Post by Sir Dmitrii Zurban on Jun 23, 2008 14:24:43 GMT -6
The morning sun would not break thru to the western window of their cell til later, but Dmi and Willa was woke early with the unlocking and opening of the door. Food was being delivered… followed by Sir Robert, who brought a stool with him to sit. “Good morning yu two…” he gave with a smile seeing the pair had laid close on the single cot.
Dmitrii rose quickly at the mechanical noise of the door and its eventual creaking of its opening. Standing between the cot and the door, his stature was still in unarmed defiance. “Good morning Robert…” the man’s title defiantly omitted. “What reason do we owe this presence?”
Willa moved as Dmitrii did to sit up, the hands ensuring she was modestly covered as she pushed the blond hair from her face. The blue eyes were still somewhat blurry from awakening so. The eyes followed the tray, then looked to the man that entered. She slipped her feet up closer to herself as she half hid behind Dmitrii as the men exchanged words. There was an echo of her own anger though mingled with fear that stared back at the man. She was quickly beginning to dislike this man and it was rather apparent in her expression.
A guard laid the food on the floor, then turned, moved from the Templar’s path, and exited. Entering, Robert smirked and set the stool by the door as it was locked from outside. “I hope yu shall find the food palatable… now Sit down Dmitrii… both of yu eat while I shall explain…”
Glancing at Willa and the cot, Dmitrii then picked up the crude tray, backing up and sitting on the edge of the crude bed, room made available as Willa had sat upright on the cot… He nodded to Willa to eat, then looked back to Robert… “Well then… explain… for this is no happenstance… this abduction was planned…”
Robert sat comfortably upon the stool and looked at the imprisoned pair. “First I shall offer my apologies to you both…” he offered a smile… “Yu know about the Merovingian… and the true mission of the Templars… Have yu ever heard of a fanatical religious group called the Illuminati?”
Dmitrii ate, with an occasional glance to Robert… nodding to the Knight’s apologies, his questions, but shaking his head regarding the Illuminati.
Willa ate slowly as she watched the small shake of her head was given to the naming of the Illuminati. Though that wasn't entirely true. Her father had once, in a drunken stupor, cursed them for their near heretic actions and zealous ways of interpreting the written holy word.
Their negative reaction was met by a cant of his head… “The Illuminati is a group of Catholic Priests who is supposed to protect the old ways and enforce Papal law. As their name envokes, they are supposed to pave the way for people to be illuminated in the righteous path of God.” Robert then smirked… “But they are a group of fanatics… extremists… murderers and assassins at the whims of the Pope… They have been hunting Templars and Merovingian ancestors for years.” He smirks… “Of course, not publically…”
Dmitrii being of Orthodox Catholic upbringing found this not so hard to believe, for even in his branch of religion, he haad heard of such extremists… but not to the limits Robert spoke.
Watching them eat and for any facial reactions, Robert pauses, then continues… “Beneath the veil of Catholic power and Protestant influence, the Illuminati has been at war with the Templars… both sides suffering losses… but the group has one advantage… they can move about without persecution and obtain resources as required; whereas we must utilize our own resources…”
Pausing once more, he looks at them and answers any questions they may have…
Continuing, he shifts upon the stool… “Now it seems that we Templars have an advantage… The Pope has a weak spot…” he smirks wickedly…
“A weak spot?” Dmi asks sharply… “What sort of weakness would one so powerful have?”
“It seems that his Holiness…” said with sarcasim… “…had a consort some time ago… though undifferent from any other, with one circumstance… this consort was with child… but before the child’s birth… the Pope decided to eliminate this weakness… he had the mother and child sent away… given to some unknown entity…” Robert shifts again, elbows now placed upon his knees, his chin upon his fists.
“A child? And what does this have to do with us?” Dmitrii retorts…
“We have had groups searching for the child for years, with no avail… but we have received evidence from a source that the child is here in Skye… where religion has no forceful bearing… a neutral ground if yu will…” Pausing to see their expressions…
She watched him a bit bewildered, what did that have to do with them? She shifted a little to take a sip of the water that was provided. The glance back and forth between both men were given while they spoke, the mind however turning over things in her head... most of it was coming up blank for the questions that sprang forth.
