Ferret Run: New City, Caemlyn

This portion of Caemlyn is one of the newer additions to New City. A number of alleys intersect through this entire neighborhood haphazardly, the most prominent being Ferret Run. It is the widest of the runs, meaning there's just enough room for four men to walk abreast. Worn down shops stand next to seedy looking inns, with the odd hovel crudely erected against the side of the more established buildings.

Sounds drift in from every direction; people speaking, bartering or even shouting, assorted animal noises, the creak and groan of wagons making their way along the road, and the smart cracking of whips to hurry beasts that are moving too slowly for their masters' liking. People passing by draw their cloaks and coats more tightly about their bodies, as the bitter wind tears through the street. Ferret Run leads further into Caemlyn the east and back through the tall gates to the west, toward Whitebridge.

Daeryn

Demonder arrives along the Caemlyn Road from the east.

Skulking about the shadows, leaning against the wall, appears to be a cloaked figure. This particular figure has an air of 'watching' about it, and yet, at the same time, indifference. Emerald eyes can be seen from beneath the hood, watching everything sharply, if she were to be noticed within the shadows of the buildings, and through the crowds passing by.

Daeryn wanders out of the arboretum, his gaze idly taking in his surrondings, trying to catch everything. His hand lays upon the axe at his side casually. A shiver passes through him once indicating he isn't as talented at ignoring the cold as he had hoped.

In the distance you hear the words "STOP THIEF!!!" being yelled.

Daeryn slows, but doesn't stop. His eyes darting around for two people. The one yelling and the one accused.

Only casually does the skulking figure look up as those words are yelled: Stop Thief. A slight shiver seems to run down her back, similar words echoing in her mind from a time before. She keeps to the wall, eyes carefully watching the streets for anything out of the ordinary.

Less undercover, is the lord Demonder. Although not in his noble-attire on this day, the dark cloak and light colored shirt do little to disguise him. Especially with no good over his head. The man does walk with a limp, though the injury suffered is quickly healing. Demonder too wear's an axe, the one at his side is of new appearance. Perhaps it had been better if he had worn his other, more worn one, though this finally crafted weapon would take notice when the folds of his cloak uncover it. As his eyes search the streets, they fall toward the direction of the yelling. Instictively a hand grips around the handle of the axe, as he watches and moves forward.

Eyes flicker towards the skulking figure, considering. But with a small shake of his head Daeryn figures that person would not still be standing there if they were the accused. His gaze flickers next towards the welldressed man who he gives a nod of his head, uncertain whether Demonder is a Lord or just a well-to-do merchant. He turns and starts to head towards the square, still glancing around warily for trouble.

Something is forcing people to the sides of the road. Shortly, a cart is in view, carrying several casks of wine and beer.

The figure's eyes seem to catch sight of Demonder. It seems to freeze, almost looking frightened for a moment, then skulks back into the shadows of the building a bit more. It would do no good for her to be discovered, not by him. She'd learned the errors of her mistakes the day before, she's not going down any alleys, but she's bound and determined to find /sometihng/ about her sister. Her eyes also seem to spy upon Daeryn, a slight curiosity held within for the other man bearing an axe so like her fiance.

Demonder nods to the merchant, his eyes noting his axe with a sense of appreciation, as he continues on. Let's face it, Demonder is not the most observant sort. A fact only made worse by the fact that he's male. As the cart begins to demand a clearing of the road, Demonder does move across to the side of where the undercover-Renni is, but he hardly takes notice of her more then any other. Demonder does much like she, as he settles to a spot and begins to observe those that walk through. Being at this part of Caemlyn, there is much that offers distractions, but likely less people that walk fully cloaked from head to toe. An interesting coincidence that Demonder has always taken a strong interest in Shienaran culture, and so it would only be a matter of time that this cloaked figure near him would be looked upon as though a possible Darkfriend. Or at least one being accused of such in Shienar.

A merchant Daeryn is not, at least if he is he is very down on his luck judging by his plain attire. Dismissing the cloaked figure and Demonder he steps out of the cart's way as it passes by and then continues on towards the square, possibly seeking the comfort of the Rose and Lion if he has any coin to spare.

Daeryn heads down Ferret Run, traveling east.

The cart passing by doesn't seem to bother the figure at all. It's an every day occurance, and one that happens quite frequently when one stands along the road as she. However, the figure /does/ seem a bit concerned about Demonder coming to her side of the street, which is an oddity in itself suggesting famliarity. Her attention falls away from the merchant man, and seems to also avert from Demonder, turning back to the streets in an attempt to continue o her observations.

