Private Foul Play

[Thurion Heavenshield]

City of Heavenheim
Midvinter

"Your Grace," the elderly seneschal appeared at his side. "Tower guard reports an unidentified flying vessel on approach. I've instructed them you're expecting visitors and to clear a landing pad for their arrival." The King pressed the royal seal against the hot wax, having finished a letter to his wife. Although modern means of communication were readily available to the couple, there was something undeniably personal about the old ways. A romantic at heart, Thurion would throughout the day write her letters to be sent by raven, and each time she would send a reply. Words intended for their eyes and ears only.

"Good. Thank you, Uncle," he wrapped the thick fur around his shoulders as he made for the exit, only to stop as he noticed the old man trying to hide his hand trembling. "Uncle Bors? What's wrong?" Ever the stubborn old boar, Bors Greythorne replied with a dismissive grunt. "Nothing, it's your hall that's too damn cold, is all." Thurion knew there was more to it, but chose not to press the matter for the time being. "Right, well, I'll tell them to put another log on the fire. Let us be off!"

Joined by the man who had been a brother to his father in all but blood, the High King stepped outside into the cool Midvinter summer midday. These treasured few months of temperate weather saw a significant decrease in snowfall and even a handful of degrees above zero, allowing nature to break through its icy husk. Midsummer was on its way, and with it came the annual feast and festivities. Already flowery ornaments adorned doorframes and windowsills alike, with the townspeople needing only a couple layers of clothing to stave off the elements. Time otherwise spent chopping firewood to outlast the night could instead be spent enjoying the markets or other recreational activities. It is no wonder then, that the Sun God is regarded so highly by a world beset by eternal winter.

Together the pair watched the Noble ship descend, heading for the unoccupied landing pad before them. "Who will we be greetin' today, Your Grace," asked Bors, squinting at the bright skies. "Newfound allies of Midvinter, Uncle," Thurion proclaimed. "New friends in this, our hour of need."

Valery Noble Kahlil Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Midvintir

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble Thurion Heavenshield

"You think it's cold down there?" Valery asked Kahlil rhetorically, as she only now came to the realization that the planet wasn't exactly a tropical paradise. As a Jedi who grew up in the Jungles, Valery did not like the cold, and usually, she'd either be trying to steal one of her husband's sweaters or even an entire coat to adapt. Now, all she had was her typical Jedi attire, which had more exposed skin than she liked for the cold.

"Oh well, it'll be interesting, hm?"

She chuckled and smiled happily. The kind of smile that Kahlil always loved to see. The war was over, so they finally had other types of missions they could focus on. Still important, but not nearly as dark — or at least, she hoped. Today was an opportunity to meet Thurion again, learn about his homeworld, and perhaps help him out with something.

So once they landed and the ramp lowered, Valery seemed rather excited to go outside, despite the cold. She did step towards her husband to take his hand and kept him closer for some warmth. But she didn't seem too cranky because of the weather.

"I think I see him over there."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"It's absolutely cold."

He'd heard tales of Midvinter. It's unforgiving landscape, the monstrously sized people who inhabited it. Not the Valkyri, either. Beorni. It wasn't often there was a species that dwarfed even his people. Less so on a world his father wanted destroyed. Perhaps, once, he had too. But now he was here to speak with the king and help. He chuckled at the irony, but it was the last time he'd think on it. He wasn't here as Kahlil Zambrano.

Kahlil squeezed her hand in turn, flashing her a smile, before looking over towards where she motioned. Then raised a hand to wave.

Valery Noble | Thurion Heavenshield

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

"I'll wager the last few hairs I have left they came underdressed," the old boar chuckled as the husband and wife duo appeared at the ship's exit. "Shush," Thurion chided under his breath, only to immediately burst into a welcoming grin as the couple drew near.

"Valery! Kahlil," he greeted them with arms so wide he might've swept both of them into a massive embrace there and then. He kissed the hand of the former and shook the hand of the latter. "Welcome, my dear friends, to Midvinter and the Capital of Heavenheim!"

Escorting them off the landing pad, he introduced them to the honoured elder. "This man here is Bors Greythorne, Seneschal to House Heavenshield, and my venerable uncle." He playfully grasped Bors by the scruff of the neck, clearly fond of the old codger.

"Aye, welcome, welcome, and all that," Bors put on his best face, though he had lived too long and seen too much to be as gregarious as his King Nephew. Still, he bowed his head to husband and wife both, betraying no hint of annoyance. "I trust the climate is to your liking," he prodded, winking at his nephew.

"Alright, alright. Now, I can't help but notice you've shed a bit of weight there if you don't mind me saying," he rather obviously referred to Valery's lack of pregnancy. "It wasn't a complicated ordeal, I hope?"

