No Good Deed

After a few days of reflection since the day of the drowning and the boggards, it was becoming increasingly evident to you now how things may take unexpected turns. There was hope of success, and even evidence of it in small scale, which you would need to see this mission to the end, and yet it was also a cruel awakening. If anything, seeing the angry family from that night provided some worthwhile clarity, despite everything. You had never seen the hatred and animosity like that back on Hylsa. The message from Matriarch Khilgana that formed the Forsaken culture of your people had tempered most of that. There was distrust and anger over the treatment of the Slyran Empire specifically and some lingering resentment from the Triumverate War they fought in, not because any of them were Elves and you all were Drow. That hatred the old woman expressed wouldn't go away by itself, and over time could easily fester to toxicity. You could only imagine how much worse it would be for your fellow Drow, still living in the Underdark, given what you'd been told. In either case, their ideas and views of each other won't shift without someone there to help them. Without you, and without your new friends to help.

The experience had only steeled your resolved, seeing the mission as all the more necessary. Varissa's desire to see her sons and daughters of Elves and Drow reunited would never be realized left to chance or for events to play out on their own. And, even if that dream is not realized in your own lifetime, you reckon that even moving in the direction is still a gain. Less hatred would mean less war and conflict, meaning fewer souls have to face the loss that old woman dealt with.

Providing the boggard head to the authorities had caused enough of concern for them to finally take care of the problem, sending the army in to take care of however many others there were. As the news spread around, they were the ones who had gotten the credit, and not the three of you for the initial discovery and confrontation.

It wasn't a complete loss. Even if the public at large had gotten the wrong impression, some of the folks within the Empire knew. The garrison of soldiers that had taken care of the problem had heard of who had helped out. Intrigued at the civilian who had faced such danger, they were understandably surprised to find out that it had been by the hands of one most had no idea was in the city and at best a few had heard rumors of. Your reception was welcomed, initially. The Captain in charge, a slightly older fellow than you or Fineth who went by the name Lucin, had enough good grace to acknowledge skill and bravery, regardless of its source.

He'd personally invited you to train with the guards under his command. It was a scrappy bunch of mostly juniors, which had was largely to your benefit. They largely lacked their parent's baggage of the Triumverate War. You were more a curiosity or at worse, a target of inherited animosity, and not a hated enemy in their captivity. They were also largely the type to try and prove themselves, especially against someone who had developed a reputation as you had. You'd spent the last few days training and sparring with them. You still favored the sword, especially Khilgana's sword you now carried, but getting practical use with other weapons you didn't have access to, like the halberd, axe, and others were eye opening. Given time, you'd have liked to continue your training here with them, though it would quickly turn to not be the case.

You'd finished a round of sparring with one of the more veteran guards, a Sergeant who carried respect with his team and clearly put a great deal of emphasis on training, when Lucin appeared. While he valued you, it had also become clear that he was an elf of few words and less tolerance for wayward behavior.

"It would seem you've taken someone's notice. Follow me." The captain began to walk before you'd responded or even moved; he carried his authority about him well, and expected his words to be heeded as intended. Grabbing your gear, you hurried to catch up with him, heading out the door of the garrison. To your surprise, Fineth and Amarna both were waiting outside, and followed along as the Captain continued on his path, giving them no acknowledgement or recognition.

"I didn't expect to see you here" You spoke quietly, leaning into Fineth

"There's a lot of that going around today" The bard turned bureacrat responded in his familiar humorful character. "We were 'invited' to join you in what this is supposed to be."

"Guess you're being kept in the dark too, huh?" You asked, feeling slightly stupid for such a self evident question.

"Well, I think we can rule out you being given a key to the city." He paused to give a slight smile, the kind you've seen a few times now and found so disarming. "The good news is, if what I've heard is correct, is this is supposed to be something with the Constabulary."