The innocent laughter of children as they player around the old elm tree seems almost out of place.

A matter of time, really. As Demonder begins to pace further down the street, he does come closer toward the cloaked figure. She receives no more attention then the rest at first, as there would at least be a few others in the winter-day, but Demonder's eyes do settle upon the figure once again. As a few rough-looking men making their way through the side of the road, Demonder's attention gets averted, his cloaked springing upon to reveal the axe at his side just in case there are any contemplations of him not being armed.

As Demonder's attention is riveted away, the figure takes her chance to move away from the man, to relocate herself within the crowd. That alone could bring suspicion upon her person, if she were careless. She attempts to keep to the shadows, to blend in with the walls. She only seems to move a little further away, just past the opening to the next alley.

A man with a face reminiscent of a weasel pokes his head out of a nearby warehouse long enough to glance up and down the street, then withdraws.

As the men pass Demonder, looks are exchanged. It is unfortunate Demonder does not hang-about places of these types often, as the threatening look he gives them would be enough to start a fight in these parts. Demonder was raised in the barracks, but not in the streets of Caemlyn. But nothing seems to happen, as they cross paths without incident. With that, Demonder goes look onward through the streets for the figure that had originally caught his attention. As he searches forward, he does not take notice of the men behind, which now turn toward him at the nudge of their 'leader.' There are three of them, two with sword and the other with a club, which are revealed upon the whisping of their cloaks. The men pace quicker toward Demonder, whispering to eachother.

The wail of a child pierces the daytime rumble of market haggling.

In the distance you hear the words "STOP THIEF!!!" being yelled.

The figure's perceptions much better than Demonder, though often times she chooses not to use them, she spies the men and their intent. Inwardly, she winces, knowing that if she doesn't do something, and soon, her fiance will get injured again, and if she /does/ do something, he'll be hurt anyway by her not confiding in him. Better the emotion than the physical. A voice, so very familiar, calls out, "Demonder, behind you!" With the crowd, its hard to tell just where that voice came from, though certainly from near one of the alleys.

The voice would be familiar to Demonder, which seems to send him more into surprise then the words of warning. There is that brief pause where he begins to seek forward for the voice, before his brain begins to process the message of the voice of his future wife. Demonder does turn then, his hand taking a grip on the handle of his axe. As the three men approach, only steps behind now, there is a rubbing of shoulders as two men pass with Demonder in between. Although Demonder's shoulders are broad with strength, have two nudge him at either side sends him stumbling backwards before he twists quickly to watch them pass through. It is the third man, the one that was a few steps bahind that stops. A club unleashing from his belt as the others turn to face Demonder once again. "You have a problem?" one asks. Demonder doesn't seem to realize there were three in this small group.

Demonder may not have noticed, but the figure certainly had. She is no fighter, not one by a long shot, however she'd risk anything to keep the man she loves safe. Therefore, with Demonder and the others not being /too/ far out of range, she reaches down upon the ground and scoops up a few loosened rocks. Those she throws at the two men turned to face Demonder, in an attempt to turn their attention away from him to seek other quandry. Once the rocks are thrown, she makes an attempt to appear as if nothing were amiss on her part, simply blending into the walls and observing - however she plans to become a nuissance if needed.

A man with a face reminiscent of a weasel pokes his head out of a nearby warehouse long enough to glance up and down the street, then withdraws.

A child's toy lies amid the grass, forgotten beneath the night sky by some small toddler perhaps. Soon enough, a thoughtful looking boy in his early teens steps down the street in search of something and scoops it up, bearing it homewards.

The men might not notice the one that hurls rocks at them, but Demonder certainly does. As a few pelt off the ground nearby and off one's shoulder, they do twist. The one standing behind Demonder lowers the weapon. Something causes Demonder to turn, by either the shadow from behind, or by the simple breathing of the man. Regardless, he does turn, arm on the axe handle as his thumb loosens the tie to it. "Leave him," the voice from behind Demonder begins. But for whatever reason, the man doesn't exactly listen. Responding to Demonder's threatening stance, he begins to raise the small club in an attempt to hit Demonder. As the swing downward begins, it is met with the long shaft of Demonder's axe. Wood against wood collide, Demonder using the blade end to twist and hook the club before disarming him with a spin that sets him further away. None of this done very smoothly, mind you, not with Demonder still limping, but the pain is ignored. The leader of the group grabs at the now disarmed men's shoulder, pulling him away from Demonder. "Leave him. Take your weapon, and let's go." They begin to do just that, though one watches the streets to see who had thrown the rocks without much success of spotting anyone of suspecion. Demonder simply watches from the side, his eyes not looking to Rennar so not to give her location away in case the men were smart enough to realize his stare.

