Friend of Foe?

[Izznet H'unar]

Merek Penrose, Governor of Moonglow, Warlord of the Vadan’Myr was how he introduced himself to the Watcher. The lengthy title was impressive, yet did more to raise tension. As soon as she heard the name, her nerves were on edge.

As is her way, she allowed civility to settle the air around them. It was never productive to seek a battle where none was required. After introductions were made he must have felt her misgivings, but chose to remain calm offering an invitation to sit and talk. Friendly conversation is always the best way to begin, especially with a gargoyle that is on edge.

Garnering a groan of protest from the bench, she agreed to sit with him. Bumping knees on the table sloshing drinks and sending an apple rolling across the floor brought a twitching crooked smile to Penrose’s lips. It had been some time since she had attempted sitting at a pub. The fear was constant that her size would crush furniture under her and she would be caught sitting on the floor.

After a short somewhat pleasant conversation another young female wearing similar uniform colors as Merek entered. She was introduced and invited to join them. They seemed somewhat distracted, but Avalon hoped it was more to her size than anything malevolent.

Tales told of the savagery concerning Merek Penrose, Governor of Moonglow, Warlord to the Vadan’Myr had reached Avalon. She failed to understand the need to be so ruthless, but the undercurrent of thought was to keep this man a ‘friend’ rather than an enemy.

After seeing Kanaye appear confusion mixed with the misgiving. His loyalty had been placed elsewhere, but now was with this Merek? He had at one point been a friend at the ShadowMoore, what possible reason could there be to now associate with one with such a darkness hovering over them?

For the sake of peace, and to grant benefit of doubt, Avalon would hear this man. She would allow him to prove his value, or his intent. Until that time proven otherwise, she would hear him in friendship. She was hopeful the path chosen would not prove damaging to her or her Charges. That would simply not do.

 

[Izznet H'unar]

The cluster of buildings stood as a foreboding rock fortresses. Squished close together they looked as if they wanted to form their own city. The area was familiar but the rocks of the buildings were imported. For a gargoyle, rocks tend to be like noisy two year old children in constant state of chatter.

The tour that Penrose lead was impressive, but it was the rocks that had the most to say. Most of it was gibberish and garbled. It was almost as if the wards and inner workings of the structures had placed gags on the stones. The effect was intriguing as well as disturbing.

Laying a hand along walls and arches, the Watcher tried to decipher what was being said. Some of the walls held electric buzzing making the walls give a constant hum. One wall in particular had a rather violent surge that echoed through her ears. The silver in her talons had acted like a conduit for the power to pulse through her body.

He was trying to make her comfortable, and in truth it was working. She felt little tension, save from the rocks, to make her think he was anything but what he appeared. But still the nagging in the back of her head was the damage done to Aedon at the order of this man.

Entering a structure that welcomed visitors with all the glamour and elegance of an execution chamber jolted the Watcher back into the words of warning she had been given. He was ruthless and cruel, that was obvious. The explanation would have to be spectacular to ease the high amount of tension she felt in the building.

The rocks screamed in pain and the ground mourned the blood shed within the walls. What could possibly be the ‘good reason’ for the level of harm done?

“Blood for blood.” Was his answer.

It was old school barbaric practices, yet to a simple way of keeping order, it was effective. Where Avalon could understand the concept, the manner in which it was carried confounded her. Civilizations had grown beyond the need for such practices. She was far from a place to argue, but the vision was horrifying. To deal closely with this man would need to be done with great care, and Never Sign Anything!

Would there be a way to reach a peace with this group? How much danger had she plunged herself and her Charges into by allowing an association?

“Careful, Avalon. You cannot afford his price,” she spoke to herself as she flew back to Connemera.