<Mendrick> After a solid day of contemplation and meditation, Mendrick, acolyte in tow, has returned to the Ourani ship holding Byrce Larose and Adina Galen. The black-clad acolyte will part from the priest and slip downstairs, taking the key from the jailer and tapping it on the bars to get the healer's attention. "You. Come with me - the Intahera-Sergeant requires your presence once more..." The cell is unlocked and opened, and the young man will moti
<Mendrick> and opened, and the young man will motion for Bryce to exit, apparently in a hurry.
* Bryce stands, a resigned and somewhat wary expression on his face. Being locked up really isn't such a bother to the healer. After spending months in a cell he's learned ways to deal with the long hours of boredom. A lot of the time is spent sleeping. He doesn't say anything, but instead obediently follows the acolyte. Hours of thinking on it hasn't given him any good ideas on how to deal with Mendrick, so he'll just try to take thin
<Bryce> just try to take things in stride.
<Mendrick> The young man will lock the cell after Bryce and take off at a brisk stride, up the stairs, across the deck, and into that bare, dim room where Mendrick stands. Once the healer is inside, the acolyte will close and lock the door, but will make no move this time to slip away into the shadows. "Mister Larose" Zahr begins "I'm afraid our session today is to be rather brief... I simply have a proposal to make for now, maybe a few questions, but
<Mendrick> make for now, maybe a few questions, but little more. I am aware that Miss Galen is with child, even as she sits belows us. Now, the Great Dragon is vengeful, but he is not without mercy or compassion... I can see her released, you know. I can see *you* released, if the both of you will but agree to a few... reasonable demands." Despite the calm, almost soothing voice, Mendrick's smile is anything but genial - there is still a good deal of mal
<Mendrick> Despite the calm, almost soothing voice, Mendrick's smile is anything but genial - there is still a good deal of malice underneath it.
* Bryce runs a hand through his tangled and now somewhat greasy hair, pale green eyes glancing between the two. He's guarded, that's for certain. That they know of the baby isn't a surprise, Adina is showing and it's fairly obvious. "Okay.. What?" He asks in defensive tone. This isn't going to be good.
<Mendrick> "Miss Galen will sign a confession admitting to her complicity in this... 'rebellion'. She will also sign stating her repentence, denouncing her actions, those who she rebelled with that have not done likewise, and those who would consider rebellion in the future. She will swear, in her gratitude for the mercy shown her, never again to take part in such things nor tolerate them, for she knows that such mercy can easily be taken." The smile now curl
<Mendrick> easily be taken." The smile now curls into a sneer as he begins pacing, no longer looking at Bryce. "You... You however, I require more than a confession from. You will tell me *everything* about your talents - all of it, knowing that if I believe you to be holding back, neither of you will go. You will submit to examination, should I request You will sign and swear not to *use* your talents until such time as the Ourani have examined their n
<Mendrick> The smile now curls into a sneer as he begins pacing, no longer looking at Bryce. "You... You however, I require more than a confession from. You will tell me *everything* about your talents - all of it, knowing that if I believe you to be holding back, neither of you will go. You will submit to examination, should I request it. You will sign and swear not to *use* your talents until such time as the Ourani have examined their nature and decide
<Mendrick> Ourani have examined their nature and decided, if they wish, to sanction them. These are my terms - simple, no? However, you must *both* agree, or neither of you will be allowed to leave. I am being kind, Larose - the punishment for her misdeeds and your... Possibly heretical acts is a harsh one. I urge you to accept Osurak's mercy."
<Bryce> It's a lot to take in.. especially for Bryce who has a hard time keeping up with the language when a lot of unfamiliar words are used. He's quiet for a long time, nearly unmoving as his mind turns all of this over several times. "Herahtical.. what does this word mean?" He asks, gaze wandering back to Mendrick. He's not really afraid of the man, not directly. He's worried about what Zahr can do, but there's no fear on his face thi
<Bryce> fear on his face this moment, only careful concentration.
