~Reporting to The Empress~

Esylana: Elleinad was relaxed. She felt -better- for a lack of words. She had just come from a private milk bath, her skin felt warm, and soft, and she was now reclining in one of her private chambers, looking over a report from a distant scout over in the Outlands. They were trying to find outlets of reistance fighters and while there weren't any major breakthroughs, there were some minor successes here and there. More importantly, Lorian Castellan was going to bring an end to a very big problem, a major thorn in her side. So when she heard the gentle knock at her door, probably one of her handmaidens, she lifted a hand and wafted it towards the door in a lazy manner. "You may enter."

CrystalOnyx: -Upon hearing the gentle voice of her Empress, Maxine opened the door and soon stepped in. She closed the door quietly and soon took a few steps inside the room. It had been a day since she had returned from Lord Castellan's villa. She soon bowed to the Empress with a unusal small smile on her face.- "My Empress, I have returned from Lord Castellan's villa with new information on him. I hope it will aid you in the investigation of him." -She soon stood and placed her hands in front of her body as she looked in the general direction of the Empress, but not into her eyes or face.-

Esylana: "Ahh, Maxine. Please, come and sit with me," Elleinad set her report aside, and welcomed her hand maiden to her side. Unlike the servants who usually tended to Elleinad's every wish and whim, her hand maidens were somewhat special to her - they rarely did any of the dirty work, and were treated almost better than even her own husband at times. She placed her hands in her lap, the haughty smirk coming easy to her lips as she said, "Well, then, tell me -all- about this impudent Lord my husband insists we have on our Council." She leaned in, as if she were waiting to hear the latest gossip from a dear friend - and this time, it seemed genuine.

CrystalOnyx: -On hearing the request, she quickly walked over and took a seat beside the Empress. She adjusted to get comfortable and then rested her hands in her lap.- "Well, he is very well imformed. Knowing of all the leylines and which one's are activated. He knows a bit on that man you hired. ." -She picked up one hand and held her index finger up as she was thinking.- "Lots of reports for what he did at Darshire, things on that Drow woman." -She chuckled softly and placed her hand back into her lap.- "I'm sorry I know that's not what you'd like to hear. There was this book though. ."

Esylana: It was true. With each item Maxine listed off, Elle's face would grow slightly darker, though it was with disappointment, not necessarily impatience or displeasure in her handmaiden. But at the mention of the book, she sat up again, her interests immediately peaked. "Oh, now do tell me about this book? What was it about, I simply must know."

CrystalOnyx: "The book was so fancy, but it had a feeling of being very old. The title was: Drakon and Maria- Magic to Behold. I tried to ready it, but it was in somekind of crude language. Well mostly, when I got to the chapter of Drakon it was about water magic." -She thought for a moment if she should reveil what she had done with Lorian. If it wasn't the right thing to do, she could be punished for it.-

Esylana: Elleinad frowned. The title was not something she'd ever heard of before. "Drakon and Maria - Magic to Behold"...And you said it was an old book..." She tapped a finger to her chin as she considered this information. "He is skilled in water magic, perhaps it is a familyline trait..." Her eyes turned to gaze into Maxine's - beautiful blue eyes the color of the deepest depths in the sea - and asked. "And was there anything else? Anything...at all?"

CrystalOnyx: "I was well. . I was poisoned by the key that opened the drawer that led me to the book. Please forgive my mistake." -She still mentally kicked herself for that, the key even looked wet for Gods sake.- "When I awoke I was bound to a table in a basement I believe. The Lord was crushing up dark crystals as he questioned me." -She took a piece of her hair and started to twirl it in her fingers.- "Of course I didn't tell him the real reason I was there. Though those deep sapphire eyes caught my gaze so many times." -She began to think about his eyes and let out a sigh. She soon snapped back and continued.- "He wanted to do a ritual with me, you know so they he could also my fire magic. . Forgive me, I let that slip as well."

Esylana: Elleinad furrowed her brow at this, concern filling her. "He performed a ritual with you, and used the Dark Crystals? ...What exactly did he do? For your fire magic? Oh, Maxine, you weren't supposed to tell him...that was a secret." She scowled, and stood, pacing the room now. She was biting her lip, and then she asked, "No sign of the Dark Crystal that I was seeking, however...? The one that was used to gather my blood, and Asarial's?" Asarial, Maxine would know, was another beloved hand maiden - a Blood Mage, like Lorian.

