The peace that formerly reigned in Terra Nova has eroded, now little more than a memory. War ravages the continent. Disputes divide kingdoms; ideals divide families. The quest for power consumes absolutely and indiscriminately. None are immune to its allure.
Who will rise and who will fall? Only time—and ambition—will tell.
UPDATES
05.26.2023
2 month character creation hold for all existing members begins 6/5/2023. Ended 8/5/2023.
10.29.2023
Change in how times flows. Was 4 IC seasons, now only 2 IC seasons per 1 OOC year.
5 whole years of Heir Apparent goodness! When I started the site, I knew I was hunkering down for the long haul, but I never could have predicted the numerous twists and turns this roleplay site has seen. Hundreds of plots, characters, and members have come and gone, all leaving marks on the site. I am so very thankful for those who have invested. Because you keep coming back, keep getting on, and keep writing, Heir Apparent has the legacy it does today. Three cheers to us!
Tribute. Xan. Ermir. Whatever followed. That was what he had told himself when standing for the Eldouir with Echo’s leash in hand. Tribute had passed. Xan was… He couldn’t think too much about that without inciting within himself a desire for murder, and that was the last fire he needed to stoke as he made his way toward Ermir.
Helpless fury sharpened his steps as he entered the familiar tavern and sat in a corner that gave him a clear view of the door. Aine perched on the table before him, sending out a silent summons to Ciel, should the fossa be within range to hear it: “Ciel, Embric would like a word with Ermir.” Embric would like many words with Ermir. Embric would like Ermir to remember that he could have gotten himself killed with that stunt at Tribute and left behind two young daughters to the non-existent mercy of Elderkeep. Embric would like Ermir to remember that they had heard nothing from their missing compatriots, and with Luka now successfully ensconced in the Eldouir stronghold, they could not afford to lose anyone else. Embric would like Ermir to answer a single question, which was shared through Aine as soon as the other man arrived: “What the fuck was that.”
Ermir was in the back room when Embric arrived. In the small metal tub, scrubbing at the new brands he had received. As if he could somehow wash it all away. That would be nice, that would be easier. But no, the marks were a part of him now, a reminder of what he and Luka had done. Also a reminder of Nikita, the one part he didn't mind about them.
And so it wasn't a huge surprise that Embric was angry. He and Luka hadn't exactly told anyone their plan, so it had probably come as quite a shock. But it had to be that way to work, and it had to work or they would be as dead as Nikita was. Or still being tortured, the red heads liked their pain to last he had heard.
Shrugging into his clothes Ermir walked behind the bar, his eyes landing on Embric before starting to clean up the bar. "That was what needed to be done. Part Zevrans plan, part our own."
Blue eyes landed on Ermir the moment he appeared from the back room and made his way over to the bar. They watched as he began cleaning it as if nothing was wrong, which he knew - he knew - was necessary to keep their cover, but that didn’t stop him from clenching a fist under the table like the way he clenched his jaw against the scream that wanted to spill out. Embric tore his eyes away from the other man before he could do something stupid, like walk up to him and shake some sense into him.
“Was it.” The words were icy as his fiery anger solidified into something colder. He knew enough of the previous plans to have heard of some sort of disturbance at Tribute, but he’d been under the impression that the exact sources of such disturbances would have been hidden by the crowd. “Was it something that needed to be done, just like that.” He did not think Aine’s mind voice adequate for communicating the depth of his anger, but needs must. “You could have died, Ermir.” If he had been speaking out loud, his voice might have cracked as anguish over that possibility broke through his anger. Aine did her best to relay the emotion. “There is a difference between a strategic strike and - and that!” He forced himself to take a deep breath and lean back in his seat to feign nonchalance for anyone who might be watching. “They were all right there! What if they hadn’t believed you? They would have tortured you to death, made an example of you, for daring such a thing. You would have left your daughters behind, and for what? A fire show?”
