Though dawn had come early for the knight, habit, more than anything, saw Martiallais rise wearily and begin his day. Moving past the other knights as the tolling bells signaled their own change in shifts, thoughts of the day prior continued to weigh heavily upon the Elezen's shoulders. Once more rising unbidden to his mind it felt much like a slow, steady tightening of invisible confines akin to slowly tangling oneself in vines or sand where thrashing about would only serve to hasten the tightening until there was no hope of escape. That image left him wearing what could only be described as a scowl while his gaze lingered on the notice board.
The usual mass of reports,inquiries, and requests were listed though he couldn't bring himself to focus on it today. Shuffling over to peer at the routes for the day, he paused, rubbing at his eyes then pressed a palm to his face. "It seems tis not my day for a morning patrol." Letting out a quiet breath, Martiallais gathered his things and stepped out into the brisk air sweeping through the courtyard. Having misread his schedule, he had two choices...either make a quick escape and attempt to gather himself or if he lingered too long with idle hands, he'd surely be put to work. With his mind troubled and the chilled air having ensured he was well awake, there was but one place the knight knew go till time to begin his duties.
Within half a bell the cathedral loomed ahead of him, seeming just as large in his eyes now as it had the first time his mother had walked him up the steps so, so long ago. Smiling thinly, he offered a brief nod in greeting to the passing scholasticae students, sending them off with a wave before they rushed up the stairs for the morning's lessons. With the echoing of the bells carrying through the hallowed halls then out into the air beyond the entrance, Martiallais made his way up and through the towering doorway. Despite what he oft heard from allies, both native to Ishgard and not, regarding the Twelve and specifically Halone, even being within the cathedral brought a soothing sense of warmth peace to the knight akin to a hot mug thrust into chilled palms after a long night's patrol.
Attempting to move as quietly as an armored knight could, his steps into the sanctuary echoed just under the sound of murmured prayers. He drew a few unwanted looks as he removed sword and shield alike, the sound offering enough offense to warrant an apologetic look in response before terse eyes left his form and returned to business of their own. Exhaling quietly, Martiallais' eyes turned instead to the large, familiar statue that towered above the center of the sanctum. Garbed for war, the depiction of Halone the Fury held a spear in one hand and a shield in the other with the latter instrument drawing the elezen's attention as it often did during his visits. Smiling to himself more than anything, he gradually relaxed, lowering his head as he began to offer his thoughts, prayers, and even frustrations unto the Fury.
While he was unable to tell how long his personal meditations had lasted, Martiallais' eyes twitched as he caught the tail end of words sharply spoken, though it wasn't quite close enough for him to understand them clearly. A part of him thought to leave it be, it was likely a matter for the See to deal with after all, and yet he couldn't help but feel drawn to investigate for himself. It certainly would not be the first time the knight had wandered into one situation or another simply to offer his aid. Drawing a breath he rose to his feet and after offering an apology to Halone, gathered his things and began to investigate.
The conversation had began, he surmised, not far from where he'd sat quietly though as he followed the faint echo through the halls, he began to feel more and more out of place. He was a knight of Ishgard, and this could surely be outside his jurisdiction if it were an Inquisition matter. Not that even that had deterred him of late, he reminded himself, passing by several closed rooms that likely were used for private study or instruction. Glancing back down the hall, he realized with a frown that this conversation was far from the most obvious place to discuss sensitive matters, the confessional booths.
Leaning against the curve of the wall as the voices grew louder, he remained still and simply listened.
"Gods above you're a fool! Do you have any idea what your games could cost this family? Could cost me!?"
Blinking, Martiallais tried to focus on how familiar the voice sounded when the clap of a palm meeting a face sang out. Inching forward with narrowed eyes, he managed to crouch down and peer through the sliver of light provided by the barely opened doorway.
"Father, you have my word, I shall be more careful...going forward."
Mouthing the word 'father', the eavesdropping knight lowered his head in thought.
"You will be careful or you'll be dead. I refuse to waste my time or authority cleaning up after you and your new acquaintance's cheap thrills.You may have made strides, boy but never forget you are and always will be, a bastard. If I catch wind of you dumping another's property into the Brume, you'll find yourself following soon thereafter. Are we clear?"
There were several moments of tense silence before it was broken with a sigh. "Yes, father."
