Visit to the Red Hospice [private]

[Dame Lovisa von Ascheberg]

A vague buzzing sounded somewhere. The noise danced just out of reach of her hearing in a tantalizing display, darting in and out and teasing her with its obscurities. Other sounds came, thick and heavy and appearing as if from a far distance, her ears submerged beneath a thick black sea that muddied all auditory communication. There was a sharp sound, followed by a low clodding sound, a middling hum chasing on its heels soon after sending vibrations across her eardrums.

Awareness came in drips and drabs. First there was her skin, weighty and numb across her bones. Then there was a flash across her lips, the dried skin cracked and splitting as they shifted. Finally there was a sliver of light penetrating the thin membrane over her eyes, a faint reddish tone blooming as her pupils worked beneath the lid. She struggled a bit, and it took a momentous effort to open those eyes long crusted by rheum and other debris: no sooner had she opened them than they snapped shut as the light pierced and stabbed, the groan that attempted to fly from her throat ending in a dry wheezing cough that wracked painfully at her chest.

Buzzing noises began to circulate with varying degrees of urgency, something prodded at her skin and prompted her to move her hand to swat the annoyance away, though she found she was unable to even twitch a finger.

The background humming grew louder and gradually formed into something resembling language, though her muddled brain couldn't piece it together.

Time passed, and she sank beneath the water again.

Why are you here? Because I would join the Knighthood.
Well .. you best be getting on then.

A desiccated, haggard face looked at her from across the room and grinned.

“Matron! Matron! This one is awake!”

Background humming was gripped by clarity and forced into words as her eyes shot open and was greeted by a blessed darkness, shadows touched only by the faint flickering light of a candle that hovered above the bed that held her. Though even that faint light hurt when it came too close, it was manageable and became something that drew her eyes. The face next to the flame was blurry and indistinct at first, but her pupils refocused and sharpened the image. A round feminine face fraught with worry that soon gave way to relief as it became apparent that her patient was at least able to recognize simple shapes.

“Praise be to the Goddess, we thought you would not come back. Sister Alycia said she heard you some days past, but not a peep out of you since then!”

The face smiled, then turned to look at something over her shoulder as another noise came through into clarity, a different shape forming at the side of Lovisa's bed and peering down at her.

“Well now .. ”

This shape was different from the first. Where the former was all soft curves this one was sharp lines, though that did nothing to diminish its femininity. There was a hard beauty about this shape, piercing eyes that stabbed and attempted to peel back her outer layers to read the contents therein. The woman held cold fingertips to Lovisa's throat and the chill ran down her skin, nodding to herself after a moment before leaning in closer to examine her eyes. Satisfied, she pulled away.

“Do you know your own name? Quickly, girl.”

Lovisa opened her mouth and released naught but a dry croak and some dust, the owner of the softer shape fluttering around a bit before a cup filled with water was pressed to her lips and the would-be-knight drank slowly, albeit gratefully, the liquid slipping down her throat like a balm. It took a few moments, some coughing, and more careful applications of water before she was able to deliver an answer that satisfied the sharp woman.

“von Ascheberg. Lovisa von Ascheberg.”

The name clearly meant nothing to the pair, which was hardly surprising.

“Do you remember what you were doing?”

Flashes of memory came with the query. Her horse. The building fallen into disrepair. A spring day and cold water pump. The torches flickering in a breeze that whispered through the gaps in the stone. The undead creature that had sipped at her life.

“The chapel .. I was in the chapel.”

The pair exchanged a glance.

“You were not found in a 'chapel'. Far from it. But that is neither here nor there. Next of kin?”

Lovisa thought of her parents. She thought of her commanding officer at the academy. She thought of Johan. Benjamin. Sweet Karin. She thought of poor Oswin.

“Kythin Steelfang.”

The soft face squealed and earned a shushing noise from the sharp one, who for a moment so brief had gained a troubled expression. Soft face merely flapped her hands a little and leaned towards Lovisa's bedside, her voice cast in a hushed tone as she fished for gossip.

“Your next of kin is Sir Steelfang? He is notorious in these parts! But his lady love is a blonde bard I heard, and your hair is distinctly red. You do not share a name nor familial traits: so what is this Black Knight to you?”

Lovisa's brows furrowed momentarily, a sluggish mind digging painstakingly through her vocabulary until she could dredge up something serviceable.

“He is my .. master.”

The word was sour on her tongue. He was not her commanding officer, she could not term him sergeant nor general and did not know if he was a lord. She was distinctly unfamiliar with the correct form of address and did not know if she had even passed her vigil: clearly something had gone wrong if she had fainted in the Chapel and woke up some time later in a strange bed with strange women at her side. But 'master' was the closest thing she could think of, and until she learned that she had indeed failed to become a squire in any official capacity that would be the word she used.

“Hmm. Hardly kinfolk. Well. I'm sure Sir Steelfang will want his servant back hale and hearty. You should probably get some rest, and we can send a messenger as soon as it is convenient.”

Soft face smiled kindly and patted Lovisa's arm beneath the bed sheet, nodding briefly at the sharp faced woman before she pulled away and bustled off to whatever it was she did when not sitting by a broken woman's bed side. The sharp faced woman watched her leave with a small frown, her face clearing as she returned her gaze to Lovisa with a smile so pressed it was nearly invisible.

“Well. Welcome to the Red Hospice, Lovisa von Ascheberg. I am Matron Cosima, and that was Sister Mariette.”

With that, sharp face – or rather, the Matron – turned and left with the flickering light, everything within Lovisa's line of vision swallowed up by darkness. Shifting slightly, she found that she was able to move her body without expending too much effort, and though her limbs were heavy and took time to respond, they were regaining their mobility. She suspected that it would be a while before she could lift a sword and use it efficiently again. There were so many questions floating through her mind; she had never heard of this 'Red Hospice' before .. though she suspected it was a religious organization of some kind. Soft face – Mariette - had mentioned a goddess, and they referred to each other as 'Sister'. Their clothing had a uniformity about them that seemed nun-like in appearance, or what she expected one to wear in her limited experience. But of course the most important question was, how did she get here and how long had she been in this bed? Grunting, she adjusted herself until she had some semblance of comfort against her pillows, greasy hair then falling across her forehead and tickling at her eyes as she moved. Irritably she lifted her hand and though she almost smacked herself in the face with it, the limb trying its best to be a dead weight, she was able to adjust the errant strands so that they would no longer irritate.

Her nails.

Eyes adjusted gradually to the darkness until she could make out the shape of her hand, the curve of her fingers ending in sharp points. Her fingernails had always troubled her, growing naturally into tapered claws if left to their own devices. Each calender month she painstakingly carved at them with a knife until they resembled the soft rounded tips favoured by others, trying to control one little thing to make herself seem more human, like less of a freak. But what she saw was not the human like stubs shrouded in darkness, but sharpened knives that were several inches long. Just how many days had she spent in this Hospice? They grew as slowly as anyone elses, so to gain this length .. It was a troubling puzzle, and she soon felt the dread brewing in her stomach and climbing up her throat.

There was nothing she could do about it now however, and so she had to settle for taking soft fa .. Sister Mariette's .. sound advice and getting some rest with the hope that in the mornings light the riddle would solve itself. Though she had surely been asleep for some time, with this thought her eyelids grew heavier and her breathing slowed, falling into a natural slumber.

A rich flame billowed from her mouth of its own accord and into the ghoulish creature, lapping at its dead skin and devouring its face, racing down its throat and pathways and scorching its belly. Dry veins crumbled to dust as the creature was sent reeling while the destructive force ravaged and destroyed, the thing collapsing in on itself, a pile of glowing embers left where the husk had fallen.

Light played at the veil of her eyelids and a faint pressure was felt at her chest, stirring her from sleep and eliciting a faint curse from somewhere beside her bed. Lashes fluttered against her cheek as she pulled herself to wakefulness, the familiar candlelight casting queer twisting shadows on the wall that had emigrated from a child’s nightmares. A blurred shape moved at her bedside and into the light, and she recognized the kind soft face of Sister Mariette: but as her eyes met the nuns, that face contorted into a look of pure hatred. The Sister moved and she felt a sharp pain at the inside of her elbow, a glance down showed the woman pulling away with a used syringe in her hand, leaving a trail of blood on the skin, and a wave of dread washed over her – followed by a familiar numbness.

“I thought it was such good luck that you were found and brought here, you know. A convenient comatose. If we kept you alive you could have remained here and keep me indefinitely .. but then you woke up. Not necessarily the end of it all, your road to recovery would be long and riddled with minor setbacks that would eventually lead to your death and I would move on to another. But you had to have connections.”

That final word was hissed between gritted teeth.

“I can not afford for someone like the Black Knight to turn his gaze over the Red Hospice, I finally have everything the way it needs to be, and I have no desire to move again.”

Sister Mariette absently twirled the empty syringe between her fingers, watching the prone woman in the bed as the effects worked their way through her body. It was just like when she had first woken up: her limbs were heavy, dead and leaden, unable to follow the simplest of mental commands. As the Sister ranted on, she willed herself to move .. even the slightest spasm of her fingers .. but not so much as an involuntary hair raise in response to the chill that rippled through her, not even a croak from her lips came forward at her request.

“That message I spoke of? It will not be going anywhere, I will make sure of that. You will be found in the morning, lifeless. Sister Alycia will be so distraught of course, she wanted to learn more about you, our sleeping beauty, the scales on your body .. but the Hospice has always had its share of casualties, tis but the nature of the beast, and things will move on as they always do. Now do get comfortable, and enjoy your last moments. Once the rest of your organs shut down it will be far from pleasant.”

Lovisa would have glared at the woman had she the ability to, but she could merely watch the other woman as she watched over her. She had to curse her luck, it seemed that as soon as she had run into the Black Knight at the Obsidian Heart things had gone from bad to worse: Oswin was dead, she had been discharged from the academy, she had found a new purpose but her first attempt to carry it out had her set upon by some form of undead .. and now, another style of ghoul was slowly killing her.

She should have stayed in Gloaming, her father be damned.

A faint bubbling hiss broke the silence as a low anger grew within the would-be-knight. She felt some sensation return to her skin and her fingers curled against the bedsheets. The look of shock on Sister Mariette's face was priceless, and the brief spike of triumph she felt encouraged the hiss to grow in strength, the sound of water being thrown on the fire and voicing its helplessness as it is utterly decimated.

“What? The poison ..”