Morden arrives along the Caemlyn Road from the east.

Morden comes walking down the side walk from the inn on his way towards the arboretum. Oh my what's this? An odd place to find this particular coupls...and sweet jesus that was a long pose...

Morden comes in on the tail end of this...seeing only Demon and a number of fleeing...wimps. he pauses for a moment checking around him to see that he himself is not in any danger.

With Demonder still slightly distracted, the figure amongst the shadows moves once more. She doesn't want to have to deal with him, not here, not now. A scene would do little good at all, particularly for her sister. Making certain her hood is firmly in place, she slowly, ever so slowly walks along the walls, attempting to blend more into the shadows there. She stops, this time, by a grouping of barrels, where there are a few others sitting amonst the street.

Morden starts walking along now once again, perhaps a little more spring in his step this time..trying to leave this particular area before trouble does indeed come looking for him. As fortune would have it he finds himself walking right by the figure mulling about in the shadows by the barrels. Again he stops, eyes searching in the darkness for the figure's identity...perhaps he is worried he is going to be mugged?

Sasha Comes out of the shack and onto the street.

And, of course, Demonder makes no mistake about the direction of his travels once the other men have disappeared into the crowd of the street. The lord is dressed in rich clothing, not doing well to blend in this part of town, but more likely a rich merchant then a noble. There is a length of time before he slowly paces through the streets after the cloaked figure that he now knows is his intended wife. Not much escaping his eyes now, as he nears from a short distance away, approaching with careful steps. Demonder turns away from the cloaked figure as he speaks. "This is a surprise." Demonder isn't thrilled.

A party of the Queen's Guard walks down the broad street, keeping the order in the city. Their presence alone is a reassurance for many people.

Leaving the shack for a last trip to the Arboretum and her beloved frozen pond Sasha turns, her eyes go wide at the activity going on, she stands frozen by the door in silence.

The hood of the cloak obscures her visage, or most of it - but there's enough visible for Morden to guess that the figure is, perhaps, Rennar Hune. No others really seem to take notice of this plainly dressed woman, who takes care to hide her identity. It's just another person along the streets to them, and perhaps one of their own in this particular section of the city - the seedier section. She takes no real notice of Morden, just being another person like herself. She tenses as Demonder comes near, looking as if frozen in place.

A party of the Queen's Guard walks down the broad street, keeping the order in the city. Their presence alone is a reassurance for many people.

"You travel far from home?" Demonder asks in a tone that would be heard more completely by others, his words cryptic as he does not wish to reveal them to the ears that might be about. This doesn't change the fact that Demonder's voice is far from pleasant, his eyes turning coldy upon the hooded figure that stands beside him.

Sasha shakes by the door frozen in her fright as she hears the tone and then spots Morden the man that talked to her at the Inn. Mind spinning Sasha is afraid to move for fear of being noticed.

The figure's emerald gaze searches out the streets, passing over Morden once more. She avoids looking at Demonder, unable, or perhaps too frightened, to meet the eyes of a man who's voice is so cold. "Far enough." The figure murmurs, her voice a tight whisper, "In hopes of discovering something new." She'll never be left alone now, not after this. A revelation on her part that seems to cause her shoulders to sag.

Morden moves on having no particular desire to get involved in any way with this pair...wether he recognizes Rennar or not is anyone's guess.

Something is forcing people to the sides of the road. Shortly, a cart is in view, carrying several casks of wine and beer.

It is only then that Demonder slowly begins to hook his axe unto the belt, his attention returning to the streets in the anticipation of seeing something of interest. "You sacrifice much for this search," Demonder answers that in a quieter whisper, as he steps away from his intended by at least a few paces. That does not stop him from leaning back against the wall. Although not directly staring at her, Demonder does watch from the corner of his eyes.

Silence lingers between the two. The figure, who is Rennar, does not notice Sasha standing within her doorway. There's no need for her to, her eyes upon the various alleys, intent on keeping away from the gaze she knows has to match the coldness in Demonder's voice. "I would lay down my life for this search, as I would for any other whom I love." Words she's spoken before, several times over again in private discussions. "Particularly when aid does not show itself."