The anger coming from Embric only got worse, not that it was entirely surprising. But it was the best that he and Luka could come up with on short notice. And he really didn't think it was that bad. Sure, there had been about a million ways that could have gone wrong. And sure, he still wasn't sure if they were out of the woods yet. Maybe he just should have stayed home. Or fled while there was enough distraction at the tribute. None of the what ifs mattered at this point though.
"We did what we knew how to do. We acted, if you had a plan then you should have said something." But he hadn't, and with Zev and Kezia gone they had done the best they could. So it did have to be done like that. "And if I died so be it. You or I could die any day at their whim, mark or not. You know that." So the fact they had put on a bit of a show really didn't matter. It had given the tavern a better chance, and thus any Dresmondi that would benefit from the extra supplies they received from the tribute. "So don't lecture me like some teacher Embric, especially since you haven't been around."
“Yes, I do know that,” Embric snapped back, now forcing himself to unclench his fist. With one hand, he traced the edge of the table, focusing on the feel of the wood beneath his fingertips to try to distract himself from the frigid anger that had settled in his chest. “They don’t need any reason to kill us, which is why I don’t go around actively giving them one.” That the Eldouir knew about, anyway. But that was the point: to stay hidden, to stay underground and survive until they could mount a proper rebellion against their red-headed captors. “Listen to yourself! Are you truly arguing that your death doesn’t matter because you could die at any given moment anyway?” Embric couldn’t stop his gaze from drifting back to the bar where Ermir stood. “It’s not the fact that you did something, Ermir; it’s the way you went about doing it.” After a moment, he tore his eyes away and directed his attention toward the door.
“You could have stayed within the crowd, let Luka handle whatever— whatever that was, and given them no reason to single you out for it. Instead, you planted a target on your back, putting yourself in unnecessary danger for very little, if any, gain.” His fingers ran along the edges of the table again. “Can you not see how foolishly reckless that was. How many different ways it could have gone wrong, and we would have lost you and gained nothing.” He took a breath. “And I would just as soon not lecture you if it meant you weren’t going around asking to be killed. You know why I’ve been staying apart. We both have jobs to do, and those jobs only get done if we are alive to do them.“
Ermir rubbed his brow, not really caring to be lectured by a man not much older without much more experience. Embric was not their leader, not that he was either, and while he was all about collaboration, being told he had chosen wrong wasn't something the tavern owner needed. "Well I'm sure you'll be happy to know my first idea was just to go out swinging."[/i] It had of course been a joke to Luka, but honestly he was just a little annoyed with the current bar patron to throw it out there.
"Which was actually very close to Zev's plan before everything went tits up."[/i] Before the dumb Neveremere pair showed up with their potions and ideas. With their false promises and complete plan derailments. And so now he was sitting here, defending himself to a man that didn't get it. There was only so much he could put up false pretenses, and it wasn't with those he considered friends. People who weren't supposed to lecture you like you were a teenager. "So none of this lecture stuff, because I'm not asking to be killed, I'm trying to get us closer to freedom."[/i]
But he was beginning to think he was fighting a losing battle. Embric knew very well that they would likely die some horrible death for acting against the redheads, but if he was to die from his own actions, then it would be in support of something that caused actual damage. Like getting close enough to take one of the monsters with him, not to get a brand that could be earned in a less dangerous way. There was a difference between a high risk, high reward strike that actually got them closer to freedom and a high risk, low reward reckless act of desperation, and Ermir could not - or would not - see how the stunt that he had luckily survived fell solidly into the second category.
“It’s easier to face death when its your own and not that of a loved one,” Aine privately pointed out to Embric, soothing some of his helpless anger and frustration. “You know that’s why you haven’t told Xan about anything.”
Right. He needed a drink, if only because there was only so long he could skulk in the corner of the tavern without one before it became noticeably odd. Pushing himself up from the table, he rose to his feet and took a breath before making his way over to the bar. He let his hands rest for a moment on the wooden countertop, forcing his fingers to relax rather than clench into a fist. “Hey Ermir,” Embric said doing his best to sound normal. “Can I have one of whatever’s on tap?” He half expected to get the dregs of whatever was left, but he wasn’t sure if Ermir was that vindictive.