Dmitrii smirks realizing Lord Adam’s decision to reduce the power of the Church was advisable now, but could harbour religious refugees. “What of this child? Is it a boy or girl? Do yu have a description, or do yu propose to incarcerate all who do not have a valid personal history?” his sarcasim tainting his accent.
“We know little of the child but can only deduce what information we already have…” Pausing… “That the child is possibly here… and a girl… and knows nothing of her own past.”
“So what do yu propose to do when you find this ‘mystery’ child…?” Dmi asks…
“We propose to use this child as leverage… to force the Pope to recall his assassins… to force a treaty with the Illuminati… To vow that we will keep the child hid from the public and safe… IF, the Pope recants the Illuminati mission.” He looks down…. “But there is one problem… the Illuminati also knows of this child… and has secretly vowed to kill her… to protect the Pope… and their monetary interests!”
“So how did yu find out all this information?” Dmitrii solicits…
Robert smirks… “We know all this as we have our ways to get information… some of us are not without sin… pain does make a person want to tell all he knows…”
Willa listened to all of this as the small frown came into play. The eyes looked down away from them, while Robert carried on with the information of their plan. There were certain things that seemed to settle into place. Her father, Odis, had worked in the Holy City of Rome, as to his occupation? She only knew as a warrior, a guardsman. But for who? He would only tell her a noble family. Her mother had been from Rome as well… and she was certainly not lass for the country or for farming. She could barely sew a stitch and did poorly with anything mundane. But Brittany was insistent about knowing of current events, merchants, and the politics of the world. It was uncommon for women to read as insationably as the woman had. She had avoided all church services and clergymen with a manner about her as though they were devils themselves. Then there was Valisa… and her comments from time to time that often left Willa terribly lost and her Father shaking with anger.
She was not fully ready to admit that they had the right girl, but some of it did seem to fit? Willa seemed to capture her Mother's haunty expression fairly well as she set the earthen cup down onto the tray as she lifted her eyes. The bright blue pools carried a hint of ice within them as she lifted a brow.
"And whut would ya'll does iffin that "child" dun't cares ta be used as such? Er be wantin yer sae called protections? " She asked quietly. "Iffin da Pope sents da Momma and little aways… whut makes ya thinks he's fer caring whut happens ta em? "
Robert shifted on the stool and let out a hearty chuckle… “It would not make such a difference to her… She could live out her life as before… just under the protection of the Templars…” The smirk then crossed his face… “Of course, it would truly be her decision… but we would let the Pope know that he had a daughter… and we would go public with it, also identifying some of the Illuminati members, hired by the Pope, that were murderers and assassins. He may not care for the girl… but he would the loss of power from being publicized…”
Dmitrii pondered what Robert was saying… and the logic made sense… his emotionless consideration of what the Templar was saying gave him insight to what the Templars were doing… and the missions that the Illuminati took on… he could see why both sides were in this chess game of life and death.
“Do yu feel that the Illuminati would stand by and allow this to happen?” Pausing a bit, then shifting again… “Of course not… They are, and will continue to pursue the girl until she is dead… the threat thereby eliminated.” Robert mentioned...
Dmitrii looked at Robert… “And how do yu know the girl is still alive?” … his hand finds Willa’s knee, her scooting up close behnd him. He could sense a tenseness… a confusion… about her. A quick glance over his shoulder, he would provide her a smile, then look back to Robert.
“We know the girl is alive… many Templar brothers have died protecting her and her guardian…” His gloved hand rubbing his chin… “That is why we do what we do… to force our enemy’s hand… to protect you… and our own destiny.”
Dmitrii listened and nodded to what Robert had been saying… then a lump gathered in his throat, but he gave no outward signs of emotion or facial expression. Had he heard right? Or was this a way of guessing, trying to force a comment…?
Willa listened to Robert, closely at that as she shifted a bit and slipped from the cot. She needed to move, the bare feet peeked out for a moment before being hidden away again by the skirts. The blue eyes didn't look to either man as she watched the floor where she walked. The expression was one of vague contempt as she turned to finally look at Robert, then Dmitrii as she began to laugh. It was the first time she had found something amusing in all of his. "Ya realla dun't think da lass yer lookin fer is me, does ya?" She gave him a truly skeptical look. Then rolled her eyes, Her? The Daughter of the Pope? Granted her own tale fit the description... or well close enough to it that it would fit and fill in missing pieces. But there was no way... none... ever... that she was not Odis's child. All of this had to be some sort of a practical joke.
