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!
Starting off his day with Woodwick shouting orders at him was not an unusual occurrence. Despite Ber’s personal feelings on the matter, the Lieutenant was still his commanding officer, and when he said to jump, the soldier’s only recourse was to ask how high. Or, in this case, where to go and with whom.
According to the Lieutenant, a pack of stray dogs had apparently settled one of the nicer neighborhoods of the city and started doing as stray dogs did: establish a territory, steal food, bark, and terrorize the people living there. It was hardly an unusual occurrence, but the nobles who called that part of the city home did as nobles did and complained. A child had recently been bitten by one of the dogs, and the family was demanding the death of the canine responsible. Ber was to take Sliva and, in Woodwick’s words, get to it.
And that was how Ber found himself walking through Skia with the witch at his side.
After he relayed the relevant information to her, Ber walked along in silence. As with his forays into the city with Woodwick, he had no interest in dragging this unpleasant affair out any longer than strictly necessary. To put it mildly, he and Sliva did not see eye to eye on many things, but the same could be said for him and the Lieutenant, and they had still managed to get the job done. As far as Ber was concerned, that was all they needed to do: get in, get the job done, and get out.
Post by Zarha Sliva on Dec 10, 2022 18:10:28 GMT -5
When it was explained that she was to go with Ber to this dog attack and Woodwick asked him to take her with her. Zahra thought for a moment thinking that this was a task set by Woodwick, like it has to be. Like Zahra knows that Ber doesn't like her, like she knows she been like a bitch in some areas, like she knows he not the perfect soldier and she not a perfect soldier and she is working on improving herself.
As they walked towards the place that the attack was, she know that there was tension there, she doesn't know what to say to make the tension go away or if the tension will always be there between those two. Like they need to ingnore the tension and work together for the task at hand. She know the noble want this canine dead but maybe to find what happened.
Zahra followed behind Ber just following his lead. She never good at social interaction like this even though Woodwick really want her to work at it.
Before he’d sent him off, Woodwick had given Ber the name of the family in question and an address, as if the latter meant anything to the soldier who knew the streets of Skia by their landmarks rather than their names. Ber had known enough to get Sliva and himself to the right area, but as he drew to a halt outside one of the nicer taverns in the city, he realized that they had gone about as far as he could lead them on the information he had.
Sliva seemed content to walk in silence, which suited Ber just fine. For the duration of the walk here, he had seen no reason to attempt conversation with the witch. Now, however, he turned to her and said, “Woodwick said we should speak to the family, the Johnsons, and then worry about the dog. They live at…” Ber told her the address, then looked around. “Any idea where that is?”
Post by Zarha Sliva on Dec 10, 2022 19:29:54 GMT -5
When Ber turned around and asked her if she know where about that was she had to think for a moment from her time patrolling and been asked a couple of times to do other tasks. It was clear that this is the sort of area Zahra wasn't brought up in. "I think I know where the Johnson's live. One of the people who i train with live near them i believe." She explained. She could tell that he felt uncomfy speaking.
That was her own fault she know that. Zahra slowly leads the way throw the streets she takes a posh area of the city. "Johnsons live here." She guestered softly to a two-floor high house. It has a decent size front garden for a a town house. "Is there a plan of action, like if lietanent Woodwick asked you to check this out I am trust you enough to take the lead." She wasn't just saying that because they had too.
Ber turned his attention from the buildings around them to Sliva as she answered his question. He had half expected her to be as clueless as he was, but it was a pleasant surprise to hear that she actually knew where to find the family. “Alright,” He said, gesturing for her to move ahead. “Lead the way then.” This was certainly easier and quicker than hoping a tavern keeper might know where they lived or wandering through the streets until they got lucky.
They stopped in front of a two-story building with a neatly manicured garden out front. The street as a whole was quieter and marginally cleaner in a way that screamed rather than suggested opulence. A far cry from the city slums of Ber’s childhood.
Dark eyes moved from sizing up the building to looking at Sliva again. “Well,” He explained, shrugging. “I figure we go talk to the family, find out what happened, what the dog looks like and where we can find it. Then we go after the dog.” It seemed fairly straightforward to him, though dealing with nobles always had a way of complicating matters. As Sliva mentioned Woodwick, Ber shrugged and shook his head. “He probably would’ve asked anyone who walked by,” He said. “And you and I just happened to be the lucky ones he thought of first.” The words were flat. “Best get this over with.” Ber gestured for Sliva to approach the door. “Ladies first.” A convenient excuse as any to let her deal with fussy nobles instead of him.
