Diplomatic Immunity--Preface: Vasha's Discovery

[Bront]

"I can't believe that, and I hope you can try to look beyond that to see the good in people. And I hope I don't regret trying to help you, but it doesn't change that I feel it's the right thing to do. Do yourself a favor and make the best of what I've done. Slavery is a stain on Arris, and I only hope to help wash her clean."

"You should put the cleaners away, and then go talk to Zythryd. He can tell you what he wants you to do now. And I hope it works out well."

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Your hypocrisy is sickening, though the way you seem to have deluded yourself is utterly amusing. I'll go up to talk to that filthy bastard because I have to, but know that I hate you, hussy, and I'll find a way to hurt you as much as your taunting has hurt me!"

*And with that she walks away, heading upstairs.*

 

[Bront]

Vasha sighs "If you feel I've been taunting and hurting you, then I'm sorry," as she walks up stairs as well, to get ready for work.

Perhaps Zythryd was right about her, but she knows she's still doing the right thing. Vrymiin will either earn her freedom and perhaps regain her life, or she will just prove that this slavery does have it's merrits. Vasha's heart sunk at that thought, but she chose not to dwell on it. She had resisted her temptation to use magic, for that would have been true hiprocracy.

 

[Rystil Arden]

*After finishing getting ready for work, Vasha heads over to the slave auction, where her shift begins three hours before Zythryd's. The good news is that they found a replacement and are training her now, so she'll be fine after today.*

 

[Bront]

Vasha does what she can to get through her last day. It's awkward now, as she does feel bad for doing this, but hopefully she can at least help place the slaves better. If she spots Zythryd before her shift starts, she'll ask him how things went with Vrymiin.

Between shifts, she'll see if she can find Alyz at the estate, hoping that Alyz can perhaps help her sort out her feelings.

 

[Rystil Arden]

*Between shifts, Vasha doesn't notice Zythryd around. However, he does see Louteah, who runs to her frantically and drags her into an alley.*

"Vasha, quick, put this cloak on and will yourself to disappear! Right now! Then hold my hand! Quickly, please!"

 

[Bront]

Vasha dons the cloak and goes with Louteah. "What is wrong?"

 

[Rystil Arden]

*Louteah puts a finger gently to her lips as she wets them nervously.*

"Shh, I'll tell you as soon as it is safe, but you'll see for yourself. Just stay close to me, and I'll get you out of here, I promise."

*As Louteah walks Vasha out of the entrance of the complex, she sees her employer standing outside of the main building, surrounded by imposing-looking men in armour made of gemstone with nasty-looking spines. One of them is holding the man by the throat, as he says menacingly:*

"Where is Vasha Springborne, formerly known on Arris as Vasha yn’Springs, outlawed Ecomancer and daughter of the rebel traitor Marrik ai'Khala."

*Before Vasha can hear the response, Louteah sweeps past, nodding to the imposing men as she goes, feeling safe in her servant's outfit, though notably her eyes are not blue at the moment--even the carefree Louteah is not that cocky.*

*Before long, she has managed to walk Vasha through the gates to the palace complex and back to Alyz's estate, where she finally feels comfortable to let go of her deathgrip on Vasha's hand and instead throws her arms around the invisible Vasha with a sad look of compassion, her eyes shining wetly, perhaps with the beginning of tears.*

"Vasha, something awful has happened!"

 

[Bront]

"Vrymiin." Vasha says. "I fought for her freedom, and she said she'd make me pay."

Vasha, holding back tears herself, says to Louteah "What happened? Where is Alyz?"

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Alyz is still okay. She's inside. You're lucky she found out about this and sent me to come save you...What happened is rather odd, as Alyz has been taking pains to keep your identity secret: Somebody informed the authorities about a great deal of your secrets, including both of your names and your connection with Zythryd, so they immediately arrested him and sent him to the deepest dungeons for questioning. You are very very lucky that they didn't find out about the Jewel because if we can make it look like you fled, they will probably release him from the prison, not considering information leading to your capture to be vital enough to continue torturing him."