CrystalOnyx: "He touched my magically essence and combined our blood with the dark crystal's. It was very painful. . Now I believe he has my knowledge and my use of fire magic." -She looked down at the scold.- "Please forgive me, he saw the pain in my eyes when I was buring the poison out of my blood." -She soon shook her head.- "No Ma'am I didn't find any trace of -that- crystal. It may be on him or even in his personal chamber." -Her mind went back to when the Lord removed his shirt.- "The skin on that man. . Though scarred it was quite. ." -She stopped herself as she was fantasizing about him again.- "That was all I found out My Lady. I shall look more if he returns anytime soon, unless you would like me to look into his villa while he is away."

Esylana: She was looking at Maxine with a cold, appraising look. But she said nothing, merely sighed. "Well...fool girl that you are...I suppose, yes. We'll have to look into his villa. And while he's away, I think that might. Be. Best." She nodded, as if making up her mind on the spot. She twirled a blonde curl around her fingers, before shrugging. "You are dismissed. See what you can find while he is out on his mission. And Maxine..." she gave her a very somber look. "Please be more careful, dear. For your sake, as well as mine."

CrystalOnyx: -Maxine stood and bowed with another small, but unusal smile.- "Yes Ma'am, I will be more causious. Please forgive my mistakes, I will bring as much information as I can gather." -She soon stood and began for the door.- "Goodnight, My Dear Empress." -She soon opened the door and walked out, closing it softly as she returned to her own chamber. She itched the banage under her sleeve as her mind wondered to the great Lord's eyes once more. Oh how she would like to gaze into them again.-

~Maxine Meets Lorian Castellan~

CrystalOnyx: -Maxine had arrived at Lorian's villa with a little to no plan. The Empress had suggested coming here to snoop around for moment as things were simmering back at the palace. She had entered, but soon was stopped by his guards of course. She searched her mind for a valid reason why she was here, but she just spoke without thinking.- "I was sent to speak to Lord Lorian personally, the Empress has advised that I seek information personally from his Lordship." -She hoped it would do for the time being. She also hoped that she could slip away to the many rooms of the villa and search for anything that might be useful.-

Rakarth: *The men that met her at the Villa took a step forward in order to stop her, one of them speaking with a soft and polite* "My Lady..We-" *But she interrupted in which the men looked at one another. One of the soldiers inclined his head toward her* "Right away my Lady. Please come with me.." *He'd turn around and open the large door that lead into the lavish Villa of Lorian Castellan. Upon entering he'd stop her for a second speaking with a smile* "Please wait here, I'll go inform Lord Castellan of your arrival." *In which he'd turn around on the spot and begin a quick pace to the gardens.*

CrystalOnyx: -She nodded to the guard as he walked away, she stood there for a moment as she spied a long corridor. If no one was looking she would slip down the hall and come to one of the many doors. An office or something had to be around here. She opened the door quietly and peeked in hoping it was the office. She could see in the dim light that there was a desk. She snuck inside the room and found a candle. She snapped her fingers as a small flame appeared, she lit the candle and soon began to look about the room starting with the large desk. She glanced over the top of it to see if there was clutter. She soon moved around to the chair and moved it quietly to get to the draws.-

Rakarth: *Upon opening the door it was clear that this was one of the offices in his estate, apparently keeping it downstairs instead of upstairs in order to be closer to those around him. As she ignited the candle it illuminated the beautifully decorated office area, desk beautifully carved to make out a serpent like creature wrapping around the legs and slithering about the underneath of it, whilst cabinets and books decorated the shelves around the area. The clutter on the desk was not much just a rather large map with large red X's through certain areas, marked with "Leyline" but that was it. Upon going toward the draw it was clear that there were two of them, one on each side but the right one would be locked*

CrystalOnyx: -It was all beautifully decorated as she placed her hand lightly on the map. Were these the leylines that had already been activated? Well he was well informed after all. She tried to open the right drawer, but it seemed to be locked. She let out a soft sigh, would he have the key on him or would it be around here? She shifted some of the things on the desk, lightly picking them up and placing them back down looking for a key. She soon opened the left drawer since it wasn't locked, she hovered the candle over it so she could see what was inside. Hopefully the guard would take his time, she needed what she could to explore. Though once they found that she wasn't waiting to be brought to Lord they would surely look for her.-

