( Seems like there are some typos in there in the first paragraph.
It won't let me edit it, either, so sorry everyone! It seemed a sentence repeated itself?)

(Found the sentence issue, edited; my apologies)

Tidus had spent the wee hours of the morning checking enchantments on all the house portals and windows. He was satisfied that they were intact and had gone to spend a good walk through his vast herb garden and green house. These walks always soothed him and made him, at least for a short while, forget the problems of the recent days as all the scents of the various herbs wafted to his nostrils. So he sat down, the stress racked mage of House Dilysnia laid on a large bench made of stones and he drifted into a deep sleep. In this sleep it seemed his mind wandered, or perhaps his spirit did. He found himself with the newly selected head of the house, Deston. Deston seemed worried for someone close to him and his mother who was still greatly feeling the loss of Harvold. Tidus sighed sadly even in his dreams and as he was about to place a comforting hand upon Deston's shoulder and whisper some advice to his subconscious he was jostled awake rather violently.

Tidus sprang up to a sitting positon and drew a small blade from his robe sleeve that he kept razor sharp for his professional purposes. The poor servant about had a heart attack but Tidus put a way the blade and apologized, "I'm sorry my dear, what is it you need you look scared to death?" The younger woman was all a twitter and rattled the message off so quickly it was a miracle that he got it, or at least the important parts of it. He stood up quickly and pulled the young woman along out of the greenhouse and to where the fallen Bianca lay. He checked for vital signs and he sighed with relief, "... thank the gods she isn't dead." Everyone exhaled at that statement which he hadn't realized he said out loud. But he continued without missing a beat, "Take her to my quarters and lay her on the bed in the entry room. Have someone bring a pitcher of water and fresh bed linens there. I'll need someone outside my door at all times," he moved to leave to prepare the room but stopped, turning and looking at them and saying with such force that it made a good number of those present fear some enchantment, "If you damage a hair on her head on the way up you will be sorrier than you ever have been or likely will be. No loose tongues today my friends or you might lose the use of them as well. Now be quick!" he moved off with an almost elegant and purposefull stride which carried him to his room rather quickly.

While there he made the entrance bed, and changed into his physician's robe, simple brown and a single piece with tight sleeves. He had washed it it boiling water and then let his various instruments do the same. Preparing a pot for tea and various salves and herbs for an array of ailments he stood there his hands pressed upon the table as he stared out the window thinking, Could she be another target? Could this be because of me again? What if the assassin had been lurking and saw her speak with Donovan and myself? Could they be trying to get to Donovan as well? he swallowed and shook his head quickly trying to calm himself saying, "You don't yet know what is wrong, hold your silly suspicions for later. You are no novice! Just because things are happening to your friends you can't lose your wits!" he scolded himself and awaited the arrival of the servants carrying Bianca.

It was small and careful movements for the male servant who quickly volunteered to lift and carry the unconscious Lady to the House Wizards quarters, muscles in his arms twitching with nervousness from the oh-so-promising words Tidus had spoke out to them all. Bianca was like a doll, limbs limp, eyes closed and lips pink slightly parted as her lungs still worked to inhale and exhale.


As the unconscious Bianca was carried through the halls, people who were passing began buzzing with questions, the occasional gasp coming to ear. There was no doubt that the work of gossip had already come about! A few frantic servants followed in tow, assisting the male servant who carried Bianca as if she was fragile as porcelain.

Finally they had reached Tidus's chamber, a woman that had followed along quickly opening the door and pushing it open, the handle hitting the door with a bang. Even the hysteria that revolved around Bianca could not wake her, her chest still raised and fell, but her breaths deep and shallow. A row of sweat beaded her brow, one or two strands of raven entrapped in the pesperation. Just as Bianca had been carried into the room, two more servants came in, swiftly providing the requested items Tidus had demanded. Nosy servants peaked in through the door frame, all quite so curious on why the Master Paintress had fainted so suddenly.

* * * * *

Dazrath had met Sunetra at the designated location, the Crystal Blower, an above-board Glassblowers’ front-and-back-end shop which nevertheless had a secret basement and an assassin’s cache of equipment and weapons. The guild had numerous such locations throughout the city.

