Completed [Syliras] No Questions Asked (Xira)

[Radiant]

Mina nodded politely and accepted the bottle Xira gave her, she seemed deep in thought as Xira explained the nature of his delivery, especially the instructions, "I see..." she said imply as her green eyes examined the bottle, yellowish liquid swishing inside. Silence ensued as Mina said nothing more beyond those two swords, her mind deep in contemplation, suddenly, her eyes perked up, not in curiosity, but in horror. It only lasted for only a tick before her noble expression returned, "Leave us," she commanded and the guard promptly left the room without a word.

"I think I know what this is about," She was going to share her thoughts to Xira, "It's fo-" the sound of the apartment's fron door opening and the voice of her maid stopped her, Sir Grenfell had returned, the young woman tensed up as her husband entered the guest room, a tall man with raven-black hair and equally dark eyes, perhaps about eight years older than Mina, the man wore the clothes of a rather wealthy merchant, "Ah, Mina, I see we have a guest," He said as the maid took off his coat then put it on a coat hanger.

"Welcome home, darling," The young woman smiled affectionately at Grenfell, but if Xira observed carefully, he could see the slight twitch on Mina's lips, indicating the smile was probably fake. "May I know who he is?" Sir Grenfell approached them and joined them by sitting on another chair, "Ah yes, he's Sir Xira, he's here about a delivery," Mina explained as she showed the bottle to her husband, "he said it's for Lady Ursula".

"Wonderful!" The man looked excited, he retrieved the bottle from Mina and his black eyes inspected the bottle. "Uhm, darling, if I may ask," Mina slightly fidgeted, "Why didn't you tell me, or anyone in this house, about the delivery? I became suspicious and wrongly place my suspicion on Sir Xira here".

"Oh, my apologies, dear, Sir Xira," Grenfell offered a gesture of apology, slightly bowing, "I have no excuse, I simply forgot, you know, some of my rivals had been unruly in their business practices, trying to takeover my stalls with uncouth ways," He gave Xira an apologetic smile, "This bottle is a rare medicine I ordered from my... connections," He turned his gaze back to his wife, "It can cure your mother's sickness, she suffered for far too long," then he directed his attention back to the courier "but ah, I'm sure you are not here for our life's story, Sir Xira, so, I'm sure you were promised a hundred gold mizas, correct?" Grenfell reached to his pocket then procured a small pouch filled with mizas, he offered it to Xira, "Here you are, Sir Xira, with extras for your trouble". Once the courier accepted it, he would stand up and bid his farewell, "I must rest, I'm afraid my body is tired for the day, will you show our guest to the door, darling?" Then he left the room, he might or might not deliberately ignoring on why the delivery was sent to Ursula instead of him.

"Of course, darling, and thank you for going your way to treat my mother," Once the man left the room, Mina's pupils dilated, she was on the verge of panicking for some reason, "No... I knew it," She whispered, scooting close to Xira, "You must help me, meet me at midnight on the Kova's Wishing Well, please!" She desperately tried to keep her voice down, if Xira had any questions, she would stop them for now. "I think you'd better go now, I will explain everything, promise me you'll be there, promise me!" then the young woman calmed herself down, returning to her noble facade, "Let me escort you, Sir Xira". She motioned to the door, Mina would follow him then politely bid farewell as Xira left the apartment.

[Xira Hezmek]

The young courier couldn't say he was any more observant than the next of his countrymen, but the look in the Lady Grenfell's eye was chilling. Never before had he seen someone with that expression. And it was gone in a flash. When she spoke again, Xira found himself on the edge of his seat, waiting on her every words. Mina was about to explain what this perplexing situation was all about when, like a whirlwind off the Suvan, a tall handsome man entered into the room.

The entire exchange he kept his silent expression with polite, mild interest. Bowing his head respectfully to what he presumed was a successful merchant-noble when his presence was explained; he nodded, verifying Mina's accounting. Interesting, he could not describe or point out how, but something was still off. Even though Lord Grenfell turned out to be the one to arrange this delivery, Mina did not seem relieved.

The man was a charismatic one however, and Xira could not help but like him. He knew nothing about the Lord, and his Lady seemed trouble but he liked him for some unknowable reason. He seemed so concerned about... ah, the Lady Ursula was Mina's mother. The fact that the phrase "she suffered for far too long" could have been taken in a darker context went right over the young courier's head. Medicine, what he had originally assumed the philter was, what nobler virtue could be attributed to Grenfell. He felt somewhat ashamed for ever suspecting dark dealings of Mina, and by extension her lord and husband.

