The Chronicles of Mystria: Times of Sorrow I

[League of Emberg]

Cherry stepped forward, and cast a spell she rarely used. A wall of stone, trees, and other natural elements formed in front of the group, separating the army and the Prince from Mari, Jeremiah, Cherry, and Jabrill. "RUN!" She said aloud, almost fainting. She stayed upright, and began running. Mari took the hint, and followed.

Jabrill ran to get Cherry and quickly helped her run.

He looked back and knew that the group wouldn't have much time before the spell wore off. Jabrill didn't want to be responsible for all their deaths so he turned around and faced the whole group of 100 on his own. Wait!" Jabrill shouted as he raised his hands. "Let them go. They were all coerced and lied to by me, and they had no choice. Please don't harm anyone!"

(Speechcraft over Discernment, Jabrill wins. General Stouthammer must believe Jabrill)

Jabrill looked at General Stouthammer and he looked at the others with pleading eyes hoping they wouldn't expose his lie.

"Just take me alone, no one else needs to be subjected to punishment that is entitled to me alone. I am a murderer, a thief, and a terrorist. They're only trying to protect me because they believed I was their friend. They couldn't know they were being used. Just take me, and leave them alone. I'm much stronger than I look alone and you'll need your full retinue with you. Why bring them if the prince is with them and can keep them in line by himself? Are you a fool?"

General Stouthammer looked at the Foxkin "Come up to us now. Prince Gundral come with him we go to Terradin at once and we shall inform the High Thane of that 'Samurai's' murderous actions."

Gundral walked up to General StoutHammer and the hearth guard with him "Come along Jabrill, I will still attempt to obtain a stay for you but your friends have made that much more difficult."

[Crystal Spires]

"I told him to do so. It was not his fault. I'm a bad person. If anyone was murderous it was me." Jabrill said as he calmly kept his head cool. It took every bit of his mind to focus on using his ability to convince people despite his insane feeling of complete and utter fear. "Don't penalize the Samurai. None of them had any choice in what happened."

I'm digging myself deeper what the hell am I doing? At this rate... he thought as he paled even further.

"Look it's done. It cannot be helped any longer. They are not to blame, I am. I'm the Red Hand." Jabrill said with a look that could freeze a man's blood.

[League of Emberg]

"I told him to do so. It was not his fault. I'm a bad person. If anyone was murderous it was me." Jabrill said as he calmly kept his head cool. It took every bit of his mind to focus on using his ability to convince people despite his insane feeling of complete and utter fear. "Don't penalize the Samurai. None of them had any choice in what happened."

I'm digging myself deeper what the hell am I doing? At this rate... he thought as he paled even further.

"Look it's done. It cannot be helped any longer. They are not to blame, I am. I'm the Red Hand." Jabrill said with a look that could freeze a man's blood.

StoutHammer point to three of his Hearth Guard "You three tie his hands and remove his weapons. Master Jabrill I would truly like for this to be easy now Please hand over your weapons and we can put this down as something good you have done." he said honestly

Gundral meanwhile had holstered his pistol and was looking at Jabrill "Why could you not have waited for me....That should not have happened!"

[Crystal Spires]

They attacked us without warning what was I supposed to do? Lie down and die? It was a trap set up by that goddamn Maven.... his thoughts screamed out.

"I know it wasn't supposed to happen, but bad things happen of course. My weapons are yours your majesty." He took off his weapons and gave them to the prince keeping his composure.

What can I do now? I'm screwed...

[Austington]

Fisk returned to the camp site, only to find it completely abandoned. Fisk sighed, remembering why he hated people so much. "And this is why I'm not kind to people." he said to no one in particular. 'Whelp, at least their tracks are clear...It seems like more people joined them.' Fisk hurried.