She looked down. The cut on Lovisa's arm was bubbling away as if her blood was on fire, the impurities burning away from her body at a steadily growing rate with the cut sealing itself in a whiff of blood tainted steam. She found a rekindled strength in her body and used it to the best of her ability: launching herself from the bed and striking at the shocked Sister.

At least, that had been the plan.

Though the mind was willing, the flesh was weak: months spent unmoving in this bed had wasted her muscles and reduced her endurance and stamina greatly. She no longer had the strength she once enjoyed, and her dexterity was also shot to hell. The haymaker she had intended fell short of its mark for a multitude of reasons, so instead of compacting neatly with Sister Mariette's skull her hand whipped past the shocked woman’s face. But, as a high pitched wordless shriek rebounded off the walls of the Hospice, that was all that was required. Falling back against her pillow with her breath burning her lungs, she found that her fingers were covered with blood and slivers of skin caught beneath her nails, a quick glance confirming what she suspected. She had clawed Sister Mariette like a corned animal.

“YOU WITCH!”

Oh the irony.

The damaged woman pulled her hands from her face, long gashes slicing across the skin with deep cuts splitting her nose, those delicate eyes radiating pain and anger missed by the faintest of hairs. She began shaking – whether out of fear or anger was uncertain – but there wasn't time to speculate as she reached inside her uniform and pulled out a knife, clearly intent to finish the job come hell or high water.

“I don't know what you did, but I can guarantee you will not be doing it a second ti-”

Blood bubbled up from the Sisters lips, her words ending in an almost bewildered cough, glancing down as a scarlet flower blossomed on the front of her chest and just kept on growing. A shove came from behind and the woman fell forward, her skull bouncing off the edge of Lovisa's bed and her body crumpling to the floor with an air of finality. The Matron frowned down at her stilled form, a slight nudge with the toe of her shoe given as she wiped her slender blade on a cloth.

“I take infractions very seriously, 'Sister Mariette'.”

Lovisa just stared.

As light grew on the horizon, Matron Cosima explained that a series of deaths had occurred within the Hospice over the span of a decade, and suspicion had gradually fallen on Sister Mariette. There was never enough evidence to be sure as the woman covered her tracks very well, and her victims had always been people of low rank or without families, so no investigations were called: there was always just enough doubt, just enough to pass it off as bad luck or the natural order taking its hold, and Sister Mariette had also done a lot of good since arriving at the Hospice which had muddied the proceedings. However, when Kythin Steelfangs name had entered the equation, the Matron suspected that Sister Mariette might do something drastic in order to protect herself – it was always easier to dispose of a liability than to endure the scrutiny of the Black Knight – she just had not figured Lovisa's own defences. They still did not know the reason behind her actions, those had likely died with the woman.

Lovisa found the whole thing entirely distasteful, but decided that criticising the Matron on her judgement calls was perhaps unwise, given the current state of her body it would still be some time before she could leave on her own two feet, and the cynical side of her declared there was still a chance that Lovisa herself could 'meet another accident'. Matron Cosima had been accurate with that dagger after all.

“... I would appreciate if that message was sent, please.”

It did not hurt to have some backup, however.

[Kythin Steelfang]

" Troublesome woman. " 

The letter found its recipient while the Black Knight continued to seclude himself within the walls of Castle Dunsany. A seclusion away from the uncertainty that took hold in the wake of his slaying Pedur, the Last of the Five Masters,  and the losses that despicable elf forced upon both the world and upon him, in a more personal way due to the abduction of Ophelia. Much had been solved with the demise of Pedur, while much still remained to be sorted through. The whereabouts of his Squire among them. Certainly he'd been lacking in answers to what had befallen the would-be Knight after the Vigil he'd sent her on within the Chapel that had been marred with the Hexenthal name after the short-lived Vampire King that had died, at least once,  within it. 


" I should have known.. " 


" She persists in remaining on this mortal coil. A stubborn woman you might say, a quality you seem to attract in those who follow you. " 


A brow rose on the chilly brow of the Black Knight as Sir Birtel spoke up. The Blood of Dunsany's voice reached his ears while the presence of the various servants that passed through throne room of the Castle passed in and out of his line of sight. The letter and the status of Lovisa did present a matter that needed tending. By and large such was not the sort of matter to be taken advantage of.. alas the glibness of his paramour's tongue could not be put to use while he hid away in a dead kingdom. 


Nor were they likely to be used at all. People feared that he would darken their doorstep with his presence.. who could say if a visit and departing with thanks given for the care of his Squire could be benefited from despite his own infamy. A little pondering left his lips curling into a slight grin. 


" See that my horse is readied, Sir Birtel.. its time I pay my Squire a visit. " 

Just how the Matron and others within the Hospice would take such a visitation remained to be seen. 

[Dame Lovisa von Ascheberg]

The message itself contained little that could be considered incriminating. The status of his wayward Squire - that she was alive if not wholly well - and where she was currently being cared for were carefully spelled out in the missive delivered to the Black Knight, though her exact ailment was omitted. Any mention of one Sister Mariette had either been carefully disregarded or was cut beneath the red line of censorship under the consideration that if the message fell into the wrong hands between the Hospice and Castle Dunsany it would be nothing short of a public relations disaster, something the Matron took lengths to avoid. It was not clear who had dictated the missive exactly, but at the end of it all it hardly mattered: the necessary information was present and accounted for, anything else could be ferreted out and discussed as necessary.

Of course, once the message itself had been released from the Hospice's doors great lengths would be taken to ensure that the building itself was considered 'presentable'. While the group took care that their guests were treated well and hygienically to aid their convalescence, there were always little things that got lost in the day to day management of the Hospice. Walls that had not been touched in many a year would receive a much needed scrubbing. Plants were refreshed or replaced. Minor cosmetic repairs were made throughout the building. Sisters would giggle to one another as their uniforms were freshly laundered, pressed and tailored to appear almost as new. This entire chapter of the organisation was given a fresh coat of paint in the hopes that the underlying corruption – thought to have started and ended with Mariette – would not be examined too closely and a potential vendetta avoided. But when the Black Knight was finally received at the Hospice's doors, whispers could be heard throughout the assembled women. While they were squashed beneath the Matron's sharp gaze, it would do well for Sir Steelfang to question his footman liberally on what gossip the Sisters had seen fit to send his way during their off times, in case Lovisa herself was unable to talk as freely as she might care to.

The prospective Squire could be found on her bed, above her blankets, slowly going through a series of simple motions designed to strengthen her muscles after her extended 'rest'. Staring stoically at the ceiling, she would stretch her leg and extend her foot and slowly lift the limb away from the mattress, holding it a few inches above the surface before slowly controlling its descent. This action was repeated with her other leg, her jaw clenching with the effort it took to perform even this simple task: her brow beading with perspiration as the air was whooshed out of her lungs. The energy she had shown when confronting Mariette was gone, and while she had discovered that she could perform small tasks these greatly fatigued her and could leave her immobile for significant lengths of time afterwards. Considering that she had grown accustomed to hefting a shield and sword with ease, it was a rather galling experience to learn that if she did not eat her rice porridge in a timely manner one of the Sisters was required to spoon feed her.

Fortunately, when Kythin chose to visit it was not a meal time.

Lovisa slowly pushed herself up in her bed so that she could face him directly with a little frown, leaning against the headboard allowed her to sit upright without expending too much energy. She was frowning because the Sisters had neglected to tell her of his impending arrival and she would have appreciated the time to clean up a little – if indeed he had sent word ahead at all! - change out of those well worn bedclothes, and because it was in part a self defence mechanism. She was unsure how he was going to react: his potential Squire disappearing for months on end without any word, only to eventually be found bedridden and unable to perform simple stretching exercises without tiring. She did not know if she faced a form of sympathy, or a firing squad. And she did not honestly know which she would prefer.

[Kythin Steelfang]

Minimal in its information the missive still received a response from the infamous Black Knight. While rarely one to give warning prior to his arrival this visitation earned a response in writing as well as in person. One penned by the hand of Sir Birtel, while the other came in physical form as Kythin arrived before the Red Hospice. His arrival met by the footman playing messager, he received what the man had learned with brief and to the point responses from the rigid soldier. It occured that this was one of Birtel's men from the Wintercrest Rebellion, a native Kullyrian sent to deliever the response and gather information then? Birtel seemed to be taking plenty of liberty within his role as an informal spymaster among the fledgling Order within Dunsany.

Even to this reputed place of healing the Black Knight arrived clad in the Blue-ish Black Half-Plate, ever the imposing sight when word of his reputation came ahead of him. Here well within the Kullyrian borders he expected that infamy to earn little more than respect borne of fear.. if not outright hiding behind their walls due to his arrival. Whatever the healers within thought, he was here to see what had become of Lovisa, his prospective Squire who up until word had reached Castle Dunsany had been presumed dead when nothing of her turned up within the Chapel where her Vigil was to be spent.

Once more his attention came to the footman.

" Continue learning what you can from the talkative sisters within. I do not trust the all too little information we received on this matter. "

" Yes, My Lord. "

Dismissing his spy to his duties among the sisters of the Hospice, Kythin finally moved to enter the hospice as directed by one of the assumedly many sisters of the Red Hospice.

" Direct me to my Squire. "

Yes, he was sure whomever held sway over the sisters would wish to meet with him. Though they were not his concern at this time. The reason for his coming involved his Squire after all. Once led to the chamber where Lovisa had seemingly be limited to for sometime given her appearance. Taking in the degraded physical condition earned a stoic expression rather than give away his thoughts to the red-haired Doxenian.

" It would seem you did indeed survive your Vigil, Lady Ascheberg. You will have to recover as quickly as possible. "

While he did not explain why she needed to recover as quickly as possible.. there was the matter of making her a proper Squire, if not a Knight outright. Kythin was not the sort of man to reward anything less than survival despite the odds against them for  those in his service. Lovisa von Ascheberg had performed admirably to survive the spirit within the Chapel and not have become much like it. After all, he knew she had entered the Hexenthal Chapel, as it had become known, those many months ago without ever seemingly coming out , nor did his men prove capable of entering at the time. By the time they could accomplish the task? There hadn't been a body to recover.. surprising the search party.

[Dame Lovisa von Ascheberg]

"Survived? Perhaps."

