Chronicles of Siriko - Reborn [IC]

Andre Valias

Salamander with weird Tatoos. D:
#1
Chronicles of Siriko - Reborn

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OOC Thread Link:
http://muffin.g2anime.net/showthread.php?p=229318#post229318

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You have only one life. It's yours, and yours alone. Only you can choose the ultimate goal of your life, and you'll have a lifetime to do it. No one else can change that, only influence your decision. Good or bad, hero or villain, that choice always comes down to you. But what are those two terms but two sides of the same coin? When you pick heads, there's always tails. When you pick tails, there is always heads. No matter which side you pick, there will always be the other side. Where ever there is light, there is shadow. Where ever there are heroes, there are villains.
Me? I'm no different to you, I am given a life and I have a choice to make on what I do with it. But not only do I take issue on what I do, it is who I meet and where it will get me. That is the versatility of free will.
So then tell me, what is your story?


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Andre watched from his place on the side of the streets of marketplace of Valanastre, as the many people, humes, elves, beastmen, walked the streets. The city's buildings towering high above. The heavy sound of the bustling streets was mixed with the sounds of peddlers and merchants shouting out their goods and bartering with the people. The Eradian Guard watched the streets for any signs of trouble from the sides of the street. Andre smiled and then stepped out into the open street, looking for a potential victim. He then spotted a man wearing expensive green silk clothing with quite a clean face. Andre moved a few steps to get a few paces behind the man. As his victim then veered in to browse through a peddler's inventory, Andre quickly ran into him. By "accident".
'Sorry!' He apologised as he ran off. The man was quite furious.
'Watch where you're going, street trash!' He yelled. Andre smiled as he slipped a bag of gold into his pocket. Everyone should be happy when they see this. He thought.

As the day continued towards dusk, Andre had already pickpocketed a fair number of people. It was nearly the end of the day and then Andre decided to finish up. With that, he ran by a market stall and grab a rather expensive looking blade. It wasn't too long before the yells could be heard.
'Stop! THIEF!' Yelled out the merchant whose stall it was at. The Guards reacted quite quickly, beginning to run at Andre. Andre slung the blade in its sheath on his back and began running through the crowd, being careful not to knock anyone over. Being quite athletic, coordinated and not wearing a heavy tin suit of armor, Andre quickly outran the guards. He also knew where he was going. He made a sharp turn on the streets and towards the grate that lead to the waterways beneath the city. He knew those waterways very well too. He has done this a lot of times too.
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A lone beautiful doe stood grazing in an open meadow on it's lonesome, just outside the forest it had come from. The sky was clear with sunlight streaming past the few clouds that decorated the endless blue above. On the surface, this land looked perfect and peaceful, but nothing, not even time could hide any of the scars from decades past. Beneath the soil could be buried the remains of warriors of a past war, a war that had been staged over small stretches of land. A war that had been fought ever since the fall of Azadia. A war that is being fought now. Clan wars weren't so uncommon, and they don't generally bother the common folk unless they are directly standing on the battlefield. This being said, people have to be careful where they travel, lest they be caught in the crossfire of combat between two clans who refuse to give up their territory. But some folk do not fear the likes of these warriors.

Suddenly, the doe was taken down in a single strike as a figure ran out quickly and pounced onto it, shortblade in hand and in a moment the doe's neck was severed in a stabbing motion. The deer crumpled to the ground dead, and the figure sheathed the shortblade before picking up the doe and hauling it over their shoulders. The wind blew away the scarf that covered the figure's face and around their neck, revealing the face of a handsome young hunter with the face of someone who had little sense of humour and nearly no time for jokes. This one's name was Raieon Echimarus. He hunted on the same plains ever since he was 12 Years Old, when a survival instinct had kicked in after 4 years of living off pickpocket money and market stall food. People whisper rumours of the clans that battle on the same plains, and Raieon has heard of these rumours. But Raieon cares little for the squabbles of petty noblemen, so long as he gets his way in survival.
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A lone wolf stood beside a stream with his head dipped to drink from the pure waters of the forest, the serene atmosphere of Sedonia's Deepening Forests present as ever. The laughter of the forest nymphs could be heard as they sang and danced amongst the trees, the sounds of the animals of the forest and the waving of the tree branches in the gentle forest breeze. The sweet soothing sound of the flowing crystal-clear stream, and the mysterious soft humming of the Mystirica in the air. Suddenly the nymphs went quiet, the birds ceased chirping and the trees had become still. Even the wolf had stopped drinking, growling and baring it's teeth in scorn instead. For something upstream had tainted the pure waters with blood and dead flesh. The wolf howled and then turned tail, sprinting off into the forest beside the stream at near-lightning fast speed.

