Frost and Shadow [Completed]

[Warren Castille]

"Of course. Keep warm, I'm going to take a walk." He gave her a small nod as he rose form the table and he felt a touch guilty about having not eaten more. He snatched a faerie apple as he went and stepped into the bright and freezing morning.

 

Whitebrim was moving. The caravans that stopped for the night had gone but Ishgard's forward front was well-stocked with the armed and armored of the Houses. Warren's gaze drifted by the medical building he had been escorted to the day previous and he considered his entry points. Everything was made of stone and was sealed up tight. He was going to have to smash his way through the door? That didn't seem right.

 

Warren slipped the apple into a pocket and drew his cloak tighter around him, lost in thought for the time being.

[Coatleque]

Coatleque returned to her room and set to work. First disarming herself of both offense and defense. Under her armor she wore a simple cotton shirt and shorts. Not very flattering, and did nothing to keep the cold out. Luckily she had prepared for this eventuality with one additional change of clothes.

 

"Thank you, Master Kohu.", she remarked to herself. She was referring to her friend X'Kohu Tia, who was kind enough to craft her a comfortable yet warm set of clothes for just such an occasion. She donned these now with leather boots, then turned her attention to the vanity at the far end of the room. Sitting before the small mirrored desk, she stared at herself before once again taking special care to her appearance.

 

The Knight sighed. Of all the roles to play, she had never thought she would have to go back to this one again. "It's okay... you're just a distraction. You can do this."

 

Finally she wrapped her cloak around her back and fastened the clasp. Leaving her hood down for now, she decided to wear her beret at a slight tilt. "If F'Lierre could see me now...", she muttered as she headed for the door. She just needed to find Warren now and wait for his signal.

[Warren Castille]

For his part Warren was doing his best to not look like he was openly waiting around. The courtyard of Whitebrim offered little to look at, however, so he opted to stand before the fire in the yard and warm his hands by it. His hood was pulled up and he had hoped he wasn't looking completely conspicuous but by virtue of not moving along in one way or another he knew he had to stand out.

 

Relax, relax, they're not going to be looking at you soon, Twelve hoping. C'mon, c'mon...

 

His gaze moved from grouping to grouping. A small band of lancers moving on patrol. A pair of dragoons moving towards the inn. An elezen in a foppish hat and robe flanked by two guards. An elezen woman moving hurriedly towards the medical building. A handful of commoners moving to get breakfast and

 

Wait

 

Warren's eyes zipped back towards the medical facility, keeping his head still to avoid telegraphing his movement. The woman went to the door and withdrew a keyring, unlocking it and passing through the portal as the door lazily slid shut behind her.

[Coatleque]

The woman left the inn and crossed the courtyard towards the medical building. She noted Warren warming himself by the fire but took care not to look his way. As she reached the top of the stairs she turned and placed her hands on her hips. Looking out over the fort she did her best impression of a tourist admiring the tower and battlements.

 

She glanced to Warren occasionally just waiting for him to make a move. In the mean time she started quietly counting the stones in the wall to herself just to generate some noise around the guards.

[Warren Castille]

Warren didn't notice Crofte moving into position, the entirety of his focus on the door to the medical section. Blood rushed through his ears as his feet started him moving as quickly as he dared, it taking dedicated thought to not break into a run.

 

Getting caught closes this door forever, keep calm don't run this is easy

 

He was in front of the doorway in seemingly an instant and he was thankful that his hands didn't have the same hesitation as his brain. His fist closed around the handle and pressed the door open, then Warren vanished into the darkness beyond it. The whole process was over in moments.

[Coatleque]

As Warren moved himself into position, the Knight began speaking louder to herself as if she was taking a genuine interest to the castle itself. She backed up a few paces and purposefully bumped into one of the guards. Turning around she excused herself.

 

"Oh, begging your pardon, Sers. I should watch more where I am going. Oh, but you must be part of the garrison. I'm really not from around here, just visiting my Auntie, you see. I figured I would stop by and see more of what Ishgard had to offer in the way of sights." Her voice carried a hint of playfulness to it, completely uncharacteristic of her station.

