Enforcement|Aegestrom, Maelstrom

[Northen Light36]

Mathew smiles, putting away his whip and patting Flash mockingly on the man’s bloodied cheek. “Thank you, Calder. Once again you’ve been so very helpful, but perhaps next time you won’t have to make me be so forceful with you?”

“Go to hell,” murmurs Flash, hanging limply in his chains. There’s no real defiance in the Water/Storm’s tone now though, only grief. The only reason he’s still alive is his use in providing names and addresses of supporters of Shadow, and of mixed element Storms. Oh, every time Mathew comes, Flash swears he won’t give him any information, but Mathew is a master at inflicting pain without fatally wounding his victim and there’s a limit to what any mere mortal can stand. To his shame, Flash reveals to Mathew everything he wants to know, every time.

“Take him back to his cell and send a water slave to tend to him,” Mathew orders a guard. “And then have men go capture Six and Claire Marshall.” The guard nods and walks out of the room. Mathew takes one last look at his defeated prisoner and smiles before leaving to make himself comfortable on Shadow’s throne.

[aivea]

There comes a knock at the door of the throne room almost the second Mathew begins to settle in.
__

Six and Claire are not at home at the moment, though one of their Storm neighbors looks over at the guards curiously.

"Eh? They en't home, but what do ya need 'em for?" the Storm asks. "I'd better tell ya if it's urgent, but ya gotta tell me why you want 'em first."

[Northen Light36]

"Six and Claire Marshall are ordered before Lord Melissan to face charges of high treason," one of the guards reply. "And anyone who aids them will face the same charges."

---

"Enter," Mathew calls, nodding to a servant to open the door.

[aivea]

"'ell, that doesn't seem quite like somethin' they'd do, but if the Lord wants someone the Lord gets'um." The neighbor doesn't look pleased, but it seems he has the sense to cooperate. "'e two of 'em went to the market to buy somethin' for dinner tonight, and some candles."
__

Sorin comes in, though he looks oddly pallid, and walks as though the floor can barely support his weight before falling to his knees in the center of the room. That action alone did not suggest he expected things to go well for him.

"M-mathew... the little brat... the bait..." Looking up, he finishes more firmly, though still expecting that he'd be lucky to see the light of another day, "All of them are gone."

[Northen Light36]

"Thank you," replies the guard. "Your cooperation will be mentioned to Lord Mathew." With that the guards march off to the markets in search of their prey.

---

"Gone," Mathew repeats dangerously calmly. "Sorin, do you mean to tell me you were unable to hold onto a beaten, tied up boy, a weakling and his bitch or even a baby?!"

[aivea]

Sorin looks away, clearly embarrassed, but forces himself to answer honestly, "It looks like it... When I went to bed, everything was in order, and whole lot was already asleep, but not one of them or a sign of a fight were there when I entered the room this morning."
__

Six and Claire are in the market looking at candles, and Claire is pretending to be her husband's slave in the hope of avoiding catching anyone's eye. As they are the only two looking at that particular stall, the guards will have little trouble spotting them.

[Northen Light36]

"So by that I can assume that either you were so utterly stupid that they got up and walked out the door, or that you were equally stupid and failed to stop someone else walking right in and taking them!" Mathew snarls. "Go stand in that corner by the door and wait. I expect to be dealing with a traitor and his half-breed slut soon. Maybe that will motivate you to actually accomplish the simple tasks I set you."

---

"Six and Claire Marshall?" asks the lead guard as the rest form a half circle around the pair.

[aivea]

Sorin sighs in relief, and stands in the aforementioned corner. The half-blood is quite sure he'd rather just watch than risk prevoking Mathew further or being the one struck.
__

"Yes? Is there something the matter?" asks Six, looking honestly puzzled; he wasn't aware of doing anything that would warrant this many guards.

Claire just pales and tries to keep herself between Six and the guards.

[Northen Light36]

"Lord Melissan wishes to see you and the half-breed. At once," the guard replies, watching Six for any signs of escape.

[aivea]

"Run, I'll catch up, I promise," Six mouths to Claire. Stepping a bit closer to the guards, he says aloud, "I can't see what for. I have done nothing to warrant his attention."

The Water/Storm is clearly loath to leave her husband in danger, but attempts to run away and duck underneath the merchant's cart to try to escape despite the semicircle. Meanwhile the merchant is looking that the happenings with mute shock, and is barely able to keep himself from demanding an explanation.

[Northen Light36]

"Well now you certainly have," snaps the guard, drawing his sword and nodding to his comrads. "Seize them both." Three of the guards go after Claire while the remaining four go after Six. "Surrender and your sentance will be lightened," the lead Guard tells Six.

[aivea]

Six stands his ground, and hadn't moved an inch since telling Claire to run. "Fine I'll come along, but let Claire go. She's done nothing to either you, Lord Mathew or the late Shadow."

His tone doesn't carry a hint of preference between the three at very least, and the last name may well have been added to suggest she isn't one of the ones who intended to rebel because of what had happened to Shadow.

The other three guards catch up with Claire fairly quickly; the Water/Storm isn't used to running very far or fast, especially somewhere where there are a fair amount of things that would be in the way. In fact, she trips when attempting to round a corner.

[Northen Light36]

The three guards haul Claire to her feet and start marching her towards the mansion without a word. Two of the other guards take hold of Six. "If you've done nothing wrong, then you have nothing to worry about, do you?" the lead guard mocks Six before leading the march back.

Mathew looks up as the guards enter, the lead guard bowing to his lord. "Six Marshall and half-breed, brought in as ordered my lord."

"Good," Mathew replies. "Well, Marshall, you stand before me accused of encouraging a half-breed to rebel and of high treason against your Lord and Leader. Have you anything to say in your defense?"

[aivea]

"All I have to say is, I would like to know just how I encouraged the half-breed to rebel, or just what particular act of treason I committed," Six replies. "I honestly have been doing everything within my power to obey the laws, and I don't believe I've said anything about wanting to start a revolution."

Claire remains silent, eyes wide from fear, and not daring to interfere. After all, if she did it could be used against both of them.

"Is he even trying... come on," mutters Sorin.

[Northen Light36]

"Do you deny that you have encouraged this half-breed to consider herself your equal?" Mathew asks. "Do not lie to me. It was the half breed Calder who informed me of your game. As for your treason, you have been accused of plotting the assassination of numorous nobles, including myself. Confess and things will be easier for you."