Valery Noble Kahlil Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Midvintir

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble Thurion Heavenshield

Yep, it was cold.

Valery inched just a little closer to her husband while they held hands and walked over to the King. The second she spotted him, however, she began to wonder... how should she address him? All kinds of greetings passed through her mind, and without looking at him, she knew that Kahlil would be able to pick up on this. She made sure to avoid eye contact, just in case he thought about teasing her.

"Valery! Kahlil,"

A soft sigh of relief followed when first names were used, and Valery was quick to smile, "It's good to see you again, Thurion," she said before she allowed the man to take her hand to kiss it. Not exactly a greeting that she was used to, but it was a respectful one that made her dip her head in return.

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well," Valery then added when Thurion introduced his uncle, "As for the climate... a little cold, but I'll get used to it." She chuckled and squeezed her husband's hand again. The cold was definitely not her thing, but she was pretty good at hiding that.

The fiery eyes then shifted down to her stomach, and a big grin appeared. She was already back in killer shape again, and ready for Jedi duty. Now it was just handling the kids that kept her restless. "Everything went perfectly, and we're very happy with how the family life is going." She beamed Kahlil a loving smile. "Of course, they do keep us up and I tend to worry a little too much, so I'm always watching them."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Oh he'd absolutely be teasing her. Was, out of the corner of his eye with a slight grin. It wasn't often she was this uncertain. And, well, seeing it more and more just had him less worried and more apt to tease her for it. Here she was, Sword of the Jedi, nervous to meet a King of a foreign world. There was little chance he wasn't going to tease her about it, especially later. Right now, though, he dipped his head in greeting to the other pair. Chuckled and nodded.

"They are certainly a handful, but I wouldn't have it any other way."

Valery Noble | Thurion Heavenshield

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Thurion reached for Valery's hands, squeezing them gently. "Well, you just make sure to not overexert yourself. The post-pregnancy period is a crucial healing process, and you should avoid stressful environments as much as possible." He nodded towards Kahlil. "Have this one do the heavy lifting around the house for a bit." He gave the proud father a friendly squeeze of the shoulder, letting them know he was only teasing. They knew what they were doing, having prior experience with parenthood.

"Now, two things," he held up two fingers for added emphasis. "One, did you decide on names yet? And two, and this is the big one," he feigned a moment of sobriety as he counted on his second finger. "Did you bring any pictures? I swear, I will banish the heck out of you two right here and now if you came here empty-handed. I'm the King - I can do that, you know!"

He threw a glance over his shoulder. "I can do that, can't I?"

"Aye, that you can," the old man replied disinterested, too busy receiving a letter from a messenger to play into the joke. Such was the duty of a Seneschal, to deal with matters considered too trivial for kings and queens. This was but the first of many such messages, to be sure.

Valery Noble Kahlil Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Midvintir

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble Thurion Heavenshield

He was teasing her.

Valery pretended that she didn't see it, and tried to ignore it, but Kahlil would always know that she knew. Similarly, she knew that the second they'd be alone, he'd make it a lot more obvious. But she wasn't nervous damnit — just a little uncertain about how to properly greet him, that's all. But once that was taken care of, Thurion squeezed her hands and offered some kind words that made her smile.

"He takes good care of me and the kids too," Valery said, always with that loving smile turning to her husband. She then gently bumped her side into him and looked back at Thurion with a grin. "We do have names," she began when he asked about it. "Our son will be called Adam, after my old Master. The daughters are called Aeryn Jade and Aurra." All of them were A-names, which was quite a funny coincidence.

"As for pictures..." she paused as the King of Midvintir joked with his uncle about banishment, and offered a grin. "I have one but..." she looked at Kahlil. "Babe, you got your bracelet with the family pictures with you?" Valery smiled and whether he had it or not, she removed a necklace and clicked on a projector. It showed an image of Kahlil with the Triplets all crawling over him, and Vera standing there all protective to make sure none of them would fall over or get hurt.

It was a picture she had taken herself, and her favorite to have with her.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Always."

Kahlil similarly pulled off his bracelet, opening it to show his own projection. All of the children and Valery, sleeping together. It was a picture he hadn't actually shown Valery yet, mostly because he'd forgotten to after he took it. Wanted to let the tired mother sleep. Better late than never, though.

"There's little chance I'm ever going to not have pictures of them on me."

Valery Noble | Thurion Heavenshield

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

"There's little chance I'm ever going to not have pictures of them on me."

"You got yourself a keeper right there," Thurion nudged Valery using his elbow. "Oh my heavens, just look at them! What wonderful tiny tots," his heart melted at the pictures of the triplets, always giddy to witness new life. To experience everything for the first time is such an amazing concept, one very difficult to grasp for any adult, let alone someone as well-versed as the Lion King.

