Hydaelyn Role-Players
Garston's Hunt/Asdrellia's Story - (attn: Driftwood Coast members) - Printable Version

+- Hydaelyn Role-Players (https://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/mybb18)
+-- Forum: Role-Play (https://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/mybb18/forumdisplay.php?fid=27)
+--- Forum: Town Square (IC) (https://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/mybb18/forumdisplay.php?fid=21)
+--- Thread: Garston's Hunt/Asdrellia's Story - (attn: Driftwood Coast members) (/showthread.php?tid=4417)

Pages: 1 2 3

Garston's Hunt/Asdrellia's Story - (attn: Driftwood Coast members) - BlessedSilence - 09-09-2013

Show Content


It had been three weeks since his gil maker slipped through his fingers.  Garston Hext paced the small tent he used while his caravan rested in the Thanalan desert.  Visions of seeing his guards laying dead or incapacitated by those scum made him grind his teeth.

Thousands of gil.  The beastmen promised him thousands of gil for that bitch and now ... this.

He let out a snarl, kicking over the small stool as he passed it, then bent over to pick it up and flopped down on it to think.  Yes, he had to calm down and think.

These so called Drifters.  He had to find out more about them.  It was total chance he happened to see Asdrellia running down the street while he and his men were at the tavern.  Of course it was a bad idea, looking back on it now, to have gone after her when he wasn't thinking straight.

He had already hired new guards now, ones better trained.  And he would make sure they trained.  No one would get the better of him again.

But what to do?  He ran both hands over his shaved head, gripping the back of his neck.  A nervous tell, but it helped him think.  He would stand out easily in a crowd being a dark skinned Highlander.  He needed someone who would blend in easily as they went about their business.

Just then a name came to mind, and he grinned, a gold tooth flashing in the sun that streamed through the open flaps.  Shouting for one of his guards, he gave a stern command and the man saluted, running off.

"You'll be mine before the week is over, Asdrellia."

His laughter bellowed from the tent as he counted all the gil in his mind he would soon have.

RE: Garston's Hunt - (attn: Driftwood Coast members) - BlessedSilence - 09-10-2013

As the sun settled overhead the next day, Garston looked up to see the front flap of his tent being pushed back, revealing an elezen woman.  He smiled, waving her in to sit on a small stool.

"Getting so poor you can't even afford a mud hut, Garston?" the woman grinned, folding her arms.

"Quiet woman.  I have a job for you."

"Straight to business now, eh?  No trying to get me to warm your blankets anymore?"

Garston grumbled.  "I said be quiet!"  He pushed two objects into the woman's hands.  "Here.  A picture of your target and some information.  Her name is Asdrellia Pemberton.  She joined some ragtag bunch called The Driftwood Coast or something."

The woman unfolded the picture and gazed upon it, engraving the image into her memory.  "Such a pretty face ..." Her eyes snapped up to look at the Highlander.  "What did she do?  Steal your favorite spoon?"

"No.  She stole thousands of gil that is rightfully mine!"  He jumped to his feet, pacing the small space in the tent.  "I worked for months ... months getting those damned Amalj'aa to strike a deal.  I will not have my goose egg escape from me."

The elezen woman flipped open the small journal, thin fingers scanning over the names.  "And who are these people?"

"Those are names of the 'Drifters' I could find.  I want you to hunt them, stalk them .. I want to know when they eat, where they piss, when they trip over a damn rock.  Everything."

"Easy enough."  Pocketing the objects, she stood.  "You know my price.  I want it before sundown and you will have the information you seek."  The tent flap is pushed back letting in a burst of light from the mid day sun as she exits.


Days passed as she collected the information Garston asked of her.  She was good at pretending and hiding.  Any small bit of information helped in the long run.

And now, there she was, pressed up against the side of a small building overlooking the small crowd of people around a fire.  The sand quieted her footfalls and the shaded trees masked her presence.  Scribbling out a note she pushed the tip of the arrow through the paper until it rested on the wood of the haft, nocking it, and letting it fly.

She watched it land barely an ilm from the hyur's foot.  He picked up the arrow and scanned the note before speaking to those around him.  It was utter chaos and she reveled in it.

Patience ... patience ... before she let loose another arrow, aimed between two figures close together.  She watched them start back and dodge out of the way.  A grin touched her face as she slowly slunk backwards into the shadow, spinning on her heel and towards Limsa Lominsa.