A young Wood Elf Ranger stood beneath a large Mystiric Oak tree beside a small lake where the stream fed into. After a few breaths and counts, the Wood Elf knocked five arrows into her bow within two heartbeats and on the third fired them all at once on a horizontal axis. The arrows each struck one of five hay Hume-sized dolls hanging from the branches of a tree a fair distance away. And each arrow struck each target precise to the head. The Ranger smiled and then walked over to the lake and knelt beside it, cupping water into her hands and drinking from the crystal clear waters. This Ranger was none other than Sylph Silvershadows. Suddenly she heard something and she turned around quickly. She then smiled as she saw her trusty companion, Solaril the dire wolf, who sat by almost like a trained dog. The only thing was, Solaril only obeyed Sylph and no other.

'Hello again Solaril.' Sylph greeted cheerfully as she turned back to the steam. 'Have you found anything interesting?' Sylph asked as she washed her face. Solaril barked a few sounds, and Sylph looked at him. 'Are you sure?' Sylph asked. Solaril barked again, sounding sort of affirmative. Sylph turned back to the stream and stared into her reflection in the pristine water. She then dipped her hand into the lake and then withdrew it, touching her lips with the water again. She then tasted blood and death, filthy sacrament that only meant one thing. 'That bastard is in the forests again...' Sylph muttered coldly as she stared out past the trees into the distance.

The two set out quickly, heading up stream with swift haste and with the forest wind on their backs. Within a minute or so, Sylph and Solaril reached the point of the stream they were looking for, but not what they liked. Sylph looked out around the shallow part of the stream where some people crossed over to get to Iruit Village from Casina Village. But instead of just a peaceful shallow stream that showed the evident dirt road beneath it was a nightmarish bloodbath. An innocent merchant caravan had been murdered at this point, the bleeding corpses floating on the water. Sylph could tell it was a merchant caravan because she recalled it from before on her scouting shift around the forest. But she didn't find the horse or the wagon that was with the caravan. She then looked at the road to Iruit Village and she could sense the cold malicious presence that had killed the caravan moving towards the village. Before Sylph did much else, she put her fingers to her lips and whistled loudly, her whistle echoing through the forests. Sylph then followed the trail towards Iruit Village, bow and arrows ready at hand for when she may need them.
 

Supremacy Kills

Angel of Death and Cake
#2
Bringing Death

The sun beamed down upon Sedonia through clear skies, rays of sunlight peeking through the tiny holes in the beautiful shades o green that made up the Sedonian Canopy. But even as the forests seem divinely serene on the surface, in reality the birds and trees became silent, even the winds and breeze of the forest became still, as a dark hooded figure walked out onto the road, next to a stream that ran down from the huge lake that surrounded Irrolai. As he looked to his right, he smiled under the shadow of his hood at the sight of company in the form of a small merchant caravan of four and their horse wagon. The figure walked to the stream with a shadow floating just behind his It may have been clear day, but the forests began to grow colder as the malicious presence defiled the supposed sacred ground with it's deathly footsteps. The sinister laughter began to echo about the forest, and not long afterwards, the screams of terror.

There are century old Sedonian tales that speak of an evil necromancer that lurks within the forest. Tales that have been used by Elves to speak out of fear or to scare young Elven children to sleep. Such old stories tell fable of a dark elf with a heart as cold as the Sivanian Snow and a humor as morbid as death. He who lurks the shadow of the forests, desecrating nature's sanctuary with his fetid footsteps and despicable acts. They say for advice that one should never travel in the shadows, and never travel at night. For this one uses the bodies of his victims and the magicks of the dark to ensure that the journey of those through the forest are truly their last. Nobody alive has ever seen this man up close for more than five seconds, but the stories speak of how his eyes seem to gleam murderous red like flowing blood and his complexion is a deathly dark gray, with dark black hooded robes with a deathcloak and fearful weapons made of deadly shadowy metal. And the Elves of Sedonia only dare whisper his name.
Kardos Galas.

