Topic: Back into the mouth of Hell

(Lost To Time)

Date: 2009-10-28 19:56 EST
((These posts are based upon live role-play logs with "tienne's player. Merci, mon cher ami, de me permettre d'emprunter votre g"nie!))

The chateau of the Comte du Rietz was nestled in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, some hundred miles or so from Paris. It was mainly a wine-producing estate, and as such, the house itself was situated at the crest of a hill, with miles and miles of grapevines covering the slopes of the surrounding hills. The house was nearly empty now, staffed by only a few servants - a cook, two stable lads, a chambermaid, and a butler the only people who'd remained after the Crown had seized the property from its owner, a Chevalier de Templier, who had been imprisoned, arrested and charged with heresy.

R"my, the youngest son and only surviving heir of the elder Comte who had died five years ago after a short though painful battle with la grippe, had inherited all of his father's properties. Of course, at the time, R"my had been on the isle of Crete, defending it against the Saracens. Philippe Le Beau, King of France, had repaid him for defending the Holy Land against the Infidel by allowing R"my to linger in prison, tortured until he'd signed a confession of heresy." The Crown had then released him, returned his title and lands to him, gave him a pat on the head and left him to his own devices. R"my had slunk home, tail tucked between his legs to lick his wounds." He stewed himself in wine, mostly his own vintage, consoled himself in the arms of a succession of women, and plotted revenge, drunkenly cursing Philippe Le Beau and his Inquisitors.

This night found him secreted in the Great Hall of the chateau, surrounded by three German putains and a cask of very excellent red wine." He was dressed in breeches, soft boots and an ermine-lined cloak against the biting November cold. The women, a buxom blond, a raven-haired lass and a fiery red-head, were sitting in R"my's lap or kneeling at his feet, their hands and mouths and tongues visiting exquisitely pleasurable torture upon the body of their Lord and Master." R"my, for his part, was bored, more interested in the effects of the wine than of the women." He wanted to fight, to reclaim his good name and that of his brothers." He was tired of hiding away in the country, ashamed of signing the confession, ashamed at leaving his brothers behind.

There was a sudden burst of white light in the middle of the Great Hall, blinding R"my and les jeune filles. The light faded slowly, coalescing into the shape of a tall, slender man, his face obscured. The women screamed and hid themselves behind R"my's chair, babbling incoherently in their native German tongue." R"my sat up, knocking over the goblet of wine that sat on the table in front of him, spilling its contents across the wooden surface like blood across the torturer's table, and attempted to draw his sword, forgetting for the moment that it was still in the dungeon in Paris.

As the light faded slowly, the figure took on a familiar form. R"my staggered drunkenly to his feet, squinting against the glare of the sudden light." Finally remembering that his sword was a hundred miles away, he drew his boot dagger and stumbled around the table. The man in the light fell to one knee, catching himself from falling on his face. The helmet he had tucked under his arm clattered to the floor.

?"tienne?" R"my slurred in surprise." "C'est impossible!" Il ne peut pas est tu! T'es mort!"

"tienne lifted his head, and blinked to clear his vision and focus his eyes on the other man's face. "R"my?" he asked." "C'est tu?"

R"my fell to his knees, the dagger tumbling forgotten to the floor. He hung his head and wept, not certain if this was a dream induced by too much wine, or if he was witnessing a miracle. "tienne pulled himself to his feet and stumbled toward the kneeling man. "R"my, mon fr're." C'est moi."

R"my climbed to his feet and threw his arms around his brother-in-arms, kissing his cheeks and crying against his shoulder. "tienne returned the hug, kissing both of R"my's cheeks, tears of joy upon his face. "You are still alive," he said, his voice full of wonder. He smiled at the other man, hands clasping his shoulders and holding him out at arm's length to look him over.

The women, still huddled behind R"my's chair, slowly poked their heads out of hiding, eyes wide at what they were witnessing." The blonde, still an observant Catholic despite her profession, crossed herself and began reciting an Ave Maria. "I'm still alive?" R"my said disbelievingly." "You are the one who is dead, mon petit chiot!"

"tienne's smile widened." "I am alive, mon fr're." God delivered me from prison." He laughed. "Oh, I have so much to tell you!" He flicked a glance at the trio of women, just realizing they were not alone. His smile faded and he grew quiet as he put two and two together.

R"my wiped his face with the hem of his cloak and held "tienne out at arm's length, looking him over carefully." The young man seemed hale and hearty." In fact, he seemed better than that." He glowed with an inner light." He looked relaxed and happy." "You are in love?" he said, with an experienced lecher's intuition.

He looked back at the man, ignoring the women for the moment, and grinning from ear to ear, his eyes gleaming. "How do you know?"

R"my's brow arched and he smirked." "I know.?" He took "tienne's hand and dragged him back to the table and poured him a goblet of wine. The women slowly came out of hiding, the red-head going to perch on the edge of "tienne's chair, the blonde and brunette settling down with R"my. "tienne arched a brow at the redhead, who, though she was a redhead, was nothing like his Aliss. He turned back to R"my, a look of horror on his face. "Can we not speak in private?" he asked.