Rakarth: *Upon looking into the left draw she'd note a few things, letters that were well written which was to be expected from Nobility. Most reports from Valanice regarding the attack on Darshire, a rather large report was written out regarding a man named "Rheksas" and other smaller profiles on the Drow that the Empress had called to her but then she'd find a key but it was odd, the handle was that of a serpent and it was oddly..Wet. Down the handle of the key was small, sharp pricks aswell but it appeared to be the key to the right drawer but nothing more could be found in the one in the left.*

CrystalOnyx: -Maxine set the candle on the desk now as she took out some of the letters and read over the words that were written. She soon noticed the key, but it was nothing like normal keys. She placed the letters and papers back into the drawer and soon picked up the key. It felt cold but damp for some reason, taking care to watch the small pricks on the handle. She moved over to the right drawer and placed the key inside, she turned it; catching her finger on one of the small spikes that she had noted earlier. It wasn't something big, but it did sting. As she heard the lock click she pulled open the drawer, soon pulling the candle over so she could see what was inside.-

Rakarth: *The draw opened and inside was..Odd..Alone wrapped in a crimson velvet was a rather thick book, if she removed the soft wrapping it'd reveal the following. A book made in what felt like leather but wasn't, it was pale and oddly rough in some aspects aswell with a blood red ruby in the middle of the book, the borders were onyx black and outlined the rest of the book aswell but what was more apparent aswell is that the pages themselves were also pitch black. If she attempted to open the book she'd find it difficult, almost impossible for a moment as it sticked shut before it'd open swiftly..Almost forcefully. Upon the index of the book it had a type of crude language that couldn't be understood but most importantly the crude language matched that of the books title, sharp half glyph half letters in bold but underneath was a small translation. Name of the Book was: "Drakon and Maria..Magic to behold." But the rest was hard to translate. It was up to her if she wanted to flip through the rest of the book or not?*

CrystalOnyx: -The book was strange in a sense, pretty to most eyes. Before she picked it up she sucked the blood that had formed on her finger from the prick of the key and wiped the saliva on her dress. As she picked it up she attempted to open it, but it was some how stuck. Suddenly it seemed to open by itself which made her blink. She had no idea about the language, but thankfully there was a small translation.- "Drakon and Maria: Magic To Behold. ." -She repeated the title softly, now starting to flip through the pages. Was this book all in this strange language or were there more translation. If she had more time she could simply sit and read or at least try to decipher it. She couldn't take it with her, or at least she had no way of hiding it. She flipped through the pages stealing a glance at the door.-

Rakarth: *She'd note that the books had sections, she knew what the name "Drakon and Maria." were in that language so she'd be able to note the first chapter being noted: "Maria." *But nothing on her end was translated, the more she flicked through she'd note detailed movements of the body had been drawn and little notes that weren't Lorians at all but someone else's. She got to Drakon and flipped through but then noted that one of the pages on Drakon had been translated quite a bit. Title: "Drakon: Water Magic." *The notes began to state that Water magic could be utilised to control Blood but that was only what the narrow minded thought, the true usage of Blood Magic was something far more than most could comprehend. There was quite a lot of notes and she'd begin to feel..Odd..Heart started pumping faster, heat swelling up inside her.*

CrystalOnyx: -She let out another sigh as the words weren't translated. She looked over the movements of body and the notes, it seemed this book was quite old though it didn't look it. Unless Lorian had got it from the authors themselves. She moved a long to the section of Drakon. Maybe she could make something out of this.- "Water magic huh?" -She spoke softly to herself as she started to feel different. She continued to flip through the pages as her heart started to flutter fast and the heat started to engulf her body. After a few moments of looking she closed the book and placed it back into the drawer. She placed a hand on her chest as she as her heart continued to beat at a fast pace. What was going on? She closed the drawer and locked it once more, replacing the key back into the left drawer and closing it.-