Kardos rode his newly acquired mount down the dirt road to the village of Iruit, the wooden wagon trailing madly just behind, showing that this one clearly had valuable, if not, deadly time to use. Today, Kardos had to leave in the day to acquire a few things. And on the list was money, supplies, a horse and wagon for the corpses, and of course the corpses. Kardos had made quick work to "claim" his horse. Death's embrace came swift and Kardos named his new undead steed "Marrowcry". The shivering aura of his deathly presence hastily moved across the forests towards Iruit, and as he did Kardos brandished his battlestaff in his right hand and his blade in his left, the black magicks of his essence chaneling into his enchanted weapons "Blood Drinker" and "Soul Reaver". In his head he began to imagine the screams of horror of the village as he rode onwards. May you all be swallowed by death's sweet embrace...The village was calm and quiet, the peace of the forest upon this sweet little settlement. Unlike the sister villages of the south and south east, Iruit had it's houses set on the ground of the forest amongst the trees instead of sheltered in the branches of the mighty oaks. The villagers went on with their usual lives, doing the laundry, tending to the crops, speaking with one another by the well that was the village center, the scent of sweet cooking could be smelt. A little girl skipped about the village, holding her little doll by the hand as she laughed and danced about the village, a minstrel nearby playing the tune she danced to on his flute. Two women stood by the well and smiled as they watched the dear child skip by before talking again. Suddenly one of the two smelt something odd, and interrupted the other.
'Do you smell that?' The woman began, sniffing the air. 'Smells like something just died.' She announced loudly. The baker looked out at the woman in scorn.
'How dare you--!' He began scolding, but the other woman waved her hand at him.
'No, I smell it too. It's not your baking...' She said. A man then ran into the village, half bloodied and without his hand, screaming.
'He's going to kill me!' He screamed, almost close to insanity. The rest of the village was unnerved by this outbreak and looked to the south. But only the little girl payed no head. Then the whole village began to panic and scream in terror at the frightening sight of their worst nightmares.
The Necromancer.

Kardos Galas charged with his battlestaff postured like a lance, its weight feeling amazingly light in his grasp. In a flash, he had speared the panicking man through the chest and held it up high like a trophy as Marrowcry reared back and neighed. He began to laugh a sinister and malicious laugh as the villagers began to run for their lives. As Kardos dismounted his deathly mount and kicking the corpse off his battlestaff, his entourage of zombie farmers followed him into the village, their nightmarish visage of fetid complexion, tattered clothing and white eyeballs striking fear and fright into the hearts of all. They began to prey on the villagers, tearing apart those who were closest or using the tools they once used in life for farming to carve the flesh of the screaming villagers. Kardos channeled a spell into his sword and muttered the incantation to himself before pointing his sword at a small cottage nearby, a line of green glowing magic shot out at he cottage and suddenly billowing sickly green mist billowed out and around the cottage. People ran out screaming as their very flesh melted at the touch. Kardos simply laughed at the gruesome carnage as it happened.

A few brave villagers, although stupid, ran out with their hoes and rakes to attack Kardos, but suddenly a shade flew up to them and grabbed them by the throats, their blood turning to ice at the shades deathly cold touch. Kardos smiled at his companion.
'Ah, always a pleasure to have you by my side dear Shadefall.' He aid casually to the Shade. He then turned to the village he was massacring and raised his arms up. 'People of this filthy little village! Rejoice!' He announced amidst the chaos. 'For today you receive the bitter sweet slumber of the end that awaits us all!' He finished. He watched as the pitiful survivors flee the village, the stragglers being cut down by the undead reanimations of their dead farmers. Kardos' smile faded as he then turned to his minions. 'Burn down the village! Kill any remaining survivors and collect the dead! No rest for the wicked!' Kardos ordered. The zombies stupefied simply groaned and then proceeded to work their master's mandate. Kardos watched for a moment before noticing that beside his foot was a doll, one that belonged to a little girl. Kardos picked it up and stared into it for a moment or two, before putting it into his pocket and staring out to the Elder Oak and the city of Irrolai that could be seen from almost any part of the forest, and scoffed. 'Soon, you'll have a necromancer to truly fear, people of Siriko.' Kardos said to himself. His left hand touched the doll in his pocket. 'But first, I think the little girl might want her little doll back...' He finished with a morbid smile as the fires began to spread over the village.
 
#3
Roderick rode slowly down the dirt road, dust kicking up in little puffs at each step of his horse. Jorgun was behind him and to his right as always, his horse causing a similar disturbance in the dirt. They were headed out of Piras toward Varuna City; the Errantry Wars being highly unproductive, so Jorgun had suggested they hire out as mercenaries for a while, it had a similar effect to participating in the wars on the Pirasian plains, and this way they got money out of it too. The knight-errant was cradling his Jezail in his arms, with a flint in one hand, that he might light the match more quickly. Keeping match-cord burning was a costly thing, and he needed it to last as long as possible, getting more outside of his father's workshops would be next to impossible. The unwieldably-long rifle sat across his saddle, supported by his arms at the same time, so that it pointed vaguely off to the left. Meanwhile Jorgun held the knight's lance, as well as his own weapons, as was his duty, but it all made for a rather cluttered and unprepared look for the both of them. But that was an entirely false image, both men were coiled like springs, ready to explode into action, as the three men around the corner would soon see.

