Breathe. Just breathe.
Roen forced herself to slow down her breaths, inhaling and exhaling deliberately to calm her nerves. She crossed her arms, then uncrossed them to adjust the hilt of her sword. She was about to adjust her gauntlets when she realized she was fidgeting. And fidgeting while standing guard could be construed as unnatural behavior.
Blending into the surroundings in a wealthy district like the Pillars was not an easy task. And yet here she was, pretending to stand guard in front of an estate, as she kept watch on another building much further down the street. It was a small and an unassuming manor that Ser Valencourt had pointed out. This was where the Marquis would hold meetings, but only today. When the next opportunity would present itself, the dragoon did not know.
The fact that it was only two suns ago that Roen had discovered the information regarding the Redeermer’s very existence, she had woefully little time to prepare. Such was her dilemma in trying to plan what to do, when Khadai contacted her. The tale of the Redeemer’s ritual and the possibility that it involved the missing keystone, the Xaela warrior became determined to find the truth of it. He had no doubts that these people were the ones that were likely responsible for his kinsman’s death. And once that certainly had solidified in his mind, he would not be turned from setting upon one of the leaders of this occult group. Could she blame him? They were responsible for many murders against his own kind. But more importantly, at least for Khadai, they had something that his people desperately needed.
Still, it was because of what these people were capable of, that Roen advised caution. Or more preparation at least. But Khadai would not hear it. Even as she spoke of trying to muster up reinforcement in some legal way, he began preparations to strike against the Marquis.
“The Court has many of its own members within the Order of the Temple Knights and the Church,†Roen recalled Ser Valencourt’s warning clearly. He had cautioned that if she was planning on moving against the Marquis, that her failure would result in extreme scrutiny.
That was what made her hesitate on insisting to Khadai that she seek out others for counsel before setting upon this meeting place. She could not risk implicating others in a crime if things were to go wrong. If what Ser Valencourt said was true, The Court wielded much influence behind the scenes. Although Roen did not believe everything that the Elezen had said, especially when it came to the reasons why he suddenly could not aid her when he had already investigated the group so thoroughly, she did see certain apprehension mixed with distaste in his eyes when he spoke about The Court. She did take him at his word in their capabilities.
So perhaps there was some wisdom in trying to isolate and question a Marquis on their own when given the chance. Khadai and she were both outsiders with no true ties to Ishgard. No others needed to be put at risk. And if they did gather some valuable information, perhaps then she could bring that to others who would have more sway within Ishgard’s new government to put a stop to all this.
And as if in cue, two figures walked past on the street. She did not see the face of the first shorter figure, he wore a heavy hood over his head and a cloak that covered his clothes. But just a step behind him was a taller unmistakable warrior. She was well armored and towering figure of a woman with platinum hair, adorned in pristinely polished Ishgardian armor. Judging her gait and the ease in which she regarded the sword that swung by her hip, Roen knew the make of the knight’s armor was not just for show.
“The Marquis travels with a single bodyguard. But don’t let that fool you. She is a capable one.â€
Roen’s chest rose and fell with another long breath. Khadai was determined to do this, with or without her. And these Redeemers were corrupt people: a secret organization of power that has committed atrocious crimes. And thus far, there was no legal recourse to bring them to justice.
She let out another breath to steady herself. She knew Khadai was also watching, hidden elsewhere. He had been subtle enough to stay out of her line of sight, which was prudent. One did not see many Au Ra in a district like the Pillars.
Her hand lifted to the linkpearl in her ear.
“They are here.â€
Roen forced herself to slow down her breaths, inhaling and exhaling deliberately to calm her nerves. She crossed her arms, then uncrossed them to adjust the hilt of her sword. She was about to adjust her gauntlets when she realized she was fidgeting. And fidgeting while standing guard could be construed as unnatural behavior.
Blending into the surroundings in a wealthy district like the Pillars was not an easy task. And yet here she was, pretending to stand guard in front of an estate, as she kept watch on another building much further down the street. It was a small and an unassuming manor that Ser Valencourt had pointed out. This was where the Marquis would hold meetings, but only today. When the next opportunity would present itself, the dragoon did not know.
The fact that it was only two suns ago that Roen had discovered the information regarding the Redeermer’s very existence, she had woefully little time to prepare. Such was her dilemma in trying to plan what to do, when Khadai contacted her. The tale of the Redeemer’s ritual and the possibility that it involved the missing keystone, the Xaela warrior became determined to find the truth of it. He had no doubts that these people were the ones that were likely responsible for his kinsman’s death. And once that certainly had solidified in his mind, he would not be turned from setting upon one of the leaders of this occult group. Could she blame him? They were responsible for many murders against his own kind. But more importantly, at least for Khadai, they had something that his people desperately needed.
Still, it was because of what these people were capable of, that Roen advised caution. Or more preparation at least. But Khadai would not hear it. Even as she spoke of trying to muster up reinforcement in some legal way, he began preparations to strike against the Marquis.
“The Court has many of its own members within the Order of the Temple Knights and the Church,†Roen recalled Ser Valencourt’s warning clearly. He had cautioned that if she was planning on moving against the Marquis, that her failure would result in extreme scrutiny.
That was what made her hesitate on insisting to Khadai that she seek out others for counsel before setting upon this meeting place. She could not risk implicating others in a crime if things were to go wrong. If what Ser Valencourt said was true, The Court wielded much influence behind the scenes. Although Roen did not believe everything that the Elezen had said, especially when it came to the reasons why he suddenly could not aid her when he had already investigated the group so thoroughly, she did see certain apprehension mixed with distaste in his eyes when he spoke about The Court. She did take him at his word in their capabilities.
So perhaps there was some wisdom in trying to isolate and question a Marquis on their own when given the chance. Khadai and she were both outsiders with no true ties to Ishgard. No others needed to be put at risk. And if they did gather some valuable information, perhaps then she could bring that to others who would have more sway within Ishgard’s new government to put a stop to all this.
And as if in cue, two figures walked past on the street. She did not see the face of the first shorter figure, he wore a heavy hood over his head and a cloak that covered his clothes. But just a step behind him was a taller unmistakable warrior. She was well armored and towering figure of a woman with platinum hair, adorned in pristinely polished Ishgardian armor. Judging her gait and the ease in which she regarded the sword that swung by her hip, Roen knew the make of the knight’s armor was not just for show.
“The Marquis travels with a single bodyguard. But don’t let that fool you. She is a capable one.â€
Roen’s chest rose and fell with another long breath. Khadai was determined to do this, with or without her. And these Redeemers were corrupt people: a secret organization of power that has committed atrocious crimes. And thus far, there was no legal recourse to bring them to justice.
She let out another breath to steady herself. She knew Khadai was also watching, hidden elsewhere. He had been subtle enough to stay out of her line of sight, which was prudent. One did not see many Au Ra in a district like the Pillars.
Her hand lifted to the linkpearl in her ear.
“They are here.â€