<Mendrick> "It can mean a great many things, Mister Larose - it can mean you blaspheme against Osurak, or that your powers go against His will. It *always*, however, means that you are trying to oppose Him. Now, you may not know this, but if your powers are deemed heresy, and you continue... Then you will be seen as trying to usurp His rightful authority." This last sentence comes out slowly, as Mendrick snaps his gaze to Bryce - for a moment, there's a flas
<Mendrick> to Bryce - for a moment, there's a flash of anger there, but it passes, and he resumes pacing. "We must know, Mister Larose. We must find out if this is a sinful power. Any attempts to halt our progress will be seen as trying to cover up heresy, and will not look good for you. What do you say? Do you agree to my terms?"
<Bryce> "Ahh.. What is herahsy?" He asks next, knowing that the man is probably going to lose his temper with all these questions, plus it makes him look like an idiot.. Better to ask than agree in ignorance, though. The terms, when broken down, aren't horrible. Adina coffesses and agrees to stay out of things. That's fine by him. Had he known she was involved he would have argued against it anyhow. As for his healing.. that's a bit more per
<Bryce> that's a bit more personal. "How is it bad to help people that are hurt?"
<Mendrick> "Heresy is what makes you a heretic - from denouncing a god, to acting against Him." Bryce's offense at the questioning of his healing draws another rather interesting smile from the priest. It's not enough for him to just accept the terms without questioning, is it? "Oh, I don't doubt that you have the *best* of intentions, Mister Larose. My concern is not your talent, but where it comes from - *who* it comes from. Surely you must understand t
<Mendrick> comes from. Surely you must understand that any powerful magics, despite how *nice* they may seem, must be looked at carefully. For your sake, as well as everyone around you." Maybe if he can start the healer doubting...
* Bryce opens his mouth to argue with the man, but reconsiders and falls silent again. The most important thing is Adina's freedom. She needs to be home in healthier conditions, for her sake and even more the sake of the baby. "I will tell you what I know.. but.. please let Adina go. She will not hurt anyone. I can stay here, but this is not safe for her. She does not get enough food or rest.." It's not a demand so much as an appea
<Bryce> so much as an appeal. He's willing to jump through the hoops, but he wants to be sure that Adina will be free to leave.
<Mendrick> "I assure you, Miss Galen will leave unharmed... Provided that she, too agrees to the terms set forth. Once you are both in agreement, and all questions set aside, you will *both* be allowed to leave." Bryce isn't going anywhere. Like it or not, he's right where Mendrick can nab him whenever he damn well pleases. "Let us start then, if you are willing - you told me that these powers were a gift. A nice gift, indeed - who was nice enough to give
<Mendrick> gift, indeed - who was nice enough to give you these gifts?"
* Bryce sighs softly, hoping he isn't making a mistake. He makes a lot of those lately. "Vorgen.. he is a god.. a dwarf." He answers easily, having already shared as much before. He still doesn't understand why Mendrick is so bent on knowing all of this, but maybe if he tells enough of the boring stuff he can avoid the parts he'd rather keep private.
<Mendrick> "Vorgen... I am... Unfamiliar with this deity." Which, not that Bryce would know, is a little unsettling to the priest, whose trade has him dealing with heretics and thus requires him to know these things. Still, religion in Ridian is vast, and what Bryce refers to as a 'god' may be nothing more than some simple culture's aspects... No different from worshipping the moon, or a deer. That would make sense... If Bryce came from some backwater, isolate
<Mendrick> Bryce came from some backwater, isolated culture... "Tell me, where is it exactly that you *come* from?"
<Bryce> "A place far frahm here. It is called Myrken. I.. do not know where it is. I came here frahm magic that was wrong?" He shrugs. How else is he going to explain it? It was an experiment with a teleporting machine gone horribly awry. "I did not know of Vorgen before I met him.." He adds with another shrug, trying to be helpful.
<Mendrick> "Magic... That was 'wrong'? Did Vorgen send you here?" Myrken is another notch for something that Mendrick is completely unfamiliar with - this is starting to unsettle him. The comment about not knowing about Vorgen seems to slip by as the priest falls silent momentarily to think. Eventually, he'll look back up to Bryce. "Why did Vorgen give you these... 'gifts', Mister Larose?"