Martiallais' bright eyes widened as recognition washed over him. The voices he'd heard were none other than Perceval Boissieu and Inquisitor Vierane.
The usual mass of reports,inquiries, and requests were listed though he couldn't bring himself to focus on it today. Shuffling over to peer at the routes for the day, he paused, rubbing at his eyes then pressed a palm to his face. "It seems tis not my day for a morning patrol." Letting out a quiet breath, Martiallais gathered his things and stepped out into the brisk air sweeping through the courtyard. Having misread his schedule, he had two choices...either make a quick escape and attempt to gather himself or if he lingered too long with idle hands, he'd surely be put to work. With his mind troubled and the chilled air having ensured he was well awake, there was but one place the knight knew go till time to begin his duties.
Within half a bell the cathedral loomed ahead of him, seeming just as large in his eyes now as it had the first time his mother had walked him up the steps so, so long ago. Smiling thinly, he offered a brief nod in greeting to the passing scholasticae students, sending them off with a wave before they rushed up the stairs for the morning's lessons. With the echoing of the bells carrying through the hallowed halls then out into the air beyond the entrance, Martiallais made his way up and through the towering doorway. Despite what he oft heard from allies, both native to Ishgard and not, regarding the Twelve and specifically Halone, even being within the cathedral brought a soothing sense of warmth peace to the knight akin to a hot mug thrust into chilled palms after a long night's patrol.
Attempting to move as quietly as an armored knight could, his steps into the sanctuary echoed just under the sound of murmured prayers. He drew a few unwanted looks as he removed sword and shield alike, the sound offering enough offense to warrant an apologetic look in response before terse eyes left his form and returned to business of their own. Exhaling quietly, Martiallais' eyes turned instead to the large, familiar statue that towered above the center of the sanctum. Garbed for war, the depiction of Halone the Fury held a spear in one hand and a shield in the other with the latter instrument drawing the elezen's attention as it often did during his visits. Smiling to himself more than anything, he gradually relaxed, lowering his head as he began to offer his thoughts, prayers, and even frustrations unto the Fury.
While he was unable to tell how long his personal meditations had lasted, Martiallais' eyes twitched as he caught the tail end of words sharply spoken, though it wasn't quite close enough for him to understand them clearly. A part of him thought to leave it be, it was likely a matter for the See to deal with after all, and yet he couldn't help but feel drawn to investigate for himself. It certainly would not be the first time the knight had wandered into one situation or another simply to offer his aid. Drawing a breath he rose to his feet and after offering an apology to Halone, gathered his things and began to investigate.
The conversation had began, he surmised, not far from where he'd sat quietly though as he followed the faint echo through the halls, he began to feel more and more out of place. He was a knight of Ishgard, and this could surely be outside his jurisdiction if it were an Inquisition matter. Not that even that had deterred him of late, he reminded himself, passing by several closed rooms that likely were used for private study or instruction. Glancing back down the hall, he realized with a frown that this conversation was far from the most obvious place to discuss sensitive matters, the confessional booths.
Leaning against the curve of the wall as the voices grew louder, he remained still and simply listened.
"Gods above you're a fool! Do you have any idea what your games could cost this family? Could cost me!?"
Blinking, Martiallais tried to focus on how familiar the voice sounded when the clap of a palm meeting a face sang out. Inching forward with narrowed eyes, he managed to crouch down and peer through the sliver of light provided by the barely opened doorway.
"Father, you have my word, I shall be more careful...going forward."
Mouthing the word 'father', the eavesdropping knight lowered his head in thought.
"You will be careful or you'll be dead. I refuse to waste my time or authority cleaning up after you and your new acquaintance's cheap thrills.You may have made strides, boy but never forget you are and always will be, a bastard. If I catch wind of you dumping another's property into the Brume, you'll find yourself following soon thereafter. Are we clear?"
There were several moments of tense silence before it was broken with a sigh. "Yes, father."
Martiallais' bright eyes widened as recognition washed over him. The voices he'd heard were none other than Perceval Boissieu and Inquisitor Vierane.
Martiallais Heuloix - Duty. Honor. Faith.
Armand Tremaux - Justice, like lightning.
"We're all snowflakes in a great blizzard." - Virara 2017
Armand Tremaux - Justice, like lightning.
"We're all snowflakes in a great blizzard." - Virara 2017