Roen clenched her fist tight then opened it again, trying to loosen the stiffness there. Conjury had mended the broken bones of her hand, but the soreness still remained. She laid down on the thin mattress that passed for a bed, staring up at the stone ceiling above. It was taller than the Sworn gaols, but it felt oppressive all the same.
Her thoughts wanted to dwell on too many dark things all at once, that the paladin had to forcibly turn her thoughts to something that would get her mind off of the thick stone walls that wanted to suffocate her senses.
I wonder if Esmond Dirk survived, Roen absently wondered.
She had heard his voice, along with those of Morn and Tash, when Crofte led her out of Taeros’ office. Their conversational tone sounded cordial, although the paladin heard Tash trying to lead Dirk out of the building. Esmond did not seem to care for Roen’s predicament either way, but she warned him anyway.
“They mean to kill you,†she said as she was led past them. Even under the dark hood that was pulled over her head, the paladin still could tell that Dirk heard her. As she was led out by the Sworn, Roen could hear blades being drawn and a crack of splintering wood as if it was cleaved with a giant axe.
He is probably dead. Roen shook her head. He was the only other person that knew where she was other than the three that Taeros had ordered to bring her in. No one else knows that I am here.
Roen felt a sudden tightening in her chest with that thought, and it threatened to rob her of her breath. This would not be like her time in the Sultansworn gaol. Even though she had spent countless suns in the dark windowless cell, she had hope then that justice would prevail. The paladin knew that she had friends, allies, and family that were working to exonerate her. Coatleque, Natalie, and Kage, they were all working to prove her innocence. Mister Bellveil had visited her to bring her some cheer, and Askier had even snuck in an explosive in a well-intended but poorly thought out plan of freeing her. Hornet came despite her revulsion to dungeons, bringing news of Gharen’s well-being. Osric had given her words of wisdom to lend her courage, and Kiht had even saved her life.
Even Delial had helped her then, smuggling out the bomb that Askier had brought in.
Memories of all those she used to call friends and family brought an unexpected pang that pierced her mask of composure. Roen pressed her lips tight to dismiss the trembling she felt there, laying her mended arm across her eyes to lend steady pressure lest they threaten to spill tears.
This is no time for despair, she told herself. It was always something that she told herself, time and again when darkness loomed over her. But now, for the first time, she truly felt alone in her trials. Her emotions felt raw, shredded, and finding herself trapped alone with her thoughts, she could not deny that both love and trust had failed her miserably.
How could I have been so wrong…?
The rattle of the prison door brought her attention to the fore as she bolted to a seat. She heard quiet voices that echoed down the stonework before armored footsteps approached the thick door of her cell.
"... Did you sleep at all?" Coatleque’s voice came from the other side.
Roen remembered the same question that the Sworn used ask her many moons ago, when Coatleque was the paladin’s gaoler during her time being charged as a Garlean traitor. Back then, the Sworn’s visitations were a source of comfort--a small glimpse of warm candlelight in the pit of darkness. Now…now she was the latest person who betrayed her trust.
“Why do you even ask?†Roen replied coldly.
There was a pause, a slow measured breath being taken before Ser Crofte spoke again. "We both knew it would come to this eventually."
"How unfortunate for me that you realized it before I did."
Coatleque let out an incredulous chuckle. "You are harboring an enemy of the city-state. Someone who wants to kill for the mere sake of killing...and on top of that you made threats against Taeros right in front of me."
"He does not want to kill for the-" Words to defend Nero came out tumbling quickly enough, like a reflex. But Roen bit her lip, stopping herself. Was there a point to it anymore? Nero once had non-violent intentions, but that had changed. "Believe as you will, Coatleque. I thought he would end the suffering here."
"Two evils do not make good, Roen. I had thought you meant to stop him, else I may have acted even sooner. But now..."
"I thought I could. I thought we could still do this without needless bloodshed." Her own words sounded foolish now even to her own ears. The extent she had been lied to, the futile hopes she had placed in the Nero, and the memory of his bitter angry words…she did not want to dwell on them any longer. "But it does not matter anymore."
"I wanted to believe you. But then you said people were coming after Ja...after Taeros. What am I to do with that?"
She thinks that I am plotting Taeros’ death...Roen realized. She herself had a pause of hesitation when Osric had confided in her that he was sharpening his blade specifically for the noble. But in doing nothing, in trusting in the sergeant to do the right thing in the end, was she then his accomplice in this as well?
"I said that for your sake," Roen growled. "Because I believe you would stand between him and a blade. Do you think he does not have enemies?"
"I know he does." There was a pause to the Sworn’s words, as if hesitating. “Or at least he makes them easily. I do not pry."
"Because if you did, you would have to put him in here too."
Coatleque spoke slowly and questioningly as if she did not believe herself either. "...No, he...does care about Ul'dah. In his own way..." She cleared her throat. “And besides...Lazarov is the bigger threat to the city right now. I cannot divide my attention like that."