As the horsemen approached, the bandits made ready. They had acquired crossbows from somewhere, and were assuming that the two men around the corner were slow and unwary. Such an assumption had one man killed before the ambush was even sprung. Jorgun had pointed out the top of a man's head, sticking out from behind a tree, and after two swift strikes of his flint against his vambrace, the matchcord was lit, and the Jezail became a deadly weapon. The bandits had heard the sound, but the top of the man's head had not moved, so Roderick was more than happy to shoot it off. He did so effortlessly, the knight-errant aiming as flawlessly as any Centaur archer, and the simple motion of curling his finger back against his hand caused an explosion that quite ruined the bandits' plan. As soon as the shot was fired, the prince slung his rifle over his shoulders and snatched his lance, thrown by Jorgun, out of the air. They were too close to charge, but the remaining highwaymen could be clearly heard screaming and running away. As their horses pulled up around the corner, both men removed their helmets and laughed, high-fiving as they examined the body that had been left behind. Clearly it was just another band of helpless bandits, so they shrugged and moved on.

"At this rate we won't reach Varuna City for at least a week mi'lord..." Jorgun offered grimly as they set off again.

"Well, there's really nothing for it friend, these bandits just don't go away..." the knight paused in his speech and then adjusted his volume, "perhaps we'll find some of the deserters though, they might be willing to help us out in return for a full pardon-" Roderick's voice carried a fair distance, so no doubt anyone who might be a deserter that was in earshot was now considering the proposal. Hell, there might even be bandits thinking of ways to pretend to be deserters so that they could move safely into Piras.

"Indeed mi'lord, they would also certainly be much better fed than anyone else..." Jorgun replied in a similar tone.

But at that, the prince sighed and smacked himself in the head with his helmet before donning it again. Sometimes his squire took things a little too far. But there was nothing for it now, so the pair pressed on, hoping to reach Eradia's capitol within a day or two...
 

Andre Valias

Salamander with weird Tatoos. D:
#4
The Exile, The Mentor and The Apprentice

A little aquamarine light danced about the flickering shadows of the ruined halls as a voice sang.
'Make my wish come true, Let darkness fade to light.' The light began to slow in its dancing pattern. As it began to still, a young Angeal girl with her wings folded around her could be seen lying against a stone wall, a little blue bubble of light floating about her. As it began to dance again to ward the shadows away, the Angeal began to sing again.
'Show me there's still hope, Show me it's not over.' The Angeal then looked to the little glowing sphere and held out her hand. The sphere instinctively floated to the palm of the Angeal's hand as she lightly held it close to her face in both hands.
'Battles we can win, Our struggle lies within...' The Angeal then paused for a moment as the light pulsated gently. 'Will we live to greet the dawn?' And as the Angeal let go of the sphere, dawn's early rays of sunlight slowly streamed into the ruined hall through iron bars that looked out into the world. The Angeal stood up and looked out to the sun for a few moments, her wings fluttering gently behind her before finally deciding to move onwards, the little sphere following the Angeal ever presently.

'My name is Erisalia Eresca...' The Angeal said to herself, drawing her sword swift and clean out of it's leather strap at her waist as she walked. The ruined halls around her began to melt away into hollowed out tree insides, fungi and moss growing at the wooden bark sides. 'I've been exiled and betrayed...' Eisalia continued, when a giant troll-like beast came out from a dark side way and lunged at her. Erisalia spun about to the side and as she did brought down the blade's edge of her sword and slashed the back of the troll. It roared a sickening cry and then spun round to lash out at Erisalia, who then brought up her small shield and as she knelt down, stabbed the beast just below the chest where it's heart was. 'Now I return to the sky in redemption!' She yelled out, her voice echoing through out the great hollow. The beast cried one last sickening whimper as Erisalia withdrew her sword quickly from the beast's chest, letting it crumple to the ground in front of her, the same green blood that lightly covered her nearly perfectly mirrorlike sword beginning to pour out of the dead corpse. Erisalia shaped a small piece of soft cloth and wiped her blade clean, the handkerchief humming softly as it "drank" the blood. Erisalia then absorbed the cloth back and continued on her way, the sphere still ever present and casting its soft aquamarine light on Erisalia's footsteps.
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It was a calm and quiet morn beside the Carian Meadows. The sun began to cast its beautiful morning light over the pristine meadows. Herds of deer could be seen peacefully grazing in the fields. Suddenly a few raised their heads, especially ones closest to the ones next to the dirt road. Suddenly they scattered away from the road as two horses gallopped by, one white, one bay. Both of them had riders, one an old man, the other being a young boy. The two tried to out race one another on the road, kicking out dirt and dust in their tracks as they did.
'Admit it Gaius! You can't beat me!' The boy called out teasingly to the old man, who simply laughed.
'I might be old Erlin but I'm not as slow as I seem!' He called back to the youngling. He then whipped his bridle lightly and his white horse eased up a few paces just ahead of Erlin.
'Oh no you don't!' Erlin called out. He then whispered an incantation and his horse suddenly closed the small paces between him and his mentor, and then even further by a small margin. After a minute or two, Gaius and Erlin passed the sign post they were aiming for and slowed down their horses down to slow trotting pace. They both laughed as the patted their horses and went onward.