The mutter was pushed from between barely moving lips, the woman speaking primarily in the harsh and often sharp language of Doxenia. The choice to use her mother tongue was for a few small reasons: there was a certain degree of comfort found in clinging to the familiar, while she could speak and understand common as well as any man she had a greater degree of control over her native language. And the other - perhaps, largest - reason was that she suspected that the Sisters themselves were unfamiliar with the tongue. There had been the occasional time when frustrated with her efforts she had released a string of doxenian curses that would make her former Sergeant blush and stutter, and any Sister within hearing distance merely chided her for her increased volume. Of course, working in such a Hospice they could merely be immune to such foul language .. but she felt the former circumstance was in fact the true case, especially taking into consideration that despite her penchant for armor, shields and heavy swords Lovisa was in fact a woman: and stereotypes ran as thick here as they did in any part of Arith.

Despite her words though, it was indeed true that she did not succumb to the beasts influence within the Chapel. Though her body was wasted, thanks to her cursed bloodline she would heal at a faster rate than a normal woman, and though she bore a few mental scars .. the nightmares themselves would eventually fade, her ideals and morals unaffected by her brush with death. She had woken from her slumber with a renewed sense of purpose, and perhaps more than a little anger at herself for allowing it to get even as far as it did: had she chosen to keep her weapons closer to hand, she may not have experienced this set back in her training. The years spent pushing her body through the drills in the practice yard, sparring with her fellow cadets, working in the small hours of the morning to hone her muscles and make up for her girlish frame had been rewound to even before she had joined the Academy. Yes, she uttered curses, and the fact that her demonic heritage (unaware as ever was she of her true draconic bloodline) had played a major part in surviving Sister Mariette's attack was a significant source of rage and self hatred.

She stared at a wrinkle in her bedsheets for a time before uttering a short self depreciating laugh and scrambled from the very depths of her tattered brain a portion of manners, gesturing to a chair that was settled in the corner of the room.

"A seat, if you would. I trust your journey was not an arduous one?"

Lovisa watched him, still utilizing doxenian as she had seen him display an understanding for the tongue when they had first met, and he had chided her party on their piss poor manners when speaking of their officers. She wondered how much of her confrontation in the Chapel he was aware of, and indeed how much he had gleaned regarding the Hospice itself .. and how much she could freely discuss while within their walls. The Matron was a sharp one, and who knew how many bolt holes or cracks in the wall there were in this building, where one could spy on unwary patients with their visitors.

[Kythin Steelfang]

Doxenian was no more his mother tongue than Kullyrian. A fact that always came to mind as his mind forced itself to process the words through whatever arcane filter his draconic heritage and evolution alike had brought about in him. All the same the word he responded with were as Doxenian in origin as her own.

" Perhaps? "

Steel-grey eyes gave the woman an inquisitive glance though could pick up on things readily enough. It was readily apparent that the soldier he'd first met was strong of arm and sturdy in body. Now it proved plain to see that the woman before him, while still that very soldier, did not currently possess the capability to perform as she once did. Not yet.

The request that he take a seat earned no reprimand as it might have from a proper superior officer in ranks of military. Rather the Black Knight looked to the chair for a moment prior to making the short walk to drop his own muscular and sturdy frame onto it. His man within the hospice had not returned to deliever word of what the sisters might have decided to let slip. Such a nuisance allowed the time to humor Lovisa, thus submitting himself to their chat with a touch more attentiveness than might otherwise have been given.

" No, not an arduous one merely the nuisance of keeping the Blood unaware of our movements. "

Such was largely the reason for the small number in which he traveled with. As an adventurer with the Obsidian Heart he remained use to traveling with groups of five or six at most. The same applied to those few he chose to join him for this visit. All save one remained outside the Hospice spread out to keep a watchful eye on the surronding area.

" I trust you are capable enough to tell what has transpired? In the Chapel and this Hospice as well. "

Kythin rarely trusted the limited information that those fearful of what might come to pass with his involvement. Whether the Matron or the Sisters truly were hiding something about his Squire or solely his reputation was to blame. He intended to discover the truth of it.

[Dame Lovisa von Ascheberg]

''If this is what you can call surviving? Reduced to a mere fraction of my former ability, requiring assistance for the most basic of tasks like a newborn babe? Then yes, perhaps.''

Lovisa's tone was flat and her voice abrasive, the woman clearly remaining unconvinced as to her fortune, appearing as if uncertain whether merely dying outright would have been the better option than to have had her body waste until she could not prove even the faintest of challenges to a mere child. For a time she stared grumpily at the opposing wall, refusing to make eye contact with the knight as a finger absently picked at the semi opaque scales that fanned out from the corners of her eyes and across her temples. They were reminiscent of tiny chips of red gemstone, though depending on the lighting they could release a collection of colours as if the light shone through a prism. Finally, she heaved in a deep breath and released it slowly, turning to face him.

''My apologies. These walls are driving me mad, amplifying my ill feelings regarding this situation. Clearly I have survived, and have the opportunity to improve my lot. Not everyone can say that.''

She was not without a degree of moxie, though time would tell whether her budding depression could overshadow even her grim determination to survive. Watching him as he moved to the offered chair, she found herself wondering if the simple wood was capable of taking the weight of man and armor. Apparently it was able to step up to the challenge, as while the furniture dipped a fraction it did not fracture and break once it was entrusted to hold him up. She soon realised that she was staring, cleared her throat slightly and cast her mind back to his most recent of remarks.

''The Blood .. Blood Knights of Kullyr? They would seek to prove themselves a hindrance to you?''

Lovisa was unable to recall accurately where she had heard of the Blood Knights, whether in passing back at the Academy or if Kythin himself had made mention to them. In either case, at that precise moment there was not much more information available to her than the name though as seconds passed she would remember his position with Dunsany and nod slightly with her lips pressed in a thin line. Naturally they would attempt to hinder his efforts, and would only prove to be a waste of his time. Her recent experiences had clearly addled her brains and there may be other tidbits of information that she would be unable to recall from several months past, eventually however she would get there. It would just be slow going in the mean while.

She considered his question and arranged her thoughts, letting her hands fall into her lap in an attempt to forestall any unnecessary fidgeting. While her memory before the Chapel may have been patchy in places, her recollection of the actual events afterwards were very clear. Her voice was hesitant at first and a little scratchy, but nevertheless she laid out the details as she saw them.

''I arrived at the Hexenthal Chapel in good time and made my preparations. The majority of my belongings and your horse I left near what I presumed to be the caretakers quarters. I entered the Chapel and lit the sconces to prevent injury, leaving my pack near the door where it would not prove a distraction. I began my meditations. Some time after, exactly how long I do not know only that it was fully dark by that time, I was set upon by some manner of living corpse.''

She paused, and swallowed.

''I am not familiar with its breed, it could be any manner of undead thing. But it caught me by surprise and knocked me down. It proceeded to .. drink .. from me? There was a light that flowed between us, and I was becoming noticeably weaker. Afterwards ..''

There was the faintest flicker of her eyelid.

''Afterwards I lost consciousness, whatever became of the beast I do not know. According to the Sisters I was found wandering the road dazed, confused and babbling incoherently. Of this I also have no recollection. Only that they brought me to the Hospice, where I fell into a deep slumber. According to the Sisters, I was in this state for a manner of months.''

She paused again after she fell into a fit of coughing, moving slightly to take hold of a wooden cup half filled with stale water. Taking a few deep swallows, she returned it unsteadily to the table beside her bed and resumed her tale.

''As for the Hospice itself. Apparently there are some here who were non too pleased to learn of your tenuous connection with myself, as one attempted to take my life on the very day I woke and related my personal information. Were it not for the intervention of Matron Cosima I would have died, as I was unable to defend myself given my current physical state. Since then the Matron has kept a close eye on me and the other Sisters underneath her iron fist .. which brings us here today.''

She laughed bitterly, as far as Lovisa was concerned Sister Mariette had died with the dagger that had been thrust through her, but if Kythin's man was a good one he would no doubt come to his master with an entirely different story. Rumour abound of strange noises that sound from deep within the Hospice in the dead of night, the wicked Sister bound and imprisoned beneath the very foundations of the building. It was entirely possible that this servant of Kythin's would come with additional details to Lovisa's tale. That her ramblings had not been entirely incoherent and had in fact directed them to the Chapel itself, where the horse and her personal belongings had been retrieved. As for the beast? Well, no one had seen such a creature before and they are still in the dark: the only sign that any struggle had taken place had been curious scorch marks on the cobbles of the Chapel, and a pile of ash scattering in the breeze. What Kythin chose to make of this would be uncertain, and whether he was able to come to the conclusion that his squire had left out the undead creatures method of demise was something else all together.

The woman sighed, air leaving her lungs in a carefully controlled fashion so as not to set off another fit of coughing.

''Which, is everything as I know it.''

[Kythin Steelfang]

Kythin did not care of the abrasive tone his squire brought to bear against him. His steel-grey eyes narrowed, his expression taking on the scowl that had caused many to call him 'The Scowling Knight', or 'Knight of Scowls'. A jest spoken behind his back by those outside of Kullyr. If not for the apology that came in its wake his anger may well have bubbled up to dangerous levels.

The heat of anger cooled with acceptance, if not understanding of the plight she was faced with. The seated man caught her stare only after his calm had returned to present a more understanding expression.

" The undead hate the living for a reason. While we mete out our lives, they watch on with boiling envy, hate, and more rage than we could ever understand. "

Such came from a man who had once chosen to betray his allies, his friends in order to side with an undead monster that offered power and title. While the Vampire King had not delievered upon the promise of power, his title could not be denied even by the Kullyrians. Much like the noble families that remained from the nights of Dunsany and remained under the lazy days of Kullyr, he was a relic of another time that existed within the present.

" Yes, the Blood of Kullyr, it would not be the first time they have chosen to bring battle to my doorstep. All who have dared have died and all who surrended now serve in the ranks of the Black. "

Sir Birtel could be counted among those who surrendered only to earn station and title within the 'dead kingdom' of Dunsany.

" Perhaps you will meet one of them once you have recuperated enough to act as a proper Squire. "

It was not long after that Lovisa began to speak of her experiences within the Chapel. Kythin listened, silent as he absorbed what information that could be easily processed by his like.. a man who knew more about the Divine and their Faiths than the Arcane and Undead.

" It sounds much akin to the apparitions that I faced enmasse during the incidents manipulated by the an ancient group of Necromancers these last few months. They did not possess a physical form. "

A wraith that had possessed its otherwise deceased former body perhaps? Kythin questioned the possiblity of such a thing. Not that he was prepared to research it nor track down a Necromancer for himself to learn more.

