift motion "How dare you!"

* [PC]_Lystos runs over to Cyenen and holds her back. "Calm, Cyenen!" He turns to the priest. "What are you doing, here?" He does not notice the girl in the rack.

<[DM]_Hatter> The priestess breathes heavier as she yells loudly "PELOR! Help and I shall follow!" The priest becomes shocked by the actions of Cyenen stepping back a single step "Bahamut damn you, you interfer with our proceedings! She was brought her by Bahamut and she does not love him! She is a traitor to her god calling out for Pelor!"

* [PC]_Cyenen holds her tongue, keeping the whip in her hand, and stepping closer to Lystos, letting him lead. She was out of her element

<[PC]_Lystos> "Pelor is a god of mercy, priest. He forgives, though you do not. I order you to stop this display of brutishness at once--" He turns to the girl in the stockade.

<[DM]_Hatter> The priestess' head turns to Lystos roughly, unable to turn much with her bindings "...You..." The priest gives a swift kick to the priestess from his distance causing an immediate stop to her speech making it garbled english with a mixed in foreign language to the both of them.

* [PC]_Cyenen grabs the Priest and ties his arms behind his back with the whip "YOU WILL DESIST!"

<[PC]_Lystos> "Priest! You will cease this act NOW!" He draws his bow. "You see my friend here means business." He nocks an arrow. "Flee. Now."

* [PC]_Lystos turns to Cyenen. "If he agrees, release him."

* [PC]_Cyenen nods

<[PC]_Lystos> "I'll have no blood spilt on my lands needlessly."

<[PC]_Cyenen> "It would be best to flee Priest.. we do not wish trouble here."

<[PC]_Lystos> -r d20+4 intimidate

<Dicebot> [PC]_Lystos rolled d20+4 intimidate --> [ 1d20=7 ]{11}

<[DM]_Hatter> The priest glares at Lystos seeing the arrow nocked at him and lets out a heavy sigh "Bahamut damn both of you for your actions, you shall feel the consequences for this day in the future... I will leave..."

* [PC]_Cyenen unbinds him and cracks the whip to the side, rolling it in her hands

* [PC]_Lystos lowers his bow. "Good. Now, fly." He turns to the crowd. "Leave this place. There will be nothing more here." He then turns his attention to the stockade. "Are you all right? Here, we'll get you out."

* [PC]_Cyenen tosses the whip to the ground and mutters "Amin n'rangwa edanea..." (I do not understand these humans...)

* [PC]_Lystos unlatches the stockade and helps the girl upright, pushing her brown hair from her face.

<[PC]_Lystos> "There. You are sa--" His eyes become as wide as plates.

* [PC]_Cyenen walks over to Lystos "Re Ba Mae?" (is she well?)

<[DM]_Hatter> The priestess stands with all of her strength leaning onto Lystos with a familiar scent "...You..." she speaks softly with a rough tone to her voice "...Friend..." she gives him a light smile as she closes her eyes for which seemed to be the last as she slowly drifted into a sleep.

* [PC]_Lystos catches the girl as she falls. "...Makal!!" He turns to Cyenen, his eyes welling with happiness. "...It's Makal."

* [PC]_Cyenen staggers backward from Lystos and Makal, realizing that it was her in his arms. "Ma..Makal..I...Lystos.. I cannot..." *turns from him, seeing the burning body in her mind, realizing it was her fault...

* [PC]_Lystos , collecting himself, turns back to the girl and picks her up. "Come, Cyenen, we've got to bring her somewhere she can recover. She'll be safest at my home. To the estate. He looks at the stunned elf. "Cyenen, please... Now is your chance to make up for what you did. Pelor forgives. I know Makal will, too."

<[PC]_Cyenen> "Very.. Very well." *lifts the form of makal from Lystos supporting her, trying to make up for NOT supporting her earlier

<[PC]_Lystos> Lystos, claiming that he could travel faster on his own, took Makal in his arms and ran with all speed through the captial to his estate. He was greeted by his mother, who, being the proper woman she was, was horrified at the sight of her son carrying a passed-out girl in his arms. His father, in his usual place at the study, took no notice of his arrival.

* [PC]_Cyenen goes back to the boat and sits on the deck, contemplating what happened, glad that Lystos took her.. her self control was not enough to keep from killing her.

* [PC]_Lystos quickly told his mother hello, kissed her on the cheek, and swiftly moved upstairs to his room where he entered his room. The doors and walls of all of the rooms in the manor were reinforced with magic-resistant alloy, and then with 4-inch steel plating; essentially impenetrable. He lays the hurt girl on the bed, gently placing her head on a pillow. "Rest, now. You're safe here." Walking to the massive closet in his room and found a bedsheet. He draped it over her softly, and then walked over to his writing desk. He grabs a small piece of paper and a quill and ink set. He scribbled a quick note: "Greetings, drinking buddy. You will remain safe, if you stay here at my home, guarded until my swift return. I will see you soon, I promise. I will explain everything upon my arrival. Stay safe, stay here, stay hidden. Oh, and for the record, my name is Lystos Harken of Ostia. It is a pleasure to have you in my humble home." He lays the note on the pillow next to her head, and slowly exits the room, quietly shutting the door behind him. He calls for his guards. He spoke to them. "Keep a close watch on her. Keep her safe, limit her movement to the estate, and if she goes anywhere else - and I do mean anywhere - have multiple elite vanguards with her at all times. Do NOT let her come to harm. Understood?" After briefing his troops, he left his home, informing his mother that they had a new guest, and promising to return as soon as possible. He made his way back to the ship, to meet with the others.