A Touchstone of Poise (Vortigern)

[Robyn Lester]

It was all Robyn could do to tell herself this journey had not been a wasted one. After all, they had been hired to perform in a palace, however far off their usual beaten track it was, so if they didn't mess up they would emerge from it with a full belly and another high person to recommend them at least. Maybe they would even get a fair amount of solid money out of it, who knew after all?! But however much Robyn tried to participate in the good mood the rest of the Raven Pack was showing all too openly, she could not help but fearing something was off. She couldn't even call it a hunch, it wasn't something consistent as a real feeling, it might only be comparable to a wisp of wind, and frankly. Robyn wouldn't have anything against being proven wrong. Only that she feared she might not.

Maybe it was only the whipping wind in the courtyard of this castle, where they had been told to wait for someone to introduce them to the surroundings and explain details about the feast they were going to be a part of. It wasn't unsual for the Raven Pack to be kept waiting like that, but it only added to Robyn's irritation. Tybalt, her elder brother, saw her brown and leaned over, nudging her lightly. „What's got the mockingbird upset, chirp-chirp?“ he teased with a little chuckle. Of course, there was nigh to nothing Robyn could hide from her brother's attentive senses, and she hated and loved him for it alike. „Something's rotten in this state“, she loosely cited on of their plays, letting her gaze wander over the bustling courtyard, that was thriving with last minute feast preparations.

Her eyes tried to make sense of this chaos, until she noted a little commotion in the midst of it. It seemed like a few of the hurrying servants tried to make way for someone who had been joining them and was on his way to cross the courtyard. It wasn't so much the respectful stepping-aside of a few servants to make way for some renowned higher-born, it more reminded Robyn of the flustered and overhasty dashing away of hens from a fox. Curiously, Robyn craned her neck and raised herself on her tiptoes to see who might be the cause of such a tizzy.


Tag: Vortigern
Timeline: during s3/24 gap (if that's okay xD)
Time of Day: early afternoon

[Vortigern]

-------Though the preparations were under way, Vortigern's duties were not necessarily at a halt. It was his sister's who were mostly taking care of organizing the event... which made sense. It was a woman's job to deal with the more menial tasks. However with this celebration, the king's birthday, they had called for entertainment and the castle was busier than normal with all the nobles from estates throughout Sorelia. All here to celebrate another year of King Gildas' life. Who knows how many of these he had left. Vortigern had just recently returned to the courtyard with a few men. About four were his knights who had accompanied him. And two were recent prisoners. They were young boys, neither older than twelve. Their wrists bound with rope tied to the saddle of one of the knight's horse and they were being dragged along, forced to keep up with the pace of the running horse.

-------What had they done wrong? Nothing. But the misdeeds of their father tainted the children's innocence. He dismounted from his horse, seeing the crowd gather at what Vortigern's most recent act of punishment was. The real and true punishment... was that the children's parents did not know the fate of their children. He had purposely left it ambiguous, so that the fear of the unknown would be worse than hearing the news of their child's death. Also, because Vortigern hadn't quite decided what to do with them yet. "Let this serve as yet another lesson, that paying taxes is compulsory. If you do not pay, then you will be punished." The crowd watched, though there was no shock at the audacity of Vortigern's actions. But more so the fear of the fate of the children. "Take them to the stocks," he demanded to the guards, and the boys were dragged away.

-------No food. No water. And that was how they would remain until on the brink of death. For now anyway. Vortigern seemed to be done addressing the people and the crowd then took the hint and slowly dispersed, that tense silent air being filled with the casual noise of chatter once again. When the group of people cleared, Vortigern noticed a smaller group of people just stand there. As if they were waiting for something. Were they perhaps the entertainment? Or were they just lost? Either way, Vortigern inwardly groaned at the thought of having to find out their purpose for being here. He approached them, seeing one woman in particular who had clearly been watching what was going on. "What is your business here?" He demanded in a strongly authoritative voice.

