Plight Thee Troth

**Date Started:** July 24th, 2021
**Date Completed:** Ongoing
**Previous Role-Play:** N/A
**Users Involved:**User:Blackdagger, User:HoloArc
**Setting:** Common Realm, Clover Kingdom
**Characters Involved**:
**Other**: Cari Clarimonde, Xander Noblesse

**500XR**

The snowmelt flowed as winter began to give way to spring yet still the biting of frost hung stagnant in the air kept at bay only by the searing hearth of the fireplace that warmed the wood walled tavern. Far from as illustrious or well built as the brick and morter taverns and bars that lined the streets of the capital city. Yet all the same it gave off a humble and homey feeling that Xander never quiet felt when he found himself stationed in the capital. The common realm was his home despite his Noble status, it had been that way for his father and his grandfather before him.

Raising a spoon to his lips he finished what little remained of his potato soup, starchy and filling. So much so that the bread at his side was left all but uneaten during his meal. Though his time of rest and relaxation was soon over, though he did not have a watch nor was there a clock to be seen on the walls of the tavern he knew that it was about time for him to return to his duties, about time to begin his scheduled patrol.

As Xander would sit there and enjoy his humble meal, he and most of the tavern would fail to notice the approaching figure. Snatching up the wooden spoon from a nearby table of a decked out patron the person began to aim as if throwing darts. Tossing the spoon, hitting right and lightly atop the Magic Knight's head. "Slouching on the job, are we Xander?"

Cari, of the renowned house Clarimonde stood clad in borderline regal attire, topped off with her Silver Eagle's robe. Arms crossed, she wore a smile that seemed genuine to the uninitiated, but to those who know her to any exent would be able to tell the forced nature of it. Nightly blue clothes beneath the silvery robe, and with long blue strands of hair which were made to look like a gleaming night sky through the use of insanely small gemstones woven into them. The man before her was a man of great importance to her. In more ways than one, and one which she would gladly have changed. "Enjoy your meal?" She asked, a voice light and smooth as silk.

His head moved slightly as the wooden spoon collided with his crown, a slight but unexposed feeling of annoyance came over him. Exacerbated when he was accused of slacking off by a very familar voice. Standing up from his chair he turned to salute the woman who'd just assualted him during his post meal contemplation. "Lady C- I mean, Vice Captain. The meal was wonderful, but I don't believe my duties begin for another some odd minutes." He asked a deep voice in contrast to his passive tone, holding his salute until he was told otherwise out of respect for his senior in both age and rank.

Her smile widened a bit. "Then I assume that you won't mind joining me for a little walk before the patrol, now would you?" She questioned, enjoying the chance to tease him a bit. It felt cathartic in a way. "At ease." She said with short lived salute of her own. A part of her wanted to drag this out further, but that would not be appropriate. Especially not in public. "Would you mind?" She spoke before gesturing out of the tavern.

He lowered his head in a respectful nod, "I'd have no qualms with your company, Vice Captain." He said, placing down more than what was required payment for the food on the table before motioning for the tavern keeper and going on his way. Passing Cari as the two exited the tavern and out into the street of the small town. Pulling his robe closed around him as the cold nipped at his heels like a starving dog.

Stopping a moment until the vice captain took her place beside him, only then walking forward. "To what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you tonight, Lady Clairmonde? Am I to be called back to the capital?" He asked with eyes facing forward. He did not look to her, not out of disrespect but rather a bit of embarrassment, unsure as to the purpose of her visit or what she might want to discuss.

Gesturing for him to follow along down a path without people, she at last spoke up. "I'm sure someone has asked for your return. Yet I have deemed that I need you here, so here you will remain. For now." She said, sounding a bit more cold than she had really intended to. The coldness of the weather wasn't even felt by the woman. It was as if she was firmly in her element. "What's more, you really should stop calling me 'Lady Clarimonde'. Try just Clarimonde. Or Cari if you are feeling really daring. Should be the least we could do with... Things considered." She said, trailing off at the end. Coughing to gather herself, she continued: "Your patrol. I organized it. I deemed that your magic would be of good use. There is a smaller crime circle gathering here that I'd have rooted out before it has any chance to grow. I don't know their extent of number or strength, but with you by my side, such things suddenly become trivial."

He did not comment on her request to stop referring to her as the Lady of her house, instead choosing to hone in on her comments about a growing crime syndicate of some kind. It wasn't the first he'd heard of it but the small town had seemed so peaceful since his arrival here. He was all but she the existence of some kind of criminal organization was naught but rumor. However, he knew that they wouldn't have sent out Cari if they didn't truly believe that something was going on.

"I see, I'm glad to be of service to the Kingdom, and to you. I'd suppose you have some sort of lead? Perhaps some understanding of their goals? I'm afraid this place has been all but completely peaceful since I was stationed here. The occasional drunk, some petty theft, land disagreements between the farmers." He asked, going on to explain the situation he'd observed to her.