R"my grinned broadly and swept the blonde into his lap." "This," he said, indicating the blonde, "is Brigitte" This lovely girl," indicating the brunette, "is Greta." And that is Katerine.?" The red-head giggled and slid into "tienne's lap, winding her arms around his shoulders and nuzzling his neck. R"my began kissing Brigitte's bare shoulder, his hands moving over her breasts.

"tienne cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably, sliding out from under the redhead and to his feet. Katerine pouted prettily and lifted "tienne's hand to her mouth, sucking provocatively at his fingers." R"my was oblivious - Greta's head was in his lap and Brigitte's tongue in his ear. "tienne jerked his hand away." "Mademoiselle! S'il vous plait! I am engaged." He turned to R"my then and said angrily, "What has happened to you, mon ami" You are un Chevalier de Templier! This is disgraceful!"

R"my opened his eyes, a haze of wine and sex in them." "Haven't you heard?" Les Chevaliers de Templier are no more!" Philippe Le Beau," he turned his head and spat on the flagstones of the floor, "has done away with us, confiscated our monies, our lands, our titles for his own greedy needs." He shoved the women from his lap and stood, roughly taking "tienne's arm, the wine goblet still clutched in his free hand. He pulled him into a secluded alcove, away from the ears of the whores. "I signed their filthy confession," he hissed.

"tienne let R"my pull him along, halting in the alcove. He shrugged out of R"my's grasp, arching a brow at his friend. "Is this why you are drunk?"

He snorted and raised the goblet of wine to his lips, draining it and then throwing it to the floor with a loud clatter." "I am drunk because I cannot face myself, mon ami." I am...un b"te d"go"tant."

"tienne's eyes flashed with anger for a moment, and then his expression changed to one of compassion. "What did they do to you?" he asked, laying a hand upon his friend's arm, his voice soft, full of compassion and caring.

R"my slid down the wall, huddling on the floor at "tienne's feet." "They...they tortured us." Flogged us, burned our feet over hot coals, raped us...?" His voice broke and he began sobbing.

"tienne knelt down in front of his friend and reached to take him in his arms, holding him like one would a brother. "I am sorry. So sorry. It is not your fault, mon ami."

R"my clutched "tienne, trembling like a leaf caught in a tempest." "I signed their confession, "tienne." I left Alain and Thierry behind," he sobbed.

"We will save them." He held his friend close, his heart going out to him. He felt a stab of pain at the mention of the others' names, but for now, his only concern was for R"my. R"my cried until the tears were spent and then he let "tienne go, wiping his face with his cloak's hem." "I am sorry, mon ami." I am...so sorry."

"tienne shook his head. "You are alive." That is all that is important."

(Lost To Time)

Date: 2009-10-29 00:39 EST
R"my climbed to his feet and straightened his cloak." He glanced at the women and then back at "tienne, his brow arched." "Engaged" Truly?"

"tienne smiled, nodding. "Oui. Aliss, she is..." He sighed as he thought of her. "She is beautiful. She is like an angel."

R"my chuckled." "This Aliss must be to capture your attention. Not for nothing did we call you moine.?" He left the alcove and shooed the women away, telling them to go to their own beds tonight." Then he settled at the table once more but did not pour himself another goblet of wine.

"R"my," "tienne said as he took a seat across from his friend. "I have something to tell you. I ask you to believe me."

"Your lady is not already married, is she?" R"my asked." It was the worst thing he could think of at the moment.

"Non." He frowned, turning serious now. "Do you not wonder where I have been" Do they believe me dead or escaped?"

"Dead." We were told...you were caught trying to escape and they...killed you."

He shook his head." "That is a lie."

R"my smirked." "Oui, I see that."

"God delivered me from the dungeon, R"my. He sent me to....another place."

"Another place."

"tienne nodded again." "Another world." "Another...world?" R"my asked, disbelievingly.

"I do not know how to explain. I was praying and then....I found myself in another place. A strange place." Like one I've never seen before."

"Germany?" R"my asked with a smirk. "tienne shook his head." "It is called Rhydin." He withdrew a gold-coloured leaf pendant from around his neck and held it out. "This is from there."

"Rhydin," he said, trying the word out." He shook his head." "I do not know this place." It is far?" On the other side of the...?" He broke off, his attention, like a crow's, captured by the shining gold leaf. He peered closer at it and reached out a long, slim finger to brush across it." "Not gold..." he said softly." He sat back and looked up at "tienne." "A new alloy?"

"It is not like anything I have ever seen before. I will take you there. I will take you all there." R"my's brow arched and "tienne nodded. "We are going to rescue them. Alain and Thierry and....the others."

"Alain and Thierry?" The others?"" His eyes grew wide, his breath catching in his throat." He dared not hope....

"It is why I am here. Why I came back. I could not leave you all to..." R"my's eyes filled with tears and he covered his face with his hands, weeping silently. "tienne's voice broke and he reached out to touch his friend's shoulder. "We will save them, R"my." You and I." R"my nodded, his hands still hiding his face, though his sobs had stopped. "There is more." "tienne waited for his friend to compose himself.

R"my took a deep breath and once more wiped his face with the hem of his cloak." He turned reddened eyes on his young friend and nodded." "Je suis prest." Tell me."

"We are no longer les Chevaliers de Templiers." "tienne stood, stepping back a pace to let R"my see the emblem emblazoned on his new mantel. "We are Les Chevaliers de Saint-Michel."