Roen shook her head. "You have your priorities then,†she said grimly. "I thought I had mine. Nero...he cared about Ul'dah too. In his own way. And now I am in here for it." The paladin paused, her voice lowering to a whisper. "I know...what he has done. I wished I could have stopped it.â€
"As do I,†Crofte’s voice lowered to match her own, her tone laced with regret. Then there was a sharp intake of breath when she continued. "You are not to want for anything while here at least. If you need bedding, clothes, something to read, let the guard know. By Jameson's order."
When Roen did not answer, the Sworn continued. "We have your linkpearls as well."
Roen’s eyes narrowed, her fingers curling slowly upon her lap into fists. "He will not answer."
There was a slight creak to the thick wooden door as if the Sworn was leaning against it. "You do not know that,†she murmured. "If there is a message you wish to be delivered..."
"Nay. I do know." She struggled to keep her voice steady. "You can say that I still do not believe in impossible trades. He should not either." She paused, her voice growing softer. "Tell him...there is always another side. Tell him that. He may hear. I do not know. ...But he will not answer."
"He does not have to answer, so long as he hears. And if he does not respond, he will also receive the lock of hair you gave me last evening."
The paladin brought her hand to cover her eyes, even though the Sworn could not see her through the thick doors. But she wanted to deny her sudden sadness all the same. She wrinkled her nose into a frown and hardened her voice. "He will not come, Coatleque. I know him. I am not the bargaining chip that will draw him out."
There was a long pause from the door. "Roen...does he feel nothing for you?"
Roen bowed her head, trying desperately to swallow down the constriction in her throat. "I am not what holds his heart. I do not know that anything does...any more."
"I am sorry. For whatever that is worth. I did not know."
The paladin sucked in a sharp breath, straightening in her seat. “And I do not want him to come. Not into Taeros’ hands.â€
"It is not into his hands, it is into Ul'dah's hands." The Sworn snapped back, her voice also adapting a hint of steel.
"So you say," Roen nearly spat out those words.
"He must answer for crimes already committed, regardless if he has given up his madness."
"Perhaps so." There was a grim curl to her lips. "But I will not turn him over to you. Nor the man you sleep with."
“Then the blood he has shed is on your hands in equal portion." Roen could hear the deep scowl in the woman’s voice.
"Will you play the part of my executioner as well?"
"Even if I say no, you've no reason to believe me anymore."
"Nay. I do not.â€
"At least I did not say it was for your benefit, as Natalie did."
Roen could only answer that with a bitter chuckle.
"I do not believe anyone has benefited here,†Ser Crofte said as she pushed off the cell door. "If you have anything else to say, it seems my time is done for now."
The paladin said nothing else. She could only stare at her hands in tightly balled fists upon her lap as Crofte's armored footsteps grew distant, ending with the heavy slam of steel door. It was only then that Roen bowed her head, and buried her face in her hands and let her hidden tears fall.
Her thoughts wanted to dwell on too many dark things all at once, that the paladin had to forcibly turn her thoughts to something that would get her mind off of the thick stone walls that wanted to suffocate her senses.
I wonder if Esmond Dirk survived, Roen absently wondered.
She had heard his voice, along with those of Morn and Tash, when Crofte led her out of Taeros’ office. Their conversational tone sounded cordial, although the paladin heard Tash trying to lead Dirk out of the building. Esmond did not seem to care for Roen’s predicament either way, but she warned him anyway.
“They mean to kill you,†she said as she was led past them. Even under the dark hood that was pulled over her head, the paladin still could tell that Dirk heard her. As she was led out by the Sworn, Roen could hear blades being drawn and a crack of splintering wood as if it was cleaved with a giant axe.
He is probably dead. Roen shook her head. He was the only other person that knew where she was other than the three that Taeros had ordered to bring her in. No one else knows that I am here.
Roen felt a sudden tightening in her chest with that thought, and it threatened to rob her of her breath. This would not be like her time in the Sultansworn gaol. Even though she had spent countless suns in the dark windowless cell, she had hope then that justice would prevail. The paladin knew that she had friends, allies, and family that were working to exonerate her. Coatleque, Natalie, and Kage, they were all working to prove her innocence. Mister Bellveil had visited her to bring her some cheer, and Askier had even snuck in an explosive in a well-intended but poorly thought out plan of freeing her. Hornet came despite her revulsion to dungeons, bringing news of Gharen’s well-being. Osric had given her words of wisdom to lend her courage, and Kiht had even saved her life.
Even Delial had helped her then, smuggling out the bomb that Askier had brought in.
Memories of all those she used to call friends and family brought an unexpected pang that pierced her mask of composure. Roen pressed her lips tight to dismiss the trembling she felt there, laying her mended arm across her eyes to lend steady pressure lest they threaten to spill tears.
This is no time for despair, she told herself. It was always something that she told herself, time and again when darkness loomed over her. But now, for the first time, she truly felt alone in her trials. Her emotions felt raw, shredded, and finding herself trapped alone with her thoughts, she could not deny that both love and trust had failed her miserably.
How could I have been so wrong…?
The rattle of the prison door brought her attention to the fore as she bolted to a seat. She heard quiet voices that echoed down the stonework before armored footsteps approached the thick door of her cell.
"... Did you sleep at all?" Coatleque’s voice came from the other side.