VIEWING: A man almost like any other passes by Demonder and Rennar. Slightly on the heavy side, his eyes are telling of the stress in his life. There is nothing significantly different between himself and the others within this part of town. To no one else but Rennar, anyway. The death of him is as clearly obvious as the image of a dagger stabbing through a heart just over him.

Demonder doesn't respon to Rennar, the cool contemplation within him continuing. Much of the words he will want to speak will be saved for another time, when they are not within this place that could possibly hunt for two of their position with greedy hands.

A gang of street toughs chases a lone boy down a shadowy run.

A small gasp can be heard coming from Rennar's lips. Her tension seems to grow, threefold, as her eyes lock upon a portly man. Hands instinctively pull her cloak about her tightly. She's getting better about her reactions to such things, though not much so. However, in her reaction she also seems to step back and away from where Demonder stands - either moving away from him, hiding her reaction, or just simply blending into the comfort of the shadows. A sort of pain might be seen in her eyes, mixed with a deep forboding.

Sasha begins to open the door of the small shack seeking comfort in its safety but fear yet again takes hold and the child remains wide eyed and speechless or so she wishes everyone to believe.

Demonder continues to watch the cloaked figure, and as she steps further away from him in startlement, Demonder does little to hold back what he intends to do. The lord approaches Rennar in a few long strides, and twists in front of her so that he is directly ahead of her. There expression is hard to dicepher, that to be certain, but it would border on hurt and anger. "What is wrong?" The words border on demanding, his anger growing apparant.

The man with the viewing of death simply passes through, and heads through the crowd. If someone were to watch him, it would be seen that he heads toward and then into an alley-way.

An angry customer comes out of one of the shops, shoving anyone away who comes in his path. The size of the fellow allows him past without much concern.

Momentarily distracted by Demonder's interject, Rennar turns her eyes briefly to him, yet not for long as she turns back to the crowd. Finding her quary again, having not travelled to far from where she last saw him, she sees him just duck into the alley. Indecision briefly takes her, then without thinking about she starts to take off after him, attempting to get out of Demonder's way at the same time. Her fiance might see some sort of determination in her eyes, mixed with that loathing. She's /not/ going to let another person die because she held back.

Rennar escapes Demonder easy enough, the lord left standing and staring into a blank wall until he twists enough to watch where Rennar walks with determination. Demonder begins to limp behind her at a quick pace, though gets held back as he bounces in between a few people that make their way through the streets. As he continues on, Demonder is only a few steps behind when Rennar approaches the alley-way.

Well, not walks. It's more like a dead run, attempting to press through the crowd to get to the alley where the other man disappeared. This is no subtle action, but one that seems to call for urgency on her part. She must warn the man, even should he not believe her. Perhaps then, then he could be saved. She does slow, however, when she gets to the alley, her earlier experiences within not so pleasant. She knows all too well the dangers. However, that doesn't stop her from following the man in.

In which case Demonder would he a graver distance away, the limp in his leg showing more now then before as he attempts to run behind Rennar. It is only for the fact that she slows to the entrance that allows Demonder to catch-up. At least slightly. As Rennar slips inside, so does Demonder, moments later with his arm outstretched and preparing to reach for her. Demonder comes to a stop in this action at the sight of the scene within.

Sasha deftly slips into the shadows when the two she is watching begin to move positioning herself so she can hear but cannot be seen unless someone was specifically looking for her. Unsure something draws here to the people and the man that slipped into the alley.

A party of the Queen's Guard walks down the broad street, keeping the order in the city. Their presence alone is a reassurance for many people.

Within the alley-way, the over-weight man is already in trouble. Those same three men that had earlier bothered Demonder stand within, surrounding him from all sides. For now, it is only a game that they play, pushing him around in the circle they have formed. Taunting him with slight laughter, they look amused. "I'd say he has at least a silver coin on him," one says with a smirk. "He'd be smart to give that coin to us too," the less witted one states, reaching for a dagger strapped to his belt.

It is then that the cloaked figure makes her presense known, seeming to rise tall. She doesn't know exactly what she intends to do, but having seen the guard pass not just before she went into the alley, surely means that they are still nearby, around the corner, "Leave him." She calls out, her voice stern and holding a note of authority. And, with luck, Demonder followed as she knew he would. The cloak remains firmly placed over her features, keeping them hidden.

Demonder does slow his steps as he makes his way beside Rennar, the axe already drawn and held with both hands. The pose is not that of a man ready to fight, but of a man guarding what he holds with the highest value. No longer does he show anger or disappointment in his features. He is there to inforce Rennar's words, bottom line.