His eyes traveled over the mantle, a brow arching at the title." "Saint-Michel." You will lead us?"" He laughed and shook his head." "You are but a puppy, mon ami.?" He had yet to piece the new name and the flaming sword together.

"Non, not me." He waited for R"my to put two and two together.

"But...?" Then it hit him and he blanched." "Saint Michel, l'ange?" he whispered. "tienne nodded, gravely. "Mon Dieu," R"my said and crossed himself. He sat, stunned for a moment and then stood slowly. He began pacing, his hands folded at the small of his back, dark eyes downcast. "We will need to go on a Thursday, after the Angelus bells." The guards then are lazy and easily bribed.?" He paused and looked at "tienne." "Do you have coin?"

"tienne watched the man pace, a worried look on his face. He shook his head, frowning. R"my waved his hand." "No matter." We can bring les jeune filles.?" He returned to his pacing, his eloquent fingers now steepled under his chin as the wheels in his head turned, plots and machinations forming in the twisty depths of his mind. "We will go dressed as Cistercians." The guards can be bribed with les putains and coin." We will get the keys to the cells and...?" He stopped and looked at "tienne, suddenly clapping his hands together and laughing raucously." "We can do this, mon ami!" We can do this!?" He went to "tienne and dragged him to his feet, hooking his arm through the younger man's and pulling him into a little circle dance.

"R"my!" He shook the man off. "I need a drink." He went back to his chair and collapsed into it.

R"my stopped, panting but still grinning." "Me, too.?" He sat down and poured them both goblets of wine." He was manic suddenly, high on the hopes of a rescue and safety for his brothers. He took a healthy gulp of the wine and grinned lecherously at "tienne." "Your lady." Have you had her yet?"

"tienne lifted his glass for a sip, narrowing his eyes at R"my. "I should kill you for that, mon ami."

"Ah, but you won't.?" He smirked, his eyes twinkling." ?"tienne, is she beautiful, your Aliss?" What does she look like?"

He lowered the goblet and smiled. "Oui. Her eyes are like....like a summer sky." He got a far-away look in his eyes.

R"my sighed softly, his eyes taking on the same look." "And her hair, mon fr're?"

"Red, like silk in my hands."

"Her skin?" Like cream, then?" R"my asked softly.

"Oui, soft and warm and..."

"You have had her, chiot.?" He smirked knowingly.

"tienne smiled, neither confirming nor denying, though his blush said enough. R"my chuckled and took another drink of the wine." "What does she do, your Aliss?" Is she a noble lady?" A peasant girl?"

"She is..." He paused; she was so many things. "She is a midwife." And a herb-woman." And she owns a horse farm." He frowned a little as he thought about her visions. He wasn't quite sure how to explain that. "She....she sees things. The future, sometimes the past, too."

"Visions?" She is La Dame Blanche?" he asked, a corner of his mouth tugging up in a smile. He leaned forward, looking pointedly at "tienne's crotch with a smirk. La Dame Blanche was a powerful witch who could see into the minds of men and know whether or not they told the truth, and to lie with her against her will would cause a man's parts to shrivel up as though frost bitten.

"No, I..." He glared at him, putting the goblet of wine down over his crotch. "She is not La Dame Blanche!"

"Best not tell Thierry anyway, eh?"" R"my settled back in his chair and drained his goblet." "We will meet her?"

"Oui, you will meet her."

R"my chuckled and nodded." "Good." I should like to see if she is good enough for notre petit chiot."

"I am not a pup," he replied, somewhat defensively. "I am twenty-two years of age." "tienne frowned, a thought crossing his mind. "You will come with me, then?"

(Lost To Time)

Date: 2009-10-29 00:41 EST
He waved his hand, dismissing "tienne's protests." "Of course I will come with you." He tried to hide a yawn behind his fist and shook his head to clear it." "It has been a long day, mon ami." Full of surprises and shocks, for us both."

"I am glad you are well. I have been worried." It was the only way he knew to tell the other man that he had thought of him and missed him.

"Bah," R"my said with a smirk." "You have been too busy in Aliss's arms to worry about me."

He smiled a little at the mention of her name." "I have still worried. Tu es mon fr're."

He returned the smile." "Oui, et tu aussi."

"Is my room still empty?" "tienne asked, not bothering to hide a yawn.

He chuckled." "Non." It is les jeune filles room now." Though I'm sure they'd welcome you in their bed," he said, his voice and expression obviously teasing.

"tienne clucked his tongue." "I will sleep on the stones, then."

R"my rose unsteadily to his feet." "Non, mon ami." You shall have my bed and I will suffer the embraces of les filles.?" He attempted a courtly bow and nearly fell over.

He moved to his feet and caught his friend. "You are impossible. You will have to say penance for that." He slung the man's arm over his shoulder, taking most of his weight.

R"my blinked drunkenly up into "tienne's face and smiled." "Oui, c'est vrai." Je suis impossible." R"my delicately and deliberately disengaged his arm from "tienne's grasp and shrugged his shoulders, settling the cloak across them." "Mon Dieu, je regrette...?" He frowned in thought." "Je regrette....I cannot remember the rest."

"No filles for you tonight. It will be all right, mon ami." You will see."

"Bah." Les filles are for every night." Greta can do this thing with her tongue...?" He smiled slowly and sighed." "C'est si bon, mon ami."

