Marth's face went pale as ice when Dalanesca mentioned being on ill terms with Angela, though he sighed with exasperation when it turned out to be a joke. "Please, never do that again, you nearly gave me a heart attack." He began to chuckle, relieved that nothing unexpected was likely to happen anytime soon. He chuckled even more when he felt where Dalanesca's hand was going, his own body responding to the touch in an appropriate fashion. On balance, this is far preferable over being a nervous wreck - even if she does strain my stamina a bit, he thought to himself, grinning. "I'm all for testing theories 'till sundown, my lady, for I am…" He shifted, grabbed Dalanesca, and threw her down on the bed, clearly ready to give her his firmest service. "a scholar."

Marth proceeded to kiss her intently, prying her legs apart so as to be situated comfortably on top of her. His hands were caressing, squeezing, and pinching her chest hungrily, before a hand slid down to provide a more hands-on approach to Dalanesca's ecstacy, all the while continuing the venture which had previously left him so concerned - this time with rough and loving abandon. He leant over to nibble at Dalanesca's ear, before hissing "I'll redeem myself for all those awkward silences… But one word from you… And I will be the Destroyer once more," he said, before sinking his teeth into the flesh of her neck and sucking greedily, flirting with pain.



Another two and a half hours later, Marth and Dalanesca were lying on a rug. Marth, exhausted after reaching the fifth height of the day, had all but collapsed on top of Dalanesca seconds after their final climax, breathing heavily for a bit before simply rolling off, landing with a soft thud on the rug. His mortal form was beginning to give into the fatigue, and Marth could feel his body ache. It was a good ache. But still, marth had troubles moving properly. Especially his abdominal muscles were stiff, and one could actually see the cramps on close observation. While Marth was certainly more than happy about his current circumstances, he winced a little from the exertion.

"I'm afraid… I will need recess," he said between breaths. In his chest, his heart was pounding, and his ribcage was rising and falling rapidly, his body trying to keep up with the demand for air. After a few more breaths of air, he managed to speak further. "I do believe you… Have driven me to… Greater feats of stamina… Than might be healthy," he added, smiling. Lying on the rug, fighting for breath, caked in sweat, his scarred frame looked something like a casualty of war, with scratch and claw marks only adding to the image. Marth finally managed to steady his breath, and turned his head to Dalanesca. "So, it's been a few hours… I think maybe it's time we got some food and drink in here," he said. And in that moment came a soft knock on the door, and a female voice offering a late lunch, as if the Magisters knew that it was the ideal time. Marth looked at the door, with a perked eyebrow. "Uncanny…"

Dalanesca could not help but to giggle softly when Marth’s face paled at her joke.  Normally, she was not one to take humor at the expense of a serious subject, but since she was certain that no child would be conceived between her and Marth, she made an exception at this point.  His relief was apparen on his face when coupled with his laughter, but she soon paid little attention to his face, instead fixating her affections on other, more intimate areas of his body.  She let out a bit of a yelp when he unexpectedly grabbed her, and allowed herself to be tossed onto the bed by her companion turned lover, giggling at his quip.

Marth’s lips pressing against her own and his hands exploring her chest, she let out a soft sigh of satisfaction.  At the present moment, it felt as though every moment the two had shared together had culminated in the two of them sharing her bed, and she could think of nothing she wanted more.  A soft gasp followed by a quiet moan parted Dalanesca’s lips when Marth moved a hand lower on her body, his touch sending jolts up her spine.  His lips at her ear drew a shiver, followed shortly by a louder gasp of pleasure when she felt his teeth graze her neck, his words echoing in her mind.  As he pressed into her and nipped at the soft flesh of her neck, she dragged her hands across his back, her fingers digging into his flesh.

-
Dalanesca lay on the soft rug near her bed, Marth only a few inches away from her.  Her breathing was heavy and her skin damp with sweat as a result of their endeavors.  She could sense that Marth was quite exhausted, and she could not blame him - she could not recall a time where she had participated in such activities for that length of time.  Even given her divinity, Dalanesca was on the brink of exhaustion herself.  She rolled to her side, facing Marth, and propped her head up on one hand, her elbow resting on the floor.  “Well, be proud of yourself, Marth,” she said, her voice soft, but happy.  “You’ve managed to bring a goddess to exhaustion with your lovemaking,” she added, reaching over and running a hand down his chest.  She could feel the tenseness in his muscles, and was not surprised - the two had been at it for quite some time.