'You saw clearly I won Gaius.' Erlin said boasting. Gaius laughed.
'Were you not the one you said I couldn't see straight two metres ahead?' The man retorted. Erlin grinned.
'The way I saw it, you managed to see about twenty ahead just then.' Erlin shot back. Gaius chuckled.
'Ah, I see then. I think.' Gaius then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small ornate circle locket with fang-like patterns on it. He spoke a small incantation and arcana swirled about the locket as a white light shot out and onto the ground beside Gaius. The light formed into a segmented worm-like figure with four fangs at it's open mouth on its head. It hissed softly and began to slither in pace equal to Gaius' horse. Erlin looked over it for a moment like he always did, and Gaius noticed the look on Erlin's face. 'Fascinated by Artilas Erlin?' Gaius asked with a smile on his face. Erlin nodded.
'You know Gaius, I'm fascinated by all creations.' Erlin replied with a grin. Gaius chuckled again.
'That reminds me, how goes your Fyora shaping?' Erlin's grin sort of faded away and he cleared his throat nervously. 'I'd like to see how well you can do it now.' Erlin nodded and then held out his hand. He muttered an incantation and a sphere of glowing red fire appeared in his hand. Erlin said a few more words andthen blew the fire out of the palm of his hand and onto the ground beside his horse. A dino-like lizard standing up right that was only a head shorter than Erlin if he was off his horse began to form by the swirling magic flames. Gaius clapped his hands twice. 'Wonderful work Erlin! You've improved!'

Erlin smiled until he noticed something about his Fyora. He saw as it bared its teeth for a moment that its large tooth on the right side of its mouth was chipped.
'Damn. Maybe I should absorb it...' As Erlin raised his hand. Gaius stopped him.
'What are you going on about boy? It looks fine!' He said fiercely as he indicated the Fyora. Erlin shook his head.
'It's got a chipped tooth...' Erlin managed to say after a moment, but Gaius shook his head.
'We can't make our creations perfect Erlin, no matter how high and mighty the other Shapers seem.' Gaius lectured. Erlin looked at Gaius incredulously as he mentioned them as "the other Shapers". 'In my opinion, I believe that absorbing creations is barbaric! Why create them in the first place just to die? Same goes for those new charged creations! If you shape a creation, I believe you should keep it with you and nurture it the same way I have with Splinterfang. I've told you this twice before, don't forget it!' Erlin nodded. 'You can start by giving it a name.' Erlin glanced at the Fyora before christening it.
'Chiptooth.' He said with a grin. Instinctively, the Fyroa looked at Erlin and hissed softly. Gaius nodded in approval as they both then turned to the road ahead of them.

The two passed a dead body which Erlin noticed. Gaius merely shrugged.
'An unlucky bandit. Foolish fellow.' He simply said. Erlin tilted his head but they went onwards.
Suddenly, Erlin noticed two men on horses of their own, one being a heavily armoured knight, from the looks of it and the other looking more like a squire of some sort, both riding side to side.
'Perhaps those two were the ones who slew that bandit back there?' Erlin asked. Gaius nodded.
'Most probably. Quite chivalrous of them if I dare say so.' Gaius said. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he looked over the two riders ahead. 'Hopefully, we won't be a bother to them should they notice us.' Erlin looked at his mentor for a moment before looking back at the riders.
 
