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Roen · **10-13-2014, 11:55 AM**

((The events of this thread follow the story arc from here and here.))

Jameson Taeros kept his expression neutral; one would never know, simply by looking at him, the displeasure he held behind his slight smile. His eyes went lazily from his sleeves, where he scanned absently for dust on his pristine white doublet, back to the two Brass Blades standing across the desk in front of him. They shifted their stances often, their anxiety making them fidget.

"So tell me again, why you did not bring this to my attention earlier," Jameson said slowly. He still smiled, but his words held a vexed edge to them.

The Midlander Blade named Raffe swallowed and looked askance at the Highlander next to him. When Louvel did not catch his pointed look, Raffe sighed, shoulder sagging. "Well, Mister Taeros..." He cleared his throat. "It was just a confiscated wagon that was taken. I mean, it was to an ex-Blade after all, so we didn't really think it was anything worth...reporting."

"And the affair at the mines? You recall it. It involved missing supplies, dead bandits, and one of your own compatriots," Jameson added with a barely patient drawl.

The Highlander cleared his throat and spoke. "Well, ser. We took care oâ€™ the Flame Inspector that came by, and he agreed not to report anythinâ€™...so we...uh, we thought that was taken care of."

Jameson slowly arched a brow. "A Flame Inspector."

Raffe shot the Highlander a glare then straightened. â€œAye, ser. He asked about what happened, and once we told him Deneithâ€™s name, he just left us be.â€

â€œHe did leave rather quickly after learning her name. I thought sheâ€™d be arrested by now,â€ Louvel shrugged.

Jameson narrowed his eyes. â€œWhat did he look like?â€

As both Raffe and Louvel began to describe this Immortal Flame Inspector, the noble tapped his gloved finger against his arm. A Midlander male with a well-trimmed beard and a scar over one eyeâ€¦who happened to recognize Deneithâ€™s name. Jameson could count on one hand the possible number of suspects that it could have been.

Actually, he only needed one finger.

Melkire never did know when to back off.

He narrowed his eyes, recalling that the investigation into Ser Bestenâ€™s murder never got as far as he had hoped. The Flame Sergeant was still meddling into affairs he should not be.

Jameson waved the rest of the explanation off, dismissing the two Blades. He glanced with a nod to the man standing by the door, who then beckoned a raven-haired Highlander woman to enter. She was dressed in her usual colorful layers; billowing sleeves and draped skirts, with anklets and bracelets jingling to herald her arrival.

"Miss Callae, I have an assignment for you." The noble did not waste any time, although he did afford her a pleasant smile in greeting. Smiles were important.

Brynnalia Callae sauntered up to the desk and hooked one leg onto it, halfway sitting on the edge. She rested her chin on her bare tanned shoulders to smile at him. "What is it?" Her tone always carried with it some suggestion of challenge, or even playfulness. It was like a constant quiet melody around the woman, either intended to ease or arouse others' attention. Jameson always made note of it.

"I need you to return to Limsa Lominsa. You have a history of service with the Maelstrom, yes?" Taeros leaned back on his chair, lacing his gloved fingers together on his lap.

The Highlander woman arched a slender brow. "Aye. Why am I returnin' tae the coast? Ye tired o' me already?" Her smirk remained as she leaned closer to him teasingly.

"Not at all, dear," he curled his lips cordially. "I am getting you a promotion, as matter of fact. You are going to become an officer."

Brynnalia canted her head and answered him with a saucy grin. "I always did look good in red."

"You will look ravishing, I am certain. And the rank will afford you resources to look into some rumors of piracy. I need a man found. Nero Lazarov."

"I'll have tae dig up my contacts, I've not been back in over a cycle."

"You will not be working alone. Matter of fact, you will be assisting dear Natalie, Ser Mcbeef of the Sultansworn. She is heading up the efforts. She will be recruiting other Maelstorm agents, I am certain."

"A Sultansworn? And more Maelstorm? Just tae find one man?" Her green eyes narrowed; the bard was truly curious now, her flirtatiousness faded as swiftly as the wind changed.

Jameson inhaled, letting a pause fall between them. "He is one troublesome pirate, to me and to my employers. Therefore to all of Ul'dah." The noble arched a brow in answer to the look of disinterest on the Highlander. She cared not for politics or even the welfare of the Jewel. He gestured vaguely into the air. "I want him found, that is all you need to know. I intend to call upon some old acquaintances as well. I hope you do not mind working with Miss Grimsong again."

The woman flicked a hard look at him. Her easy smile had faded completely. "We never worked together, she and I."

The noble nodded ever so patiently. The topic of her past with the Resistance was still hot rod he could prod her with every now and then. "I am certain both of you will do your best to remain of the utmost professional toward each other," Jameson drawled.

Brynnalia shrugged and looked elsewhere almost as if bored. The woman was never cowed by him. "Anythin' else I should know?" she asked tersely.

"Yes. You will likely be working with Ser Crofte as well. She and Natalie are close."

That brought the woman's attention back to him. "Crofte? Ye courtin' all the Sworns now?" She almost sounded impressed.

Jameson did not bother to answer that. "I know you know her well enough. I am certain she will not like a few of my plans, but she will comply with what needs to be done, in the end. If it is for the best of Ul'dah."

"Oich," Brynn snorted, rolling her eyes. "Iffin' ye wish. If bringin' one pirate down be so important, why not just get the Flames on it?"

"Because they are short sighted. They do not see Lazarov coming. They care for the safety of the Jewel, not for her prosperity. That is where I come in, my dear. My employers and I, we like to ensure that the gil continues to flow, and in an inwardly manner. This pirate wants to choke off our imports through the seas. That will not do." His eyes locked on the Highlander, sudden intensity in his amber gaze. "I intend to do whatever is necessarily to ensure the end of his interference."

Callae met his gaze soberly for a moment before lifting another smirk. "Ye be the boss." She slid off the desk, standing to straighten the ruffle of her fabrics. "Anythin' else?"

"Tread carefully in Limsa. Merlwyb does not tolerate violation of her rule. We will need to find Lazarov quietly without undue escalation of these matters."

"And if he does escalate things?" Brynn arched a brow.

"It could be war." Jameson said simply, the words hanging heavily in the air.

It was a breath's pause before Brynnalia broke the tension again with a dismissive click of her tongue. "Oich. I've seen war on me homeland. I ain't a stranger tae it. But it don' mean I welcome it either." She splayed out her fingers, as if to examine her nails. "I prefer the easy life."

She turned for the door, then glanced halfway over her shoulder to the noble. "I guess we better find this Lazarov then, before he be bringin' a storm down upon us."

Roen · **10-13-2014, 04:29 PM**

Kahn'a Od'hilkas and Anelia Sadowyn:

An Immortal Flame Lieutenant and a Sultansworn who bore witness to Daegsatzâ€™s execution.

Natalie Mcbeef:

Roen's former mentor--and the miqo'te woman who wielded the blade that ended the Sea Wolfâ€™s life.

Roen had stormed out of the gaols once she had collected herself, armed with the three names given to her by Ser Jojon. Her emotions burned with rage and the pit of her stomach was twisted with indignation. She needed answers. She needed justification. Something. Anything.

It was less than half a bell before the Flame Lieutenant answered her call, approaching her with a weary look. "I heard the word, Ser Deneith." He wore a small frown, but his attention seemed to be elsewhere. "How can this one assist you?"

Roen had no pleasantries to exchange. Her fists were curled into tight balls by her side, her eyes were blazing. "Ser Od'hilkas," his title was spoken in a clipped tone. "Is it true? Did you witness Daegsatz Traggblansynâ€™s execution in the gaols?"

"Indeed. I had requested to come observe the interrogation, I walked away with a bad taste in my mouth." His expression was distant, with a hint of displeasure at the edge of his lips. He did not seem to note her ire just yet.

"What were the charges? Was there a trial?" The paladin seethed, just barely keeping control of her voice. "Tell me there was a trial. Tell me there was just cause.â€ Roen tightened her fists even more to keep herself from shaking. "Tell me something because you were there, and you stood witness to a good man's death."

Kahnâ€™a sighed, avoiding her gaze. "Smuggling, murder...I don't remember it all, but 'tis what she called upon to prove the rightness of her action."

"Natalie." She spat the name out like it was poison. "Natalie had the charges?"

"So she did. I had half a mind to protest, but it wasn't my place to do so. Meddling into the 'sworn affairs was also risky, I couldn't risk further."

"You are a Flame!" Her voice rose quickly. "You are to look to the welfare of the people as much as any Sworn! Why did she evenâ€¦â€ Roen laid a hand on her forehead, frowning. â€œWhen did she start taking it upon herself to execute smugglers? He was no threat to the Sultana!" She turned from him, taking a step away then spinning back back around. â€œWere there conditions? Anything? Did she just go in and execute him without a word?"

The Flame Lieutenant regarded her oddly, a look that held unspoken curiosity. "They talked. She threatened to harm if he showed reluctance to cooperate. She never spoke of execution bef-- before it happened.â€

â€œWhat cooperation?â€

â€œShe wanted to know where his boat was sailing, his latest quarries. I'm unsure why those activities rose her interest, and she was trying to be thorough. And the Roegadyn tried to say as little as he could."

â€œWhose boats,â€ Roen said icily.

Kahn'a rubbed his forehead in weariness. "I know not. Look, this is probably one of the worst suns to ask me about this. Mind's busy with other matters, and like I said, I was merely observing."

"She killed him because he did not give up information on--" Roen began then paused, her brow twitching. "Oh forgive me, ser Od'hilkas. Obviously witnessing an execution must have been a burden for you!â€ She was unleashing all her vitriol at him, for he was the only one she had found--the only one she could lay the blame on at this moment for not stopping what she herself could not.

â€œI should just go to the source myself,â€ she stared angrily at nothing in particular. â€œExcept I know the source. I know the violence she is capable of. I now know she has no heart. But I would have hoped that at least others there with her could have tempered it!"

Lietenant Od'hilkas looked straight at her, miserable eyes set upon her beset face. "Why is it to me you're asking those questions? Tha-- That woman, she's done things I had headaches trying to understand the reasoning of. Why is it striking such distress into you?"

Roen stared at him hard. Kahn'a Od'hilkas, he was the Immortal Flame that Osric had named that could be trusted. He was part of the justice system that she had defended to Nero with fervor. "I am asking you, because you were there. You could have stopped it. You stood witness. I trusted...I trusted someone in our justice system to not see a good man die."

"Tell me then, how was I to know that man was good without time granted to open a case on his account? She came with believable claims, and again, I was there to observe."

The paladin had no answer. She just wanted this wrong to have never happened. "He did not deserve that fate."

"Who did not deserve that fate?"

Both Roen and Kahnâ€™a turned to notice the blonde Hyur paladin standing there, just a few fulms away. Anelia Sadowyn regarded them with her usual cool glare.

"Ser Sadowyn. Ser Deneith seemed to be informed of the demise the captive met, at Ser Mcbeef's sword,â€ the Flame Lieutenant answered the woman, his tone dour.

â€œBoth of you stood witness as she slit someone's throat without due process,â€ Roen growled at both of them. â€œThis. This is why I will not return to the Order."

"I was just an observer, but I have written full reports about Ser Mcbeef's actions,â€ Anelia said matter-of-factly, no regret evident in her visage. â€œHowever, I also am taking up the case of Nero Lazarus while Mcbeef is chasing it too."

Roenâ€™s eyes narrowed. She did not bother to correct the woman on the name. Why should she? â€œThere is no case.â€

"...Roen, the man is a smuggler."

"Why the sudden interest in a merchant from Limsa, smuggler or no? This city is full of smugglers! He is no longer even here! Natalie chased him out with threats of violence!" Her voice quickly rose. "And still she executed his first mate!"

Kahnâ€™a frowned deeply then sighed. "Not my affairs, I'm not privy to the reasons that pushed her to do that. I'm not your man for this case, Ser Deneith."

"No." Roenâ€™s tone was bitter, flat. Cold. There was only resentment that lingered as she gazed upon the Miqoâ€™te Flame. "I suppose not."

The Lieutenantâ€™s own expression became sullen. "When you've settled, Ser Deneith, you know where to find me. Mayhaps we can make some sense out of this,â€ he said quietly as he walked away.