Rakarth: *Her heart rate only increased further, blood would begin to course through her veins at a rate like never before..To make matters worse she'd be able to feel light headed, her body being alot lighter than usual as nausea would begin to kick in quite rapidly..It wasn't long before it became apparent that the guard would be back to fetch her at any moment, what would she do?*

CrystalOnyx: -Holding her head lightly, she would lean on the desk for a moment. She needed to get back before the guard came, though she hadn't thought of anything to speak to the Lord about. She placed a hand on her stomach as it turned and felt like she was going to vomit her breakfast. Though she pushed it away, she replaced the chair to where it was originally and grabbed the candle. She made her way slowly to the door as she placed the candle down and blew the flame out. She tried to regain herself as she opened the door as quietly as she could, walking out with her hand on her stomach. She lightly glanced around though her vision was blurry for a few moments to the light headedness, she soon made her way to where the guard had left her. But she couldn't take it anymore, it fell to the floor as the light headedness had taken her. Soon her eyes closed and she passed out.-

Rakarth: *The darkness was all that came to Maxine as she fell unconscious, it didn't take long for her regain some consciousness but it was odd..Something felt heavy on her, she might not be able to figure it out yet but she would come to realise in due time..Her back was against something hard, freezing to the touch as were her arms and legs. Upon opening her eyes fully she'd come to realise that she was bound upon a large stone tablet, arms apart and legs spread and chained to each one as well as her head would feel like a chariot had ran over it several times over. Soft yet recognisable male voice broke the silence* "Your talent for this espionage is commendable but you made one mistake." *The crimson cloak and sapphire orbs of Lorian Castellan was all too clear as he made a single step toward her.* "You weren't careful enough..Most don't expect meaningless objects to be plastered in poison, much like the key." *Lorian kept a terrifyingly calm tone about him with a stare that pierced through her. It was clear they were in some form of enclosed room underneath as their wasn't a single draft, only torches lit up the area and illuminated the elaborate gothic esq decor that was in the room.*

CrystalOnyx: -As Maxine came to, she felt cold almost shivering. Her eyes opened slowly as she was staring at a ceiling. She tried to move, but she was bound both her arms and legs. Her head ached as she blinked her eyes a few times. She soon turned her head to the familiar voice.- "Damnit. . No wonder it looked damp. ." -She pulled against her bonds, but soon relaxed against the cold table.- "I suppose it's too late to apologize. ." -Her gaze met his as her veins bubbled within her. She was eternally burning the poison out of her blood, winces coming to her face as she did this. She held back the cries, but the pain was evident in her eyes.-

Rakarth: *Lorian's meticulous attention to detail allowed him to notice the woman in pain but he was aware of the ins and outs of the thing she was on, not a single one of them would cause her harm? What could be harming her?* "You're in pain yet I'm aware of the tightness of the bonds around your body, care to explain why so?" *He'd state perking his brow without answering her stupid and sarcastic question. Soft stride of Lorian had him move over to a stone table in which a bowl was resting upon it, it became apparent as he took off his crimson coat that he was mashing up something as he spoke again.* "Inform me of why you're here and I'll let you leave."

CrystalOnyx: -After a few more moments of eternal pain, she relaxed against the table.- "Just burning out the poison you so rudely put on that key. ." -She squirmed a bit now, watching as he moved around. Her eyes laid upon him as she glanced to the bowl.- "Like I told your guard, I came to personally speak with you. Though my curiosity got the best of me." -She gave him a teasing smile as a shiver coursed over her body.- "What do you have there?"

Rakarth: *Interest was clear as he'd shift those cold eyes over to her bound form, a soft tug could be seen against his lips as the reply he had was one of curiosity yet understanding* "Burn? How..Interesting. So you're -that- close to our Empress." *He didn't ask more confirm to himself as he'd continue to crush a few more spheres before answering with a simple* "Dark Crystals. I'm currently crushing them to force them into a powder like state in order to inject into my bloodstream so I may utilise my abilities without having to rely upon the usage of an orb." *The man then asked with a softer tone* "What do you require to know?"

CrystalOnyx: -She let out a sigh and mentally kicked herself, a piece of hair falling onto her face as she tried to move it away with just a head movement. As the words he spoke about Dark Crystals, she raised an eyebrow at him. She wouldn't press it further, but she wondered if the Empress knew of this. She soon let another shiver course over her body as goosebumps appeared over her exposed upper chest and shoulders.- "You know, your deep thoughts. . What you think of all this that is happening to our poor Empress."