“M’Lady… we have evidence that leads to you… and besides that… there is no mistaking the facial similarities yu hold with the Pope…” Robert bows slightly… “Yer Ladyship… please forgive yer humble servant… but this phase is for yer own good…”
Dmitrii was shocked, but relentlessly held it back, with no facial expressions… his experience in doing so now paying off. “Robert…” Dmi stands and faces the man, but his eyes follow Willa, then fade back to the Templar… “How can yu be sure? What evidence? How can yu make an assumption and place the Lady Willa in harm’s way without positive proof.”
“Dmitrii my friend… if yu knew the Pope, yu would have seen the similarity… and her Mother… such a beauty… who died so suddenly…” He looks at Willa, then back to Dmi… “Why do yu think the man who claims her as her Father continues to move her around… to keep her safe…”
“Pez dyetz…” Dmi curses in Rus… “Yu need proof… or let us free… I demand it…” then he is cut off by Willa’s words.
That's it… it was a joke, the pair of them were simply teasing her… as she braced her hands onto her hips. "A'ight… ya'll both has had yer fun... naw iffin ya dun't mind... I'd like ta gits outta dis cell... a good warm bath an mayhaps some clean clothes. Then we'lls all sits about an ya'll can tease me abouts how ya freaked me out." She challenged. Had to be… right?
Dmi looks to Robert, then to Willa… “M’Lady??” his expression took on a confused look… “Do yu think I would have anything to do with this nonsense…? I would never…” he turns, huffing and mumbling in Russian.
Robert laughs standing up… pounding on the door… turning to look at her… “Tis nary a joke M’Lady… tis yer well-being is the utmost importance now…” the door opens and two guards are poised with spears leveled preventing escape. “Yu two shant be disturbed for a few days, except to eat… and empty yer pale should yu require it…” as he steps thu the door, he smiles before closing… “It shant be long now… word has been sent to Rome…”
Willa watched the man speak as she said nothing, nor did she move forward... but well she couldn't use the chamberpot while Dmitrii was in the room! Honestly... barbaric man. She waited until the door was closed and the sounds of the lock sounded. Her eyes looked again to Dmitrii as she shook her head. "I dunna knowed whut he's talkin abouts Dmitrii... Da way he was talkin abouts me Ma... she died o' sickness. He's makin it sounds like it somethin more... dark an such. Twas jus a lung sickness…" She stated quietly as she wasn't so sure about all this... why had her father moved them... why had he been so secret about places he had been? Why... Gah there was far too many why's. Why's couldn't be answered from this cell, that much was certain.
Dmitrii had made his way to the door not far behind Robert… but the speras edged him back… his teeth grit as steel grey eyes darkened. Then as the door was locked, he made his way back to Willa. “Its alright my dear… pay the man no heed… all will end well…I promise…” glancing to the door then a look at the window up high. At the words about her Mother, he looked to her and listened.
She lowered herself into a crouch against the wall, her eyes watched him for a moment then looked to the floor. Even if she wasn't the Pope's daughter as this man proposed... certainly the Pope would fear any leaks... and then what? She would be in danger either way, this man... this Sir Robert... had just damned her. While this should have sparked fear in her... terrified the young heart; though it hadn't. It had made her rather irrated. Why couldn't she just have the damned happy ending as it was in her books?! There sat her Prince charming... and... they were locked away in a cell in the pit of a castle.
As he neared her, she went into a slump against the wall. Her mind definitely cranking out questions or mulling over memories, of which he knew not. His calloused hands gently pulling her to her feet, his arms wrapping around her gently, his hand patting her back… “All will be well… we shall have many years together, should yu desire it…”
She just wanted to spend time with the man she loved... and this... THIS wasn't the sort of time she had in mind! Right... so she could either be a victim... or she could damn well do something about this. Neither her Mother nor her Father would applaud her for being a victim. Nor had she the stomach to be a victim... question now? How to get out of here?... they had only a few days to do so.