 

With that she made the attempt to cozy up to one of the guards' arms. Batting her eyes she continued, "I am ever so curious as to what you can tell me about this ... grand fortress. Are you two stationed here over long? ... "

 

In the corner of her eye she saw Warren slip through the door in an instant. "Better make this count...", she thought to herself as she smiled at the guards.

[Warren Castille]

The immediate feeling of trespassing struck him like an old friend, setting his nerves to their edge and his senses strained to extend as far from him as he could.

 

Hallway rooms left right right leftrighttogether turn steps down

 

His brain rattled off the directions as his eyes searched for the woman who had led him inside. There was no sign of her and he tore his hood down as quickly as he could, ears hoping to hear any sort of noise. His breath puffed out in tiny gasps, short jerky inhalations and exhalations to keep his own volume down.

 

Nothing came to him. The woman could have been in any of the rooms, down any hall, doing anything anywhere.

 

Just go can't wait anyone could be coming behind her you have to move now now NOW

 

Every footstep sounded like a hammer to him.

 

Outside, Lady Crofte's apparent clumsiness sent her stepping into one of the two men escorting a rather prestigious-looking Ishgardian noble. He wore his most impressive absurdly-ineffective hat, more interested in catching eyes than storing heat. His robe resplendent finery and he brought his gaze down on the woman, a smile striking up as she turned her charms on the guard.

 

"Ah! Someone from the lowlands who is interested in our grand nation!" He seemed to bask in her words. "Your ilk would do well to learn by our example. Ishgard bows knee to no enemy, no empire, you see." His words were full of pride as he gestured towards the tower of Whitebrim.

 

"This encampment is a testament. Despite the pressing of the Dravanian hordes, Ishgard's borders stand firm! Ah, such might."

[Coatleque]

Coatleque moved from the guard to this new interest and once again attached herself to his arm. "Oh, I agree, Ser! I have always been impressed at how you keep the Dravanians at bay. 'Tis most likely why the Empire turns their attention south instead! If only I could afford to emigrate... I've never felt so secure as my time spent here."

 

She positioned herself so that while she focused on her distraction the door would always be in eye-shot.

"Hurry Warren..."

[Warren Castille]

The pompous elezen continued on for more than a few long moments, the expression on his guard looking contemptuous that someone he started him up again. He described the history of the Front, mentioning battles that took place and how important strategically the location was, citing Ishgardian brilliance as to the reason why it had stood for so long without challenge.

 

An elezen woman stepped out of the doorway Coatleque was keeping his attention on, crossing the courtyard with an even expression. She walked right up to the group and seemed dismayed by the paladin's presence, but cleared her throat and folded a hand over her chest while addressing His Hatness.

 

"Inspector Prauvaulient. Everything is accounted for." Her tone was low and steady, borderline disinterested.

 

"Ah! Excellent, my dear, excellent." He made a motion to the woman in gratitude, pulling his arm away from Coatleque's attempt at cozying up. "Now let us properly dispose of this issue once and for all. Pardon me, my sweetling. Official business must cause us to part. Do stop by the Holy See once you are able, yes?" He gave Crofte a smile with just the barest hint of superiority as he strode away with his guards in tow, not towards an exit but towards the medical facility.

 

**

Warren had the building to himself. He briefly questioned if the sight of the woman opening the door was a phantom, or some brief gift from the Twelve. All that mattered to him was that she was seemingly vanished and he was left alone with the bodies. He moved back to the table they had revealed her at and Warren carefully began to undo the bindings on her body.

 

He bit a curse short when he noticed just how young she was. She was indeed garbed only in clothes made for the cold, with all of the protection they offered to the real threats that lurked the highlands of Coerthas. The spear was still placed by her side and Warren checked the tip. Still sharp, light. A beginner's weapon, though serviceable. A weapon for war, not survival.

 

If there's a difference.

 

Warren tore the wrappings from her, looking for anything else, any hint, any clue. Her body was whole, so she had indeed died of exposure as he'd been led to believe, but her hands were worn and knicked.

 

She's just a novice you idiot, she went out and got herself killed in some show of power, you know how their culture is this was a waste of time

 

A throat cleared behind him.

 

"Oh my. A thief." A pleasant voice called out and Warren turned to take in the image of an elezen, clearly Ishgardian brass of some sort. "You must be the brute from yesterday."

