001 | video | open to both courts

[extramural]

[ The locket is floating.

It’s the only explanation for the view that the item gives – a young man, out on the walls of one of the castles, the moon curved behind him. His arms are crossed in front of him, not touching the device as it records. Black eyes (all black, like the depths of the sea) regard it for a moment and then one hand moves, gestures at the locket. ]

Well, well.

[ His head tilts, and while his lips don’t turn up, one may get the feeling that he’s smirking. ]

I must say, this is an interesting turn of events. One that even I did not see coming.

[ His voice is almost monotonous, but there is something like music in it – like whale song. ]

To be pulled away to the Drabwurld, asked to take part in this war. I wonder if they truly know what they are doing. [ His hand returns, head moving back so that he can look straight at the camera. ]

I hear there was a battle. One should expect such things, in war. I suppose I should ask about it. [ He doesn’t. Instead- ]

Tell me, Shardholders, something... interesting.

Comments

[extramural]

And sometimes it is so. But when an Empress is murdered, a plague unleashed on her city... things change.

[bythewaves]

A murdered Empress would certainly change things, and swiftly - particularly if plague came alongside. 'Twould not be a pleasant place to be, I imagine. [ not... that plague matters much, to the Eldar ]

And what was your part, in that tale?

[extramural]

Before, though it matters little. [ It will kill many more, after all. ]

I watched, as I have for some time. I gifted her failed protector with the very gifts her assassin had received from me years earlier. I offered her assassin one last gift and he saved the mind of her child.

[bythewaves]

And so you play both sides against the other? [ He is getting some serious creepy vibes here ]

For what reason, one wonders. But I am glad that at the least something was saved from the destruction.

[extramural]

What they decide to go with their gifts is their choice. I offer hints, at times, but I do not interfere. Daud killed the Empress because he thought it was just another job.

[ He doesn't drop the name on purpose, as no idea that one of his Marked has been here and gone. ]

He was wrong, but I imagine he got rather used to that very quickly.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor on his end freezes and pales, although the Outsider cannot see it. When next he speaks there is ... well, he is too good a bard to allow much emotion through, but there is definite interest there at least. ]

You know Daud?

[extramural]

[ There is a pause. Once again, he finds himself surprised. ]

I do.

Do you?

[bythewaves]

For the brief time our rulers held him here I considered him a friend, and fancied he thought the same.

[extramural]

He was here. [ One hand curls into a fist. His Chosen, his Marked, pulled away. And he hadn't noticed -- so what had been left behind? ]

When was this? And which court?

[bythewaves]

Aye, he was. He was in the same catch as my brother and I. Right at the beginning of what the natives call this 'cycle'. [ Unseelie, in other words ]

We do not kmow the exact time of his vanishing, but it was not more than four months he was here.

[extramural]

Four months. [ Nothing, in the grand scheme of things, but much in Dunwall's turmoil. ]

Did he leave a shard, when he vanished?

[bythewaves]

More or less. [ Maglor nods]

He did. [ why does it matter? ]

[extramural]

[ He does not take a breath, but only because it's something he hasn't had to do in 4000 years. Still, the intensity of his stare, of his voice, of the shadowy wisps of magic -- all grow. ]

Was it given to the monarchs?

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor's lip curls in derision but there is only the barest hint of... something in his voice as he answers ]

No. He was... is, our friend. We kept it in our keeping, in hopes he might one day return for it.

[extramural]

[ The intensity ebbs, but only slightly. ]

Good. Good...

[ Then- ]

I would like to hold onto it.

[ This is the Outsider trying to be polite. ]

[bythewaves]

[ A considering pause ]

Why?

[ Daud was his friend, and House's too - Maglor minds not yielding it to one who also would consider him so, but he is leery of this stranger ]

[extramural]

We are old friends.

[ In a manner of speaking. ]

Daud is one of my Marked, and there are few like him. I can assure you that it will be safe.

[bythewaves]

[ Again the considering pause and then ]

Ask for House then, and tell him so. It is in his keeping, as the one of us who had the closest dealings with him in Daud's time here. If he believes that you mean what you say, he may yield it. If not... then I am sorry. The doctor is generally a good judge of character, and I would trust his assessment over yours, your pardon.

[extramural]

'Doctor House', then.

[ There's a nod of his head. The Outsider is rather confident that he'll get his way one way or another. ]

[bythewaves]

If he asks who told you so, tell him Maglor spoke to you. He does not think much of my own judgement, these days [ wry self-depreciation, but it is true ] - but he knows I would not give out my friends names carelessly.

[extramural]

I will do so.

[ He's not very good at introductions just yet, not without being prompted, so he doesn't include his own name. Title. Thing. ]

[bythewaves]

And what name should I give to House when he asks who I have been talking too?

[ It's cool, Maglor only remembers because manners were drummed into him from very young ]

[extramural]

The Outsider. Though I am told it is a poor name.

[bythewaves]

[ on this end eyebrow goes shooting up, but his voice remains scrupulously polite ]

It is certainly less a name, and more a title, I would think. But if that is how you wish to be known, I will certainly let him know. Although if you mind not indulging me a question, I would ask if you are the Outsider, what you stand outside of?

[extramural]

The world.

[ My goodness that's a common question. His answering tone of voice sounds almost bored as a result. ]