A distraction ... a way to get them away from her.  Yes, she knew this Asdrellia fell asleep at the bar not too far away.  Bring chaos to the others and sneak around the rocks ...

The woman was just waking up when the elezen found her.  She seemed to be speaking to someone, yet the bar was empty.  A linkpearl perhaps.  She would have to be careful ....

She nocked an arrow and aimed it at the hyur woman's chest.  "Move down the ramp quietly ... and I will not hurt you."

She saw Asdrellia's eyes widen.  "Get away from me!"  She heard the words moments before something solid slammed into her chest, knocking her off the pier and into the water below.

Struggling to the surface against the current and her heavy clothes, she found purchase on a rock.  Coughing, her eyes took in the sight and sounds of a group of figures racing up the ramp to where her target was.

"Thrice damn you."

She lost this time.  But there will be plenty more chances.  There was always a slip up, a careless moment ...

"And that is when I will strike."



Show Content


RE: Garston's Hunt - (attn: Driftwood Coast members) - BlessedSilence - 09-11-2013

Asdrellia sat in her rented room, lost in thought ...

Miss Fae waited outside her door at the behest of Mister Delwyn ...

Where did she see that elezen before ...?

The face came to mind ....

Green markings ...

Ponytails ...

Brown hair ...

Earrings ...

"Ophi!  I remember!"

She ran to the door, flinging it open and looked to Miss Fae ...

"I remember her now!  We need to find Mister Delwyn."


A long sigh escaped her lips as she looked upon the shattered remains of her bow.  It would take nigh upon a week for another custom made one to reach her.

"This Miss Pemberton is more of a pain that I thought."

Carefully putting the remaining pieces into a small trunk in her room, Ophianne Rillemont sat down at her desk and picked up a quill and paper.  She scribbled out a small missive and rolled it up.  She did not trust the moogle mail for this, and instead opened her window and let out a shrill call.

Flapping wings proceeded a large bird that perched on the windowsill, steely eyes turning to look at it's master.

"Be a good dear and take this to Garston.  Quickly now, and I will have a nice feast for you when you return."

The bird replied with a shrill cry and spread it's wings, lifting into the sky.  Ophi watched it for a few minutes until it was nothing more than a speck.

"I shall have to change my plans.  Let us see about finding more on these ones ... Kayle Delwyn and Desmond Aryll."

Going back over to her trunk, she rifled through some papers until she found the one she wanted.  It was a slightly ripped flier talking about the Driftwood Coast, found tacked on a board in some lonely tavern.

"Hm ... yes.  Nothing like a bit of an inside job, is there?"

RE: Garston's Hunt - (attn: Driftwood Coast members) - BlessedSilence - 09-13-2013

Climbing into the open window was too easy for her.  The hyur was asleep in the room, all alone.  It would be easy for her to just grab Asdrellia Pemberton and leave, but what was the fun in all that?

No.  The game is what was important.

Something glimmered in the fading light, and she picked it up.  The fool girl left her linkpearl on the table near her.  Picking it up, Ophi placed it in her ear and touched it.

"Which one of you is Kayle Delwyn?"

She smiled, hearing the response.  The game had begun over the pearl as her thin fingers combed through Asdrellia's hair.

Garston would have what he wanted soon enough.  But ... she wanted to play for a bit first ...



How could something go so terribly wrong?!

As she hid in a desolate shed out in Thanalan, her mind swirled over the last hour.

He arrived alone.  Just where she told him too.  She was not afraid, her people stationed in strategic areas.  She laid out the terms simply, but he refused.

She used a tactic that worked on many.  He still refused.

Then he advanced on her ... his eyes dead.  They still made her body shiver when remembering them.

He did not care about the arrows pointed at him, nor did he even seem to notice when she struck her best blow against his chest.  He just stood there.

And then they appeared out of the blue.  He had lied to her, something she would have to grudgingly give him credit for.  A group, perhaps seven or eight, weapons and magic at the ready.

She used the signal.  She was no fool.  She heard the arrows fly and heard them make purchase against armor or flesh.  It did not matter.

But the worst part ...

She ran.  She ran into the desert of Thanalan, and now she cowered in a building like a weak child.


