first judgment // audio (day)

[tenacious_stray]

[The voice that comes over the PORTAL is heavily strained, but speaks with precise deliberation nevertheless.] I know of no city in all of fair Archadia's reach, nor indeed any of Ivalice, named Promenade. This does not seem to me so unusual, however, knowing that I have been spirited here against my will by way of some magicks foreign and unlawful

Comments

video;

[incaendo]

Promenade resides in a world of dreams and if escape were so easy, we would have already fled ourselves.

To assist, I would need your location.

video;

[tenacious_stray]

[The sudden video gives him a slight start, but not for long.] I've no intent of fleeing like a common rat. I intend rather to negotiate, for he who dare attempt capture of a Judge Magister would surely-

[He's cut off rather sharply, however, by another jolt of pain, and it shows on his face. He takes a moment to gather himself before speaking again.] House seven... I cannot see clearly through the window from this vantage point, but I would assume to be on an upper floor.

[incaendo]

I heard the king and queen will speak with us, but it will not aid our escape.

[ She doesn't bother asking what a Judge Magister is. Proooobably because she doesn't care. Nor does she mention that she's heading over, and the only indication is the slight bobbling of the screen, ] Were you injured in battle?

[tenacious_stray]

If this king and queen are of any merit, they will doubtlessly know of the Archadian Empire's might.

... Aye, so I was. [He won't speak on it any further than that.]

[incaendo]

Your empire's might matters little in this world.

[ Oh look. She's outside the right house now, ] I will be up momentarily. [ And then a few minutes later she's knocking on all the doors until he answers. ]

[tenacious_stray]

[Despite the weight of his armor, Gabranth does manage to get up and answer the door himself.]

You are she?

[incaendo]

I am. You may call me Calena.

[ And now she will be sidestepping him to enter the room. ] What ails you then?

[tenacious_stray]

I was...bested in battle.

[There's clearly more to it than that, by the way he can hardly stand without support, but he sounds reluctant to elaborate.]

[incaendo]

Indeed. [ Read as: tell me something I don't know.

Of course she's just looking him up and down now, double-checking for obvious wounds. ] Unfortunately, my magic cannot heal one's pride.

Sit.

[tenacious_stray]

[He does so at once, though he seems less to sit and more to let himself collapse back onto the bed. He doesn't bother with responding either, instead moving to start removing the various pieces of his armor.]

[incaendo]

[ She waits. And she could be helping him, but she knows well enough that assisting a soldier who's pride is already wounded might hinder more than help.

Once he's done, she leans over him, pressing her hand flat against his chest. ] Be grateful all your limbs are intact. Most soldiers would be thankful to suffer as little as you are now. [ and with that she mutters something in another language, fingers glowing green as the healing magic pumps into his system. ]

[tenacious_stray]

I know. [The magic feels strange and foreign to Gabranth, and for a moment he wonders if she's truly healing him - but the pain begins to fade, and he takes a deep breath.]

Thank you.

[incaendo]

It is of no consequence. I merely did what had to be done, lest you writhe in pain for the rest of your time here.

Is that all?

[tenacious_stray]

Aye, so I suppose. [He stretches out an arm, as if testing his healed wounds.]

Your name is Calena, correct?

[incaendo]

Correct. I've not gotten your name.

[tenacious_stray]

[He stands again, this time without staggering, and briefly bows his head to her.] I am Gabranth, Judge Magister of the Archadian Empire. For your service, I am in your debt.