"Roen,â€ Anelia said cooly, stepping in front of the paladin. â€œWould you believe me if I am actually trying to stop Natalie?â€

She paused with a grim set to her brows. â€œShe means to kill Nero."

Roen · **10-14-2014, 12:01 PM**

Anelia Sadowyn. A Sultansworn who had taken up the mantle of being her mentor when Roen had first come to Ulâ€™dah, along with Erik Mynhier. She was the same woman who accused Erik of practicing the dark arts, then dismissed herself as a mentor only to disappeared for countless moons pursuing her own agenda. When she finally returned, she beheaded a man in cold-blood in front of Roen and Kage, claiming that the man was possessed by a voidsent.

Roen stared at the Sultansworn standing in front of her with wariness. Where once she had looked upon her as mentor and trusted friend, she now only saw Anelia as unpredictable and violent. Her eyes narrowed.

"I thought to gather some information from you about Lazarus, but apparently if I don't have any leads...then Mcbeef will take the case." Anelia rubbed her forehead, frowning.

"Do not try and manipulate me for information on a man that is no longer even here.â€ Roen glared at the woman. â€œNor should he be a concern for the Sworns." She stared off down the street where the Flame had disappeared to. "I will deal with Natalie myself."

Anelia sighed. "Very well. Then I will personally gather information myself and apprehend Nero on my own."

That made Roen spin back towards the Hyur. â€œFor what?! What has he done that you or Natalie to pursue him?"

"Perhaps that is the only way that I can keep Natalie from cutting his throat."

â€œNatalie will do no such thing." Roen gritted her teeth.

â€œHe has the Monetarist's attention. So I need to keep him under my watch before they have his head."

â€œYou leave him alone, Anelia.â€ Roen shook her head. â€œDo not further this corrupted fiasco even more so. Just because he has the eyes of the Monestarists does not mean you need to arrest or pursue the man. That logic is flawed beyond reason. It is what got Daegsatz killed, in a Sworn gaol." She felt heat rising within again even at the mere mention of the Sea Wolfâ€™s name. â€œYou think he is safe under your watch?"

"Better with me than Natalie."

Roen scowled. â€œI thought Daegsatz was safe under our watch. I thought he would get the due process. No. You and a Flame that I thought to trust just watched him get executed."

"Natalie told me that the man was a criminal sentenced for death, and it is not my business.â€ Her tone remained calm. â€œSo I did not intervene."

"Do not use Natalie for an excuse of your vigilante justice,â€ Roen spat back at her, her outrage unwavering. â€œLeave. Nero. Alone."

Aneliaâ€™s face suddenly contorted with anger without warning, as she yanked off her gauntlet and slapped Roen hard across the face. "You idiot! Look at yourself! You can't even tell who's on who's side! I didn't even know what was going on until now, so I was looking for you so that I could stop Natalie. But how dare you speak to me like that!? I am your friend!"

Her head had snapped to the side from the blow, but the paladin stood stalk still. Roen slowly turned back to Anelia, her expression stony. Her cheek burned, but she did not care.

"I have no reason to point a sword at you!â€ Anelia continued to shout, seemingly desperate for the younger woman to understand. â€œWe've been together since you were under Erik's supervision! I care about your safety and your wishes for your friends."

Roen just shook her head coldly. "You have not been my friend since you left. Since you accused Erik of whatever you accused him of. Now you return out of nowhere, and you stand witness to a good man's death. And then you ask me for information on another?" She seethed. â€œAnd if I do not give that information, you turn the case over to Natalie. Who you just said would go after Nero's life, without any justification. Just as she did Daegsatz. Tell me. Tell me how I am supposed to trust you.â€

"I did not know that the man was innocent, Roen,â€ Anelia sighed, remorse finally sagging her shoulders. â€œI just deferred to Natalie's judgement. I am sorry."

"Apologies do not bring him back!!" Roen voice cracked as she shouted at the older Hyur.

"...I am sorry."

"He..." Roen paused, to stop herself from shaking. She quickly brushed her warm cheek with her hand. â€œI am done talking to you. I am going to go fine Natalie and settle this."

â€œEven though it is too late to save a good man, I have a chance to stop this from spilling more blood,â€ Anelia pleaded.

"I am not turning over Nero. Nor am I sharing anything about him. Stop asking me,â€ Roen growled through gritted teeth.

Anelia inhaled deeply, her head bent. â€œIf that's the case, you'd be making yourself an accomplice to him. Are you going that far for this man? Whatever the reports Natalie has against him has stronger favor, Roen. The next accomplice after that executed man is you.â€

The Swornâ€™s threats did not register. Roen simply could not fathom any more violence being visited upon people she cared for. She stood rigid. â€œI will not help you find Nero. He will not be brought back to the gaols like Daegsatz was.â€

â€œIt doesn't matter. You don't want to cooperate with my offer to help you, then that is your choice. But, I can't stop Natalie either without any vital evidence. You can seek for me if you need help." Anelia sounded defeated as she turned away from her. â€œTake care, Roen."

Roen stood in the middle of the thoroughfare as Anelia walked away. The rest of the throng of Ulâ€™dahns carried on about their day, as if nothing was amiss. A few gave the paladin a passing look, for Roen had not bothered to keep her words quiet nor calm. But she did not care. The fury within her still burned. She could not even fathom the thought of bringing this news to Nero. For her to think of him nowâ€¦it would break whatever control she had managed to regain after the gaols. She could not face him. Not yet.

No. She would find Natalie first.

Roen · **10-14-2014, 05:57 PM**

"What have you done?!"

Roen slammed both her hands on the table, rattling the steaming mug that sat dangerously close to a scattered array of documents. Natalie Mcbeef just looked up at her with cold green eyes, unaffected by the raised tone of the Hyur woman who stood in front of her at the table in Bismarck. The afternoon sea breeze felt especially chilly as it whistled between the two women who once thought of each other as Shield Sisters.

â€œI guess Nero didn't take my advice.â€ Natalie picked up the mug, setting it atop the pile of documents as to weigh them against the winds. â€œI asked Nero to cut things off with you and leave the city. Thatâ€™s all.â€

"And then you executed his First Mate.â€ Roen struggled to keep her voice under control.

"He was a pirate after all. What did you think would happen?" Natalie shrugged. "Even Nero didn't ask about him. It was cruel to keep him in there anyway.â€

"Do NOT make light of this, Natalie!!" Roen gave her a look of disbelief, slamming a fist against the table again. A few of the other patrons turned from their conversations at their tables, disapproving glance thrown her way. The paladin cared not.

"Roen..." Natalie drummed her fingers on the table, looking at her in an almost amused way."The man was a pirate, a smuggler, and a murderer. Do you deny any of those facts?"

"So are half the privateers in Limsa." Roen gritted her teeth. "The only reason Daegsatz was targeted is because his Captain targeted the Monetarists. Tell me that is not true. Tell me that they had nothing to do with his execution."

â€œUlâ€™dah killed Daegsatz, Roen. I merely swung the blade.â€ The Sworn rolled her eyes, then rested her gaze back onto the younger woman. "Do you want to know the real reason?" She raised a finger and pointed at her. "You started this Roen. You and your foolâ€™s quest for revenge."

When Roen stiffened, Natalie took up her mug and took a sip of the warm drink as if to let her point sink in. â€œDon't blame me for what happens, when you've stirred up things that should have been left well enough alone."

Roen stared at the Sworn, incredulous. "My fault." She paused tilting her head. "Because I sought out the truth?"

"Would any of this had happened if you hadn't?"

The paladin narrowed her eyes. "I--"

She bowed her gaze, looking to her hands that closed into a fist. Natalie had struck close to home. A part of her did blame herself for Daegsatzâ€™ arrest and imprisonment. And she had failed to free him in time. But she was not going to let Natalie shed her own blame in this. â€œSo what. I am supposed to close my eyes? Turn the other way? Ignore everything that feels so wrong just so I keep the status quo?!"

For a moment, Natalie looked upon her with a softened gaze and a tired smile."What is the symbol of Ul'dah, who is our patron god? Naldâ€™Thal. Many others have tried to alter the balance of the scale, but the Twins always correct it."

â€œIt does not have to be that way. You need not just accept the weight of the suffering as long as it is counterbalanced by prosperity. That is wrong, Natalie."

"Well keep going Roen, keep trying,â€ Natalie shook her head with feigned patience. "Maybe when Nero lies dead we'll talk again, perhaps your viewpoint will have changed.â€ She paused for an effect, then flicked her glance back at her former apprentice. â€œOr you could just stop this now..."

Roen frowned deeply, locking gaze with the Sworn. "Why are you intent on his life??"

"Because of what you're doing. If you touch fire, Roen, don't blame it when you get burned." Natalie leaned back with her best tolerant look on her face, then she suddenly laughed. â€œBut you're never the one who gets burned, are you? So perhaps you'll never learn that lesson."

"How could you even say that to me,â€ Roen growled, â€œafter all you have done.â€

Natalieâ€™s cold expression did not waver. "Whatever you suffered, you still came out of it with your ideals and you precious virtue unscathed. Some of us were not so fortunate. Some of us had to bend.â€ Her green eyes narrowed, laced with bitterness. â€œSome of us had to shed whatever righteousness we had left, all to do what was necessary. Some of us had to make deals with the devil for you. So donâ€™t you dare cast your judgement upon me. I forged those deals because of you, and I am now better and wiser for it. Whereas you? For all that I did, here you are, trying to destroy all that I have worked for.â€

Roen blinked, staring, eyes wide at Natalieâ€™s sudden vitriol. She was only answered with another slowly curled grin from the Miqoâ€™te--a smile that did not reach her eyes.

â€œWhatever you seek to gain from this, I hope it's worth it." Natalieâ€™s voice returned to its condescending tone. "Because whatever happens, I'm going to ensure you survive it, Roen. Letâ€™s see how much of your virtue stands intact then as you see all the violence you have wrought around you. This is the price for your righteousness.â€

Roen could only continue to stare. The paladin no longer recognized the woman seated across the table from her. Was this the same person who had taken her in as an apprentice when she had nowhere else to go? The one who had risked her life to save hers, multiple times over? She did not see any hint of compassion in the Miqoâ€™teâ€™s ruthless green gaze. No hint of that laughter they used to share so many moons ago. Nor the warmth the Sworn had shown in her times of distress.

"Natalie. Whyâ€¦?â€ Roen's voice was a rasp. Her tongue felt like it was coated in sandpaper.

The Miqot'e's shrug was careless. "I could ask you the same question."

"Because I believe I can make a difference." The paladin straightened, her voice steadying with determination. "Because I believe those I am fighting for deserve someone to try."

Natalie let out a laugh, waving a hand dismissively. "Well, do your best Roen. Like I said it's not you thatâ€™s getting burned. Itâ€™s Nero I want. You just get to watch."

Roen narrowed her eyes dangerously. "If you are going after Nero, you will have to go through me."

"Ah...heroics." Natalie clucked her tongue then let out a sigh. â€œThis will do you no good. It isnâ€™t just me hunting him. I suspect that Nero is behind more raids on the seas than I can yet prove. And the fact that heâ€™s smuggled drugs and Garlean weaponry into our city-state...I can easily argue that he will do the same to Limsa Lominsa. The Maelstrom and Yellowjackets will, at that point, lend assistance in any way they can.â€

Roenâ€™s mind began to race. The Sworns were in Limsa to hunt Nero, and they were recruiting the Lominsan law enforcement. This did not bode well for him.

â€œAn example must be made.â€ Natalie broke the silence between them. â€œOur merchant shipping is not an open target to Limsa. For this alliance to survive there must be an example made if someone goes too far." The Sworn leaned back, crossing her arms with a smirk. "Nero will be that example."

Roen felt herself grow cold. There would be no reconciliation. Even after Daegsatzâ€™s execution, there had remained some small flame that burned within--a distant glowing ember of hope that Natalie could be turned away from this course set by the Monetarists, or that she might find even a glimpse of remorse in her eyes. It was clear now that those were impossible wishes. Any faith the paladin had hoped to rekindle was now fully extinguished, leaving nothing but a dead grey taste akin to ash in her mouth.

Roen shook her head, giving Natalie one last withering look. "I hope you did not put these blinders on just for Ul'dah's sake, Natalie."