While he waited, he offered, voice flat, his final piece on the matter: “I had already watched one of my daughters get dragged away with Tazmin at Hiram Eldouir’s bidding. Immediately after, I thought I would have to watch as my friend was tortured to death in front of me for attempting a stunt that he hadn’t even bothered to warn me about in the first place. I think I am entitled to a little lecturing.” A long moment, and then, because he enjoyed lecturing about as much as Ermir enjoyed being on the receiving end of one, Embric extended something of an olive branch. “Did you get everything you were hoping for?”
Last Edit: Nov 16, 2022 17:35:02 GMT -5 by Deleted
It seemed that Embric had either decided to stop the onslaught or at least delay it. Either way was fine with Ermir, although Ciel was half-wishing he had continued. Someone else had to speak sense while Zev was gone and it wasn't going to be any of the people he surrounded himself with these days.
As Embric approached, he considered for a moment. In the end he pulled up a bottle of the strong stuff, the gross but great stuff. "Hope you don't mind it strong. Still working on the new stuff with our new supplies." That he was so thankful for, that he was so grateful to their captors for. Bless the queens. He spat on the floor.
Ermir almost choked on his bear when Embric talked about... His daughter Xan? "Wait, Xan is your daughter?" The tavern owner was more than slightly confused now. He had a working relationship with the woman and her leather works, so of course he had felt for her going into that room. But he wasn't about to feel bad for Embric watching those he knew go through pain, expect when it came to children. Everyone went though stuff but your children were another thing entirely. "I can understand why you might be worked up, but don't take it out on me.
Taking a sip he swirled it around and though before answering. "Not sure yet. Just hope it didn't scare anyone away. All I want is to help those who can't help themselves." And although he wouldn't admit it aloud or to Embric it was the only thing he felt useful in.
“That would be much appreciated.” Strong was good. After the nightmare of the past month on top of the general nightmare that was merely existing in Elderkeep, he felt like he needed the strong stuff more than ever. Ermir delivered the drink, and he took a swig, feeling the burn chase away some of the cold that had settled in his veins. At the mention of the new supplies, his friend spat on the floor in disgust. Embric understood the sentiment entirely.
He should have expected Ermir’s surprised confusion in response to what Embric belatedly realized would have been quite the revelation, but his mind had been little else than a maelstrom of helpless desperation and impotent anger. Something like exhaustion crashed over him and overwhelmed, at least for now, the glacial fury that had started to recede. “Not like— I didn’t father her, Ermir,” He felt the need to clarify, just in case the man didn’t realize for himself that Embric, though older, had still been a child when Xan had been born. After so many years in Elderkeep, with parents keeping their children close, Embric suspected the traditional Dresmondi views on family had begun to transform into something far more literal.
Turning away from the tavern owner with a nod and a word of gratitude, he made his way back to the table in the corner and sat down heavily in his seat. Arms resting on the table, he took another swallow of liquid courage. “We knew her from before,” Embric told his drink. “She and Savi use light, like we do. We taught them how to use their magic from the very first day, and she became one of my own. A big sister to Kasni and— and my son.” He couldn’t remember if he’d ever mentioned the boy to Ermir before, but he wouldn’t be surprised if he hadn’t. Those were painful memories, and there was no need to speak of him, not when he’d been lost to the earth like so many other Dresmondi children. Perhaps today was to be the day of revelations for Ermir. Embric found he didn’t much care. A long swig of his drink did its best to chase away the heartache, with only moderate success. “We were separated when Coheed attacked.” That felt like ages ago. “Neither of us realized the other one was here until a shortly before Tribute.” When they had crossed paths, neither of them had been naive enough to promise each other that everything would work out fine, but they had both sworn that this coming year would be different, better, now that they had reunited. Then Tribute happened.
And nothing he or anyone could do could ever make up for that.
He should have known, he thought darkly. Elderkeep giveth, and Elderkeep taketh away. It had always been like that, stringing everyone along with the slightest hint of hope, just enough to remind them why they kept struggling to survive, only to snatch it from them a heartbeat later. Why would the discovery of Xan’s and Savi’s survival be any different?