Rakarth: "You've come here and decided to invade my personal villa in order to see how I felt regarding the current situation and its effects on our Empress?" *He'd shift his gaze back over to her as he stopped crushing Dark crystals for a second* "It's quite terrible..I've never seen our Empress in such a state before but that'll change after today and you've done me a great service." *He'd state placing himself over to the other side of the stone table, keeping his orbs upon her* "When I leave here i'll be obtaining the wanted fugitives that have caused her so much harm and returning with them but in order to do so I require something more..An edge so to speak that'll bring our enemies to ground. Maxine, mage of fire..I'm going to request you cooperate with me and let me perform a ritual with you that'll allow me access to this ability as well."

CrystalOnyx: -She shifted her hands around in the bonds as he spoke.- "What did I do?" -She seemed confused, was slipping that she was fire mage really help him? She met his gaze once more as he moved around.- "A ritual? So that's why you bound me here?" -She raised her brow once more.- "It will help you capture the fugitives then?" -She wanted to bring them to justice, they were making things so unlivable and chaotic.- "Fine. . I will do it."

Rakarth: "You're oddly compliant.." *He'd state with a perked brow, genuine look of surprise was plastered on his face as he stated softly.* "It'll involve pain beyond measure as I'd be drawing not only the blood from your body but the very arcane essence you posses..You won't lose your abilities by any means but the pain that'll come from this is far more than any you will feel for the rest of your life, consenting to this means you're aware of what's to come." *He'd state whilst picking up a rather elegant looking blade, keeping his gaze upon her as he'd begin a soft stride over to her physical form. Staring into her own orbs the man awaited her consent on the matter*

CrystalOnyx: -She had heard of this before, though it had never really crossed her mind. She chewed on her cheek as she searched her mind. So painful that she wouldn't feel anything like it for the rest of her life? Books and scrolls hadn't said anything about that much pain. She gulped as she watched him walk back with a blade in hand.- "Y-yes. . If it means helping you catch them and bringing them before the Empress. . I will gladly do it for her." -She admired the Empress for so many years, though some things may be cruel she had done it for the Empire's sake.-

Rakarth: "Your loyalty is rare..I admire that, I promise that once this is over you may return to our Empress with what i'm about to do here." *He'd state in a softer tone, walking away his voice was one of genuine concern now* "Brace yourself." *It took five minutes for Lorian to bring something down into the area she was bound in, apparently it was three unconscious servants as he'd state quietly* "Blood banks to assure you don't die." *The man then began to take his black shirt off, revealing his slim yet muscular chest..Although it was odd to see quite a few scar marks around his chest, specifically around his right breast. As he turned around to obtain the bowl of crushed dark crystal it was also clear that he had a rather large scar mark down the entirety of his back that must have been deep. Lorian began to speak softly* "I'll give you a few moments to prepare yourself before we begin." *He'd make a soft stride over toward those unconscious and bought each one over to a rather large tub, necks brought over the tub and then slit whilst he dried each of the corpses out using Blood magic to assure that their was a whopping total of eighteen pints of blood ready to use.*

CrystalOnyx: -She gulped again as she looked up into his face and then he moved away. She took a few deep breaths as she watched him bring the servants around.- "So I don't die huh?" -She watched quietly as he pulled his shirt off, noticing the scars that adorned his skin. Upon seeing the very large on his back her heart sank some. She soon turned her head straight and stared up at the ceiling. This was going to be the worse thing she has ever been through. Would she really be ready? She closed her eyes and took more deep breaths as she readied herself for what was about to come.- "Tell me. . How did you get that scar on your back?" -She opened her eyes and continued to look at the ceiling. Talking might help ease her nervousness.-

Rakarth: "The mark upon my bark was gifted to me by my father." *He stated as if it was nothing to him but there was a hint of irritation of the subject at hand but pressed on regardless.* "My father was Lorax Castellan..Narrow minded and a fool to say the least, he plotted a coup against the Empress as the power of ruling Valanice gave him foolish ideas of grandeur. He believed that Valanice could act independently in which he'd rule.." *The man stopped speaking about his family for the time being as he placed the oak bowl filled with dark crystal powder onto the foot of the place where she was bound.* "Let's begin.." *Lorian shifted over to her and placed the cold steel against her delicate wrist as he'd softly speak, gazing into her eyes* "Ready?"