<Bryce> "No.. he did not. It was someone else. He had a mahchine, and it did not work how it was made to work. It brought me here, and now I do not know how to get home." It's a rather pathetic story, but he has no reason to lie to the priest. "I gave him help, when I was a boy. I do not know if that was the only reason.. but it is what he told me."
<Mendrick> This doesn't sound much like any god that Mendrick is aware of - what kind of deity needs help from a child? "I see... So Vorgen gave you this gift, and told you... What? Surely he showed you how to use it, told you what to do with it, did he not?" This machine nonsense is troubling, but it will have to wait for now. If the machine is still around, it shouldn't be hard for the Ourani to take it.
* Roz is now known as RozSleep
* Bryce shoves his hands into his pockets, brow furrowing. It's been a decade since it all happened, and the memories are foggy now. "He .. he tell-.. told me what to do, and how to use the magic. Then he left and I did not see him again. Sahmtimes.. I see him in dreams, or I .. feel things?" If Mendrick were to find an easy way to sort all this out, clearly Bryce was chosen by this god and is not the devote sort of follower that m
<Bryce> sort of follower that most cleric's are.
<Mendrick> It is exactly that notion that chills the man so very much. Whoever this 'Vorgen' is, he has given Bryce powerful magic, and comes to him, makes him feel things. The Intahera of the Holy Observant hear the Dragon's words, the Holy Militant wield His strength, and the Holy Attendant do his ministration, but none in all of the Faithful, save for the Saints of days long gone, could ever boast a 'personal' connection. Theirs was a life of supplication,
<Mendrick> connection. Theirs was a life of supplication, Bryce merely... receives! "And what did Vorgen tell you to do? Just... 'heal people'?" There's a pause, and then the priest nods, as though in agreement with himself. "This machine... Where is it?"
<Bryce> "He said it was fahr balance." Really, that's the truth of it though. Vorgen gave him the ability, warned him of the drawbacks, and told him to have a nice life. Bryce is purposely trying to avoid elaborating on how his power works, hoping he can keep the conversation away from that. "It is in Sinahri.. at the Rahsty Cog. I think it is broken now. I do not know. I have not been there in ahver a year."
<Mendrick> Oh, the priest's eyes positively *light* when he hears that the thing is still here. This should give a good deal of insight into this unfortunate matter. Maybe someone can repair it... "Thank you Mister Larose. I only have one more question about your powers... How do you invoke them? What are their... Limits?" From the notes given to him by the acolyte, Larose used his power and then showed signs of heavy fatigue - the invoking itself was
<Mendrick> heavy fatigue - the invoking itself was a bit more odd... The question is, will the stories match up?
<Bryce> "Ahnvoke?" He asks, lost again in unfamiliar vocabulary. It must be absolutely frustrating to have to patiently explain things, but the healer honestly seems confused. Limits.. he hesitates with that one, scared to give too much away. "When I heal.. I get vahry tired. It will make me sick. The mahr a person is hurt, the longer I will be sick."
<Mendrick> "How do you... Use your powers. How do you call on them?" It's actually *hard* to simplify some of these terms! He seems to be telling the truth about the fatigue though, so unless he *knows* that the young acolyte was watching, it means he's been honest so far. "Your powers drain your own energy... Interesting..." If only he could get to the library in Dantem... Ah well, maybe something from his personal store will have mention of something
<Mendrick> personal store will have mention of something similar.
* Bryce isn't being completely honest. He's being particularly vague on some points, such as how -much- he's capable of healing. Since he's a rather terrible liar there may be clues on his face that he's trying to dodge around details.. his gaze shifting nervously, some fidgeting. His palms are quite sweaty. "I jahst.. think about healing. I do not think of anything else, jahst what to heal. I must touch the person, and I cannot stop
<Bryce> person, and I cannot stop it after it begins."
<Mendrick> "I see..." If Mendrick notices these signs, he seems to be letting them slide - maybe he's not concerned about the volume that Bryce can safely (or even possibly) heal. "Very well, Mister Larose. You have answered my questions... For now. I will come to you and the young lady soon for the final portion of our arrangement... Her signing and your agreement on your powers. I will leave it to you to inform her, and... I might add that you may wish
<Mendrick> and... I might add that you may wish to remember - if either one of you disagrees, you will both stay, and you will both make a *full* accounting for your crimes - she will confess, even if it means purging her of her lies with the force of Osurak, and she will face a full punishment, as will you... Are we clear?"
