Family disruption|Aegestrom | Maelstrom

[Northen Light36]

Shadow smiles to himself as he leads his wife and daughter deep into the royal gardens, keeping one arm wrapped around his wife's shoulders.

"We're not working today," he tells Lya firmly. "I think it's time we had a nice, quiet family day." Setting Lumi on the ground, Shadow nods to Vortai and adds, "Let her do what she wants, Vortai, but don't let her get into trouble, all right?"

Lurking in the shadows, a darkly clad man waits, watching the little princess with a cruel smile.

[Kender Bard]

"I always enjoy a stroll in the gardens," Lya remarked with a fond smile, looking about with bright eyes at all the flowers. She wandered over to a carefully tended rosebush and began to fuss gently over the flowers, pruning them carefully and picking out a flower to pluck for herself.

Luminous was content to toddle in the opposite direction, a chipmunk having caught her eye. "Chip chip," she sang out softly, trying to chase the rodent.

[adris]

Vortai sighed, not quite liking how wide open this place was. There were far too many ways someone could enter and only one of him. He tracked Luminous closely, being his only focus in the outing. When she moved to chase the chipmunk he followed her, far enough away that she had her space, but close enough that he could act fast.

"You like making this job hard huh? I guess they wouldn't pay me if it were easy though."

He kept an eye on the immediate surroundings, hoping he wasn't alone in covering the girl.

[Northen Light36]

Shadow smiles, trusting Vortai to watch his daughter while the king fusses over his wife before pulling her behind a tree so they can kiss in privacy.

Watching, the assassin chuckles silently. This is going to be the easiest job he's ever been hired for, simply taking out a toddler. Getting an idea, the assassin looks closely at Vortai, considering. 'That's one of the blood traitors giving my lord a hard time, I'm sure of it,' he thinks, then nods to himself. Taking out the boy as well is sure to get him extra copper. Silently he raises a blow pipe to his lips, then swiftly fires two poisoned darts - one at Vortai... the other at Luminous.

[adris]

Vortai is hit, but its the second one that gets a little extra fire into his lungs.

"Lumi!" he yells as loudly as he can, hoping the royal couple will be paying attention. It was all the real thought he could manage, as he ripped the dart out of himself and stumbled forward to get between the girl and the assailent, not taking the time to work his chain from his belt.

Instead, he unsheathes a sword and points it towards his enemy. His vision was fading, throwing a knife would just look futile, he needed the man to fear him, or at least think twice. He stood tall, up until the point his knees gave out, hoping time was all that was necessary.

[Northen Light36]

Shadow broke away from Lya the second he heard Vortai scream. The assassin swears as he sees his darts only hit one target - Luminious having tripped over - and glares at Shadow, before drawing a dagger. Shadow wastes no time in flinging a lightning bolt at the assassin though, sending the man to his knees. "Lya! Take Lumi and get inside!" Shadow orders, dodging the knife as the dazed assassin futily throws it at the king. "Send Flash and as many guards as you can see!" Glancing at Vortai, Shadow snaps, "And a healer!"

Then the assassin draws a shortsword and Shadow has to save his breath for fighting.

[Kender Bard]

Lya moves with a burst of speed that leaves her as only a blur. She scoops up the screaming toddler and darts into the house and shouts at the top of her lungs for Flash, for the guards, and for Angel.

[Northen Light36]

The mansion's guards and Flash waste no time. As soon as Flash hears what happened, he begins shouting orders as he and the majority of his men pour out of the manor. A dozen of the guards are left with Lya and Lumi, who they herd straight into the first room they deem to be secure and take their places guarding the Queen and Princess.

The overwhelming flood of guards quickly subdue the assassin and, after making sure Shadow's unharmed, Flash goes to do what he can for Vortai until Angel arrives. He might only have very basic training, but at least it's something. He's grateful when Angel arrives though.

“Who sent you?” Shadow snarls at the captured assassin. The man raises his head proudly.

“That is a matter between myself and my employer,” he replies coldly. “I suggest you start sorting through your many enemies, my lord,” he adds with a sneer. Shadow growls and starts towards the man, but it's Flash who gets to the assassin first.

“Where's the antidote?” he growls, pressing a dagger to the man's throat. “What poison was on that dart? Are there any more of your kind here?” The assassin looks down at Flash with a sneer.