Fisk came to the crest of a hill. 'It sounds like a commotion up ahead. And that sounds like Jabrill. What is happening.' Fisk hunches down and peers over the crest

~"Just take me alone, no one else needs to be subjected to punishment that is entitled to me alone. I am a murderer, a thief, and a terrorist. They're only trying to protect me because they believed I was their friend. They couldn't know they were being used. Just take me, and leave them alone. I'm much stronger than I look alone and you'll need your full retinue with you. Why bring them if the prince is with them and can keep them in line by himself? Are you a fool?"~
Fisk was confused. Out of the many things he thought of Jabrill, strength was not one of them, in fact, far from. But it looked like those dwarves believed him. He wondered if he should say something. 'Those dwarves do look unfriendly...hmmm.' He decided that Gundral considered him a friend, so it couldn't hurt to try. 'What the hell.' Fisk clambered over and yelled, 'Hail Gundral, I am saddened that you didn't wait for me. And what is this about Jabrill?" The last part was part was directed towards that dwarf on top. "You know that last part is a fabrication." Fisk was confused. 'Why would Jabrill lie to the dwarves, Gundral was trying for clemency on his behalf.' He walked toward Gundral. Fisk glanced at Jabrill, daring him to say something contrary. Fisk knew what he was doing.
(Fisk has enough discernment to notice Jabrill's lie; Fisk discern=18, Jabrill speech=18)

[Metanih]

"Jeremiah, i think the elf needs more help than you. You have a group, she is alone, and i can help her." Cherry said, turning, and tracking Mari into the trees. Mari, who was not actively moving, but watching from a far distance, was not hard to find.
"Why did you come tree-girl?" Mari said, looking down. She had expected to do this alone.
"You need more help than Jeremiah. And you have a relic. We should keep them together." Cherry said, softly, and happily.
"I don't need help. Which relics do you have?" Mari asked, curious.
"You are wounded. Of course you need help. But i have the Grimoire, and the Locket. Perhaps you have a question for the book? Everyone has a question they want answered, what is yours?" Cherry asked, smiling. This was a better use for the relics than finding the flower. Helping people that needed it.
"I may have a few, but not now. We have to follow the dwarves and Jabrill now."

[League of Emberg]

Fisk returned to the camp site, only to find it completely abandoned. Fisk sighed, remembering why he hated people so much. "And this is why I'm not kind to people." he said to no one in particular. 'Whelp, at least their tracks are clear...It seems like more people joined them.' Fisk hurried.

Fisk came to the crest of a hill. 'It sounds like a commotion up ahead. And that sounds like Jabrill. What is happening.' Fisk hunches down and peers over the crest

~"Just take me alone, no one else needs to be subjected to punishment that is entitled to me alone. I am a murderer, a thief, and a terrorist. They're only trying to protect me because they believed I was their friend. They couldn't know they were being used. Just take me, and leave them alone. I'm much stronger than I look alone and you'll need your full retinue with you. Why bring them if the prince is with them and can keep them in line by himself? Are you a fool?"~
Fisk was confused. Out of the many things he thought of Jabrill, strength was not one of them, in fact, far from. But it looked like those dwarves believed him. He wondered if he should say something. 'Those dwarves do look unfriendly...hmmm.' He decided that Gundral considered him a friend, so it couldn't hurt to try. 'What the hell.' Fisk clambered over and yelled, 'Hail Gundral, I am saddened that you didn't wait for me. And what is this about Jabrill?" The last part was part was directed towards that dwarf on top. "You know that last part is a fabrication." Fisk was confused. 'Why would Jabrill lie to the dwarves, Gundral was trying for clemency on his behalf.' He walked toward Gundral.
(Fisk has enough discernment to notice Jabrill's lie; Fisk=18, Jabrill=18)

Gundral now also looked confused "Hail Fisk good to see you caught up!"

StoutHammer looked at Fisk and then back to Gundral and then once more back to Jabrill a look a confusion on his face. He looked back to Fisk "You say hes Lying? How do you know?"