In any case he had received his money. Xira tucked the pouch into his coat pocket. His contract done, he was no longer obligated to these nobles. Not that he wouldn't mind working with them again. He could now potentially fund forays and adventures to cities and regions beyond Syliras. He nodded graciously, "Thank you M'lord. I do hope the mother of your wife feels better. Thank you M'lady for your excellent hospitality, you are far too kind." If the delivery was sent to Ursula, the reason must have been that the medicine was for the poor soul.

Despite his relief, his doubts somehow lingered. Before the courier was escorted to the door, those doubts were inflamed. She was close to him then, he could smell the subtle perfume on her and he felt almost like he should move back before she spoke. The words "You must help me" resonated in him, some chivalrous emotion guided his next words, "Of course M'lady" He whispered back. That look in her eyes, the panic, she would not tolerate his questions. Many that they were. So he had no choice accept her invitation.

---

Xira wondered if the Well's legends were true. He had heard from a regular at the Rearing Stallion that sometimes a beautiful woman greeted those who tossed a coin down the well. That in doing so she would make true whatever wishes the man made. He was a perverse fellow and made winks that caused raucous laughter in his fellows. Maybe it was true, the courier doubted that the woman would be so crude but maybe other dreams were possible. It was dark, nearly the midnight bell, and he couldn't help but finger the copper in his hand. He would like to try it out, see if he could coax the woman from the well out and prove the legends true or untrue.

Waiting for another was a boring business to undertake. It left the mind to wander and time to slow to a snail's pace. The air chilled as winter's night lengthed. Xira was seated on the edge of the wishing well, peering down the hole into darkness. He imagined it burrowed into the ground forever, and maybe his coin would keep falling down until his children's children died, and still keep falling. If he fell in, maybe he would fall forever. He shivered a bit, from the cold of course and not the thought of his own mortality. Yes, waiting left the mind to wander and imagine things that could not possibly be.

He was about to toss his copper into the well and wish for his dreams to come true when he heard someone approach from behind. Soft tapping on stone made him turn his head to peer out at the newcomer.

"Hello there" He said to the occupant of the shadows.

[Radiant]

At the stroke of Midnight, Kova's Wishing Well

Legends of a beautiful ghostly figure materializing herself before those who wished upon the well were famous indeed, some said they were true, while some said they were merely hallucinations of desperate people, deluding themselves that a ghostly counselor came to ease their burden. One thing for certain, the Well was famous, and the water was filled with mizas in exchange for wishes. In this very well, a courier named Xira Hezmek found himself waiting for his promised reunion with Mina Grenfell.

The young lady was dressed in much inconspicuous garments this time, a brown dress with simple brown hooded coat, covering her features. She made her way to the courier, approaching the man from the side. He greeted her and Mina slowly removed her hood to reveal her face, giving the courier a small smile, "Hello, I'm glad you came," she took his hand, like someone in a hurry then pulled him into a rather secluded part of the well, away from prying ears.

"I know you have questions regarding my behavior," The blond spoke in a low volume, "You trusted me and come, so I believe I can trust you with this, you're the only who can help me," She inhaled, preparing to explain the situation, "It's about my mother, Ursula Cornwall, Cornwall is my original last name before I'm married to my husband," She looked down as if hesitating then returned her gaze to Xira, "I won't bother you with the details, but my mother and husband hasn't been exactly... getting along, they fought a lot, my husband told me how he hates my mother, but will still love her because of me".

The woman tightly grasped Xira's right hand with her left, her green eyes begging, "But when she fell ill, I'm afraid my husband will use this chance to kill her, n-no, I don't want this to happen! Please, help me! That bottle is poison, I know it! Don't you think that one hundred gold mizas is too much for a delivery service?! H-he's planning to use you as a scapegoat, Sir Xira!" The woman's breath ventilated for a couple of ticks, then she forced herself to calm down.

"You must return with me to the apartment, steal the bottle, and... return it, destroy it, whatever, just get it away! I will assist you, I will gather all household members in the living room to distract them, perhaps by expressing my joy for the supposed 'recovery' of my mother, then you will sneak in, go to main bedroom, and take the bottle. Please, tell me you will help me, I can make it worth your while!". She would wait for Xira's answer and questions if there were any.

