[RP] A Lord's Will

[daehaz]

I

Sole heir to the Dyaz Estate, Lord Dono has made his way to Hydlaa. He's been seen for the past few weeks in the city and some have already made acquaintances with him. Being one of great wealth, he is currently looking to finance arts, science and crafts and is always interested in investment opportunities. His presence in the local inn has not gone unnoticed.

There is something familiar about him but it is hard to put one's finger on it. Perhaps there is some truth in that old saying “All Klyros look the same“ or perhaps, long ago, you did cross paths with him, yet that feels like a .

From behind the bar, Allelia watches and takes note, for she too is curious about this new patron: big tipper, light drinker and difficult to figure out.

*     *     *

[If you are curious or have doubts about him, RP asking Allelia and I'll /tell you what she may have witnessed from her post. Feel free to join this RP but please ignore name tags, they are OOC. Let's try to keep this thread with IC entries only. Godmodders will be returned to sender ipso facto.]

[Indygo]

Indygo sits on the bench in Kada-El's reading from his spellbook by the light of the fire, when he glances up and notices a klyros watching.  Indygo looks back to his book as he turns a page and begins to read before peering over the pages to see the klyros still watching.  The dwarf cocks his head a bit, studying the curious klyros.  Not recognizing him, Indygo shakes his head as he leans back and turns his head to the fire and reaches into his pack.

"Garadi'..." he says, slowly pulling the unmarked bottle from his pack.  The klyros replies by raising his mug with a half smile "Greetings."  Indygo mumbles with frustration as he struggles to pry the cork from the bottle.  "Try this..." the klyros says slyly as he approaches with a dagger in hand, handing it handle first to the dwarf.  Indygo thanks him and goes to jam the dagger into the cork but misses, gashing his hand gripping the neck of the bottle.  Dono smiles before his face slowly gives a concerned look to Indygo as he jumps and hollers in pain.  "Careful there... daggers can be deadly in the wrong hands." he tells Indygo.

"You're going to need a healer for that." Dono advises.  The hammerwielder shakes his head as he rips some fabric from his pack and begins to wrap the wound tightly "I'll be fine."  The klyros gives a dismissive shrug before picking the bloody dagger up from the floor and wiping it off "I do not believe we have met before..."  Indy slowly strokes his beard trying to place the familiar mannerisms of the klyros.  "I am Dono Dyaz." he tells the dwarf with a smile and a bow.  "Something quite familiar about you, though I cannot place it." Indygo tells him.  "All klyros look alike they say.  Some even have trouble differentiating between male and female." Dono responds.  Indy nods in agreement with a raspy chuckle "That they do..."

[Einnol]

Evening settles upon Hydlaa as Einnol Feldorm enters Kada'El's Tavern after a long day.  After getting a tall mug of dwarven ale from Allelia, the stonebreaker wanders downstairs to relax and enjoy the mug of delicious brew.  He spots his dear friend Indygo and a few others sitting around a table and joins them.  Among the patrons at the table is a male klyros that seems vaguely familiar to the dwarf.  During the conversation that follows he glances periodically at the klyros as if trying to place where they may have met in the past.  Eventually, his curiousity overcomes him and he asks the klyros what his name is.  He responds that his name is Dono.

Something does not seem quite right to Einnol.  The klyos' face isn't immediately recognizable to him, but something about his voice seems very familiar.  But, the name 'Dono' is completely foreign to the dwarf.  It just does not seem to fit.  The more Einnol tries to push the thought from his head, the more it seems to stick.  It is like a riddle begging to be solved.

His concentration is soon distracted in a completely unanticipated way.  The sudden arrival of an old friend captures his full attention.  Zorbels, a female Enkidukai, descends the steps and non-chalantly looks around.  After a quick, but joyous conversation with the friend he has not seen for some time, he invites her to join them at their table.

