A Well Earned Rest [5/7, Myna, Archibald/Nora]

[Archibald]

The road had been long to Myna. There was only open plains between Sodra and the Atherton's lands, but it was a fair distance and the weather had been questionable. All in all, Archibald's journey had not started out well. They had finally reached the lands though, in more or less good condition, which was a rarity. The only escort he had was but a handful of guards. He had never been one to want an expensive entourage, but his captain had insisted on accompanying him if he was headed as far as the capital. It wasn't exactly a call to arms, however, so he had left his army behind.

It was interesting to notice that his host, Lord Atherton, hadn't come out to greet him. Rumours were abound about him, however, rumblings of a dark and subtle man. Archibald did believe that where there was smoke, there was usually fire, but he wouldn't distrust him based on gossip. Especially if he could stay on the Atherton's side. He and but a couple of his guards made their way to the meeting hall, the rest remaining near the castle walls. That said, he was stopped before he got there. Puzzled, he looked at the soldier denying him access.

"Your lord is expecting me. He invited me here. I am Lord Archibald Campbell."

The soldier didn't look too particularly impressed, looking over Archibald as if to assess whether it truly was, or was simply a lookalike. Apparently satisfied, he nodded and signalled for the doors to be opened, holding a hand to forestall Archibald for the briefest of moments.

"Lord Atherton has an emergency to tend to in the fields. He wanted me to assure you that he would return to see you as soon as possible, but his wife, Lady Norata Atherton, is available to receive you."

Wordlessly, Archibald nodded a thank you and proceeded into the halls. He whispered into one of his own guards' ears. The man thus spoken to bowed and scurried out of the hall, heading back towards the other guards. Archibald, however, turned and bowed to Norata, seated as she was in the Lady's chair.

"Lady Atherton, a pleasure to meet you. I am Lord Archibald Campbell of Sodra. I appreciate the hospitality you and your husband show in allowing me into your home over the next few days. I hope I haven't arrived at a bad time?"

[Norata Atherton]

Norata smiled to Archibald. "Lord Campbell. You have arrived at a perfect time." she said nodding a welcome to him. "I'm glad you made it to us safely. My husband should be with us shortly, he just had to attend to some business it seems."

She looked over to a nearby servant, she still was the Lady of this house and she would not hear it be said that she wasn't a welcoming hoste

[Archibald]

The whole situation struck him as odd. He had received reports about Myna's farmlands only a week ago and nothing had been wrong with them then. He hadn't noticed any problems, or any strange movements amongst the farmlands on his way in, but then again, the farmlands in Myna stretched for almost literally miles around. It was possible, but strange.

"I wonder if I could be of help. The guard mentioned something about farmland trouble? As the Council's Agricultural Advisor, I'm sure I can." He laughed lightly, scolding himself for thinking it was something he'd need to pull rank on them about. He was here on his way through to the capital, that's all. "Although, I suppose that would be insulting to Milady's hospitality. How are you settling in with the Atherton household? I'd imagine they are vastly different from your own family."

[Norata Atherton]

Norata was about to answer him, to tell him that her husband did not need help and that it was just a simple little problem it would only take a matter of moments, but then Archibald corrected his own behavior.

She smiled instead, warmly, and chose to answer his second question instead. "They are worlds different, my family and this one. I am slowly but surely finding my place here, I anticipated that it would take some time to feel at home but it seems that it may not take too long at all!"

She signaled for the servant to get teas and breads and Norata crossed her legs under her dress to settle into the chair in a more comfortable fashion. "I hope you've had a pleasant journey? I have been hearing there are pockets of bandits and general unrest in pretty much all the lands. I hope that ours has not been tainted, I wish very much for you to enjoy your stay here." She was sitting up perfectly straight, tossing her hair over her shoulder.

[Archibald]

Archibald took the signal as his indication that he could sit at the table, so he did. He was not a presumptious man, old fashioned and strict with his manners, finding it the height of ill taste were someone to assume they could sit. It would be interesting sampling the breads here in Myna, where they were freshest from the produce of the lands. It was considered a real treat to get to sample the Atherton's produce in the castle, where only the best of their harvest went. Archibald would savour it. His sole guard stood off to the side, herded towards the back of the hall, where two Atherton guards stood at attention. Archibald, on the other hand, smiled pleasantly to Norata.

"I am glad to hear it, Milady. It can be so unsettling living in other lands, I'd imagine. To fit in so quickly is truly a blessing." He shrugged shortly. Bandits and otherwise wouldn't stop him securing the King's lands. "We ran into some trouble, but they were easily dispatched. It just seems that with the news Lord Alrik has sent forth about the dispute of the throne, everyone seems to be trying to get themselves a slice of whatever cake they can. You must be happy that your family has received such an honour as the regency of Gyllene, I imagine?"