"tienne blushed furiously. He held up a" hand. "I do not want to know."

"I will bring Greta and she will teach your Aliss and you will thank me.?" R"my said this with the slow enunciation of the well and truly drunk.

"Non, you will not bring Greta." He took the other man's arm and started leading him toward his own room.

"Non?" Brigitte has...?" R"my held his hands out in front of him and looked at them." "Fingers and...she can hold a man just so and...?" He frowned." "This is not the way, "tienne."

"Sleep, mon fr're." Not....les filles."

"You will bring them to me?" I need them, "tienne." They stop the screaming," he said, his voice soft, barely above a whisper.

"I will stay with you." He knew only too well what that screaming sounded like, he heard it echo in his own ears sometimes at night.

R"my suddenly clutched "tienne tightly." "The screaming, "tienne." Always the screaming." Screaming for their mothers, their wives, screaming for God to save them.?" He sat down hard on the steps, shivering. "Thierry...he cursed me, "tienne." Called me a filthy coward when I left. I couldn't stand it any longer." The torture and the screaming and the whispering in the dark." I...?" He looked down morosely and whispered." "Thierry is right." I am a coward."

He shook his head sadly." "I prayed for Death. You are stronger than I."

R"my shook his head vehemently." "Non." I am not stronger than you." I am afraid of Death, "tienne." I am a sinner, a horrible, base sinner." Hell awaits me and I..." I'm terrified of the fire."

"Then perhaps this is a way to redeem yourself, yes?" He shook R"my's arm, as if to shake him from a spell.

R"my looked up, dark eyes bloodshot, face red and blotchy." "Do you think I am not beyond redemption?"

"I think no one is beyond redemption. I have seen Michel. He came to me." We are chosen, mon ami. You and I and the others. How can you be beyond redemption when you have been chosen by an angel?"

R"my nodded and sighed." "I will put my faith and my eternal soul in your hands, mon fr're."

He smiled." "For tonight, I ask only that you rest. We will talk in the morning." He stood up and offered R"my a hand. "Come, I will tuck you in like a petit enfant." He smirked teasingly at his friend.

He took "tienne's hand and climbed to his feet shakily." "Will you wipe my arse, too?" Put me in a fresh clout and nurse me at your breast as well?"

"tienne laughed. "I will do whatever it takes, mon ami." R"my reached for "tienne's chest, cupping his hand as if the man had breasts, and made sucking noises. "tienne shoved the man's hand away. "To bed, imbecile. Maintenant."

R"my pouted and down the hall, headed for his bedchamber with a longing look down the hallway where the sounds of giggling women could just barely be heard. "tienne gave him a little shove toward the empty room. He sighed and shuffled into the empty room and flung himself face first down on the bed." Soft snorting noises soon followed." He was still wearing his boots.

?tienne took off his sword, mantel, and mail, and laid them aside. Snagging a blanket, he curled up on a chair to watch over his friend while he slept.

(Lost To Time)

Date: 2009-10-29 15:26 EST
Birdsong in the weak November sun awoke R"my the next morning." He cracked open a horribly blood-shot eye and glared out the window." "Ferme-la!" he shouted, throwing the thankfully empty chamber pot at the wall next to the window." It crashed against the stones with a thunderous noise and rattled to the floor. R"my's head felt as though the Inquisitors were still going at it with their red-hot pokers and his mouth felt as though a dozen sewer rats had curled up and died in it." He groaned and flattened a pillow over his face to block out the light and the soft twittering of the birds outside.

The figure sprawled out in the chair stirred to life, sleep disrupted by the racket R"my was making. "Mon Dieu, next time I will sleep on the floor," "tienne groaned.

"Shhh!" came R"my's muffled voice.

He smirked, realizing R"my was hungover. "You snore like a pig. And you talk in your sleep," he said, slightly louder than was perhaps necessary.

"And you, monsieur, fart like a goat." R"my shot back weakly.

"I am not a goat!" he exclaimed, a little too defensively.

"Mehhh.?" R"my did a pretty impressive goat impression, all things considered.

Pointedly ignoring this, "tienne rolled off the chair, stifling a groan and stretching his arms over his head, his limbs feeling a little bit cramped. "Tu es un "ne," he informed his friend.

A corner of the pillow lifted and a bleary, blood-shot eye peered out." ?"tienne!" What will the monks say?"" R"my clucked his tongue." "Such language!?" He smirked and lowered the pillow again.

"Bah, I am not a child." He went over to the window and threw the drapes open. Then he turned, hands on hips. "It is time to get up, mon petit cochon." He went over to the bed and shook R"my's shoulder.

"Fetch Greta." And Brigitte." Oh, and Katerine, too, since you will not have her. I cannot get up without them." R"my said, somehow managing to burrow deeper into the bed, trying to evade "tienne's grasp." He groaned again." "Oh, my head." "tienne?" Do you love me as your dearest, closest brother?"

"tienne rolled his eyes. "Tu es path"tique. You need a woman to wake you? You are a Knight!" He paused, overhearing R"my's weak question. "Oui, je t'aime, mon fr're."

"Then please, in notre Dame's name, kill me."

"You are worse than a child, R"my." He rummaged through his things and finding a pair of trousers, put them on and started toward the door.