"That doesn't sound much like good news to me" You felt a dour mood, having been governed and observed by guards of the constabulary on your little island since a child "Do I even want to know what the bad news is?"

"My father told me about the event. He's going to be there too."

You felt a lump in your throat knowing that. That portulent, pungent oaf has had it out for you since you've been here, even before you met. Easily the most vocally opposed to your presence of all of the various members of the bureaucracy and state you've encountered thus far.

"You're to be given an award of some kind, as I understand it" The captain spoke up, turning just enough to make eye contact for a second "They didn't want to make a large production out of the event, which shows some necessary discretion if you ask my opinion."

"We didn't" Amarna finally spoke up, her words as sharp and direct as her blades

"Hard be it for me to impede on the opinions of sneak thieves and performers, but I think it would reflect poorly if there were to be protests or worse because someone saw fit to acknowledge all of the hard work and positive change you've done."

"I didn't do it alone Captain," You spoke quickly "They were as necessary to defeating the boggards as I was. If you want me to follow along, you'll pay my friends the respect they deserve."

"Yes of course" He remained silent from there, not a conciliatory word expressed, moving like an automata through the streets. Left to yourselves, the three of you turned to each other in silence as you followed behind, trying to gauge each other's views. You hoped Yrul experienced a change of heart, but lacked a reason to think that would be the case. You couldn't help but feel that he was putting his finger on the scale by his involvement, somehow, if not outright deceit about his true intentions. Fineth seemed to feel similarly, if only based on how his posture changed, and his seeming unwillingness to make direct eye contact with you. Amarna , for her part, was either a more trusting sort than either of you, or simply had more practice in masking her thoughts and feelings, making her harder to read.

Arriving at your destination, the Captain opened the door, letting the three of you in first. You weren't familiar with the area, and the architecture didn't give any immediate signs as to what the intended business inside may have been.

"I'll be here when everything has concluded" He said in a simple, declarative manner.

"Why?" You asked, growing increasingly suspicious"

"Because those were my orders. It wasn't my place to ask questions."
Beyond the immediate windows, there was little light in the room after you walked in and the door closed behind you, which suited you fine, but still made you ponder the intent of the area. It felt confining and oppressive, like the fortification of your home back on Hylsa. On the opposite was a simple, slender table. Behind was Yrul, who you'd already anticipated, and a mysterious figure who cut a very different shape and figure. She was a woman, whose sharply cut attire in some form of uniform indicated she was an officer either of the military or the constabulary, higher even than the Captain who had brought you here. She had some decades on her, judging on the slight graying of her hair, that she wore pulled back in a seemingly painfully tight fashion. You were not easily intimidated, so you'd thought, but she clearly had an imposing nature about her, whoever she was.

"Citizen Brenvira, thank you for coming in such short notice" She began with a practiced nuetrality, as if reading from a script.

"Due respect, it seemed as though I was not given a choice." Implying the Captain. She made no remark to even acknowledge you'd spoken. Yrul had taken a look, curious to what level she would tolerate your insolence, but said nothing.

"My name is Brilla Tresdale," She continued "I'd heard a great deal of you in these few days since your arrival, and wished to know more, and discuss your future."

"I am honored Miss, though I feel the nature of this rather unnecessary. I could have been found easily enough at my home, if you wanted to talk. Yrul specifically knows where I live."

"All things for a reason, young one" She raised her hand in protest, indicating you to stop. "I've been told that you don't trust easily. Which makes it all the more surprising that, by anyone's definition, you've been nothing short of a hero since you arrived. In the first day of your stay, you'd already saved lives from that fire in theatre. I'm to understand they don't have those in your home island, do they?"

"No, ma'am" You responded calmly enough. Looking at the father of your lover and his contemptible existence, you felt the need to press the point "We were not allowed anything the Empire did not think was a strict necessity." Brilla once again ignored the commentary and stuck to business.