Natalie answered her with a sharp look of her own. "If I had, Roen, you would have died in that cell." She curled one corner of her lip ironically. â€œHmph. Maybe I have learned from my mistakes since.â€

â€œSo be it,â€ Roen said softly, and promptly turned and walked away from the Miqoâ€™te Sultansworn.

She knew the next time they met it would be as enemies.

Roen · **10-15-2014, 12:10 PM**

The Second Forteâ€™s silhouette stood tall against the stormy skies, its towering masts threatening to pierce the swirling grey clouds above. No sunlight reached the Lominsan coast this midday, as the heavens opened up to release a downpour onto the white stoned city-state below. It was one of those rainstorms that flushed away the rooted grime from the lower streets, the mud and dirt washing out to the sea. No one noticed the woman walking through the empty merchant streets, the vendors and street rats busy scurrying from unprotected streets and piers.

Roen approached the docks, her footsteps heavy. Her hair was already plastered onto her face, her shirt soaked through the skin. She had been standing on the cliff overlooking the sea, wondering what she would say. No answers came. She could not fathom what she could say that would ease Neroâ€™s pain.

The crew already recognized her as she neared, and pointed out where she would find their captain. Roen found herself avoiding their gazes, unreasonably afraid that if they met her eyes, they too would know the loss they had all had suffered.

When she reached the double doors of the captainâ€™s quarters, the paladin found herself frozen, her hand hovering just before it.

â€œI saw you approach the ship,â€ Neroâ€™s muffled voice came from within. â€œThis cabin has portholes, you know. Come in.â€

Nero stood in front of his desk, looking over some maps. Roen could barely look at the edge of the desk, dread already gripping around her heart. She frowned as she tried to collect her whirling thoughts; words would not come easily.

There was a pause from the smuggler--as if he noted her expression--but he greeted her with a grin anyway, as if to ease the tension. â€œI do believe I ordered some raptor from the Bismarck. I take it you're not here for that delivery?"

His jovial tone only made things worse. She knew she had to say it before she lost the courage to do so. Roen turned to him with haunted eyes. â€œNeroâ€¦â€ her voice was hoarse. â€œIâ€¦need to tell you something.â€

She watched as his mirth drained away from his expression. He exhaled, as if to brace himself for bad news. â€œSpeak, then.â€

Roen closed her hands into tight fists by her side to quell the trembling there. But her voice still shook. "It is about Daegsatz. He..." She closed her eyes, hating the words she was about to say. "...He was executed in the gaols. For the crime of piracy." She wanted to hide, she wanted to be anywhere else but here, but she stood and forced her gaze back onto the pirate.

Nero's expression soured, gradually at first. She saw his eyes flit about, as if chasing a million different thoughts. His fingers curled, gripping the table he was leaning on, fingertips white on the rough grain, his breaths coming quicker. His head slowly lowered, his long forelocks falling around his eyes, hiding his expression from her.

â€œI amâ€¦so sorry,â€ she rasped. â€œI did not know until it was too late. He had already beenâ€¦â€

His voice trembled when he finally spoke. â€œ...How did he die? And by whoâ€™s handâ€¦?â€ Each words sounded leaden, almost a struggle for him to speak them. Roen saw his knuckles turning white as his fingers dug into the wooden desk, a few splinters breaking with the effort.

Roen swallowed, fighting the constriction in her throat that wanted to rob her of her breath. "Natalie had a signed death warrant. He had confessed and..." She found her own voice faltering. She had to tell him what happened. He deserved at least that much. "...and she questioned him. He did not give her what she wanted to know. So she carried out the execution."

"Did he suffer?" His voice was tight, strained, as if it was going to snap like a cable stretched too thin.

"Nay." Her answer was immediate."Natalie had two witnesses. They all said it was quick."

"Witnesses...." he rasped, his tone distant as if not quite understanding.

"A Flame and another Sworn." Roen nodded, sadness fighting with her own lingering bitterness at those words.

"...Witnesses..." he echoed. His voice sounded hollow. "Aâ€¦warrant. From whom? Natalie isâ€¦she is a a Sworn. Did the Sultana...? Raubahn?"

â€œFrom an authority higher than Natalie."

"Then..." Nero started to say something, stopped, struggling with each word, as if trying to grasp the truth of what she was telling him. When he finally raised his head, his movements were labored. The eyes that bore into her through his bright orange forelocks were moist and bloodshot. "Tell me, thenâ€¦where wasâ€¦where was the trial?"

"The warrant. Tell me it was by a court's authority. Tell me that there was justice." His voice grew shakier, fraught with grief and anger. "Tell meâ€¦lie to me....tell me that he did not simplyâ€¦tell me thatâ€¦" he gasped. "Tell me he did notâ€¦die like an animal in a cageâ€¦" His words were broken by stuttered breaths.

Roen could only stand there. Her body felt emptied, as if all the blood had drained away. The rain that had soaked her to the skin now cloaked her in a cold embrace, though it was not the rain that made her tremble. "I am so sorry, Nero," she whispered, her head bowing.

"Tell me!!" He slammed his hands on the table. "Tell me that! Tell me that I was not foolish forâ€¦believing..."

Her own face twisted with grief but the paladin stood stalk still. She had no more words for him.

He rose from the desk. "Youâ€¦you lied, didn't you..." Nero was in the throes of his grief, his despair fueling his words. "You told meâ€¦you saidâ€¦he'd be freedâ€¦why did you lie? Why did you give me hope? Why did youâ€¦why...." His words died in a choked whisper.

Her hand slipped over her mouth as Roen forced her gaze to rise to meet his. He needed to grieve, perhaps to blame. She blamed herself, she could not turn his away "I am so sorry," was all she could offer. Her eyes were overflowing with tears, spilling her sadness and guilt.

He seemed naught to hear anything she had to offer. "I...I should have...no, I...why didn't I...I should...." He was pacing now, like a lost, confused animal, though the desk remained between them. His eyes, once so focused and sharp, they darted helplessly about the room, lost. His words stumbled over each other. Gone was the pirate captain, the sarcastic rogue, the determined smuggler, the fearsome thaumaturge. In its place was now but a boy, looking for answers, for a purpose.

"This...this was not your fault,â€ Roen shook her head. If nothing else, she needed for him to hear that.

With an animalistic scream, Nero whipped around and smashed his fist against one of the thick glass portholes. Cracks ran like spiderwebs across it, and blood began to seep from his knuckles. He did not seem to register the pain or the blood or the cracks. With his fist still pressed against the glass, he heaved, his chest rising and falling.

"Tell me...tell me...whyâ€¦why he had to die like thatâ€¦like -that...." His voice cracked. "Did heâ€¦did he not deserve better? Was that his fate, when he was brought into this world? Was...I..."

Roen swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. "He did not deserve that fate."

"Why...why him, why not me? Why was he punished? For my wrongdoings...?"

She stepped forward, pressing up against the desk that stood between them."His death was not your fault." She said again, desperately willing for him to hear.

"Then who's was it!? Who do I have to kill to...to bring Satz back? If it was not my fault, then...who...I'll... what do I..." The grief in his voice had given way to rage, and fury--not the indignant soul arguing for bettering Ul'dah, but merely a man lost in the throes of his despair. He was staring at the floorboards now, his bloody fist still pressed against the cracks in the glass. His left arm was slack, his knees stiff, his neck hung loose. Tears had begun to trace the scars on his face, dripping forlornly to the floor.

Roen had no words to offer. She took a step to close the distance between them.

"Leave me," he said hoarsely with his back to her still. "You'veâ€¦done enough. Leave me."

Her hand rose then lowered again. She bowed her head and turned, and slowly walked back out of the cabin.

* * *

When she crossed the threshold, she saw Garalt, waiting outside the door. The Highlander's stoic face was creased and cracked with sadness, and his burly arms were folded across his chest.

"It is true, then," he said softly, his gruff voice full of sorrow.

Roen could only nod in response.

Garalt merely nodded his head slowly, standing aside to let her pass. "For what it is worth, miss...thank you for trying."

A broken gasp escaped just then, the paladin nearly faltered as the Highlander offered even that small bit of kindness. Her vision began to blur as she lowered her head. Anger was easier to take, to accept. She shook her head quickly again and stepped past him, her hand quickly brushing the moisture at her cheeks. "It was not enough."

"It usually never is," Garalt said, eyeing the grief-stricken captain in the cabin through the doorway behind her.

Roen fought for another breath, trying not to let more tears flow in light of Garalt's sympathy. "Nero is going to need...I knew Daegs loved..." she whispered between gasps. She turned and looked up at Garalt, her eyes imploring. "You will help him...aye?"

Garalt patted her shoulder with sympathy. "As best...as I can. But he's lost two of the most important people in his lifeâ€¦any man who's lost that much..." Garalt shook his head with a knowing sadness. "Daeg was a brother to me. But to Nero, he wasâ€¦his binding element. Daeg kept him together during his hardest times." He paused and regarded her intently. "He may not say it, but I believe he trusts you, at least a bit. It would do good for you to....keep an eye on him as well."

The paladin searched the Highlander's expression, as if trying to make sense of his words. She just witnessed firsthand the pain she had brought upon Nero. She could not fathom that he would hold anything but blame for her. And yet...

Roen nodded, her gaze drifting downwards. "Aye. Whatever he needs," she whispered. She promised Daegsatz, did she not? She casted a forlorn glance back towards the cabin.

Garalt nodded to her. "You should go..." the Highlander said softly, almost guiltily.

She nodded, brushing her cheeks again. "Gratitude for your words," she whispered hoarsely, then quickly exited the ship. It was only after she stepped outside into the torrential rain that she let her tears flow freely, wishing the sadness and regret could be washed away out to sea.

***Nero*** · **10-15-2014, 01:47 PM**

A day went by. And then another. The bells rang every hour on the hour, and yet the passage of time offered Nero no respite from his grief.

Days that should have spent working, on furthering his plan, had been abandoned in favour of him collapsed in his bed, the door to his cabin locked. He refused water or food, bidding that his crew leave him be. Garalt, ever the crutch that he was, had been courteous enough to shoo away anyone who attempted to disturb him. The storm had lapsed the previous day but had returned in full force, the sound of lightning cracking open the sky withÂ the boom of thunder resounding in the horizon.

His thoughts were as turbulent as the weather. Every now and then he caught himself thinking of Daegsatz; a fond memory, an amusing anecdote, an embarrassing moment. Every time one of those grieved musings floated to the top of his consciousness, it felt as if his despair would tear him apart, and the more he tried to force his thoughts away, the more they came back to haunt him.

Was it worth it? Nero wasn't foolish. He knew that a risk always existed that his plans could harm his crew; if he wasn't certain of it before, then the the deaths of Liam and Martin during the raid on the Silver Bazaar was absolute proof. Daegsatz, though...he had never expected to lose Daegsatz. The smuggler had taken it upon himself to keep his crew out of his plans. The Forte would be involved, but the crew themselves never took to Thanalan. They didn't know of his plans, of what he intended to do. And yet, that attempt to shield the men under his command...had gotten Daegsatz killed. Because the Roegadyn did not know anything useful for his captors.

Why? Why was Daegsatz punished? No...no, Daegsatz' death was Nero being punished. Or was that his egotism speaking? He felt confused, lost, drowning in a whirlpool of turmoil that threatened to pull his head beneath black waters, to allow him no rest, no respite.

For two days his mind cycled through these thoughts. A memory would bring itself to the fore, only to be suppressed by Nero's haphazard attempts to control his emotions. Grief, followed by guilt, followed by numbing amounts of self-pity...when suddenly, after what felt like years, his anger flared.

No. The fault was not his. Daegsatz was just something else that Ul'dah had taken from him.

The city was corrupt.

Something had to change.

Lethargically, Nero willed himself to raise his head. Then he managed to sit up. After a few minutes, he managed to stand, and by that point, his rage had quelled itself. It was no longer a blazing flame, but had frozen itself into frigid ice.

That's right; Daegsatz died because he had been too slow. He'd been naive enough to allow Ul'dah's justice to murder his first mate. From this point forward, his plans would not be stopped. The city would bend to his will, or he would destroy it and bury the ashes. He'd spent far too much time as it was wallowing in his grief. Daegsatz was dead and gone, but fortunately, Nero had someone to blame. He had a clear enemy, and his resolve was unwavering, for if he gave up now, then Daegsatz' death would have meant nothing.