Sighing within the confines of her mind, Cari led the tracks forward. "Why yes, I have a trail. There have been reports of noise coming from the nearby mausoleum outside the confines of the Town. They claim to have heard haunting voices from within, never daring to set foot inside. That, is where we come in." She explained the situation shortly before moving on to the plan. "This is a nigh sacred spot for the citizens, and it would not do well to hurt it, lest we risk the aggression of this quaint town. If we find anyone inside, your task will be to weaken every magically capable individual inside and then allow me to apprehend them. This matter... Strikes home a bit for me. This group is suspected of human trade. Any clues of any regard that we can find, the better."

Cari felt angry the more she spoke, but that would only last so long before her professional cool swept over her. "I have a collegue who is ready to infiltrate the spot upon nightfall. She will let me know everything needed to proceed. Any questions, sir knight?"

Xander's brow furrowed as she described the situation, understanding the importance of apprehending such criminal scum. At her question he shook his head, "No, I understand the gravity of the situation." He said, looking outward toward the cloud covered sky, a faint orange hue penetrating through the clouds and signaling the twilight hours.

"I'll meet you at the mausoleum when the sun is gone from the sky. We'll rid the town of these... Inhuman things quickly and decisively, you have my word on this matter." He promised her, a hand across his chest in salute and a solmen look on his face.

Lowering his arm he began to take his first steps away, stopping as the small pile of snow at his feet crunched, spared the melting by its presence in a dark alley where the sun rarely if ever shined. Without turning back to face her he spoke with a tone of restrained concern, "Lady Clairmonde, do be careful. The cold may be fading but its grasp still remains over Clover for now. I- We worry for your health, Vice Captain. That is all." He said before continuing to walk, readying himself for his short patrol.

**...**
The distant howl of a wolf as it cried to the hidden moon behind the dark clouds, a light snow had begun to fall as Xander made his way to the mausoleum. The town at his back, even if his destination was just beyond its boarders it felt miles behind him as the streetlights gave way to the darkness of night without even the moon to light his way. A silhouette standing atop the hill was all he needed to know he was going in the right direction, like her voice he'd know her shape even in the darkest of nights.

Reaching the crest of the hill he stood beside Cari, clutching his squad robe closed around him and sure if not for the dark his breath would be visible in the air. "Good evening, Vice Captain." He spoke, looking down toward the mausoleum within a short walk from them. The place seemed dead, no pun intended, from this distance little could be fully known about the condition of the place or if it were indeed being used for nefarious purposes.

"We should search near the entrances, perhaps see if we can find any footprints. Even if the snow has melted the mud left behind should cast bootprints just as well. It might very well give us an idea of their numbers, wouldn't you agree?"

Cari would have smiled any other time, but this was work. No time for pleasantries. She had stood here waiting for some time, having arrived to scout ahead of time. It had yet to yield any results. "Wise. A good idea. One that they too can take advantage of in this instance if we were to move too hastily." She spoke as she held up a small sheet of paper. On it read a time table. A flimsily written one as if it had been written in a hurry. "I jotted down a copy of their movements. A man in the village was in cahoots with these villains. It doesn't specify location or distance or length of absense, but it does say when they are to return. If this is the place in question... I say we wait another half hour. That should be the time of their return. Once they are inside, we move. If it is correct and this is the spot, we will alert them well before we are ready to engage. I'd also rather not be caught between two forces."

Xander took the paper into his gloved hand, using the minimal light to look over what was written on it. "I see... I suppose I should have expected you to be well prepared," He spoke as he handed her back the note. "That leaves us a bit of time though it seems..." He said without elaborating, his foot kicking a mound of snow that had formed on the ground. The flakes scattered and small pieces that had chunked together rolled a bit down the hill before losing momentum and resting again a bit lower on the hill. "How do you think we should prepare, Vice Captain?"

Taking but a moment to ponder this question, Cari then took up a knife and began to carve into a tree. On it she engraved a map of the tomb's layout. Pointing towards select entry points and side paths to take, she began to explain her plan. "There are an amount of ways I can take to hopefully sneak around them undetected if I play my cards right." She explained, drawing her finger over the surface to point out where she would be heading. "I will be making for the location furthest in. One way in. One way out. I'll draw their attention there and funnel them into that area. I will then provoke them for an attack. That is where you will be coming in. As far back as you can be, I want you to weaken whatever spells they have to throw at me and empower my own walls. I will seal off all exits for them and keep them trapped in a cage. From there I will begin to encase them in my crystals, without them being able to escape in time to hinder my entrapment." She finished, sheathing her blade in belt. "Hard to perfectly draw up a plan without knowing what awaits inside, but this is what I've got. If you have any input or objections, voice them now."

He tapped his chin as she spoke about her plan, processing the simplicity of it rather quickly but he wasn't quite sure how to feel about it as it drew all the danger to her. She was the Vice Captain, he already knew she could handle herself but even so he didn't like the idea of letting her take such a risk especially after admitting they didn't know what would await them inside. "I trust you, Vice Captain. I'll do as you asked of me." He spoke before taking a deep breath, the heat of his exhale visible in the cold night air.

He was ready to let things remain as they were, to bite his tongue for both their sakes but without really thinking he continued. "I do not doubt your skills nor do overestimate those of our enemies but I don't like the idea of you allowing yourself to be surrounded in the tomb. Is there no way to draw them out of the ruins? Ambush them before they return? I apologize if I'm speaking out of turn, I merely wish to press whatever strategic advantages we can find."