[Norata Atherton]

Norata watched as the servant reentered the room, she dropped off eat and breads to the pair of them and asked if there was anything else she could get them. After shaking her head, Nora allowed the servant to leave and continued the conversation with Archibald.

"It is a blessing, you're right. It's odd that I fit in so well here, but these are all very good people and it's hard not to appreciate all their kindness. Even my husband has gone out of his way to make sure that I feel more welcome here."

She leaned over while talking to Archibald, removing a piece of bread from the platter, and showing a bit of cleavage. She knew how to get a man's attention, and this one couldn't be like the others. Yes he was kind, but he had needs too and a little skin would get his attention.

Norata ignored his question about the regency position her family held. This was not his business, but there were other ways to speak to this man. "That is impressive that you were able to brave the disaster out there then! It is true, it does seem that everyone is trying to lay claim to the crown." she took a nibble out of her piece of bread and smiled to Archibald.

[Archibald]

Unfortunately for Norata, Archibald was happily married. Not just happily married but too wise to be swayed by such an obvious grab. She wasn't unattractive, far from it, but he wasn't motivated by such base persuasions. If anything, it just made him more on guard, more eager to watch his words. Besides, if Blanche caught him even glancing at her, she'd roast him from head to toe.

"Your husband seems an interesting sort. He has very little reputation, except for being quiet and a little chilly. It's why his invite surprised me."

He looked over the assembled foods and drink cautiously. Anyone with a reputation for being quiet automatically made him suspicious. Usually, they were the ones to watch, because they could blend into the background.

"What exactly was the problem with the fields? It seem to be taking your husband some time."

[Garrus Atherton]

At the back of the room, Archibald's guard fell to the floor in a slump, blood pooling from around his head where an arrow had pierced his skull. Where there was a wall, now, there was a dark corridor. Garrus stood there, bow and arrow in hand, with a number of guards surrounding him. As Archibald looked up, he spoke in a tone filled with pride and disgust.

"The problem is that vermin have infested it, Lord Campbell." Several guards flooded in from the entrance, their weapons bloodied and clearly used. "But don't worry. We've got rid of them, except for one."

Archibald leapt up quickly, but Garrus was quicker. He shot an arrow, puncturing Archibald's leg and causing him to stumble. The guards quickly surrounded him, a heavy pommel from one knocking him out with little apparent effort. Garrus, in the meantime, strode over to Nora, his eyes blazing with fulfilled ambition.

"Thank you, Norata. Without you to distract him, I would never have captured him before he fled." He smirked. She was with him on this and had no way out, even had she wanted to. Thankfully, he'd played the game so well she was completely devoted to him. "It isn't over yet though. Are you ready for what comes next?"

[Norata Atherton]

Nora smiled to Archibald. "Oh Lord Campbell, don't be surprised. My husband is very kind but it has always been family first for him." She popped a piece of bread in her mouth and chewed with a small smile. "He's not one to let everyone know our business, the closest of our friends and family know the most about us. With the uncertainty, like you said and everyone trying their best for a shot at the throne, you just never know who's going to betray you."

She never moved her eyes from Archibald, but out of her peripherals she spotted Garrus and watched him take down the guard, a smile still on her lips. It wasn't until Lord Campbell shot out of his chair that Norata stood and laughed. Garrus always had the most amazing entrances.

Nora nodded in reply to Garrus, they'd discussed the plan and it was all falling into place like neat little puzzle pieces. "I'll do all that you wish, my love." she whispered quietly as she slid her hand down his back softly.

[Garrus Atherton]

Garrus looked down at their prey as they began to shuffle him away into the hidden corridor, the only other occupant currently his undeniably estranged brother. It tended to put a cramp on brotherly love if you locked him in an iron mask with a tongue clamp, after all, but in Garrus' defense, Lance had been too weak to lead them. So he had taken their fate into his own hands. Now, he was to have a companion in there, the screams of agony that would emanate from Archibald as they broke him and made him into a shell through torture would be the music he would listen to. As the men shuffled the Campbell away, he wrapped an arm around Norata's waist and gestured towards where the men marched him.

"Ready to learn how we deal with our enemies in the Atherton household, Norata?"

[Norata Atherton]

Norata ran her hand along Garrus's as he spoke. "Yes, I'm ready." She smiled proudly, anything to help her husband.

They were dragging Archibald into a dark corridor and Nora mentally shrugged. She assumed they were just going to interrogate him and kill him. Obviously he couldn't live to speak about this! Garrus was going to teach her though, everything she needed to know.

His masculinity and confidence made her heart swell with pride. This man was her husband and he took matters into his own hands, she found that sort of man the sexiest of all.