 

Now what?

[Warren Castille]

Warren didn't know how to respond to the questions the elezen had presented him. His fists balled on their own as he stared down his opposite, knowing the pointy-eared bastard had him dead to rights.

 

"You may speak freely. If I intended you harm, I would have had my numerous and well-trained accompaniment lead the way." He smiled, holding out his arms to show empty hands.

 

"I wanted to pay my respects," Warren replied while keeping his tone guarded. It was roughly true; The girl didn't deserve to die like that.

 

"Didn't you do that yesterday? To a stranger, no less. I doubt you two had much to say to one another." The smile never faded and Warren had never wanted to punch someone's teeth in that badly.

 

"Trust me young man. This isn't a road you want to go down. You don't have any idea what you're brushing against, but I assure you..." The elezen took his time stepping down the few stairs to the bottom level properly, letting his sentence hang until he was standing on even ground with Warren. "It will destroy you." The older man's words were accompanied with a smile, one that Warren immediately considered either insane or assured.

 

"I don't even know what you're talking about. I just wanted to see the girl one more time." Warren tried to keep his thoughts guarded against the elezen's searching eyes. It was the stare of a predator.

 

"And you did. And she is just a girl, and there is no reason for you to remain here any longer. Whitebrim is on the edge of a battleground, you know. It would be truly, truly awful if harm were to befall you." The elezen stepped to the side, gesturing towards the steps and beyond it, the exit.

 

"Yeah yeah, I'm moving. I get the point." Warren kept eye contact as he passed by while he reminded himself he was in enemy territory. No sooner had he stepped up to the main level did the pair of guards step around the doorway, spears at the ready.

 

"See that you do, or I shall see that you do."

 

While the elezen laughed at his joke, Warren made his way back outside. He didn't have a clue what was going on, but he was on the cusp of something Ishgard was prepared to kill him for.

[Coatleque]

**

Coatleque's heart leaped to her throat as the Inspector headed for the door to the medical building. She had half a mind to call out after him, feign fainting, trip and fall, anything to delay him, but something stayed her hand. It was the most tense few minutes of her recent life.

**

But Warren did emerge eventually, and in once piece.

 

"Oh, thank the Twelve.", she said to herself as she rejoined him outside. "What happened in there? Did you find anything? I'm so sorry, I delayed them as long as I could..."

[Warren Castille]

Warren briefly regarded her as he stepped back outside and drew his hood up. His face displayed he was already lost in thought, but once they were away from the walls of the stronghold her spoke, leading her away with a nod.

 

"I was just about to consider that I'm looking in the wrong area, but that dunce with the hat just made it clear that something suspicious is going on." He shook his head, looking up with his brow still wrinkled. "Whatever happened to that girl, they don't want it being known or looked into."

[Coatleque]

She leaned towards him so they were almost in a huddle and lowered her voice.

"I heard that 'dunce' referred to as Inspector. Inspector Prauvaulient, by the woman that was with him. Whatever is going on here they want it 'disposed of' as soon as possible."

 

"But you're sure that wasn't the girl you are looking for? I don't understand why we linger here then. Do you think she was somehow involved in the poor girls demise?"

[Warren Castille]

Warren listened with his head down until she asked if he was sure that wasn't Sei, his reflexes jerking his eyes onto hers. He released a sigh and rubbed the sides of his head with both gloved hands, pacing a small trail back and forth.

 

"I don't know, I don't know. It just seems... Wrong to me that I come to Coerthas looking for two meeko dead of exposure and instead find a third." He punctuated that with a grunt of frustration, turning back and forth on the frosted-over stonework.

 

"You're right, though. I shouldn't let this nag at me when we could be out looking." Warren turned towards the western front, gesturing towards the hillsides. "I didn't get too far up there before I was forced to turn back. I don't know..."

[Coatleque]

She watched him pacing again.

"Ser Castille, I...", but her words were cut off by a voice they both could hear.

 

"Miss Crofte."

She looked at Warren with a slightly worried expression as she held a hand to her ear.

"Apologies... yes Ser Filangieri?"

"I must speak with you, where shall we meet?"

"Ah... that will be difficult. I am in Coerthas."

"...Coerthas? Curses! I need to speak with Osric."

