Orpheus to the Underworld | 5.29 early evening | Lazarus, Gespard, Rowan

[Lazarus Shadowmere]

"My lord," "My lord," came the stern voice of one of his Shadow Stalkers. He bowed upon his approach, the niceties of the new court rules being observed now, the habit easier to remember. “Word has arrived from the harbor. The Orpheus has made port and Captain Azrael and his wife are approaching the castle and should be arriving within the half hour.”

Lazarus tensed, half surprised that his raven had found his brother. The other half was surprised that Gespard had answered. Normally he finished whatever adventure he was seeing to before answering his call – It meant that there was no adventure to be had. That or something else had drawn the captain of the Orpheus to the island. It did not matter to him, so long as he was here, and so long as his wife had joined him. There were a lot of things she had to answer to…

“When they arrive see that he is sent to my chambers.”

“Alone, my lord?”

“No… Make sure that his wife is with him.” He gave him a dark look before turning into the parlor, pouring himself a glass of brandy and seating himself to wait for Captain Azrael and his lady.

[Gespard Shadowmere]

It was ominous on its own. Rare was the occasion that his brother summoned him. Even more so that it was not to Faeta. The letter itself was vague. Simply demanding that he meet him in Gora and as it was a matter of the court, he arrive with his wife to carry on the public show. That was alarming… and somewhat suspect, but Gespard was not one to second guess Lazarus. Nor was he foolish enough to make an enemy of his brother. So, with doubts in his head and worry weighing on his shoulders, he ordered Benicio to have the ship turned around so that they could make their way North. The travel was not long from the coast of Strom, though his wife was sad to be pulling further away from port. But it had only taken days to arrive in the new capitol.

“I haven’t been here in years,” he explained to his wife as they stepped off of the ship. Her hand in his arm, he escorted her to the waiting carriage, sending a man ahead to let his brother know that they had arrived. The ride to the castle was uneventful. He spoke with his wife, showing her the many landmarks he remembered, the ones he said were new, and so on. When the castle came into view, he smiled. “It’s much bigger than I remember.”

The stepped into the foyer, his eyes drinking in his surroundings, but he was afforded mere seconds to admire Costayne’s home before one of Lazarus’ men descended the stairs. “Your brother, Lord Shadowmere, awaits you in his chambers.”

Gespard nodded. “Very well. My love, I shall be along shortly if you…”

“He requests her presence as well,” he said, pointing at the blonde woman.

There was a long pause wherein Gespard merely stared at the man as if trying to read him. Then his blue eyes narrowed. “Why?”

“I am afraid Lord Shadowmere did not divulge to me his reasons. Only that he wishes to speak with both of you.”

His defenses went up, his once passive expression replaced now with suspicion and dread. Reaching his hand to his wife, he said, “Come love. It’ll be all right.” At least he hoped he would. The man showed them where the room was, and it seemed like in much too quick a time, they were entering the parlor. Pretending as though he was not at all worried, he smiled for his brother and said, “Lazarus! Good to see you, brother. You… cut your hair? Good look for you.”

[Rowan Shadowmere]

There were a lot of new things in Gora, it seemed. Rowan was mostly absorbed in examining the city as they rode through it. She'd never seen any part of Glodhet except Faeta, and Gora looked like something from another world... especially the gleaming white palace that seemed to be in the midst of construction. The strange arches, the whorls of decoration and slender columns... there was nothing about it that said Forsilvran. Only the clothing of the inhabitants hinted that Forsilvra was even anywhere nearby- and many of them were wearing clothes obviously chosen more for coolness than propriety. After so long on just the ship day after day... it was overwhelming. Still, she at least noticed Gespard was tense.

"Are you..." But by the time she'd gotten up the courage to ask about it, one of the Shadowmere men was already coming toward them. Lazarus wanted to see her too?? Only Gespard's hand on her propelled her forward into the parlor. Wasn't there a rhyme about spiders in parlors and the flies who came to visit...

"M'lord Shadowmere." Rowan made a curtsy, and tried not to stare at her brother-in-law. What was this about...

[Lazarus Shadowmere]

Lazarus’ dark eyes lit with fury as they approached. His brother’s humor would not detract from the seriousness of the matter, and even behind his eyes, he could see that Gespard knew that. He held his hand up to silence him, the sapphire of the Sterlyn ring gleaming in the last beams of sunlight that filtered in through the light curtains. Slowly, he set his glass of brandy down and stood up, walking towards the short woman. His hand went to her face, under her pointed chin to lift her up. Her life at sea was telling. Her tone darker, her hair darker. Her eyes were harder… but happy. Perhaps Gespard was not the cruel pirate lord Lazarus assumed him to be.

“Lazarus?” Gespard questioned, his trepidation all too clear. He did not like Lazarus touching her. His posture had gone rigid, his eyes wide. So, Gespard had come to care for her? What a pity…

“You told me you were the niece of Lord Ashpool…” he began, his voice low. “You did not tell me that your brother was a traitor. Do you realize what you almost cost me?”

