Co-post between RedKayne and Maya
The long trip to and from the Borderfields with Letum and Athame was thankfully uneventful. With the memories of the carnage on their last mission still riding at the forefront of her mind, Kiera was relieved this diplomatic mission had gone smoothly. None of the beasts that so loved to try and kill them bothered to show their gnarly faces. On this trip, they were able to visit with the citizens, show their leaders were working in solidarity with the peoples and make sure all was well within their borders.
Even though the visit had held an air of calm about it, after all the Templar's had been through of late, she had no plans to let her guard down until they arrived back home in the city of Sanctuary. It was easy to tell that, even within their own walls, the tension hung heavy like a dark shroud over the city. After so many deaths, so many questions and so few answers as to how to stop the Lycan's and their bloodthirsty leader, the people were getting nervous. It was up to the Templar order to offer some semblance of calm. Even they were likely starting to feel the strain of the unknown just outside their very doorsteps.
As soon as the trio made their way through the city gates, she'd give a quick wave of goodbye to her traveling companions and set to the task of delivering the shipment of herbs for the alchemists who could put it to good use for those in need. Kiera would linger for a few seconds. If nothing else, figuring a thank you was in order. All she earned was a grunt, as the box was snatched up and the door to their work area promptly slammed shut. "Thank you for delivering this much-needed package, Templar Sanford.." Mumbling to herself as that door barely missed her nose by mere inches. Since she'd not even get a grunt of gratitude, Kiera would pat her own back. "Oh, you're very welcome. It's the least I could do" Rolling her eyes at the rudeness of some people. Just because they're scholars and oh so smart doesn't mean they have to be stuffy.
During the short breaks between training and traveling to and from the Borderfields, Kiera had somehow found the time to settle into a new,'old', house on the far side of town. She had hopes of finding a bit of peace and solitude during those oh, so rare down times. Kiera even jotted down the date and placed a bet with herself on how long it would take before the first family members started popping up like weeds on her doorstep. When there was a knock at the door, of course, she assumed they had discovered her secret hiding place and almost refused to answer; but, that would be rude. If Kiera was rude to her mother, well..as they say, Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned or ignored. She'd pull the door open, expecting faces she knew and instead, found a messenger with a sealed scroll in hand. Upon breaking the seal, she'd discover a summons to meet Archon Denaris in her office for a private meeting. To say the request was unexpected was an understatement. She knew there was a 50/50 chance the summons could be really good or really bad.
Thankfully Kiera had already showered which would make getting ready much quicker. There was a debate between casual clothes or uniform. She figured it would be more professional to go with the later as a sign of respect for the Archon's station. She all but did an outright run to the building before taking a few minutes to catch her breath, do a uniform check and make sure no strands of loose hair were sticking out of the tight-knit bun before making her way inside the building, softly rapping on the door to the Archon's office.
"Templar Kiera Sanford reporting as requested."
There was no initial response, but the door was left unlocked. Kiera would find that a bit curious but entered the office anyways and headed directly towards the desk. A chair was turned around and facing away from the desk, and obviously, somebody was sitting on it.
"I'm glad you're able to join me in such short notice, Kiera Sanford," a familiar man's voice suddenly spoke up from the chair, alarming the young woman. It wasn't Archon Denaris at all.
The chair swiveled around, and instead, Kiera would face the other Archon... Balthazar Hills.
He held a stern facial expression, before pointing the open chair before him across the desk. "Please, take a seat," he beckoned.
Surely, the Templar would be shocked to find Balthazar. It was merely child's play for him, though, to set up this meeting. It didn't take too much work for his vast network of spies to make a duplicate key for this office, take Amelia's seal, and send out a messenger to fetch the young woman.
"We have much to discuss."
Kiera found it strange that no one answered when she knocked on the door. Even stranger. there was no answer in response. "Hello? Archon Denaris?" Maybe she stepped out for a minute to get a cup of coffee? She wasn't big on the dark brew; but, it seemed as if everyone else was. Knowing the woman would surely be coming back, she'd go ahead and step inside to wait until the Archon returned. It was then she noticed the chair facing the wrong way and, quite definitely, the top of someone else's head who looked nothing like Denaris which made her freeze dead in her tracks and say not a single word. Once the man spoke, Kiera knew from the deep timber of his voice exactly who she was now dealing with. So the grand reveal of him being Balthazar Hills wasn't quite so grand. It did put her on edge. He wasn't known as the most friendly person. "Archon Hills." Adding nothing more. Figuring the less she spoke, the better off she'd be.
Upon his request, Kiera took the seat as directed. Her mind was racing to figure out why he'd singled her out and what he wanted from her.
"We have much to discuss..."
He'd never 'discussed' anything with her before. Why now? "You've gone through a lot of trouble to get me here, I guess we should start discussing."