"You see these," he held them up to the proud parents for emphasis. "These are rare and fleeting moments, mere strands on the tapestry of your lives. Make sure you cherish each and every one of them, no matter how difficult it sometimes is raising kids. When you get to my age you'll be longing for those early days, when everything is new to you as well."

Meanwhile, his seneschal broke the seal of the message he'd received, noting the sigil of the bronze boar of House Greythorne stamped into the wax. He grunted, wondering what his beloved brother could possibly want of the High King whose worthiness he'd so rudely called into question on the man's own coronation. To even suggest that Thurion Heavenshield, of all people, had not earned every right to wear the crown was so inconceivable that it burgeoned on high treason, according to the Old Boar.

But as he read the words, he was immediately struck by the fact that it was not written in his younger brother's hand. "It is with great regret that we inform you..." A lump formed in his throat as he kept on reading. He felt his chest tightening, forcing him to clasp at his heart.

"Uncle Bors, care to have a... Uncle Bors!"

Thurion turned to find his father's sworn brother nearly doubled over leaning against the wall, seemingly in physical pain. The expression on his face alone was cause for concern, for rarely did the stoic old man allow for such emotion. Rushing to his aid, Thurion was able to catch him just as his knees gave out.

"Take it easy, old man. Breathe." To see someone so stonefaced showcase such shock was harrowing to the nephew, for whatever it was that had Bors so upset could only be the gravest of news. Even in his pitiful state, Bors handed his liege the piece of parchment, saying nothing. Thurion sat his uncle down to lean against the wall before standing to read the message for himself.

The King sighed, turning to the Nobles.

"Lord Brindal Greythorne is dead. It says he was killed in a hunting accident," he began to explain, only to be interrupted.

"Lies," the old man spat from where he sat. "It's all lies! My brother has not hunted a day in his life, he couldn't tell one end of a hunting spear from the other." Seemingly fueled by his rage alone, the Old Boar willed himself off the ground to snatch the letter from his nephew. "This is not even his wife's handwriting, nor that of his sons. No, Brindal was murdered! Murdered by craven dogs!"

In his anger, Bors tore the letter in half and threw it on the ground.

Thurion allowed the elder his outburst, instead turning to Valery and Kahlil. "If there is indeed foul play involved in Lord Brindal's demise, his killers must be discovered and made to face justice. My friends, might I count on your assistance?"

Valery Noble Kahlil Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Midvintir

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble Thurion Heavenshield

"Oh. My. Gosh." Valery squealed while Thurion nudged her, and looked at the picture with the warmest, motherly smile she had. With her heart melting, she looked up at her husband, and couldn't stop herself from quickly pulling him into a hug. It was as Thurion said, these moments had to be cherished forever, and the love she felt for her family was always incredibly overwhelming, in the best way possible.

"Love you..." she whispered softly, before pulling back to look at the picture one last time. Fast asleep, she wasn't as photogenic but with three babies, and Vera protectively at the edge of the bed to keep the triplets from rolling off... it was just too much for her silly romantic heart to handle.

But sadly, this fond little moment couldn't last much longer.

After Thurion opened a letter he received, his entire demeanor changed instantly, and the older man who had been with him seemed to be in complete shock. Valery looked at Kahlil with concern in her eyes and stepped over to offer a helping hand if they needed it. But as the reason for their shock became clear, she paused and simply frowned. There was no way she could support them through such loss, but she could help with Thurion's request.

"Of course, you can always count on our help."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Settling into the joys of family seemed to not be in the cards. The Jedi smiled just a little, almost sad if not for the calmness in his eyes. This is what it meant to be a Jedi. He nodded once to Thurion before flashing Valery a grin.

"It's not what we were here for, but it is who we are. Just tell us what you need us to do."

Valery Noble | Thurion Heavenshield

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

En Route to Greyhame

Thurion looked out across the endless waters below as midday turned to morning, and then turned into night as time moved backwards with the vessel travelling westward. They left the comfort of Heavenheim behind, acquiring a shuttle from the local Jedi order led by his wife. While the King would often travel the realm by means native to his countrymen, the situation called for more immediate action. If Lord Brindal Greythorne was indeed murdered, arriving so unexpectedly and unannounced could be to their advantage, possibly catching the hypothetical perpetrator by surprise.

He looked to Bors sitting beside him, similarly staring out the viewport at the vast ocean they call the 'Great Maw'. It had been easier than expected to convince him to board the iron vessel, as the old man had never flown before. It would seem his need to discover the truth took priority over all else. No words were shared between uncle and nephew, but as Thurion reached for the elder's trembling hand, he felt Bors squeeze him in return. A subtle gesture of appreciation from a man so often stoic to a fault.

