Yona

"It's the fatal flaw of mortalkind. Take away their free will, and they call you a tyrant. Allow them to indulge it, and they become tyrants." -Raphael

"Does thou paladin claim themselves to the oath devotion... does thee devote themselves body and soul?"

"I do.." the words slip from my mouth as I kneeled in front of the leader of the devoted ones. The tip of his sword taps my right shoulder pad gently then my left, "you are now a devoted one.."

"HUZZA!!!" They screamed in celebration and the party immediately kicked in with a full band and mead filled to brim being passed around.. "yona!!" A woman around the same age as me, clad in the paladin tunic approached me with excitement. "Charisse!" I smile and we embrace in a familiar hug, "look at thee!! Thou now devoted and now will find a mate I presume?" She giggles and I roll my eyes as we walk. "I refuse to throw a maiden as myself into a wolf's den!" We laughed aloud as we walked out of the devoted building and into the heart of baldur's gate. The pitch black of night creeping off the corners of the streets as towns folk and light occupied the middle of the streets, townsfolk bustle about and walked deeper into the city towards bloom ridge park. A shop keeper stood in the park, selling charms to young couples and offering grateful greetings.. I become distracted by a particular charm that was wooden, chipped into a shape of a flower and decorated with beads. 'Love Charm'.

Charisse nudges me, "you definitely need that one.." she chuckles as I elbow her back.

"If you are too buy a charm- you should buy one of good health, A woman like you is walking danger..." a smooth velvety voice interrupts our conversation and I turn around to see a 5'11" man. His shoulders broad and his posture straight, his strong chiseled chin held high with a sexy but dangerous smirk on his face. Muscular yet slim build as he sauntered his way towards us, His skin pale and his eyes... red as blood. This man's aura screamed dangerous and I felt I needed to be on guard around this one. Charisse smiled up at him, she was especially friendly with men. Only cause they'd do just about anything to see a maiden's thigh and she's do just about anything for scrolls and mead.

"Charisse" she extends a hand and the man takes it, gently bring it to his mouth and kissing her knuckles. "Astarion.." he smirks then his eyes dart to me which makes my cheeks hot. "Charisse and this is my dear acquaintance yona", she jokes with a big smile as she gestures to me. "What are you two beautiful ladies doing so late at night hmm?" He asks with almost a snaky like attitude, wiggling his way in between us. "We were just about to celebrate by tying one off at the elf's.."

"What are we celebrating?" He asks with a gleeful mischievous smile, "my acceptance into the devoted paladins."
His face sours and his mood shifts, "paladins?" His eyebrow raises as does mine. "Yes.. you sound like you don't particular fancy paladins.." I say, my smile slowly fading to a frown. "I'm not too keen on them but I'll never turn down the company of maidens.." he smiles, his mood shifts again. A feeling in my belly creeps up to my chest.. I grab Charisse's wrists, "we'll be leaving now, nice to meet you.. a-story-tan."
"Astarion!" He corrects me as we walk away into the darkness.
"God that guy was a creep"

Charisse sighs, "you're so boring and cautious, he seemed nice enough to-" she pulled back into the darkness with a quick yelp. I gasp and step back from where she disappeared, "Charisse?!... Charisse?!?!?" I tell her name louder and louder when she doesn't reply. I take another step back and stepped right into the arms of a familiar scent that i met just moments ago... My blood turns cold and my throat dry, my knees locking into place as my heart leaps out of my chest. His thick arms snaking around my waist, "Your friend isn't as smart as you... she's so naive, so trusting.." he leans close to my ear as his voice is low and seductive yet condescending. I open my mouth to call forth my holy weapon but he slaps a hand over my mouth and pulls me deeper into the shadows.