"This is not over yet, hyur.  There is still one more I can sink my claws into.  And he is all by himself in Ul'Dah"

RE: Garston's Hunt - (attn: Driftwood Coast members) - BlessedSilence - 09-16-2013

Handing over the small package to the moogle, she gave the creature a pleasant smile before finding a seat in a shadowed corner.

The last few days were quite busy for her.  She hand found one of Kayle's dogs sniffing around too close to Garston's home, and made to lay a trail to pull him away.  It had worked, but she wanted to do more.

Her men gave her an excellent description of the dog, and she went about gathering a matching shirt and ring from the Immortal Flames he was seen wearing.  Finding a poor sod in an alley, she gave him coin to put the shirt on, then shot him through the heart with an arrow.  One had to make it look real.

Getting her men to dispose of the body, she put the bloodied shirt and ring in a package with a note.  And now she sat, waiting ...

And he came, the hyur striding to the moogle and opening the package.  She saw his reaction, and she smiled.  Oh how it felt to toy with the man.  She wanted to torture and break him, fit punishment for humiliating her so.

He turned down the street, and she followed at a safe distance.  When he sat down upon one of the many benches along the road, she found purchase on a bench hidden by foliage.

"He made a lovely scream when my arrow pierced his heart, you know.  Garston does not like filthy mongrels sniffing around his home."

She heard the air suck into his lungs before Kayle shouted "Show yourself!"

"And ruin the game?  There is no fun in that."

It took some time for him to find her, but she just sat there as he faced her, the bloodied shirt and ring clutched in his hands.  She smiled sweetly, taking in the waves of anger, desperation, and hatred that rolled off the man.

They had exchanged their usual pleasantries, with him giving his boring childish threats before walking off.  Stifling a yawn, she rose from the bench and made her way back to Garston's house.

She did not get far though as a figure blocked her path, then another.

"There she is!"

With a sigh, she turned to watch Kayle approach her and stand beside the two figures.  She recognised them both as being there when she was humiliated.

"More of your dogs, Kayle?"  A roll of her eyes as she sat on the bench behind her.  "Your master truly is a man of all words and no action."

It wasn't long as more people appeared, each having the stench of a Drifter on them.  But she did not mind, smiling when Kayle told of the items that belonged to Desmond Aryll he received in the mail.  Sounds of shock and anger escaped from them all, even a few sobs.

But every well laid out plan has a chance to be ruined, that saying made truth as one final robed figure appeared.  Pulling the hood down, a collective gasp was heard.

"Desmond?!"

"Hm ... and that trail to throw off your scent worked so well in the beginning."

The hyur pointed his finger at her chest "You will have to do better than that.  I got the information I came for and your disgusting ruse will not stop us from bringing you and that bastard down."

The crowd of Drifters moved closer, and even she knew when she was outnumbered.  Kayle sat to her one side, while the large highlander they called "Booker" sat to her other.  A part of her recognised the highlander, as she had met him none too recently at the Sands.

"What say you now, viper?  Your trick did not work.  We will be taking you with us and you will tell us where Garston is."

"Just a minute, Kayle.  I still owe her a drink.  Now don't go anywhere ..."

Booker handed her a flask with a smile and she took it.  Her nose wrinkled at the smell of whatever was in it, but what she noted was the heft and weight in her hand, and she smiled.

"Thank you."

Raising the flask as if to drink, her fingers moved quickly and she slammed the object onto Booker's forehead.  The sudden action caused enough chaos for her to break out between the group and bolt through the city, her goal was to get lost in the sands of Thanalan.

"After her!  Don't let her get away!"

Kayle's voice rang in her ears, and she smiled. The game was not over just yet.

RE: Garston's Hunt - (attn: Driftwood Coast members) - BlessedSilence - 09-17-2013

Garston relaxed in his home, a glass of the best wine gil could buy in one hand.  Bringing it to his lips, the pearl in his ear beeped and he growled.

"What is it?"

"Garston, the ruse did not work.  It held the dog off for only a time but Desmond appeared robed and hale."

The man sighed, swirling the liquid in the glass.  He heard the lacing of worry in Ophi's voice.  "Do not worry my dear.  I have one more trick up my sleeve.  Go to the Sands and ask Momo where Ashca is.  Then ..."

Garston grinned to himself.  It was all too easy.

"Tell Ashca to take my lost pet cat to his ... house.  He will know where it is and I want you to follow him.  Do not touch Asdrellia.  I have my own game to play with those bastard Drifters."