Even so, Nero would not let his plans devolve into petty vengeance. This was far more than simple revenge. For Daegsatz' sake, he had to go through with the full entirety of his plan, now more than ever. A new, steely sense of purpose reinforced him as he pushed the doors to his cabin open. Garalt had been standing guard outside, resolutely. Nero's gaze softened slightly, as the Highlander was now the only true confidante that the smuggler had left.

"I apologise for the trouble," Nero croaked. He had gone without food or water for two days, and it must have showed in his haggard conditions; he became acutely aware of his dried and parched throat, of his stomach loudly protesting the absence of sustenance. The smuggler leaned against the door frame.Â

Garalt nodded. "I'll bring something up to you," he said gruffly, quickly striding away.

Nero slowly sauntered over to his desk and collapsed in his chair. To anyone entering the room, he would have looked tired and lost, like he had given up. But that sentiment was far from the truth. His icy blue eyes bore holes into the wall.

He would not be stopped, not now, not ever.Â

Lightning split the sky and thunder roared.

A storm was coming.

Roen · **10-20-2014, 12:57 PM**

When Roen returned to the Second Forte, the pirate captain she found working at his desk was not the grieving man she had left behind three suns ago. He looked haggard, his eyes sunken, as if he had not slept in days. He was hunched over the table as he wrote rapidly in large block letters on a piece of parchment. The desk was strewn with maps and books. He did not sit; there was a restlessness about him even in his wearied state. He did not look up at her when she entered his cabin.

â€œWas there something you needed?â€ He continued to write, finishing the last bit with what seemed an angry flourish. He folded the parchment and sealed it with wax.

"I have some of Daegsatz's effects," she said, "from the gaols. Ser Jojon had collected and saved them for me." Her own voice was soft, her eyes intently regarding him. "I thought you should have them."

Nero gave a wave. "Physical mementos of him areâ€¦plentiful. And I have my memories. I believe you should keep them; you did keep him company in the gaols, after all." He still did not meet her gaze, and his tone was almost nonchalant in its dismissal as he set to writing another letter.

Roen nodded, noting his distance. "How are you..?"

"Well enough." He finished the second letter, folded it into an envelope, and sealed it before stepping past her and opening the doors to his cabin. Not once did his glance flicker in her direction.

"Kendrick," he called out. From the top of the stairs leading to the deck, a boy in his mid-teens scampered down. Nero held out the letters to him, which were promptly taken. Nero closed the door again, stepping back to stand behind his desk, attention now turned to the various maps on his desk as he took one of the books and began to flip through the age-browned pages.

It was as if she was not even here. "Nero..." she broke the silence gently. "I know you must be angry. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Anything you could do for me, you will not do," Nero said matter-of-factly. "So no."

Roen stiffened. "Tell me. Tell me how I can help you."

Nero sighed, frowning as he rubbed his forehead. "The question is not what I want you to do. The question is what are you willing to do? If you truly want to help, then when your Sultansworn friends pursue me--and they inevitably will--simply remove them from the city. Chase them out. Make their superiors recall them. Or kill them for all I care. Just keep them from interfering." His tone was cold, and his eyes continued to scan the maps. After a moment he added, softer, "If you do not take care of them, I will, and trust that I will not be nearly as kind to them."

She felt her throat tightening. "They are here already. Natalie has already inquired within the Maelstrom and Yellowjackets about you."

Nero paused in his turning of the pages but did not look up. "How long have they been here." It was more a demand than a question.

"A few suns.I am not sure when Natalie arrived. Ser Crofte followed as well, but of her own accord, trying to stop Natalie. Natalie is looking into the raids against the Syndicate ships. She has been pointed your way. I know that she has contacted the authorities here."

Nero's brow creased somewhat but he only continued to flip through the pages of the book. "Let me make myself clear, Roen." He still did not glance at her. "I sent two letters, just now. The first letter was to Zazarano Yoyorano, a minor Ul'dahn nobleman with a growing stake in the Amajina and Sons Mineral Concern. He also possesses tariff rights to several overland trade routes from Thanalan to Mor Dhona. He is not Syndicate material, but is influential enough to make himself a relatively valuable asset."

"I do not--" Roen began.

"My letter stated that Sebastian Redgrave was more than happy to accept a very sizeable share in controlling those tariffs, and that Sebastian was very glad to see that Lord Yoyorano was capable of seeing reason in the end. The second letter was to be distributed to the Thousand Suns bandit gang to raid his palatial estate in Eastern Thanalan and leave none alive, and that payment has already been sent in advance. The instant that letter left my hands, every living being directly sharing in Zazarano Yoyorano's bloodline died." His words were clipped, his tone cutting as a freshly-sharpened blade. "You see, Sebastian had already arranged for Yoyorano's distant family to meet for a gala with only a token force of Brass Blades. When he receives my first letter, there will be no one left alive who can make a direct claim to his inheritance."

Roen blinked, the blood draining from her face.

Nero finally glanced up at her, his gaze steely and cold. There was no fire, no flame; only silent ambition. "Get rid of them," he repeated.

"Youâ€¦you are going to kill his entire bloodline for--for trade routes?" She shook her head. "Neroâ€¦there must be another way to--" She placed both hands on his desk, leaning in to beseech him. "There must be another way."

"The machine of Justice serves only those in power. It is slow and cold, and it belongs to whoever holds the reins. It is only the little people, the powerless, the helpless, who suffer at the hands of Justice. The creatures with power slide away from beneath its gaze with naught but a wink and a grin." The mercilessness in his gaze did not waver. "If you want justice, you will have to claw it from them. Make it personal. Decimate them. Send the message. That way, you stand a better chance of being taken seriously, and of being considered dangerous."

He looked back down at the map. "I will make it personal," he said, voice steely quiet. "I will force them to pay attention."

Roen frowned, shaking her head. "The Sworns already think you dangerous. Now you mean to make enemies of the nobles--all of the Monetarists! To what gain? You are making this personal and are being reckless. Do you mean to put yourself in the line of fire already?"

Nero shrugged. "The Sworns may think me dangerous, but I will not be linked to the destruction of the Yoyorano house. Trust me, my dear, I am being far, far more careful this time around. You would be wrong in thinking I will let Ul'dah take anything else from me ever again, let alone my life." His statement was almost metallic, hollow, robbed of life and vigor.

Sadness gripped her then, as she noted that emptiness in his voice. "Nero. I know his death...I know it must eat at you." She searched his gaze. "Have you abandoned all hope for what could be?"

"This was always my plan," was all he said in answer.

Roen bowed her head, her hands curling into fists on the desk. "To kill families? Children? Simply because they share a bloodline to one noble? That was your plan?!"

"They had the power to stop it, Roen. They needed only but surrender gracefully to me, and this--none of this--need not have happened. But they valued their gil more than they valued their families. They valued their names more than they valued those who would carry them on through the years. I am not the murderer. I am only the weapon." His eyes narrowed. "Natalie Mcbeef did not kill Daegsatz. Ul'dah did. And thus I will take the justice that is due. She was nothing more than a tool. She and I are the same; instruments for things far greater than us.â€

Roen stared at Nero as he echoed the very words Natalie had spoken to her a mere three suns ago. Were they truly no different?

"I asked Daegsatz, Nero, about you. More than once." She hoped that perhaps the memories of someone he loved would reach the smuggler, break through this vengeful mindset. "Daegsatz did not share much. He did not want to break your confidence. He loved you like a son. I cannot believe he would condone you killing families. Children. An entire bloodline."

"Daegsatz cannot condone or condemn anything." He stared her down. "He is dead." Nero's tone remained hollow as ever. "He has gone to a place where happiness and sadness, good and evil, justice and injusticeâ€¦these things do not exist where he is now."

"And you are staining his death with more bloodshed," Roen said quietly, her voice tinged with sorrow.

"This was always part of my plan, regardless of whether or not Daegsatz died. My memories of him will remain. I will remember the man for how he lived, not how he died--alone, in a gaol, with naught but the stone floor to comfort him," Nero spat bitterly. It was the first flash of emotion he had shown since she had returned. He turned his icy gaze back to her.

"Feel free to lecture me on the reform of Ul'dah when you have a better plan, Miss Deneith. When you've accounted for every single variable and accounted for every factor and wild card, when you have made the absolute most precise calculation of how much blood you need to spill. When you have done all of that and formed a plan superior to mine...then you may lecture me."

His look was colder than she had ever seen it, as were his words. "But until then, get out. You've no use to me for now."

"If those orders have not been carried out yet, I still have time." Roen frowned, indignation rising.

Nero rolled his eyes at her. "That was the thirtieth copy I have sent in the past two days. If I believed you to have any chance of interfering, I would not have so brazenly told you what my plans are."

Her heart sank. She narrowed her eyes as she stared at the documents on the table. "Then I will have to stop the bandits. Whatever tools you are using to incite violence." She scowled, slamming the palm of her hand against his desk. "Nero, I want to help you change Ul'dah, not stop you!"

"You want to help me change Ul'dah your way," he snapped at her. "That's all I was to you, wasn't it? You didn't know how to change it. You had no plan. You still don't. You don't know how to make the nobles bend to your will. You don't know how to weaken the Monetarists enough for the Sultana to take power. You don't know anything that is of use." He took a deep breath. "I have a plan. I am trying to do things with as little casualties as possible. I do not wish death upon anyone. But this is the only way."

"I know your way begets more violence,â€ Roen protested. â€œThe deaths of corrupt nobles and lawmen, yes, that perhaps is needed, but you are talking about killing children."

"I don't care if you believe otherwise,â€ He spat back at her. â€œI don't care if you think I'm wrong. Show me some results. Show me that there is something ringing in that pretty head of yours besides hollow ideals. You know, they say that evil prevails when good men do nothing. What they ought to say is 'evil prevails.' Period."

"I am working with someone within the Immortal Flames and the Brass Blades--â€

"And how long will that take? What is your plan, Roen Deneith?!" Nero's voice nearly cracked. "You have yet to offer me anything. You sit there on your pillar of self-righteousness and criticize me when you have nothing to show for yourself! Daegsatz died believing in your justice. I will not allow that to happen to others. The system is corrupt beyond salvation. To use it is to invite our own destruction."

She shook her head. "They were but a start. I--"

"Show me some results, and then--and only then--will I be inclined to entertain your ravings on morality," Nero said coldly. His tone was beyond dismissive now-- it was mocking.

"I do not know what results I can show you to convince you," Roen said, voice hoarse. "I want to change things from the inside out. But...it will not bring the results you want. Not quickly."

He swept his hand in a gesture toward the door. "Then get rid of the Sworns. Regardless of how you spin it, their presence in this city is dangerous. The Sultana herself will end up answering for their reckless actions. I do not want to see you again until you have something with which to present to me besides another useless tirade on 'the right way'."

He gave her one final stare, and then returned to his books and maps.

Roen spun on her heel and strode out the door as quickly as she could.

Roen · **10-21-2014, 12:43 PM**

What do I do?

â€œWatch â€˜im in me place,â€ Daegsatzâ€™s had asked her.

Roen curled her knees tightly to herself, laying her head against them. She was perched upon a large white boulder that sat on the sandy beach of the Mist, the waves washing up quietly against the base of the pale rock. Despite the cool breeze of the early dawn, melancholy made each intake of breath more difficult; even the misty air itself seemed to press down upon her with a crushing weight. She wanted to curl up into a ball and forget the rest of the world.

But she could not. She made a promise--a promise to herself, a promise to Daegsatzâ€¦and even a promise to Nero.

"You and I will become a sword and shield. I will slay those who encroach upon us. You shall defend justice and the innocent. An apt analogy, no?"

How had those words come to sound like a distant dream? Did Nero really say them to her? Or did he just offer her what she wanted to hear?

Roen refused to believe the latter, or at least she was trying her best not to. But there was a part of her that wanted to scream bitterly at herself for believing in the man. You are naive. Ridiculous. Foolish! That angry voice inside her did not want to relent.

But these were not her words. They were his. And it was his voice she heard.

â€œThis was always my plan,â€ his voice echoed in her head, like a hollow metallic ringing of a hammer striking an anvil.