* Bryce is still terribly unclear on what it is that he did wrong, but he isn't going to argue with the man. If the worst either of them have to do is make a few agreements to stay out of things, that's a small price to pay. Choss had cracked ribs and threatened to crush his skull, which was terrifying from an eight foot creature. Mendrick is far more accomodating towards diplomacy. "She mahst say what she did wrong, and promise not
<Bryce> wrong, and promise not to make more trahble, yes?" Who gave this imbecile healing powers?
<Mendrick> It takes every ounce of restraint for Mendrick not to smack himself in the forehead. Or Bryce, for that matter. Nonetheless, he'll remain calm and ever-smiling. Idiot. "She must say what she did wrong, that she knows it's wrong and is very sorry, and that she promises not to make trouble. She must also say that everyone who she was making trouble with who hasn't done the same isn't good, and that anyone who would do it in the future also isn't
<Mendrick> would do it in the future also isn't good." Like talking to a *child*!
<Bryce> It's not his fault he was dumped in a foriegn country with a completely different language. He always has been a bit slow on the uptake though when it comes to more complicated matters. Maybe it's all the healing.. killing brain cells. More likely it's all the smoking. What he wouldn't give for a cigarette right now. He nods in understanding, an apologetic expression on his face. "I see, I will tell her. She will sign it." He'll
<Bryce> will sign it." He'll insist.
<Mendrick> "Good. I am relieved to hear it... For the sake of her soul, and her child..." If she doesn't sign it? Well, Mendrick's prepared for *that*... There's a whole *load* of procedures for 'cleansing' the impure. He will nod to the acolyte, who will move to type Bryce on the shoulder and jerk his head towards the door. The young man will unlock it and gesture for Bryce to move back outside, not even bothering to talk to him. Zahr will likely have much
<Mendrick> talk to him. Zahr will likely have much for him to do tonight, so he might as well get *this* over with quickly.
* Bryce is compliant again, not overly thrilled about what the man is demanding, but there are far worse fates. He'll make sure Adina agrees to the conditions, he's fairly certain he can convince her. The acolyte has little to worry about. Bryce is one of the most mild-mannered and well-bahaved prisoners around. If everyone on the boat suddenly fell over unconscious, he likely still wouldn't run away. What would be the point? He has no
<Bryce> the point? He has nowhere to hide.
* Mendrick is now known as KyleSleeps
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* Bryce is led back into the cell by that same acolyte. Again, the helaer appears completely fine. There's not a mark on him and other than a faintly worried expression, he's no worse than when he left. Once the younger priest is gone Bryce will move to sit with her. "Adina, we mahst talk." He says, his words soft but important.
* AnieHere stands and goes directly to Bryce happy at first, but seeing his face and moreso, hearing his words changes her expression, "What is it?" She will reach out to him, to hold his hands if he will grasp hers. He had been gone a considerable amount of time, at least it seemed.
* AnieHere is now known as Adina
<Bryce> An hour maybe.. possibly less. He'll sit down, running his hands through his hair with a sigh. "Mahndrick.. the priest. He says we can go if we agree to sahm things. They are not bad." Well, some of it is, but what she has to do is relatively simple. He'll be angry if she doesn't agree.
<Adina> Her expression sinks but it is because she seems to have forseen the matter, "I expected as much..." She urges him on but doesn't sound particularily anxious to hear the terms of their release.
* Bryce reaches for her hand, trying to pull her down to sit with him. Whether she does or not he'll explain, "He wants you to sign a paper.. It will say that you are sahrry for the things you did, and you know they are wrong. It also say, you will not make more trahble and that you do not agree to what the ahther rebels do. If you sign, we can go."
<Adina> Sign a paper with an apology, well that seems simple enough but poor Bryce nor Mendrick seem to understand, "...Thats ridiculous! I'm not sorry for what I did and if I were still outside this cell I'd still be doing it!" This answer she provides doesn't seem to mention a yes, let me sign it and we'll go home. But Bryce should recognize she'll not be easy to deal with or likely to succumb to such a resolution.