"As you say, Garston.  I will contact you when --"

"No.  Do what you see fit after the cat is taken.  I trust you to not disappoint me Ophi."

The smile could be heard as the elezen replied, "You will not be disappointed, love."

Garston closed the connection and relaxed once again in his chair, swirling the red liquid in the glass and taking a long sip.  It was a fine day indeed for this new game.


Ophi smiled down at the miqo'te that sat tied to the chair, his face already beaten and bruised.  Her men took pleasure in their work and it showed.

"Wakey wakey cat.  The fun is not over."

She nodded to her men and as one slapped Milo awake , the other continuing his work.  She reveled in the miqo'te screams, as well as the frantic cries over the pearl in her ear.  She kept Milo's pearl sitting on his lap so Kayle and the others could hear every single sound.

This went on for a wonderous time until Milo was able to slur part of where he was.  The anger built in her, and she dealt her own blow to the miqo'te chest, enough to break a rib or two.

"Now now, it is not nice to ruin the game, Milo."

But what was done was done.  Over the pearl she heard them talking, and knew they figured it out.  They were in a small part of the displaced Ala Mhigan camp.  She gave one of her men a signal.  He nodded, knowing what was planned.

The sun began to set as two pairs of heavy footfalls echoed in the cave.

"MILO!"

The cry heralded the coming of two men as they approached.  She recognized the one, Stone was his name? ... and the other ... yes, the one who was the mage .. Arry ...

"Look Milo, we have company ..."

The miqo'te raised his head enough to see who came, just as Ophi's man ran his knife along Milo's throat.  As the miqo'te slumped in the chair, she watched as the two readied their bow and spells, killing her men.   She on the other hand grasped the stone around her neck and focused on Ul'Dah, the stone whisking her away.



Garston smiled at the gathered group of Drifters in the Sands.  He laid out his hand to them all ...

"You have a choice.  You can save your cat and I take the girl, or you save Asdrellia and Milo dies.  Which is your choice?"

He could see they did not believe him.  Ophi's bluff before did not work with Desmond, which is true, but when Garston did his game, it was real.  No punches were pulled, no deceptions.  When he said someone would die, they did.

The doors of the Sands opened, and Ophianne walked in, the elezen grinning.  Coming to his side, she planted a kiss on Garston's cheek.

"All is done my dear."

"Hm, good good."  He raised his gaze to those before him.  "Well, it seems your choice was made.  I bid you all good night."

Taking Ophi's arm, he ushered them both from the Sands, not wanting to look back or dally too long.  They walked for a time through alleys and streets, the elezen knowing better than to ask questions right now.

Stopping before his house, Garston turned to face the woman.  "Well?"

"Milo is dead.  Seems the ones called Stone and Arry heard what Milo slurred over the pearl."

Garston growled, not because the miqo'te was dead, but it did ruin what he wanted to do.  Yet it all did come out well in the end.  Grabbing Ophi roughly, he grinned and pulled her close.

"It seems you did not disappoint me, my dear.  I think that means a fitting reward, do you not."

Ophi raised a brow slightly.  "Are you asking me to your bedchambers?"

"I do not ask, Ophi.  I take what I want."

RE: Garston's Hunt - (attn: Driftwood Coast members) - BlessedSilence - 09-18-2013

Ophi sat in her usual spot among the ruins of Thanalan, staring up at the quiet, night sky.  The last few days had been full of enough excitement, her blood still pumping from it all.  A cool breeze whipped through her hair and clothes as she let out a sigh.

"Hello, bitch."

The words startled her out of her thoughts and she spun around on the fallen pillar.

"How ... where did you come from?!"

No one knew of this place.  Ophi stood, grabbing the bow off her back.  It felt good to have the wood in her hands once more as she nocked an arrow on the string.

"Oh put tha' away.  Won't do you no good."

She moved as Arry began to circle her, a flame dancing in his hand.

"How did you find me?!?!"

He just laughed at her shrieking, and flicked the flame to the side.  The bushes and dried material caught fire and spread quickly around them.

"What are you doing?  You'll kill us both!"

"Oh no.  See, you're tha' one that's gonna die 'ere, bitch.  But very slowly.  Very.  Slowly."