R"my groaned." "You are brutal." Brutal, I say!?" He slowly peeled the pillow from his face and sat up, blinking in the blinding light of the overcast morning. The world slowly spun around him and the pounding in his head grew worse. "I will bring breakfast, Your Grace," "tienne smirked and bowed low.

"No food.?" R"my shuddered, turning a bit green." "Just some cider." "tienne smirked at this, more than a little amused, and left the chamber, headed towards the chateau's kitchens.

R"my swung his long legs over the side of the bed and hauled himself slowly to his feet." He groped around for his cloak and then settled it over his shoulders." It was cold this morning." He glanced out at the fields and saw frost on the vines." "Oh, to be in the Holy Land again," he said softly. He slowly, carefully left his chamber, walking with the deliberate steps of one who was afraid he'd crumple into a ball and slide down the stairs on his face." He cocked an ear towards les putains' room and then glanced towards the stairs." Surely "tienne wouldn't begrudge him one tiny little visit'

"Your Grace?" spoke the voice of Gerard, his butler."

R"my whirled around, startled, and then reached out, bracing himself against the cold stone wall of the hallway." The world was still spinning, despite the fact that he knew he standing still, and he squeezed his eyes tightly shut, waiting for the world to realise this fact. "What is it, Gerard?" he said, his voice heavy with annoyance.

"Mademoiselle de la Croix wishes an audience with you, m'lord."

R"my prised open his eyes and arched a brow." "Lisette?" She's here?"

"Oui, m'lord." In the Great Hall." With Monsieur "tienne."

"Merde," R"my whispered." He cast a final, longing look at the whores' room and then slowly went down the steps to the hall, still dressed in only his breeches and cloak, shirtless and bare footed. Gerard announced R"my and then bowed before leaving, going into the kitchens to escape whatever punishment the young lady would visit upon his lord. "tienne looked up at R"my's approach and disentangled himself from Lisette, who was huddled in his arms, weeping softly against his shoulder. Lisette glanced up at R"my, her hazel eyes full of tears.

R"my cleared his throat and looked pale beneath the black stubble on his cheeks and chin." He had a white-knuckled grip on the edge of the table." "Lisette?" What are you doing here?" he said. "tienne took that moment to take his leave, sensing the two of them had things to say to each other that he was not part of. "Poltron," R"my hissed under his breath as "tienne left.

For a single instant, her expression betrayed her feelings for R"my, relief flooding her when she saw that the news was true - he was indeed safe - but the moment was fleeting. Her almond-shaped eyes suddenly flashed with anger and she closed the distance between them, slapping him hard across the cheek. "How dare you!" she growled. His head rocked back with the force of the blow." He slid slowly to the floor, his hand pressed over his cheek." It was like watching the collapse of a very tall building in slow-motion." He blinked back the tears that the slap had brought and looked up at her, anguish and heart-ache in his eyes.

She glared down at him, trying hard not to soften in the face of his expression." "Did you not get my letters" Do you think so little of me that you cannot reply?"

"How dare I?" R"my hissed through clenched teeth." "You forget yourself, Mademoiselle.?" He hauled himself regally to his feet and straightened his cloak." "You are in my house!" You have struck a Comte." I should have you publicly flogged for that!"

She narrowed her eyes at him, almost daring him. "Are you drunk?"

He sighed and sat down hard in the chair in front of him." He leaned forward, pressing his face into his palms and shook his head." "Not any more," he said. He pushed the chair next to him out with his foot." "Sit, woman." Don't hover like a fishwife."

She considered for a moment. "I will stand, if you please. I have come seeking news of my brother."

"I said sit!?" He snapped his head up, having had enough of her silliness." His head was pounding, his tongue was furry, his cheek hurt and he suspected he had contracted an unpleasant case of crabs from one of the whores. "If you please, Mademoiselle," he amended, remembering that this girl was dear to him.

Lisette clenched her jaw, her feelings for him clashing with her anger, and she finally relented, nodding once and seating herself primly in the chair, hands folded in her lap, her face pale with anguish. R"my sighed and returned his face to his palms, clenching his eyes closed." "I...am sorry that I did not write," he began quietly." "You know my...esteem for you.?" He trailed off, not knowing what to say in the face of her fury. He turned to her, his face still white, the red imprint of her palm livid against his cheek." "It's true." Whatever you heard, whatever you were told." I signed the confession." I left them behind."

She merely chewed on her lip and wrung her hands in her lap, her face white with fear at what else he might tell her. Her heart sank at his admission, and silent tears slid down her cheeks. Part of her was happy he was alive and free, the other half of her worried she'd never see her brother again. "Is he..." she broke off, not trusting her own voice. She could not bring herself to ask whether Alain was dead or alive. "R"my, please....I must know."

He reached out to her, his fingers hovering inches away from her tear-stained cheeks." "Lisette, ma chere." Ne pleure pas, s'il vous pla"t." Tu as brise mon coeur."

She searched his eyes a moment and then dropped her gaze, his words breaking her own heart. "Please," she said softly." "Just tell me of my brother."

(Lost To Time)

Date: 2009-10-29 16:03 EST
His hand finally settled on the back of her chair and he tried to summon up a smile for her." "Beneoit, "tienne's monk, saw them, just a few days ago." He said they are alive." "tienne and I...we are planning a rescue, Lisette."