* Bryce gives her a calm, level gaze. He's not pleased and there's the faintest expression of accusation on his face. He says absolutely nothing further, waiting patiently for her to say her piece, and then he's still stony and silent. Bryce can be stubborn, and then there are times that Bryce simply will -not- budge.
* Adina had a righteous stubborness to her as well, one the wrath of which Bryce himself had faced. She stares at him sqaurely, not taking her eyes away as her tone becomes drastically more serious, "I do not know what that... man has told you Bryce, but all I did was help people. Bandage our wounded men and provide medicine for the sick, this... paper he asks I sign would remove--
<Adina> --my ability to show compassion, an not just Sinari men.. Ourani too," She looks away and then down, knowing she's said too much ".. the infirmary is my life... and I cannot simply stop it."
<Bryce> "You can still work at the infirmary. It is only fahr you to show that you will not make more trahble for the Ahrani." It's really not unreasonable at all. She's thinking of ideals while Bryce is thinking of her safety and freedom.
<Adina> "You don't understand, it is not about these things... what use is my signature when all I will do is end up offending them some other way. I have done nothing wrong... and further more, neither have you, you have committed no crime," Why he was even still here was a mystery though an appreciated presence.
<Bryce> "Adina, it is no matter. You must sign it. They will let us go if you sign. If you do not, they will hurt you or maybe they will kill you." He's trying to be patient, but she's being stubborn and not even considering his feelings in the matter right now. He hasn't accused her of making a bad decision, getting involved in dangerous activities, or the fact that she never said a thing to him about it. All he's asking is that she sign a
<Bryce> is that she sign a confession and agree to walk away from the resistance.
<Bryce> "Adina, it is no matter. You must sign it. They will let us go if you sign. If you do not, they will hurt you or maybe they will kill you." He's trying to be patient, but she's being stubborn and not even considering his feelings in the matter right now. He hasn't accused her of making a bad decision, getting involved in dangerous activities, or the fact that she never said a thing to him about it. All he's asking is that she sign a
<Bryce> is that she sign a confession and agree to walk away from the resistance.
* Adina pulls her hand away, but this isn't going to go anywhere and she knows it, but he seems to have touched a new nerve with her. "They will kill me now for not signing it or kill me next week for breaking it," Her tone is exasperated and she is near ranting but its so close to the truth that Bryce should see validity in her argument
<Bryce> "They will not if you do not break your word. Do you want to die, Adina? What of the baby? He knows you are pregnant. You.. you do not have to -do- anything. Jahst.. sign the paper. Please?" He's trying not to get angry, but after a rather trying meeting with the man, this is not an argument he's in the mood to have. She's been foolish and reckless, and he's starting to feel, just a bit selfish.
<Adina> Her face is red and her whole body trembling. She looks as though if she had something to throw at him she would. "Fine!" She is plainly angry that she has to justify her answer to him, but instead she just shouts and tears begin to well in her eyes. Perhaps its the baby, the stress of being here, of Bryce's argument, of Abrem's unreasonable requests. She crumples to the--
<Adina> --the floor, clearly defeated, her oily curls hang limp and shake as her body convulses with sobs. If Bryce tries to get near she would only bat him away.
* Bryce won't get up to go to her, not this time. She's throwing a tantrum because he's begging her to make a simple confession and save her life.. and probably his. He turns his head away and stares at the wall, a sad expression on his face. Maybe when she calms down she'll see reason. While he waits his mind will wander back to the things Mendrick demanded of -him-..
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* Anie|Errands is now known as Adina
<Adina> It would be a long time before she calmed down, it was easy to consider her collapse a tantrum, but this was hardly a little girl trying to get something she wanted. She huddled, curled into a small ball alone on her side of the cell and even after she had finished sobbing, wimpered for some hours to come trying to accept the fate of everything. Muck and dirt clinging to her skin, --
<Adina> --her skirts dingy and deteriorated until at last some hours later she fell to complete silence, perhaps appearing asleep as she stared an nothing in particular - past Bryce, past the wall near him, and past everything present.
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