Ermir may have been wrong about many things, but Embric knew he was correct about this one. “You’re right,” He conceded. “I shouldn’t take it out on you. I’m sorry.”But that doesn’t mean you should have done what you did at Tribute. But the proverbial olive branch had been accepted, so he would let the matter drop for now. Maybe he could get Ermir to listen if he didn’t scream at him first. Embric sighed into his drink when the other man answered his question, laying bare his goal. “I know,” He said, quiet. “You’re good at it.” But he knew to Ermir, it would likely never feel like he could do enough to help. Not while Elderkeep still stood.
"To Dresmond." Taking a sip with Embric, he ended up just finishing it down. It was just a little too much sometimes. He was just supposed to be out in a wagon, maybe with Kezia, definitely with his kids and tavern crew, and hopefully with the rest of the claw. But instead he was here, running a tavern. And putting up the best act of his life with any conversation with Eldouir supporters.
And while he was angry with Embric he listened all the same. They were similar people, helping those who needed it most, and practically adopting those who were alone. He had left and Nikita had died, so in some ways he could understand the concern. On the flip side of course, he wasn't the child that Embric had adopted. They needed to have that conversation and it didn't have anything to do with him.
"I knew she was Kushti but I didn't know you two knew each other." Being in Kushti himself he had known many but in the scouting group he knew less than most. He wasn't part of the large group and sometimes he wondered if that was a mistake. All the same he had danced around the same conclave fires, and so he knew Embric and his children's story.
At least Embric could admit his mistakes though. And he certainly wasn't good at that. "We just both have to get through this without Zevran for now. So talking it through rather than getting all pissy yah?" Maybe a slight over simplification of things, but he wasn't a child. Not anymore, he had grown up and so had Embric. They just had chosen different paths at the tribute.
"Hopefully I can continue to be the best tavern owner around." At least he hoped that's what would happen. Maybe he would get cut down for his move, but he didn't want to sit still anymore. And this is what it looked like.
“It would be easier to talk through if I was included in the conversations from the start,” Embric couldn’t help but point out, tone mild despite the irritation that jolted through him at being called ‘pissy’. As if Ermir had done nothing deserving of his ire and Embric had merely decided to throw a tantrum like an unreasonable child. Staring at his drink, he took a deep breath and shoved the frustration aside; it would do nothing other than drive him to turn this semblance of a conversation back into a shouting match. And he knew that, right now, no matter what he said, Ermir would just brush his anger aside with the same infuriating, hurtful carelessness - because he knew Ermir, and when the other man had his mind set, it took a damn miracle to change it. And if Tribute, if Xan proved anything, it was that Embric was clearly out of miracles.
For a moment, he sorely wished that they were alone so he could properly rage at his friend. At least then he could have the satisfaction of releasing the scream that was starting to build once again.
With more effort, he forced himself to take another deep breath, down another swig of the strong stuff, and relax his shoulders. Ermir was his friend. In the end, they shared the same values and goals. Like the other man said, they both just had to hold it together until Zevran returned. If he returned. “You haven’t heard anything from them, have you?” Embric asked, though it was clear that he expected a negative answer. If any of them had heard anything from their missing compatriots, no one else would need to ask. In response to Ermir’s hope, Embric glanced over to the bar and raised his drink for another sip, pausing ever so slightly in the middle of the motion. Cheers to that, Ermir.
Honestly, Ermir hadn't even thought to include Embric in the plotting. He hadn't gone out to practice with them. He hadn't been a part of the planning process for a lot of things. So the thought of running a plan by him hadn't been a flicker in his mind. Because as much as Embric wanted to be mad, they were all adults who made their own choices, and his children had Elaxi and Cyrus if anything happened to him. Their mother had made a sacrifice and they had lived on. "It didn't involve you. Zev had left ma and Luka to figure it out and so we did." Man he wished Luka was here to back him up on this one, but alas, it was what it was.