While his thoughts were distracted with the matter of undead, Lovisa's coughing fit drew his attention once more to the red-haired woman. He awaited in silence as she drank from her cup to soothe the dryness of a cough-wracked throat.

" ... "

A brow rose as his mind repeated those words in his own head. A Sister of the Hospice had tried to murder her? Though about to demand more information about the incident, the Black Knight found reason to pause as his man finally came to join them. The man was a Kullyrian native and one possessed of a sort of otherwordly beauty that made others more likely to discuss things with him.

The young man looked between the Steward of Castle Dunsany then the would-be Squire noting the scales that both appeared to share even if the colors differed greatly.

" My Lord, "

Kythin lifted, then turned his head to the voice of the Messager. A man possessing an otherwordly beauty that made it almost trivial to make the Sisters of the Hospice talk. He rose to his feet after a gesture of pause to Lovisa in order to move towards the man to hear what had been learned from the Sisters.

" The Sister she mentioned.. that tried to kill her. She may not be as dead as we would like through this Matron's actions if its true. "

Aside from the greeting, which came in Kullyrian, the rest of his words were spoken in a much more sinister language. The news deepened the Knight's scowl once more and cause his gaze to take in Lovisa.

" We cannot allow such transgressions against of our own to go unpunished. See to it that the Matron hears that I wish to speak with her, in private. First, I wish two of the soldiers to be posted outside this room. "

As if practically on cue one of those soldiers who had been keeping watch outside burst into the Hospice and immediately made the turn to Lovisa's chambers .. only for the Messager to step out to meet the Watcher rather than allow more to see the Squire in her weakened condition.

" Are you certain? The Blood approach.. led by a man in blue and gold? "

Well that sounded odd. All the same the word was passed immediately to Kythin.

" Wonderful. Make certain our men do not engage in direct assualt. If possible lead the bulk of their forces away from the Hospice. "

After both men had been dismissed with their orders, Kythin returned to his seat near the bed-ridden Lovisa.

" It would seem your would-be killer might not be as dead as you were led to believe. If its true.. how would you prefer this be handled? My men and I do not take lightly the attempted murder of one of our own. "

Choosing not to mention the approach of the Kullyrian Blood Knights, Kythin instead sought to settle the most easily decided matter that had cropped up in but a span of a few moments. 

[Dame Lovisa von Ascheberg]

Fortunately Lovisa had the ability to acknowledge when she was acting like a child and had apologised without hesitation as she was currently in no state to endure or even fight his wrath. She mused silently over his words regarding the undead creature. She had never faced its like before, and in truth hoped she would never be required to again, but the way Kythin spoke made it seem that the land was lousy with the beasts and she finally had been forced to open her eyes to it. Perhaps the confrontation would fall more in her favour from the very outset if she had access to her armaments .. she supposed she would not be adverse to trying again, if she could find a similar creature. If she could best one under her own strength, it would go far towards her mental recovery.

She was dwelling on these thoughts unbidden as a stranger crossed the threshold and entered what could be considered both her prison and her sanctum, and her initial reaction was to be one of personal affront given that he had neither asked for nor been given permission to enter. But despite her mannerisms and seeming lack of interest in such affairs, she was not immune to the man's otherworldly beauty and it gave her pause, the scales high on her cheekbones darkening a fraction until she regained her own self control. She noted the familiarity the stranger and Kythin exchanged, and so she settled down wordlessly when the knight indicated that she should excuse him, and instead watched the two carry on with their discussion.

Naturally, she was not well versed in the tongue that either man used and so was unable to discern even the gist of the conversation. Her only clues would be the tones of their voices, perhaps any body language used that may indicate the discussion was a serious one. Even more so when the knight turned to look at her directly, prompting a slight lift of her chin as enquiry that would not be answered immediately. Lovisa did express a degree of surprise however, while she did not understand the messengers motives she would be gladdened to learn that he had shielded her from the eyes of the additional soldiers set to be posted outside of her door. It was hard enough being a woman in the military world, while views were changing these things moved slow, but she would have felt even worse given her current 'less than' state. Give her a sword, her health, and she would bash sense into them readily. But for now she could barely intimidate a kitten.

Her attention was returned to Kythin completely when he disengaged with the pretty messenger and returned to his seat, his expression grim, but so far she had yet to see a moment when it was not. As he regaled her with this new piece of information regarding Sister Mariette, her blood ran icy cold in her veins and any minor movement about her person ceased. If her face had held any vestige of colour in the wake of his messenger it was leached from her skin with this news, leaving the flesh a distinct ashy grey devoid of its usual warmth.

''I see.''

She looked down at her hands, watched the fingers furl and unfurl against the cloth of her garments.

''.. thirhe ..''

Lips had barely parted though there was a distinct flash of light from behind her teeth, the woman distinctly unaware that she had said anything at all, though the guttural hissing murmur had surely left her throat. Looking back up, her eyes were hard and her face determined as she studied the knight in the chair in silence, before she shifted across the bed and allowed her legs to fall over the side. Groping near the headboard, she pulled out two sturdy lengths of wood with various hand grips along their surface. Though it took some doing, she was able to redirect the crutches beneath her and use them to support her weight, the woman's breath coming in a little faster with the effort though she was able to pull herself upright under her own strength. It was a matter of pride.

''Justice.''

It was a markedly different word than had escaped her lips prior, clearly there was some level of conflict taking place beneath that surface, conflict and growing anger. Her heart wanted one thing, and her mind another. Wasn't that always the way? Her own set of .. codes and practices .. would not allow her to deal with the woman directly even if she did have the physical ability to do so, however, she would in the very least see to it that the Matron did not cover up what had occurred here, and Mariette would be brought before a court of her peers. And perhaps promptly executed, based on what the Matron had let slip after the dust had settled, depending on the laws of the land.

Of course, that all depended on whether she was able to make it out of the room in one piece.

[Kythin Steelfang]

Between the matters evolving within the confines of the Hospice and those outside of it. Kythin saw the need to keep the soldiers and Knights of the Blood of Kullyr well away from the place of healing. The irony of a place of healing potentially having hidden places where a wayward Sister might be tortured for her crimes? Though amusing to some the Black Knight viewed it as a serious matter. If only due to the Matron's lack of seeking his and therefore Dunsany's thoughts on the rather significant matter.

Informing Lovisa of what he'd learned as it pertained to her resulted in much as expected of the fiery spirit women such that always resorted to bolster even a failing body. Whether a call for justice or vengence Kythin saw fit not to restrict his Squire in seeing to the matter under her own power. While confronting the Matron could be allowed on a verbal scale even the Black Knight would not leave a weakened woman to handle potentially dangerous situations on her own.

" A messager of mine has already gone to request a meeting with the Matron. Consider your own limitations while we move for I will not help nor will I carry you. "

The weak could not be helped only the strong willed could be made to out-manuever what fate otherwise might decree for them. Much as he saw to it that Sir Birtel gave the denizens of Wintercrest time to evacatuate if they disagreed with the actions to be taken against their supposedly rightful Lord. Now the same application of allowing those with the will to undertake action came in advise and warning alike to his Squire.

Thus Kythin took his time in making his way to the Matron's office or quarters. Alas what did that mean for the nuisance of the Blood beyond the Hospice's walls?

[Kythin Steelfang]

[ Text color: Gray | Character: Davkul Twice-Damned (sn: suffertheflame) ]

The former soldier took note of the actions of the men the Knight-Captain had sent with him. They saw something he had failed to take note of on their trek to the Hospice. Of course, with the wary looks the soldiers and knights alike had given him for his appearance.. and re-appearance after being rumored dead since the Vampire-King incident, he knew they did not care to follow his lead.

" Fine. Go look into it.. "

Truth be told the Twice-damned had not expected all of them to follow his relenting orders. It was clean these men did not respect him, nor did they want to be there. Not that he could blame them.. investigating a Hospice over sightings of the Blood Traitors and the Black Knight and roughing up mere healers for answers took an unsavory sort to enjoy.

Although the Blood and Soldiers both took off the investigate the many movements heading away from the Hospice in the adjacent woodlands, Davkul continued on. In fact, it was not long at all before the Hellborn stepped into the Hospice for himself. How the Sisters would react to someone like him, clearly possessing many a fiendish trait to his appearance.. and worse those un-natural eyes and , if at the right angle, the horns otherwise hidden by the blue and gold hood that covered his head from the chill and sunlight alike.

As soon as one of the Sister's came near, he spoke up.

" Show me to whoever is in charge, I have important matters to discuss with them. "

[Dame Lovisa von Ascheberg]

A short laugh was barked out as if through no will of her own, the blood haired woman offering Kythin perhaps what may have been her first genuine smile since the unfortunate matter of Oswin Schreiner.

''If I should ever .. ever .. fall so low as to require such aid, I expect you to finish the job instead. I would be of no use to anyone, and would do the same if our circumstances were somehow reversed.''

Frankly she had already expected to be euthanised, and perhaps if he had been the one to find her wandering the road in a delirium that may have been the case. But instead it had been others with a less brutal set of standards, and so she had been given a chance not to fuck up so royally again, and was nursed back to a semblance of health by these Red Sisters.

When she moved across the room it was not as quickly as she would like .. the pace was slow and careful, as she had already discovered just how painful it is extracting oneself from a tangle of wood when your limbs suddenly decided to refuse to cooperate, to ignore the most basic of mental commands and leave you stranded in the hall until someone stumbled across you. The crutches thudded solidly against the stone floor, her feet grazing the surface as she gently swung her body forward, and repeated the movement in order to make progress. Slow going, but she did successfully traverse the distance and was moving past Kythin and out into the hall. It was here that she faced her second obstacle: she had not spent a significant amount of time exploring the building, and so would be unable to find the Matron's seat of power under her own ability. Fortunately, the place was absolutely riddled with Sisters and so it would not take long before she could glean some directions. The other woman seemed reluctant at first, but as her eyes flicked between the harried looking patient and the stern Black Knight she found her motivation and gave a series of descriptions that would eventually lead to the Matron Cosima.

For everyone else, the distance between Lovisa's room and the Matron's main office was not a long one, but as far as this woman was concerned it was a serious trek that seemed to take forever. The basic act of moving required more energy than she previously had to offer, and if she were forced to make it again she would run into some difficulties .. she was scraping the bottom of the barrel as it was. But despite the pace slowing to a crawl, the prospective knight pausing to catch her breath from time to time, they did succeed in making it to the office itself.