Sunetra was in a flurry of motion as he entered, the woman firing off small darts towards a ringed target upon a distant wall. The basement carried right below the glassblowing shop and its long, thin hearth and working quarters, creating a long, deep under-aisle suitable for weapon throwing. Dazrath hovered silently, waiting until her hands were empty. Her aim was meticulous, each wave of darts embedding within the inner circles of the target. This was a feat made all the more remarkable not merely because she had used both her hands, but because the weight and size of the darts vastly differed. She had intuitively weighed each and cast them out appropriately.

It seemed she was in a good mood, a small smile playing over her full, dark lips. Dazrath loathed the fact that it would quickly wither. He did not at once move forward or speak.

“I know you have failed,” she purred, her arid Eastern accent amused. “And you’re late: have you been having fun, perhaps?” Her dark laughter caressed the chamber; caressed the instruments of death upon the cramped racks.

Dazrath stumbled over the words to explain his incompetence. “I . . . I thought it was . . . was him, the wizard.”

“Get out,” she ordered coldly.

As Dazrath—to his bewilderment—left the basement and escaped punishment, Sunetra’s smile deepened, illuminating the roundness of her cheeks. She stared at the circled target meaningfully, and the collections of darts congregated therein. Cadaverus had been struck a bad play of fate, and a warning. And while he was not happy, Sunetra would not be toyed around.

* * * * *

Tidus turned around as his door opened swiftly with a slam against the wall, "Good lord!" he jumped and decided not to scold anyone again since he was off in his own little world at the time and should have opened it when his initial preparations were finished. Instead he coolly directed the man to the simple but quite comfortable bed for her to be laid upon and turning to the other two who brought the items he needed he nodded and gave each a note, "These are for you. If you have need of a medicine, salve, or something else while you are out and about these will get them for you. I don't give them out idly so do not squander them. They are written and sealed by my own seal and any shop that deals in such things will honor them. You have all done very well... save you lot." he frowned at the crowd outside his door, "Be off with you and stop your blabbing. It won't help her any. Plus I assure you she will be just fine. No go about your business but leave one outside the door in case I need a runner." he caught sight of a young girl who looked rather windswept, "You there... you'll do nicely, besides it looks like you're used to running about." he gave a good natured smile, as any good doctor could do to ease those around him or needing his care. He placed a spare chair out in the hall next to his door and then closed it after prodding everyone along their way.

Turning around he took a deep breath and prepared a cool towel for her forehead and lightly dabbed it letting the coolness do it's work. She looked exhausted, it could be she was over taxed and simply fainted. He'd seen it plenty especially in recent days here. Everyone was a whirlwind of actions with so much to do for the incumbent Lord. He prepared some leaves in the hot water and placed the mix in a bowl with a lid that had vent holes in the top. Placing it on the table next to her would revive her slowly and gently without any harsh tastes or smells. He didn't want any shocks to make matters worse otherwise he would have used smelling salts or something of a quicker nature. There was no hurry, she was breathing and calm so he knew she was ultimately alright. But he checked her pulse just the same and slowly opened her mouth to have a look using a stick that had been sitting in a glass of sugar. Every thing seemed to look alright for now. Once she woke he would be able to find out more and then he could help... by whatever means he had at his disposal.

Bianca De’Amionette: Slowly Bianca began to come around, the cool rag upon her forehead soothing, quite the relief, but the bump on the back of her head was throbbing. She wondered at first how or why her head would be pounding from such a nasty lump - her mind worked hard to conclude what had happened. Walking through her morning routine, and the nausea that had racked her, the young woman suddenly remembered what had happened. She had fainted!! Lashes fluttered as her eyes open, her body feeling oh so heavy. A groan rumbled from her throat as she attempted to lift herself into a sitting position, oh it was de-ja-vu for her all over again, but this time the sickness was even worst. "I am mortified for fainting.." thought Bianca, a hand catching the cool rag that fell from her forehead as she steadied herself into an upright position, raven locks tumbling forward.


Tidus Zephir: Tidus without turning around from his table shook his head slowly, "You will kindly lay your head back down on that pillow or I shall sedate you." he finally turned with a small cup in his hand and then came to sit on a stool near the bed. His kind face held a stern gaze as he sat and once she was laying again he placed a hand behind her head to lightly lift it as he put the cup to her lips,"Please drink this it should settle your stomach." he smiled and nodded slowly "Drink it all and then we will talk while you lay there." He said very matter of factly and waited for her to accept the drink.