She nodded in agreement with him when he spoke of needing a break.  “Food does sound quite lovely,” she added, letting out a soft chuckle when a knock and voice came at the door.  “Care to take bets on how long they were out there listening?” she said, shaking her head softly.  She slowly moved to a standing position, groaning a bit.  Her legs were a bit stiff from the multitude of angles she had shifted into in the previous few hours, and she could most definitely feel it.  While she was not concerned with covering her nakedness from the Magistrates, she was not entirely sure how Marth would feel about such and pulled a blanket from the bed, tossing it down to him so he could cover himself if he wished to.

She walked to the door, opening it to a few of her younger Magistrates.  Two of them were female, not seemingly bothered by her nudity in the slightest.  The third, a young male who could not have been more than twenty or twenty one years old, glanced at her for a moment.  His eyes darted to Marth, and his skin turned beet red, before he cast his gaze down at his feet, avoiding looking at Dalanesca.  Dalanesca quirked an eyebrow and glanced back at Marth, laughing slightly.  “Fruits, and tea cakes… and perhaps some chicken,” she said to her staff.  “And water, as well as wine,” she added.  She glanced to Marth, inviting his to request anything specific.  

The staff departed, and Dalanesca shut the door.  She padded towards a bureau, where she pulled out a silk robe, wrapping it around herself and walking back to Marth.  She sat on the edge of the bed, a smile affixed to her lips.  “I would most definitely call the last forty eight hours a highlight,” she said, in reference not only to their lovemaking but also to the destruction of the shard they had found.  

A knock sounded once more at the door, and Dalanesca went over to answer it.  One of the magistrates had returned with a large serving platter with the various foods and drinks they had requested.  She took it, and walked over to the table, setting it down. She looked to Marth, and smiled. “Can you move to come eat? Or do I need to come feed you?” she asked, smirking slightly. 

Pouring herself a bit of water, she continued to speak. “So,” she said, and took a drink. “We accomplished your goal, or at least the first part of it. We obviously have things to attend to in the realm here, but what is next on your agenda?” she asked. She would have been content to spend the remained of the day curled up with Marth, but she knew the two had many other things they needed to attend to.  There would always be time for dalliances between the two when they pleased - whether they were occupied with a mission or not.  While she awaited his response, she looked at him, intimately, the barrage of emotions she felt for him apparent on her face. A smile crossed her lips, perhaps out of character for the conversation she had started - but she did not care. She felt happy, and it was due to Marth - that was something she would not let go of. 

Marth took a moment to admire Dalanesca's naked form as she went to answer the door. No reason to be shy, I guess, he thought, as the goddess threw him a blanket. He sat up with a grunt, listening to Dalanesca's order. "Add an egg - over easy - and a few strips of soft bacon to that," he said, "and some lightly toasted bread. Butter too, of course. Maybe a bit of cheese." He thought for a moment, and shrugged. "I think that's it." He didn't see the young man cast his gaze aside.

Marth got up, putting his own robes on - robes which had undergone a few changes. The badge of Wyllmochvar, as well as his rank badge, had been removed, replaced instead with a badge depicting a set of scales, on a black and white background. Beneath that badge was another, a sunburst set aflame. A similar device adorned the entryway to the Tower of Redemption and Destruction - apparently, the burning sunburst was Marth's chosen sigil. Without any undergarments or armour, the robe did in fact look a little silly. When Dalanesca fetched the food, he sat down next to her, and began filling his plate and cup.