[Xira Hezmek]

The Lady Grenfell was in quite a state at this point, but there was nothing to but let her have her words. He hoped that no one would be about, it was late, and he would not put Mina into a position of indecency should a passerby see them. He lightly squeezed her hand and looked back into her eyes, letting her see she had his ears. "I will help you, but not for any coin. I see now your plight. But surely he would not resort to murder. What if he merely seeks heal your mother out of love for you?" He contemplated his own question for a moment. Perhaps it was not his place to ask such things. When marriages go sour people do terrible things, or so it was said. When power and wealth involved sour marriages had the resources to cause pain to more and more people.

"Excuse me M'lady. I see the error in my question. But even if I did steal the bottle that does not mean your husband won't try again. He might try far more devious methods at that. Moreover, he would know someone was keen to his plan." He released the woman's hand and patted the back of it, " We must think of something... subtler."

He turned away from the Mina and walked out into the opening, thinking. His copper was back in his hand and he tossed it into the well. He did not expect a phantom to emerge, nor did he need one. He simply was going through the motions to spark a plan. The young courier paced back and forth, perhaps he was on some level wishing for way out of this. He wished ill of no one and couldn't bear the thought of his actions directly or indirectly causing anyone harm. The idea that he would be a scapegoat never crossed his mind, he was far too concerned with Ursula's fate then his own. Back and forth he went, moving in short circuits around the well.

In truth the streets and halls of the castle were quieter than most nights. Stone had a habit of hushing noises, but even the smallest noises, the noises of mice scurrying or the noises of insects singing were absent. It was eerie and Xira was fain to keep his voice as low as possible. Shadows lengthened in the torchlight and Mina's form was shrouded in the flickering light. His own foot steps seemed far too loud in that silent of evenings.

Xira suddenly felt somethingPerhaps a bit literally , a chain reaction of events, feelings and memories rushing from the depths of his soul up to the crown of his mind. He had an idea, but it was incredibly bold, reckless even. It was even somewhat debase. He turned to the noble woman sharply. "Can you get me an exact duplicate to the bottle I was given today? Hopefully as soon as possible. I have an idea."

Ledger-1 CM

My words.

Their words.

[Radiant]

The noblewoman sighed in extreme relief when Xira accepted her plea, she was about to drag him with her back to her apartment, but took some time to answer his inquiries, "I'm afraid my husband's hatred to my mother know no bounds, Xira, he will do anything to get rid of her..." She waved off the possibility of Grenfell actually wanting to cure her mother. For a brief moment, Mina's eyes flashed in annoyance, like she wanted to get this done as soon as possible.

Mina stopped at Xira's thoughts on the matter, indeed, nothing was stopping her husband from trying again and again, but it shouldn't matter if this went smoothly. The noblewoman made a thinking expression as she pondered over his words, "I... agree, what do you have in mind?" Xira was no fool, this man could think outside the box it seemed. The noblewoman watched in silence as he walked to the well and tossed a coin, idly she wondered if the rumored apparition would show herself, but even after a chime, no such phantom appeared.

The silence was getting to her, Mina fidgeted with anxiety as she strolled over to Xira, about to speak when he did it first. She paused for a moment before slowly shaking her head, "I'm afraid I don't, Sir Xira, but... I think the Stormhold Salve would have small empty bottles such as that one," She then grabbed his left hand with her right, "But we don't have time! We must go now!" The nobleman acted with unusual urgency, tugging at him as her expression begged him to just follow her.

[Xira Hezmek]

Of course, they had no time to go the apothecary or pick up a bottle. Without further ado he was dragged along with the frantic noble woman. He struggled to keep pace, although he was a bit taller then the woman fear drove the woman. While they scurried along the path back to the Illythian district Xira had plans running through his mind. Most of them were gods awful. Each time he came back to replacing the contents of the bottle with something harmless. They had no time to get something more mundane like a extract to sleep or a tincture to help one's digestion.

"Look," He said as the moved along, "When you have everyone distracted you are probably going to have to explain my presence. After you do I am going to claim to have to use the privies and then I'll get the poison. I'll replace it with something harmless and put it back, thus your husband won't be the wiser. My name remains clear and your mother can get better." His expression was chagrin, he knew what he had to do but that did not mean he had to be happy about it.