Several mugs and much conversation later, everyone prepares to retire for the evening.  Einnol approaches Zorbels to bid her farewell, but she is speaking to the klyros that he had been obsessed with earlier that evening.  He waits patiently and tries not to eavesdrop on their conversation, but when his friend's voice starts to rise angrily, he can't help but notice.  She is vehemently calling him by another name ... a name that Einnol does remember well.  Suddenly it all makes sense to him.  The name she was speaking and the klyros' voice echoing in his memory matches perfectly.  An urgent sense of dread overcomes him.  The timing is not right.  It seems right, but wrong at the same time.

Zorbels continues her accusatory dialogoue with the klyros oblivious to her Stonebreaker friend who has crept up defensively beside her.  That is to say, she is oblivious up until the dwarf jabs her in the side with his elbow, cutting her off in mid-sentence.

"Are you sure?  I mean, ... he looks a little bit like ... HIM.  But, I am sure many klyros do.", he tells her as he obviously fumbles to find a way to draw her away from the klyros.

The look she gives Einnol indicates that she must have picked up on his not so subtle implication.  The momentary gaze between them is mutally understood that there would be a time to figure this whole mess out, but this moment wasn't that time.  It is apparent they are both thinking the same thing.  But, what if they are wrong?  Worse yet, what if they are right?

[zorbels]

Zorbels enters Hydlaa after a long trip away from her home in search of her missing husband Satayne. She stops to take in the small city. After a moment of looking around she decides to go to the Kada El's tavern for a bite to eat and some rest. As the fenki enters the tavern she hears familiar voices and her heart begins to race with excitement. She quickly makes her way down the stairs and stops short when she see's Einnol chatting amongst friends. Zorbels thinks of a way to announce her presence and decides clearing her throat would do.

Einnol turns to see who stands behind him and his face takes on a look of disbelief, "Zorbels?"

Zorbels nods unsure what to say at that moment and waves slightly.

Einnol stands from his seat and walks over to Zorbels with open arms. She hugs the Dwarf and lets out a sigh of relief that he doesn't seem to be upset with her for suddenly leaving town so many months ago without a word to any of her loved ones.

"It is so good to see you old friend!" Zorbels says warmly. "I have missed you so."

Einnol motions to the table "Please, joins us. Let me introduce those of whose faces maybe new to you." Coming to the end of introductions Zorbels eyes set on the last to be introduced and her heart skips a beat. "Zorbels this is Dono."

The fenkis eyes narrow as horrible memories come flooding back of the Klyros "What kind of joke is this! This Klyros isn't Dono, his name is Daehaz!"

Dono grins at her politely "You are mistaken M'lady. "Well, it is common for klyros to be confused with others of their kind. We all look alike, they say. My name is Dono Dyaz and it is a pleasure to meet you Zorbels."

Zorbels looks at Daehaz through narrowed eyes "I am not sure if this is one of your tricks or if you do not truly remember. I am sorry if my reaction to you seems strange Dono. You look exactly like the serial killer of the sewers we took down here in Hydlaa a year ago."

Einnol glances at Daehaz and back to Zorbels. He wonders to himself again why the klyros seems familiar.

Daehaz points to his Family "Crest this is the Crest of the Dyaz Family. For generations we've been among the most notable in Yliakum. If you still doubt me I can offer proof. Daehaz takes out a scroll and offers it to Zorbels. (The scroll is a deed proving Dono Dyaz is heir to the family Dyaz Estate and Fortune)

Zorbels looks it over with confusion written across her face and offers it to Einnol to view. She makes a decision and she will not believe Dono till she has the knowledge of what happened to Daehaz after she saw him over a year ago. "Something isn't right here. I know you to be Daehaz." I know your one in the same .... I just don't know if this is a game that you’re playing or if you truly don't remember."

Einnol jabs Zorbels in the ribs with his elbow to get her attention "Are you sure? I mean, ... he looks a little bit like ... HIM. But, I am sure many Klyros do." He makes eye contact with the fenki and Zorbels picks up from him that he also suspects something isn't right.

