I always wanted a pet... :: 4/14 :: Jaeryth, Fabian, Saia, etc

[Jaeryth Costayne]

Jaeryth sat in one of the receiving halls, lounging in a chair so grand it bordered on deserving the term 'throne.' He was occupied with a dagger he was cleaning, and looked bored beyond bearing. He wasn't: he was anxious to see this day's aim accomplished. At long last he would have the Sparrow and a cage to put her in. Her mother was already frantic, he knew... it was time be begin to spring this trap.

When the guards at last showed his guests in, he looked up, a smile touching his features. "Ah, at last! I'd begun to wonder if you hadn't run into some sort of storm off the coast."

[Fabian Forthwind]

Fabian bowed low and looked up, a grim smile on his face. "My apologies, my Lord, we had not anticipated that the seas would be quite so rough." He righted himself, instantly glad that they would finally be rid of the stupid Sparrow girl. Oh and no more sea salt and thank the Gods, no more never ending blue. Hopefully they would be getting something to eat, he was famished.

[Oswin]

Oswin trailed but a few steps behind Fabian, keeping purposefully silent as he entered the hall pushing Saia Sparrow in. The trip had been long and Fabian had shown a clear lack of enthusiasm for the "babysitting" duties that came with Saia Sparrow's presence. So being the junior on the mission, in both age and experience, they had fallen to him to perform. Not that he minded.

It did prompt a bit of a problem when Fabian bowed though. He could hardly follow suit and leave her unthreatened. That potentially invited disaster, so instead he shrugged his shoulders and looked at Lord Costayne after inclining his head.

"the greatest of respect for you, Lord Costayne. I would match actions to words, but I don't want your prize to fly away. I'd rather she stay and sing."

[Jaeryth Costayne]

"No matter, Fabian. I'm glad you all made it safe and sound."

His violet eyes went to Saia, sweeping over her speculatively before he smiled appreciatively at Oswin. "And I bet she sings such lovely songs. Yes, better keep her caged then... But where are my manners?" He rose and walked toward the trio. "Welcome to Gora, Lady Saia. I promise you that as our guest you will be extended every courtesy, as befits the child of our new-made ally, the Ai'ia Sparrow Linea, your lady mother..."

[Saia Sparrow]

The trip had been long and harsh. The cruel treatment had cost her allot of her strength and pride. Now that she was at the destination deep in lands that had no love for her she was scared. She didn't want to show it but it was getting hard not to show the defeat in her heart. Oswin wasn't as bad as Fabian but she knew he wouldn't hesitate to cut her throat if asked. She didn't want to know what would happen to her if she was left to Fabian's mercy though. The man hated woman and made no attempt to hide it.

The man in front of her must be Jaeryth Costayne. They had told her on the way that he wanted her. They didn't say why and she didn't think they knew themselves. His words chilled her. Caged like a bird? What game was he playing at. His next words sounded nice enough but what he said and what he meant sounded like two different things entirely.

"What game are you playing at? Is this how you treat your allies? As for courtesy these men have shown me quite enough of your peoples 'courtesy' on the way here. I don't know what you hope to gain from this but you will not get away with this. Even if you kill me you will pay with your blood for mine."

She tried to keep her voice steady but she felt like she was going to be sick. This isn't happening. She would be rescued and this would all be in the past very soon. She had to believe that.

[Fabian Forthwind]

Fabian face was a grim, determined smile as he looked backwards at Oswin. The fellow was gaining experience and a small part of him (one that he refused to admit) actually began to like the other man's company. At least Oswin was not stupid, nor was he one of those young Shadow initiats who were eager to please to the point of becoming bothersome. "Your halls are impressive, Lord Costayne," Fabian said, looking around appreciatively. It really was quite splendid and as much as Fabian liked to pretend to be unfazed by anyone and anything, he was awed by Gora, having seen the city. It was... much less rundown than Faeta. Not that all of Faeta was run down.

The castle was magnificent, but the streets were filled with vermin and ruled by assassins. Faeta was a dangerous place but now with a danger less... once the Jin were extinct. He threw Saia an annoyed look when she begun to issue threats. He thought that they had cured her of that. She had even begun to grow quieter on their trip and he had hoped that the Sparrow had finally given up. But alas, she was intent on fighting. But he was not going to say anything. Perhaps Costayne enjoyed her stubborn will to keep fighting. Some men liked that.

But when Saia actually threatened his client, Fabian turned to her with a fierce but cold gleam in his eyes. "I suggest that you do not attempt that," he said, his voice a low growl. Remembering his place he pocketed the blade that had automatically found its way into his hand and inclined his head to Jaeryth. "Forgive me."

[Jaeryth Costayne]

He tilted his head and his expression was nothing but apologetic. "Have they treated your cruelly? My most abject apologies for such lack of consideration, Saia, but I assure you nothing of the sort will be in store for you henceforth. You see, your mother agrees with a proposal I put before her a few days ago, and we all felt the safest place for you to be would be here, under my care..." Her threats only drew a smile, and he tried not to laugh.

"Thank you, Fabian. You will enjoy all the luxuries they have to offer while you and your partner recover from your journey. I know it was a harder trek. The sea is such a bitch this time of year."

He smiled again and waved away Fabian's apology. "No need to pardon, ser. You are doing your duty- which is to keep her behaving, and I think you have done an excellent job to get her here alive. I thank you, and I hope you won't mind prolonging your stay with us just for a while..." His gaze focused again on Saia. "I'm sure she'd feel the loss of your company quite keenly after having so many days to grow close to her... rescuers."

Jaeryth grinned. "So, my honored guests, again I welcome you. And Saia, I have no intention of killing you. You see, you will be the proof of good will between your mother and I. As her heir, you will see the peace between us brokered with a simple ceremony. Your friends will of course stay for it- it's such a tragedy when a bride has no guests to the wedding, don't you agree?"

[Saia Sparrow]

She didn't know what to think. The men that had taken her hadn't cared about her health or feelings while she was abducted. While Jaeryth's words should put her at ease she didn't feel safe. There was something very wrong. She could feel it.

Her eyes moved from man to man and back to Jaeryth. So your game is to force me into marrage. She could only hope this was the only thing going on. He was handsome enough but she didn't like the idea of being forced into anything. "Is this how all of your people court there bride to be? It really has much to be desired of my lord Jaeryth."

She could not believe her mother had anything at all to do with this. She must not have any knowlage of this act of *alliance*. Still, she had been dealt a weak hand and needed to keep her cool if she was to make it through this intact.