Weeks.
While he'd certainly hated it and had visited as oft as he was able, he had to admit that even when attempting to deceive the Ishgard bureaucratic machine, the amount of steps to make the ruse complete was just short of impressive. It made him wonder, somewhat sadly, if such things could be done only at the request of a few favors when one knew a small noble family, what then could be accomplished by those who truly held power? What sort of deceptions could they weave?
And did making use of such things make him lesser? While he constantly strove to act in a manner befitting a knight, honorable and true, it was these such moments that made him question if he were truly worthy of such a calling. Exhaling quietly, Martiallais retreated from his thoughts and back to the present as the sound of attending guard's return filled his ears.
"I trust you have found all to be as I said." It was far less a question than a chilly statement. He'd been reminded, more than once, that a large part of the gamble's success relied not only upon his ability to believe that he spoke the truth, but to act with enough confidence that others would believe such as well.
"Indeed, Ser Heuliox. My apologies for the delay." Bowing once, the young elezen re-rolled the elegantly penned parchment and returned it to the knight before he reached for his keys. Noting the nervous pair of misses as he attempted to unlock the first gate, Martiallais cleared his throat and attempted to lighten his tone, just slightly.
"Be calm, Ser. You have little to fear, I simply wish to retrieve my Lady's employee and depart."
"Ah, of course Ser. Right this way."
It had been some time since he'd found himself within a gaol. More oft than not his duties had kept him occupied elsewhere but the knight had not forgotten his time spent relegated to the 'honor' of guarding those confined behind bars. In his earlier times, he'd thought them to fall into only one of two categories. Those who awaited their judgement with dignity, having resolved themselves to seek atonement, no matter the cost...and those who kicked and screamed, proclaiming the right of their actions while cursing all within earshot.
It was in later times, due to no small amount of personal experience, he learned of a third. The innocent.
"Right this way, Ser. She resides within the fourth cell, there."
Giving a nod, Martiallais followed just behind the man until the pair stood before the familiar figure within. Smiling faintly, he almost sighed with relief as the guard unlocked the cell door.
"Stop. Right. There."
Turning slowly, Martiallais steeled himself as the elder elezen approached, keeping his tone neutral. "Inquisitor Vierane. What a pleasant surprise to see you."
"Of that I am certain."Coming to a halt before the cell, his robes swishing about angrily, the inquisitor glared down at the guard before waving his hand. "Leave us."
Three sets of eyes watched as the guard bowed before hastily departing. It was only when he was well out of sight that the knight and inquisitor faced one another.
"Pray explain to me what it is you believe you are doing here, Ser Heuliox."
"Of course, Inquisitor."Bowing his head in deference, Martiallais handed over the parchment still held in his gauntlet before offered a slight nod to Steel.
"Hmph, 'employed by Juleaux Dufresne in Limsa Lominsa then Eliane Dufrense in Ishgard'." He half heartedly read aloud while eyes skimmed the text. "How convenient. You cannot truly expect me to believe such, do you?"
"Tis the truth, as requested."Martiallais gestured towards the cell with his hand, "She was recommended, from one sibling to another. And while none would wish to stand in opposition to the inquisition's wishes, she is here-"
"And yet, she was seen within the Brume hiding and questioning our knights," he retorted, looking the younger, armored elezen up and down with no small amount of disdain. "Hardworking knights going about their duties. One of whom she even laid her hands upon. Would you side with outsiders against your own kin, Ser Heuloix?"
Considering Vierane's words, Martiallais glanced into the cell briefly. An agitated sigh was Steel's response before he gave a shake of his head and turned his attention back to the inquisitor.
"Of course not," he answered swiftly, allowing a pause before continuing on, "Inquisitor Vierane, it is my understanding that, according to reports filed upon her detainment, it was she whom was struck first."
The barely stifled laugh coming from within the cell did little to stop the annoyed eye twitch nor the flush of crimson that colored the tip of the inquisitor's ears. "You would -dare- question the Inquisition?!" He stepped closer, gaze locked with the knight till the latter lowered his gaze in deference.
"Of course not. I simply speak of the report given by the Inquisition itself. No more. After all, they were signed by yourself, Inquisitor Vierane."
The hall fell silent save the grinding of teeth and an angry puff of breath.
"By your leave, I would depart with Lady Steel then?" Reaching for the barred door, Martiallais moved to pull it open only to find it pushed closed once more by Vierane.
"No. Not as of yet, you will not. Tell me then, Ser Knight, why was this -creature- within the Brume? As she refused to speak on such perhaps you can provide an explanation."Â
Blinking several times, the duskwight caught himself before his shoulders slumped in relief. The best lies, he'd gradually learned, oft contained many morsels of truth.