She lifted her chin, looking back at him again, a questioning look on her face, almost afraid to hope." "A rescue?"

He nodded." "Oui, exactement.?"

"How?" she asked, almost disbelievingly." "There are guards and..." At that moment, les jeune filles decided to flounce down the steps to breakfast." They were arranged in a variety of clothing that left little to the imagination about their bodies...or their professions. Greta, the raven-haired putain, gave Lisette a critical eye and settled into R"my's lap, wrapping her arm around his shoulder and saying in German, "She's a pretty thing." Your wife?" Lisette jerked her head at the whores, her eyes moving over them, her cheeks turning flame red. She was on her feet in an instant, tears stinging her eyes, her face red with shame." She thought she had known him. "I see you are too busy to write letters, to think of old friends." she said icily.

"Non, she is not my wife," R"my answered in French and pushed Greta from his lap. The whores tittered, whispering to themselves in German. He drew himself to his full height and glared down his aristocratic nose at them." "Aus," he commanded in German, pointing to the scullery." "Jetzt."

Greta pouted and held out her hand to him." "Our payment, m'lord?" she said in heavily accented French. He gave them black looks and moved slowly over to a locked wooden box near the hearth." He drew a key from the bunch in the pocket of his cloak and fumbled it into the lock." He took out a small, clinking wash-leather bag and carefully, deliberately counted out three gold coins.

"Sortir, putains. You have your money." Lisette said with such obvious disdain. She glared over at Remy as he fetched them their coins.

"Lisette, please," he said. He was desperately trying to diffuse the situation and Lisette's haughty commentary was not helping.

"Please, what?" Lisette said." "You owe me no explanation." I heard the rumors about your fall from grace, your whoring and your drinking, but I believed in you."

The red-head giggled at Lisette and then they flounced out, but not before Greta grabbed R"my's crotch and stroked it once or twice." Then she winked lewdly at Lisette and left. He shuddered at the woman's touch, either out of revulsion or arousal, and then glanced over at Lisette, his cheeks just now beginning to burn with shame that she had to see him so low.

"I hope they were worth it, bastard, " she hissed and raised her hand to slap R"my again.

This time, though, he caught her hand and squeezed it in his fist." He could feel the delicate bones of her wrist grinding in his grip, and part of him was filled with revulsion at this awful display of his temper. "You will not strike me again, mademoiselle," he said in a low, scary voice. He drug her to the table and thrust her into her chair. She clenched her jaw, refusing to cry out in pain, refusing to show any weakness." Her only reaction was the tears that filled her eyes and the paleness of her face.

R"my leaned down to her, bracing himself on the table and the arm of her chair, his face inches from hers now." His voice was still low, scary, as he hissed between clenched teeth." "Yes, I drink." Yes, I rut." Yes, I gamble." But you," his eyes narrowed dangerously, "you child...do not know the tortures visited upon me in that place. You do not hear the screaming, smell the burning flesh, feel the bite of the knives. Do not judge me, Lisette. Do not dare."

"You are despicable. I detest you!" she screamed at him.

He straightened, still glaring down at her." "Then leave, Lisette." Take "tienne and Beneoit and begone!?" He whirled around, turning his back on her, and stomped up the stairs.? The loud slamming of his bedchamber door echoed through the house.

(Lost To Time)

Date: 2009-10-29 16:32 EST
Now that he was gone, Lisette sank back down into the chair and buried her face in her hands, crying quietly. There was a loud crashing noise from R"my's chamber, followed by the distinct sound of pottery breaking and something heavy and wooden being knocked over. She lifted her head and wiped the tears from her face as the chambermaid scurried past, headed towards her master's chamber." The maid knocked and was met with an undecipherable roar of anger through the closed door." She crossed herself, curtsied and ran back into the scullery. The door was flung open and R"my stalked to the head of the stairs, flushed and panting, his eyes wide, the whites showing all around like an enraged bull." "Gerard!" he bellowed." "Gerard!" Wine, Gerard!"

Lisette moved to her feet and intercepted the butler." "Cider, bring cider.?" And broth and bread."

R"my looked down at Lisette, his bare chest heaving." "Why are you still here?" he demanded." "I told you to get out." Take "tienne and Beneoit and rescue your precious Knights." Leave me alone to rot!"

Gerard gave his employer a pleading look and then turned the same look on Lisette." He was torn - he loved R"my like his own son and knew that more wine would only make his mood worse." But he needed to provide for his family and couldn't risk being dismissed.

She smiled reassuringly and laid a hand against the man's arm. "It will be all right, Gerard. Do as I say." The butler nodded and left, going to fetch what Lisette had asked for. She lifted her heavy skirts and started up the stairs.

R"my roared again, and started down the stairs, determined to not only dismiss Gerard from his position but to beat some sense into the man as well. Lisette put herself in his path on the stairs, between the man and R"my, and laid a hand against his chest to hold him back. "Please..." Her eyes pleaded with him.

He pulled his hand back to slap her out of the way, shove her down the stairs." He paused when she touched him, her hand small and so very soft and warm against his chest. She saw his hand go back and did not flinch, instead saying softly, "I only do this because I care."