"Indeed," Balthazar nodded his head, before leaning forward in his chair - elbows on his desk and his hands steepled together. "I want to be straight to the point, I want you to transfer custody of Kaitlyn Hills under my protection. She should no longer live under your supervision," he stated flatly. "Especially under the supervision of another templar," the last word came out with a hint of distaste.
Kiera didn't foresee this coming; but, it really shouldn't be much of a surprise that Balthazar would use Isaac's untimely death as a reason to try and take Kaitlyn away from all of those the little girl considered family. "Really? You think it's best to strip your son's only child away from everyone and everything she's ever known? Especially after all of the hell, she's gone through losing her mother and father?" Even under risk of death or being locked in a jail cell, her answer was set in stone. "Hell no, I made a promise to Templar Hills that Kaitlyn would be well loved and cared for. He asked me to care for her and I plan to do just that."
The two appeared to be very much at odds. "How will you be able to keep up with her exuberance? Do you even care what his wishes were? Why would I hand over an innocent child to a man who probably hasn't laid eyes on her since the day she was born. I won't deny your grandfatherly right to get to know her; but, I'll not let you strip this child away from the supports system that's been in place since her mother passed away."
Being as she didn't trust Balthazar as far as she could spit, her words would surely inflame him even further when offering. "We can arrange for monitored visits. Give her a chance to meet you." With Kiera supervising of course. "I can see you despise me. Your venom towards me as a Templar and as a person is just the type of attitude I want to shelter Kaitlyn from. If you can't be civil, you won't see her at all." Throwing down the gauntlet. A gauntlet comprised of many people who'd fight tooth and nail to protect one little girl they all loved.
The Archon sat back on his chair, his face completely set like a stone... unemotional and stoic. He allowed Kiera to finish, allowing the woman to give him an ultimatum - as if she actually believed she had power here.
"Let me ask you a question, Miss Sanford," Balthazar began, proving he can be professional. He raised up an index finger, raising his eyebrows with genuine curiosity. "How many days do you believe that you will be on this planet?" he questioned, referring to how long does she expect to be alive.
"Last time I check... Templars have a short lifespan for various and obvious reasons. The latest example is my own nephew, who's life was taken very unexpectedly. So... how long do you expect that you'll follow suit... Kiera Sanford? A couple years? A couple months, or even just a few weeks?"
"You are correct, Kaitlyn has already been through hell and needs a support system. A stable support system. If we're to be honest with each other, Kaitlyn does not need another loved one taken away from her. I understand my nephew's wishes for Kaitlyn, but we both know he is a bit too idealized and naive. You cannot keep your promise to him for long, Ms. Sanford."
"I may not be the best person in the world... but I can see the long-term picture here. Kaitlyn can no longer live under templar supervision. She is the last of the Hills bloodline... she cannot grow up to be a Templar like her parents and share the same fate. She needs an actual future."
"So I will repeat myself... transfer your custody of Kaitlyn Hills under my protection," his eyes were set. Kiera was a very determined individual, but she would obviously see that he means business also. His eyes were stone-cold and will not waver from his goal.
It's easy to see this man was very astute at getting what he wants when he wants it. The problem is someone like Kiera, who is headstrong and really could care less if she died in ten years or ten minutes, was just that..she was stubborn to a fault. She made a promise. She keeps her promises. Period. End of story.
"This isn't about me, Balthazar." Crossing her arms over her chest in an overt sign of resolution. "Kill me now, tomorrow, fifty years from now. No one will miss or mourn me. But, again, this isn't about me. It's about Isaac and his last wish." She'd meet him eye to eye because getting the message through his thick skull required being stubborn enough to stare him down.
"Let me get this straight. You just said..in your own words..that Kaitlyn needs a stable support system. She does not need to have any other loved ones taken away. Your own words, spoke just now..yes?" Pausing to allow him time to replay those words in his head if need be. "You're right, I can't keep MY promise because I'm a Templar and that requires travel and a wee bit of danger. But Kaitlyn has lived the majority of her life, almost since birth, with the same people for many years. People who adore her. People who are not Templar's but good, kind, loving, hard working people. She's had the same babysitter, spent time playing with Judy in the same bakery, visiting with the priest at the same church, the blacksmith and his family dote on her endlessly. These are the people she's grown up with and love her. What rational reason do you have to rip everyone and everything away from her? Can't you find a heart in that cold, hard chest of yours and do this slowly? Let her get to know you. Know this, if you do this...if you tear her away from the only life she's ever known, she may grow to hate you. Not that your cold heart would give a damn."
He was going to do it anyway. She could feel it in her bones. "You speak of my chances at longevity in this world; but, you're not a young man Balthazar Hills. What if you die before she's old enough to care for herself? What then? Bounce her around to more strangers? Think...truly think on it. What kind of life will she have then?"
Balthazar awaited for Kiera to finish once more, but this time - his eyes briefly flared with annoyance, which betrayed his stoic expression for only a second. "What rational reason, Ms. Sanford? As I said... Kaitlyn is the last of the Hills bloodline, she cannot grow up to be a Templar and share the same fate of her parents," he stated flatly.