If only he could think of something better than this. Xira stumbled on a loose flagstone nearly bringing the both of them down. He lost his grip on the noblewoman's hand but hurried to gain lost time. According to Mina he was to be framed. So what else could he do? He frowned in thought as they moved through the subdued castle. He shook his head, his mind in a vise. Lives were at stake. He had not realized that he was holding his breath, nor that his heart was beating. If she spoke, he would listen and answer her questions but there was little he could do otherwise.

A squire passed them, he gave the two of them a look but did nothing. He had arms filled with tinder and charcoal and was filling the braziers. Someone doing their duty; someone who did what they could for the good of all. Maybe he could be like that squire in this situation, save the life of one and prevent a man from taking it. The good of all.

At last they made it to the lord and lady's apartment. This was it.

My words.

Their words.

[Radiant]

Mina kept pulling Xira by his hand like her life depended on it or rather, her mother's life. The young woman kept silent as they traversed through the Citadel's corridors, heading back into the Illythian District. The silence was only broken when Xira proposed a plan, the noblewoman didn't turn her head back, but she replied, "No... I want you to go in, take the bottle, and go out, no one must know you are there! No one! I don't care what you will do, but please, no one must see!" Mina begged at the courier, she seemed dead-set on hiding his presence, no compromise. The woman was too worried to care about almost falling onto the hard stone floor, she simply recovered herself then continued their journey.

At last, they finally arrived, Mina stopped Xira then whispered to him, "I'm going to inside... then gather everyone, you should come in after five chimes... go upstairs, into the farthest room of the corridor, it's my husband's study, he should put the poison there." Mina explained, oddly confident on how her husband's actions even though she never saw it, but perhaps one could assumed she was simply familiar with Grenfell's behavior. With a nod, Mina released Xira's hand and entered the apartment.

Then, if Xira listened closely, he could hear the murmurs of voices then footsteps from the apartment. Most people should still be sleeping, Xira could simply sneak in and steal it instead, but of course, the apartment has guards who kept awake throughout the night. Five chimes later, it was silence... If the courier entered the apartment, he would see no guards or maids were at the guest room nor the living room. Conversations could be heard from the kitchen however, "Mina? What is the matter? Why are you gathering everyone at this bell?" It was the distinct voice of Sir Grenfell, then followed by his wife, "Well, darling, I just wanted to tell you and everyone... how glad I am about my mother's future recovery. Listen, I'm planning for a surprise party to celebrate it..." Then the woman would go on a lengthy explanation on her planned party.

Upstairs, not a single soul could be spotted, there were doors to various bedrooms and storage, but at the end of the corridor was a peculiar looking door, heading into Grenfell's personal study. The study was filled with ornate furniture, mainly cupboards, drawers, and a desk complete with matching chair.

[Xira Hezmek]

Xira listened carefully to the door as Mina went in to gather everyone together. Silence greeted him. He carefully swung the door open, hoping the hinges did no squeak. Thankfully they didn't, he had not been conscious of that before he visited on the apartment. He edged into the apartment slowly and quietly. He never really had to sneak before but he imagined he was one with the shadows. Truth be told it was the opposite. If there had been guards about, they would have instantly spotted the man.

He slid into the common room, listening carefully for people coming. Faintly he heard voices from the kitchen but paid no mind to the particulars. Boards creaked as the wood took his weight and he winced. There was a pause before the talking continued. On the balls of his feet Xira bounded up the stairs praying silently to the goddess of night that her shadows would save him notice. He then added a prayer to another appropriate goddess, Yshul, one he thought he would never have need to pray to.

Last door down the corridor. Something was... off about it. He did not understand what exactly was so strange about the door but he did not have time to think about it. He strode to it as quickly as possible and closed the door carefully behind him. Now to find the poison. Frantically he searched around the room for it. Part of his plan was to not be noticed though. Each thing moved was put back in the exact location; a drawer that was open only a quarter of the way was opened and then closed back to a quarter way open. Papers moved were put back in that order. He went through drawers and cupboards but found nothing that he was searching for. The courier made thief's heart was beating heavily in his ribcage. At last he searched the desk. Inside the drawer, opened with perhaps too much force was what he was looking for. The bottle filled with yellow liquid.

"Ah ha." He said quietly. He would be the hero in this story. Until then he had forgotten his plan. In that plan he was to replace the contents with something harmless. He realized now that he didn't really have anything harmless on him to replace it with and even if he did, where would he put the current contents? It dawned on him what he really should be doing.

