Completed Scourge of Chaos and Evil (Radiant)

[Annalisa Marin]

As she crossed through the eerie mists of the Courtyard Anna noted that near the gates there were three individuals to be found, each one armed and armored. Her Syliran Knights, the sorceress suspected as she drew closer to them. Anna looked at each one in their turn, observing how they were armed and initially on the surface the sorceress had to wonder if they were actually here to punish Riyanna. Their weaponry did not appear overly intimidating; the Warden most certainly was one who could probably take all three on based on outward appearances. Of course, that was just her initial assessment.

The two males were silent, the older female doing the talking and really if Amaryllis had not provided her information the tall woman would never have known they were Syliran Knights. Now that she did, that knowledge would be very well served in handling these individuals she hoped. Of course, the primary objective was to gather information, to learn why they were here really. To that end the sorceress would need to be indirect about her lines of questioning, a fair bit more careful than she normally was under most circumstances. Riyanna was nothing she could gain information on most likely, but she could find out how long they were going to be here most likely.

Anna filed away each of their names and offered her most brilliant of smiles, inclining her head ever so in a sign of respectful difference to the travelers. She’d play up the living on the island of the undead bit; build up a bit of trust between the living. Since none of the three appeared to be wizards either that might make that a bit easier. At being asked to offer her name Anna briefly considered lying outright, though in the end there seemed to be little point in that. Besides, Riyanna knew her real name so that would simply catch her in a bad lie.

“Annalisa Marin, at your service. I can indeed guide you to the Prairie, tis not overly far. About a bell from the Citadel to the outskirts really. If you would all follow me.” The tall woman said, moving to walk past the Knight and towards the Vestibule.

The Vestibule was always rather the impressive sight, the entrance hall to the Citadel seemingly designed to awe and impress most people that would walk through the main gates of the Citadel. Soon enough they would cross from there and under the massive main gate into the Citadel, coming to the large flight of stairs out of it. From here Anna would lead the group down the stairs and towards the forested terrain aside from the main path to the Docks. She opted to take a longer route to the Prairie this time, hopefully allowing her some time to feel out the Knights.

The sorceress would slow her pace in the forest, avoiding branches and fallen logs that would normally be there to trip her up. As she did she cast her gaze to wherever the female knight could be found, offering her a small smile. There was a touch of deliberate unease about her, as though the thought of going to meet Riyanna was something to dread. She made it clear, but did not voice her artificial worries, instead opting to give the appearance of trying to make some seemingly innocent small talk as they walked through the forest.

“Syliras eh? Quite a long way as I understand it. You planning on lingering for a while then, or is your business with Riyanna all that will keep you fellows here? If you don’t mind me asking of course. Visitors from the outside are just rare, is all.” Anna stated, making certain to keep her tone light to ward off suspicion.

"I remember making the voyage from Zeltiva, that long on a boat pretty much killed my taste for Laviku's realm I can tell you that. Also, try to avoid touching anything here, especially any animals you might see." The sorceress continued, her tone as light as before, attempting to ease any nerves that might be on edge.

[Radiant]

It seemed the Knights kept a strict no-chit-chat policy, but covered it in layers of diplomacy, they obviously didn't want to make trouble in a foreign undead island after all, only the female lead spoke to Anna ever since they meet, "Ah honor to meet you, Madame Marin." Isabella inclined her head as she gestured to her companions in a Pavi-like language, Ekeldi, a gesture-based language exclusive to the Order. The three undercover Knights then began following the Wizard.

Just as before Anna exited the Citadel down to the forested terrain, she could feel her gnosis prickling... someone, someone with the mark of Rhysol was quite nearby, when she looked back, a hooded figure would be watching her from the back, but the figure soon turned away and out of their sight.

"Mistress Marin," Isabella would wake Anna up from her trance - should it happen - as she examined her surroundings, like an experienced warrior going into battle, but the look on her face was of normal, like a traveler visiting an unknown land instead of a tactician assessing the battlefield, "Might I ask about the dangers that lies ahead? So we can prepare for the worst, since you will be guiding us, I assume you are a capable fighter yourself." She smiled then made a small 'hmmm' sound as she contemplated Anna's questions.

"Yes, it is quite a journey, ah well, as for us lingering here or not, that... remains to be seen," Isabella offered her unwillingness to explain in the best diplomatic tone she could manage, "Alright, no touching, I understand." The Knight would go silent then, only responding when being asked.