Guiding her back to the cot, he sat her down and laid her back upon it… then laying beside her, his head propped by one hand, his free hand caressing her face, pushing her hair and caressing its texture. “For now, we get our rest… make them complacent… like we do not wish to leave… Maybe even go along with their plan…” his grey eyes sparkled and that beard crimped in a familiar smirk.
Dmitrii rose quickly at the mechanical noise of the door and its eventual creaking of its opening. Standing between the cot and the door, his stature was still in unarmed defiance. “Good morning Robert…” the man’s title defiantly omitted. “What reason do we owe this presence?”
Willa moved as Dmitrii did to sit up, the hands ensuring she was modestly covered as she pushed the blond hair from her face. The blue eyes were still somewhat blurry from awakening so. The eyes followed the tray, then looked to the man that entered. She slipped her feet up closer to herself as she half hid behind Dmitrii as the men exchanged words. There was an echo of her own anger though mingled with fear that stared back at the man. She was quickly beginning to dislike this man and it was rather apparent in her expression.
A guard laid the food on the floor, then turned, moved from the Templar’s path, and exited. Entering, Robert smirked and set the stool by the door as it was locked from outside. “I hope yu shall find the food palatable… now Sit down Dmitrii… both of yu eat while I shall explain…”
Glancing at Willa and the cot, Dmitrii then picked up the crude tray, backing up and sitting on the edge of the crude bed, room made available as Willa had sat upright on the cot… He nodded to Willa to eat, then looked back to Robert… “Well then… explain… for this is no happenstance… this abduction was planned…”
Robert sat comfortably upon the stool and looked at the imprisoned pair. “First I shall offer my apologies to you both…” he offered a smile… “Yu know about the Merovingian… and the true mission of the Templars… Have yu ever heard of a fanatical religious group called the Illuminati?”
Dmitrii ate, with an occasional glance to Robert… nodding to the Knight’s apologies, his questions, but shaking his head regarding the Illuminati.
Willa ate slowly as she watched the small shake of her head was given to the naming of the Illuminati. Though that wasn't entirely true. Her father had once, in a drunken stupor, cursed them for their near heretic actions and zealous ways of interpreting the written holy word.
Their negative reaction was met by a cant of his head… “The Illuminati is a group of Catholic Priests who is supposed to protect the old ways and enforce Papal law. As their name envokes, they are supposed to pave the way for people to be illuminated in the righteous path of God.” Robert then smirked… “But they are a group of fanatics… extremists… murderers and assassins at the whims of the Pope… They have been hunting Templars and Merovingian ancestors for years.” He smirks… “Of course, not publically…”
Dmitrii being of Orthodox Catholic upbringing found this not so hard to believe, for even in his branch of religion, he haad heard of such extremists… but not to the limits Robert spoke.
Watching them eat and for any facial reactions, Robert pauses, then continues… “Beneath the veil of Catholic power and Protestant influence, the Illuminati has been at war with the Templars… both sides suffering losses… but the group has one advantage… they can move about without persecution and obtain resources as required; whereas we must utilize our own resources…”
Pausing once more, he looks at them and answers any questions they may have…
Continuing, he shifts upon the stool… “Now it seems that we Templars have an advantage… The Pope has a weak spot…” he smirks wickedly…
“A weak spot?” Dmi asks sharply… “What sort of weakness would one so powerful have?”
“It seems that his Holiness…” said with sarcasim… “…had a consort some time ago… though undifferent from any other, with one circumstance… this consort was with child… but before the child’s birth… the Pope decided to eliminate this weakness… he had the mother and child sent away… given to some unknown entity…” Robert shifts again, elbows now placed upon his knees, his chin upon his fists.
“A child? And what does this have to do with us?” Dmitrii retorts…
“We have had groups searching for the child for years, with no avail… but we have received evidence from a source that the child is here in Skye… where religion has no forceful bearing… a neutral ground if yu will…” Pausing to see their expressions…
She watched him a bit bewildered, what did that have to do with them? She shifted a little to take a sip of the water that was provided. The glance back and forth between both men were given while they spoke, the mind however turning over things in her head... most of it was coming up blank for the questions that sprang forth.
Dmitrii smirks realizing Lord Adam’s decision to reduce the power of the Church was advisable now, but could harbour religious refugees. “What of this child? Is it a boy or girl? Do yu have a description, or do yu propose to incarcerate all who do not have a valid personal history?” his sarcasim tainting his accent.