Remaining hidden in the shadows Sasha can now see the actions of the others fully but still in her skill as one who survives much stays cautiously silent not wanting her presence known.

Once again they are halted from a possible prize in a few cold coins. Clearly theives, their eyes turn to Rennar and Demonder with a great deal of hatred. Well, that's the best way to describe it, anyway. Few would bother them in the alley-ways, and especially when there are none apparantly around to offer danger to them besides the single man with an axe. At this distraction, the man panics, the best way to put it. With the hand reaching into his pocket, as though about to give-up his coin, he instead bolts. The irony lays heavy with what happens next. The bolting man is met with a dagger thrashing into his chest, the dumb-witted thief reacting simply on reflex as the now dieing tried to squeeze past him. The thief is surprised even by his own action, eyes going wide and looking to the others with shock. This they didn't want, already one begins to step away, then the next.

Loud cursing, enough to make a teamster blanch, emits from the tanner shop then stops abruptly.

"NO!" A strangled cry leaves Rennar's lips as the portly man from before gets stabbed. Fear and trepidition enters her eyes, and she staggers back a few steps. Be damned if she does and be damned if she doesn't, those thoughts slip through her mind. Tears brim at her eyes, and unable to stay there, to watch the man's life slip away, she scambles back into the streets and unknowingly right into the path of a wagon passing by.

Sasha instinctivly reacts her dagger suddenly appearing in hand she presses deeper into the shadows prepared to protect herself should the thieves get to near or should she feel threat of being discovered having seen all this. She is still puzzled who the two people are as she had yet to see the cloaked figure enough to know and not met the man that handle the ax.

First she runs into the alley, having Demoner's axe drawn in protection of a man, then she screams and runs out into uncoming traffic. All this takes time to process, and Demonder can do very little in reaching for Rennar with both hands on the axe. The men are forgotten, and not without reason, as the scream would attract enough attention. They flea. Demonder, on the other hand, twists his body and releases the grip on the axe to reach for Rennar with his next step. The despiratoin of the move is lost, as the leg doesn't react fast enough to lurch forward. But as the healthy leg moves forward in the next leap, Demonder's tall stride has him near Rennar. The axe falls to the ground, the oncoming traffic clear to him now as he literally shoves Rennar with springed arms away. The wagon is certainly in path to collide with Demonder now.

A single man, clothed in dark leathers, comes out of a side street. He crosses the road quickly, not even glancing at the many shops around.

The wagon continues to barrel down the street at a fast pace, the driver unaware that the couple in front of it are having problems, at least at first. When the lady comes scrambling in front of him, he reigns the horses so that he'll miss her, thankfully no traffic coming from the other side. Then, Demonder comes out as well, and pushes Rennar back and away from where he had originally started to go. This proves quite the dilemma. The wagoneer reigns once more, just in enough time to miss the lady being thrown in his direction, and drives his team between the two figures - just enough space there between them to pass them without either getting harmed. There's a loud series of curses coming from the driver, enough to make even the lowliest of men blush.

Following her instincts Sasha sheaths the dagger and follow the scream of the caped figure as they leave the alley going back to the street. Still carefully hidden in the shadows Sasha emerges to a place near the others in time to see the wagons near miss.

The innocent laughter of children as they player around the old elm tree seems almost out of place.

Guards do begin to make their way toward the scene, or at least turn as the instance of the scream and the hart squeezing between Demonder and Rennar would have only been a few moments. Escaping the immidiate danger of the wagon, Demonder thanks the Light before he steps closer to Rennar. Although the hand that reaches, and unless she attempts to move away, grabs at Rennar's arm is not holding hard, his words carry much more weight in tone. "We are going home." Yes, he's mad. And even as Demonder does this, he twists to the alley where the one man sinks to the ground near death, while the others run further down the alley way.

The young woman now lying in the street does nothing to stop Demonder from taking her arm. Heart racing too much to comprehend his words, she merely goes with him, though legs weak from her near death experience. She seems dejected and meek, unlike her reassured self earlier. By now, her hood has fallen from her face, to reveal her identity to those that care to pay attention to the fallen figure; which, surprisingly, is not many at all.

Demonder slips his arm around his fiance's waist, providing support for her as they begin to move. First, Demonder takes the few steps back toward the alley, retrieving the axe he dropped. Then he directs the oncoming guards of where the men responsible for the stabbing went. It is around that time that he introduces himself and Lord Demonder, and that he'd be available in the palace of they had any questions. Settling the matters quickl with those guards, Demonder begins to lead Rennar away.