[Almonde Tise]

The same instant that Maddy hesitated and paused because she refused to directly sacrifice any of the city guard just to capture one unbidden was the same instant that bastard creature tossed the grenade aside then swung away down the rope she had used to get here. It was the same instant that the lives of the guards and her became a necessity over the Unbidden. She didn't have near enough time to kick the grenade out of range so she yelled at them to duck for cover behind her as she raised her two swords to act as a shield along with activating her Winds of Asha from deep within her soul.

The next thing that happened was a spectacular sight as the blast exploded out with an intensely strong force but it was met with another strong opposing force of air causing the blast to gather tightly then turn the opposite direction. Maddy had been pushed back 9 feet from where she had stood, her blades steamed with heat, and she looked incredibly drained. She felt slightly woosy afterwards and had to sit down but she stumbled and began to fall. Two guards that had survived the grenade caught her in their arms out of thanks. Then they pointed out that only one side of the building had been completely destroyed.

It was through the large hole of a nonexisting wall that she saw an airship most likely stolen by that, thing, fly out of the city." We'll we were unable to capture him but getting out of the city and away from Uncle for a very long time should be enough. Now, I fear the hardest part will be keeping Maven from it in the near future. Are you with me soldiers? Will you help me save the High Chancellor?"

[United World Order]

Jeremiah didn't hear anything since he was clearly running away with his team.

[Austington]

Fisk returned to the camp site, only to find it completely abandoned. Fisk sighed, remembering why he hated people so much. "And this is why I'm not kind to people." he said to no one in particular. 'Whelp, at least their tracks are clear...It seems like more people joined them.' Fisk hurried.

Fisk came to the crest of a hill. 'It sounds like a commotion up ahead. And that sounds like Jabrill. What is happening.' Fisk hunches down and peers over the crest

~"Just take me alone, no one else needs to be subjected to punishment that is entitled to me alone. I am a murderer, a thief, and a terrorist. They're only trying to protect me because they believed I was their friend. They couldn't know they were being used. Just take me, and leave them alone. I'm much stronger than I look alone and you'll need your full retinue with you. Why bring them if the prince is with them and can keep them in line by himself? Are you a fool?"~

Fisk was confused. Out of the many things he thought of Jabrill, strength was not one of them, in fact, far from. But it looked like those dwarves believed him. He wondered if he should say something. 'Those dwarves do look unfriendly...hmmm.' He decided that Gundral considered him a friend, so it couldn't hurt to try. 'What the hell.' Fisk clambered over and yelled, 'Hail Gundral, I am saddened that you didn't wait for me. And what is this about Jabrill?" The last part was part was directed towards that dwarf on top. "You know that last part is a fabrication." Fisk was confused. 'Why would Jabrill lie to the dwarves, Gundral was trying for clemency on his behalf.' He walked toward Gundral. Fisk glanced at Jabrill, daring him to say something contrary. Fisk knew what he was doing.
(Fisk has enough discernment to notice Jabrill's lie; Fisk=18, Jabrill=18)

Gundral now also looked confused "Hail Fisk good to see you caught up!"

StoutHammer looked at Fisk and then back to Gundral and then once more back to Jabrill a look a confusion on his face. He looked back to Fisk "You say hes Lying? How do you know?"

Fisk smirked at Gundral,"I told you you couldn't hide from me." He then turned to the other dwarf, "Well I've been around him long enough to know his quirks and the like, for instance, his eyes harden into an almost stare when he lies. So I feel that alone should give it away. But he is doing it for a noble reason I would suppose." Fisk only heard the last portion of his speech, but made the best of it. "He was just worried for his friends, not wanting them to come to any harm, a noble reason don't you think sir...um... I'm afraid I do not know your name. I'm Fisk." Fisk changed the subject.

[Crystal Spires]

Jabrill looked at Fisk trying to hide his horrified expression. "He doesn't know what he's talking about. I'm the Red Hand." he looked at Fisk and smiled evilly.