The woman who answered the door was clearly a servant, but after she called for the mistress of the house, an imperious noblewoman appeared. Long, dark hair was styled neatly in the latest fashion, and with an unreadable expression, she peered at both soldiers for a moment before her eyes settled on the girl. “It’s about time you arrived,” Lilian Johnson said by way of greeting. “You must be here about that horrible beast.”
“Yes, my lady,” Ber confirmed from his position half a step behind Sliva. “And apologies for the delay.”
Lilian ignored him, her attention focused on the girl as she waited for her to speak.
Post by Zarha Sliva on Dec 10, 2022 20:44:01 GMT -5
it always felt strange leading the way for Zahra, like clear she felt normal to follow, follow somebody else leads. however she now she never be challenged if she stayed in her ways. She listened to ber as he explained the plan. "straightforward enough. let hope it's that easy." she tries and make light conversation as they walked towards the door. "Woodwick does have his way with the soldier tough but i guess it get the job done at the end of the day I suppose." Truth is she think higher than that but she wasn't going to tell Ber that. She might be great with communication, writing and reading but she not stupid. When he suggested she was to go in first. why her? he knows she rubbish with words.
However the words that Woodwick spoke to her, be patient but firm, to be like herself that day in the ballroom, confident in her skills. She nodded. Zahra watched as the lady walked towards them. Her expression was firm and matched hers, unreadable. "Yes, we are here about the beast that attacked your daughter Lady Johnson. Is your daughter here, we just need to ask some questions so we know where best to locate that beast that did this?"
She was just playing along like she just ignored Ber and yeah she ingnor Ber sometimes, however when they asked for help in a matter at hand she would of expect respect from the people who trying to help you. Plus, if she was just having her hopefully she will let something slip if she plays along long enough.
In the name of professionalism, Ber resisted to urge to roll his eyes, though he doubted the action would be noticed anyway. Or, with his luck, it would be, and they’d have an irritated noblewoman and an aggressive dog to deal with.
“Good.” Lilian said with a sniff. She studied the young woman before her a moment longer, utterly unfazed by the indecipherable expression on her face. Many years among the upper echelons of Nevermerean society had inured her to such displays, particularly coming from those inherently lesser than her. The noblewoman had immediately noted the obvious plebeian air about both soldiers but decided that their crime of poverty was forgivable given the reason for their arrival. “And what is your name?”
Once the soldier answered, Lilian continued coolly, “I requested your assistance weeks ago with chasing away that horrid pack of dogs, yet I have heard nothing. And only now that my daughter has been wounded do your officers deign to send someone to my door.” Her tone grew dangerous. “Tell me, Ms. Sliva, why must my daughter be mauled before your military performs its duties and protects the good citizens of Skia?”
Post by Zarha Sliva on Dec 11, 2022 5:56:41 GMT -5
Zahra looked at the woman unfazed by this whole act, "I an Ms Sliva and this is my comrad Mr Stormcrest." Zahra guested with her hand over to Ber, knnowing all too well that the Woman won't bat an eyelid his way. What was the woman's problem? Like did Ber do something that Zahra was unaware of? Cause if he did she would of liked to have known.
However when the woman voice became dangerous Zahra wanted to sigh and snap at this lady for talking to them in such a fashion. However, if she snapped they would of possible believe the lady over her because she was just a commoner. So strike one. "Lady Johnson, I appreciate that you are annoyed by the event that has lead us being here today. We can't be everywhere. But we are here now. The longer we take discussing about why we took so long will make it harder for us to do our job, so can we talk to your daughter?" Zahra gave the woman a sympathetic look on her face maybe that will throw her off a bit. She does know what it like to feel like people who would thought would care about don't and that when you try and get help, not getting the help you wanted.
Considering that she seemed unwilling to even acknowledge his presence, Ber couldn’t care less if Lady Johnson knew his name, and he found that he also didn’t care much about the apparent delay in soldiers having been sent to her home. He suspected that there was a simple enough explanation for why this task had fallen so low on the list of priorities, though he doubted that the noblewoman would want to hear it, even if she had been interested in hearing from him in the first place. For whatever reason, Lady Johnson clearly had something against him, but if it kept him from having to deal with her, he found he didn’t even mind. The most unfortunate part about all this was that Woodwick had sent Ber along when he could have just sent Sliva and spared Ber the waste of time and unpleasant company.