Ophi raised her bow and let loose an arrow at his heart.  The wood caught flame in the shield of flame that swirled around him, and fell to the ground in ashes.

"It will do ye no good.  Now be a good bitch and lay down!"

The blast of heat struck her in the chest, knocking her off her feet.  She hit the ground hard, the material of her tunic burnt away, her skin blistered and sore.

"Twelve take you!  Are you insane?"

It was so painful to stand, but she did anyway, firing another volley of arrows at the hyur.  There was very little space to move, as everywhere flames licked at both their heels and singed their clothes.  But he never faltered as the arrows burned to ashes as they struck his shield.

"Please ... wait .. don't .. don't do this!  I will give you anything!.  Gil, women ..."

The words spilled from her mouth as the hyur growled, sending fire towards her once more, the flames licking and consuming the bow she held.  She screamed, her hands engulfed in flames, falling to the ground once more.

"Nothing you do will e'er bring Milo back!  You tortured 'im ta death, and I will do tha same to you!"

Her screams rang out through the Thanalan desert, gathered and taken across the sand by the wind.  No one knew how long they lasted, but many swear it was for many bells before they stopped.

As for Arry, he stood over the unrecognizable form of the elezen on the ground, before moving his hands to engulf the corpse in another ball of flames.  He did not stop until it was rendered into ashes and swept away in the wind.



Show Content


RE: Garston's Hunt - (attn: Driftwood Coast members) - doctorgalactic - 09-18-2013

[Image: FclBAJA.jpg]


RE: Garston's Hunt - (attn: Driftwood Coast members) - BlessedSilence - 09-19-2013

Asdrellia sat in her old room ...

It had been days since she watched Milo's body float down the water in what her friends call "Milo's Rest" ...

A plate of food sat untouched nearby ...

A knock came at her door and she bade them enter ...

"Asdrellia.  You haven't touched your food."

"I am not hungry, Brother E-Sumi.  I'm s-sorry."

"Ah, there is nothing to be sorry about.  But even in such times you cannot neglect your own health."

The boy ... no ... man ... walked to sit next to her on her bed ...

"I have seen you daily in the gardens, Asdrellia."

"Yes, I was hoping ... the elementals c-could bring me comfort.  I do not know where else to t-turn."

Brother E-Sumi smiled ...

"What about your friends?  Even though they go through trials and pain of their own after Milo's death, grieving alone is never the right answer."

The man placed a hand on her shoulder ...

"It is all part of Nature, child.  We all are born to it, live and grow within it, and will one day return to it.  You teachings as a conjuror have taught you that."

"Yes, Brother E-Sumi.  I know.  B-But I feel so helpless.  They all are ready to p-protect me with their lives.  So many have g-gotten hurt because of me."

"Yes, they are brave and wonderful friends indeed."

The man became lost in thought for a time, before excusing himself to go and write something out on a piece of parchment ...

"Take this to Ul'Dah, Asdrellia.  There, look for the one written on this letter.  Speak to him and see if some time there will assist in what you seek."

Taking the letter, she looked up to Brother E-Sumi who had already closed the door to her room behind him ...

"Well.  It c-cannot hurt to take a l-look."

RE: Garston's Hunt - (attn: Driftwood Coast members) - BlessedSilence - 09-20-2013

A light breeze blew in through the window of the house in Gridania.  A hand moved to keep the candles from blowing out.

"A beautiful night tonight, isn't it my dear?"  The lady elezen smiled, lifting her spoon to her mouth.  Her husband gave a light grunt, moving his hand from the candles and picked up his own utensil.

"Father, if it bothers you so, then close the window."

"It's fine, child.  If I did, your mother would just open them again."  The man smiled to his children, though they were much older and taller to be seen as such.

"Mother, have you been to the markets lately?  I heard Madame Posstrone has imported new silks from Ul'Dah!"

"Bah, I am more interested in the weapons from there.  An edge so sharp, it would slice through leather and steel!"

"Enough you two.  We shall go to the markets tomorrow afternoon and see with our own eyes!"  The elder elezen laughed as he lifted his glass of wine to his lips.

Just then, the door to the dining chambers opened, and their butler entered, a silver tray laying in his palm with a letter and pouch upon it.

"Forgive the intrusion, Master Rillemont, but this has just arrived for you."

The master of the house nodded, picking up the letter and opened it.  His eyes scanned over the words as his expression became more grave.