"Ah, of course Inquisitor. The Lady Dufrense and her family employ many and more inhabitants of the Brume within Dufresne Bellworks. Given recent events she sought to not only ensure their protection but to aid provide aid where needed for her people."
Vierane scoffed, taking a step back as his hand fell from the gate. "Heretics the lot of them some would say. Mayhaps the Inquisition should turn it's eye to them instead?"
Pulling open the gate steadily, the tension in Martiallais' form was clear and obvious to those well trained in such matters. "While I cannot speak to what the Inquisition should or should not do, I am certain there are far more important matters to set one's hand to than a family seeking the better-"
"Seeking their own gain," Vierane interrupted once more. "Upstarts whom have sent their dog to retrieve yet another pet." Lifting his nose, he started down it's length with a smile of pleasure, noting how his words had given the knight pause. "Mayhaps they should have chosen a better pup to lay at their feet as you are no saint, Heuloix. Tis no small wonder your father and brother have cast you out, hm?"Â
At that, the duskwight turned to face the inquisitor, lips pressed into a tight line covering clenched teeth.Â
"Oh yes," he taunted, "true servants of the Fury never forget and I know you all too well. Now you have thrown in with those who build little more than a house of cards. When it falls, and it shall, know that I will personally see that justice lands upon your head."Â
Swallowing hard, Martiallais remained silent and seething, anger and shame feeding upon one another as his embarrassment was all but compounded by the, literal, captive audience. Readying himself to respond, he stopped, feeling the warmth from Steel's hand upon his. Looking into her bright eyes, he watched as she shook her head slowly. There was more than a little understanding in her gaze as she spoke volumes without saying a word.
Looking between the pair, Vierane gave another haughty scoff. "Make certain, Ser Heuloix, that this," he gestured with a flick of his wrist to Steel, "and whatever you believe is to occur between yourself and the Dufrense girl is 'worth it'. A rumor, is allowed to endure only so long as to be found entertaining. I do imagine her betrothed and his family will find such talk to be well worth investigating." Stepping away with a smile, the Inquisitor seemed to bask in his victory. "Go on then, take your creature and go. The two of you have provided enough entertainment for now."
Giving a simple nod, Martiallais opened the door and motioned for Steel to follow him. He offered the other Elezen one last look before turning to guide the larger Roegadyn out of the gaol and back to freedom.
While he'd certainly hated it and had visited as oft as he was able, he had to admit that even when attempting to deceive the Ishgard bureaucratic machine, the amount of steps to make the ruse complete was just short of impressive. It made him wonder, somewhat sadly, if such things could be done only at the request of a few favors when one knew a small noble family, what then could be accomplished by those who truly held power? What sort of deceptions could they weave?
And did making use of such things make him lesser? While he constantly strove to act in a manner befitting a knight, honorable and true, it was these such moments that made him question if he were truly worthy of such a calling. Exhaling quietly, Martiallais retreated from his thoughts and back to the present as the sound of attending guard's return filled his ears.
"I trust you have found all to be as I said." It was far less a question than a chilly statement. He'd been reminded, more than once, that a large part of the gamble's success relied not only upon his ability to believe that he spoke the truth, but to act with enough confidence that others would believe such as well.
"Indeed, Ser Heuliox. My apologies for the delay." Bowing once, the young elezen re-rolled the elegantly penned parchment and returned it to the knight before he reached for his keys. Noting the nervous pair of misses as he attempted to unlock the first gate, Martiallais cleared his throat and attempted to lighten his tone, just slightly.
"Be calm, Ser. You have little to fear, I simply wish to retrieve my Lady's employee and depart."
"Ah, of course Ser. Right this way."
It had been some time since he'd found himself within a gaol. More oft than not his duties had kept him occupied elsewhere but the knight had not forgotten his time spent relegated to the 'honor' of guarding those confined behind bars. In his earlier times, he'd thought them to fall into only one of two categories. Those who awaited their judgement with dignity, having resolved themselves to seek atonement, no matter the cost...and those who kicked and screamed, proclaiming the right of their actions while cursing all within earshot.
It was in later times, due to no small amount of personal experience, he learned of a third. The innocent.
"Right this way, Ser. She resides within the fourth cell, there."
Giving a nod, Martiallais followed just behind the man until the pair stood before the familiar figure within. Smiling faintly, he almost sighed with relief as the guard unlocked the cell door.
"Stop. Right. There."
Turning slowly, Martiallais steeled himself as the elder elezen approached, keeping his tone neutral. "Inquisitor Vierane. What a pleasant surprise to see you."
"Of that I am certain."Coming to a halt before the cell, his robes swishing about angrily, the inquisitor glared down at the guard before waving his hand. "Leave us."
Three sets of eyes watched as the guard bowed before hastily departing. It was only when he was well out of sight that the knight and inquisitor faced one another.