As aristocratic as ever, Lilian peered down a pointed nose at Sliva, unimpressed. “I am beyond annoyed, Ms. Sliva,” She corrected the soldier, refusing to be placated by reason or sympathy now that she had the chance to properly express her ire at the mishandling of her case. “I am appalled at the absolute lack of urgency with which my request was handled. I am outraged at the utter insult to myself and my family. And I demand an explanation for the negligence that allowed my beloved daughter to be mangled by that horrific beast.” Despite the venom in her words, her countenance was restrained. Lilian was a noblewoman, after all, and therefore far above the unseemly fits of passion that so frequently plagued those of lower birth.
Post by Zarha Sliva on Dec 11, 2022 10:04:20 GMT -5
Zahra had her heads behind her back and with what being said Zahra put a second finger up in saying this was the second chance if this woman doesn't calm down and help them to help their daughter, it would be a lot harder to carry on. Zahra need to think of a way to respond to the question.
"I am sorry that you are made to feel like this event had be made to feel less worthy then any other reports that been brought forward. We treat all reports of equal measure. I am unaware of why it took so long for somebody to come out, cause I agree that this should of been on the top of our list. We should of been made aware of this the very moment it happened. I am very annoyed for you, my lady. Do you want to have a private word with me without my comrad in the room?" Zahra thought if she tried the playing along tactic it might defused her a bit
The groveling was expected and hardly appeasing. Of course, Ms. Sliva was apologetic for having offended a noblewoman, and of course, Lilian’s request ought to have been at the top of the pile - that was the natural order of things. The soldier’s own annoyance on her behalf hardly mattered when she represented the transgressors who had committed the crime in the first place. “You ignore my plea for aid,” Lilian began. “And now you seek to waste even more of my time by volunteering to speak with me about a matter over which you have admitted your own ignorance? To what end, Ms. Sliva?”
Standing a step behind Sliva, Ber resisted the urge to cross his arms and heavily sigh. More than once over the course of this exchange, he’d considered opening his mouth and pointing out that she was the one who needed them. The two soldiers could just walk away without helping her, consequences be damned; in fact, doing so would probably feel quite satisfying. Woodwick wouldn’t be very pleased when he found out, but as far as Ber was concerned, Woodwick could come deal with the menace himself.
Honestly, Ber should just pleasantly offer to take her to their commanding officer if she wanted to continue lambasting them for something that was neither his nor Sliva’s fault. He paused. Though it was born from vindictive frustration, that idea might have some merit. “My lady,” Ber said, speaking up for the first time since the conflict began. “We can take you to speak with our commanding officer, Lieutenant Woodwick, if you would like. He is the one who controls the delegation of tasks, so I believe a conversation with him regarding this unfortunate delay would give you the answers you seek.”
Once again, Lilian Johnson ignored him. He glanced helplessly at the back of Sliva’s head. Maybe it would work better coming from her.
Post by Zarha Sliva on Dec 11, 2022 16:01:51 GMT -5
Third strike. "I don't appreciate what you getting at Lady Johnson I asked you twice if we could talk to your daughter. Both times you ignored my question to have an audience with her so we can get down and sort this situation out. You have ignored my fellow soldier when he talked. So if you are truly upset with the situation at hand don't take it out on us. Talk to Lieutenant Woodwick you can arrange a meeting with him, but we will give our side of events." Zahra wasn't given her a choice to pick between two options. If she was will to go to woodwick she can.
However she will say she asked her several time if she could speak to her daughter but she was unwilling and was kept having a go at them lacking at doing their job, she would explained that she gave her three stike to reason but didn't change her attutude, that she was acting very much like a woman on a high horse and was abusing her status above her.
“I will,” Lilian promised, thoroughly unimpressed with the military’s lack of response to her initial request and now the two soldiers they had sent to her once they had responded. She had everything she needed to issue her complaints: the names of the two offending soldiers and their boss. “And I will be discussing with him the disrespect with which you have spoken to me.” If the noblewoman straightened up any further, she would start tilting backwards. “Now, stop wasting my time with this nonsense, and speak to my daughter about the beast that mutilated her.”
She let Sliva pass by her to stand just inside the door, but before Ber could move, she focused her attention on the young man. “You too, I suppose.”
“I can stay out here if you’d prefer, my lady.” At this rate, he’d prefer it.
“And leave you unattended in my garden, to get into who knows what kind of trouble? I think not.” She sniffed, as if the very idea was preposterous. “No, you’ll be in here where I can keep an eye on you. But,”She said imperiously. “I know your kind, boy. Do not touch anything. And do not upset my daughter; she is sickly enough as it is.”
Ber nodded. “Yes, ma’am,” He replied through gritted teeth and barely managed to catch the door in time to stop it from swinging shut in his face as Lilian turned to lead Sliva into her home.