From the outside, the room was not distinguishable from the rest of the building. The door was undecorated save for a single placard with 'Matron' predictably scrawled across it, a simple wood that acted as a stern barrier and was currently closed. Lovisa examined this for a time and found that she was at a disadvantage. Hopping a little closer, she leaned against the door frame so that she had some support, and allowed one hand to leave the safety of her crutch so that it could collide with the wood and announce their presence .. alas, she had neither the strength nor the weight to sound a suitable knock, and as the woman leaned closer she could hear one side of a conversation through the barrier. It was muffled by the obstruction, but the Matron's voice was nevertheless present. Lovisa did not consider this eavesdropping as she had learned of the Matron's presence through happen stance. Frowning, she shifted herself about and was able to correct her position and remove herself from directly in front of the door, turning her head so that she could face Kythin directly.

''She is in the midst of what could only be a heated discussion, though I am unable to locate a second voice. I am afraid that my attempts at .. gaining her notice .. are insufficient. I would be grateful if you could announce our presence in my stead, if it is not any trouble ..''

Lovisa did hope that such a small task did not fall under his earlier pronouncement of refusing her aid, otherwise they would be in a bit of a pickle.

[Kythin Steelfang]

" I would have ended your life back in your room if I thought you were no longer of any use to yourself, or I. "

While no longer as cruel a man as he'd once been Kythin still knew how to be a brute rather than consider his actions with a lense of honour between what could be and how it should be. It was the difference between the two that led to many a change in his life since the Betrayal outside Castle Dunsany.

" I do not waste lives needlessly, Lovisa. There is much more ahead for you. "

This despite the words they were not a kindness, the tone spoke volumes of the truth. It was a harsh sentence that was her punishment: to live with the stark reminder of how low she'd be laid.

Kythin proved amendable enough in forcing himself to slow to the pace of his recovering Squire. Much like how he'd waited rather than acted in the slow progress into the hall the process found itself on repeat in allowing Lovisa to inquire to where the chambers of the matron could be found. Once again the Black Knight moved along a good six steps behind until they were finally on their way to the office in question. Observing Lovisa and the distance between her, the office, and the room that had been left behind. Perhaps some encouragement was necessary to fuel her own.

" Do not think of how ardous the trek to our destination is for you.. think of the monstrosity that put you in this state. Think of the anger being little more than invalid. Make it your drive, Lovisa and push pass your limits such as they are. "

Whether those words of hate-inspiring encouragement were the source of her finally reaching the office.. or her own determination was to blame Kythin possessed no certainity. Instead his focus came to the door and the apparent , heated, conversation that was occuring within.

The request the Squire put forth to him despite her own attempt at knocking earned only silence for a seemingly long moment. After a ticking away of seconds he stepped forth, lifting a fist to slam it solidly into the wooden barrier between them and those on the other side.

" Its time we speak, Matron Cosima, there seems to be a fair deal to discuss. "

As his beloved often told him.. he was a rude, grumpy old knight. Even if he was not old the first two certainly rang true at times. If the knock did not earn her attention, the words that followed certainly would.

" After all.. I do not take kindly to a Sister of your Hospice trying to murder my Squire. "

[Dame Lovisa von Ascheberg]

Lovisa waited patiently as Kythin appeared to completely disregard her request, and she had almost convinced herself that she would be far better attempting to gain entry under her own steam when the Black Knight suddenly moved and pounded on that door so hard she felt the vibrations through her toes. Any conversation that was taking place on the other side of the door abruptly ceased, and Lovisa struggled to contain a small smile, though contained it eventually was .. especially once the door creaked open and the target of the hour showed her face.

Matron Cosima's mask was steadily in place, though if one looked closely one could discern layers of stress peeking out from the few gaps in her shield, perhaps even a brief flash of panic hidden deep within her eyes before she regained her full composure and stared at her 'guests' with all the imperiousness of a queen within her kingdom. Despite whatever may have been taking place within that office, there was not a hair out of place on her carefully coiffured greying head, and while the tone of her skin may have paled a fraction as she looked first from Lovisa and then to Kythin, her voice was steady as she regarded the pair.

''Well. To what do I owe this pleasure.''

It was a dry tone that brooked no nonsense, the woman stepping back with a swish of robes without even waiting for an answer so that the meeting could be conducted within her office, closing the door once the two were inside. It was a simple room, much like the rest of the Keep, with a few sparse bookshelves and a sturdy desk behind which was a single chair. Papers were organized in a careful fashion that spoke of her acumen, an ink well stoppered with but a single drop of ink carelessly staining the dark wood. The Matron moved behind her desk and sat down in order to regard to two as a judge over her court, the blood haired woman slowly crossing the room on her crutches and looking to meet the stare without blinking. The Matron looked away first, clucked her tongue and then moved her attention to Kythin.

''You must understand. Ms von Ascheberg was never in any real danger. I was able to intercede before anything got out of hand, and as you can see she is quite unharmed, which, I trust was the sole reason for your visit? She has spent considerable time under our care, and this is the first and last little bump in her road to recovery, which I assure you is an anomaly rather than standard practice of the Hospice.''

The Matron offered a thin lipped smile, and folded her hands on her desk.

''As her only known .. guardian .. I believe you can appreciate the difficulties she has run into, and will continue to face until she is back to her or--''

There was the sharp crack of wood striking wood, followed by a gentle clatter that echoed through the sudden silence of the office as the Matron stopped rather abruptly. Turning to the source of the sound, the end of a shattered crutch lay across the Matron's desk just to the left of her hands where it had connected with the solid wooden structure.

''How. Dare. You.''

Lovisa was breathing heavily, beleaguered as if she had run a marathon. Naturally her deep carmine eyes were full of anger and outrage, high spots of colour on her otherwise sallow cheeks. The remainder of the crutch hung impotent in one hand, her weight balanced precariously on its surviving twin, though from the various emotions shifting across her face it didn't seem too far of a stretch to think that her next act might be to aim it at the Matron's skull.

''Lie upon lie upon lie! Do you even listen to the words that fall from your lips like so much puss oozing from a gangrenous wound, or is this some script your superiors have demanded that you stick to come hell or high water? Have you no mind of your own, no independent thought, or are you but a puppet dancing to the whims of an unknown power? Xsio!''

The blood haired woman stepped forward on shaking legs, anger gripping her frame and fire flickering behind her teeth that shed an eerie mating of light and shadow across her lips. Finally she reached the desk entire and dropped the broken crutch, smacking her palm against the counter and using it to support her weight lest she collapse once her burst had finally run its course.

''You did NOT intervene before it got out of hand. The poison was already coursing through my veins before you even deigned to show your face. Lurking about in the shadows like a thief in the night, surely you were aware of such? For how long did you observe? It is only by the grace of my curse that I breathe today, as I am certain that you expected to find this Knights little squire long cold once you apprehended the killer in the act, spiriting her away and attributing my demise to some complication in my recovery, if you even bothered to craft such a tale. You KNEW my origin. Found wandering the road, a disposable tool in your seizure of that witch Mariette, an expendable trap to keep your precious reputation unsullied.''

Lovisa stopped her tirade as a wracking cough gripped her lungs, the Matron frozen in shock as the woman's words finally sunk in and her face grew red. Sputtering, she pushed her chair back with her legs and drew herself up to her full height as she prepared to deliver a tongue lashing of a life time, her finger poised as if it were a weapon that could cut through to the heart.

''Now you l---''

''Where. Is. MARIETTE.''

Lovisa's voice barked unexpectedly from a hoarse throat and dropped Matron Cosima in her tracks, the room frozen in that moment in time. The tension rose – at least between the squire and Matron – with no one moving as if the smallest act would be as a dropped match to a powder keg .. until a knock sounded at the door. Snapping back into her mode of authority, dragging her scraps dignity about her like a cloak, Matron Cosima called to that door with a sharp 'Enter!' and moved past the hunched squire and imposing Knight to greet whomever was requesting entry.

While Lovisa and Kythin had made their careful, sedate, way through the various corridors of the Hospice, one of the Red Sisters had been busy wringing her hands as she regarded the unusual fellow who had captured her attention. His unusual state of dress and beastly appearance were fighting with her usual instincts to be as accommodating and helpful as possible: the result of which nearly sent the poor girl into a panic attack, causing her to flee. Fortunately, years of training eventually took over and while she would occasionally regard Davkul with wide doe like eyes teetering on the brink of all encompassing terror she was able to fulfil his simple request. That was, deliver him unto the woman in charge of this increasingly popular spot in Arith.

As they neared the office, the sound of raised voices could be heard through the closed door, causing the Sister to stumble in her step, unsure as to whether or not she should interrupt .. but one more look at Davkul meant that she weighed the pros and cons and decided that she did not wish to discover what defying such a man would earn her, and so she would all but run to the door and give it a series of woodpecker like raps, pushing it open almost before she heard the Matron grant her entry.

''S...someone to see you, Matron!''

And then she was gone, fleeing with a flurry of skirts and leaving the Matron, broken squire, grumpy Knight, and unknown Davkul alone to whatever fireworks might result from this curious meeting.

[Kythin Steelfang]

" Allow me to ask you a question, Matron, You realize to whom you are speaking I trust? "

The Black Knight's visage came to be marked by the scowl that fit his features best, the source of the moniker of 'The Scowling Knight' by those few who actually considered him in positive terms. The scowl grew as seconds ticked by even with Lovisa interrupting to speak her mind. Though those words came out of turn, Kythin allowed them without intervening. Hearing Lovisa speak of it certainly painted it in far more serious a light than the Matron would suggest.

" I know all I need to be informed of Matron. My Squire wishes justice, as do I, and I will not be as pleasant in seeking it. March Mariette out in whatever condition she may be in. The alternative will involve the world at large within Kullyr and without to be made aware of the horrors you hid within a place of healing. As well as such an infamous man as myself tearing this hospice apart until she is in my custody. You desire to have this matter swept under and kept from prying eyes? Then submit before you draw a Dragon's Wrath. "

Seeing as Matron Cosima chose to ignore them in favor of seeing to supposedly more manipulatible guests. It took little out of the Black Knight to raise his arm and drop his hand atop the woman's shoulder.

" I will only stand by patiently a little longer, Matron Cosima. If Mariette is not in my custody within the hour, I will judge you in her stead as an accomplice to acts of murder and war alike. I advise you get started.. my men will be seeing to the transport of the patients to safety in the meantime."

Even as their meeting earned another party to witness the scene of the Black Knight with a hand at the shoulder of the Matron and the fiery, if broken, Squire Kythin retained that harsh grip rather than allow an escape to presumed safety elsewhere in the Hospice.