Zorbels nods to Einnol "Perhaps you are right friend, let us get on with the night. Dono has shown us his "proof" so we should not doubt it. Innocent until proven guilty they say. I will drop this topic and just accept his proof. What else can I do?"  She orders a round of drinks for the table and sits down for a night of conversation with her friends. She keeps an eye on the klyros but starts to relax and enjoy being at home.

One thing my guild master taught me, keep your friends close but your enemies closest. So shall it be ........

[daehaz]

II

While tending some of his business in the Bronze Doors, Lord Dyaz runs into a familiar face, one of many he expects to get to know better and eventually call 'friend': Einnol Feldorm. He approaches the dwarf an greets him politely, as well as the Lady with him. In return, Einnol is cold and distant and refuses to introduce Dono to her. Despite Lord Dyaz's best efforts, Einnol cannot see him for who he really is and is openly rude to him.

However, being well-educated and with the patience of a mentor, Lord Dyaz presents him with a gift. Einnol hesitates but accepts the large package, wrapped in leather. The dwarf looks puzzled as he unwraps the present, revealing a master crafted pick which he knows could not have been easy to get.

Having shown he was above prejudice and misconceptions, Lord Dyaz farewells the dwarf and the Lady in his company, wishing them a great day and hoping his present shall prove he brings no ill intentions.

Einnol wraps the pick tightly in the same leather, avoiding to touch it with his bare hands, and watches as Dono leaves.

*     *     *

[daehaz]

III

Back in Hydlaa, several weeks after his last visit, the tavern looks quiet. Lord Dyaz runs into a familiar face, Miss Illysia Caterean. She seems upset and they talk a bit about recent events over some cider. He tries to console her but she still needs time to understand her pain. A few minutes later, Marqsaynt, a Kada-El's regular, shows up. Her presence makes Illysia even more upset, perhaps since she suspects he has something to do with her sister's sudden disappearance. She looks restless and weary and her exchange with him is a sour one. Dono tries to divert her attention by talking about different things with little success. She is too tired and finally decides to head home to try to get a good night sleep. Marqsaynt offers to walk her back home before Dono can volunteer. Even though Miss Illysia refuses at first, the former bounty hunter's insistence catches Dono's attention. She finally agrees and it doesn't sound like a bad idea for her to have company on her way home. "There's just something odd about that diaboli", Lord Dyaz thinks, pondering if it was a good idea to let him walk her home. He can only hope he won't regret this.

*     *     *

[daehaz]

IV

Hydlaa has not changed much and, despite the many guards, its streets still hide the undesirable. One of them chose to cross Lord Dyaz's path and tried to kidnap him. Of course he did not succeed. His Lordship may not be as young but he is no weakling and disarming his assailant was not difficult. This little incident, however, made him think he might need to hire someone to handle security matters for him and he knew just who to contact for that.

He run into Miss Donari at the tavern and she agreed to take care of it. He also asked her to contact someone who traded pets. His new manor was big and for moments felt empty if not a bit desolate. Warm loving creatures like groffels or yulbars would make a good company.

While talking to her, a friendly face greeted them. It was Rinenud. He joined them for some light conversation and mentioned his latest project. "I am attempting to provide a refutation of the main arguments of the atheists, and then laying down a series of challenges for them to meet in order to show their position is tenable.", he said. The topic caught His Lordship's interest and he was quick to offer funding for the young scholar's research. It was a very generous offer and he was really interested in the results. For a while now he had been thinking about leading a more spiritual life and devote himself to religion.

*     *     *

[daehaz]

V

A cloaked figure sneaks past the adventurers in the sewers. It moves with stealth and knows its way around the place very well, for once it hunted there. But its prey this time is different as well as what it seeks to obtain from it. A trail of bodies is left on its path before they fall into the Death Realm. It takes from the very last of them something she guarded in life and walks away unseen and unheard, like a whisper in a crowd.

*     *      *