As the hood falls Sasha realizes that it is her new employer she has been watching. Boldly she steps forward offering to help the woman who had been so kind to her.

Above in the sky, birds are letting themselves known, hoping for some food from the many people bustling about on the streets.

Rennar moves with the Lord easily. Her features are drawn tight and unreadable, though her eyes show much emotion - the biggest is her distress over the situation. Because of her, a man died, and that knowledge seems to bear down on her. She moves as Demonder moves, stops as he stops, not giving complaint, not voicing anything upon the matter - for he is in charge, and made that quite clear when he took her and ordered their return home.

Although Demonder tries to be patient in the matter, and should really not give orders to the woman that has become meek from the torture of her captors, Demonder also has enough of this it would seem. As they walk through the steps, Demonder only bows slightly to the woman he does not recognize that approaches them. In a near jog, even with his limping leg, Demonder guides Rennar away without saying a word.

Daeryn arrives along the Caemlyn Road from the east.

Sasha stands watching nodding in return and remains out of the whole affair. The young woman's eyes continue to follow the couple as she stands still and silent knowing she will learn who this man is soon enough once she begins her employment.

Daeryn wanders back onto the alleyway, looking slighlty warmer than earlier though that warmth is quickly being stolen by the chill winter air. He glances at the limping man leading the unknown woman before catching sight of Sasha. With somewhat of a smile upon his lips he veers towards her, glancing back a few times at the odd couple.

A limping beggar approaches various stalls, seeking alms.

The hood to Rennar's cloak is now down, showing off her visage. She held by Demonder in such a way that she has to move with him - not by force, but by presense. His movements are quick, causing her to pick up her feet more to 'job' to the south and away from the others. 

Demonder once again notes the man that shares Demonder's tastes in weapon. Few around here walk with an axe by their hip, and close to none within the circle of nobility that Demonder stays within. Leading Rennar out, they begin their way toward the palace.

Nobles' Sitting Room: Royal Palace of Andor, Caemlyn

You find yourself in a antechamber with a high, vaulted ceiling inset with colorful stained glass. Lush carpets of red and white lie upon the marble stone floor. Couchs and chairs are arranged in conversational groupings within the room.

A servant pushing a small cart filled with clean linens and bedclothes comes out of the gilded doors and heads up the corridor. Down below, in the Queen's Gardens, you can see snowdrifts against the white stone walls, and icicles hanging from tree branches. To the east is a wing set with doors that house the nobles who reside in the palace. To the northeast are a pair of double doors that lead to the balcony and gardens. A hallway with guests' rooms branches to the west, and the heavily guarded Queen's chambers are south. A great staircase of white stone curves down to the Entry Hall below.

Demonder
Sadi

The young lord escorts his intended into the sitting room from the stairs. Both do not look very noble-like, as Rennar is dressed in a dark cloak, and Demonder had made an attempt to look more commoner without exactly succeeding. Demonder's shirt is lose, their clothing dirty from the road, and likely a good indication of at least a slight scuffle. "Renni..." Demonder starts in a tone that he regrets, trying again, a little more softer. "Renni... it wasn't your fault. It was meant to happen." And those words he means, reading enough into her actions earlier to understand what had transpired. (repose)

Sadi is...lounging. She very much likes it in this palace and is not use to such comfort. Right at the moment she's got a bowl of grapes before her on a couch and is eating them one at a time. Kind of like one of those egyptian queens...all we need now is the slaves with those big leaf fans.

Emos looks around curiously as he enters from the Guest Quarters.

Emos looks around curiously as he leaves the sitting room and looks around curiously as he out onto the balcony.

The young lady is indeed being 'escorted' by her fiance. There is no small amount of dirt on her very own form. She winces at Demonder's harsh tone, cringing visibly. She keeps her eyes lowered from the man and seems quite distraught. A shudder moves through her at his words, soft though they may be, yet there's still an air of blame, and possible self loathing about her. She says nothing, again, in response to him.

Not being able to take it any longer, Demonder stops midway in the sitting area. Turning Rennar toward him, a hand goes to cup the cheek. It's a good thing she still hasn't seen the bruised knuckle from an altercation earlier in the day. As his fingers brush against her, he lifts her head enough so that he may face her. With the tenderness a man shows the woman he loves, Demonder bends his neck forward enough to kiss her lips softly. "You should have told me," is the first thing his speaks, his voice a whisper. "But I understand that your sacrifice is for your sister. And I love you. I worry, and don't want you running around that part of town where danger invites itself all too quickly." A good thing Demonder doesn't know about the other incident that happened to Rennar within those streets of the Ferret Run. Demonder doesn't release his hold on Rennar, and instead moves forward for another tender kiss that is simple, but loving.