I'm not having the others take the fall for me! Goddamn you Fisk!

[League of Emberg]

Gundral now also looked confused "Hail Fisk good to see you caught up!"

StoutHammer looked at Fisk and then back to Gundral and then once more back to Jabrill a look a confusion on his face. He looked back to Fisk "You say hes Lying? How do you know?"

Fisk smirked at Gundral,"I told you you couldn't hide from me." He then turned to the other dwarf, "Well I've been around him long enough to know his quirks and the like, for instance, his eyes harden into an almost stare when he lies. So I feel that alone should give it away. But he is doing it for a noble reason I would suppose." Fisk only heard the last portion of his speech, but made the best of it. "He was just worried for his friends, not wanting them to come to any harm, a noble reason don't you think sir...um... I'm afraid I do not know your name. I'm Fisk." Fisk changed the subject.

General Stouthammer looked at Fisk "I am General Glyph StoutHammer, You may call me Glyph. I thank you for information. And no matter how 'Noble' his cause was he still lied to me."

[Austington]

Fisk smirked at Gundral,"I told you you couldn't hide from me." He then turned to the other dwarf, "Well I've been around him long enough to know his quirks and the like, for instance, his eyes harden into an almost stare when he lies. So I feel that alone should give it away. But he is doing it for a noble reason I would suppose." Fisk only heard the last portion of his speech, but made the best of it. "He was just worried for his friends, not wanting them to come to any harm, a noble reason don't you think sir...um... I'm afraid I do not know your name. I'm Fisk." Fisk changed the subject.

General Stouthammer looked at Fisk "I am General Glyph StoutHammer, You may call me Glyph. I thank you for information. And no matter how 'Noble' his cause was he still lied to me."

Fisk laughed quite loudly, "See what I mean, Glyph, noble cause to the end. But I don't think he quite knows when to cut back. And I assure you that it was for a selfless reason." Fisk flashed his dazzling smile, hoping to convince Glyph to see things his way.

[Crystal Spires]

Jabrill laughed in a strange way and looked at Stouthammer and looked at Fisk with frustration. He then smiled at Stouthammer with a curious expression. "I lie to everyone. you aren't special at all. So while we're at it I'm figuring that you're going to take me to Terradin then? Fine. We'll go, come along let's not dawdle then. Leave everyone else alone."

Jabrill was having a moment of panic, but wasn't showing it at all. He just laughed the more he felt panic overtake him.

Sweet Goddess, I'm in this kind of circumstance? This terrifies me more than facing down Nirdasil's mage did, and I thought he would slay me there. I'm just so... I don't know what will come. Am I going to die or live? This doubt is worse than...Goddess why do you torment me? Paying for my Sins by granting the world the flower of Zaiden is not enough? It will never be enough?

[League of Emberg]

General Stouthammer looked at Fisk "I am General Glyph StoutHammer, You may call me Glyph. I thank you for information. And no matter how 'Noble' his cause was he still lied to me."

Fisk laughed quite loudly, "See what I mean, Glyph, noble cause to the end. But I don't think he quite knows when to cut back. And I assure you that it was for a selfless reason." Fisk flashed his dazzling smile, hoping to convince Glyph to see things his way.

StoutHammer nodded and tugged the rope that had been tied around Jabrill's wrists he pulled him close and said "If you lie to me again I will kill you myself, Do I make myself clear? Good." he looked up to Fisk "There is a reward coming your way friend stay with me and tell me if this dog lies again."

[Austington]

Fisk laughed quite loudly, "See what I mean, Glyph, noble cause to the end. But I don't think he quite knows when to cut back. And I assure you that it was for a selfless reason." Fisk flashed his dazzling smile, hoping to convince Glyph to see things his way.

StoutHammer nodded and tugged the rope that had been tied around Jabrill's wrists he pulled him close and said "If you lie to me again I will kill you myself, Do I make myself clear? Good." he looked up to Fisk "There is a reward coming your way friend stay with me and tell me if this dog lies again."

