Shadow Contracts (for Ixis Naugus)

[conjuredskies]

Deep in the Parkland woods, twilight holds sway despite the early hour. The crumbling grey walls rise high and forbidding from the outside, but the heavy door stands ajar and swings open noiselessly when pushed – there’s fresh oil on the hinges.

Inside lies a great courtyard surrounded by a columned portico, with narrow doorways leading off into more dark corners. In the center, however, is a wide well with a low stone edge. Off to one side, its hooded summoner waits. Felix has spread a mat over the cracked paving stones, and now sits cross-legged beside his knapsack, picking over a few implements and books, checking the edge of a steel dagger. Aside from his hood, the conjurer has abandoned the legionary uniform for plainer leather armor, worn and mended from long use.

It’s been very quiet for some time. Just the skittering of breeze-blown leaves and birdsong drifting over the walls. Felix is quick to look up at a new presence.

Comments

[ixis]

"Of course, of course. Just give me a moment to get our bearings." Naugus at least isn't grabbing at Felix as hard as he might have been before, his grip a good deal more casual now that he's sure he's not in danger of dropping the lad.

As he looks about, perhaps figuring out a route to safety, there's a low keening sound amongst the usual susurrus of this realm. Almost like frightened, despairing wailing...

But before long, Naugus is tugging Felix in a chosen direction. "Didn't you say the cowl could do something about the shadows? Do I have to usher us to safe harbour before we can use it? Or will applying it now return us to the dark mistress we're running errands for?"

[conjuredskies]

The strange wail makes Felix look around with alarm, even as Naugus starts tugging him on their path. "If it does what I think, putting it on will erase the wearer's identity. I don't know what happens if you're already in the shadows... what is that sound? Is something in here with us?"

[ixis]

"Hm? Oh, it's probably just that thief. Pay it no mind." He says that so casually, so uncaring, of someone who sounds to be in a profound amount of anguish. That's what she gets for trying to cut someone Naugus is working with!

"Come. This way. We can find an alley or shed or something of the like to emerge from." He's tugging Felix's arm, hurrying him in a given direction in this bizarre landscape of cold, shifting shapes and darkness. Should Felix look behind him, he might spot a few human-shaped splotches of shadow, cast by the angry guards trying to figure out where the pair spirited away to.

[conjuredskies]

What can he do? Naugus is very much in charge here, and the thief hardly earned herself any good will. Maybe she'll be all right in here. Maybe Nocturnal will let her out in time. Maybe she'll make a deal of her own. Still. The look Stratos would give him...

"She's making an awful racket," he comments, sounding a little disgusted as he peers over his shoulder. "Maybe we should dump her on the Vigil and shut them both up." He tries to make it sound like disdain. Whether Naugus will listen is another matter, but at least he'll have tried.

Assuming Naugus is paying attention. Felix isn't able to discern it, but the shadows are shifting as they travel, as if to lead them down a particular path. Looks like Nocturnal's been waiting.

[ixis]

Naugus only wheezes a thin laugh regarding the potential use of the thief and her general torment. No regard made otherwise, perhaps because he's that callous or because his attention is on navigating this dark terrain.

But the way they shift and turn is something new, something unexpected, the changes happening in ways that he's not accustomed to. "I think our benefactor is calling us home," he comments, picking up his pace now that he has a concrete path to follow.

[conjuredskies]

Well. He tried. The thief's cries are already distant, muffled by the shifting shadows. Felix doubts he could find her by himself. Besides, he's already pushed his luck once with Naugus.

"She is?" He looks into the murk ahead, trying to see what Naugus is following. Is that the path, or a trick of his meager human senses? All doubt should be dispelled by the pale figure that emerges from the darkness ahead. The flick of a tail, the ripple of a cloak: their guiding Sentinel has returned.

"You return swiftly," remarks the shade of Hizan-dar. He sounds amused. Or pleased. "Are you prepared to face the Night Mistress once more?"

Felix draws a slow breath, pushing any lingering doubts or regrets from his mind. "The task she set us is complete. We're ready."

[ixis]

"Always!" Comes the cheery reply from Naugus, flashing a wide and bright smile of too many teeth. "Lead us to your mistress, friend, so we may gather our reward!"

Naugus is as pleased as punch that the task is finished and done so with so minimal issue! AND he got to gather a few fun items to investigate once he's back home. A great adventure indeed!

[courtofmurk]

The Sentinel gestures to the inky shadows ahead, overlapping in such a way that they seem to form a doorway. Felix can barely make it out. He takes a last look at the cowl: its slanted eye holes, the odd worn cloth, the dimly visible markings, before he tucks it into his armor and steps through. It’s much too late to hesitate now.

Oddly enough, the shadow door leads right back through the Nexus gateway, depositing both mages back in the courtyard where they began. Does the geography of the shadows exist entirely at the daedra’s whim? Apparently so. Nocturnal is waiting for them, this time, poised before the well, her crows cocking their heads in unison at the arrivals.

Felix steps as close as he dares before bowing, pulling the cowl out to proffer. “Lady Nocturnal, we have retrieved your cowl from those who stole it.”