#5
Jorgun looked briefly back over his shoulder and then sniffed. Roderick had enough sense not to say anything, and let his squire do his thing. In the mean time, the knight-errant snapped his up-sloped visor down and checked his lance. The Hammersfeldt pennant was flying from the tip, and his shield was close at hand. He picked it up from where it was hanging off his saddlehorn, and slipped it over his arm, it would do in a pinch, as combat seemed unlikely. Keeping his lance upright, the warrior looked to his squire once more and the other man nodded. He had been checking the men following them, and he had plenty of practice. Merely by smelling the air and listening to the horses, more often than not the squire was correct in his guesses. "They smell of magic mi'lord, be wary..." he remarked. Then the two of them wheeled their horses and set off at a trot to greet these other riders. As they approached, Roderick saluted them, thrusting his lance out and upward three times, it was designed to make his colours more visible so that others could see that he was friend or foe, this was demanded of all men of chivalry, as subterfuge was not appreciated. The knight pulled his shield snug against his horse, the cut-out sitting perfectly over the armoured neck of the beast, and feeling this, the animal tensed ever so slightly beneath him.

"Easy boy, just be cautious..." Roderick said, looking over to see Jorgun was similarly prepared. His shield was round, not carved for mounted combat, and he held a spear rather than a proper lance, but the man was steadfast and unwavering in his devotion, something that had saved the both of them many times. The two seemed perfectly paired with their horses, as well as with each other. Roderick being more wildly inclined than Jorgun, he rode a giant savage horse, while Bastion was much calmer and complimented his rider just as well. And at the same time, the contrast kept the whole group level-headed for the most part. They were drawing steadily closer, and as the pair entered hailing range, Roderick was obliged to lift his visor and shout, "Hail! Be ye men of honour?" it was mostly a ceremonial thing, affording a horse was not an easy thing to do, so typically it was only the richer, and therefore more honourable men who did so. Then again, his squire had smelled magic about them, so they could be horse-thieves and bandits themselves. Indeed, Jorgun looked suitably anxious about this possibility. That or he had remembered something he had forgotten.

"Visor down mi'lord, they are summoners..." the older man commanded, and despite his seniority, the knight obeyed. There was nothing to lose from being cautious, but lives were lost daily by being rash. They reached the point of no return, the most dangerous point for all knights. They could not be sure the others had heard them, despite their best efforts, and now it was time to decide whether to lower their lances or not. If they did, they might ride down friendly men of honour interested in forming a free-company, if not, they might be butchered by mages of ill-repute. But then, Knights of Piras were always biased against men of magic if they might be hostile. It was a strange relationship, for as long as they were friendly, then the magic-users were the best thing since iron was discovered, but the moment even one turned traitor there were burnings and witch-hunts for months. And hostile magic users were treated as badly as any man could possibly be treated. Which made Roderick's decision very logical,

"Lances down, ride slowly..." he decided, his voice loud and echo-y in his helmet. The two men slowed their horses to a walk and slowly let their long-arms fall to level, each man taking the one opposite. This was a somewhat offensive way to ride to greet someone, but it was the safest, and at this point, the Hammersfeldtans were feeling that they would rather be safe than sorry...
 

Andre Valias

Salamander with weird Tatoos. D:
#6
Gaius and Erlin continued their gentle march, their creations on the outer sides of the two. Erlin then noticed the squire look back at them and then saw even from behind that the two were preparing their armour and weapons. Gaius saw the look on Erlin's face and assured the boy before he could speak.
'They aren't hostile Erlin. Just keep your wits about you, let me speak to them.' Gaius told him. Erlin then relaxed a little more and watched as the two riders ahead begin to wheel around towards them. The knight with his lance began to salute by lifting out his lance to the sky thrice. The colours of his heraldry showed clearly in the sunlight as the man then held his shield close next the neck of his battlehorse. 'Truly a chivalrous man. It seems we best be careful and be more forward than cunning my boy. Be careful of what you say, if at all Erlin.' Gaius advised. Erlin nodded and kept his mouth closed. Chiptooth hissed a little bit and Erlin shushed him gently. The knight pulled up the visor of his helmet and shouted out to the two.
"Hail! Be ye men of honour?" He called out. Gaius waited until he gotten a little closer, not out of sinister plan or intention though. Erlin felt a little nervous as the two began to close in on them. The knight then put down his visor and the both of them readied their long weapons for a charge. Erlin looked to his mentor anxiously but the old man kept his calm about him. Erlin then tried to relax a little more as he watched the two men slow their horses when they began to close in, lances ready.