He pulled off his glove and put it inside out, the waterproof side facing inside and the fur out. This might ruin his glove but it was a small price to pay. He dumped the liquid out, shaking as much of it into the glove as possible. The fingers inflated comically and he imagine that it was the severed paw of some furred monster. Using a leather cord found in the desk he tied off the top tightly and thrust the pouched liquid into his pocket.

He then used his shirt to clean the inside of the vial. Well, no choice now but to go through with it. Moments later the vial was replaced in the desk, filled to the brim with a yellow liquid. He made his way out of the room and down the stairs, carefully listening for voices. He was almost free, even if he were caught now, the vial was full of what looked like poison and his bladder now a bit emptier.

Why did he let himself get involved. He just sabotaged a former client's package that he delivered himself. Oh well.

My words.

Their words.

[Radiant]

Surprisingly, no one heard of Xira's approach, the coast was all clear until he entered the study room. He searched around the study, in every papers, cupboards, and drawers. At last, his search turned out fruitful, he found the yellow-filled bottle. A plan formed within his crafty mind and the courier came up with a... unorthodox solution, unorthodox indeed.

His way out of the apartment was filled with tense atmosphere even though it was rather silent, the only voices coming from the kitchen where the inhabitants gathered. As he arrived at the bottom of the stairs, Mina suddenly appeared, pulling her husband with her, "*Gasp*! W-what are you doing here, Sir Xira?!" Surprisingly, the young woman looked perplexed by his presence as if her plans with him before didn't take place.

Of course, Sir Grenfell was appropriately surprised, he narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Xira's apparent suspicious act, "Sir Xira? Ah, you're the courier that delivered my ordered medicine earlier," Being a polite noble, he tried his best to keep his voice from raising at Xira's offense of intruding his home uninvited, "Before I call my guard and presumed uncouth actions from you, please explain to my why are you here." He crossed his arms, his eyes clearly not pleased.

Beside Grenfell, Mina, kept up her startled act, but for a brief tick, a look of a malevolence wench replaced her pretty features before returning to her facade.

Looks like our courier got himself into a deep heap of trouble.

[Xira Hezmek]

Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew that he would be caught. It was the prescient feeling that came before a storm or when one knew that bad news was heading towards them. Xira of course did not know the future, it was just a dreading feeling that came with the stress of the situation. Stealing was by no means something he did. In fact, he rather disliked the notion of stealing from a client. Stealing on its own was a part of life, but he never thought he would be one to do it.

He had a fraction of a second to think about it, but he quickly padded along to the center of the room. He made no attempt to get out of there, just to get away from the stairwell before the Lord of the house came into view. In that motion he tugged out the bag of coins the lord had given him. Xira was no good at subterfuge nor deception, so the man could not help but look incredibly guilty.

"Please, M'lord. I beg forgiveness from you." He bowed deeply, sincerity dripping from his words, because he had chosen to be truthful...mostly, "I have made a grave error in decorum and came in unannounced and uninvited. In truth, I wished that you would be asleep and stay asleep. I did not wish to disturb you nor your family." All of which was true, even though he knew they weren't asleep, he certainly had wished they were. He continued on, still bent over in his bow, "The amount of money you gave me, it was too much for a bottle such as this. Many, many times more the price of my services. Please, allow me to return the difference." He took out two shining gold mizas out of the pouch and placed the rest on the table. He of course, implied that he was there for a completely different reason. It was true that the amount given to him was too much, but he had not intended originally to give it back. Such was the gentleman's agreement between him and the Lord. His shaky, but carefully worded response was the best he could come up with in such a trying situation.

He then straightened up and looked first at Mina, gave her stony neutral expression before looking apologetically at the lord. He would have to go along with any punishments they met out, even if he were to be turned over the knights. If pressed by the knights or by the lord of the household, he would of course, spill everything to them. The plot to poison Ursula, Mina's accusations towards Sir Grenfell, his own attempt to assist to save a life and so on. But for now, he would use the truth put through such a filter. The only thing that worried him was Mina. It would be her word against his. "I humbly submit myself to your service and will willingly take any punishment that you see fit, M'lord.

OOCSorry about the wait! It has been a difficult past week or so trying to get through this posting cycle. Truthfully I wasn't sure what to do, so I held it off so I can come up with a decent response.

My words.

Their words.