He sank to the stairs, curling up into a ball on them." He trembled, his breath coming in gasps." "Lisette." Oh, Lisette," he moaned, her name like a prayer against his lips. She sank down beside him, her arms going around him, holding him close, like a wounded child. "It's all right. You're safe now. No one will harm you."

He clung to her, still trembling like a leaf in a windstorm." He buried his face in the thick, sweet-smelling chestnut recesses of her hair. She slid her fingers through the hair at the back of his head and held him close. Her anger had mostly dissolved, her heart going out to him now, wanting desperately to soothe his pain, to make him whole again. He smelled like sweat and liquor and whores, but at that moment, she didn't care.

"It was horrible, Lisette," he whispered against her neck." "The screaming." It never stopped." Not even at night." And the Inquisitors...they whispered at me, tempting me, teasing me.?" He finally broke down and sobbed, clutching her tighter against him. She held him close, rubbing his back, silent tears sliding down her cheeks, both for him and the others still imprisoned." She said nothing, she just let him talk, say whatever he needed to. "They...they raped me, Lisette," he whispered." "But first...they...they brought me, made me...?" The shame of the act and the realisation of who he was confessing this to made him stop speaking. He abruptly let go of her and crawled quickly up the stairs, stumbling down the hall and into his chamber once more, the sounds of his misery echoing against the stones.

Gerard arrived and she took the breakfast tray from him with what she hoped was a reassuring smile and followed R"my to his chamber. She found his door partway open and nudged it with her hip, taking a wary peek inside. R"my was huddled on the floor in the middle of the room, which appeared as though a tornado had ripped through the centre of it." The wooden washstand had been thrown across the room to smash into kindling against the wall, the ewer and pitcher shattered into pieces." The wardrobe had been knocked over, his clothing torn and hurled around." The heavy draperies at the window had been pulled down and thrust into the cold hearth. Only the bed seemed unharmed, a strange island of order in a sea of chaos. Her eyes wandered over the room, appalled at the sight of it, and at the rage that must have fueled such destruction. Still, she remained calm, pushing into the room and setting the tray down on the bed.

"Go away, Lisette," he said softly, emotionless." "I don't want you to see me like this."

"Too late," she said. "I already have."

He groaned and hid his face from her." "Please." You...you shouldn't be here." In my chamber." People will talk." Your reputation..."

She took the cup of cider and went to him, crouching down beside him and holding it out for him to drink. "Drink a little." She frowned at him, her eyes betraying a hint of pain. "You should know me better than that. I do not care what people think."

He took the cup from her, not daring to meet her eyes, and sipped it." The cool, tartness of the cider made him moan in pleasure and he greedily drank more. She smiled a little and reached out to run her fingers back through his hair, pressing the back of her hand against his sweaty brow. He handed the empty cup back to her and finally darted a look up at her." "You should care, Lisette." You need a husband."

This brought the pain back into her eyes and she moved to her feet, choosing to ignore his comment. "You should eat."

He shook his head and leaned back against the foot board of his bed." "I cannot." I'll puke it back up." I will take more cider, though." She poured him another glass of cider. He took it, his fingers brushing against hers, and he gave her a soft, tremulous smile." "Thank you," he whispered.

She smiled, blushing a little as their fingers brushed against the others. "De rien," she returned.

"We will save them, ma chere." I swear it," he said.

She nodded. "I know you will. I have faith in you, R?my. I always have."

(Lost To Time)

Date: 2009-11-02 15:53 EST
After R"my had a bath and attended to some business matters, he met Lisette in his mother's rose gardens. When he found her, she was dozing on a bench in the sun. He stopped in mid-stride, his breath caught in his throat. A beam of sun had fallen across her face, turning her skin golden. He allowed himself just a moment to look at her, his eyes moving hungrily over the lines of her face and the lush curves of her body. With a sigh, he moved closer to her. "My lady?" he said gently.

She awoke and blinked up at him, a smile spreading across her face. He returned her smile and bowed, making a leg. "Will you walk with me, my lady?" His voice betrayed his teasing. Somewhere in the alcohol-soaked recesses of his brain, despite obviously growing up and becoming the beauty in front of him, Lisette was still the snot-nosed kid he threw into the duck pond when she wouldn't leave him and Alain alone.

"Oui, my lord." She moved gracefully to her feet and took his arm. They walked and talked, discussing nothing of consequence. The sun sunk lower on the western horizon and Lisette was shivering, having left her cloak in the chateau.

"We should go inside." Do you still play chess?"" R"my turned their steps towards the house, knowing they could get hot cider and warm themselves by a roaring fire.

"I have not played in years." You might find me a poor adversary." She smirked at him. "Alain says you're a poor loser. Is that true, monsieur?" Not deigning to answer this, but instead giving her a disgusted look, he led her into the Great Hall where he called for some warmed, mulled wine and set up the chess board in front of the hearth. There was a merry fire burning and he allowed Lisette to choose her side.

She settled herself on a chair, arranging her skirts just so. "Hmm..." She appeared thoughtful a moment. "You would most likely expect me to choose white, yes" A lady would choose white," she smiled at him, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

He dropped himself into the chair opposite her and sighed, rolling his eyes." "The plotting and scheming starts after we have chosen sides, ma petite chaton."

"Oh, no, that is where you are wrong, R"my," she said with a grin. "The plotting and scheming has already begun." She turned the board, choosing black. "You are a Knight. You should be white."