OOCYou can take the lead regarding the journey, Anna, including the - eventual - arrival.

[Annalisa Marin]

A prickle had tugged at her mark; she could feel the presence of a fellow Chaon nearby just before her steps had taken them out of the Citadel. Her grey eyes fell upon a hooded figure, who vanished almost as soon as he had appeared. The dark haired woman was made more than a little suspicious and wary by this fact, that yet another Chaon was upon the island. Was it Clyde that was following her perhaps? Though why Clyde Sullins would be skulking around near her was unknown to her, unless he possessed an interest in these Knights in particular.

The Knights kept conversation to a minimum annoyingly enough, though the answers given already had her wondering. Remaining to be seen could take a number of different meanings, such as needing to locate a number of fugitives from Syliras. A number that could very well include Kouri, a risk Anna was unwilling to take but she kept to her silence on that matter. They were polite rebuffs, but clearly the Knights did not want Anna peering into their business. Unfortunate, but she had another angle if need be and besides the Knight had provided a pleasant entry into a little jab towards the Warden.

“The dangers? Manifold really, beasts uncounted so that is to be expected. I one time had a man of earth spring from the ground to attack me. Though… the Warden herself is not altogether a pleasant woman as a fair warning.” The sorceress stated, dropping a bit about Riyanna here, it wasn’t exactly a lie since she was indeed rude when she wanted to be.

“My own abilities are passable enough, Miss Isabella, a beast has yet to get the drop upon me yet so I suppose that is an accomplishment. All the same, it might be best to avoid combat whenever possible. Some of the creatures here are known to travel in packs.” The tall woman continued, ducking under a low hanging branch.

She undersold her own abilities, which were rather considerable all things considered, figuring it best to be underestimated by these unknown factors than a known quantity. Normally she was rather open about the strength of her magic, however she did not yet know if these Knights were her enemies or not. She assumed that they were Riyanna’s enemies, but that did not necessarily make them hers unless they were seeking to interfere with Kouri.

Soon the small forest area gave way to a thorny wood, the briars seeming to reach out and seek to scratch at those passing near them. One thorn scraped at the back of Anna’s hand, a low hiss escaping her lips as they entered into part of the Forest of Thorns. It was a rather bizarre place to an outsider no doubt, but to Anna she had grown somewhat more used to it. Unlike many other places on Sahova, the Forest of Thorns was actually possessed of wildlife. As evidenced by the creature they were to first encounter along the way to the Prairie.

Further up ahead on their path was a strangely colored dog, which turned its gaze upon the group with four eyes gleaming in its eye sockets as it gazed at the group. Anna held up a hand for a stop as she watched the dog watching them, grey eyes narrowing as she pondered calling up her Res to handle the thing. Then, just as quickly as it had entered their path it leapt away through the thorny underbrush allowing Anna a chance to relax for she had feared a conflict was going to be forthcoming from the creature.

“Not quite sure what that was. Apparently either not interested in making a meal of us, or its going to find its friends. Anyway, this is the Forest of Thorns. Once we cross through this patch of terrain we should arrive at the outskirt of the Prairie. The wild life here should leave us alone, just watch your step and don’t stumble into a patch of briars.” Anna said, stepping over a fallen log on the path ahead.

Anna opted to continue the rest of the journey in silence, chime after chime passing by as they walked through the Forest towards their destination with the crunch of the undergrowth beneath their feet and the sounds of animals as the noise to fill the air between them. The sorceress was certain that this path would lead them to the Prairie sooner rather than later, in fact it was probably only a few more chimes away at this rate. Her grey eyes occasionally turned back or to the terrain around her, searching for any threats within range.

“Right, we should be coming up upon the Prairie in a few more chimes though from there it’s a wide expanse of terrain to find Warden Sterder so I hope you like more walking.” The sorceress said, chuckling slightly at the end.

"So, I can't say I've ever been to Syliras. Read about it once, but never actually been there. What's it like?" Anna inquired casually as she ducked beneath another branch and continued forward.

Soon enough the Forest would begin to give way to open terrain, which signaled they were nearing the Prairie itself. Anna stopped having to step over logs or duck branches as they finally arrived upon the outskirts of the domain of the Prairie Wardens. It had taken some time, now of course there was the task of actually finding the Prairie Warden herself. Anna expected that they would likely come across at least a couple of failbeasts before finding Riyanna. As such she mentally prepared herself for combat that was too come. Always a danger in the expansive Testing Grounds.