He ate a few bits as he listened to Dalanesca, contemplating her question. What to do indeed. He gave it a moment of thought before answering. "Well, the first couple of Revalites have already expressed a desire to serve," he said, "and while some of the magistrates have already begun explaining who you are and what your domain is, a proper education must be planned," he said, between mouthfuls. "Frankly, I'd say affairs of the Blinded Scales will take presedence for a while longer." He took a deep drink of water, filled his cup, and drained the next one as well, before continuing. "The magisters can set up a decent curriculum, I am certain, but I think it'd be for the best that we remained here until a system is more or less in place." He ate another mouthful. From his idle gesturing when he ate, it was clear he used his eating breaks to think on what to say. "Additionally, I have some… Small projects going. They'll be done in a few days, but I'd prefer to keep them as surprises," he said, smirking at Dalanesca. "Which means we'll likely be kept busy for a few days still."

After emptying his plate (he truly needed the meal), Marth sat back and sighed with relief. He looked at Dalanesca, pondering, and smiling, before getting up to wash his hands. "After that, I was thinking we could go to Egjora. After a little bit of research, I found that I can actually use the Blinded Scales as a medium of long-distance teleportation. Interdimensional magic isn't really my forte, but by tapping into your, eh… Divine omnipresence, I can actually be sent anywhere. Once we're done here, we should be able to beat the news of Borza's death to Egjora, and search his mansion before someone else gets the same idea. With luck, there will be more information to be discovered there," he said, while drying his hands. He turned to Dalanesca with a smile, his educated, very much in-love eyes shining with enthusiasm. "Sounds like a plan?"

Dalanesca gave Marth a warm smile as he sat to join her, glad that the Magistrates had remembered to bring everything the pair had requested. Her eyes took in the sigils that had replaced the Wyllmovhvarian badge on his robes,and her smile broadened when she saw that of the scales. Reaching up, she pushed her hair back behind her shoulder before reaching out to grab a strawberry off of the platter in front of them, nibbling idly on the fruit while she listened to Marth. 

She was pleased to see that Marth seemed to be content with the position he had attained. In her mind, it seemed there would be no one in the world a better fit to handle the general operations of her realm and oversee the clergy - she trusted Marth immensely and he seemed more than capable - and who better to run the scales than someone who embodied both extremes? 

She could not help but smile as Marth spoke of his plans for planning out instruction and orientation for those wishing to serve in the Scales. She could see the bits of military leadership peeking out through his speech as he spoke of the magistrates setting up curriculum, and it seemed to be that he was a natural at such things. When he took a long drink from his cup of water, she realized that she was also very thirsty, and took a sip from her own cup. She nodded in acknowledgment that she agreed with what Marth was saying, but she did not want to interrupt him - though when he spoke of small projects that would inevitably be surprised, she quirked an eyebrow at him.

“What do you mean, surprises?” she asked. Marth’s expression told her it was nothing to worry about, but she still found herself curious.  After a moment of silence, she brushed it off, assuming that she would find out about his plans soon enough.  "Being busy for a few days sounds just fine," she said, with a bit of a smile.  "I've not spent much time in the realm since my ascension, so it would probably do me good to check in on everything around here… even if there are other ways I would like to spend my time," she said, with a bit of a smirk.

When Marth went on to speak of what they would do once they were done tending to affairs around the Blinded Scales, she listened intently.  "Magic itself was not my forte… I still don't think it is," she said with a bit of a laugh.  "The Scales will send us where we desire to go," she said in agreement.  "And we will most definitely make it to Egjora before news of Borza's death," she continued.  "Remember, time passes much differently here than in the mortal plain," she said.  She caught the look in his eyes and reflected it with one of her own.  

"A plan it is.  Shall we dress, then, and meet the Magistrates?  You can fill them in on what you would like them to instruct those who come to join on," she said.  "I wouldn't mind being there, if you don't mind?" she added.  "Of course, I won't say much… I'd just like to know what those who technically serve me are going to be schooled in," she added with a smile.  She got up from her seat and walked over to Marth, standing on tip toe to press her lips against his in a soft kiss, filled with affection.  "After all, need to make sure you don't talk me up too much," she said with a laugh after she pulled away.  "I don't want to have to live up to unrealistic expectations."  She turned to walk away, towards her bureau, opening it up to examine the contents in order to find some clothes to wear.  