Sadi wiggles a little bit on her little couch to get more comfortable so she can watch the show. She pops another grape in her mouth.

Rennar doesn't say anything, guided into the kiss twice. She remains quiet, pain still showing in her eyes. Yes, very likely its good that Demonder does not know about the other evening. "I am sorry." She finally manages, though its a bit choked. "I couldn't just stand by and wait." She pauses, still not looking at him even though he tries to get her to, "Anymore than I'm sure you could not when I went missing."

In the true form of double-standards, it's okay for Demonder to put himself in danger and get himself hurt. He's the man, after-all. "I know, love," he whispers quietly, and then once again slips his arm around her waist, encouraging her into his embrace as they walk the rest of the way toward Rennar's guest chambers.

Indeed, she does go into his embrace, very much needing his arms about her just now, "And it was my fault. I acted." Rennar seems to be talking about something now. "Had I not, he would still live." Really, there's no way to know that, just as there was no way she'd know whether or not her father and brother would still live had she revealed to them her gift. Something that still eats at her.

Sadi has no way of knowing anything. She watches the 2 of um go by curiously, wondering what little bits and pieces of things Rennar is talking about.

Demonder nods thoughtfully to that, about to speak words, but deciding to hold them back until they are in an area more private. He asks one of the passing servants to prepare a hot bath, before slipping Rennar into the room at his lead.

Demonder walks through the heavy wooden doors and into the Guest Quarters of the Palace.

Rennar leaves with Demonder.

Guest Quarters: Royal Palace of Andor, Caemlyn(#771RAH$)

Dark woods and pale marble play a game of contrasts in this room. It's broad and arching ceiling, carved from the finest alabaster, mixes with the roughened edges of some southern hardwood's stained hue as it's criss-crossed by beams. The walls placate the surrounding fervor of marble sprites carved here and there along the window sills with paneling of the finest grade, polished to a near mirror sheen. There is a rotund bed, heavy with ivory linens, roughly in the center of the room and the accoutrements surrounding such finery are of the highest quality.

Subdued motes of dust linger int he calm and hazy afternoon sun that shines through the unfettered windows. The windows are bathed in a feathering drift of snowflakes that gather themselves in the corners of the panes, making perfect ovals in which to view the outside from. There is a large set of oaken doors that lead back out into the hallway of the Resident's Wing.

Demonder

Rennar arrives with Demonder.

Now, Demonder isn't a brilliant guy by any means, but he has been giving this matter some thought. Much thought, in fact. "Perhaps if you were not meant to act on what you saw, you would not have witnessed it to begin with?" Demonder suggests quietly as he makes his way into the room. "You're taking a bath." He's insisting, of course, though first he does turn Rennar to him once again so that his lips may fall on hers in loving strokes. Those eyes search for her returned gaze. "Rennar, it happened as the Wheel willed it. It is not your fault, not for the talent, or not what happens from it."

Sadi walks in from the Nobles' Sitting Room.

Sadi knocks but doesn't really wait for an answer before she opens the door and sticks her head in

There is a long pause of quiet from Rennar as she moves into the room, listening to Demonder's words. Finally, her voice the barest of whispers, and holding no less pain than before, "The results are the same, no matter what I try to do." As soon as her words leave her, Demonder pulls her into another kiss. She pulls away a bit, regarding him quietly, "You don't know that, neither do I...." She breaks her words off as Sadi enters the room, "Yes...?" She murmurs, trying to pull herself together.

Sadi says "You said you wanted some help...so you should tell me to...since ya canna seem ta do nothin anyways."

Sadi looks for a comfy place to sit herself down

The lord had wanted to be alone with his future wife longer, that is clear when he looks to the door where Sadi simply pokes within. Demonder leaves the matter between cousins, his body shifting so Rennar could face the door, fingers brushing against her waist in comfort. At Sadi's words, there is an edge of confusion as he looks between her and Rennar. Servants begin to walk through to fill the tub with water in buckets.

"We already discussed that last evening, cousin. Were you not going to go ahead and start your own investigation?" There is a hint of question to Rennar's frazzled voice as she regards the other woman.

This, Demonder has no clue about, of course. And so he simply watches as he offers physical comfort to Rennar. Though now with Sadi observing, he does so without being exactly so touchy-feely.