[Radiant]

"I see, but I do hope all goes well." Isabella spoke with reassurance as they walked though the forest of thorns, the Knights seemed to assess the situation quickly and changed their movements to avoid bumping into sharp pricks or falling into holes, even the tall and large man seemed to traverse with apparent ease, indicating that these warriors were no stranger to traversing rough terrain, being Knights and all. If Anna noticed, Isabella avoided commenting about Riyanna other than that they wanted to see them, the Knight simply waved off the topic about the Prairie Warden.

When the Gibbat dog appeared before then then curiously examining the group of two-legged creatures, the archer Knight immediately grabbed his shortbow, but a gesture from Isabella stopped him, it was best to retaliate when attacked, not to initiate the attack, that thing might look small and weak, cute too, but if there was one thing famous about Sahova, everything here was dangerous, home to some of the most horrifying monsters in all of Mizahar. "Forest of Thorns, well it is thorny, that creature look rather cute, I do hope it is not a vicious one..." A look of relief could be seen on Isabella's face when Anna said the journey through this woods would be over soon.

At last, they arrived at the Prairie, now the real mission began, to look for Riyanna, but Anna did not know one thing... All Knights were marked by Sylir and similar to her with her fellow Chaons, fellow Knights could detect each other throgh their gnosis, "Oh, don't worry, we will... find her, I'm sure." Isabella's eyes shifted from left to right, the two Knights also followed her movements, each one observing different directions.

As they traversed through the Prairie, Isabella idly talked to Anna, just to keep the guide from getting suspicious, "Well, it is the largest city in all of Mizahar and the single largest concentration of humans, it is also very safe, called the 'Fortress City of Peace' for a reason after all," Isabella then looked upwards for a tick, reminiscing, "It is big, but well, every city has its drawbacks, it stinks... the result of fifty thousand people cramped into one huge castle." Isabella jested, then she suddenly paused, as if detecting something, her comrades also noticed the same thing, she gestured to them. If they could detect Riyanna... that meant Riyanna could do the same thing, being marked by Sylir.

Surprisingly, the journey didn't take long before the group was approached by a single woman with brightly colored hair, and from the corner of each eye falls streaks of silver that pass over her cheeks, that was the Warden alright. Why did she come alone? In human form to boot? That alone would arise some suspicion.

Still, the Warden walked with grace and her usual cheerful face, she seemed to ignore her strained relationship with Anna and the fact three Sylir-marked were with her, "Well, well, well, what do we have here? Your friends, Anna? I am Warden Riyanna... Sterder, an honor to meet you all." Just for a fraction of a tick, Riyanna's voice strained, of course these Knights would see through her facade, she was one of them, and... the woman, Isabella Shatter, she knew her.

"Riyanna, we-" Isabella wanted to speak, but Riyanna stopped her, "I am afraid this place is dangerous for chit-chat, so speak your business, and... leave". The Warden tried to convince the Knights to leave, she wanted to forget about her past.

"No." The female Knight said plainly, her eyes narrowing in determination, if there was one thing noticeable about them, was that Knights never give up.

"I see... Well..." Riyanna inhaled then looked at Anna, "Anna, I think your task is done here, you can leave, I... can take it from here..." The Warden spoke, though calm, it was clear that Riyanna was threatening her, 'leave or else' kind of subtle look.

[Annalisa Marin]

The Knights seemed confident in their ability to find Riyanna, which Anna was fine with if it could keep the time it took to find the Warden to a minimum. Instead she lent her ear to learning more about this so called Fortress City of Peace, the arrogant name alone amusing to her. The information was nothing new really, but Anna showed interest in what was being offered to her. As for the smell, she grew up in a place where the fish was the rather pungent aroma and lived in a place filled with rotting corpses and magical experiments. She doubted that Syliras could overly surprise her.

Soon enough the Warden was located and approached them, Anna’s eyes narrowing ever so upon the other woman as she barely suppressed a sneer. Riyanna Sterder was one she preferred to avoid being around for prolonged periods of time, however this had been requested of her by the Council so it was necessity. Annoyingly enough she had no idea what the Knights were here for any more than she had at first, guesses and speculation were all she still had. It was extremely grating, a seemingly golden opportunity presented upon her lap and still she had nothing to show for it.