'Withdraw your weapons good men!' Gaius called out, not moving his horse in the slightest. 'We bear you no harm, we be naught but simple travellers! In answering your prior question, we bear hardly any chivalric honour to your standards, but we are not filthy thieves on the other hand!' Erlin looked at his mentor curiously and then glanced back at the two men. 'Allow me to introduce myself, I am Gaius Prentius, a simple Summoner hailing from the Imperial City!' Gaius said in greetings. Erlin then glanced at him unsure when Gaius named himself as a Summoner, rather than a Shaper. 'And this here is my apprentice, Erlin Denford from Everguard. We have come to Siriko bound for Varuna City to continue our practice. As you can see, we were just practicing our magicks just then, allow me to dismiss my companion.' Erlin then felt panic reach his mind as he heard what Gaius had just said. He watched as Gaius pulled out the locket, spoke a magical word and watched as Splinterfang return to the locket in whispy green smoke. Gaius clicked the locket and replaced it in his pocket and looked to Erlin, who merely shrugged.
'I uh... Don't know how to dismiss my, err-- Summoning... I'm.. Still learning you see...' He stuttered nervously and stupidly. Gaius took over from there.
'Ah yes, I forget to mention that Erlin here is still quite the novice. His Summoning now obeys him, but now the problem is getting him to dismiss summonings. Please forgive him, the Summoning will take a while to disappear.' Gaius explained. Erlin nodded quickly as the immense pressure began to fade away. Chiptooth sort of growled softly, maybe in amusement and Erlin glared at him.
'Mi'Lord, if I might dare so ask, where might you be headed?' Gaius asked, passing the subject of Erlin's novice level.
 
#7
Roderick sighed with relief as he heard one of the men that he and his squire were approaching call out to them. He quickly lifted his lance-point to the heavens once more, and then he tipped up his visor with the rim of his shield. Jorgun did the same, and then the two exchanged nods and approached, more quickly, and with much more friendly looks on their faces. As the four men met, the two that the knight-errant and his squire had menaced introduced themselves. "Summoners? You're magicians then." Roderick said, deliberately using the improper term. He then nodded sagely as the older man explained that they were headed to Varuna city. But when the more experienced summoner 'dismissed' his companion, the nobleman frowned. "I learned enough about summoning in my time in the Errantry Wars to know that you have yet to actually banish your creature..." he stated arrogantly, "But I'll let it slid, since you seem like kind enough people, and I am also heading for Varuna city." Roderick looked at the younger of the two mages and then added, "I think you would do well to teach your apprentice to sheath his sword, carrying one about is a great hassle..." he was speaking metaphorically, even magic-users could rarely afford swords, but it got his point across.

"Indeed, mi'lord Hammersfeldt and I are travelling to Varuna city to start up a free company. Then, I think, perhaps one day, he plans to expand the borders of Piras with his free company, in hopes to end the endless errantry wars." Jorgun was only trying to be helpful, the noble knew, but he didn't need his life goals told to every passing traveller.

"Be that as it may, Jorgun, I'm sure these fine gentlemen care nought for what I hope to achieve. Bore them not with your tales, my friend, let us merely escort them to the capitol. The road is fraught with bandits and even we have been having trouble with them. Perhaps the four of us could make better time..." Roderick was more than happy to join up with the mages they had encountered, but he would always have certain reservations about dealing with them. His reputation as the 'mage-slayer' often preceded him, and the last thing he needed was these men selling him out because they feared he might end them.

And with introductions out of the way, the two warriors expertly wheeled their horses, taking up positions on either side of the two more magically inclined men. Despite his noble status, Roderick found that his honour was, more often that not, more important than his life. So he had little problem taking up a post so close to the edge of the road. Jorgun, on the other hand, being stuck with his shield away from his side of the road, seemed less at ease, his alertness levels rising with each passing moment. Clearly he was concerned about something, but perhaps it was his natural aversion to magic of any kind that was making him nervous. He didn't say anything though, he never did. The man was nothing if not hardy and reliable, which was most of the reason that the knight-errant liked him, he always got the job done, no matter what it was. In this case, it was now getting the four of them to Varuna City safely...
 

Andre Valias

Salamander with weird Tatoos. D:
#8
Path of Repentence || On the Road

It was dark in the depths of the great dead tree. The splashing of footsteps could be heard as Erisalia wandered the tunnel systems of the hollow, feeling the moist bark walls on her side as she moved quickly. Her path was illuminated by her sphere of light that always accompanied her, wherever she went. She had always wondered how the quaint little thing worked, but sometimes she had the answer. But it always slipped her mind after a while, leaving her wanting to know about it again. It was curious thing, but Erisalia quickly tired of thinking about such a small thing. She more focused on her path, which snaked and twisted like an endless trail. But she knew the depths well. From what she had read and explored, Ithien Hollow was once the home of an ancient empire that once ruled most of Vana Diel, until the endings of the Old Ages when the ancient empire began to die out, until they made their final stand at the city of Itheland, beneath Ithien Hollow. The crumbling ruins were swallowed up by the growing roots over time, and after a long while what remained of Itheland was a few halls and perhaps open caverns where buildings still remain. Erisalia was familiar with Ithien Hollow, theoretically speaking. After all, she was the one who was assigned to the study of its secrets. Before the betrayal...