A few moments later, she dropped the robe she wore to the floor and reached into her bureau, pulling out some clothing.  Moments later she was dressed in black leather leggings, as well as a top fashioned from a corset and some leather straps, leaving her arms exposed as she tended to keep the weather in her realm fairly warm.  She walked to her bed, carrying a pair of leather boots in her hands, where she sat down to pull them on as she waited for Marth to get ready.

Marth nodded at Dalanesca, satisfied with her responses. He began kitting up at the same time as her, putting on all his armour and clothing, and inspecting the Dragon Lance. Once he was all kitted up, he grabbed the Dragon Lance and used it as a mage would use any staff - the spear made him look more regal, emphasizing the fact that authority suited him well.

"I don't mind you being there, of course," he began, smiling. "After all, you're the subject of their worship." Before he walked out, he walked up to Dalanesca and gave her a kiss, like the one she had given him moments before. "But I'd like you to promise me this: No matter how devout they are… Don't let them worship you as I do," he said, with a grin. He leant in for another kiss before he turned to step outside.

The walk to where the Magisters kept the acolytes was short - they had been rounded up in the Grey Quarter, about a dozen civilians and an adventurer or two. Marth nodded at one of the Magisters, who cleared her throat and announced their arrival in a highly official manner. "Presenting the Lady of the Blinded Scales, Her Magnificence Dalanesca the Justiciar, She who Maintains Order and Balance, and her consort, -" At this, Marth looked at Dalanesca with a look that promised chastising - "His Excellence Marth Coralax, titled Redeemer and Destroyer, High Priest of the Blinded Scales!" Marth rolled his eyes subtly at the introduction, but stood tall and proud, as befit a man introduced in such a manner. He looked over the acolytes, before his gaze rested on a familiar face.

Myter stood in the middle of the group, dubstruck at the sight before him. He looked as though he was unable to say anything, let alone form a coherent sentence to express his surprise. Marth decided to act before the situation got out of hand. He turned to the Magister who had introduced him and Dalanesca. "Take this man to the Tower of Redemption and Destruction and make sure he's kept fed and hydrated. And you will not leave the tower, for I will have a word with you later." He then turned his attention to the rest of the group. "The remainder, find seats. No point in clawing for attention when there are benches in the Grey Quarter to make use of."

He spent some time explaining the domain of the Justiciar, as well as his own role in the Blinded Scales. He went on to explain what was expected of an ombudsman, enforcer, or guardian of the Justiciar. He went on to point out the main courthouse and the Tower of Redemption and Destruction, which the Magisters had begun calling the Two-faced Tower for simplicity. He also introduced the Magisters properly, as well as Sanctum and Malum. In about an hour, the intoductory tour was done, and a handful decided to leave, their curiosities sated. The remaining seven were taken in by the Magisters to begin their formal education.

Marth then approached Dalanesca again. "Well, that was not a complete disaster. Still, i think we owe Myter an explanation, don't you agree? He seemed a little… Afflicted." He smiled, and turned towards the Tower of Redemption and Destruction, where Myter, the presumptous Magister, and a small handful of surprises lay in wait.

Dalanesca nodded at Marth in a promise.  “Only you,” she said quietly, with a bit of a smile.  It was strange to her to feel so attached to someone again, after spending such a long time on her own.  She hadn’t found it easy to trust anyone in a very long period of time, but she felt so at ease with Marth - so at home - that it just came naturally.

As the two walked down to the Grey Court, she fought the urge to grasp Marth’s hand in her own.  As much as she didn’t want to break the physical contact she had been enjoying with him, she didn’t think it would be entirely proper if the two of them were to show up hand in hand to address a new group of faithful, like a couple of lovesick school children.  Instead, she chose to walk comfortably close to him.

When they arrived, her eyes began scanning the group while the Magister began to introduce them.  Upon the number of titles listed in front of her name, she rolled her eyes, casting a glance at Marth.  She had never been a fan of overly proper titles, but it seemed to come with the territory - however, her eyes shot daggers at the Magister as she introduced Marth as Dalanesa’s consort.  Marth’s look he gave her was enough to anger her further - not at him, but at the audacity that the Magister possessed to say such a thing in front of prospective recruits.