Fisk acted shocked, "I couldn't possibly accept a reward for not letting someone take the fall of what they don't deserve, But I have always wanted to see Terradin, and I get to ride in with one of it's generals by my side, that makes this day even better."
"I may be wrong, but Jabrill isn't a dog, more a fox if anything." Fisk joked, laying emphasis on Jabrill, not using 'Red hand'.

[League of Emberg]

StoutHammer nodded and tugged the rope that had been tied around Jabrill's wrists he pulled him close and said "If you lie to me again I will kill you myself, Do I make myself clear? Good." he looked up to Fisk "There is a reward coming your way friend stay with me and tell me if this dog lies again."

Fisk acted shocked, "I couldn't possibly accept a reward for not letting someone take the fall of what they don't deserve, But I have always wanted to see Terradin, and I get to ride in with one of it's generals by my side, that makes this day even better."
"I may be wrong, but Jabrill isn't a dog, more a fox if anything." Fisk joked, laying emphasis on Jabrill, not using 'Red hand'.

StoutHammer laughed " My liege would never forgive me should I let the fine act of you aiding us go un rewarded. I shall make sure you are well compensated, Now come let us get going this 'Fox' has awaited trial for far to long!"

Gundral was in the center of a group of hearth guard laughing about some random joke, He was glad to finally be among his kin and back in his lands. he heard what StoutHammer had said and said "Aye I must agree lets go with all haste!"

[Crystal Spires]

Jabrill felt the yank and felt the pain in his wrists as he looked up defiantly at Stouthammer.

"Fox or dog, it doesn't matter does it? It just doesn't matter." Jabrill then fell silent.

I'm screwed. There's no way the Thane would let me live at this point. I'll be killed if I even make it to Terradin at all. I have to find a way to get out of here...

Jabrill felt the panic melt away to despair, but he had a hope that at least the others would get the relics. The others would be able to get the flower, and keep it away from Zaiden.

[League of Emberg]

Jabrill felt the yank and felt the pain in his wrists as he looked up defiantly at Stouthammer.

"Fox or dog, it doesn't matter does it? It just doesn't matter." Jabrill then fell silent.

I'm screwed. There's no way the Thane would let me live at this point. I'll be killed if I even make it to Terradin at all. I have to find a way to get out of here...

Jabrill felt the panic melt away to despair, but he had a hope that at least the others would get the relics. The others would be able to get the flower, and keep it away from Zaiden.

Stouthammer cuffed him on the back of the Head "Lets go and don't try anything stupid."

"I will still try to get you a fair trial atleast but you must tell the truth that it was not you who initiated the attack. Think about your own good, I'm trying to help you Jabrill you don't want this to happen just admit it." Gundral said pleadingly to Jabrill.

[Crystal Spires]

"I could admit it to the highest court in Terradin but they don't care about the truth at all." Jabrill said with a sigh. "Jeremiah didn't either. They came to kill me from the beginning."

Not like it'll matter one way or another. Justice is a farce. Fornt is imaginary. There's no such thing as justice.

"Your highness, I know you want a fair trial, but there's no trial that is fair for me. Not one, not even Caltris, so there's no way that this is going to end well at this rate." he said as he looked exhausted and merely came along. "The truth is I didn't do anything, but all criminals say that don't they? What does it matter that it's me?"

[Austington]

Fisk walked beside StoutHammer's horse, making small talk to past the time. "So, if you don't mind, tell me of the latest news from Terradin. Has all been well?" Fisk glanced back towards Gundral. "Gundral has been eager to return here." Fisk ignored Jabrill. He was getting to the point of just taking the hilt of his dagger and hitting Jabrill with it at the base of his skull, rendering him unconscious, to shut him up.

[League of Emberg]

"I could admit it to the highest court in Terradin but they don't care about the truth at all." Jabrill said with a sigh. "Jeremiah didn't either. They came to kill me from the beginning."

