The Light so Divine

Shoot Me Straight

Ydris glared at the painting before him. Evergrey paced behind him, narrowing his eyes at the head of the Pandorian. Avalon sighed and dragged a hand over his face. Linda laughed at the action, patting his shoulder. "Don't worry Avalon, we'll get this sorted out."

"I hope you know what you're doing Linda."

"I do, don't worry." She walked over to the two men and shook her head at their antics. "Okay, Ydris, why are you glaring at the painting?"

He looked back at Linda incredulously. "You can't be serious." He motioned to the painting. "This depiction of Vic is truly wrong!"

The painting of Vic was one of the rare ones that everyone assumed existed. Anne and Linda had found it in the gallery of the Silverglade Castle. It was tucked away, covered by a bare cloth. The background was a pair of garnet drapes, pulled slightly back to reveal four inches of window. Vic herself had her hair placed in delicate, loose curls, piled at the back of her head, and held together by silver clasps. Her bodice was a rich amethyst that was lined and embroidered with silver lace. An amulet embedded with onyx stoned hung around her neck. Her eyes had been lined with kohl, making the blue irises shine more than they usually did. Albeit, those weren't things or additions weren't strange. The strange part was her serious expression. Vic had an ever-changing facial expression, but it was never serious.

"Ydris, she's not smiling. It's uncommon to see Vic almost expressionless. It's not a wrong or bad depiction."

Ydris scowled. "No, it's not that! It's the amulet and jewelry. I don't think she likes jewelry that extravagant."

Evergrey sighed loudly. Linda and Ydris looked in his direction. "You don't actually know Vic that well. How would you know what she does and doesn't like?" Evergrey snapped.

Ydris puffed out his chest and threw his shoulders back, a quip ready on his tongue. Before he could respond though, Linda threw a hand over his mouth. "We are not here to argue about Vic. we are here to learn about what you found." She drew back her hand.

"Fine, I'll tell you what I know. Not too long ago, several Dark Core workers came through the Highlands. They caused a lot of noise too. They headed across the bridge and down to what I presume was the abandoned farm."

Avalon spoke up. "Is that all you saw?"

"No, but I'm not going to tell you since you're all being so rude."

Avalon let out a feral snarl and launched himself at Ydris, roughly grabbing the lapels of the Magician's jacket. He shoved Ydris against a wall. "I swear on Aideen's Light, that you will tell us what else you saw."

Ydris did nothing but then he gave a lazy, cocky smirk. "They were carting several crates, and what looked like some guns and explosives."

Evergrey and Avalon both looked at each other silently before looking back at Ydris. The brothers quickly moved out of Avalon's house and down the path to Fripp's Chambers. Linda's shoulders slumped and her arms crossed. "Thanks, Ydris. We'll call on you again."

Before Linda could leave, Ydris grabbed her arm firmly. She spun around and looked the magician in the eye. "Just so you know Linda, I'm only helping because Pandoria is in jeopardy from Garnok. I'll do whatever it takes to get my home back, even if it means destroying yours in the process."

~~~~

Gunnar sat in a large chair, a cup of mead dangling from his right hand. He looked at the figure across from him, frowning slightly. "Well, sit down. Let's get on with this meeting Darko."

Darko sat across from Gunnar, half cloaked in shadow. He leaned back, smirking at his host. "We both know what I'm here for."

"I don't think we do Sir Nilsen. You have only been a name to me before now, and even then, your sister never spoke highly of you. I never had any reason to believe that you would call on me for anything."

Darko's face contorted into disgust for a brief moment before returning to its former cockiness. "My sister," he ground out. "is why I'm here. No one can deny the closeness you two have."

Gunnar lowered the cup he had brought to his lips and narrowed his eyes. He tightened his lips and puffed out his cheeks. He set the mead down and leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs. Gunnar's head lifted up, his eyes glinting in the candlelight. "If you are here to ask for money or something else, you have no honour."

Darko chuckled darkly. "No. I'm not asking for money from you. I'm just making sure that you know about Victoria's ambition. She is a good ally to have, even though she is tough to sway. I hope you know, she's ambitious and will do anything to get what she wants. That doesn't bother you, does it?" Darko smiled malevolently at his tiny lies.

Gunnar raised an eyebrow, considering Darko's words. "No, not in the slightest." Darko grinned and went to speak, but Gunnar wasn't finished yet. His voice took on a cold edge. "But you, Nilsen, you bother me."

Darko's face dropped for a second before he reset it to be impassive. "I do?"

Gunnar stood deftly, silent for a few long minutes. Finally, he moved forwards, eyeing Darko. "What do you want from me? I know Victoria is not fond of you, so why would you care about her well being?"

Darko narrowed his eyes. "I don't care about her well being. You're correct on that front. As for what I want? Well, you can't provide what I truly want. But, political, social, and economic standing wouldn't be the worst."

The two men stared at each other for a moment before Gunnar opened the door of his study. He called for a servant and looked at Darko. "I will never give you that power. You can try the patience of the Jarl, but I have the feeling he'll be less liberal than me." when a servant arrived Gunnar motioned to Darko. "Show Mr. Nilsen to the door please." The maid curtsied and ushered Darko out of the room. After he left, Gunnar deftly shut the study door and slumped in his chair.

~~~~

Jon, Lorenson and Gunnar all sat around a large stone table, numerous papers were scattered about and strewn haphazardly on the nearest surfaces. The walls held torches which cast a dim, lazy flickering about the room.

Jon looked at both Lorenson and Gunnar with a serious air about him. "Gentlemen, I have called you here for one simple reason." The Lords looked at each other briefly before returning their gaze to the Jarl. "It has come to my attention that there is a traitor within my council. You two are my most trusted followers, and that is why I must confide in you."

Lorenson avoided eye contact with Gunnar as he spoke. "Do you have an idea about who the traitor is?"

Jon growled lowly. "No. I will find out, but you two will help me uncover the identity. And when this man is found, he will be tried and beheaded for treason."

Both Lorenson and Gunnar's eyes widened. "Beheaded?" Lorenson asked tentatively. "Well, I feel sorry for whomever gets caught. Is that all?"

"Yes. just remember, keep your eyes out for suspicious behaviour. You're both dismissed."

Lorenson and Gunnar stood up and exited the room. Before the former could go his own way, Gunnar grabbed his arm. "I know you're one of the men against the Jarl."

Lorenson narrowed his eyes, yanking his arm out of Gunnar's grasp. He pulled himself to his full height, barely towering over Gunnar who was a tall individual like Lorenson. "So why didn't you give my name?"

"Because you know I'm not entirely innocent either. If either of our secrets got out, it would be very disastrous."

Lorenson tilted his head in confusion before it dawned on him about what Gunnar meant by not being innocent. "Right, the witch thing. Well, it seems like I'm buying silence for silence. I'll keep quiet about your secret, and you'll keep quiet about mine?" Gunnar nodded tersely. "All right then. You have a deal."