The interior of the building was immaculately decorated, and it was clear that the noblewoman had more than enough to live comfortably. Why she chose to remain in the city instead of move to the countryside, Ber did not know, nor did he care. They were led to a comfortable sitting room, wherein a girl, who looked as though she was approaching around ten years of age, lay on the couch. Almost immediately, Ber could see that she was not well. Lady Johnson’s young daughter had a thin sheen of sweat across her forehead and a sickly pallor to her skin. The blankets piled around her were shoved away, as if she found their comfort too suffocating, and her right arm, which lay exposed atop them, showed signs of repeated bloodletting. The soldier also saw evidence of a nasty bite wound - likely treated by a minor healing potion - on her right forearm, and nearly rolled his eyes. It was clear that her daughter, though bitten, had not been mauled.
“Mama, are those more healers?” The girl shifted slightly on the couch, squinting in the newcomers’ direction. Her voice was frail.
“No, dear.” As she went to sit in the chair positioned by the girl’s head, Lilian addressed her daughter with a softness that neither of the soldiers had previously been privy to. “These are soldiers, who have come to ask you about your accident.”
“Oh…” The girl’s voice trailed off. “Mama, I’m so thirsty. Might I please have some water?”
“Of course, darling.” After a gesture to the servant waiting quietly in the corner of the room, she gently stroked her daughter’s long, dark hair. As the servant left, she turned to the soldiers - to Sliva, Ber assumed, though they stood side-by-side - and arched an eyebrow. “Well? Ask your questions.”
Post by Zarha Sliva on Dec 11, 2022 17:12:19 GMT -5
Zahra wanted to laugh knowing that all too well that neither of them showed her any disrespect what so ever. She trusted Warren enough that he won't full the bullshit this lady would try and pull. Plus, she was intented to give their side of event to Warren, she was hoping that Ber was going to have her back in this incident.
When she finally address Ber, Zahra step slightly in front of Ber. She wasn't going to let the lady hurt him and it made her feel sick thinking that Ber would steal or was the sort of person to hurt their daughter. "Lead the way." Zahra said her tone flat. Monotone. She followed beside her. As they followed behind her she didn't look around she give a look at Ber asking with her eyes if he was okay?
When she entered the girl's room she was no older then her youngest brother and she looked really ill. Zahra was taken aback a bit flashes of her twin brother flash in her head for a second. His sick body, laying in bed, her tending to his body on a daily basis, the same sickness that took his life. It wasn't till the lady spoke for Zahra ask the question.
Zahra voice was soft not looking at the mother. "I know remembering the event might be hard, but the best you can, I would like you to try and explain what happened? It will help us greatly." Zahra asked her.
Ber weathered the insult as he had the others over the course of this entire encounter: with a clenching of his jaw and the tightening of the fists he held behind his back. Lady Johnson was hardly the first noble to unfairly accuse him of thievery, and she likely wouldn’t be the last. Technically, they weren’t wrong to suggest that he would be the kind of person to steal; they were just inaccurate with regards to timing. When Sliva glanced back, he acknowledged her look by holding her gaze for a moment before turning his attention to grab the door.
His blank expression of polite attentiveness, the safe default of one who answered to Woodwick on a regular basis, remained as he stepped into the sitting room and spied the girl. While Sliva stepped into the room to speak with the girl, Ber lingered near the wall, listening as he did his best to not upset her merely by existing.
The girl fixed wide eyes on Sliva as the soldier spoke, and a clarity seemed to return to them after a moment. She pushed herself to sit more upright on the couch, swallowing with apparent difficulty as she did so. After a glance toward her mother, she began answering, “Well… me and Tommy—“
A sigh from the side. “Tommy and I, Rue, darling.”
Rue rolled her eyes. “Tommy and I,” She started again after another laborious swallow. “We were being brave knights, and we were chasing off the—“ and here, her voice took on the same inflections as her mother “—horrid beasts that have been terrorizing our streets.” She wiped at her mouth with the back of her hand. Lady Johnson handed her a handkerchief to use instead. “Tommy’s older sister is in training, and she’s showed him some tricks, and he was showing them to me.”
There was a pause as she took a deep breath and swallowed again, eyebrows furrowing. “So we got swords, well they weren’t really swords - they were sticks but we were pretending they were swords - and we were gonna go chase off the dogs since they were scaring Mama.” Her gaze landed on the sword attached to Sliva’s hip, and after another painful looking swallow, she gasped. “Is that a real sword?”