Bianca De’Amionette: Her tired eyes glanced to Tidus, instantly obeying his orders and resting backward onto the pillows. Bianca winced as his hand brushed the bump on the back of her head, her mouth opening to welcome the liquid Tidus had offered. Oh, she would drink anything that would cease the pains that went through her body, mainly her stomach, the nausea almost unbearable for her. The last drop was consumed, her mouth moving away from the edge of the cup. The pillows were welcoming as well, holding her weight as she sank into their softness. "Tidus, did I... faint?" she was embarrassed to ask, and more embarrassed if her mind had recollected correctly. Bianca waited for the prescribed liquid to work it's ways on her pains, one hand resting upon her belly. "Am I becoming ill, Tidus?" another question asked.

Tidus Zephir: Tidus nodded slowly and set the cup aside and smiled, "Yes, I should say you did, you might notice that tender lump on the back of your head, but soon that pain should be dulled to." he took a deep breath and then exhaled as her second question came and resting his hand lightly upon her head he shook his slowly, "That is why you are here, to find out what is ailing you my dear. I'm sure Donovan would and will be beside himself once he finds out." then began to lightly feel her face with the backs of his hands and then poked lightly around the underside of her jaw, "So tell me when did all this first happen? The fainting... or was it something else that brought this on?"

Bianca De’Amionette: Oh, she knew Donovan would be terribly worried once the news had gotten its way to him. Bianca stayed still as Tidus did his job, "I have been feeling more fatigued than usual, for my entire life I have been able to ride a horse as long as possible and not even lose my breath. Now the simplest routines in my day have been tiring me, but this morning this nausea caught me off guard, I wretched as well.". Bianca shuddered, remembering the nausea from this morning and wishing she would never had to experience it again. She let out a sigh of relief as the drink he had provided her was working it's wonderful magic, her stomach calming. "I am stumped myself, dear friend, I have never felt like this before." she said softly.

Tidus Zephir: He nodded slowly things beginning to make sense to him he raised a brow quizzically, "Any sort of tenderness on your body? Any thing strange like aversions to foods or drinks that you once found delicious or visa versa?" Tidus thought now that he knew what was happening to her but he would be positive on this one so as to not cause undue distress or wrongfully give someone a hope or dream.

Bianca De’Amionette: Bianca lowered her eyes bashfully, cheeks flushing with color as she answered Tidus' question, "I have been feeling unusual tenderness in my.. my um, breasts" redness in her cheeks deepened, "and my appetite has grown, I eat portions more often than my normal routine.". Both hands had raised to comb their fingers through her raven mane, pulling back stray strands out of her faced - her complexion was improving, but the taint of fatigue still visible. For a brief moment Bianca sat there, mind scanning through physical notes - "My monthly flow has not come yet either." she noted. [fin]

Tidus Zephir: Tidus sat upright on his stool and nodded slowly smiling shaking his head slowly but his eyes lit up a little, "Well my dear I have some good news, or bad news depending on how you look at it." Standing up he moved back over to the table laid out with all of his bowls, jars, cases and utensils laying on a fresh piece of linen. For now he wrote on a piece of paper. Coming back to sit down he now had a piece of paper and a cup. "First the news, you haven't some mysterious illness. You are with child." he nods slowly waiting to gage her reaction, "The items I hold I will give to you based on what you want."

Bianca De’Amionette: Green-gray eyes followed her friend as he moved across the room to a table. Good news or bad news? Nervousness tingled at her, what could Tidus be talking about? Bianca suddenly became anxious to see what Tidus was scribbling down onto a piece of parchment. As Tidus came back, her heart began pounding, ears filled with drum like noises. "Thank God" Bianca began to think as Tidus said she was non infected with some illness, but the second half of the sentence is what shocked her. Whirlpools of color widened, brows raising as "you are with child" was said. "Oh my.." her words were a soft whisper, wide eyes moving their attention below, toward her stomach. She was pregnant, and with Donovan's child!

Tidus Zephir: Tidus smirked a little and let it sink in, "Now... to the second part of my inquiry, do you wish to be? Now this is not a decision to be taken lightly." he said softly so that none could hear outside the door, "The parchment here has instructions that I wish for you to follow to the letter," He waved the paper slowly and then the cup as he continued, "The cup has a rather bitter tasting concoction that can and will make it so you will cast the child out." he knew many women who got pregnant often didn't want to be so and so he gave the option. In fact many of the young women of the house had come to him in a panic when they saw the signs, "The question his, Lady, is which do you desire?"