Roen remembered the same question that the Sworn used ask her many moons ago, when Coatleque was the paladin’s gaoler during her time being charged as a Garlean traitor. Back then, the Sworn’s visitations were a source of comfort--a small glimpse of warm candlelight in the pit of darkness. Now…now she was the latest person who betrayed her trust.
“Why do you even ask?†Roen replied coldly.
There was a pause, a slow measured breath being taken before Ser Crofte spoke again. "We both knew it would come to this eventually."
"How unfortunate for me that you realized it before I did."
Coatleque let out an incredulous chuckle. "You are harboring an enemy of the city-state. Someone who wants to kill for the mere sake of killing...and on top of that you made threats against Taeros right in front of me."
"He does not want to kill for the-" Words to defend Nero came out tumbling quickly enough, like a reflex. But Roen bit her lip, stopping herself. Was there a point to it anymore? Nero once had non-violent intentions, but that had changed. "Believe as you will, Coatleque. I thought he would end the suffering here."
"Two evils do not make good, Roen. I had thought you meant to stop him, else I may have acted even sooner. But now..."
"I thought I could. I thought we could still do this without needless bloodshed." Her own words sounded foolish now even to her own ears. The extent she had been lied to, the futile hopes she had placed in the Nero, and the memory of his bitter angry words…she did not want to dwell on them any longer. "But it does not matter anymore."
"I wanted to believe you. But then you said people were coming after Ja...after Taeros. What am I to do with that?"
She thinks that I am plotting Taeros’ death...Roen realized. She herself had a pause of hesitation when Osric had confided in her that he was sharpening his blade specifically for the noble. But in doing nothing, in trusting in the sergeant to do the right thing in the end, was she then his accomplice in this as well?
"I said that for your sake," Roen growled. "Because I believe you would stand between him and a blade. Do you think he does not have enemies?"
"I know he does." There was a pause to the Sworn’s words, as if hesitating. “Or at least he makes them easily. I do not pry."
"Because if you did, you would have to put him in here too."
Coatleque spoke slowly and questioningly as if she did not believe herself either. "...No, he...does care about Ul'dah. In his own way..." She cleared her throat. “And besides...Lazarov is the bigger threat to the city right now. I cannot divide my attention like that."
Roen shook her head. "You have your priorities then,†she said grimly. "I thought I had mine. Nero...he cared about Ul'dah too. In his own way. And now I am in here for it." The paladin paused, her voice lowering to a whisper. "I know...what he has done. I wished I could have stopped it.â€
"As do I,†Crofte’s voice lowered to match her own, her tone laced with regret. Then there was a sharp intake of breath when she continued. "You are not to want for anything while here at least. If you need bedding, clothes, something to read, let the guard know. By Jameson's order."
When Roen did not answer, the Sworn continued. "We have your linkpearls as well."
Roen’s eyes narrowed, her fingers curling slowly upon her lap into fists. "He will not answer."
There was a slight creak to the thick wooden door as if the Sworn was leaning against it. "You do not know that,†she murmured. "If there is a message you wish to be delivered..."
"Nay. I do know." She struggled to keep her voice steady. "You can say that I still do not believe in impossible trades. He should not either." She paused, her voice growing softer. "Tell him...there is always another side. Tell him that. He may hear. I do not know. ...But he will not answer."
"He does not have to answer, so long as he hears. And if he does not respond, he will also receive the lock of hair you gave me last evening."
The paladin brought her hand to cover her eyes, even though the Sworn could not see her through the thick doors. But she wanted to deny her sudden sadness all the same. She wrinkled her nose into a frown and hardened her voice. "He will not come, Coatleque. I know him. I am not the bargaining chip that will draw him out."
There was a long pause from the door. "Roen...does he feel nothing for you?"
Roen bowed her head, trying desperately to swallow down the constriction in her throat. "I am not what holds his heart. I do not know that anything does...any more."
"I am sorry. For whatever that is worth. I did not know."
The paladin sucked in a sharp breath, straightening in her seat. “And I do not want him to come. Not into Taeros’ hands.â€
"It is not into his hands, it is into Ul'dah's hands." The Sworn snapped back, her voice also adapting a hint of steel.
"So you say," Roen nearly spat out those words.
"He must answer for crimes already committed, regardless if he has given up his madness."
"Perhaps so." There was a grim curl to her lips. "But I will not turn him over to you. Nor the man you sleep with."
“Then the blood he has shed is on your hands in equal portion." Roen could hear the deep scowl in the woman’s voice.
"Will you play the part of my executioner as well?"
"Even if I say no, you've no reason to believe me anymore."
"Nay. I do not.â€
"At least I did not say it was for your benefit, as Natalie did."
Roen could only answer that with a bitter chuckle.
"I do not believe anyone has benefited here,†Ser Crofte said as she pushed off the cell door. "If you have anything else to say, it seems my time is done for now."
The paladin said nothing else. She could only stare at her hands in tightly balled fists upon her lap as Crofte's armored footsteps grew distant, ending with the heavy slam of steel door. It was only then that Roen bowed her head, and buried her face in her hands and let her hidden tears fall.