[Robyn Lester]

At last the crowd was shifting, so Robyn could get a better view on the scene, to estimate what was happening and who it might be who caused people to retreat almost fearfully. But she almost wished she had not been given the chance to see. First she saw only this one man, who held himself in a very strong and almost threatening posture as he crossed the courtyard and made a little stop righr in the middle. There were four men with weapons as well, knights or men-at-arms she presumed, but then her gaze fell on the horses – and who had been tied up behind the horses. Two boys, looking miserable, exhausted and frightened. Robyn took in a sharp breath and suddenly felt her brother’s hand tightening around her ellbow, which told her that he had sensed she was about to dash forward before she even had consciously decided on it. So THAT was what she had felt was wrong. There could be nothing MORE wrong than treating children in such a disgusting way. And for what?!

"Let this serve as yet another lesson, that paying taxes is compulsory. If you do not pay, then you will be punished."
So this was what this was all about?! TAXES??!! Had this… monster, whoever he was, simply taken the children from their parents, because they had not been able to pay?! How barbaric was that, please?! Robyn’s chest started heaving with the effort of just standing there, doing nothing. Everything in her screamed to push through the crowd and defend these two innocent and scared boys. But Tybal’t restraining hand reminded her that it would not be any good. She didn’t shake his hand off, though, as she was glad for it, she feared if she was not held back, she would do something very foolish. But whoever this man was, he obviously had the power to do such a thing without fearing reproach, even though he surely did not have the RIGHT to do it. No one had the right to take something out on children! They were the least responsible for their parents not be able to pay taxes! Oh how they would be worried sick about them already!

"Take them to the stocks,"
Robyn’s stomach gave a lurch and this time Tybalt had to jerk her back forcefully, hissing: “ROBYN!!!” to wake her from the blind anger she was working herself up to. Whenever the wellbeing of children was concerned, the young women knew no limits. She would have attacked the vile man with her mere hands given half the chance, and she would have probably be killed on the spot. That would not save these children and it also would cause great grief for the rest of the Raven Pack. But, oh how she wished she could do something!
Grinding her teeth and breathing hard, she watched the children being taken away. The crowd slowly dispersed, probably afraid of being picked on next – and then Robyn saw the man walking towards them, addressing them and asking very sharply about their business.

Before Raven could step forward and declare their intentions like he ought to as their unelected leader, Robyn spoke up. She could not have stayed silent if her life depended upon it! At least she had enough sense left to not call the man out on what he had done openly, demanding the release of the children, or anything similarly silly, but her voice didn’t hide much of her contempt as she said:
”We’re the the Raven Pack, hired for the entertainment. But it seems you already have that part covered pretty well!”

[Vortigern]

-------Vortigern stared at the woman who spoke. The one who dared to speak to him with such a tone. Clearly, she did not know him. Did she think she could just get away with talking to him in such a manner? Had she not witnessed what he'd just done? He felt the anger building in him at her disrespect. For she was in no position to speak to him in such a way. She was an entertainer. A peasant! Worth less than the dirt beneath his feet. He would have spit on her in this very moment! But perhaps he should see just how much her boldness extended to. It was clear that she was... disapproving of what he had done. Her words however would not be ignored. Which was why he had not yet ordered a servant to lead them into the castle. Because he was going to find out exactly what she meant.

-------And then... deal with her accordingly. While had the opportunity. He remained composed. His voice calm, yet still holding that natural authority in his voice that had existed all his life. "Would you care to elaborate?" He asked, basically giving her the opening to speak her mind. Something Vortigern seldom did. But he wanted her to get it all out of her system. And would hold his tongue as she did so. Really, he just wanted to see how far her boldness went. How outspoken she truly was. How much audacity she dared to speak to him with.