“More charges than friends, Warden. The Council tasked me to bring them here, so I brought them.” The sorceress stated, her eyes narrowing ever so.

Well well well, this was an interesting little development to see, the famed Warden being cowed by a group of Knights into continuing a meeting. The tall woman drummed her fingers over her chin in interest, noting that the Warden was more compliant with their demands than expected. There was obvious tension to see here, though Anna had to wonder exactly what it was over. Amaryllis had mentioned Riyanna being a traitor of sorts after all; however violence did not seem likely at the moment.

There was the dismissal, Anna met the gaze of the Warden evenly and pondered for a moment exactly how far out of her depth she was. At the moment she knew only that Riyanna was a deserter from the Order of the Syliran Knights, and that these three were members of that order. Logic would dictate that these three were there to take her in, however were that the case the sorceress somehow doubted they would be speaking and not fighting. At the moment she had very little to go on, and making a mistake here could be rather fatal. There was of course the fact Anna was not one to enjoy being threatened.

Riyanna seemed very keen on her leaving however, enough to where the sorceress pondered if she did not then the Warden might very well choose to take out her long held grudge. It was a possibility, and Riyanna had appeared here alone and outside of her animal forms so obviously she did not feel threatened. The possibilities were endless and her wild speculation on the situation was enough to where Anna was forced to make a choice. She could attempt to act upon her limited information or simply leave and try again at a later date. At the moment Anna was feeling rather like the former.

“Warden, you wound me. You would send me away when it is my intension to assist you for once. Certainly you are aware that these Knights are here to steal you away from the island to answer for whatever crime you committed. Oh yes, Amaryllis was quite liberal with that information. Why else would she have arranged for me to escort them? Do think about it, you are a smart woman Warden.” Anna stated, her posture denoting that she was utterly unfazed by the Warden’s dismissal.

Of course if Riyanna pressed the issue Anna had no desire to fight the Warden fairly, so she would depart if the threat was too great. However it was often best to exhaust all possible avenues before giving up and going home.

[Radiant]

"..."

"What?"

All eyes, all of them, including the silent male knights, turned to Anna when the Wizard spoke the remark against Riyanna. The Warden looked visibly surprised, a rarity for the usually cheerful and calm Warden, she looked just like someone who had been stabbed in the back by her friends. The knights, were less surprised and more alerted, they all reached for their weapons, but didn't brandish them just yet.

"How did you...?" Isabella spoke, in disbelief regarding their seemingly simple guide knowing about their true identity and their mission to Sahova, well... one of their missions, they were here to take Riyanna back first and foremost, but not to 'answer for her crimes', the higher-ups had plans for the Warden. "Riyanna..." Isabella growled at the Warden, "Did you do this? What did you tell them? About us?!" Lying about them not being Knights would only prove futile, and also dishonor Tyveth, the God of Honor, Justice, Valor, and Chivalry.

"No... I didn't! I did... not..." The Warden was agape for a couple of ticks, she truly didn't expect Anna to know that she was a wanted figure from Syliras, also the fact that Amaryllis, of all people, betrayed her! "Ama...ryllis..." She growled under her breath then her eyes flashed murderously at the Chaon, "Annalisa... you... what have you..." It took all the restraint in her to not charge at the Wizard and tore her apart with her morphing magic, however... if this Isabella was the very same famous Sera Shatter then... it would prove difficult. "No, no! Why are you here, Isabella?! What lies did this woman..." She pointed her index finger sharply at Anna, "Told you?!"

"She told us nothing. She merely guided us here, to see you, Riyanna." Sera Shatter then took a step forward, her form now between the Wizard and the Warden, her two male companion Knights keeping an alert watch on both Anna and Riyanna, their hands on their weapons. "I do not know who this Amaryllis is, Madame Anna," Isabella spoke, her tone very serious, "But we are not here for trouble, we are here for her." She returned her gaze at the Warden.

"Annalisaaaaa!" The Prairie Warden had enough of this evil woman's lies and deceit, she must be the one who sent her comrades after her, she knew it! It was all her, if only, if only she was gone, no one would care, she was just a pulser to those deadies, they would not investigate a pulser's death. Taking a step forward, Riyanna began flowing her djed as her hands quickly turned to massive, strong, claws.