Not like it'll matter one way or another. Justice is a farce. Fornt is imaginary. There's no such thing as justice.

"Your highness, I know you want a fair trial, but there's no trial that is fair for me. Not one, not even Caltris, so there's no way that this is going to end well at this rate." he said as he looked exhausted and merely came along. "The truth is I didn't do anything, but all criminals say that don't they? What does it matter that it's me?"

Gundral looked at Jabrill sadly "Please help me help you, We do care about justice if we did not would you even get a trial at all? Not giving you a fair trial would dishonor us all of Terradin it would not happen. Should you decide to help me I will represent you myself at my Trial. General StoutHammer unbind his hands at once, I will not have him travel like this."

StoutHammer looked shocked "But my Lord He is a criminal!"

Gundral starred at the General "You question my commands General? I will not have it DO AS I SAY NOW." he said with a deadly air about him.

StoutHammer did as he was ordered "Yes My Lord I am sorry."

[Crystal Spires]

"Your highness, I've been helping you every step of the way, and I've been conceding to every act. I don't know if it's an act of a guilty man, but if I did do what I've been accused of it'd be a stupid move." He said while admitting in his mind that it was a stupid move anyway since he didn't think he'd have a chance at all to begin with. He's been considered guilty before it even mattered. He was part of the Hands of Fate. That would be enough to damn him, and the Hands of Fate wanted him dead anyway so they wouldn't bother making concessions with the dwarves, not with Declan still alive.

Jabrill looked at Gundral as his hands were untied and he followed along without having any sign of resistence.

"So does your highness even know what I've done? What I've been accused of? I don't even know anymore. I'm sure the list is outrageously long, but it's a good long rap sheet I'm sure..." He thought as he realized that they'd try each and every one against him and even if he was cleared of one the list would keep growing until it didn't matter anymore. He'd be pinned with several just by virtue of them wanting someone to blame.

[League of Emberg]

"Your highness, I've been helping you every step of the way, and I've been conceding to every act. I don't know if it's an act of a guilty man, but if I did do what I've been accused of it'd be a stupid move." He said while admitting in his mind that it was a stupid move anyway since he didn't think he'd have a chance at all to begin with. He's been considered guilty before it even mattered. He was part of the Hands of Fate. That would be enough to damn him, and the Hands of Fate wanted him dead anyway so they wouldn't bother making concessions with the dwarves, not with Declan still alive.

Jabrill looked at Gundral as his hands were untied and he followed along without having any sign of resistence.

"So does your highness even know what I've done? What I've been accused of? I don't even know anymore. I'm sure the list is outrageously long, but it's a good long rap sheet I'm sure..." He thought as he realized that they'd try each and every one against him and even if he was cleared of one the list would keep growing until it didn't matter anymore. He'd be pinned with several just by virtue of them wanting someone to blame.

Gundral sighed "I know your list of supposed crimes are long but you must have hope of all the places to have a trail among my people would be the best. We do not lie and to not give you a chance to defend yourself would be an extreme dishonor. Tell me everything about your past so I may better help you, It may also help you if you hand over those you worked for. Now lests start with the accusation of smuggling how did this come about please tell me."

[Crystal Spires]

"I worked in the Hands of Fate right out of the orphanage. I was like 12 and the Matron had found a slaver who wanted to send me to a gladiatorial arena where I would fight to the death against armed combatants. I was 12, I wouldn't have survived one fight even if I was stronger than most my age, so I tried to get legitimate employment, but there's none who employ beastlings in Mordovia, so I was compelled to work as a smuggler of ore since then. They paid me so I could afford bread and I could hide in the barn of a farmer. I stayed there and kept working in the Hands of Fate since then and then after a while I became an enforcer." He said recalling the events which led him to the Hands of Fate, realizing that he really didn't have much of a choice which made him feel more amused by the situation.

Justice again 'eh? Hmph... None to be had.