Roen had come to the Second Forte to console him, although partly it was for herself as well. Daegsatz had become a friend and confidant in the fortnight she had come to know him. Even though she knew Neroâ€™s loss was so much greater than her own, she had hoped that perhaps they could find some solace in each other.

Neroâ€™s reaction had been severe when she had delivered the news that first day. He bid her leave him, and so she abided by his wishes and had left him alone, grief stricken. But when she returned, determined to lend some comfort his way, he greeted her with this grim news--the latest development in his grand plan. Her sympathy drained away as she could do nothing but stand there stunned. Her plea for compassion in remembrance of Daegsatz, it touched him not at all; Nero seemed intent on carrying out his plan. He barely met her gaze, and when he did, it was with the coldness of an icy spear, piercing her clear through.

"Daegsatz died believing in your justice. I will not allow that to happen to others. The system is corrupt beyond salvation; to use it is to invite our own destruction."

His wordsâ€¦they made her doubt herself. Nero questioned her usefulness, her lack of plan, and her lack of results. He cared naught about her justice, accusing that Daegsatz died believing in its fallacy. And a part of herâ€¦

She could not argue. The justice system, the due process that she had so fervently petitioned forâ€¦it failed her. Nero had offered to put his plan on hold, to allow her justice a chance to work, but now with his First Mateâ€™s wrongful execution, he was not willing to wait any longer. He had put it into effect with deadly precision and haste.

Families killed. Would she do nothing? Was this the only way? Was the path of righteous and just truly ineffective?

"You want to help me change Ul'dah your way," he had snapped at her. "That's all I was to you, wasn't it? You didn't know how to change it. You had no plan. You still don't. You don't know how to make the nobles bend to your will. You don't know how to weaken the Monetarists enough for the Sultana to take power. You don't know anything that is of use."

His words, they cut her like sharp knives. Nero was no longer the man she had raced with, grinning into the wind on the backs of chocobos through the Noscean hills. He was not the man she finally took the initiative to kiss herself, nor the man who held her hand and returned that kiss, many times over. Gone was the twinkle in his eyes, and the warmth of his smile. The fire that now burned was ice; that gaze held no heat, only cold, deadly ambition.

Roen had walked out. She knew there were no answers she could give him that would soothe his pain. She failed to give him any comfort. He hungered for revenge, and saw her only as an obstacle in his way.

"Ye be takin' care o' Nero's fool arse, aye?" the Roegadynâ€™s voice rumbled in her memory. "I guarantee 'e be needin' yer compassion far more than me." It made her tremble with sorrow.

Nero was lost in his grief and he had thrown himself into his work--his plan. Anything to shove aside the sorrow that ate at his heart--what compassion that was left in him. Roen knew the signs all too well. She had seen it before. Before the Calamity.

Was she letting it happen all over again? She had ran away from her father, desperate to look worthy in his eyes. She had joined the Battle at Carteneau, believing that she could do something that he would take notice, to bring him out of his pit of despair. She had been wrong then. Her father had only descended further into his obsessions, one that resulted in the deaths of countless men, women, and children.

And now Nero was walking the same path. Despite his assurance that he had looked for a way that involved to the least amount of death as possible, he was still implementing plans that would wipe out families, entire bloodlines.

And he was no longer waiting or hesitating. He was burning away his grief with the cold flames of vengeance.

"Because you do have compassion. Despite what you have known. The hardships and the darkness that you have seen. It still is in there. Somewhere." Those were her own words given to Nero as they both looked over oceanic horizon in Limsa Lominsa just a few suns before Daegsatzâ€™s death. "I find that...remarkable." A part of her wanted to still believe it was not lost.

The paladin released her hold on her legs, straightening. She rose and dusted herself off, her eyes going to the horizon that began to glow gold with the slow arrival of morning. She could not let Nero drown in his grief with the blood of his enemies.

â€œI would not give up on him for anything.â€ Neroâ€™s own voice echoed in her head, just above the sound of the waves. â€œI don't think I would forgive myself for giving up on him." He had spoken of his own father, then. It rang so true to her now.

I would not forgive myself either, Roen said silently to herself as she slid off the rock, her booted soles sinking into the soft wet sand. I still have not. She squinted at the vast sea that rippled with the light of dawn, as the sun was just beginning to crest the horizon.

I will not make the same mistake again.

She would not see Nero lose himself in his violent plans. She could not.

I will save him.

***Nero*** · **10-22-2014, 02:08 AM**

It was later that day that Daegsatz' funeral ceremony was held. It was a simple affair, without words or tears. There was no plea for remembrance or grieving speeches. It was simply a group of men mourning another lost brother.

Nero and the crew had stood on a private dock, where a dinghy had been tied. In the center of the tiny vessel lay a well-cared for battle ax; it held some minor scratches, but it had been lovingly polished to a mirror shine, and the wooden handle gleamed with fresh varnish. In lieu of a body, the dinghy had been loaded with the Roegadyn's personal effects and various gifts ranging from mundane to splendidly luxurious. An ornate pen and ink pot with several sheets of high-quality vellum, a sextant, a jar of seashells, bottles of brandy, a basket of oranges, a set of large scale armor, gaudy jewelry, a gold-trimmed tricorne hat, and other items. The interior of the dinghy also gleamed with oil and dry hay.

With naught a word and with a gust of the wind as his signal, Garalt lowered the small sail and untied the dinghy, shoving it towards the sea. The wind gradually caught in the sail and the current slowly pulled the vessel towards Llymlaen's embrace. The men standing on the end of the pier were silent as the dinghy pulled further and further away. Eventually, the tall Highlander picked up a longbow nocked an arrow, the head of which was wrapped in an oil-soaked rag. The slight tchk of a match strike was heard as the head of the arrow was ignited, and with a practised eye, Garalt let loose the missile. Several seconds later, an orange silhouette made itself known on the horizon as the dinghy ignited.

One by one, the crew parted from the edge of the pier as the tiny blaze became smaller and smaller. There was the patting of shoulders and audible exhales as the men left, with only Garalt and Nero left.

It was after a long silence that the smuggler spoke. "Do you believe I should have invited Miss Deneith?" he asked, his voice cracking slightly as he stared at the horizon.

The Highlander inhaled, folding his arms across his chest. "It would only be right for her to have been here," Garalt said gruffly. He kept his tone neutral, but Nero could hear the disapproval that edged itself onto the Highlander's gravelly voice. "She had been with him in his last days."

Nero exhaled, his arms wrapped around his abdomen as he pursed his lips. "This...would not have been approved by her. She would have expected speeches, sobbing. Perhaps an award with his name." The Highlander responded by flashing a brief glare at him.

"She is not nearly as foolish as you seem to think," was the curt response, as Garalt turned and left the pier.

Nero knew that. Or did he? They had argued only earlier that day. His words had been sharp and venomous. He had demanded from her results, for truly in this world effort meant nothing if there was naught to show for it. Roen had, from the day they had made their alliance, insisted that there was another way. The wind blew at his back, causing his hair to ripple forward. The Hyur did not notice the weather, for he was too deep into his own thoughts.

That stupid woman. Nero had thought of all of the other ways. None of them would work. The people were too fickle, too short-sighted, too dull and dim and ignorant. For their own good, they had to be herded like cattle in the right direction. It was like Vail said; the surest way to make people act how you want them to is to make them act in self-interest. The Monetarists held a firm grip on the city. The people who knew about the corruption didn't care and the people who cared about the corruption didn't know, or at least didn't know enough to make any sort of difference.

Radical change required radical action.

This was the only way.

He loved you like a son. I cannot believe he would condone you killing families."

This was the only way.

And you are staining his death with more bloodshed,"

No. Daegsatz was dead, and what was left of him had been sent to Llymlaen. Ul'dah had killed him.Â Nero folded his arms, his hands clenching into fists.

"Nero, I want to help youÂ changeÂ Ul'dah, notÂ stop you."

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. She was still intent on lecturing him, criticising him, perhaps even opposing him, all because she balked at the actions that were necessary. And there were others like her, others who would condemn his extremism, simply because they had never seen the Jewel for what it was.

Rotten. Festering.

This was the only way.

The Monetarists had to be destroyed. Their greedy talons had to be severed. The people, though perhaps they themselves did not know it, were crying out for salvation. They needed to know that their lives were more than just the clink of gil.

This was the only way.

Images flashed to the surface of his consciousness. A screaming child as a noble's guards dragged him away from his destitute mother. A Brass Blade grinning as he slapped a spindly beggar away, breaking the man's jaw. The bandits hustling merchants in broad daylight before beating them within an inch of their life. The prostitutes hurrying to hide the orphans before their crime lords came to take their due.

This was the only way.

An Ala Mhigan man holding a child in his arms, sobbing outside of the city walls. The child was skeletal, his skin drawn taught across his bones like paper. The man was in no better condition, his rib cage showing clearly. The Blades kicked him away to the refugee camp. Nothing but the quiet, weakened wails could be heard.

This was the only way.

A haggard Roegadyn, trying to teach a Hyur teenager patience. The Hyur was tugging on the rod with too much force, such that the rod would break before the fish would be landed. A large, gentle hand clasped itself around the rod, thick arms skillfully waving the rod in a dance as he turned the reel, a subtle twinkle of joy when the Hyur finally managed to do the same, even if the bass was small in size.

This was the only way.

Nero turned and began to walk back to the ship, his footsteps heavy on the planks of the pier.

This was the only way.

The city would bend to his will or be destroyed.

This was the only way.

Roen · **10-22-2014, 03:31 PM**

Osric Melkire, Chief Flame Sergeant of the Immortal Flames.

If anyone can be an invaluable asset, it would be he.

Despite the fact that it was Jameson Taeros who had initially recruited Sergeant Melkire into investigating the cover up at the Nanawa Mines, Roen and Osric had since developed a measure of trust between them. He was the one who had tried to prove the Sultanswornsâ€™ innocence at the risk of his own life, and was also the one that had recruited a sizable force to raise arms against Crimson Mountain when she had been kidnapped.

It was also Osric Melkire who had investigated and neglected to report her involvement in the deaths of the bandits at the Nanawa Mines--an incident that had also resulted in the death of a Brass Blade.

It was no secret that Roen owed Osric much.

So when Osric asked to meet Nero, she complied. Not only did she trust the Flames sergeant, but he had numerous connections, ones that could be valuable. And after the last conversation the paladin and smuggler had exchanged a sevenday past, a part of her wanted to have a third set of eyes to assess the situation. Even if she knew that Osric would not like all of Neroâ€™s plans--if any.

Nero had agreed to the meeting, albeit reluctantly. His voice still held a sharp edge to it when they spoke through the linkpearl.

When the sergeant and she approached the end of the pier in lower decks of Limsa Lominsa, the pirate had his back turned to them. He was dressed in a finely tailored black and brown robe, his silver scepter hanging by his side.

Osric was in stark contrast to the pirate; he had come dressed in a ratty brown hempen cloak, most of his armor hidden beneath the coarsely woven cloth.

"I will assume you have good reason to bring a Flame here,â€ Nero spoke first, his tone monotonous and controlled.

â€œI thought it was time that both of you met. This is Flame Sergeant Melkire.â€ She gestured to the cloaked man next to her even though Nero did not turn around.

"That wasn't yours to give," Osric said, shooting Roen a glare.

"I am sorry, Sergeant. But to start off with a lie does not bode well for alliances. If that is what this is." Roen gave a look of an apology to the man.

The Flame sergeant snorted, turning back to look at Nero. "You're sloppy. That should be reason enough."

"If you are referring to the mines, then the fault would be the paladin's, not mine," Nero said, his voice still controlled. "You would not have found me if it were not for her leaving a trail that a blind child could follow." After a pause, he added, "And no offense meant, Miss Deneith. I recognize that subterfuge is not exactly a strong point of yours."

Osric crossed his arms. "You brought her into this. That means accepting responsibility for the consequences. But then, I understand that responsibility is not exactly a strong point of smugglers."

Roen remained silent, although she had stiffened at Neroâ€™s judging words.

"She brought herself into this by her own choices, but now we are simply arguing semantics. How much has she divulged to you?"

"Enough. I'm but a glimpse of your face away from having you made." The sergeant shrugged.

Nero craned his head back at the sergeant, his smirk more audible than visible. "Perhaps, but that is not why you are here, is it?"