[Gespard Shadowmere]

Gespard took the cue and sealed his lips. His hand squeezed Rowan’s more possessively, especially as his brother neared. He lifted his hand, but it was much too slow a motion to be a strike, though his initial thought was that was what he was about to do. His brother’s rage was so hard to read, but he could see it clear in those sinister eyes of his. It was the gaze that used to make Gespard’s blood run cold. The gaze that he seemed to have inherited from their father.

But then he stroked her cheek. Almost affectionately as if admiring her, and something about that did not sit right with him. He knew he was a jealous man. Touch his gold, his jewels, anything he valued, and he would bring war upon the head of his opponent. But never had he been jealous because of a woman… and never against his brother. His voice seemed to go on deaf ears, but Lazarus’ words… Gespard’s eyes widened.

“What? I mean...” he looked at his wife. He had not known that, but even so… “Can you blame her? You had a knife to her throat? She was trying to survive. Of course she didn’t tell…” Gespard had not expected his brother to suddenly round on him and strike him across the face. The ring cut him, the blood warm upon his hand, the laceration extremely close his eye. Shit…

“Did you know!?” Lazarus demanded.

[Rowan Shadowmere]

Lazarus touched her and Rowan went cold- all the heat in the volcanoes of Glodhet could not have warmed her. She met his eyes but her stomach had slid down and she prayed her hands weren't shaking. Matthias...

The blow to Gespard might as well have hit her- it snapped something that had been tethered too long.

"Gespard didn't know! But.. He's not a traitor!" She knew it was a mistake to say, but she'd watched all the world turn on her brother, and maybe it was the months at sea but she just... couldn't be silent. "He's the rightful lord of Sanka. The king betrayed him, and our uncle... Matthias did nothing wrong! Please, he's no traitor. That's why I didn't say anything. He'll reclaim our home, and clear his name..."

[Lazarus Shadowmere]

He glanced back at her, still, listening to her words, the conviction with which she spoke. There were a great number of things she could have said that would have been better than that. Actually, anything would have been better than that. But this… it put her in league with the traitor. Wishing for the downfall of Lord Ashpool, to speak with such certainty that her brother would usurp Jacques… That was damning…

“I am afraid you are mistaken,” he said. “It is an impossibility, one I have never been more certain of. He is a traitor. There is no arguing the contrary. A fact confirmed not only by the new lord of Sanka but from the man you once warded with… Both of whom I consider to be necessary allies to our family. Your stance, which puts you against them, therefore also puts you against me. You are guilty of treason, Rowan Shadowmere… And you will pay with your life.”

His hand shot out for her throat, squeezing and tugging her closer to him as he began to drag her out of the room. After all, Lord Costayne was working so hard on the palace… He probably would not appreciate blood stains on the carpets.

[Gespard Shadowmere]

“Rowan, stop!” he shouted, trying to drown out her words. “Just stop talking!” he hissed, his annoyance outclassed by his fear. And there it was… His heart fell, and he straightened up, feeling himself lunge forward as his brother’s hand shot for her.

“Lazarus! Don’t, please!” he begged, reaching for his shoulder to pull him back. “Stop! Don’t… I’ve never asked you for anything. But I’m begging you! Don’t kill her… She’s my responsibility. I’ll answer for her… Just let her live. Gods, please don’t take her from me!”

[Rowan Shadowmere]

Wrong choice. Loyalty at the wrong time. Matthias hadn't taken her with him in Solbra and now... Her eyes widened but before she could jump backward, Lazarus had her, his reflexes far more honed than hers. She choked on the scream in her throat as his hand wrapped around her neck and she put her hands up to grab his wrist, try to tug free, but it wasn't likely to work... Her wide, terrified blue eyes went to Gespard. He'd saved her once... But Lazarus was already pulling her out of the room, his grip tight enough that darkness was already dancing around the edges of her vision.

"Ges--" But she couldn't get the rest of his name out. Oh, gods, not real, this wasn't real...

[Lazarus Shadowmere]

His brother’s pleas did not fall on deaf ears… but they may as well have. It was interesting to see how Gespard had come to care for her. Had his brother cared about anything before? He released her throat but grasped her by her hair instead, walking towards the steps back down to the foyer. He realized they might be causing a scene, but it was Glodhet… And he was sure if Lord Costayne were to walk upon them now, he would understand. Behind him, his brother was tugging at him, pulling him in a feeble attempt to stop him.

Then at last, a more deliberate attempt… Gespard’s fingers clutched at Lazarus’ collar, yanking him around… Though, Lazarus did not release Rowan. Instead, before his brother’s swing could meet his face, he tugged her between them, causing Gespard to stop. “She will die,” Lazarus told him in a cold tone. “But you have a choice… Attempt to stop me and you will join her… Stand back, and this will be as if it’d never happened…”

[Gespard Shadowmere]

He’d almost hit her. Managing only at the last moment to prevent himself from doing just that… he stopped and gave his brother a helpless look. “Only one of us married a traitor, Lazarus. And she is dead… Don’t punish me or my wife for her mistakes. She is harmless… Rowan can’t hurt us… You said yourself she almost cost you the alliance. But she didn’t… Lazarus! You can’t kill my wife and expect me to act as if it never happened!”