He sighed again and took his king." One corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk and he laid the piece down on its side in the middle of the board. She arched a brow at the gesture. "You give up so easily?" she asked. "I had hoped for more of a challenge."

"What can I say, my lady." I pale in the face of your...plotting." he said, still smirking.

"Oh!" Her cheeks flushing. "I forgot to pick some roses for the table."

He waved his hand." "You are prettier than any rose and bring a flush of beauty to my table."

"You have a sweet tongue, monsieur." I wonder if it tastes as sweet as it speaks," she said, arching a brow.

He blinked in shock." "Lisette! You should not say such things, my lady." You aren't a low-born harlot."

She laughed almost girlishly at him. "Oh, I see....it is fine for a man to say such things to a woman, but never the other way around. Besides, I do not say them to every man I meet." "You should not say them at all, Lisette." What would Alain say if he heard you speak such things?"

She sighed and leaned back in her chair at the mention of her brother's name, worry shadowing her face. "My brother must understand that I am no longer a child and that I have a mind of my own," she said firmly.

"You may not be a child, Lisette, but you are still a lady." You must act like one." For your own sake, and that of your family's."

"The sake of my family's," she repeated dourly." "What family would that be, R"my' Would that be my parents, God rest their souls" Or my dear brother who is..." Her voice broke.

He clenched his jaw against the sudden rise of annoyance and stood up, grabbing the iron poker from the rack near the fire and going to the hearth." He squatted next to it and thrust it into the logs, stirring the embers. "You need a husband, Lisette," he said softly, speaking to the embers." "Someone to provide for you, someone to protect you." You need to act like a lady."

She stiffened, flushing with anger. "As you need a wife, R"my?" Her words were sharp and dripping with sarcasm. "I have had this conversation with my brother, and I will not be forced into a marriage of convenience. A loveless union." To wed some fat, boring, slob of a husband just so he can rut with me and I can grow fat bearing his children."

He laid the poker aside and shook his head." He stood and turned to her." He licked his lips and shook his head." "You will make a good wife and a good mother, Lisette." You have much to offer." I have nothing to offer anyone. Who would marry me, Lisette?" I am a lech, a drunk." I am a vice-ridden, wretched sinner.?" His voice broke and he clenched his jaw." "I am a self-confessed heretic and a blight on the Order."

"I do not believe that. Any of that."

He chuckled." "Regardless, it is true." He shook his head." "I think perhaps if...?" He closed his eyes and turned from her, whispering now." "...something happens during the rescue and I...don't return...it may be better for everyone."

She blanched at his words. "Please don't say that," she whispered.

He threw the chess board across the room, scattering the pieces over the floor, and cried out in anguish, giving voice to the demons in his head that taunted him with his weakness." "I am nothing, Lisette!" Don't you understand?"

She flinched, startled by his outburst. She slowly stood, her skirts swishing as she went to him. "You are a good man, R"my," she whispered. He fell to his knees, broken sobs wracking his body." He put his arms around her waist and buried his face in her skirts, gripping her tightly and pouring out his soul through his tears.

She looked down at him, stroking his hair, trying to soothe him. "I believe in you." She held him close, her fingers tangled in his hair, whispering soothingly. He cried himself dry, feeling a little like he did when he was a boy and being held by his mother against her skirts, running her fingers through his hair and murmuring softly to him.

"You are not nothing." You are a knight." She crouched down in front of him and cupped his face in her hands, lifting his head to face her.

He looked up at her, his face red and blotchy from the crying." He felt miserable and it should stand to reason that he looked that way, too." "Lisette, please," he whispered." "Don't be nice to me."

"Why should I punish you? You are punishing yourself enough." She gently brushed the tears from his face with her fingers. "It does not matter what Order you belong to or what title you bear." You are a knight in your heart, R"my." And you always will be."

He pulled away from her and sat on the cold flagstones of the Hall." "I hate this," he said, sniffling pathetically. He gave her an ironic smile, more a lifting of the corner of his mouth than an actual smile." "The temper tantrums and the weeping like some silly old housewife." His expression turned darker and he looked away from her. "The nightmares and the constant physical pain...and the pain in my soul," he finished quietly.

She frowned at him with pity and compassion. "I wish I could help you," she told him softly, reaching out to touch his cheek. She pulled his hand away from his face and looked into his eyes, really looked, as if searching his soul.

He scrubbed at his face, the signet ring on the middle finger of his left hand making a soft rasping over the stubble on his cheeks. Her touch burned beneath his skin. The urge to entwine his fingers with hers and pull her into his lap was overwhelming." She was so beautiful, so sweet-smelling. He acted, taking her hands between his own and lifted them to his lips, kissing each of her knuckles delicately. He leaned closer to her, filling his nose with her scent - roses, clean linen, woodsmoke, and under that, a soft muskiness that he knew was just her." He felt a stirring of desire and slid his hands up her arms, feeling the silken texture of her sur-cotte and instinctively knew couldn't compare to the silken texture of her skin.

"R"my, I -"

"When is dinner" I am starved!" A voice bellowed behind them.

R"my immediately let go of her and scooted backwards on his behind, looking for all the world like a startled crab. He stumbled to his feet and smoothed down the front of his clothing, adjusting his belt to hide the tell-tale signs of his desire for Lisette.