"Don't do it." Surprisingly, Sera Shatter blocked the Warden's approach, causing Riyanna to stop in her tracks, "I know you, Riyanna, and... you know me. Come with us, please. The Grandm-" Isabella was suddenly cut off as Riyanna screamed.

"GET OUT OF THE WAY, ISABELLA!" Riyanna finally snapped, all facade broken to million pieces. "That woman... is a scourge upon the land, taint upon the very air, why are you protecting her?! The Order would execute someone like her! Aren't you a Knight, Isabella, you and your comrades, the enemy is her! Not me!"

"No." As Shatter said so, the two male Knights stood before her, all facing the bewildered warden, "She has done nothing wrong to us and indeed brought us to you, why should I believe you after all these years? I wanted to, you can explain your case to the Grandmaster, so, Sera Sterder, in the name of the Orde-"

"PETCH THE ORDER!"

"...Riyanna..." It was Isabella's time to be taken by surprise, then she shook her head, "We have our orders, we cannot return without you."

"Then... I will force you to leave, no, I won't kill you... I'm not a monster, unlike that woman you are protecting now... And Isabella, don't think that I forgot about your little... incident with the Squire and your daughter..." The Warden growled as she turned her head at her former comrades, hatred oozing from her eyes, but not at them, at the Chaon behind them instead. She then hunched down as Riyanna prepared to transform into her silver giant hound form.

"Don't speak about my daughter, Riyanna, So then, it has come to this? Fine... Lance, Brimholt, protect our guide, I'll get her to her senses." Surprisingly, Isabella suddenly dropped her weapons then removed the metal pieces from her light armor, then she closed her eyes as she concentrated, remembering the flow of djed within her body, just like what happened so many years ago, with the Squire named Markus.

The female Knight's body then churned and changed, her bones and muscles reforming, into that of a jet black-furred dire wolf.

They were both mages, both master morphers, and obviously, they shared a history.

Then, with a vicious bark from both of them, the two morphed mages charged at each other, fangs, furs, and claws clashing against each other, so fast that the contrasting colors of their fur blurred.

"*Sigh*... I knew it would come to this..." The tall male Knight, Ser Lance, finally spoke as he raised his right hand to rub his temples, "Now, we can only watch..."

If Anna noticed, no other Warden came to Riyanna's aid... of course, Riyanna wanted to keep her past a secret, her being confronted by her former comrades might prove difficult to explain.

[Annalisa Marin]

Initially Anna feared that she had overplayed her hand, the looks she received from Riyanna being one of pure surprise. However there was the look in Riyanna’s eyes, a look Anna was all too familiar with being what she was. She looked as though she could not believe that she had just been stabbed in the back by a friend or ally, the look that often brought rise to mixed feelings in Annalisa of both self-loathing and pleasure. The Knights reached for their weapons, though they did not brandish them just yet and instead Isabella seemed rather keen on getting to the bottom of this.

The sorceress could see that her little gamble was not in vain as the Warden was forced to verbally defend herself from the Knights, not the result she had been hoping for but it would do just as well. Riyanna glared murderously at her, the sorceress holding a blank expression though a dark grin was threatening to split across her lips. The Prairie Warden was not attacking her for a reason; she knew well that with three of her comrades around and on Anna’s side there would be no easy way to defeat her. This was not exactly how Anna had expected it to play out, but she was pleased nonetheless.

The tall woman wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it all; the knight was actually defending her verbally from Riyanna. Oh, that was rich, if only they could understand the sheer irony was that the Warden was very much correct to point fingers at her. She would need to thank Amaryllis for this little show at a later date; it was just the thing to banish her weariness. The sorceress merely nodded towards the knight as she professed only being here for the Warden. Being agreeable had helped her so far.

Riyanna stepped forward with a cry of rage, her hands shaping into claws that prompted Anna to take a step backwards and tug at the strands of her own Djed. Purple translucent Res was pushed outwards from the pours in her hands and feet, a precaution though it proved unnecessary as the Knight stopped Riyanna. The ironic thing was that everything the Warden said about her was correct really, if only she realized how very true her words were. A good thing her former comrades seemed more inclined to believe the one that kept a level head in this situation. Namely the Chaon in their midst.

Isabella surprised Anna by being quite the morpher herself, her flesh shaping into the form of a wolf as she prepared to fight Riyanna on her behalf. Two skilled Morphers fighting each other on just a few spoken words from her, Anna had to admit it was rather entertaining. However at the moment she was more concerned with the opportunity now presented to her. Both of the Morphers were too busy fighting each other to see the other threat in their midst. The other two knights seemed to be focusing upon the fight and there were no witnesses around.