"Ser Melkire may be... difficult to find. Is something wrong?"

"No... I only need to speak with him regarding an important case."

"He may yet have the Immortal Flames pearl. Alas I have no other way of contacting him at this moment."

"Very well, Twelve watch over you."

"And you, Ser Filangieri."

 

Lowering her hand she noticed he was still pacing.

"Warren... I said I would help, and I am here now. The day is still yet young. We can still gather our supplies and search that direction. Four eyes may catch what two would miss. Do not lose focus on your goal."

[Warren Castille]

Warren's pacing slowed to a stop and he folded his arms, standing still and gazing off for a moment after Crofte's words fell away.

 

"You're right. I can't be distracted by this. Whatever Ishgard is up to, as long as it doesn't involve them... It's not my concern right now." The words weren't entirely solid in their conviction, but he nodded to himself a few times before turning towards her again.

 

"Let's stock up and get started. No use wasting daylight."

[Coatleque]

She nodded with a slight smile.

"Aye, you see to provisions for the day. I shall be sure rooms are still secured for tonight, as well as dinner. I shall meet you at the gate within half-a bell."

 

With that she turned and made for the inn once again.

[Warren Castille]

Warren was quiet for the majority of their expedition. His attention was in a constant spiral of keeping track of where they were, where they were going, how far Howl and Sei might have made it, how much snow had fallen since then... The battle to remain focused was more difficult in the cold light of day than he expected.

 

The fact of the matter was that Coerthas was too big and Warren's intuition was not enough to narrow down the field by any significant degree. The search took them well away from the beaten paths and was difficult enough to force their progress to slow to a near crawl at times. Warren wasn't even entirely sure what he was looking for. His attention caught on every track, every cave, every half-buried rock or tree. Every potential sign set his nerves on edge, short-lived confirmation before his perception revealed otherwise. He was waiting for the sword to drop, and despite realizing that he was enslaved to it.

 

The search was fruitless. By the time the pair arrived back in Whitebrim, Warren looked worn through. He was thankful for the meal provided for him in comparison to the suitable-yet-lacking rations he'd acquired for their lunchtime break. There was a clear line between their intentions that wasn't lost on him.

 

Warren was aware he was miserable company. He responded to conversation but without vigor, and once again the weight of the world seemed to crash upon his shoulders. His gratitude was genuine, however, when it came time for them to part for their rooms and he thanked her for providing the meal and insuring a place to rest their heads. He didn't want to rest on his laurels, however, and made for bed not long after meal.

[Warren Castille]

Warren latched his hands around the man's throat, squeezing hard and clenching teeth. The root of everything, the cause of everything, thrashed in his grasp as he pressed down. A moment more and there would be the crack of bone, the hollow feeling of something giving way between his fingers, the gurgle of a man struggling-

 

WARREN

 

His name, equal parts heard and felt. He looked up, confused. He knew the voice but couldn't place it and he looked around the dusty flats of the Grindstone but no one was present. Warren toppled over as the person beneath him shifted back to her feet, armor and plate and spikes rising up in front of him. The closed helmet that displayed no fear, no mercy. He'd stared that helmet down before, he'd overcome the Beast before, he would

 

The Beast

 

She was upon him, sword in hand and buckler flying. She knew his tricks, he couldn't win through disarming her again. He dashed away from her, looked for holes in her offense, found none. He was running out of space, the cliff was behind him and beyond that the ravine that split Coerthas down the center awaited. He took a moment he didn't have to look behind him as his foot reached the edge, turning just in time to get his shield up to stop the blow.

 

WARREN, STOP

 

He knew the voice but couldn't stop. The creature made of inky blackness was on the retreat, reeling back as he rained blows down upon it. He had already sacrificed so much, so many. He couldn't let it continue. He couldn't let it live. Sword raised high he prepared to cleave the beast in two, and

 

WARREN! STOP IT NOW!