"I'm here to learn whether your brand of madness will benefit the people or cost them their lives. What was seized alongside the refugee supplies that you couldn't afford to lose?"

The smuggler raised a brow, clearly impressed. "Certain luxury goods that I had intended to use to ingratiate myself with some of Ul'dah's lesser powers. Though that hardly matters now, no? The goods are far away from my hands now."

Osricâ€™s words had a tinge of wariness about them. "It matters given what you've just told me. Lesser powers...reform..." The sergeant heaved a long, slow breath.

Roen had fallen silent, her eyes going to the wooden planks of the pier. Her frame was tight with tension, gone was the hope that she had held when Osric and she had spoken last. So much had happened since.

"Tell me truly, if you'd like a man on the inside: why should I assist you in rebellion rather than report what I know, and what I now suspect?"

"Because, Sergeant, reporting what you know and arresting me accomplishes nothing. A seasoned man like yourself surely knows that lowborn criminals like me sprout like weeds. You may, of course, choose to arrest me. Or report me to your superiors. Or have me assassinated, or what have you. Whoever ends up taking my place will have far less noble intentions."

"And far less fanatic fervor. As one lowborn criminal to another, trust me when I say that I understand fully well that those who follow in your wake will be far less capable. If your intentions are so noble, win me over with silvery tongue and honeyed words. That's what you do, no?"

Roen glanced between the two men, her look of consternation growing.

"Miss Deneith seems to believe in our alliance. Is that not enough? Or do you believe her to be suspect in all of this as well?"

"I believe you've sold her the prettier tale from your shelves. I'd like the unabridged copy."

"Consider me, then, a political radical. Ul'dah is too corrupt to change from within the system, so I would like to change it for the better using external forces." His statement lacked any elaborate wording or flowery vocabulary; it was as blunt as a hammer, and as subtle as one.

"The system, as systems typically go, favours those with power. Those with gil. That needs to change."

Osric grimaced. "You intend to replace one standard power with another, then?"

"You believe that the Syndicate's power is standard?"

"I believe gil is the standard, as you just pointed out."

Nero snorted. "I intend to change the standard entirely. What it will be replaced with is not up to me."

Osric paused, as if to consider those words. When he spoke again,his tone had taken a slight prodding turn. "Those luxury goods. Weapons?"

"I do not believe I am under any obligation to answer that question."

Osric snorted. "Only those with something to hide refuse to supply answers. I'll tell you this: while I applaud your vision, your methods leave the Alliance open to the Empire...unless I've missed something?"

Nero grinned with a sidelong glance toward the Flame sergeant. "And only fools fail to hide the things that truly matter to them," he returned. "As for the Empire, I do have a deterrent in mind. Not that I have any intention of revealing what said deterrent is to you." He paused with a nod. "Of course, there is a risk. There is always a risk. A plan involving anything worth fighting for carries a risk."

Roen flicked a glance at Osric at the mention of the Empire. Her frown only grew, but she held her tongue.

Osric returned that look with one of his own. "Risk naught, win squat. I know the adage. I know the logic." He met her eyes for a moment longer, as if to press that point, before turning back to Nero.

"I asked for this meeting in order to better understand you. I had hoped that you might offer some justification for my assistance...yet not once during this conversation have you given a thought towards lives that might be lost. Instead, you focus solely on your goal, as if you only seek to feed your own ego. 'I was right. I did what I had to do. It needed changing because I said so. Damn everyone else.'â€ Osric shook his head, his arm still crossed in front of his chest. He sounded almost regretful. â€œI'm afraid I can't support that."

The paladin let out a long sigh, her head bowing slightly. The alliance between Nero and Osric would not be agreed upon. despite her hopes. Nero had not opened up and discussed his true intentions, and Osric was too cautious of a man to accept any plan without knowing the truth about the man orchestrating them.

The Flame sergeant pivoted to walk away, pausing only to leave his parting words. "Should you founder, and your eyes open, you can reach me through Roen."

Osric quickly made his exit off the pier, his head bowed low as his heavy hood fell over his eyes.

***Nero*** · **10-27-2014, 01:00 AM**

Nero snorted as the silhouette of the Flame Sergeant eventually disappeared from the corner of his eye. His arms remained folded, and he did not turn to face the paladin whom he now addressed.

"That was a thorough waste of time," the smuggler commented idly. "He expected me to prostrate myself before him, to insist that it was for the people's sake. What an incredibly dull and short-sighted man he is." The splashing of the sea against the pier almost drowned out Roen's response, so quiet was her voice.

"He needed to believe...he needed to see that it would all be worth it." Another snort ejected itself from Nero's nostrils.

It had been a week since they had last spoken, and the two of them had not parted on good terms. Nero had demanded that she show some results, and the Flame Sergeant's presence was the culmination of that effort. As for the smuggler, it had been a week of planning, a week of deals and compromises, a week of thoughts and contemplation. The blazing rage that Daegsatz' death instilled within the Hyur had cooled to smoldering coals. To surrender his plan to the whimsies of revenge was pointless. What was required now was cold, mechanical efficiency.

"Why must you be....so cold. And arrogant," came the displeased voiced that muttered behind him.

"What would you have done in my place, Roen?" he asked idly.

He could feel her gaze boring into the back of his head. "You should have trusted me enough to know that I brought a good man to you. Someone who could have helped you. You should have trusted me enough to lower your guard for just a moment, to let him not stare at your back, but to look into your eyes. To not let him hear your cold rehearsed--"

The smuggler tilted his head slightly, not enough to show the full extent of his expression but enough to glare at her from the corner of his eye. "The last time I trusted a good person to help me, my first mate was executed like a dog in Ul'dah's gaols." His tone was steely, and his grip tightened against his arms. "You will excuse me if my trust is in short supply at the moment," he practically spat the words.

It had been a week, but it seemed that the smoldering coals still had enough heat to burn.

He tilted his gaze forward again, showing the paladin naught but the back of his head. "I am cold and arrogant because the circumstances demand it of me. Because simple words of altruism are cheap. My opponents are ruthless, and I must be just as ruthless if I am to succeed."

He could practically hear her stiffen behind him.

"..I am sorry for his death," she said quietly, her tone gradually growing more pronounced. "I am. I do not know how to make this right!" When Nero did not deign to respond, she continued.

"Is that it? Will you hate and distrust everyone from here henceforth? Is the world no longer worth considering at all? Is no one else worth your trust, or even a glimpse of the rest of the truth?"

Venomous words boiled beneath Nero's veneer of placidity. No, he wanted to shout. The world is not worth considering. Everything I am doing is in an attempt to change it into a world that is.

In that moment, it was as if the smuggler was viewing himself from a void in the outside. A realisation struck him like the blow of a hammer. Had his extremism grown so wild? Nero had just shut out what could have been a valuable asset. A ranking officer within the Immortal Flames.Â

My plans.. He had been willing to go to such length for his plans, but now it seemed he was self-sabotaging. He had built a tall, thick wall of jade around himself, and it was only now that Nero could sense how badly that wall would sabotage his ambition.Â

For was that not the reason why he fought? For his ambition? Was that not why Liam and Martin and Daegsatz died? For his ambition? If he did not carry out his plans to the fullest, if he did not succeed in every avenue, their deaths would have meant nothing.

And that was unforgivable.

He felt his legs grow weak. His arms dropped to his sides; his head turned to Roen briefly before he turned his gaze away, unable to maintain eye contact with her. "You..." Nero said quietly. "You are the only one...who has seen even a fraction of the truth." Despite everything, despite her indignation, her own arrogance, her anger at his killing, despite everything that threatened to keep them apart....Roen had stayed with him. She had resolved to see his plan through.

In the wake of Daegsatz' death, though Nero would never admit it to himself, Roen had become his stabilising agent.

"I know," she responded softly. He still could not bring himself to look at her. "And...I betrayed you. I did not free him. I wish for all that I could give, that I could change that."

Nero turned to face her, at last, and gently gripped the sides of her arms. "The fault..." he murmured, his voice threatening to crack. "It is not yours. My mind...has been trying, endlessly, to convince my heart of that truth. You are not at fault, Roen Deneith." He shook his head. "You...you have never been at fault. You have only ever been at the mercy of that city...like me."

Her eyes lowered as she shook her head slightly. "I should have. I should have..."

Nero tilted her chin up to look at him. "I...do trust you. Even if I trust no one else...I trust you. But there is a time and a place for kind words and altruism...but that time is not now. Not while the city suffers."

His gaze hardened slightly. "Your friend is concerned with the people. He is only concerned with the present, with the immediate loss of lives. He did not give an ounce of thought to the city's future. He did not think about what a new system can give them."

The paladin blinked away what moisture rose to her eyes as Nero shook his head.

"Lives will be lost. But this plan...it is not about the people who live now. The change I seek to enact is for the people who will inherit the city in the future. It is for the children who deserve to grow in a brighter world." Nero exhaled softly as he continued.

"I would not convince Melkire with lies. Had I told him that I believed in the people, that would have been a falsehood, for I do not. I do, however, believe in the future, a better future, and I believe that the possibility of that future is worth more than the lives of people living today."Â

The smuggler could not help but grin wryly at his own words. "Listen to me. A perfectly capable ally searched for the words that I speak to you now...yet, the only one I can say them to is you." He could not help but let out a small chuckle. "Perhaps I should lie more often."

Roen · **10-27-2014, 10:04 PM**

"Nero. You are not the only one who wants to save Ul'dah. In that you are not alone."

Those were her own words, offered to the pirate over a moon ago.

"That remains to be seen," he had replied. "The night is darkest before the dawn, and blood will be spilled. The question remains, Miss Deneith, not whether you know to spare a life, but whether you will know when to take one. And take you shall. All of us will sacrifice. Sooner or later we are all forced to sacrifice our morals and integrity."

Nero had warned her then: "The Jewel has shaped all of us, as the waves shape the shore. What form will you take when the smoke clears and the blood dries?"

Roen regarded the smuggler with sadness as the memory of their earlier conversations flitted before her mind's eye. How true his words rang to her now. There was anguish that tugged at her thoughts, as she pondered on the loss of lives, weighed against the hope for the future. And the hope she held for the man in front of her. She still believed that she could change the course of his plans.

But lives had been lost already, and he was planning for more. Would she be able to stop it? What was her other choice? To stop him?

There was still hope for the refugees and for Nero. She could not give up on that, and the hope to spare innocent lives as well. She had made her mind up suns ago. She had to work to save them all.

"I would hear the truth every time,â€ she said quietly, peering up at him. "But it is always just...glimpses with you. And you show naught to hardly anyone else."

"Even those are...difficult," Nero said softly. "I've lived in nothing but a world of lies, Roen. You begin to tell so many that the word 'truth' becomes just that. It just becomes another word with which to lie." Nero frowned, and she could see conflict behind his expression. "I triedâ€¦I tried so hard to blame you. I tried so hard to think that Daegsatz' death was your fault. But the blame I held for you was only a mask, one of many. All it did was veil the blame I held for myself. The blame I still hold for myself." She saw his mask fall away then, arrogance evaporating to leave a man weighed with sorrow, guilt, and weariness.

Roen canted her head, regarding him with tenderness. â€œHe would not want to inflict this pain upon you," she said softly. "He knew you already held so much within."

"I amâ€¦glad. For what it's worth, I am glad that you grew to know him. And I am glad that he had the chance to know you, even briefly." He met her gaze honestly. â€Despite everything, though he and I did not share words during that timeâ€¦I believe he considered you a friend."

She lowered her gaze again, fighting the sadness that rose. She swallowed it down. "I am sorry, Nero. I truly am.â€

Nero seemed to hesitate briefly before taking her hands in his own. "In Crescent Cove, I promised you. I said I would tryâ€¦I would try to be better. That promise is not just for you, but for Daegsatz' sake as well. But there is something I need to know."

When she looked back up at him questioningly, Nero met her gaze with his own.

"I need to know that you will stand by me. I need to know that I am not wrong to pursue this path. I need to know thatâ€¦that this dream we share, of changing Ul'dahâ€¦I need to know that it is something worth believing in. I need to know that Daegsatz diedâ€¦for a cause. A good cause. Even if he did not know it himself." He bowed his head slightly, as if to level his gaze with hers. "Despite our arguments, our heated barbs, our differencesâ€¦you stillâ€¦insist. You push. You are still trying to save me." He shook his head. "You are as foolish now as you were back then." He took a breath, then added softly, "butâ€¦it is not so bad to be a fool at times, I am beginning to find."