She went back to scanning the group before them and her eyes widened slightly as they fell upon an old friend - Myter, the very man who had taken her in and given her work after she had given up her life as an assassin.  It seemed that he was a tad more surprised to see her than she was to see him - and Marth seemed to have caught on to the situation as well.  Before she could even say or do anything, Marth jumped to action, asking - rather, commanding -  the offending Magister from early to bring Marth to his tower.  It seemed, as well, that he was planning on some sort of disciplinary action for the Magister as well when he instructed her not to leave the tower.

So Dalanesca followed idly by, listening and watching as Marth conducted his introductory tour.  When all was said and done and the newcomers had been taken off by her staff for further instruction, she glanced at Marth when he began to speak to her once more.  She nodded in agreement with him.  “Yes, we probably do,” she said, her voice somewhat distant and her brow furrowed.  In all the turmoil since her ascension and her quest with Marth, coupled with the feelings she had developed for him, Myter had all but fallen from her memory.  The man had been a friend to her - damn near a father, and she was now beginning to feel pangs of guilt for not thinking of him sooner.

“Poor old sap,” she said, looping her arm through Marth’s so the two could head to the tower.  “He’s probably a right mess,” she said.  As they walked, her attention turned back to the Magister’s words from earlier.  “By the way, if you’re my consort,” she said, putting a sarcastic emphasis on the word.  “Shouldn’t you just stand idly by in the background looking pretty?” she continued, though she could barely get the words out without a laugh.  The two reached the tower doors shortly thereafter, and she stepped aside, letting Marth take the lead.

Marth hummed as Dalanesca accompanied him to the tower. As She began japing about him being her consort, he chuckled. "Many rulers have held consorts that turned out to be excellent and influential leaders," he began, "In Pravpora as well as Canelux." He kept a slightly slower pace for Dalanesca's benefit - it wouldn't do to rush a goddess anywhere. "Needless to say, however, that was a liberty the Magister should not have taken." He thought for a moment. "I think some time seeing to the accomodations and needs of the prospective clergy - giving her to them as a sort of maid - might be an appropriately humiliating - and public - punishment." As they reached his oil-and-water-patterned tower, Marth let go of Dalanesca's arm and opened the door to show her inside. "We cannot, however, overlook our own blame in this. We probably should have informed the Magisters that our relationship -" he said the word somewhat matter-of-factly - "was not to be made public."

Inside the tower, the Magister in question was seeing to Myter's needs. The poor man was sitting in a sofa, having recieved some tea for his nerves. Marth looked at him, then at Dalanesca, and smiled. "I think this one is yours, my lady," he said in a formal tone, before brusqely dragging the Magister aside to inform her of her punishment.

Dalanesca wholeheartedly agreed with Marth - in her eyes, it was not so much the fact that she did not want her relationship with Marth - whatever it was - to be public, but more to the fact that addressing Marth in such a manner seemed to tone down the authority he should have over the newcomers.  He was the one in charge of them, the one they would ultimately answer to, and having him be first introduced as the goddess’s consort would just not do.  However, she found his wording of such a bit terse, in her opinion.  “Frankly, I see no reason we should have to hide… whatever this is,” she said, her cheeks reddening a bit, it becoming clearly obvious that she may have taken Marth’s words in a manner in which he did not mean them - or perhaps exactly how he meant it. 

She turned her back to Marth and stepped quickly into the tower, ascending to the room where Myter was sitting along with the Magister.  She glanced at Marth when he spoke, nodding briefly, before walking over to sit down next to her old friend.

“Long time no see,” she said, softly.  Myter looked up at her, his eyes still obviously full of confusion.  He said nothing at first, only looking at her.   “Let me just start out with telling you that this is a new development,” she said, gesturing her hands neutrally around her.  “Back in Adeluna… I wasn’t like this.  Not when I was working for you,” she added.  

Myter blinked a few times.  “Always knew there was somethin’ special about ya,” he said, quietly.  Dalanesca quirked an eyebrow but said nothing.  “He that bloke you met in the tavern that night ya left?” he asked her, nodding his head towards the direction Marth had gone off in.  Dalanesca nodded.  “He looks at you like he love ya,” he said, giving her a smile.  