[davkul]

A familiar reaction greeted his request to be shown to the office of Matron Cosima. The poor girl clearly knew not at all how to deal with a visitor that looked quite like him. How diffcult to forget the curse of the hellborne whenever he found himself dealing with the untainted masses of Arith. He shook his head in response to the wide eyes and wringing hands of the Sister.

" Do you react thus when any Paladin of the Just Hammer pays your Hospice a visit? "

An attempt to calm the Sister with a jest made he continued to move in her wake. The raised voices on the other side of the office door earned more attention than the Sister, who was allowed to scurry off without even a goodbye. He stepped pass the threshold just shy of the words of the Black Knight to the Matron, and while certainly unaware it did not take long before the visage of the man struck a chord of memory.

" Hexenthal's Butcher. "

He growled, already reaching for the pistol that was subsequently aimed at the unprotected head Kythin Steelfang. The hand free of the weight of a firearm came to his throat were it clasped around the holy symbol that hung from the chain that kept it there. The prayer he murmured proved short though as effective as any other time it could be. The Zone of Truth (skill)  gifted by the Twin Gods of Justice would serve him well.

" Matron! What is going on here? "

[Dame Lovisa von Ascheberg]

"You will unhand me, unless it truly is your wish to become known as one who harries those much weaker than yourself, in a place of healing no less."

The Matron had been brought short by the sudden weight upon her shoulder, a weight that in spite of its humble appearance spoke of a pressure normally found only in mountains towering above the clouds. At her first opportunity she would shake herself free and withdraw from the unruly knight and his ill mannered squire, but until such presented itself she would do her best to simply ignore it: standing tall as this newest guest was presented to her, eyes lifting to the heavens as her own muttered prayer was released to capricious gods who insisted on toying with this day. She had not missed Davkul's oath as he entered, though some voice at the back of her mind did wonder if she could deflect these 'guests' off on each other in order to preserve her own hide; but it was quickly rejected. Surely they would bring the Hospice down around their ears and whoever came out on top would be soon gunning for her. Perhaps in a literal fashion, as it would appear that Davkul had entered the fray armed with ranged weaponry ..

"Is it not obvious dear? Sir Brute and his scarlet whore are planning on bullying me until I divulge the location of a former Sister - Mariette, a Hexenbiest - who is secured for our protection until I have received adequate instruction regarding her disposal or incarceration from my superiors."

Initially she was not aware of just how much her flippant and scathing tongue had delivered until some short moments after, at which point she first inflated with outrage as her face grew red, before withering in shock as the full impact of what she had said came down on her.

"... what did you do?"

She was certain that something had occurred. You did not rise to the lofty position of Matron by having a loose tongue. Sharp yes, but never loose. The Matron had grown pale, as she had succeeded in releasing a series of personal thoughts best kept behind closed minds, and doubtless the already smouldering anger of the two behind her were going to reach greater heights after she personally insulted the both of them in but a few short words.

Fortunately for the moment, it would appear that Lovisa was far too shocked to offer a rebuttal, and she was recovering from the earlier adrenaline fueled outburst that had ended in the destruction of one of her crutches. Though as she leaned heavily on the remaining length of wood, if one were to look at her (unlikely, as doubtlessly all eyes would be on the faltering Matron) they would see that her heavy lidded eyes were not trained on the shifty woman but instead on the armed man: who displayed all the outer appearances of demonkin. Lovisa was shaking a little. Bile rose in her throat. Her molars were unthinkingly ground together and her jaw hurt with the level of pressure she gave her unsuspecting teeth. There were few people upon this planet that she hated as thoroughly as she did Mariette: and this man was swiftly rising to the top, despite having done no more than be delivered into her presence and make a prayer to his gods.

"... She is in the bowels of the Hospice, storage rooms long since closed off due to the level of damp damaging the supplies. I will take you there, but I wash my hands of this from that moment onwards."

The other woman's voice was quiet and barely cut through the tumultuous thoughts of the blood haired squire, her eyes remaining locked on the demonkin as if nothing else mattered, not even her own flagging condition. The Matron herself appeared well and truly deflated and was trying her best to keep her skin intact after her gaffe, but there was nothing else she could offer aside from that which they had demanded all along, the delivery of the aforementioned former Sister, and hope that it would be enough to mend the fences and prevent this from becoming an international incident.

[Kythin Steelfang]

" Truly it is a surprise I have not pulled your tongue through a hole in your throat. "

Said Knight crossed his arms across his chest while taking up the momentary hobby of a one-sided stare down with the Matron. The arrival of a third party claimed his attention not long after the others in the room along with him acknowledged the demonkin. This was the sort of interloper that turned heads and garnered plenty of wary glances.

Kythin bit back a laugh as the Matron , and likely they as well, came under the effect of some spell or other brought to bear by the demonkin. Only after that instant did he take note of the resemblance the Hellborne held to the description of the one who had been leading a squad of Blood Knights towards the hospice. True this man lacked the armor that gave the Knights that was their most apparent namesake. The nuisance of the firearm aimed in his directly garnered only minor consideration at that time.

The other notable matter .. came with the words of the Matron; a Hexenbiest? He recognized the term as one of Doxenia origin. A strange thing to hear within the borders of Kullyr sans from the mouth of a Doxenian Native such as Lovisa.

" Who are your superiors? "

Of course he would make use of the effects brought about by the Demonkin for his own purposes. Especially when the possiblity this could be tied to Doxenia had come to mind. This did not mean he forgot about what Matrom Cosima chose to call he and his Squire.

" Blood can not be washed away as easily as you would make it seem, Matron. You will face justice as greatly as Mariette. "

And if he had any say in it at all, it would be his justice Matron Cosima would face.

[davkul]

Strange the situations one such as he could find themselves walking into with nary an inkling of its gravity. Not only did the Black Knight of Dunsany currently occupy this chamber, but two women as well .. neither of whom seemed
all that in favor of the other from the context gathered from the truth-borne words of the Matron. Davkul found the Matron difficult to deal with after her response through the filter of a Coleus Zone; an abuse of the effect to be sure .. such things found greater use in trials to ward off liars in matters of justice.

Teeth were ground harshly against their counterparts on the opposing jaw in the face of a woman being bad-mouthed in his presence .. unfortunately by another woman thus leaving him and his code in quite the quandry.

" Not obvisous at all, Matron. "

He spoke through gritted teeth. Though as his tongue brushed against his teeth from within as the chance to comtemplate the situation could finally be afforded long as the Black Knight saw fit to stand idle for the moment. He knew not what a Hexenbiest might be and while it sounded vile solely by the inclusion of Hexen in as part of the word. Further context afforded Davkul reason enough to take control of the situation as a Paladin of Gods of Truth and Justice.

" As Coleus bids. "

Came such a simple answer to the question about what he'd done. He wondered , if briefly, if any of them knew the name of the God of Truth.

" And as Daleus bids."

Or the God of Justice.

" Lead the way to your prisoner, Matron. If Mariette's crimes are indeed so great that the likes of Hexenthal's Knight feels outrage over them .. then she must be a monster greater than his late Master. "

A little late was notice taken of the crutches , one whole and one broken, in the obvious possession of the redhead that appeared unhappy with his presence ; not an uncommon matter to be sure. Despite as prejudice due to his appearance Davkul inclined his head politely to the Squire.

" If you have need of assistance , Milady, it will be given. "

[Dame Lovisa von Ascheberg]

Though the Matron deigned not to respond to Davkul's appalling ignorance regarding the situation, she did make free with a rolling of the eyes to display her distaste of the situation. Anyone with eyes in their heads could see that Kythin was an overbearing lout, and was there not that broken crutch upon her desk that cried of Lovisa's inability to control her temper? No, he may not have yet known the reasons behind their lack of patience with the Matron at this moment, but the fact that she was flanked (and indeed, Kythin's hand still rested upon her shoulder) by two aggressive was very much apparent.

As she was delivered the series of questions she tightened her arms around her torso and appeared reluctant to speak at all, but after some careful consideration regarding the benefits – her increased life expectancy being one of them – she gave a small nod, followed by a short self depreciating laugh.

''There is much you do not understand, Knight, there is far more to ..''

She paused and frowned, clearing her throat slightly.

''Far more .. to this Hospice than .. you could have reckoned with .. ''

Each series of words were interrupted by a slight cough that gradually grew in urgency. The woman politely covered her mouth as she waited for the episode to pass before carrying on, but it soon got to the stage where she seemed unable to get a word in edgewise with her bodies own convulsions. Everything seemed normal enough at first, just a bit of dust caught in the throat. A long day of shouting orders and hurried whispers to persons unknown. This degree of normalcy was compounded by the fact that the woman took steps to return to her desk, upon which a glass of water resided with the intent to slake the thirst and soothe dry throats of whomever picked it up.

The fragile normalcy was shattered like so many shards of glass, as the receptacle was dropped to the cold uncaring stones beneath her feet, water soon staining them.

Sounds of breaking glassware pulled Lovisa from her focus on the demonkin that had placed himself before her, and finally allowed her to settle her eyes on Matron Cosima. The would be squire did not move an inch as she observed the Matron begin to frantically claw at her throat, the skin of her face growing purple as a tongue jutted from between her lips. It had moved beyond a simple cough .. whatever it was that plagued the Matron seemed set on strangling her. But Lovisa did not move a muscle, bright eyes calmly observing the grisly pantomime that played out in that room until crimson laced spittle began to bubble at the other woman's mouth: was this the justice that Lovisa had asked for? Was an unseen hand delivering punishment rightly deserved?

The blood haired woman moved as quickly as she was able given her present circumstances, callously knocking the Matron to the ground with a prod of her crutch and her own far from lissome body folding soon after, wood clattering off to one side as Lovisa rested on her knees. Fingers pushed into the Matron's mouth without warning, seeking out blockages or any physical sign that would explain why she had gone from normal to a death rattle in such a short time .. but she came up with nothing. Like all members of the military academy Lovisa was well versed in the art of field first aid but this was beyond her present skills, and so it was after she made sure the Matron wouldn't bite deep into the flesh of her own tongue and bleed to death (before she suffocated) that she turned to the men present.

''...What should I do?''

If one or both had not already burst into action.