She glanced down at their hands, and tightened her own hold around his fingers. "I know. I am. But I still believe. I believe in this dream. And I believe in you. I believe in the hope that I know you still hold deep within." She glanced back up at him. "Daegsatz saw the same man that I see." Her voice lowered to a whisper. "I cannot give up on him."

Nero pulled her ever so slightly closer. "And what man do you see? What does Nero Lazarov mean to Roen Deneith?â€

Roen brought one hand up to his face, her finger gently tracing a scar there. "I know him not. And yet...I believe that I do." Her eyes studied the scar, her fingers tracing his jawline. There was slight trepidation there. "Andâ€¦as much as you push me away, I cannot leave." She gave him a sorrowful smile. "Am I foolish to think so? That I believe you are still good? That you hold hope in your heart?â€ She bowed her head, as a thought came to her unbidden. â€œAnd that you mightâ€¦hold something else?" It was purely selfish thing, she knew, a thing she did not want to give voice. She did not want to acknowledge it even to herself except in her secreted moments. And yet...she asked. "For me?"

Nero responded with a sudden, almost forceful kiss, one that seemed equal parts passion and desperation. He held his lips to hers for what seemed like days. He exhaled when their lips parted, his hands still clasped in hers.

Roen released her own breath in a quiet gasp, inhaling as he pulled back.

"I do not know," he breathed quietly. "I do not know if I can give you what you seek. I do not know if the man you see is real. I do not know..." The smuggler then gave a small, weak smile. "Butâ€¦I suppose I am willing to find out, for now."

Her hand was still tightly curled around his. â€œThen we will find out together.â€ Her lips lifted into a small but hopeful smile. â€œI will save you.â€

Nero blinked, something in his eyes changing at her words. He turned away from her then, though his voice remained quiet. "I do believe that your friend Melkire is a good man," he said, abruptly changing the subject. "But I do not believe he will approve of my plan. He cares about the people, but I do not believe he has a place working with us. Sooner or later, the city will force him to choose, and he will choose the status quo, or he will choose change. He is not like you. I do not believe the city's true darkness has revealed itself to him yet, even if he believes otherwise."

The smugglerâ€™s mask seemed to return gradually as a somewhat playful if tired smirk drew itself on his face. "And I would not have him diverting your attention from me, if I can help it," he teased quietly. "I do not believe I can convince him with mere words. The city itself must make its argument to him. Either he believes it can be saved, or he will believe that reform is needed as we do."

"I will continue to speak with him. Perhapsâ€¦find a way to convince him. Or at least not stand against us." The paladin released a quiet sigh. "He does believe in the reform. But he is like me. He does not want to see bloodshed. But he also does not know you as I do." She bowed her head and nodded as if to herself. "I will speak to him."

"I feel guilty. If only I wereâ€¦not so stubborn, perhaps you would not have so much work ahead of you," he said a bit jokingly. One of his hands released hers and tilted her gaze at him. "I would like to see you on the Forte, later," he murmured. "If it pleases you. There are some important matters we need to discuss."

Roen glanced back up at him and smiled softly. This was the man she had wanted to see--this was the man she wanted to save. She leaned her head against his chest and closed her eyes.

â€œI just want to remember this," she whispered. "Here and now.â€ There was a twinge of sadness that rose, for she knew the struggles that awaited them both. But she wanted to capture this moment in her mindâ€™s eye--to protect this single small ember of hope that lent its gentle warmth and comfort in their stillness. She could hear his heartbeat, and feel his breath upon her hair.

Nero tilted his head, his lips resting against the top of her head as he embraced her. He whispered quietly, â€œI cannot promise that I can be the person you desire of me, Roen. Butâ€¦I will try.â€

Roen nodded, not looking up.

That would be enough, for now.

Roen · **11-01-2014, 01:55 AM**

â€œYou canâ€™t catch me!â€

â€œWhen I do, you will be sorry!â€

Light laughter tumbled through the air as three Hyur children chased each other around the well, daring and teasing each other.

Roen cupped her chin with both her hands as she leaned on the windowsill, watching them at play. The usual Thanalan heat had given pause, and that in turn had given the merchants in the Silver Bazaar a rare respite this afternoon as clouds roamed the skies above. A cool breeze rolled in from the southern shores, and the usually deserted courtyard bustled with unusual activity this day.

The paladinâ€™s attention drifted to a mother that came out to retrieve one of the children, following her course to a vendor stand at the base of the building where Roen had rented her room. She saw another man hand the woman a newspaper, the two Midlanders exchanging some words. The woman then looked up to where Roen was watching from her second story window. Her expression was one of curiosity, although the smile she soon sent the paladin was warm and welcoming. The mother waved with one hand, then turned and led her child away with coaxing words.

Roen blinked at such a gesture. Did she recognize me? the paladin wondered as she stepped back from the window. She glanced at the copy of Tonberryâ€™s Lantern that sat on the table nearby, its bold title clear for her to read standing even fulms away: â€œJameson Taeros Named by Former Sultanswornâ€.

She knew she had thrown herself into the spotlight when she read the newspaper article. But that had been her intention: to shed light and make public the corrupted methods that Taeros and Natalie were using to hunt Nero, and to turn the publicâ€™s opinion against them, perhaps even the nobilityâ€™s as well. Would it work?

"I need you to be our symbol. I am the sword. You are the shield. While I work my blade in the shadows against our foes, you shall be the gleaming surface they look upon."

Roen recalled Neroâ€™s words. They had spoken much of his plans when she had met him on the Second Forte. He had been earnest, forthright, and without arrogance or bitterness. They had talked and exchanged thoughts about what they hoped to achieve without their usual clash of ideals. It was as if they had agreed to meet each other halfway, perhaps for Daegsatzâ€™s sake. Nero discussed ways to deter Eorzeaâ€™s enemies from within and without, while she listed possible allies to be gained. She shared with him the names of all of her contacts, from Franz Renatus, the man who was living with Natalie but promised loyalty to the paladinâ€™s cause, to a Roegadyn who called himself Mister Steel and a Miqoâ€™te woman named Leanne--both of whom considered Natalie a friend but worried for Roenâ€™s safety. There were others that had offered their aid, even though none of them had actually met the pirate.

Perhaps that is why he asked of her what he did.

"I am not a trustworthy man. I understand that. My encounter with your friend made it quite clear that I am not the right person to be making the deals of this nature. Gathering allies."

â€œBut how am I to beâ€¦?â€ Roen had not quite understood what he was asking at first.

"Simply do as you have been. Meet with your allies. Gather information. Deflect them away from me. I trust your judgment in this, Roen, and I am sorry to ask this of you. But I need you to be my mask for a while longer."

Nero had asked her to draw attention away from him so that he may continue to conduct his business, continue to work to strangle the Syndicateâ€™s sea trade, and to gather material for the Soldier Dance.

Roen slid the newspaper aside to study the second parchment that was beneath it. The list that Broken Nose had given her. It was a list of warehouses where Taeros had used some of the Brass Blades to provide extra security.

â€œMake no mistake, Deneith. Youâ€™ll be stirring, nah--upturning--the hornetâ€™s nest with this,â€ Broken Nose had warned her when he handed her the list. â€œTaeros isnâ€™t the type of man whoâ€™d forget or forgive a slight against him. And with this, youâ€™ll be targettinâ€™ him personally. Again. You ready for that?â€

She had given the list to Verad Bellveil, the Duskwight merchant who had befriended her in Limsa Lominsa. He had come to her in her time of need, and had drawn her out of her pit of darkness. Roen had come to trust the merchant implicitly since, and at his behest, and against her better judgement, she had accepted his help in working against the Syndicate and Jameseon Taeros.

The tasks she had asked of him had started innocuous at first: simply watch the noble when he walked freely about the streets of Ulâ€™dah and make note of his contacts. Mister Bellveil soon brought her a reporter from the Tonberry Lantern, Miss Spahro Llorn, to tell Neroâ€™s side of the story--his being persecuted by the Sultansworns and unjustly blamed by Taeros. After that, Roen had accepted even more aid of the merchant when he asked for a list of Taerosâ€™ holdings to look into them himself. That was when she obtained the list from Broken Nose.

A few suns later, Mister Bellveil informed her that the raid had been successful, and although no somnus or Garlean weapons were found--nothing that would have incriminated Taeros and provided some proof of Neroâ€™s innocence--there were illegal goods discovered nonetheless. And the fact that the warehouse was then left open to looting, Roen surmised that Taerosâ€™ wealth and business had taken some hits.

It gave her pause, that she had asked someone like Mister Bellveil--a man who was not involved or invested in these matters at all, except for his friendship with her--to take such risks in this conflict.

But he was not the only one. The paladin had also recruited Delial Grimsong, a Highlander woman who she once considered friend, and then an enemy. Nowâ€¦

Now she was not sure how she saw the Highlander. Delial had a hand in handing her brother over to the Garleans for experimentation, and yet her regret in that affair after it had occurred was clear to see. Delial had played a part in getting Gharen freed, and then recently killed Crimson Mountain, the Roegadyn who had kidnapped and tortured Askier and herself. Roen could see that Delial was slowly trying to redeem herself, and needed a second chance.

So Roen granted her one. She asked the woman to find employment with Taeros, to spy on him. This was not an easy thing she asked, Roen knew. Both the paladin and Delial knew that Taeros had connections with Raelisanne Banurein, the Garlean woman who had tortured Gharen, and Roen knew Delial wanted to be free of Banureinâ€™s shadow. Returning to work for Taeros would be akin to calling upon the mysterious Garleanâ€™s attention again. And working with Taeros would also necessitate working with Natalie, one who had earned Delialâ€™s hatred when the Miqoâ€™te interrogated the Highlander by pulling out her fingernails many moons ago.

And yet, despite all the reasons to refuse this request, Delial had agreed to help Roen spy on Taeros. She had even thanked the paladin for giving her a second chance. Roen did not quite know how to respond to that. But she could not deny that everyone deserved a chance at redemption. Even a woman like Delial.

Then there was Gideon North, a man of calm (if not somewhat emotionless) demeanor, but polite to a fault. Gideon had been raised and trained to be the perfect valet to a noble family, and he had approached her about investigating the Monetarists. He had lost his own family when his Roegadyn masters were all killed two cycles past. His master's ship was sunk off the coast of Limsa Lominsa, and his ward and their only heir had been poisoned to death. Mister North suspected other Monetarist noble families for being responsible for their murders, for his former Masters had diverted their influx of wealth towards the commoners in favor of trade and expanding industry.

Roen could not deny that she and Mister North shared something in common in detesting the nobilityâ€™s casually bloodthirsty greed, so she had accepted his help. And he agreed to seek employment within a Monetarist family to glean insight and intimate knowledge of the political workings of the Syndicate.

And it just so happened that the person who often did the hiring for many noble families was none other than Jameson Taeros.

A part of her stomach twisted into a small knot of anxiety when the paladin pondered the possible dangers she had put upon people like Mister North and Mister Bellveil. Was she using them? They had volunteered for the task, but should she have refused them? What if they were discovered? Could she forgive herself if harm was to befall upon them because they were aiding her?

The paladin released a long sigh as leaned against the wall next to the window, her eyes going to the ceiling. She was collecting evidence, turning Taerosâ€™ attention away from Nero, and trying to turn the tide of favor against the Monetarist noble, all to try and prevent violence and bloodshed as much as possible. To try and look for a vulnerable spot. To place the scalpel, as sergeant Melkire would say.

â€œHow far would you go? To change things? Would you cut?â€ Roen had asked him.

"I'd place the scalpel. I wouldn't push. I'm a Royalist and a Flame. I want reformâ€¦but I have obligations. Were I freeâ€¦yes, I would cut."

â€œI do not wish to cut. Nor does Nero want me to. And yet I have allied myself with someone who will, and plans to cut a large, bloody swath in order to change things.â€ Roen had implored the sergeant then, searching his face for answers. â€œI do not know what that makes me. Only that I feel that I have to see it through. And perhaps try and help him not cut so deeply. Doesâ€¦that make sense, Osric?â€

"I told you. He's what I would have been had I not been...tch. The trick t'saving a life is knowin' when and where to cut, how much...that does, aye, but it's a damnable position t'be in. However this ends, there'll be pain."