“We know little of the child but can only deduce what information we already have…” Pausing… “That the child is possibly here… and a girl… and knows nothing of her own past.”
“So what do yu propose to do when you find this ‘mystery’ child…?” Dmi asks…
“We propose to use this child as leverage… to force the Pope to recall his assassins… to force a treaty with the Illuminati… To vow that we will keep the child hid from the public and safe… IF, the Pope recants the Illuminati mission.” He looks down…. “But there is one problem… the Illuminati also knows of this child… and has secretly vowed to kill her… to protect the Pope… and their monetary interests!”
“So how did yu find out all this information?” Dmitrii solicits…
Robert smirks… “We know all this as we have our ways to get information… some of us are not without sin… pain does make a person want to tell all he knows…”
Willa listened to all of this as the small frown came into play. The eyes looked down away from them, while Robert carried on with the information of their plan. There were certain things that seemed to settle into place. Her father, Odis, had worked in the Holy City of Rome, as to his occupation? She only knew as a warrior, a guardsman. But for who? He would only tell her a noble family. Her mother had been from Rome as well… and she was certainly not lass for the country or for farming. She could barely sew a stitch and did poorly with anything mundane. But Brittany was insistent about knowing of current events, merchants, and the politics of the world. It was uncommon for women to read as insationably as the woman had. She had avoided all church services and clergymen with a manner about her as though they were devils themselves. Then there was Valisa… and her comments from time to time that often left Willa terribly lost and her Father shaking with anger.
She was not fully ready to admit that they had the right girl, but some of it did seem to fit? Willa seemed to capture her Mother's haunty expression fairly well as she set the earthen cup down onto the tray as she lifted her eyes. The bright blue pools carried a hint of ice within them as she lifted a brow.
"And whut would ya'll does iffin that "child" dun't cares ta be used as such? Er be wantin yer sae called protections? " She asked quietly. "Iffin da Pope sents da Momma and little aways… whut makes ya thinks he's fer caring whut happens ta em? "
Robert shifted on the stool and let out a hearty chuckle… “It would not make such a difference to her… She could live out her life as before… just under the protection of the Templars…” The smirk then crossed his face… “Of course, it would truly be her decision… but we would let the Pope know that he had a daughter… and we would go public with it, also identifying some of the Illuminati members, hired by the Pope, that were murderers and assassins. He may not care for the girl… but he would the loss of power from being publicized…”
Dmitrii pondered what Robert was saying… and the logic made sense… his emotionless consideration of what the Templar was saying gave him insight to what the Templars were doing… and the missions that the Illuminati took on… he could see why both sides were in this chess game of life and death.
“Do yu feel that the Illuminati would stand by and allow this to happen?” Pausing a bit, then shifting again… “Of course not… They are, and will continue to pursue the girl until she is dead… the threat thereby eliminated.” Robert mentioned...
Dmitrii looked at Robert… “And how do yu know the girl is still alive?” … his hand finds Willa’s knee, her scooting up close behnd him. He could sense a tenseness… a confusion… about her. A quick glance over his shoulder, he would provide her a smile, then look back to Robert.
“We know the girl is alive… many Templar brothers have died protecting her and her guardian…” His gloved hand rubbing his chin… “That is why we do what we do… to force our enemy’s hand… to protect you… and our own destiny.”
Dmitrii listened and nodded to what Robert had been saying… then a lump gathered in his throat, but he gave no outward signs of emotion or facial expression. Had he heard right? Or was this a way of guessing, trying to force a comment…?
Willa listened to Robert, closely at that as she shifted a bit and slipped from the cot. She needed to move, the bare feet peeked out for a moment before being hidden away again by the skirts. The blue eyes didn't look to either man as she watched the floor where she walked. The expression was one of vague contempt as she turned to finally look at Robert, then Dmitrii as she began to laugh. It was the first time she had found something amusing in all of his. "Ya realla dun't think da lass yer lookin fer is me, does ya?" She gave him a truly skeptical look. Then rolled her eyes, Her? The Daughter of the Pope? Granted her own tale fit the description... or well close enough to it that it would fit and fill in missing pieces. But there was no way... none... ever... that she was not Odis's child. All of this had to be some sort of a practical joke.