"Pray explain to me what it is you believe you are doing here, Ser Heuliox."
"Of course, Inquisitor."Bowing his head in deference, Martiallais handed over the parchment still held in his gauntlet before offered a slight nod to Steel.
"Hmph, 'employed by Juleaux Dufresne in Limsa Lominsa then Eliane Dufrense in Ishgard'." He half heartedly read aloud while eyes skimmed the text. "How convenient. You cannot truly expect me to believe such, do you?"
"Tis the truth, as requested."Martiallais gestured towards the cell with his hand, "She was recommended, from one sibling to another. And while none would wish to stand in opposition to the inquisition's wishes, she is here-"
"And yet, she was seen within the Brume hiding and questioning our knights," he retorted, looking the younger, armored elezen up and down with no small amount of disdain. "Hardworking knights going about their duties. One of whom she even laid her hands upon. Would you side with outsiders against your own kin, Ser Heuloix?"
Considering Vierane's words, Martiallais glanced into the cell briefly. An agitated sigh was Steel's response before he gave a shake of his head and turned his attention back to the inquisitor.
"Of course not," he answered swiftly, allowing a pause before continuing on, "Inquisitor Vierane, it is my understanding that, according to reports filed upon her detainment, it was she whom was struck first."
The barely stifled laugh coming from within the cell did little to stop the annoyed eye twitch nor the flush of crimson that colored the tip of the inquisitor's ears. "You would -dare- question the Inquisition?!" He stepped closer, gaze locked with the knight till the latter lowered his gaze in deference.
"Of course not. I simply speak of the report given by the Inquisition itself. No more. After all, they were signed by yourself, Inquisitor Vierane."
The hall fell silent save the grinding of teeth and an angry puff of breath.
"By your leave, I would depart with Lady Steel then?" Reaching for the barred door, Martiallais moved to pull it open only to find it pushed closed once more by Vierane.
"No. Not as of yet, you will not. Tell me then, Ser Knight, why was this -creature- within the Brume? As she refused to speak on such perhaps you can provide an explanation."Â
Blinking several times, the duskwight caught himself before his shoulders slumped in relief. The best lies, he'd gradually learned, oft contained many morsels of truth.
"Ah, of course Inquisitor. The Lady Dufrense and her family employ many and more inhabitants of the Brume within Dufresne Bellworks. Given recent events she sought to not only ensure their protection but to aid provide aid where needed for her people."
Vierane scoffed, taking a step back as his hand fell from the gate. "Heretics the lot of them some would say. Mayhaps the Inquisition should turn it's eye to them instead?"
Pulling open the gate steadily, the tension in Martiallais' form was clear and obvious to those well trained in such matters. "While I cannot speak to what the Inquisition should or should not do, I am certain there are far more important matters to set one's hand to than a family seeking the better-"
"Seeking their own gain," Vierane interrupted once more. "Upstarts whom have sent their dog to retrieve yet another pet." Lifting his nose, he started down it's length with a smile of pleasure, noting how his words had given the knight pause. "Mayhaps they should have chosen a better pup to lay at their feet as you are no saint, Heuloix. Tis no small wonder your father and brother have cast you out, hm?"Â
At that, the duskwight turned to face the inquisitor, lips pressed into a tight line covering clenched teeth.Â
"Oh yes," he taunted, "true servants of the Fury never forget and I know you all too well. Now you have thrown in with those who build little more than a house of cards. When it falls, and it shall, know that I will personally see that justice lands upon your head."Â
Swallowing hard, Martiallais remained silent and seething, anger and shame feeding upon one another as his embarrassment was all but compounded by the, literal, captive audience. Readying himself to respond, he stopped, feeling the warmth from Steel's hand upon his. Looking into her bright eyes, he watched as she shook her head slowly. There was more than a little understanding in her gaze as she spoke volumes without saying a word.
Looking between the pair, Vierane gave another haughty scoff. "Make certain, Ser Heuloix, that this," he gestured with a flick of his wrist to Steel, "and whatever you believe is to occur between yourself and the Dufrense girl is 'worth it'. A rumor, is allowed to endure only so long as to be found entertaining. I do imagine her betrothed and his family will find such talk to be well worth investigating." Stepping away with a smile, the Inquisitor seemed to bask in his victory. "Go on then, take your creature and go. The two of you have provided enough entertainment for now."
Giving a simple nod, Martiallais opened the door and motioned for Steel to follow him. He offered the other Elezen one last look before turning to guide the larger Roegadyn out of the gaol and back to freedom.
Martiallais Heuloix - Duty. Honor. Faith.
Armand Tremaux - Justice, like lightning.
"We're all snowflakes in a great blizzard." - Virara 2017
Armand Tremaux - Justice, like lightning.
"We're all snowflakes in a great blizzard." - Virara 2017