She could make no mistakes here; Anna needed to make this as quick as possible. The Morphers were at a far enough range that a lightning bolt could reach them well before they reached her, or so she hoped. However the true dangers were the knights closest to her, they would cut her down quickly enough at this range that she could not draw Res in time. If she was going to do something she would need to handle both of them before dealing with the Morphers, nothing overly fancy of course, just enough to do the deeds.

The Res at her feet subtly sunk into the ground, vanishing from sight though it was not yet time for her to make her move. First the two morphers needed to tire each other out fighting, then she would make her move when both were injured or one had fallen. After all, why do all of the work herself when the two morphers seemed perfectly content to do it for her. The sorceress did will the liquid gathered on her hand to phase change to a pair of purple cloud of gas hovering near her shoulders. Reassuringly she looked to the two knights.

“Just a bit of extra protection, nothing to get alarmed over Sers. Also, you expected this then?” Anna said, her tone still rather calm despite the circumstances. Being above suspicion had its uses.

[Radiant]

As the two hounds battled against each other, the three watched, the male Knights blissfully unaware that one of them was a Chaon, arch-nemesis of the Order. After all, what were the odds of finding one of Rhysol's marked here in Sahova? This was not Ravok.... or was it? When Anna exhumed her purplish res, she would find the cold tip of a dagger pressed dangerously close to the back of her neck, "Halt, mage." The icy voice of Ser Brimholt, the archer, finally was heard, amidst the roaring form of the two Morphers.

"Brimholt, what are you doing?" Ser Lance asked as his hand went to his greatsword, he raised an eyebrow, was there something he didn't notice? "Why are you threatening our guide? Cease this at once, Ser." Lance spoke with a rather urgent tone, Anna was one of them, the undead faction, harming her could result in their execution right here on Sahova.

"'Guide', eh?" Brimholt spoke with a thick Zeltivan accent, "Why do a 'guide' know about us being Knights? Also... I know this magic, Reimancy, is it? This fight is none of your concern, 'guide'." Ser Brimholt spoke with unadulterated suspicion, "Make a move and I will jam this dagger up your neck, mage." He made hsi voice clear.

"Ser Brimholt! Answer me! Why are you doing this?" Lance asked with an even more urgent tone, sure it was good to be cautious especially in situations like these, but Brimholt was taking it too far,

"Why? Well," The Archer Knight spoke dangerously, "If there is one thing I know about Sera Sterder... is that she is no liar, and despite what she had done, I know she is still the good Knight I knew, she seemed to hate you with a passion, tell me, 'guide', why is that?"

"Brimh-"

"Quiet, Lance! I want answers, this woman look like she might have it... If Isabella got hurt, it was because of your mouth, if only you let us handle this situation ourselves, this wouldn't happen, 'Madame Anna', explain, tell us everything, your life depends on it." Brimholt slightly pressed the tip of his dagger further, making his point - both literally and figuratively - sharp and clear.

Of course, this was a rather delicate situation, and Anna... could feel the prickle on her gnosis again, someone was watching them from behind the treeline of the Forest of Thorns, someone with the mark of Rhysol, likely the very same figure that watched her bells ago.

[Annalisa Marin]

Cold steel pressed to the back of her neck caused Anna’s hairs to stand on end, the man known as Brimholt placing one of his daggers no doubt at the back of her neck. The sorceress made no threatening moves, dancing quite literally on a knife’s edge here. She was not dead yet though so obviously it was more a threat than anything else. The tall sorceress looked surprised for a tick, though calm fell back over her face and she refrained from making a move. The Res underground and out of sight she moved carefully to the spot behind her as a precaution. She disliked the possibility of that dagger entering in the back of her throat when he was so very close.

“As I stated, my Mistress Amaryllis thought it prudent to inform me of this. As for how she knew, that is something I suspect you can ask Warden Sterder. Also, caution if often said to be the better part of valor Ser. What if Miss Isabella was to lose? Riyanna seems unlikely to listen to reason, and a powerful Morpher such as her is likely to get through both of you in that case. It’s no different than a warrior drawing a sword in preparation for possibly needing to defend themselves.” Anna offered, her tone even and a little bit of indignation was allowed to creep into her tone.