Still he trusted the man, and it wasn't like they were going to stop needing each other anytime soon. "But going forward. Yes. It's just us on the outside now anyways." Which wasn't a great thought. Nor was Luka being stuck in there with those monsters. But it really was what it was. His favorite catch phrase for Dresmond these days.
"No." Pouring himself another and throwing it back he thought about slamming the glass enough to break it. Kezia so far away after just reconnecting. Their leader, who had yet to arrive with the help the witch had promised. Not surprising. He just hoped to see them return again, help or not he just wanted them safe. Help preferred of course. "How could we, can't exactly send a message."
Embric accepted Ermir’s words in silence, letting out a quiet sigh as the other man pointed out that only the two of them were left to walk freely through Elderkeep. “I’ll find a way to reach out to Luka once everything’s settled down.” It would be difficult with her so far out of Elderkeep and deep within the Eldouir stronghold, but with a little creativity, perhaps it wouldn’t be impossible. He wasn’t quite sure what story she had told the redheaded monsters after presenting herself at Tribute, but he knew it wouldn’t be safe for either of them to be seen together, let alone in any friendly manner. Venturing out under the cover of darkness would likely be safest, but it would also be harder to explain if they were caught; having Zevran and Rune here would have been incredibly helpful.
Speaking of… Embric glanced over as Ermir poured himself another drink and tossed it back. “Wishful thinking,” He said, as if either of them were foolish enough to truly sustain such optimism. He wondered again if Zevran and Kezia had even made it to their destination, let alone had an audience with the king. “Do you trust those two - Grant and Alys, you said they were called? - to convince their kingdom will help us?”
Ermir shook his head. "She said she'd reach out. If you see her and it works great, but otherwise a candle in her window is the sign of needing help." At least that's what they had talked about. But there had been a lot of plans in place before that had to be changed. Still it wasn't like Luka was helpless, and she had survived longer on her own than with others.
"I don't trust them no. But I trust Zevran and Kezia. If the king was ever going to consider helping they would be the ones to drag it out." Kezia had worked with Arynn Frey after all and that had gone very well. And Zevran could charm the pants off anything if he wanted to. Although it probably wouldn't be great to do that with a King. Who was Ermir to say though.
At Ermir’s correction, Embric paused slightly before he downed the rest of his drink. “Alright,” He agreed. “I’ll keep an eye out regardless. And I’m sure people will have plenty to say about her.” They probably already were, but Embric had spent the past few days rather distracted. Rumors flourished with material as interesting and emotionally charged as a redheaded Dresmondi who had been accepted into the Eldouir fold in front of everyone at Tribute. Still, it would have been nice if he could rely a little less on guesswork and a little more on his friends for being told the pertinent information regarding Luka’s placement. Aine kept any testiness from her tone as she relayed his next question: “Is there anything else I should know?”
If Nevermere’s king was ever going to be convinced to help, it would be by Zevran and Kezia - Embric and Ermir could agree on that much. Though he had spent much of his time, to his detriment apparently, on the fringes of their group, the few times Embric had interacted with Kezia and Zevran, he couldn’t deny the former’s sensibility nor the latter’s charisma. Ignorance didn’t sit well with Embric; he wished he knew what was happening with them, even if that only meant knowing whether they had made it. Hope was a tantalizing and terrible thing, insidious and difficult to destroy once it took root. Nevermere’s support would give them far better chances of freeing themselves from the Eldouir than he ever could have imagined, but the very real chance that such a future wouldn’t come to pass almost made him wish he had never imagined it in the first place.
Talking to a king was probably a slow process. Mobilizing an army was probably an even slower one. Now that his thoughts had once again traveled down the path of everything that could have gone wrong with the crazy bid to ask Nevermere for help, Embric couldn’t help but wonder what they would do if Zevran and Kezia failed to return to Elderkeep. How long was a reasonable amount of time to wait before giving up on help that would never come. Staring at his empty cup, he shook his head to try to clear it of such thoughts. They hadn’t been gone long; like Ermir said, they two of them just had to hold it together until they returned. Empty glass in hand, Embric pushed himself to his feet and returned to the bar. “You weren’t wrong about this being strong,” He said, setting the cup down in front of him.