 

He knew that voice now, he knew it and he looked for the sources, he knew the people calling him. They were barely visible now behind the mass of the monster, bodies in the snow and engulfed by shadow. The sword dropped from his hand and he reached for them all, fingers reaching out as the beast overtook him and sent them both into freefall over the side. Everything tumbled and spun and there was a searing pain in his chest as he was torn wide open and his heart removed and the bottom was coming he couldn't see it but it was down there he was dying there was nothing he was

 

Warren's eyes opened to darkness as the dream faded away yet again. The lamp had since sputtered out while he slept and he sat in his bed, hugging the blankets around him despite the cold sweat beading his forehead.

[Coatleque]

**

 

It was Coatleque who arose first this morning. She made ready as was typical for her and went to find Warren in the commons once more. To her surprise he was not present. Her first thought was that he had gone on without her, but she quickly shook that off as he would have at least left word of where and why. She made arrangements for breakfast as the previous day, then went back upstairs to find Warren's room.

 

She knocked lightly at the door. "Ser Castille? Are you proper? It is nearly half past the eighth bell."

[Warren Castille]

Warren wasn't even aware he had dozed off again. In his mind, he was still laying in bed and trying to drive the events of his dream from his head while turning his thoughts towards the next day's toil. That in turn led to him picturing it, which in turn led to him dozing off...

 

He jerked awake when the knock sounded gently. In the brief moment between rapping and Coatleque speaking his mind leaped picture Ishgardian assassins at his doorstep, his mind jumping between cursing for leaving his sword in Thanalan and wondering why assassins would knock first. Those thoughts were dashed when she lightly asked about him.

 

"Ser Castille? Are you proper? It is nearly half past the eighth bell."

 

He threw the covers from his bed, quickly splashing frigid water to his face and changing into a warmer set of clothes.

 

"I'm awake. Sorry to have kept you. I'll be out in a moment, I just... Needed a minute." He cursed to himself silently at the time. He'd wasted so much light, and it was so precious...

 

Is it? Is it really?

 

He brushed the voice aside and stepped into the commons sooner than he'd anticipated, his expression as stern and serious as ever.

[Coatleque]

"Well, that was fast.", she remarked quietly to herself.

 

"Ser Castille. You look no worse for wear after our exertions yesterday. I trust you slept well then? I've already seen to our provisions for the day again."

 

She gestured to the food on the table and seat adjacent to her.

 

"I assume we shall be searching an other direction this day?"

[Warren Castille]

Warren wiped a tired hand across his face and eye, unsure whether she was being complimentary, earnest or making fun. He took the seat she indicated and straightened up, trying to force his mind to follow his body's lead.

 

"I slept, I suppose." He stifled a yawn and hungrily began to pile breads and meats in front of him, eyes downcast. "Thank you for the meal, again. I'm more than able to supply them, you know. This has all sort of been my idea..."

 

Between mouthfuls of food he nodded and explained his outline for the day.

 

"I don't know where to go. They were in Whitebrim, I know that, and they were in Dragonhead, but where from there? Howl mentioned they were too far from any road or camp. I think I've been searching too nearby. If they got into the mountains, high in the hills or along one of the ravines..." He considered that path as he took a drink.

 

"I fear I've been playing too safe. It was late when he hailed me on linkpearl. I think turning back to make it back here before the night falls means I'm not going far enough." He realized how suicidal the implication made him sound.

[Coatleque]

They sat in silence for a few moments as she considered the options.

"We are ill equipped for the expedition you suggest. To survive the mountains would require more equipment than either of us have, and a beast more stout than a Chocobo to carry it."

 

She crossed her legs and leaned forward onto her knee.

"I am not saying we should bow out, but caution is required here. Do not overextend yo... our reach."

 

She sighed and shook her head.

"I fear I am hindering you though. I wish I could offer more than words or sight alone. Would that there was another way to help."

[Warren Castille]

Warren folded his hands and pressed them to his mouth, his eyes moving back and forth in consideration. He had listened silently to her words and found truth in them despite how pained it made him to admit them.

 

"Conditions deteriorate quickly. There's no guarantee sturdier equipment would even matter, or that the risk would pay off. I won't let more lives be buried in the snow for no reason."

 

He released his grip on himself and frowned in her direction. "You said it yourself not a day ago that more eyes will see more. I understand I'm asking so much of you, and I can't express how grateful I am to you for that, so..." His shoulders rose and fell in a small shrug. "I'm not sure what else either of us can do. I refuse to accept this reality but I have nothing to replace it with."