[Rowan Shadowmere]

Rowan shrieked as he grabbed her hair, but the relief of air in her lungs was almost worth it...She put on hand back over his, nails digging into his hand as she tried to get loose. Panic was setting it.... Lazarus swung her around and she saw Gespard's fist coming up-- But he stopped. Tears from pain as well as anger and fear all rolled down Rowan's cheeks.

"Lazarus, my lord Shadowmere, please! I-I won't do anything. Please..." But her eyes went to Gespard. Yes he could, some dark part of her whispered. He could kill me and it'll be like I never was... And that only made it worse. She was shaking, and her chest hurt with the tension. "Please, I'll forswear my brother. All of House Ashpool. Just let me prove myself..."

[Lazarus Shadowmere]

It was clear… the threat was more than implied… And there was a moment where the brother’s just glared at one another.

“You are my brother,” he said. “And I would do anything for you. Anything… but endanger the well being of the entire family. Her continued existence is a threat to us all… And I must eliminate the threat, despite yours.” And if Gespard chose to retaliate… well, it would be difficult, but he would be dealt with.

“Restrain him,” he ordered. The Shadow Stalkers that had followed behind silently and somewhat unnoticeably sprung into action, coming up beside him and grabbing him by the arms. “Keep him here. He does not need to see…” Lazarus was cruel, and were Gespard not his brother, perhaps he’d have forced him to watch. But he did care for him, despite not giving in now. And ignoring his shouts and protests, he dragged his good sister into the gardens and forced her to lay on a stone bench, stomach down. His hand went to the back of her throat, his knee coming to rest on her spine as he reached for his dagger.

“Is there anything you want to say…?” he asked. “Before I kill you?”

[Rowan Shadowmere]

Rowan struggled as he dragged her away, and she screamed Gespard's name though she knew it wasn't going to help. Before Lazarus could pull her through the next doorway she managed at least to turn one last time to look at her husband. "I'm sorry..." she called it to him but she supposed she'd never know if he heard.

The sun was warm on her skin, but inside she was ice. Rowan tried to break Lazarus' hold on her but she knew it was pointless. He was stronger, and the Shade. She was a nobleman's daughter, and no match.

The stone too was warm- she could feel it through her dress as Lazarus shoved her down. Her cheek struck it hard, but the sting of it didn't even matter. She yelped as he put his weight on her and yanked her head back. No, please... Wake up now, Rowan. Wake up, back on the ship... Back in Solbra... Back in Vadra. Matthias was lord. Perhaps Jarvis was lord, and Raine was cackling in the garden and Charlotte was wandering down the hall in a half-dream... Chase would come back from the training yards, and Aurelia was in the kitchens being awful... Horatia lecturing Elodie, and the sun was high over the rose gardens.

"Tell Gespard I love him. I'm sorry." She tilted her head up at Lazarus as best she could. "My uncle is a snake." Her eyes glittered with tears, but underneath that there was acceptance. "I hope you live long enough to watch him betray you too." She closed her eyes, and was silent. Amalthia be merciful. I just tried to survive.

[Lazarus Shadowmere]

“He loved you, too,” he said, setting the edge of the blade against her throat, just as he’d done the first time they’d met. And her apology was well heard, but almost made him laugh. In the end, it would be Lazarus needing his brother’s forgiveness.

“I don’t doubt they are all snakes,” he said in an amused voice. “I half expect them all to betray me… It would be disappointing if they didn’t… for it would mean I’ve got them all wrong.”

With that last smirk, he dug his blade into her throat, slicing though and bleeding her out. He had no need to hold her down anymore. She could maybe make it a few feet before death claimed her. Standing up, he reached for his kerchief to wipe the blood from his blade and walked up to one of his servants. “See that this mess is cleaned up before Costayne sees. Would not want him to think I’m an untidy guest.”

He was sure to wipe the smirk from his face as he approached his brother, and Gespard’s eyes said it all. He struggled free of the men who’d restrained him and fell to his knees.

“You know as well as I that it had to be done…”

[Gespard Shadowmere]

Gespard wanted to scream… to kill the men holding him. To kill his brother… And at the same time he wanted to crumble, to cry… to die. He had accepted that he loved her, that the feelings he felt were not something to be feared or ashamed of. And as soon as he’d accepted it, accepted her…

But he knew… He knew his brother’s words were truth. He was the Shade… She was the sister of a traitor… Gespard could have offered his fortune, his ship, his life… and it would not have saved her. Nothing would have saved her… And it was his fault. He’d brought her into their world of darkness, and he had thought she could survive it. She was surviving it. But in the end…

“I… I understand…” he said softly, the tears filling his eyes. He slowly got to his feet and stared hard at Lazarus. “I suppose… I’d have done… the same. I just…” He shook his head. “Need to figure out where to go from here. I… need to be alone.” Tearing his gaze away, he walked through the men who’d once been holding him back and went through the large doors back outside… There were many things he needed to sort out in his head… The first of which being the hole in his heart now that she’d filled which was now empty…