"What is wrong, dear?"   "What is wrong, father?"

The rest of the family chimed in their concerns as the elder elezen slumped in his chair.

"They said my eldest daughter is dead ... murdered ..."

The three at the table gasped, the women bursting to tears.

"How did this happen, father.  Who did this?  I will find them and make them pay!"

Master Rillemont smiled weakly towards his son, proud of the man he had become.

"Witnesses say a cloaked man cornered Ophianne while she was resting after a day of working in Ul'Dah.  This ... creature ... beat her near to death before slitting her throat."  His words trailed off as his voice wavered.  "Master Hext sends us his condolences and the rest ... rest of Ophianne's pay to help us through ..."

"I will find this person, father.  I swear on this!"

Another breeze came through the window on the cool, Gridanian night, but this time, there was no hand to shield the flames as they flickered out one by one.

RE: Garston's Hunt - (attn: Driftwood Coast members) - BlessedSilence - 09-20-2013

It had taken many days for Asdrellia to gather the courage to return to Ul'Dah.  She dared not ask anyone to come with her for fear of them being recognized.  Instead, she wore the most plain robe she could find, the material covering her body quite well.

Taking out the letter again, it had the name Wolkan on the front.  It didn't sound familiar, so she carefully asked around until she was pointed to the Gladiator's Arena.

Stepping into the large area, she gasped.  Men and women both were grappling each other, sparring in a small square, or striking their weapons against wooden figures.  She had seen nothing like that in her years in the conjurers tower, and was unsure what to do.

"Can I help you, miss?"

A voice startled her from her thoughts, as she spun to face a man behind a counter.  He grinned at her and she blushed, thrusting out the letter haphazardly.  The man raised a brow with an 'Eh?', flipping the letter over in his hands.

"Hm, a letter for me?"

Tearing it open, the man scanned the contents and sighed.  "Well well.  Brother E-Sumi believes you could use a tour of the Arena and meet Mylla.  Very well, this way."

Stepping around the counter, Wolkan took Asdrellia gently by the elbow and steered her towards the chaos.  "This is our place where we ply our trade.  Brother E-Sumi commented that you were upset you could not protect your friends like they do you.  I assure you, here you will learn to protect yourself and anyone else in your care."

He then steered her up some steps and towards a woman clad in armor.  She shouted and motioned to the men and women beneath her that were sparring.  When Wolkan and Asdrellia stepped up, the woman turned.

"Wolkan!  Any reason you are interrupting afternoon training?  Hm?  Who is this?"

The armored woman looked at Asdrellia, a frown on her face.  Wolkan just smiled, handing the woman the letter in his hand.

"Miss, this is Mylla, our guildmaster.  She has seen many battles over the years and I am sure can help you."

"So, Brother E-Sumi wants to have you train to become a gladiator, eh?"

"W-Well he suggested it --"

"Wolkan!  Get this woman a set of training leathers and a weapon.  Let's see if she knows which end you stick into the training dummy.  We will then go from there."

Mylla spun back to those below her, going back to shouting and motioning.  Wolkan chuckled, steering Asdrellia once again towards the back area of the arena.

"Here, let's get you suited up.  And don't mind Mylla.  If she didn't think you were worth the time, she would have had me throw you out."

RE: Garston's Hunt - (attn: Driftwood Coast members) - BlessedSilence - 09-22-2013

The armor felt so strange ....

It was light, but heavy ....

Nothing like wearing cloth ...

"Very good!  It's fits you well Asdrellia."

Wolkan smiled at her then went over to a worn chest, opening the lid.

"Hm ... something perfect for you.  Let's see ..."

The man mumbled to himself as he scanned the contents of the chest.  Finally, he stood, holding a weapon.

"This a gladius.  You will find many gladiators wielding this weapon some time in their lives.  Think of it bigger than a dagger but smaller than a long sword.  Here ..."

Holding the pommel out to Asdrellia, he motioned for her to take it.  Reaching out, she gripped the gladius as he let go.

So different than a staff ...

She could sense the many people who held this weapon before ....

"It is blunt, so don't worry about cutting yourself, but it will make one hell of a bruise if you hit yourself with it."

Wolkan motioned for her to follow him over to the wooden training dummies.

"Now, I am going to teach you the basics of how to stand and to swing your gladius.  Ready to learn?"