“M’Lady… we have evidence that leads to you… and besides that… there is no mistaking the facial similarities yu hold with the Pope…” Robert bows slightly… “Yer Ladyship… please forgive yer humble servant… but this phase is for yer own good…”
Dmitrii was shocked, but relentlessly held it back, with no facial expressions… his experience in doing so now paying off. “Robert…” Dmi stands and faces the man, but his eyes follow Willa, then fade back to the Templar… “How can yu be sure? What evidence? How can yu make an assumption and place the Lady Willa in harm’s way without positive proof.”
“Dmitrii my friend… if yu knew the Pope, yu would have seen the similarity… and her Mother… such a beauty… who died so suddenly…” He looks at Willa, then back to Dmi… “Why do yu think the man who claims her as her Father continues to move her around… to keep her safe…”
“Pez dyetz…” Dmi curses in Rus… “Yu need proof… or let us free… I demand it…” then he is cut off by Willa’s words.
That's it… it was a joke, the pair of them were simply teasing her… as she braced her hands onto her hips. "A'ight… ya'll both has had yer fun... naw iffin ya dun't mind... I'd like ta gits outta dis cell... a good warm bath an mayhaps some clean clothes. Then we'lls all sits about an ya'll can tease me abouts how ya freaked me out." She challenged. Had to be… right?
Dmi looks to Robert, then to Willa… “M’Lady??” his expression took on a confused look… “Do yu think I would have anything to do with this nonsense…? I would never…” he turns, huffing and mumbling in Russian.
Robert laughs standing up… pounding on the door… turning to look at her… “Tis nary a joke M’Lady… tis yer well-being is the utmost importance now…” the door opens and two guards are poised with spears leveled preventing escape. “Yu two shant be disturbed for a few days, except to eat… and empty yer pale should yu require it…” as he steps thu the door, he smiles before closing… “It shant be long now… word has been sent to Rome…”
Willa watched the man speak as she said nothing, nor did she move forward... but well she couldn't use the chamberpot while Dmitrii was in the room! Honestly... barbaric man. She waited until the door was closed and the sounds of the lock sounded. Her eyes looked again to Dmitrii as she shook her head. "I dunna knowed whut he's talkin abouts Dmitrii... Da way he was talkin abouts me Ma... she died o' sickness. He's makin it sounds like it somethin more... dark an such. Twas jus a lung sickness…" She stated quietly as she wasn't so sure about all this... why had her father moved them... why had he been so secret about places he had been? Why... Gah there was far too many why's. Why's couldn't be answered from this cell, that much was certain.
Dmitrii had made his way to the door not far behind Robert… but the speras edged him back… his teeth grit as steel grey eyes darkened. Then as the door was locked, he made his way back to Willa. “Its alright my dear… pay the man no heed… all will end well…I promise…” glancing to the door then a look at the window up high. At the words about her Mother, he looked to her and listened.
She lowered herself into a crouch against the wall, her eyes watched him for a moment then looked to the floor. Even if she wasn't the Pope's daughter as this man proposed... certainly the Pope would fear any leaks... and then what? She would be in danger either way, this man... this Sir Robert... had just damned her. While this should have sparked fear in her... terrified the young heart; though it hadn't. It had made her rather irrated. Why couldn't she just have the damned happy ending as it was in her books?! There sat her Prince charming... and... they were locked away in a cell in the pit of a castle.
As he neared her, she went into a slump against the wall. Her mind definitely cranking out questions or mulling over memories, of which he knew not. His calloused hands gently pulling her to her feet, his arms wrapping around her gently, his hand patting her back… “All will be well… we shall have many years together, should yu desire it…”
She just wanted to spend time with the man she loved... and this... THIS wasn't the sort of time she had in mind! Right... so she could either be a victim... or she could damn well do something about this. Neither her Mother nor her Father would applaud her for being a victim. Nor had she the stomach to be a victim... question now? How to get out of here?... they had only a few days to do so.
Guiding her back to the cot, he sat her down and laid her back upon it… then laying beside her, his head propped by one hand, his free hand caressing her face, pushing her hair and caressing its texture. “For now, we get our rest… make them complacent… like we do not wish to leave… Maybe even go along with their plan…” his grey eyes sparkled and that beard crimped in a familiar smirk.