[Kythin Steelfang]

" Is that what you believe , Cosima? "

Being under-estimated did not sit well with Kythin neither as a deception to cause others to think themselves more capable, nor as the catch for the foolish. What Kythin elected to lend his focus to then made his grip on her shoulder lessen and even drift away altogether. While his oppresive touch no longer threatened the Matron immediately his steely gaze began to erupt in a dark, fiery red glow as the residual power of a God was pushed to the forefront of his possible actions.

" I see the World through different eyes. "

As if the influence of the God of Torture bore some malice for the world around the man abusing the deity's residual essence for temporal gains .. Cosima began and continued to be wracked by that cough until it became all too apparently an issue of choking. The Black Knight frowned, this could not be caused by the power .. it was far too certain a death if nothing was done. No, something else was at fault for this .. something he did not know much about. Those Masters of hers perhaps?

" You! Demonkin. Find help, Now! "

His eyes still a-glow with that angry abyssal light Kythin closed the distance to join his Squire in attempting to see to the woman.

" Wait for the Hellborne. If he does not arrive with help soon enough .. then I will be putting her out of her misery. "

A fact easily proved correct as he pulled free a stilleto dagger from its hiding place. No doubt the weapon would soon be poised to give the old woman a quick death. 

[davkul]

As trained in battlefield first aid at the next soldier ; Davkul found himself frozen by the worsening of the Hospice Matron's sympthoms towards such a life-threatening degree. Much as his instincts were to remain and try to give aid as best he could .. the male knew all too well his affinity for the healing arts would be no where near great enough to stop whatever afflicted the woman on his own.

The situation seemed dire enough that even the order of the man he viewed as a Butcher of Men still served to direct the Holy Warrior out of the matron's office and towards the nearest sister of the Hospice seeking their aid for the seemingly dying woman. How well his hell-tinged appearance would hinder in that task; could not be easily guessed .. gentle-folk such as this sisters that gave themselves to the care of patients? Would they be too afraid to listen when a demonkin began demanding something from them in such a frantic, worrisome way?

[Dame Lovisa von Ascheberg]

Lovisa was visibly shaken when her mentor's otherwise metalline eyes were overcome by a devilish hue, the woman flinching in reflex as years old hatred bubbled to the surface before being squashed down by a careful mind: her mentor was not demonkin. She knew that well. She should save that animosity for the other beast in the room .. the horned one who was soon sent scurrying for help at Kythin's command. On another day that may have encouraged her to smirk, how easily he jumped at the Knights words, but there was entirely too much gravity to this situation to even allow the merest twitch of her lips. Instead she found her head moving in an outward display of compliance as he continued to speak.

She returned her attention to the stricken woman .. deep scratches were marring the skin of her throat where fingernails had sought to dig out whatever obstruction it was that forced her into such a state. Her lips and the flesh around about them had begun to turn a startling shade of blue black, while the rest of her face was beginning to gain an ashen quality. Her eyes were the most horrifying change however. So cold they had been So sharp. They had been eyes that could turn a Sister into jelly on their own merit if she'd had a notion to. Now deep red lines marred the brilliant white surface, and they shone with a stark terror the woman had never felt before. Lovisa almost felt a pang of genuine concern for the woman, maybe she was in over her head, caught beneath something she didn't understand and could not control. But no .. she had seen those eyes when Matron Cosima had shoved her blade in Mariette's back after having watched in silence as the alleged Hexenbiest attempted to poison her. There was nothing innocent about this woman, and any concern was crushed beneath a logical mind as her reflexive hatred for Kythin had been upon meeting his burning gaze.

''Understood.''

The glint of light on the edge of the blade had been noted in her peripheral vision, and her face took on a look of grim determination. Yes, whatever this witch of a woman had done, it would not be just to let her die such a torturous death .. and if they had any gods of fortune watching over them at this moment, the Hellborne would return quickly with someone more equipped to deal with the situation.

As Davkul moved through the various passageways of the Hospice he would be met with the type of resistance he feared: Sisters who marked his unnerving appearance and made haste in the opposite direction before even taking note of the words that had left his mouth. There would be a few that stopped to listen, wringing their hands and seemingly frozen in shock, though it was only one he would require that had the sheer stones to step forward and allow herself to be ushered back to the Matron's office. And ironically, it was the same startled girl who had first fled his presence, seemingly contrite that she had given him such a poor welcome despite his proclamation of the Just Hammer.

''..at..hat..what..ha..yo..done..me..?''

Strangled words were pushed from a constricted throat that had begun to gradually loosen, the hand of death releasing its grip with all the reluctance of a child giving up a sweet. Accusing eyes no longer swimming in fear – though never as sharp as they had been – were levied between the Black Knight and the red squire as she tapped her fingertips at her own throat. She gasped in some air, and though the going was ragged and difficult it was a vast improvement over her circumstance but moments ago, and though her lips were still tinged with darkness she no longer struggled and shook.

Lovisa .. was not sure whether to feel relieved or disappointed, and so she kept her silence.

[Kythin Steelfang]

While those formerly steel-grey eyes may have continued to shed their dubiously divine radiance; the Black Knight himself found fair reason to ponder the situation and the circumstances surronding it. Although Matron Cosima succeded in plenty that made her worthy of his wrath .. answers could not be pried as easily from the dead as they could the living. Perhaps his late Liege, Aaron Hexengthal, may have , in spite of his brief reign , infact proven useful for prying the secrets of the grave from the tongues of the dead. Yet Matron Cosima remained on this side of the mortal coil; seemingly improving as more time passed after the gun-toting Hell-borne had vacated the chamber.

A pity the bitch had to open her mouth and lay blame at his feet for her near-death experience and the suffering that went with it. As desirable as forcing that stilleto into her larynx may have been in his mind; Kythin elected against giving in to his darker whims.

" Do you not recall?"

He paused, waiting to see if she did in fact state the rememberance on her own. 

" The demonkin spoke of enacting a zone of truth.."

The Black Knight allowed his visage to becoming quite inexpressive prior to continuing. 

" Were you attempting to speak falsehoods to distract from your true Masters' perhaps? "

A truly accusatory inquiry on the part of a man guilty of a good deal .. choosing questionable Masters surely among them. Though the stilleto was returned to its hiding place in short-order Kythin set his abyssally red gaze upon Cosima prior to a quick shift to his Squire. Such a simple act as looking the fiery-haired Doxenian's way also brought the arrival of one brave Sister of the Hospice with the demonkin in tow to his attention.

Could the Zone of Truth really be the be the source of the Matron's distress as he suspected? Perhaps .. this sudden return would show for sure? After all the turn of his head came within the same instant as his notice of the pair.

[davkul]

Frustration over his predicament came far too easily as one after another many a Sister of the Red Hospice allowed their fear to keep them from saving their Matron. While he knew nothing of the Matron save for the suspicons cast upon her by the Black Knight. If this Mariette she had hidden away truly was guilty of those accusations wielded by Knight and the red-haired young woman then allowing the one that could verify it to die .. justice could not be served without Cosima kept alive - guilty herself or not.

" You! The Matron is -- "

Another that could not move pass what they saw on the outside of the man asking to lend a hand to a dying woman. Each successive one instilled a greater and greater anger in his chest. Were all of mankind truly like this when faced with someone they assumed vile trying to do what was right?

A little of that floundering faith in humanity earned a re-kindling as the first Sister he had come across proved much more willing to hear him out and be ushered with haste to the office of the Matron.

Davkul discovered a scene largely what he expected save for the questions being asked. The apparent return of normalcy to the Matron proved enough to bring confusion to the Devilish visage of the golden-haired Hell-Borne. Little did that assumedly relieving sight succede in keeping the agent of the Just Hammer quiet.

" .. The Hells? Put that thing away! "

Right .. and just like that they were once again left in a stand-off that found Davkul pointing his flintlock at Kythin, the Black Knight of Dunsany. Truly no man of Kullyr would envy the situation he found himself in.

[Dame Lovisa von Ascheberg]

As the newest Sister scurried into the room the Matron made a miraculous transformation. True it was that she could not mask the deep scratches down her neck nor her curious pallor, but the fear that had been growing within her eyes had been pushed far beneath the surface and was replaced by the sharp discipline that she was known for. Cosima could not be seen as weak to her subordinates, and so from that ruined throat she pushed a sardonic chuckle as the other Sister (Rhianwen) fussed at her, a hand lifting to swat away her attentions though not unkindly. Whatever effects the Zone of Truth had on this Matron, they had since passed and the woman was more than capable of answering this question freely.

''What good would that do me now, Sir Brute, as surely there remains little of my skin that can yet be saved in this ordeal. I would wager that in your mind I am already swinging from a noose, if not worse, for my transgressions.''

Sister Rhianwen gave a startled gasp, the pretty little strawberry blonde thing a true innocent to the stranger workings beneath the Hospice that appeared to be slowly coming to the surface, and while she stuttered her protestations (why on earth would the strict but loyal Matron hang? Or worse?) Lovisa merely rolled her eyes and after gradually dragging her remaining crutch closer to her, used it and the desk to pull herself to her feet.

The Hellbornes actions had not gone unnoticed.

Lovisa was not a beauty. Someone somewhere might find the arrangement of her features striking, but her expression was oft too stern to be considered pretty, her manner too strong for the delicate wilting damsel that most considered to be attractive. And while her eyes were hooded and dark, it was often because she was struck with melancholy or self loathing rather than a sultry come hither cast. Generally when one was forced to acknowledge Lovisa there was a degree of intimidation brought by the way she held herself, the way she stared with those eyes of blood .. but in her present state she was perhaps not even daunting.

This woman whose face was now devoid of blood with telltale signs of strain around her lips and bruised eyes, greasy hair that stuck to her forehead and bedclothes so rumpled it was hard to tell whether the garments had ever been pressed (or clean) wordlessly hobbled through the office. Her behavior in the last hours had been chewing away at her reserves of energy and the woman was running on fumes born of adrenaline, hatred, anger and perhaps something hidden deep within her unexplored heritage. And so she trembled minutely with fatigued muscles as she came to a stop in front of the Hellborne, using her body to block the pistols aim as a glare was levied at the unfortunate Agent of the Just Hammer.

Though she looked as if a stern glance could send her tumbling back down again, her eyes were hard and her chin lifted as she dared this creature of the inferno to put a round through her to get at her mentor.

Sister Rhianwen moved to voice a protest of course, but likely the direction of three sets of anger filled eyes would have made the poor woman quail, and so the objection never came.