[Garrus Atherton]

They marched through the corridor, Archibald being dragged with them, already coming to. It seemed he was a stronger man than Garrus gave him credit for. They passed a cell with a masked and chained man, who seemed to rattle the doors as they went past. Garrus simply ignored him as they dragged Archibald to the small torture room build next to it. There were racks, spikes, pokers and apparatus to start a coal fire, chains, clamps and various other implements. They would keep the Campbell busy for a long time.

Watching as they fastened Archibald down, Garrus handed his sword to Norata and put some thick leather gloves on. He had no intention of sullying his hands with Campbell blood, if it came to that. They tore off Archibald's shirt and trousers, leaving him in precious little besides his undergarments and bare skin. There was still a gag in his mouth, but Garrus did not remove it as of yet. This was for his family, first. He turned to Nora and smiled, icily.

"Soon, we start asking questions. What we start first? Is the realisation of the futility of fighting."

He brought the clamps into his hands and quickly applied the pressure onto Archibalds fingers, the elder man grunting against the gag, but not yet screaming. It seemed he had a high pain threshold. Dismissing the men, leaving himself and Nora alone with their victim, Garrus laughed and turned to Nora.

"This may take a while. Watch carefully."

Even though in the background, he could swear he could hear the clanking of chains, he paid it no mind.

[Norata Atherton]

In the back of Nora's mind she knew something was wrong with the situation but just thought it was her nerves. She knew how to torture people she'd just never done it before. She stood awkwardly with the sword that Garrus handed her, looking over all the devices in the room. He had everything, spikes down to the tiniest needles even!

She was never allowed to do these things at home, she knew of the practices though, so this was her first time sitting in on a torture. Somehow she knew this situation was going to end with torture, but it just didn't register until they were in this room.

Some poor wretch in the room next door was clanking and banging all around for a good five or ten minutes, but then fell silent. She was watching carefully as her husband requested, and just thought that the prisoner finally became tired and realized that their efforts were just annoying.

After about two minutes, of silence there was a different noise. She heard the sliding of chains and then once more silence. This one was different though, it was as if they were hitting the floor, a faint chiming noise. Nora looked around her and all the cells seemed to be empty, but this one.

Her husband was wrapped up in the torture of Lord Campbell, but Nora was distracted. It was a final, solid clang that brought her attention to the cell just next to where they were working. Gripping the sword tight, she approached the cell and looked in, it was dark and she couldn't see it's occupant. All the sudden a metal mask was thrown at the bars as simultaneously a man burst out of the door, knocking her back.

He had good forward momentum but that transferred to her and she was launched backwards, dropping the sword. The guards seemed to have seen a ghost but all Nora saw was a threat as the man lunged at Garrus. She ran after the prisoner, skirts lifted for speed, and she watched him raise a dagger above her husband's shoulder and she watched as Garrus was turning himself towards the man.

Getting a foothold on the floor, she dove and threw her whole body into the prisoner's. Sort of the same way she used to tackle her sister into piles of leaves in the fall. Grabbing the wrist that held the knife with both hands and straddling the prisoner's waist, she began to slam his wrist against the wall at an odd angle. She wasn't sure if she broke his wrist or he just freed the knife, but after two good thrusts, he let go. It was the fastest that Norata had ever moved, she grabbed the knife and drove it up under the man's ribs, giving it one final wrench before she stumbled back.

Finding Garrus's leg, she wrapped her arms around it and dug her nails in deep. That man was trying to kill her husband! I've never killed anyone before ....

[Garrus Atherton]

It all happened so fast, he hadn't even had chance to draw the dagger he had hidden upon his person. He had turned and saw the polished dagger raised in his assailants arms, before watching the man tackled to the ground and pulverised, then slaughtered, by Norata. It was only then that he realised the man was Lancelot. His brother that he had chained and buried, forgotten deep in these cells, had gotten free. Norata was wrapped around his leg, which he would tend to in a second. First he pulled the cord that hung round his neck up, to see that upon it was a key that looked familiar...but that didn't have the markings he'd made. Damn fool. Someone knew his identity and had helped. The only ones who would could have been the guards with him.

They would have to die. But all in due time. There seemed to be something attached to his leg.

So he knelt down, taking care to slide Nora's hands from his leg to his arm, so she didn't feel detached from him, before he turned and pulled her close to him. She seemed shocked and would need the comfort if she was to continue being useful. The fact that he was grateful nonwithstanding.

"Norata. Are you hurt?"

[Norata Atherton]

Nora was in a panic now, she'd just killed this man! He was trying to kill Garrus though! Then she heard his voice, and never registered when he slid his arm around her instead of allowing her to sit on the floor still clinging to him.

"I'm ... no. I'm not hurt." She said quietly. "Are you okay?" she asked him in turn. She wanted to ask him who the man was, what the hell was going on, and why the guards were all looking so shocked.