As for why Riyanna hated her, well that was a more difficult matter to explain. However the sorceress felt confident she could spin the tale well enough, ironically she would be telling the truth or at least most of it. She had indeed had nothing to do with Celeste’s apparent death, the initiate had simply vanished before her very eyes and Anna had continued on without her. However Riyanna was far too emotional to ever accept her side of the story, hence why eliminating two birds with one stone seemed a good idea.

“Of course she hates me; she blames me for something beyond my power. One of her initiates, a fellow pulser and a friend mind you, was lost on an expedition into a dangerous part of the island. Being that I was with her she blames her death on me. The Warden naturally cares not for my side of the story, that I could not have prevented her from dying since I was otherwise… occupied at the time. That is why she hates me, that is why she says as she says. She is no liar, simply blinded by her emotions.” The tall woman explained as calmly as she could given the circumstances.

“Also, how was I to know that Riyanna would react so violently at my words? I figured it fair enough to pass the information along, how was I to know she was telling the Citadel about your Order? You accuse me of matters far outside of my control, Ser. Rather unfairly I might add.” The sorceress shot back to the dagger wielding knight.

She needed to convince him to step away, just a little bit to give her a good opening and when he was not holding a dagger to her neck. Since he was behind her the risk was far too great that her attack could miss Brimholt and result in a new hole in her neck, she was no fool. Hopefully that would be enough to get him to let it go, enough for her to get a clear shot at both he and his comrade. She could feel a little nervous on the inside, the knowledge that if her words were not appealing to the knight that she would be dead was quite pungent. Perhaps that made her select her words very carefully.

A prickle radiated from her gnosis, flaring in her mind as she knew that another Chaon was nearby once again though the question was who it was. Clyde Sullins did not seem the type to skulk around in the shadows, though he was the only other Chaon that she was aware of on Sahova. Had another of Rhysol’s agents been here all of this time? Why was this agent following their little group? What purpose did spying on them serve? Answers were what Anna wanted, though clearly she was not going to get any.

“I will grant you, Ser, that the circumstances might seem rather suspicious however I assure you I mean none of you, least of all the Warden any harm. If I had why would I not simply have just left you in some forsaken part of the Testing Grounds to die? There are far more ways to dispose of people on Sahova, a number of them far more efficient than whatever you likely have in mind.” Anna pressed, trying to get the Knight to back off.

[Radiant]

The Archer Knight, though with much suspicion and disdain, still listened to Annalisa's explanations, both of them kept silent as the Sorceress spoke her defense, though Lance clearly looked agitated, he didn't agree with Brimholt's actions yet he couldn't find himself stopping his comrade, "I see... Riyanna would not kill Sera Isabella, I know that, she will stay true to her words, however you..." Brimholt whispered, his words contained venom, "She accused you to be a liar, why should I believe your words?"

"This is ridiculous, Brimholt, the guide has done nothing to us, and like Isabella said, Riyanna has been gone for years, people could change! We haven't even meet Madame Anna for a couple of bells and you are already threatening her!" Lance tried to scream reason into his seemingly deranged friend. Truly, Sahova could drive madness into even the stoic of Knights, what drove Brimholt to act like this? They were all marked by Sylir, they were all full-fledged Knights, this didn't look like him at all.

"Riyanna blaming you?" Brimholt ignored Lance's pleas and kept his full attention to Anna, "I see," When Anna admitted that Riyanna was not a liar, it seemed to calm the Knight for a tick before he spoke again, "Then going by that logic, what she said is true then, you are a liar." The Archer Knight was about to use his other hand to knock Anna unconscious by chopping the back of her neck, he would arrest her for questioning, but before he could done so, the tall knight intervened.

"BRIMHOLT! ENOUGH!" Lance screamed then took a step forward, "She could have just left us in that misty forest if she wanted too, this isn't like you at all!" Determined to get his friend out of his senses, Lance suddenly grabbed Brimholt's hand, the one with the dagger, then with his superior strength, held it there, the archer knight thrashed as he growled at the taller Knight, "Don't stop me! I do what I must do!"

Of course, a smirk fell upon the hidden Chaon's lips, amazing... just with a couple of words from the fellow Chaon, all turned to disarray. The two wolves still clawing at each other, two knights struggling, and the Chaon, even if for just a few ticks, was free to act as she wanted. This was it, the time of reckoning.