[Kythin Steelfang]

Shoulders rose and fell at the accusation of presumed judgement having already been made in his mind. As much as Cosima irritated him her continued living or lack thereof truly did not effect him beyond the demand for justice on behalf of the Squire that was less than she once was no thanks to the 'care' of Sister Mariette nor Cosima herself. Kythin sheathed the unused stiletto in the boot-hidden scabbard for the weapon in silence as he gathered his thoughts.

" Cosima, who is it you answer to? "

He possessed no means of knowing if the Hellborne's example of a divine means of assuring the truth be told still held sway now that the man had made his return with another Sister in tow. The familiar shadow of a pistol aimed his way garnered little attention up until Lovisa chose to intervene in a potentially foolish way. Even then the man did not act to keep either party from harming the other.

For his part in this he chose to make a point of his lack of hands anywhere save on his own person. If they were going to place blame upon the Black Knight for what was likely to come then they could manage it with pure fabrication and the weaving of lies in order to feel better about themselves.

" Your dramatic lilting will earn you no friends here, Cosima. Your Hidden Masters will see fit to treat with me or I will deal with them as I dealt with Pedur of the Five. "

Truly nothing about the Hospice brought him concern save for how they saw fit to treat his Squire. The Black Knight of Dunsany could not allow the incident to pass unpunished for the Matron nor Mariette. The rest of the Sisters that filled the Hospice were either as guilty as their Matron or else those who truly wished only to help the ill and withered. How they might be weed out the sinister from the gentle was something he saw as a task for the like of the Hellborne who saw fit even then to threaten with his pistol; an unarmed man and the long-bed ridden young woman for whom he had chosen to visit. 

" You ; however , are as insignificant now to me as you are to your Masters. Nothing more than a stern face to lead whatever horrid facade they have crafted for you to run in their stead. " 

His head lowered to her ear, whether she happened to be choking to death once more in the grip of whatever magic her Masters saw fit to control her with or not. 

" Show me to Mariette. " 

After those words he rose to his feet rather than allow the stand-off between Squire and Gunslinger continue for too much longer. 

" Sister, see my Squire back to her chambers.. my men will be overseeing her protection. " 

Only then did Kythin set his sights on the gun-toting Holy Warrior with an apparent vendetta against him for no doubt many reasons of presumed guilt or other implication the Grand Duke might see fit to place on his head. 


" You are a Kullyrian and clearly a soldier. You have a duty to your people and your Gods to seek justice here. Question the sisters of their Masters. I suspect those in league with Cosima will have as volatile a reaction as she did. After you have learned as much as you can; I expect you to return to your superiors and inform them of the crimes that occured here. Unless of course; they desire conflict with the Doxenians themselves they will see fit to look into what Cosima here has been hiding. " 

[davkul]

Davkul expected that he would be facing Hexenthal's Butcher after once again aiming that pistol at the head of the man. A shot or two could have been fired off were he quick enough , he thought. Carrying out the thought did not occur in exactly the way expected by the Hellborne. Being stared down by the redhead with the many signs her appearance sported of having been bed-ridden and seemingly not as well taken care of as she may otherwise have been.

She did not look the part of one whom would be willing to shield the man guilty of many a death. Davkul found that he was all too quick to growl out his frustration before shoving that firearm back into its holster.

" He will not escape punishment for his crimes forever. "

Although ruthlessness in dealing with the likes of the Black Knight of Dunsany the same could not be brought to bear against a woman he knew nothing about. Plenty of surprise came to distract when the Knight almost inevitably came towards him to lob out orders even to him despite having no authority over him .. in the name of what his Superiors could expect if they were not taken into due consideration.

While those words may have been directed his way it was the redhead that claimed his attention solely due to her willingness to defend the Butcher in spite the reputation he carried that even she most certainly be aware of to some degree.

" What have you to say of what the Butcher has said, M'lady? You would protect him at your own expense .. am I to assume you think this task he demands of me should be followed? "

Davkul did not ignore the presence of Sister Rhianwen .. especially not if the Matron began to react poorly to the inquiry of the Black Knight a second time. A fact that even he would begin to find suspicious paired with what the man happened to be saying at the time. Hidden Masters? This Mariette? Just what was going on in this Hospice?

[Dame Lovisa von Ascheberg]

If eyes could poison by the sheer weight of one glance it was surely that the Matrons own gaze would have struck Kythin dead if they'd had the chance, and that was even before the man had begun to speak, so when he had finished his heavy statements that glare had increased a hundredfold. The woman had kept her silence during his time with her lips pressed into an even thinner line that grew white around the edges as he drew closer: the Black Knight was an imposing figure even when he had not just pressed upon you how insignificant you were in the grand scheme of things. Well. She was a queen within her castle and had long since risen to her feet to send him a withering glance that did not flinch when he looked at her again. She could do that much, while Rhianwen was still present. If the others saw their Matron cowed, what would it do for overall morale? With those eyes she was able to straighten her spine and present an image that belied the turmoil within her core, a hidden fear of the as yet unknown string pullers that battled with a healthy dread of the knight before her. She was stuck between two forces and honestly did not know what either had in store, or which would be the better option.

''Dramatic lilting? Please. I am not some tow headed Thespian prancing about on the stage for your personal amusement.''

Yes, she did appear to enjoy getting the last word in, even if it would be her last. Though it could be said that her scathing tongue was gradually losing its edge underneath the unseen pressure from those twin rhadamanthine forces.

Whilst the Matron clucked her tongue and fluffed her feathers, Lovisa had ripped her attention from the Hellborne gun bearer and sought out her mentor, the movement so fast that it encouraged an influx of vertigo in her weakened state that sent her staggering off to one side. Reaching out a hand, the palm was placed flat against the nearest pillar of support which she used to steady herself for the passage of a few heartbeats while her vision swam and distorted in front of her eyes, her breathing coming in harder and faster, her grip tightening on her remaining crutch and the unknown support as her world gradually centred itself. Once the disequilibrium had passed, she lifted her eyes from the downward cast they had assumed while she waited for Arith to stop spinning, and glanced to one side to see what it was that had prevented her from tumbling to the ground for the fortieth time in that sevenday period alone and embarrassing herself in front of her mentor.

Davkul.

She pulled her hand back from the Hellborne so fast you could have thought the limb was aflame, stuck in a basket and having encountered writhing vipers, or dipped it in the well and found a bone stripping acid. Her reaction was so hurried and borderline hysterical that she was sent backwards into the desk where she would bruise various points that connected with the harsh wood, drawing a tangled series of yelps and hisses before she could stifle them. Again those eyes were used almost as a weapon, hammered at Davkul as if the poor paladin were to blame for the entire escapade before she pointedly turned her head and addressed her mentor. Acting like nothing had happened.

''Have Birtel lash me to the horses and leave me to bed in your stables if you must, but I will not spend another night underneath this roof.''

Having felt a twinge of hurt that his first instinct was to stick her back in the bed she had nearly died in (twice) her intent was to throw as much strength into the words as she could muster to sway him otherwise, having succeeded in this venture a handful of times previously. However, all her strains had finally come to a head and the resulting statement was shaky at best, and pathetic at worst. Which did nothing to improve her mood .. least of all when the Sister currently fussing around the Matron turned her attentions to Lovisa while Cosima herself began to chuckle.

''Dear child, you have thrown enough little tantrums for one day. Why not return to your rooms and allow the adults to continue their discussion, Sir Brute will return after .. will .. when ..''

There was perhaps a small measure of twisted satisfaction born within Lovisa when the Matron's voice gradually dissipated into that rattling cough that had preceded her death throes .. which certainly did not disappoint, the older woman's face growing ghostly pale as her breathing was constricted once again. Rhianwen was on hand, moving away from the red headed squire once it began apparent that something was seriously wrong with her Matron, though despite her obvious skill in the arts of healing and caring for those terminally ill she was unable to discern what the problem was. Had she an eye for the arcane, she may have noticed something distinctly off with Cosima's reactions to her ministrations .. but regrettably the Sister was out of her depth, and even after ensuring that the Matron was secure on the ground and her clothes were not impeding her passageways and her throat clear of obstruction or even swelling: the woman still clawed at the skin of her neck and gasped in each breath as if it were her last.

The woman was not to be defeated so easily however, with fingers hooked like an eagles talons she gripped the trembling Sister by the shoulder and pulled her down with a strength that was at odds with her current appearance: forcing her ear to her failing mouth as words were wheezed with shattered breaths.

''.. Meica Wing third storage?''

Rhianwen's voice was muted against the Matrons choking cacophony but clearly filled with confusion, Lovisa turning surprisingly blank eyes from the scene that took place in front of the desk and onto Davkul in order to answer his question after her mentor had delivered his orders.

''Yes.''

Her tone encouraged no argument.

[Kythin Steelfang]

"Keep talking as if you still hold the reigns here and I will be digging my claws into your face to peel it off in strips. "

Of course, Kythin understood well enough that Cosima would not be savoring the ability to respond with anything more than choking gasps and coughing for air. He took no pleasure in knowing that she was due to suffer a good due to whatever arcane compulsion ingrained in her the inability to response very much inspite of the zone of Truth projected by the Hellborne Paladin that had interrupted their chat twice now.

The near-fainting spell his Squire came down with earned a glance to be sure the woman was in no immediate danger of crumpling under her own weight to the floor or cracking her head open on some errant knick-knack of the Hopsice Matron. Certainly allowing harm to come to his Squire in such a fashion would bring a good deal of pleasure to Cosima that would all to likely earned the woman a slow death for the disrespect that would spew from her mouth, much like the blood he expected would follow over the course of the torture put to use in order to get her talking in round-about fashion to learn more if necessary .. if only as an excuse to exact punishment for the several uses of Sir Brute. Meanwhile he played witness to Lovisa reacting rather poorly to discovering just whom she'd wound up clinging to for support.

Further distraction away from Cosima came in the expected form of Lovisa fussing over the orders given. What she earned for her trouble was the scowl and narrowing of his steely gaze upon her. Alas before he could make good on the explanation to cow her into following orders interruption came in the form of Cosima finally choking on her words.

" Your ministrations will not help her, I am afraid she is under some sort of magical compulsion that keeps her from speaking the truth about what is really going on here. An unexpected side effect of your newest visitor. Please, see my Squire and the Paladin to her chambers and .. before you go.. what did she say? "

He expected the poor Sister would not remain silent for long under his gaze .. less her matron died because she stuttered in fear.

"As for you Paladin .. question this particular sister first .. if she is honest in her dedication to the healing aspects of this place see to it she and others like her are protected from the others. Now go before the Matron dies from the truth. "