"Well, a fire is bad news in any building, which I'm sure you already know, but in theatres and similar spaces are extremely hazardous because of the people present and the chaos that tends to result. It's rare for one to happen where we have no casualties, as was the case that night, thanks to you. You than preceded to put your own life at immediate risk by jumping in after a Sailor who had fallen overboard at the docks. Coupled with the tackling of the Boggard problem with your friends, you've accomplished in a week what most in the Empire don't in their lifetimes."

"Perhaps that is why Varissa has chosen me as one of her Champions than." You appreciated the accurate taly of your work, and that it was being recognized, but you couldn't help but feel that something was at work.

"It is a rare gift indeed to be so blessed by any God, let alone the First of Six Sisters. Emperor Calathrin himself was once blessed, if you didn't know, and with that, as a subject of the Emperor, we would have need of your obvious talents and grace."

"Here it comes" Fineth muttered in a low voice.

"Brenvira, in spirit of your holy mission, the Emperor bids you to the town of Varianith. They are a troubled people, who are in need of both your strength, your wisdom, and your kindness."

"I am a citizen of Hylsa" Your calm defiance clearly rankled Yrul, while his cohort seemed more restrained "The only orders I am bound to respect are that of our leader, Matriarch Khilgana, and of Varissa herself."

"You insubordinate, traitorous wh-" Yrul rose to his feet and in anger in equal measure, constrained by Brilla. The officer physically pushed him back into his seat, before speaking herself.

"You are a part of the Empire, child, and a stalwart example of what the best of the Empire can be. Surely you would not ruin that by refusing orders of your Emperor? The consequences of that can be severe."

"Surely the Emperor would not use the pretenses of my faith and holy mission to send me away where I can either be forgotten about or sent on a mission I cannot succeed at." You retorted "Even the Emperor has those he will have to answer to. Varissa is not kind to those who use her for deception."

"The Emperor might not, but they certainly are" Fineth finally spoke up. All eyes turned to him as he approached from behind you "Varianith is near two borders, and they have something of an authority problem. This is a set up."

"That is precisely where someone of her skills is needed" Yrul spoke with clear disdain of his own son "There are no religious figures or authorities to speak of. She will remind herself of her loyalty, and in so doing will remind any rebels or defectors to step in line. And she will do so alone."

"Not a chance" Amarna spoke up as well, loud and short "I'm not leaving my friend alone to fight off the wolves."

"And you'll never get me to turn my back on her" Fineth spoke with more certainty in his voice than you'd seen these few days, as he approached the table, speaking directly to his father.

"You ungracious, unfaithful, stupid little boy." Yrul clearly held little back at this point "How much longer will it take before you stop embarassing me? And your family?"

"How long until you realize why all of your other children have walked away from you?" Fineth shot back "You've spent my entire life acting as though I owe you something for being born. You don't know anything of faith, or loyalty. You're only loyal to the Empire because it gives you comfort. You couldn't even stay faithful to mother." He pointed at you as he continued "You've hated her since before she got here because she represents everything you're not. You accuse every woman you disagree with of being a slut or a whore to hide the fact that you would give coin to any of them to get what you want."

Yrul rose his hand to slap his son, which was quickly evaded. Fineth returned it with greater speed and ****, filling the empty room with a distinct echo. Furious, he looked to Brilla for aid or support, but she had been as removed from this as she had been towards your comments.

"You're consorting with the enemy Fineth. You leave with her, there is nothing left for you to fall back on."

"Cutting you out of my life in order to help her?" Fineth asked, rhetorically "to help make her mission a success? Nothing would make me prouder." Your friend slowly adjourned to the door, with Amarna following behind. Brilla, the seemingly constant professional, stuck to her plan "You have your orders and your mission Brenvira. Whether you choose loyalty or treason, your business here is done." You could see a glimmer of regret in her own eyes as she glanced at Yrul. You quietly wondered what he had to pull the strings to make this happen. Acknowledging you didn't really want the answer to that, you carried on.