[Garrus Atherton]

He slowly stood, picking her up to her feet and not once letting her go. He hadn't been scared to die, or that his brother had got free, even that his reputation would be ruined if those guards did not die. But there was a weight gone from his chest - It was Lancelot. He had always been too tentative about killing a family member for the benefit of the family, so instead he had imprisoned his brother. It seemed Lancelot didn't hold the same loyalty, despite the circumstances. The weight that had lifted was the last principle that shackled him, kept him from becoming what he had to. If not for Norata, he wouldn't have lived to access his full potential. He owed her.

"I am fine. Better than before, even. Thank you." He had to phrase it a certain way, to make sure she didn't actually take him up on the offer. He needed to know she was strong enough to do that and carry on, not that she'd break at the first problem. "If you feel you aren't of any more use here, as rattled as you are, I can have you escorted back to your quarters, Norata? I would prefer to keep you here, by my side, though."

[Norata Atherton]

Norata stood with Garrus, slowly. After listening to him speak and absorbing the words, she paused to look around at the other men in the room. Each stood, a bit shocked and one guard was sort of shifting his weight towards the door. Their body language was not right, each was speaking of distrust and fear.

Without making eye contact with Garrus, keeping her gaze locked on the man near the door, Norata spoke quietly in response. "No, I think I'll stay here with you. I wish to be of help and it seems this whole ordeal is far from over, am I right?"

[Garrus Atherton]

"You are quite right, Norata. First there is something I need you to do for me." Garrus' voice dropped to a conspirational whisper. He didn't want the guards overhearing after all. "I need you to go and fetch Eric Nassau, my guard captain. You'll need to do some acting though, but run through the halls and to him as if terrified and tell him that we were being held prisoner down here by those guards. I don't trust them and we cannot dispatch them on our own. Can you do that for me? I'll wait until you come back, we just have to tie up this loose end."

[Norata Atherton]

Norata could feel the gravity of the situation, though she didn't understand it. Closing her eyes, she stood up straight and took a deep breath. "I think I'll take you up on that offer." She said now in a more conversational tone. "I believe this night has been too much for me to handle." She squeezed Garrus's hand just before pulling away from him and giving the room a curtsy as she departed.

Once out of sight, she lifted her skirts and sprinted down the hall, and after rounding a corner she nearly ran into her husbands guard captain. Stumbling back and looking over her shoulder, she looked back to the man, this time with tears. Norata could do this, she was born a Sanseverino no matter what anyone said. "Please, help!" she said through her tears. "The guards! Garrus!" she pretended to be out of breath. "They're holding him hostage! I don't know what to do!"

She watched as the man stood quickly and ran off in the direction of the dungeons, where Norata just ran from, with her right behind him. He kept telling her to stay out of the way, to go to a parlor and rest, but she refused the whole way until they made it back to her husband. "No! I must know he's safe!" she answered, tears had dried, all that was in her voice now was purpose. The purpose that Garrus gave her.

[Garrus Atherton]

The scene that they returned to was a strange one indeed. The body on the floor once more had the iron mask affixed securely upon it. The three guards surrounded the body, facing the entrance, swords in hand and still bloodied from the earlier killings done to the Campbell soliders, but the body had bled substantially and was pooled in blood just as dark crimson as that dried upon the swords. Garrus sat by the body, cradling it, eyes looking sore as if he had been rubbing them too much. Upon hearing the approaching soldiers, he looked up in surprise and gestured to the men, then back to the prisoner and then himself, signalling a slash across the throat. The captain seemed to understand and reacted quickly, ordering his men to fire their crossbows at the ones around Garrus and the prisoner. All of them hit the floor quickly, dead before they could so much as speak. The captain went about securing the bodies and dragging them out, including the prisoner, leaving Norata, Garrus and Archibald alone in the room, Archibald still tied and gagged to the torture rack.

Garrus looked over at Norata and smiled. "Now, where were we?" He looked in thought at Archibald as he picked up a set of pressure pliers and handed them off to Norata. "Ah yes, we were just going to persuade Lord Campbell. Why don't you see what you can do to convince him he doesn't want to feel pain?"

[Norata Atherton]

Norata didn't want to convince this man that he didn't want to feel pain! This is the only thing she did better then well, she did it perfectly. "We could allow him to sample my work, that may be a motivation all in itself!" She couldn't wipe the grin off her face, yes Nora was a bit twisted but who was going to be brave enough to tell her it wasn't a good thing.

She looked up to her husband to wait for the signal, what did he want from her? Was she allowed to go to town on this man? There wasn't enough bloodshed for her today and she was planning on getting her fill of Archibald before he finally passed.

She'd hear this man scream.