“You’ve returned quickly,” she remarks, extending a hand. “Well then, let me see the proof of your success.”

[ixis]

Someone who can actively bend the shadows he knows how to traverse is strange, but also...humbling? Which is a rare feeling for Naugus. Very, very rare. But all the same, he's starting to warm to the idea that this daedra's possibly responsible for him having the gift of shadowslipping at all, especially since the talent arrived unexpectedly and in dire straights indeed. He may have often been tethered by chains then, but he always had the darkness to hide in...

With that said, that's the reason Naugus allows himself to incline his head slightly, lowering it in an brief bow, before the lady. Normally, he would bow to no being or creature unless courtly manners called for it. But this is a genuine show of respect to Nocturnal.

"I believe Felix has your pilfered item."

[courtofmurk]

Felix is only too willing to proffer it for her. Nocturnal spreads the Cowl out for inspection, and a faint hiss seems to emanate from the shadows around them.

“So it is done. The Cowl returns to the shadows. Its thieves are humiliated, and the mortal guardsman who thought to make his name by insulting mine will have scorn in place of the accolades he craved. As for you both…” She sweeps her gaze over the two mages.

“You’ve upheld your end of the bargain, and so you shall have your reward.” Felix leans closer as she speaks, eager to see exactly what she’s doing. At least, whatever mortal eyes can perceive. One hand lifting the Cowl, she lets its shadow fall across a pale hand and her fingers move – choose - sever - drawing forth a sliver of something pale grey and soft looking. “A potent shadow to shield mortal minds from the light.”

She hands it to Felix, who looks, truth be told, a little dazed. In his hands the shadow-sliver is another hood, somewhat paler and thinner looking than the Cowl, almost silken in texture when he unfolds it.

“Thank you, my Lady,” he says, his voice soft with awe.

[ixis]

Naugus watches the lady's actions with his head curiously canted to one side, ears twisted towards her as well. A display deft and singular, someone more used to the shadows than even he is. Someone borne of them, or the creator entirely. Another mote of respect grows for this daedra somewhere in his thoughts.

When Felix is given the item, Naugus looks it over as well, reaching to touch his hand to it if allowed. "I trust you already have plans for this prize," he chuckles.

[courtofmurk]

Felix is happy to let Naugus see – and touch – the cloth in his hands, too gleeful about their success to be wary. The Mobian sorcerer will be able to sense what the young conjurer doesn’t: that the soft grey material is nothing so mundane as silk. It truly is shadow, woven by daedric power into something solid and deceptively strong.

“An artifact with the power to shield mortal minds from truths too great for them?” Felix is trying so hard not to grin like a fool. “Oh, yes. I think this will be a powerful aid to, um, future research.”

“How you choose to wield it does not concern me,” Nocturnal says dismissively. “The terms of our contract have been fulfilled. You may keep your gateway to my realm. But should you choose to step through it in future, remember whose threshold you are crossing.”

Her gaze focuses on Naugus specifically. “Have a care for your shadows, little sorcerer. The secrets they hold cannot simply be left behind.” A courteous warning? A stern one? Without choosing to elaborate, the Daedra folds her arms across her chest and simply vanishes into shadow. Felix wouldn’t be sure she’s gone if the sense of palpable power didn’t recede along with her.

[ixis]

Her words give him considerable pause, looking back to the lady, ears unconsciously sagging lower, a touch of colour draining from his face. Secrets left behind? His shadows? Surely a warning about his past, something he's always been content to leave forgotten. Ever since the Nexus, questions and concerns about it from others have been cropping up with annoying frequency. But this, this is an outright warning from a being he will accept as bigger than he is.

He doesn't entirely come back to himself in time to make any further comments to Felix. Naugus is left watching the place where Nocturnal vanished, still turning her words over in his mind.

[conjuredskies]

Felix watches the Prince's departure with fascination. Part of him can hardly believe what's just happened. What they've done - what he's holding! He shoots Naugus a triumphant grin... which vanishes at the sight of his companion's subdued air.

"...Naugus?" He sidles closer, ever-so-carefully touching the Mobian's shoulder. Maybe it's silly, but he has visions of what that claw could do in a startled reflex. "Are you well?"

[ixis]

"I-..." Words aren't coming back easily. Still lost in concerned thought. Soon, though, Naugus clears his throat and attempts to recover at least a facade of his usual glib and pompous self. But it's slow to happen and clearly an act.

"Ahem. I-...Well done. A job well done. You proved yourself most spectacularly, young Felix. And now I think-...I believe it is time to retire to our respective-...Eh. It-...I must go. I've things to research in the wake of this adventure."

He's certain if Felix can't find his own way out of this realm, the Nightengale can lead him. As is, Naugus himself turns and quickly heads back in the direction for the portal back to the Nexus. Things to consider, notes to write.

[conjuredskies]

"Of course." Nocturnal's vague warning seems to have meant much more to Naugus. Felix bows to the elder mage before he hastens off. "And I remain grateful for your help, sir."

He cocks his head at the retreating figure, and adds almost to himself, "I look forward to catching up with you."

He's going to be trying to recall Nocturnal's exact words for a while.