A bitter laugh escaped the Elemental, creating a fresh ache in the pit of his stomach. Wincing, he said "There's not enough left of me to be considered a person, though I respect your naïve belief." Then, facing the Fae. "My name is William Graeme."
Sangrar was saying nothing, only looking straight ahead. Although deep down, he was sympathetic to the prisoner. Not sympathetic enough to believe he was innocent, but to the situation he's in.
Staring straight ahead, Mitra let her voice travel back to the prisoner as they passed through the outer gate to the city, "I would say that it is nice to meet you William, but under these circumstances I suppose you can understand the bizarre nature of that statement." Her shoulders relaxed as they moved out of sight of the sentries posted along the wall and she turned to face him with a jester's smile. "Anyway. Merry meet, William Graeme. I am Mitra of the Storm Mountains."
Against her will, Serai’s lips turned up in a smirk. She couldn’t help but like Mitra. She turned to the wizard, “Serai is my name, whatever that matters to you.”
Sangrar decided to jump on the bandwagon, so he turned and looked at the wizard, "Sangrar," he spoke softly, but audible enough so the wizard could hear him.
William's gaze turned on the Sangue Elf, the guard's soft voice stirring a sense of comfort in him. He offered the elf a softer expression than to the other two, like a smile caught in a dejected expression.
Nodding in satisfaction, Mitra got more comfortable in the carriage's seat. She didn't expect the journey to be hard, just long and somewhat boring. Although, the more she thought about it, the more a voice deep within her murmured that all was not as it seemed. Her magic flared in response but she brushed it off to the fact that the wizard made her a little nervous. Mitra sighed, reaching into her pack and tossing a map to both Sangrar and Serai. "I have plotted some areas for camp already. What do you to think?"
Serai shrugged, “I have never made the journey.” She nearly said something else but thought better of it. “I can sleep anywhere,” she said, with just a hint of bragging, “so the spot for camp matters not to me.” For a second she questioned herself. Why was she acting like this? It would not do to offend Mitra, who she almost liked. And Sangrar was no problem. She sighed under her breath and tried to push the thoughts out of her mind.
Sangrar looked at Serai briefly, curious about her words. He carefully analyzed the map, memorizing every detail. "Any of these would work. Most of them are in safe locations."
William barely managed to get a glimpse of the map before it was tucked away— it was horribly unnerving to not know where he was being taken to. "Excuse me, dear guards, but where are we headed?"
Serai looked at him with pity in her eyes. “Orgost, if you know what that means.”
Mitra blinked in surprise, her mouth turning down at the corners ever so slightly. "How is it that you do not know about your own sentence?" There was something very off about this situation, but for the life of her, Mitra could not put her finger on what was bothering her. Even her magic seemed to be restless within her.
Graeme's face seemed to freeze over, and he shook his head. "Yes, I know of Orgost. But what does it matter where I go, if it's but a phase? Give it 200 or so years and I'll be freed."
The fae turned, slowly, eyes wide as she looked to the wizard. He had no idea what was about to happen to him. "You're going to be stripped of your magic…" She said quietly, but still loud enough to be heard over the trotting horses. What in the hells is going on here?
The human image flickered off in Graeme's shock. "You're not serious," was all he could manage. His burning stare landed on Mitra, holding her own gaze.
Mitra held his gaze, unflinching even when his form changed. Her heart broke the tiniest bit. She knew what magic meant to those born with it coursing through their veins. To loose it was akin to losing one's entire identity. "That is your fate." She said solemnly after a moment.
"You're not serious," he repeated, voice gaining in volume. Had it been any other moment in his long, long life, he'd have been able to dispel the overpowering emotions coursing through him— only because it was now, when he had just been broken, and he didn't the strength left to fight.
The tears were quick to come, and he let them flow in silence. It killed her. I suppose it's only fair they do the same.
Serai glanced back and forth between the two in shock. She knew not what it meant to have magic taken away but it must be awful, based on their expressions. She watched until she could not stand the tension. “What did you do?” she demanded of the wizard. For a second it almost seemed like her haughty tone was gone. She gave Mitra a piercing gaze. “He is a prisoner. To us. It would not do to sympathize with him.” She looked back at the wizard darkly. “For all we know, he deserves his fate.” she said darkly.
Sangrar was feeling bold. "What he did is none of your business," he still spoke with that same gentle tone, "If he wishes to share his crime, he will."
Serai stared back, affronted and slightly ruffled, but did not say a word.
Graeme kept his gaze down, trembling. "All you need to know of my crime is that a precious life was lost," he said quietly yet decisively
Serai’s eyes softened, but she said nothing, and stared straight ahead, jaw clenched.
Sangrar looked at Graeme for a very brief moment, before turning his gaze towards the road once more. That doesn't sound like something a criminal would say.
(uh, bump?)
(sorry sorry! I was on vacation but now I have returned)
(It's alright!)
(Jumps up and down like a small child. Eris is back! Eris is back!)
(It's alright! Welcome back!)
The Elemental curled up further into himself, his expression returning to neutral. "If I may, how much have you children really been told?"
Mitra bristled a bit at being called a 'child' of all things, but she kept her gaze on the male before her. The horses were guided by her magic, so she hardly paid them any mind. "Enough," She hesitated, something just wasn't right and she knew it. Mitra would bet that her companions did as well. "Although, I suppose….not." This time she did turn away, focusing on the horizon with a fierce frown.