Bianca De’Amionette: Oh, the shock indeed was sinking in. How could she not of realized the signs at first? All the symptoms were becoming clearer! A spark of happiness started, competing with the numbness of shock. Bianca listened to Tidus carefully, and thought of the options recited to her. Does she want to be? Would Donovan want her to be? Honestly not too much thought of the matter was needed, Bianca knew without a doubt that her loving Advisor would be excited by the fact. But would it be good for him with everything that was happening around the house? Perhaps it'd be the ray of sunshine that her darling lover needed. "Yes, I want to keep the child." Bianca said firmly, a smile quickly spreading across her face.

Tidus Zephir: Tidus nodded tossing the substance in the cup right out the window and handed her the paper, "Then here you are. This has foods that are recommended and activities that you need to cut back on. Basically take it easy for a little while until you get a handle on your limitations." he nodded also, "If you like... I will speak to Donovan." he stood and began cleaning up some of his items, "I want you to rest for the remainder of the day as well, you have over taxed yourself already and if you wish to keep the baby I suggest you follow my orders."

Donovan stepped gingerly down from the carriage, glancing around the walls enclosing the gardens, his head turning this way and that, brown eyes full of fear and suspicion. The presence of the house infantry and the knowledge of Tidus's wards did little to reassure him that an assassin could be lurking somewhere. Lurking, and equipped to kill him; much as poor Rammas had been killed yesterday.

So it was with apprehension that Donovan made for the entrance of House Dilysnia. Although he was obviously known as a member of the house, he fished into a waistcoat pocket and procured a card. He showed it to the entry guard, who let him proceed within. The strict security measure had been implemented in conjunction with Tidus's wards to restrict entry to known persons. All minor exits had been locked and closed off, windows barred, and guards set where necessary or prudent.

It was a bit of a nuisance for some of the servants, who were often in and out of the house many times a day, but the Head of Guard had deemed it a necessary precaution. Donovan's aide, Marcel, had created the cards and had them printed for each house employee, noble and servant.

Donovan sighed with relief when beyond the doorway and within the corridors. The advisor had set off early, one young guard accompanying him on his visit to House Disant to deliver news firsthand of Deston's effective birthright. Of course, the prospective heir would have to mull things over and consider the offer.

The timing wasn't brilliant. Donovan had been open and candid on that matter: he had informed the young man of the assassination attempt and the danger the position of lord held. It was true that Dilysnia had suffered much misfortune of late. The unassuming advisor made it quite clear that, if Deston accepted, he may be putting himself at risk—although he hoped Deston would "change the house's fortune".

As Donovan looked over the portraits of lords of old, he was struck by the thought that Deston, indeed, would be a different quantity, perhaps even a breakaway from the traditions of the house and a man to lead them into a modern era.

His musing was broken by a sudden clamour, a shout from the stairwell. "Signore Donovan!" called a servant. The woman had a sorrowful look on her face, and a deeply furrowed brow—or maybe she just looked like that. Donovan looked at her, a brow raised at her outburst.

"It's Signora Bianca!" she exclaimed urgently. The words couldn't come out quickly enough. "She's—she's ill, sir! Fell upstairs in the hallway, she did, but we don't know what happened."

The words registered and a look of horror and anguish overtook Donovan, engulfed his heart in sudden terror. "What—!? Wait, where is she?"

"She . . . wait, Tidus, sir, in his quarters!"

"I pray he can attend her!" Donovan left the woman and hurtled through the house interior. Amid his thoughts and worry he recalled that Bianca wasn't of best health yesterday. Curse him for his neglect. He had put it down to the trials and tribulations of shopping. He should have known better! En route, the advisor passed a guard. The uniformed man jumped up, alerted by Donovan's sudden movements. He made to remove his sword from its loose scabbard but Donovan shook his head furiously. "It's Bianca!" he puffed.

This only caused the guard to jump up quicker (!) and follow the advisor in hot pursuit, the man fearful that Bianca was being attacked. When Donovan reached the chamber of Tidus and stepped in, breathing hard, the guard was close behind.

"Bianca?"