Asdrellia nodded, her stomach in knots.

"Y-Yes ..."

RE: Garston's Hunt - (attn: Driftwood Coast members) - BlessedSilence - 09-24-2013

Brother and sister stood with their parents and butler at the grave of Ophianne Rillemont.  It was elaborately made, stone and lacquered wood in a towering mausoleum shaped building.  Flowers were engraved in the wood and stone, and a nameplate made of bronze sat upon the door.

As the parents moved away, the brother and sister remained there with their butler as the wind picked up, sending a cool breeze of flowers into the air around them.

"Such a shame.  And Miss Ophianne had so much to live for."

"Oh they will pay, mark my words."

"As you say, Master Rendafel."

The young elezen said nothing, her eyes fixated upon her older sister's resting spot.  Her brother wrapped his arm around her thin shoulders.

"Come sister, let us away from this place to somewhere else.  I have much to plan and do in the upcoming days."

"Oh.  Of course, brother."

She allowed him to steer her away from the grave, though she looked over her shoulder one last time.

Their butler frowned, following his young wards.  When it was a matter of the Rillemont family, all interests must be protected. His mind worked as the three walked down the stone path,

RE: Garston's Hunt - (attn: Driftwood Coast members) - BlessedSilence - 09-24-2013

The sound of metal striking wood ...

"Excellent!  And again!"

A grunt, metal striking wood yet again ...

"Well done, Asdrellia!  I think you need a rest though."  Wolkan smiled, laying a hand on Asdrellia's shoulder.

"I think s-so as well."

She had been practicing for most of the day, Wolkan teaching and guiding her.  Her arms felt heavy and her back hurt.  But she gave a little smile at the compliment.

"Rest yourself.  We will continue tomorrow.  But you have gotten the thrust down quickly.  Swinging ... well, we will practice more."  Wolkan chuckled.  "No offense, but you look like you are trying to swat a fly away."

"I am s-sorry --"

Wolkan waved a hand as he led her through the streets of Ul'Dah, and back to the Sands.  "It's fine.  It will take time but I believe you are honest in what you say, and you will become strong enough."

Asdrellia nodded, the pair stopping outside her room.

"Brother E-Sumi bade me remind you to not leave your room while here.  It is on the fifth floor so none but a bird could reach you through the window.  Now, eat, rest, and I will see you on the morrow."  Wolkan bowed, turning on a heel and left her to put key in lock and enter her room.

Her whole body felt like lead as she removed the armor, leaving it in a pile on the floor.  She was sweaty, dirty, and felt horrible.

"P-Perhaps a nice bath ..."

Turning to go behind the divider, Asdrellia went about pouring water into the tub, unaware of a large bird perched on the sill of her open window.  Large black eyes moved as it scanned the room ...

RE: Garston's Hunt - (attn: Driftwood Coast members) - BlessedSilence - 09-25-2013

The two sat in Ophianne's room, Rendafel searching through his older sister's belongings.  They had entered when their parents were out on a shopping trip, though they both knew it was to find their contacts in the city and ask questions on what happened.

"I know it is around here somewhere."

"What is, brother?"

Rendafel sighs, leaning on the wooden dresser he was rummaging through.  "I know Anne did more than just 'work' for Mister Hext.  I once saw her in the yard at night practicing her aim with a bow on our old silverwood trees."  He pulled open another drawer, then quickly shut it, cheeks tinging red ... he had found his older sister's undergarment drawer.

"Have you tried looking under the bed?"  Brother looked to sister quizzically, and she just smiled, pointing to the space under the bed upon which she sat.  Getting to his knees, Rendafel leaned down and reached one arm out, blindly searching.

"Ah!  I think I found something."

He pulled out a long box by the handle.  It was made of a deep wood slightly shorter than the length of the bed and no more than three ilms high.  There were no visible latches or locks, and Rendafel frowned.

"How are we supposed to open this?"

"I believe I can assist with that, Master Rendafel."

The twins nearly jumped out of their skin, startled by their butler's sudden presence.

"Ah!  You startled us, Barnabaix.  Do you know how to open this box?"

The old elezen nodded, coming over and taking a knee next to Rendafel, laid both hands on top of the box, and pressed down.  A small click was heard as the top lifted slightly.

"Unbelieveable!"  The sister gasped, watching her brother lift up the lid and gaze inside.