After checking on his uncle, Thurion stood and stepped over to the Nobles.

"Midvinter is a supercontinent, surrounded by endless ocean," he explained to the couple. "Heavenheim lies on the western shores, whereas the mining town of Greyhame is found in the far east, halfway around the world. By the time we arrive, it will be the night before." Tapping the overhead compartment revealed a couple of fur cloaks, and he proceeded to pass them to Valery and Kahlil. "Here, these are elkki furs; they'll help stave off the cold. They are most vital to outlasting even the worst blizzard."

Down below a pod of whales surfaced, their enormous fins crashing against the waves, drawing his eye for but a moment. As darkness fell, the aurora borealis lit up the night sky as rays of green and purple danced across the starry heavens.

"There is something you must know before we make landfall," he continued, his tone noticeably grimmer. "What Bors claims as truth... it is not so far-fetched, I'm afraid. My oldest daughter, Nina, was stolen from her bed some months ago. We gave pursuit and hunted down her captors, only to stumble upon what can only be described as a doomsday cult. The Primordial Order, they called themselves; while we do not know much, it appears they have existed since the days of antiquity. They sought to... sacrifice my baby girl."

He let the dark memory come and go before continuing.

"We slew as many cultists as we could, but many high-ranking members were able to slip through our fingers. What evidence we have of them suggests that the Order has infiltrated much of Valkyri society, many of whom appear to hold political positions. Generals, magistrates, and even lordships may well be compromised. This is why I asked you to accompany me, my friends," he arrived at the point.

"I'll need your help in rooting out any such corruption we might come across."

Valery Noble Kahlil Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Midvintir

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Kahlil Noble Thurion Heavenshield

"Maybe I should have brought a coat..." Valery whispered to her husband when she realized that it was getting much darker as they traveled, which also meant it would be even colder. Sure, she could use the Force to sustain herself in the worst kinds of cold, but it was never comfortable. Maybe next time, she shouldn't be so stubborn.

But luckily, Thurion had both of the Nobles covered.

Valery happily accepted the coat and wrapped it around herself to enjoy its warmth. But once she was comfortable, she turned back to Thurion and listened intently to what he had to say. The mention of his daughter being taken hit a little close to home, and she frowned deeply for a moment. So many had tried to hurt her children to get to her or her husband, so she understood how difficult it was.

"I see now. You need people you can really trust around you," she said with a softer smile, before glancing at her husband. "We'd be happy to offer our assistance. Hopefully, we can figure out just how deep this corruption runs before it's too late." While a somber thought, Valery seemed determined.

Failure was not an option to her.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"It's just a little cold."

He chuckled as he glanced to Valery before looking back to Thurion. Listened closely to what the King had to say. There was.. A lot more there than he expected. He tensed for a moment at the mention of his kidnapped daughter.

That was a line no one should ever cross.

"We'll do what we can. Though, I won't kill if I don't have to, no matter what they've done."

Thurion Heavenshield | Valery Noble

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

​

Town of Greyhame
Midvinter

By the time the party of four set foot inside Greyhame time had reverted to dusk. The decision was made to land their shuttle some distance away for security reasons, as Easterners were known as staunch traditionalists with little love for new-fangled ideas or technology. No sense in riling up the masses by making a grand entrance by setting down inside the town limits, nor did there exist a landing pad constructed for that expressed purpose anyway.

Although he loathed the idea of masking his identity from the very people he served as High King, Thurion pulled the hood over his head to disguise his features, turning him into just another local. He did keep Anarion at his side, housed in its black scabbard, partly as a means of identification should his true identity be questioned.

The rain beat down on them, adding to the ominous and oppressive aura of the town itself. Old buildings in various states of disrepair seemed to loom over them, and the streets had turned into rivers of mud. Local gangs of drunken youths and other miscreants ruled the night, all while prostitutes shamelessly flaunted their goods on street corners. It was a disgrace of a town, far removed from the splendour of Heavenheim.

The perfect rat's nest for enemies of Midvinter to hide out in.

Bors led the way, walking with his head held high as if to dare his brother's alleged murderer, or perhaps he did so out of spite for the locals themselves. To him, they were a backward and bigoted lot unfit for this age of discovery, too stuck in their old ways to embrace change. You would not see any Beorni or Aelvar wandering these muddy streets and for good reason.

Perhaps these people reminded him of the kind of person he used to be himself, long ago.

"Up ahead is the Lord's Hall," the old man muttered to the others. "Best place to begin our investigation." He felt the comforting hand of his always considerate nephew on his shoulder as if to ask whether he was feeling alright. He brushed it off as if to say he needed to see this through regardless.

Valery Noble Kahlil Noble