"That would only allow the risk of some of them turning heel and flee into the woods. I want all of them swept up into the jails tonight... If they are here, that is. The tomb is an already pre-built cage. I will just exploit and strengthen it." Cari explained to him. It wasn't a bad plan on paper what he suggested. But the risk of even one of them making a run for it did not appeal to her. "You wish to press the advantage? Is that all that you wish?" She asked curiously. She wanted to hear if there was something else that gnawed at him. 'Partners' or not, he has been a bit of a stickler for... everything really. Even all this time later, she had a bit of a rough time to understand if he actually cared or if it was all business to him. She didn't really favor one of the alternatives.

His eyes darted to the side, though it was the only change in his expression. Silence filled the air but he knew he couldn't leave her question unanswered though even with that as the case how could he hope to answer when he himself was really sure of his motivations, why he'd said what he said when he'd wanted little more than to be quiet.

"I-" He opened his mouth but quickly closed it again, taking but a second to think. "I worry that... these unknowns may pose unnecessary dangers." He explained in the most roundabout way possible.

"There are always dangers to what we do, Mr Noblesse. It is always just a case of mitigating the odds and turn them into our favor. Stick to the plan. We aren't going to solve much more of these unknowns without going in there. So these 'unnecessary dangers' are factors we are just gonna have to work with now. Just be ready." She spoke, using his surname with absolute intent. It tended to be more or less her punishment for him when he did or said something she dislikes or disapproves of. This was one such moment. *And to think that I am gonna be stuck with this man.*

His eyes fell to the ground as she scolded him, not knowing what part of what he'd said had ticked her off but it was at least clear to him that he'd done something wrong. "Yes, you're right. I understand," He spoke with a slight bow of his head before standing up straight again. "We'll follow the plan as you've laid it out, unnecessary dangers and all." He spoke as respectfully as he could in spite of his tight jaw, frustrated by the way things had gone with this conversation. Leaning against a withered tree he let out a quiet sigh, knowing all they could do now was wait lest he find himself scolded again.

"If it means that I have a shot at catching each and everyone of them, I am not concerned about it. Nor would I really refer to the risks as unnecessary. If we both play our part, their crime circle ends today." She said firmly, looking over the field from a vantage point where she would be hid properly while also being able to scout.

After the alloted and predicted amount of time, there was a sound of feet crunching sloughing against snow. Looking over the hills, there could be seen a collection of men who dragged three women into the mausoleum. Waiting a select few minutes to see for sure if anyone else would approach, Cari then began to move. "Follow behind. Keep to the plan." She spoke as she proceeded forward.

Xander said nothing as he followed behind her, keeping low to the ground and watching for any branches or sticks on the ground that might make more noise than their comparatively quieter foot falls. Reaching the entrance to the tomb, the lights of their targets torches had long since disappeared deepering into the crypt even as the faint echo of their voices still carried out if only in muffled words incomprehensible to the human ear.

He looked to Cari, the two sharing a glance for but a moment when their eyes met. Though it was clear to all who knew them that they were two very different people it could not be denied that they worked well together if only for the number of assignments they'd shared. Cari entered the tomb, quietly, like a cat in the night, she made her way down the stairs. Xander followed soon after, knowing that in such tight spaces his place, as she had pointed out in her plan, was not the front line.

Taking their due cautious pace down the steps towards this glorified graveyard, Cari motioned for him to stick right to her. Once they were down the steps, they could hear the whimpering and cries for help. *Jackpot*. Hiding behind a waist high wall next to the last staircase down, Cari took a cautious effort to not be seen as she took a look. On this cross shaped interior, the prisoners were kept at the far ends of each extension. *Perfect*. She thought. She turned around and motioned for him to stay put and be ready.

Getting up, she began to move between the slim and cramped areas, meaning they were less populated and less watched. After a relatively long and arduous time, she now stood at the far end of the mausoleum. With a deep breath, it was then that she moved out of cover and proclaimed her presense, hoping to draw the attention of every gathered criminal in the gravesite. It seemed like she had as everyone was flocking towards her. *Be ready Xander.*

"What's all this then?!" One of the brigands shouted at the proclamation of Cari's presence.

Another stood up, "One of'em must've escaped. I told you to secure the chains!" He yelled angrily as he smacked another of the men in the back of the head, sending the man to the ground. "Get her!"

Chains shot up from the ground toward Cari in some sort of attempt to restrain her, though before they could wrap around her they seemed to shrink and rust away into barely held together straps of metal that broke apart the moment they made contact with the woman. The men were in utter shock at what had happened, "T-that ain't one of ours. Look at 'er, she's wearing one of them magic knight robes! Kill the bitch!" The same man from before commanded, all but putting a bullseye on his back that screamed he was their leader.

Spells began to fly toward her, water, wind, fire, lightning, all shriveling up into small and insignificant shadows of what they'd been when they'd originally been cast. "Lady Clarimonde, I do believe it's your turn." Xander spoke, ready to tip his scale in her favor the moment she cast a spell.