Dalanesca’s face reddened a bit, her earlier confusion at what Marth had said to her still apparent in her mind.  “How’ve you been, Myter?” she asked, changing the subject, the two bouncing off into conversation like old friends.

Marth, standing in one end of the tower, looked sternly at the Magister in front of him. His gaze was steel and fire - anger tempered by millitant authority. "Consort? Before I mete out proper disciplinary action, you have ten seconds to explain yourself." The poor Magister looked up at Marth, a little nervous. To her credit, her voice didn't waver. "We have not been around long, my lord. We all thought the two of you were -" Marth cut her off before she could finish, his voice like soft thunder. "What you thought is irrelevant. In the work of justice and balance, you work with what you know, is that clear? And for the record, lady Dalanesca and I are not married. Nothing is official. Which means you Magisters are way out of bounds treating it as though it is." The Magister averted her gaze downwards, but her stubborn expression remained. "Official or not, you should have seen Sanctus light up when you were together. It looked rather like a carnival."

Marth looked at the Magister, dumbfounded for a second. "And on that basis, you decided to give an introduction which undermined my authority, your integrity, and worst of all, lady Dalanesca's standing?" The Magister looked down on the floor, her cheeks flushing. Marth stood over her, imposingly, for a few seconds. He then took a step back and pointed to the door. "Until other orders are provided, you will look to the prospective clergy and ensure they have all the food, drink, and facilities they require. You will put yourself at their disposal, and provide them every service short of the sexual. Do you understand!?" The Magister nodded ferverently and rushed out the door, leaving the room empty save for Marth, Dalanesca, and Myter.

Marth approached the two with a smile. "My apologies, Myter. I approeciate that this must have come as quite the shock. I trust lady Dalanesca has explained the situation, to an extent?" He also flashed Dalanesca a look of apology. In truth, he didn't feel all that sorry for what he had said, though he realised he could have phrased himself better. As he positioned himself next to her, he brushed her hand subtly, letting her know she could address her concerns at any time.

She looked to Marth as he joined the two of them, and met his smile with one of her own, albeit brief.  Myter gave Marth a nod of acknowledgment, his face still in a mild state of bewilderment.  “Aye, she ‘splained best she could, I s’pose,” he said, his voice sounding tired.

Dalanesca glanced at Marth when came to sit next to her, and she could see the apology in his face.  She gave him a smile, deciding that being cold towards him was not worth it - the two would have plenty of time later to have a discussion about things later on.  For the time being, she needed to focus on Myter and what exactly she and Marth were going to do with him.  She felt Marth’s hand brush her own, and she reflexively slid her hand into his own, giving it a gentle squeeze so as to let him know that things were fine and they would talk later.

Myter seemed to notice the touch between the two, and he narrowed his eyes at Marth.  “I knew you were upta no good the moment I set my eye on ya, I seen the way ya looked at her,” he said to Marth, disgust apparent in his voice.  “Y’after her fer nothin’ but what’s got on her body, didn’t need her for no mission or nothin’,” he continued, nodding his head in Dalanesca’s direction.  “She’s too good fer summin’ like that, treatin’ her like y’picked her up in a brothel,” he said, his words becoming more tense with each syllable.  “Now ya got her when she gits all powered up an’ ya git somethin’ outta it.”

Dalanesca’s mouth dropped open.  She glanced from Marth and back to Myter, her eyes wide in surprise at the words coming out of Myter’s mouth.  “Marth’s done nothing of that sort,” she said to him, her voice explicitly offended.  “You will not speak ill of him - not in my realm, not here,” she said, her voice firm.  She glanced to Marth, not really sure of how to address the situation at hand.  On one hand, she knew that Myter cared for her much as he would his own daughter, but he was not exactly the brightest man she had ever met.

Myter frowned at her, looking down at the floor, it apparent in his face that he had more to say, but was thinking on his words carefully.  After a moment, barely audible words escaped his lips.  “Jus’ takes one good romp to turn all ya’ inno blubbing idiots,” he muttered, obviously under the impression that neither of them would be able to hear him.