[Robyn Lester]

Robyn didn't need the tightening grip of Tybalt around her arm and the low hiss of Molly behind her to know that this smacked of a trap. After what she just had seen, she had not expected the man to take her words to lightly, and if he did, there had to be something hidden behind his interest. He was basically dangling a bait before her very nose and waited for her to snatch it... speak her mind. She knew she could not do it. But she also knew she could not stay silent. Not for long. Suddenly there was an annoying itch and a dull throbbing in the stump of her left little finger – or rather, at the place a few centimeters above the stump, where her finger once had BEEN. Phantom pain. It drove her crazy sometimes and there was no question why it occurred now. It was a reminder and a warning. Last time she had openly defied a nobleman, asking for justice on a little boy's behalf, it had cost her this same finger. This time it could cost her more than that, a whole limb maybe, her tongue, her life. And she would endanger the life of the whole Raven Pack as well... unless... she managed to keep them out of it all.

Making a clear point, Robyn gently but decisively pulled her arm out of Tybalt's restraining hand and took a step forward, away from her family and friends, towards the cruel stranger. This is about me, not you, her gesture said. Don't get involved, for my sake. Then she took a deep breath and racked her brain how to best say what she had to say without endangering her life all too much, but still getting her point across. She didn't dare to think this man had an ounce of humor left in his body, but she could still try that approach firstt.
„Well, look at what you did“, she started, making an encircling motion with her arm. „You gathered a crowd with just a few simple words. You said your piece and adopted the role of ruthless villain perfectly. You even had 'volunteers'“ The way she emphasized the last word made clear she did not believe one second in them being here on their own accord and how despicable she found the whole 'show', but she quickly caught herself. „Then you brought on the climax, the last sensational bang with taking your volunteers away so the crowd was being kept guessing on their fate. And then: your dramatical exit.“ Robyn looked at the man once more, nodding as if giving her final agreement on something. „You, Mylord, are a born juggler.“

[Vortigern]

-------Vortigern stared at the woman. When she moved her hand in a circular motion to add gesture to her words, he did take notice of her missing finger. Was she born with that deformity? Was it an accident? Or was it a lesson? Of course, Vortigern did not care enough to ask. He was too distracted by her words. They were not bold nor did he admire her courage. It was pure stupidity making her say these things. Did she believe herself to be right? To be helpful? To ease her conscience by speaking out against what he did? Was she that foolish? No. It was beyond foolish. Completely idiotic. And she kept going and going. Vortigern did not have to look around to know that others had stopped what they were doing and watched with bated breath. As this new visitor in Sorelia was lecturing the prince on his actions. No one had the audacity to do such a thing, and Vortigern had only half expected her to actually take him up on his offer.

-------When she appeared to be done, there was a tense silence in the air. All eyes on them. Most may expect him to have her head right here and now. But Voritgern prided himself on his unpredictability. He could not always take the life of someone who defied him. Where was the lesson in that? Sometimes, people deserved to suffer. Besides, how did he instill fear in others if he constantly did the same thing and offered the same punishment, over and over again. People feared the unknown. And so killing her would be the most obvious punishment, and the furthest one from what he would do. "Bring the children," he announced to one of the guards. He did not say why right away. Perhaps he would give her that moment of belief that she had helped them. That her words had actually made a difference. He finally broke his gaze from her and turned around to face the children. He did not even need to call for the people's attention, for they were already watching.

-------Perfect. He had an audience now. For it seemed he would have to teach another lesson to the people of Sorelia. She had insulted him, dared to question and criticize his tactics... and now she would pay for it. "Behold! This woman from the Raven Pack has dared to question my actions here today," he stated as he roughly raised her deformed hand in the air, clutching her wrist tightly. He wanted everyone to recognize her. Everyone to see her. Keeping his voice leveled enough for all to hear, he continued to speak, looking right at the foolish woman who was too opinionated for her own good. He harshly released her wrist, though a possible bruise was hardly the punishment. "You believe you have helped them. And now, they will never forget you." What did he mean by that? He paused, a dramatic silence passing so that he could help build the moment, already seeing the fear in the children's eyes. "Pick a child," he ordered.