Kiera is a very stubborn person, very much like Balthazar. But the Archon has many more years of experience than her and knows exactly how to negotiate with people. She will shortly learn she has no power in her situation at all.
"Kaitlyn is of noble blood. Which means she will have responsibilities. Isaac ran away from his destiny, and look what happened to him? She will need to be raised as a noblewoman to continue our prestigious bloodline, and not be raised from templars or the dregs of society," Balthazar stated, displaying his elitist attitude and labeling every single person Kiera mentioned to be a dreg.
"We can approach hypotheticals from many angles, Ms. Sanford," Balthazar began. "If you believe that my old age will be a hindrance, imagine the status from everybody you mentioned? The monthly pilgrimage takes away those that are no longer deemed worthy to live in our society... imagine how long it takes before those very people will be taken away?" he paused in his words. "I would rather that Kaitlyn grows up and hates me... than live a life where a loved one is taken away from her on a seasonal basis."
The Archon leaned forward once more, clasping his hands together. "But enough with ideal chit-chat and hypothetical, Ms. Kiera Sanford," he stated, his eyes narrowing and becoming more serious. "I understand the nature of Templars, I did raise my nephew after all. Many of you have this patriotic nature of service and self-sacrifice, obviously you're including considering you don't care about your own life. But, like any other human being, you care about the life of others."
"Let me ask you yet another question. This will be another hypothetical situation. But, imagine that you return to Sanctuary after another harrowing mission... and find someone like Judy suffered a very tragic accident? It would be a darn shame if anything happened to her... or that priest... or that blacksmith and his family," he stated firmly, completely cold like a snake.
"If simple common sense cannot shake your foolish stubbornness, Kiera, recognize that I have a lot of power. And as you can see - I have the power to easily make things happen... power that Archon Denaris cannot truly rival."
"So, let me repeat myself once more time..." he leaned forward closer, staring Kiera down with his own icy-blue eyes. "Transfer your custody of Kaitlyn Hills to under my protection."
Stare away asshole. Kiera might lose this battle; but, that won't stop the all out war that will follow if Kaitlyn was miserable living with him. "You're nothing but a cold hearted bastard. But, I can't say I'm surprised since Isaac couldn't stand you either." She hated doing this. Hated being put in this position. Truly despised what she was being forced to do. "I do this under duress. I don't think you have the ability to raise a young child with such a zest for life as Kaitlyn." Knocking his age yet again. Kaitlyn was not going to be an easy child for him to keep up with. She was a free spirit. If he squashed that exuberance, it would be easy to recognize he was mistreating her.
"It's not just me and those who've helped raise her who love her. The people of Sanctuary loved Isaac. This is not a game, Balthazar. Do you have toys for her? Have you decorated a bedroom for her? Do you even know what she likes to eat? You know absolutely nothing, yet you plan to whisk her away from everyone and everything. This is a child who's been lucky enough to have stability when so many children do not." He may not care; but, it was very plain to see, Kiera did.
"I promise to sign the papers on one condition. You show me where she's going to live and that you have everything prepared for this little girl. Do that and I won't fight you any further."
"And obviously she's a very unlucky child when both of her parents have been coldly taken away from this world, Ms. Sanford," Balthazar cooly replied back. "I may be a cold-hearted bastard, but I have the best intentions to raise her to face this world. Toys and decorations will not help her face reality," he stated, a response to the several questions Sanford sent to him.
He won't be personally raising Kaitlyn, he has many caretakers he can supervise and assist. He can't shirk his duties as an Archon, after all.
"But at least I'm glad you're starting to see this my way, Ms. Sanfrod," the Archon responded when Kiera gave out her one condition. "We will have everything set up for the little girl in about a week. When the time comes, you will be summoned again. A week should be sufficient for the little girl to say her goodbyes."
"You are dismissed now, Templar Kiera Sanford," the Archon was finished.
She found it unfathomable that Balthazar felt it was time to make such a young girl, a child who should be playing and laughing, instead come face to face with the reality that life sucks and everyone dies. He's such a sweet man.
"My family died when I was so young I can't even remember their faces. I think it will be in her best interest to be in the care of her real family." Or, in honest truth, the care of paid attendants who are complete and total strangers to Kaitlyn. On the bright side, she'll be able to manipulate them around her little finger.
"I'm glad we've come to an accord. She will be turned over to you in one week. I'm sure you will provide her with the best accommodations and she'll want for nothing." He was a wealthy old coot wasn't he? An old coot who will try to turn her heart away from those who've been watching over her since the day she was born. But, who cares about little things like that? No one will even notice she's gone.
"We'll see you at the end of the week."
After Kiera left the office, Balthazar sat in Denaris's office room in silence. He clasped his hands together, thinking hard about his actions.
She's not going to go through this deal... Balthazar had a strong feeling in his gut. It would be best to set up a meeting with Iago, I'm sure he'll be more than willing to take care of Ms. Sanford.
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