“Ah, how swiftly the thief returns to form,” he laughs. “Going to kill me sir?” The assassin smirks at the flicker of shock in Flash's expression. “Oh yes, I know your history Calder. I know all about you... and how easily you break, half-breed.” Flash's eyes narrow.

“If you know so much then you know how little regret I'll have for killing you,” he hisses.

“True,” the assassin replies. Then he spits a mixture of crushed glass and blood flecked foam at Flash's feet. “But you're too late! And others will come!” With a choked gargle, the assassin slumps in the grip of the guards holding him. Flash checks for a pulse then flings his dagger to the ground in disgust.

“He's dead,” he states flatly. Looking worriedly over at Angel, Flash adds, “Is he going to be all right?” The memory of Cloud's death claws it's way to the forefront of Flash's mind and he thinks, 'Efil help me... I don't want to tell another family that their child is dead in defense of the kingdom...'

[Kender Bard]

"Time will tell," Angel murmured as she continued her ministrations to Vortai. "Without knowing precisely what kind of poison was used, there's only so much I can do. But from the symptoms, and how quickly they came on, I will do my best to puzzle it out." Wiping her hands of the herbal residues, she adds, "Someone take him to my quarters and place him on the spare bed so I can observe him."

[Northen Light36]

"I'll take him," Flash replies quietly. "Shadow, you should go to Lya." Shadow nods and walks off to comfort his wife and daughter.

"Is Lumi all right?" Shadow asks Lya as he takes his daughter and fusses over her, looking for injury.

---

Flash carries Vortai to Angel's quarters and makes the boy as comfortable as possible before he returns to his study, not too surprised to see Salaica there. After all, it would be hard to miss what happened after Lya's screaming.

"Hello dear," he says warily, flopping down at his desk and sighing.

[Kender Bard]

"She's fine," Lya murmured, rocking Luminous back and forth in her arms and lap. The little princess, tired out from her ordeal, was dozing lightly. "She was just frightened. She's worried about Vortai too." She looked up, concerned. "Are you okay? Is Vortai?"

---

Salacia came over to Flash and rubbed his back and head soothingly. "Forces, Flash, what happened? I heard Lya screaming but the servants all but barricaded me in my room until just a little while ago."

[Northen Light36]

Shadow closes his eyes and sinks into a chair. "I'm fine dearest, not a mark on me... Vortai though..." Shadow shakes his head. "The assassin killed himself rather then reveal what poison he used. Angel's doing her best, but without knowing what was used..." Shadow sighes. "I fear Vortai's life is in Efil and Tead's hands."

---

"Assassin in the gardens," Flash says guility. "Apparently after Lumi of all people! Forces damn it, I should have insisted on them being guarded! Hell, I should have been out there at the very least!" Burying his face in his hands, Flash goes on, "But Shadow insisted and... It was the gardens Salaica! And there hasn't been any trouble in weeks, not even while Lya and Shadow were away."

For a moment Flash gets choked up on a emotional ball of regret and guilt. "I got careless... And now I'm going to have to inform the Melissan-Ronoh family that their brother might die because of it."

[Kender Bard]

Salacia stepped closer and gently kissed Flash's head. "Flash," she cooed softly. "You did nothing wrong. It is an unfortunate thing... but nobody can live their whole life wrapped in a protective bubble. It would drive them insane. Shadow was right to insist on a little freedom. None of us can know what lies in wait for us, or when Taed will come to claim his due..." Softly she began to stroke his hair.

"But take it from me, as former Queen... The risk of being killed is worth a little freedom. Very few people would choose a life of seclusion and safety at the price of being able to really live."

Tilting her head down to look him in the eyes, she added, "And those responsible for their lives cannot blame themselves for that choice."

[Northen Light36]

"It's my job to keep them safe though," Flash says. "I should have at the very least had the garden searched. Or insisted on being there instead of Vortai." Flash tenses under Salacia's stroking, to torn up inside to relax.

"Forces, I should protested Lya's agreement to let him guard Lumi. He's only a boy and I swore... I swore after Cloud's death that I wouldn't get another child killed." Shaking, Flash can't hold back any more, breaking down in sobs.

[Kender Bard]

Salacia continues to do her best to soothe and console Flash, rubbing his back and making soft, motherly sounds. She remains quiet while he cries - deciding he needs to release his tears before he needs her advice.