Backscene: The Fall of a Sparrow Who: Loic Arkaitz NPCs: Moloch, Ser Mercian Anwyll, Ser Jason Boyd Where: Around the vicinity of Lake Calenhad and the Spoiled Princess, Ferelden When: Sometime in the second week of Eluviesta, 9:45 Dragon Rating: R (Blood, Kidnapping, Death and Violence) Summary: Within months of swearing his vows, Ser Loic Arkaitz, one of the youngest in the Brotherhood, is given the innocuous task of guarding the docks of Lake Calenhad and ferrying visitors across to Kinloch Hold. What is originally a very routine assignment, however, goes terribly wrong.
(Chapter One of His Bloody Discourses, Aurin's storyline)
---
The hooting of a nearby owl and the slight rustle of trees bending to the active east wind were the only sounds from the area in a while.
The evening itself was peaceful and calm, the blue-silver light of the full moon bearing down upon the earth as it reached the eleventh hour. This area around Lake Calenhad was usually quiet, beset with sparse activity during the day and virtually nothing going on when twilight descended. Save for the celestial sphere above, there was little in the way of illumination save for the bright spots that marked the Spoiled Princess's windows. A shadow or two drifted past the wooden panes, indicative of whatever small amount of patrons there were milling about within the confines of the establishment. Normally a haven for brigands and travelers, it wasn't surprising that the tavern didn't see much action either -- meant more as a pit stop and a place to spend the night than anything else.
Save for the mild activity in the tavern, there was nothing else from Loic's vantage point by the docks. The glassy surface of the lake rippled gently with every pass of zephyrine breath from the elements. The small boat that was trussed on one of the wooden pegs creaked as it bobbed up and down above the water, knocking against the oars used to steer it on occasion.
And then, there was nothing. There had been nothing for the past two hours since he was told to stand watch there.
It could have been a trick of the eyes, that small flash coming from the young templar's periphery. It was brief; perhaps inconsequential. However it occurred again, and again, and again, emanating from the windows of the Spoiled Princess. The ambient noise that transmitted the dull hubbub from within had ceased...so gradually he didn't notice it until now. The lighting effects coming from the inside of the building could have been something as mundane as a flickering candle. But it wasn't natural; the glass panes were shut and the door was closed, if it was caused by the wind blowing inside, there were no visible openings to let it in.
The loud crash of furniture splintered the sudden stillness, and just as abruptly as it had come, everything was static once again.