Sadi says "ayup I sure am. I got my guard all picked out and everything...trouble is I canna begin investigatin till after he...gets off of duty. You obviously know somethin new...or else why would ya have gone off by yourself?"

"Actually, I got tired of sitting around the palace waiting for something to happen." Rennar is not the type who can just sit and wait, as is obvious by her clothing and appearance.

Sadi blink blinks. "So ya just wandered out to the Feret run and started lookin?"

That faint growl can be heard from Demonder at that. He's not too thrilled about this concept, clearly. Just about ignoring Sadi for a moment, his eyes trail to Rennar. "I need to take care of a House Roesone matter. It should give you time to bathe and be ready for dinner." Oh yes, Demonder is going to be strict on the schedule from now on, it seems. "Stay within the palace, please."

Delicately, a brow lifts upon Rennar's features. She starts to say something, then pauses at Demonder's growl. Immediately, her eyes lower and she seems to cringe again. Slowly, she nods her head at his words, saying nothing to countermand him.

Sadi isna gonna say nothin bout the thoughts that just popped into her head. She is certain Demonder would throw a fit if she did. "You all wanna be alone? I will go." It just occurred to her that she might be interuptin

Of course, Demonder is going to feel like the worst slime in the world for taking advantage of Rennar's meekness. But, for now, it keeps her safe, and so he seems to do so even if he doesn't want too. Demonder nods slowly, bending at the knees to her height before offering a slight kiss on her cheek. "Renni, just don't go anywhere until we talk next, please." Again, he asks, kissing her once more before lifting to full height and preparing for his departure. The tub is almost filled full ways with the hot water. Turning to Sadi, he shrugs. "I am taking my leave while Renni baths."

Sadi says "Oh ok"...in that case...maybe she will tell Rennar one or 2 of those thoughts that popped into her head."

"If I am not here, I will be in the gardens." Rennar responds quietly, "Or another part of the Palace." Not exactly a promise, but as much of one. She still does not look up at, even as he leaves.

I don't recognize that name.

Demonder nods to both as he steps back, and then turns to leave.

Demonder walks out the heavy wooden doors and into the hallway.

Rennar doesn't look up, even as Demonder leaves. The servants continue to fill the bath until it is level enough that one might enter it. One stands ready, nearby, to help Rennar with anything should she need it.

Sadi calls out. "You know...there isna a soul out there that knows Feret run...better den I do. next time you gets tired a waitin...and need a guide...I'll be happy ta show ya around and take ya to those nasty places that you werena ever gonna find otherwise."

Silence lingers in the air for several moments, then Rennar finally speaks up. She has yet to make any move toward that bath, perhaps a small bit of rebellion in her afterall. "I wasn't actually looking down the alleys. I was watching the streets."

Sadi says "for what?"

Sadi goes over to the bed and proceeds to flop down onto it, marveling at the way it kind of bounces when she sits. much better then what she's used to...

"Anything really." Rennar gives a small shrug of her shoulders, sitting on part of the bed that Sadi just now flops on.

Sadi says "Well if you ever wanna see the things there that nobody wants ya to see...ya gotta know where ta look."

"I think I'll leave that in your capable hands, Sadi. I'm not cut out for skulking down alleys." There's no offense meant by the way Rennar speaks that, nor does she suggest Sadi is meant to do that sort of work. THere's just something odd about how she says that, and how certain she is she's not cut out for that sort of thing.

Sadi nods, not taking any offense. She has had far worse things said afterall. "Well ok then...but the next time you go out and do somethin like that...come find me first and we can go together. Mosta the people in those dark places...willna bother ya when I'm around." *that is assuming she's wearing the right clothes* "Where was that one guy that Nicodemus put on you? Sheesh it's like nobody can keep track of you er somethin...first Halice then that what's his name." She smiles

"He has yet to meet Demonder's approval. I have not yet accepted him into my service." Rennar comments quietly, folding her hands within her lap. She does not answer the other stuff, about taking Sadi out. More than likely, in her stubborn ways, she'd do it all over again the same.

Sadi says "Ok well...you have it yer way. I'll stop pestering you and let you take yer bath now. *that said she gets up and starts to head for the door*"

Rennar is sitting on the guest bed. There's a bath drawn, but whoever it's for has not yet taken any motions to decloth and make use of it. A brow lifts slightly, "I'll clean when I am ready to clean." She murmurs. That gives that away. "Not before."

Sadi snickers as Rennar is defiant to her...a little woman who is really pretty much nothin. She waves in a light hearted fashion. "Ok, you can stink all you like then. Bye bye."