Roen frowned as she recalled the Immortal Flameâ€™s parting words. She turned her eyes towards the window again, her attention drawn back to the distant laughter of children that resumed their game around the well.

She watched them for awhile longer, trying to remind herself why and whom this was all for.

It had to be worth it all.

Roen · **11-05-2014, 07:17 PM**

A kiss. A caress. A timely flutter of the eyelashes. A coy smile.

Brynnalia Callae always knew how to use these things to elicit the response she was looking for. It was not too different from training a mount; when breaking in chocobos and coeurls, she just needed to find what made each creature tick and use it to make them respond accordingly. Men werenâ€™t so different. Knowing what brought pleasure to the target, then using that to make them do what she wanted...well, it was something she kind of reveled in.

William Hardy was a Maestrom Captain. Brynn came to discover that he liked things he was not supposed to have. It was an easy motivation; many did enjoy tempting the dangers involved when participating in an illicit affair. The Highlander was a married man after all, with two children at home and a loving, doting wife. And yet when Brynnalia caught a few stolen glances her way as she reported back to the Maelstrom headquarters, she knew he was a possible mark. Insinuating herself under his command added another deterrent; becoming involved with one's own officer was the height of taboo. All the more reason she had to test the waters.

The Captain responded tepidly at first to a few flatteries thrown his way, coupled with a shrug here and a smile there. She let her gaze linger just long enough to catch his attention, then pretended as if it was not intended. It was like reeling in a fish. Pull a little, give a little, until they were netted.

It was not long until he was in her bed, utterly forgetting the name of his wife and children.

Brynn slipped her feet into a pair of slippers, sliding out from under the sheets as the Captain snored away. She padded to the mirror by the door, fingers ruffling and rearranging her messed mass of black curls. She eyed the reflection of the captainâ€™s naked back as he continued to sleep soundly behind her, before she reached for his coat and the bag beneath it. She withdrew a thick stack of parchments bound with leather, and quickly undid the knot to finger through them. She scanned over the reports, her attention lingering on those that had to deal with investigations of piracy.

The name she was looking for, Nero Lazarov, was not found in any of the reports, but there were more than a few mentions of raid on Syndicate ships. And there were names of businessmen as well, those that were suspect of illegal dealings due to their associations or rapid growth in wealth. Her skimming came to a pause as she read one document in particular, one that listed a number of warehouses that had been seeing a lot of traffic despite the fact that the names on those warehouses were not particularly known to be wealthy businessmen. It was a minor note in a long list of reports, but it was the sort of information she had been looking for.

Smugglers had to store their goods somewhere, and an elusive one like this Lazarov would have to have multiple aliases. So while the Sultansworn and her Maelstrom allies sought the pirate himself, the bard turned her search to the telltale traffic of imports and the growing wealth of certain businessmen. Money was sometimes easier to track than the criminals themselves.

Brynnalia paused when she heard rustling behind her, a throaty groan rising from the Captain. She quickly slid the documents beneath his coat, then looked at the mirror again, ruffling her hair just right. She saw in the reflection his form turn in bed, the Highlander smiling lazily at her. He was blatantly staring at the back of her bare form, and she let him enjoy that view for a moment longer.

â€œReady fer another go around, sweets?â€ She glanced at the man over her shoulder with a sultry smile.

William answered with a broad grin, his eyes still half lidded. â€œYou are insatiable, woman!â€ He protested as he flopped onto his back, his arms splayed out. But his expression said he was not actually objecting.

The bard turned from the mirror, a white grin splitting her tanned complexion. â€œTell ye what, ye wet my appetite with some juicy gossip, and I will reward ye fer each one.â€

â€œGossip?â€ William chuckled. â€œThat is what I have to tempt you with?â€

Brynnalia rolled her shoulders with a long exhale. â€œIâ€™ve been away a cycle.â€ She sauntered back toward the bed. â€œI like knowinâ€™ who is who and what they be up tae. I just want tae know who to make friends with, and who I should avoidâ€¦mm?â€ She slid under the sheets next to him, her manicured fingernails, lightly grazing his chest. â€œ And I know a man like ye would know a few things he shouldnâ€™t...â€

The Captain let out a gruff laugh, impish smile tugging at the manâ€™s lips. â€œWhat gossips would you have of me, wicked woman?â€

The bard swung one leg over his torso, coming to straddle him at the waist. She sighed, looking about the room as if to search her thoughts, letting his eyes drink her in for a long moment. â€œHm. How about some rich businessmen. I like my fine wines expensive and aged. And I like men who can afford them.â€

William arched a brow at her, looking slightly disappointed. â€œLooking for other men already?â€

Brynnalia gave him a sidelong glance and a coy smile. â€œWhy, ye be gettinâ€™ jealous? I am flattered, Captain.â€ Despite the formal title, her tone remained playful. â€œAlright then, who should I not associate with? Anyone under the eye of the Maelstrom?â€

The Captain snorted. â€œThere be plenty of those.â€

â€œWell,â€ she let her fingers dance like footsteps from his navel to his torso. â€œThen mayhap ye be in store for plenty of rewards, eh?â€

Williamâ€™s face split slowly into a wide grin.

Roen · **11-07-2014, 04:33 PM**

"There is no one else I trust. Not yet. Perhaps not ever. No one shares my vision like you do.â€

The memory of her conversation with Nero would come to her out of nowhere, without warning. It did not matter what she was doing. Or in this case, who she was talking with.

â€œSo then when they saw the smoke, they thought there was a fire! HAR!â€

Broken Nose threw his head back in a rancorous laugh that echoed off the walls of his office, his large hand slapping against his armored thigh. The chair he was sitting on creaked with his weight. â€œI woulda loved to have been there to see their faces when they saw the Immortal Flames called in.â€ He sighed with a shake of his head. â€œAlthough beinâ€™ that I gave you that location, itâ€™s probably best that I wasnâ€™t--â€ he paused, looking at the paladin in front of him. â€œDeneith...?â€

â€œTrust...it can lead to the most painful of betrayals. I know this all too well--"

Roen blinked out of her reverie when two thick fingers snapped just ilms away from her face. â€œHm..?â€ She looked distractedly at the Roegadyn Brass Blade.

She was answered with a cock-eyed look. â€œHave ya been listeninâ€™ to anything I said? Look like you were daydreaming.â€ One corner of his mouth lifted into a teasing smirk. â€œGot yourself a goofy grin an' all.â€

Roen cleared her throat, feeling a sudden flush to her cheeks. â€œA-apologies, Broken Nose. I was um...pondering on other matters.â€

The paladin did her best to calm her expression, attempting what she hoped was a blank look, hoping fervently that the warmth in her cheeks would abate. But guessing from the odd look that Broken Nose was giving her, she doubted that it went unnoticed.

â€œI am tellin' you about how Taerosâ€™ warehouse was raided, second time no less, and by the Immortal Flames, and thereâ€™s something more important on yer mind?â€

â€œAh. Noâ€¦nothing, really.â€ Roen knew she was a terrible liar. Thoughts of him kept floating through her mind like a welcomed breeze on a summerâ€™s day, and they would not blow away.

"I wonder too. There are doubts in my mind I cannot quell. Will you use me as well? Will there come a time where my belief in you will be dashed? Will I perhaps end up one day betraying your faith?"

The memories would come at the most unexpected times. Sayer had caught her staring off to nowhere while he and Lancel prattled on about their parents. The two refugee Highlander youths took her absent smile to mean that she was approving of their parents becoming fond of each other, something that the two boys seemed in absolute opposition of. But the paladin soon realized that even in the most destitute of conditions, Sayerâ€™s mother and Lancelâ€™s father had found a blossoming romance. Perhaps they were each otherâ€™s port in the storm, drawing comfort from each other despite the suffering that weighed upon them.

How could Roen not support such a thing?

"That is what trust is. To leave it in the hands of that other person. Iâ€¦trust you. What you do with that trust, I leave to you."

â€œWell, unlike the first warehouse where everything was looted and untraced, this one, well, the Immortal Flames combed through it, quick as fire.â€ Broken Noseâ€™s booming voice broke through the haze of her reflections again, the paladin furrowing her brows to quickly bring her attention to bear. â€œMayhap they can nail something on him this time, though I doubt Taeros is foolish enough to leave anything laying around that implicates those illegal goods as his. Them warehouses are always under an alias.â€

â€œRight. Well, I will look into it,â€ Roen pushed herself off the desk she had been leaning on, nodding. â€œGratitude, for the update.â€

Broken Nose cocked a brow at her. â€œYou alright there, Deneith? You been awful distracted of late.â€ The tone in his voice suggested he was amused more than worried.

Roen wrinkled her nose, fearing he knew exactly what was going through her mind. She shook her head quickly. â€œI am, but that is alright.â€ She felt another smile emerging, and willfully pressed her lips tightly together. â€œI will speak to you again soon?â€ When the Roegadyn shrugged back at her, the paladin quickly ducked out of his office and strode out through the back exit.

When she felt the warmth of the Thanalan sun against her face, she leaned back against the building, finally not resisting the broad smile that lifted her expression. It had threatened to emerge at the oddest of times, and for no reason whatsoever.

Well. That was wrong. There was a reason.

"Then I will do my best not to betray that trust. For what it's worth--which is very little, I'm sure--you have my word on that,â€ Neroâ€™s quiet words still rang clearly through her mind, her memories calling upon their words exchanged in small fleeting snippets.

When they had spoken last after a secreted shipment into Crescent Cove, the smuggler had let his mask drop, something that he was allowing more often in her presence, even if it was only for a few moments. This time it fell away as he gave her a weak grin, and she knew he had no pretense about him when she saw the ragged expression that lay beneath. His arrogance and smirk often disguised his fatigue, his struggle to stay focused hidden behind his eyes; the dark circles under them spoke of sleepless nights.

But the smile he gave her was honest, as were his words. "I do not imagine I will ever truly know you well enough to understand why you seem drawn to me so."

Did she know why? Did she need to? This unbearable lightness of being that lifted her onto her tiptoes--this feeling that she could not put words to, that made her feel both bold and bashful at the same time...did she need to explain it? She wanted to guard this happiness as if it was something precious, and yet wanted to share it with the rest of the world too. She had never felt this way before.

"You have caught me so unawares. I hope you know that,â€ she had whispered to him.

"Believe me, the feeling is mutual. I've never known a woman quite like you, Roen Deneith."

Since that night, when the vision of his smile rose in her mind, she found herself catching her breath, her focus lost. Roen could not help but share the news with at least one person, she had to.

She had met Coatleque on the airship lounge, and had gushed to her--odd smiles and blushes abounding--about her feelings. The Sultansworn had shared her joy for awhile, before she then bequeathed upon her a warning regarding the pending dangers ahead.

But Roen heard none of them. It was as though she were distracted by a distant song.

"Whatâ€¦what do I mean to you, Roen Deneith?"

Nero had asked her again. She had answered him in the past with how she saw him: the good man that she believed he was inside, the earnest intentions that spoke of his soul, and the compassion that was hidden beneath his layers of ambition and pain. But she had never truly answered what he meant to her. Not until that night by the pier. Beneath the moonlight surrounded by the whispers of the ocean, she finally summoned enough courage to admit her feelings that she had been hesitant to accept herself.

"I believe...I believe you have more than my trust."

"Dare I hope...that I may have some of Roen Deneith's heart, as well?â€

She had nodded ever so slightly, as if that would conceal her confession. He then answered her with a kiss, long and unabashed, his fingers entwined with hers. Only the moon and the sea stood witness to his acceptance of her heart.

Roen closed her eyes, allowing the sunâ€™s rays to warm her skin. She let those memories waft through her mind like a delicate melody, savoring each note.

Despite the impossible odds...despite the threat of violence, and the darkness of corruption that loomed over them, Roen still felt hope lifting her from within, filling her sails with sunlight and sea wind, as if she too had finally found a port in a storm. She did not know what awaited, or if the world would come tumbling down at the end, for distant stormy skies loomed on the horizon.

But her heart, one that was now entrusted to another, it held boundless optimism, one that threatened to fill her days with fleeting and distracting thoughts. And for the first time, Roen was content to let her mind wander, to revel in the joy of it all.

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