CrystalOnyx: -The story helped some, though it did sadden her. She felt more relaxed as he spoke, at least not about the incident; but that he was talking to her. She soon watched as he came closer, feeling the cold press of the blade against her wrist. She met his sapphire orbs with her own light brown ones. She cleared her mind and relaxed against the cold table as much as possible.- "Yes."

Rakarth: "This will be excruciatingly painful." *He'd stop speaking now as the steel would cut across her right wrist and the man began a quick dart toward the bowl for a moment, placing it underneath the slit wrist for a moment and allowed her crimson liquid to drop into the bowl, mixing with the Dark crystal for a moment before he'd concentrate..Moisture began to thicken in the air as he'd tap into his own power, Water. The liquid began to twist and turn in the air as it swept up some of the contents of the blood before he'd bring the knife to his own wrist and swiftly slashed at it. Pain escaping his lips as he'd grit his teeth..Then he'd drop the knife, gripping the oblique blue sphere that was the size of a dime. Not big at all..He'd concentrate for a second, crimson liquid from his wrist dripping into the bowl aswell before the bleeding on his own ceased to be and began to rise gently off the ground. Two crimson streams met between the pair as blood gently stacked their, the man then let the thick moisture in the air turn into controlled tendrils of water, scooping up the crushed power and adding it into the stream that'd enter his bloodstream quite rapidly. This began the pain for Lorian as the power was still crystal afterall, pain beginning to shriek into his heart as he felt it pump through and his mind began to feel heavy. It wouldn't be long before they took full effect but during such a delicate ritual he'd need to begin the next stage immediately. This is where pain began for her as well as the dark crystal began to flare up, blood beginning to be forcefully ripped from her body as of the moment but she could feel something more..Her very essence was being siphoned, which let a soft shriek come from Lorian* "Da-Argh!" *His chest was becoming heavy with breathe but he'd feel..Rejuvenated as well. The blood streams between the pair began to faintly glow, but to her this would be unending..She could even go unconscious from the sheer harshness upon her form plus the amount of blood loss she was taking, not only was Lorian siphoning from her but keeping her heart pumping to assure that she didn't die. The process continued as Maxine had about seven pints of blood running through her and Lorian was dangerous in taking five..After he felt his connection on her waning from the amount of energy and liquid he'd taken from her he began to shift the blood in the tub from it and into her physical form which was blood being forcefully thrown into her body, pumping it around..It took half an hour to ensue this entire thing and when it was finally over, Lorian dropped to the floor with absolute shrieking coming from his voice. Soldiers came down to see what was going on as they tried to restrain their lord as his skin went from a white to a deep red, the element of fire burning him up before residing..*

CrystalOnyx: -As he cut into her wrist she winced, but it wasn't something that did much damage. She watched as everything was happening, and soon she was crying in extreme pain. She felt as if her whole body was being drained and something was reaching deep within her and pulled on her soul. Her voice echoed against the stone walls as her normally fair skin was becoming quiet pale now from the blood loss. She continued to shriek in pain as she struggled to stay awake. It was unthinkable pain as tears ran down her face, the feeling of blood being forced through her veins. As he fell to the ground and the guards came in to assist, the cried started to slowly become quieter. Her chest heaved as her eyes couldn't stay open, but she was conscious. Her body shook violently as she looked ill from the paleness, her cheeks streaked with tears. She forced her eyes open as she tried to look down at him.- "Lor. .ian?"

Rakarth: "Quick stabilise her!" *The soldiers began to come over to the woman and assist in helping her, breaking her bonds open and carrying her to a table in which she can lay down. Placing a cold rag on her forehead for the moment, assuring that she was alive and well whilst Lorian was picked up and carried out of the room quickly..He was fine just needing to rest and that's what she would be told by the servants. Upon awakening next she'll be in a rather large bed with a jug of water on the left hand side, resting upon the table..If asking where Lorian had gone, they'd informed him that he was out but that's call she could be informed.*