🎀 Wisteria 🎀

Rogdan
The month of March came to an end, followed by April. Hours turned into days, and days into weeks; spring was in full bloom with its delicate colors, but everything remained the same in the prison cell. Aside from the occasional guards bringing food, news, and literature, one might have thought that time had completely frozen here.
But Baron Rogdan Kraffmeyer—son of Ridrich Kraffmeyer, historian, scholar, archaeologist, and one of the leaders of the "Golden Griffin"—had no intention of losing heart. Of course, the weeks spent in captivity did not pass without a trace: he became more disheveled and less energetic, but within his soul, an infinite cauldron of enthusiasm still boiled, which, alas, had nowhere to be released. The Baron languished from inactivity, devoting all his time to studying the books brought by the guards, as well as philosophical and life discussions with Lian Fay. It saddened him to see such a powerful heroine in captivity, especially since, in a certain sense, it was his own fault; but in the current situation, they both had only to resign themselves to their fate and look bravely toward a bright future.
From the newspapers, Rogdan also learned about the situation regarding the resurrection of Vivian Air el Sufir and all related events (probably??). Such news greatly puzzled the Baron and made him seriously doubt the top leadership of the Empire's government for the first time. He wanted to receive some explanations on this matter, but for obvious reasons, such a thing was not even a dream.

—A blood tax? What barbarism! —Rogdan lightly tapped his knuckles on the newspaper page. —This event will undoubtedly go down in world history. I cannot recall anything like it in my memory. Now then, what else... —he immersed himself in reading again. —Oh, the war with Reginleiv... The quarrel with Airisufir... Ai-ai-ai, very bad indeed. Such events do not contribute to the achievement of great deeds at all. On the contrary, they bring only discord, sorrow, and death. —the Baron stood up and paced the cell with the newspaper. —Oh, this is Mr. Waldemar's interview! That means our comrades are alright! —Rogdan rejoiced. —Lian Fay, I shall read this to you now:..
***

— This way, —a puzzled and fear-stricken knight pointed the prisoner toward the cell opposite the one where Lian Fay was located, — Your H-highness.
— Relax, Sir Knight; right now I am as much a prisoner of this dungeon as all its other inhabitants, so such a form of address to me is unnecessary.
— Uh, as you wish.
Having ensured that the prisoner's cell was securely locked, the knight departed. In his new neighbor, Rogdan recognized Brahea Air el Sufir.

Rogdan was so stunned by what was happening that he briefly lost the power of speech. He even thought that constant reading in the gloom had finally taken an unpleasant toll on his perception.
—Your Highness, I am glad to see... although considering where we are, "glad" sounds quite peculiar, ahem... Please forgive my manners; I am simply incredibly surprised by such an unexpected, albeit accidental, meeting. —the Baron finished the sentence with a polite nod of his head.


Ilensia
The journey to Sselay and subsequent camp life did not prove particularly difficult for the knight: her experience serving in Moenia came in quite handy here, and military own days—though so far devoid of any striking features—were not a great trial for her. Field Marshal Hibiscus seemed more than competent and respected by other soldiers, who also impressed with their discipline and training. Along the way, she also took advantage of the offer of combat training under Julius (if these are the ones that give +600 experience).
One thing troubled Ilensia: namely, the state of some of her partners. It was entirely possible to understand Cleona and Yuisis's situation; she herself found it unpleasant to be thrown to the mercy of fate like this for some imagined transgressions. And if their immediate activity were not related to military affairs, she would surely have expressed strong dissatisfaction about it as well.
But more than anyone else, Ilensia felt remorse for Sylphida. After the latter helped her restore her eye and several weeks spent together, she began to treat her not as a master treats a summoned being, but rather as a good friend, even if the cryptid herself did not harbor such attachments. The fact that by her desire to serve the "Griffins" to the end, the knight had broken her promise and dragged her into these swampy wastes greatly darkened her mood. Often Ilensia considered starting a dialogue with Sylphida on this topic, but each time she dismissed such ideas: her education and knowledge would not come close to being enough to find the right words. Besides, here, colorful turns of phrase played no important role; real personal actions did. And although at times the knight truly began to wonder if she had chosen the right path in life, she did not want to make new empty promises.
But for now, Ilensia's days passed in a continuous, tedious wait for the inevitable battle, and the girl devoted them to training and perfecting her combat skill.


Zerek
Zerek had never been a superstitious person, but the past weeks significantly affected his worldview and outlook on life. An unsuccessful journey through the mountains that left two of their comrades behind forever; an arrogant and self-absorbed commander who cared only for her own well-being, whose leadership would likely lead them all to the grave; the hardships of camp life and heavy physical labor, as if they were not only soldiers but also miners, ore-diggers, lumberjacks...
The adventurer recalled his bandit days in Royentale with a smile, and a week in Clematis seemed like some heavenly vision. His hopes of getting out of here quickly dimmed with each passing day, and the only joy was the fact that they had been lucky enough to avoid real combat encounters so far. Sometimes, in a rare free hour, thoughts brought Zerek back to his three comrades. He wanted to believe that at least their fate had turned out better than his own: the boss was found safe and sound, Ilensia had already returned to the capital, and all of them together with Darbon were just waiting for him alone. "It's alright guys, just wait for me."


Darbon
Baron Rogdan will never be found; his body was long ago eaten by worms.
Ilensia and Zerek fell in battle along with other "Griffins".
War with Lisliar.
War with Reginleiv.
The end of the world is closer than ever.
Even in the old years of vagrancy, the old sorcerer had not felt so lonely and abandoned. Like a midge caught in a huge glass jar of a world bursting at the seams, from which escape is possible only with death. Abandoned rooms and dark corridors of the empty headquarters brought sadness and melancholy. The little old man did not like crowds, but now, when everything was bound by the eternal silence of peace, it began to frighten him. After all, these people were the first who showed him kindness and gave him a chance at another life. He was sincerely grateful for the care and support and wanted to repay them in kind if possible.
The latter, unfortunately, proved not so simple. Garmid handled most of the housework with ease, while Darbon himself lacked the skills and determination to provide any tangible help. The old man feared crossing Mr. Raphael's path: he knew that Rogdan would never have befriended a bad person, but he still cowered before any authority, fearing he might show his bad side or somehow fall into disfavor. And considering that for the last few weeks the sorcerer himself had done nothing but eat through headquarters supplies, the prospect of one day finding himself on the doorstep and becoming homeless again increasingly troubled his mind.
The Bureau of Mages was closed; wandering the city without purpose was unsafe, and sick knees did not allow him to properly enjoy long walks. At some point, Darbon gathered the strength to go to the workers' guild and apply for a job. The little old man harbored no hopes whatsoever, but he wanted to be of some use and not feel as useless and frail as he certainly was in his own eyes now.