-------"Pick a child to have a finger from each hand removed, as you have from one." He hoped that by publicly making that known, he was humiliating her too. "So that every time he looks at either hand, he will remember your face. And remember what your outspokenness has done to him." Why one child? Because picking between two innocent people, he knew, was so difficult for people to do. Especially children. "If you refuse to pick, then both will die by execution." He had left her with an ultimatum; cause a child so young to lose a couple fingers, or have them each lose a head. "Did you know, that with a dulled sword and without a block to brace the neck, it takes a minimum of six strokes to cut a head off." He would make it last that long, and he would force her to watch. And let the silent air be filled with their cries of agony, so that it may haunt her for years to come.

[Robyn Lester]

Robyn waited with her heart in her mouth for a reaction, any reaction at all. It might have been a very foolish thing for her to act without even knowing who she was facing. This man was confident enough to give orders and expect others to obey them at once, so he was definitely more than just a knight. He could not be king though, since Robyn had heard of the old king of Sorelia, and this man was young. Though, he was old enough to be his son. Yes, that would make sense… and she was an even greater fool now, she realized. She had crossed the figurative swords now with a man that was not only ruthless but had enough power not to account for but a few of his actions and she expected to come out of this alive? Once again, Robyn had acted before she had had time to think… and she could only wonder how it would end this time.When he asked for the children to be fetched, she did not dare to hope she would have won so easily. Were a few well-placed words really enough?! Could she be so lucky indeed? But a shale aftertaste remained, and the more Robyn thought about it, the surer she was the worst was just yet to come. She just didn’t know yet which shape it would take, and she had no idea how to brace herself.

The mass of the Raven Pack behind her, the whole purpose of them coming here, seemed to be forgotten, the world had narrowed down to her and this man, standing alone in a figurative arena, ready for the next round of their fight. Once again Robyn could feel her heart in her mouth as she watched the children being pushed through the all-too-readily yielding crowd, some eagerly craning their necks to not miss the slightest moment of this strange performance, some clearly showing they would like to be elsewhere at the moment, but fearing that if they moved they would draw attention to themselves. And she was in the midst of it all,Robyn thought. Just great… but then there was the wellbeing of children involved, she could not back down now, whatever was to come. She had not been prepared though to be grabbed by the hand and had to bite back a gasp as her left hand was being showed to them all, clearly revealing her missing little finger. What was this man getting at? Did he try to label her a perpetrator from the start? But she was not ashamed of this blemish, oh no! The people here could very well see that she had defied authority before, as she knew to what end it had been.

Still, she couldn’t help but oddly feel like her history was repeating itself in the most distorted way, and that feeling only intensified, when she followed the next words of the man’s excellent and captivated speech. He really was a born juggler… just one, as she realized, without an ounce of humor.
"Pick a child to have a finger from each hand removed, as you have from one." "So that every time he looks at either hand, he will remember your face. And remember what your outspokenness has done to him."
It was like being kicked in the stomach, and for a moment Robyn’s vision blurred and she had to worry about getting sick on the spot. No… while her ears had already processed what she just had heard, her mind just could not do it. He could not mean that! He COULD not! This was madness, it was the greatest injustice Robyn had ever come across, and she could not believe he would get away with it. Only that it seemed like he would. Oh, he had laid the perfect trap out for her, and she had been blindly walking into it!

“No…!” at first it was more a croak than a defiant cry, but after a moment she found her voice again, her eyes still switching between the man’s deadpan face and the wide scary eyes of the two boys. Their expression slashed at her heart and she felt even weaker in the knees. She could not do this… she could not be responsible for causing a child so much unbearable pain. Right here, in this moment, she knew she could not live with that guilt on her conscience. Not for one day. And not only because she knew exactly how excruciating and shocking the pain would be. “NO! You devil!” This time her voice was louder, but it was still more desperate than demanding. “Don’t do this! Punish me if you must, but don’t let THEM suffer!”