The comfort of the oh so soft pillows seemed to rock Bianca into a soft lull, her body relaxed and free from it's earlier aches and pains.
Lids of her eyes began to feel heavy, the raven haired aphrodite feeling once again the fatigue that came along with her newly found 'condition'. Or perhaps it was the amount of thought that was racing through the young woman, now soon to be mother's head. It was a exhilerating feeling, to know that something was alive and within her, growing over time. Oh, but it was not just 'something', it was so much more than that! This 'something' was her and Donovan's child, created in the most passionate and love filled moments. "I wonder what our child will look like" thought Bianca as her eyes closed, her mind slowly beginning to dream of the unborn baby, picturing dark curly hair and pink lips, a face that no DiVinci's cherub could compare to.

The thudding of frantic footfalls from the hall suddenly stopped on the other side of Tidus's chamber, the door once again, for the second time during that day, was slammed open. The young servant woman that was seated by the door rattled, frightened by the sudden charging male figures. "No, you will wake her!" chimed the young servant woman, failing to intervine disturbance to the Lady Bianca in time.

Bianca was pulled from the land of nod to see Donovan huffing and puffing as if he had run like a mad man, his wolf earring swaying back and forth, a small glimmer upon it from the rays of light that came from the windows. The guard scurried up soon after, hand prepared and resting on the handle of his weapon, readying for a quick draw. Her hand did a quick draw of it's own, pulling up the sheets to cover up - Bianca had stripped down to her chemise for comfort, she could also breath better without the tight bindings of the painful fashion senses of the time. "Donovan!" she said in response to her lover calling her name, she was able to hear the worry in his voice. His lover laid there, her usual glowing skin flushed, hair messy from her fall and from being moved from floor to bed. The servant girl stationed outside curiously peaked in to see what was going on.

The servant was ignored completely as Donovan swept into the room. There wasn’t a thing in the world that would stop him. The guard followed too, and moved forward protectively, “step aside sir.” But when the uniformed man caught sight of flushed Bianca, raven hair spilling down and around her form, the young woman clad in a stunning lace chemoise which accentuated her curves and form, he realised his folly, coughed out an apology and retreated meekly out of the room.

Donovan shook his head and stepped to the bedside, lowering to meet his love. Tidus was there too, but Donovan evaded eye contact. He knew the wizard would be angry at this disturbance, knew he would probably receive a lecture that Bianca should be resting. “What happened, my love? Are you okay?” his eyes held grave concern for her. His hand caressed her cheek and face tenderly, and moved to lie flat against her forehead. “You’re so warm. Feverish?”

The advisor risked a concerned glance at Tidus.

Dazrath, real name Dasharath Mefetzashe, joined a thieve’s guild when he was eight years old. It was the thing to do in his homeland: join a guild and make what little coin you could stealing from locals and tourists alike—obviously after the guild’s cut. He was pretty good at it, but he’d been chased and even beaten a good few times before he got better at his ways.

The assassins guild was a street urchin’s dream; a dream in an otherwise down-to-earth hovel. It was seen by the children as the pinnacle of achievement in the arid streets of cities like Gal’haria and Venduna. An assassin had an aura of enigma, did things in the greatest of secret, and had others’ respect. They also earned lots of coin, but that didn’t seem to matter too much.

Of course, most assassins were rough and ready and vile cut-throats, but that true picture never emerged in their minds.

Dazrath would court the attentions of the assassin’s guild but never really make any breakthrough. He’d developed into a decent thief but his guild master always wanted to restrict his advancement. He even set two traps so that Dazrath got caught stealing and thus his credentials dropped in merit.

It was when he successfully stole from an assassin however that he got his lucky break. The assassin returned and watched the area the next day, saw the boy and rather than punish him, she invited Dazrath to a guild to see what he could do. It went surprisingly well. One old master even hinted that the boy had magical prowess. Dazrath knew nothing about that.

Sunetra—the pickpocketed assassin—personally financed his teachings in Venduna. Dazrath studied as trickster, fighter and mage, whereas most studied merely two of the former traits. Dazrath became an accomplished assassin mainly because his magic aided his stealth and effectively broadened his tactics. His attitude to killing was like that of his pickpocketing: it was a way of living, a way of surviving. He got to be on the move, to go to new places, see new people, make new kills.

Dazrath was not a rash individual by any means, but through his loyalty to Sunetra, he resolved to attone for his failed attempt on Tidus Zephir.

Today, he would try and strike the wizard down again.