Finally, Erisalia found what she was looking for. A spring of water leaked down from a hole in the ceiling and into a pool of water. Erisalia then jumped up and flew up through the hole and just skimming the surface of the falling water until she finally reached the top, where she ended up next to an underground stream. Erisalia stretched her wings as she rested beside the stream as the sphere of light caught up with her and illuminated the small cave. She kept her wits about her and watched around her for anything bad, her hand ready and close to her sword. When she was ready, Erisalia began to move on quickly with swift pace, drawing her blade and readying her shield as she then began into a faster pace, her wings waving gently behind her in the light of the sphere. Erisalia then saw it in the corner of her eye. In that instant, she flicked her blade across and parried the blow. It was one of many cursed old empire warriors that had attacker her, its deathly visage showing clear and obvious through its ancient helm. Erisalia then had the initiative to spin around to her left, tossing her shield like a disc as she did so at another closing cursed warrior which decapitated it. As the shield returned, Erisalia quickly spun around and decapitated her remaining opponent from behind, bringing the blade edge of her sword across precisely through the small gap in between the cursed warrior's armour and helm. Erisalia then raised her left arm as her shield returned and snapped close back onto her arm. Satisfied that her opponents were truly dead, Erisalia continued onwards, ever vigilant.

After a while of walking beside the stream, Erisalia finally reached her only waypoint, the only one she needed. She reached the biggest cluster of what remained of Itheland. The great marble buildings still stood proud in the darkness, cracks and holes evident on the ruins when one looks closer or in illumination. Erisalia moved on swift footing, eager to get past the cursed city. Then she saw it, a small light of hope that held in the distance amongst the darkness and shadows beyond the ruined city. She could feel the sinister feeling around her, stretching out their grasp to reach for her. Erisalia quickened her pace until she was sprinting her quickest haste. Erisalia then felt the evil more than she did before, she could feel its very shadow clasp at her leg with its cold clammy hands. Erisalia then cried out as she leaped into a swift glide, her wings beating quick as she tore free of evil's grasp and flew out into the sunlight. Erisalia floated up and then dropped to the ground gently and looked back to the entrance of the hollow, her sphere of light floating beside her. She could see the evil denizens of the cursed city simply wait at the edge of the entrance just before the sunlight. Erisalia smiled and then turned around, only to have her smile fade and turn to a bitter smile of hate.
---------------------------------
After Gaius had called out to parley with the noble men, they seemed to be relieved as they lifted their visors and lances up. They began to ride with a quicker gait, looking a bit more diplomatic. After they reached Gaius and Erlin, Gaius introduced the both of themselves, coining the term "Summoners" rather than "Shapers", out of secrecy which was a significant trait in Shapers.
"Summoners? You're magicians then." The noble knight said deliberately. Gaius merely nodded simply rather than comment on the improper term. Gaius had then went on to discuss where they were headed, and then decided to "Dismiss" his companion. When he looked at the knight, he saw a frown form at this. "I learned enough about summoning in my time in the Errantry Wars to know that you have yet to actually banish your creature..." Gaius chuckled.
'I wish not to bore you with a lecture I already give my apprentice rather commonly.' Gaius said humorously.
"But I'll let it slid, since you seem like kind enough people, and I am also heading for Varuna city." The knight looked down at Erlin for a moment, the hairs on Erlin's skin prickling under the gaze of the armoured knight. "I think you would do well to teach your apprentice to sheath his sword, carrying one about is a great hassle..." He said, sounding rather metaphorical.
'Fortunately for all of us, that sword is rather blunt and dull.' Gaius replied plainly, allowing the knight to decide whether to chuckle or nod. Erlin sighed in resignation as he let the older men tease him.

Gaius had then asked where the men were bound for.
"Indeed, mi'lord Hammersfeldt and I are travelling to Varuna city to start up a free company. Then, I think, perhaps one day, he plans to expand the borders of Piras with his free company, in hopes to end the endless errantry wars." The squire had replied, rather explaining as if he'd said at many times before. Gaius tilted his head.
"Be that as it may, Jorgun, I'm sure these fine gentlemen care nought for what I hope to achieve. Bore them not with your tales, my friend, let us merely escort them to the capitol. The road is fraught with bandits and even we have been having trouble with them. Perhaps the four of us could make better time..." Gaius shrugged.
'If you so wish it my lord, then we will appreciate your company, though we would be interested as to learn of these, "Errantry Wars", if you would please enlighten us.' Gaius added. 'Perhaps along the way. My apprentice and I should learn of the people and the land, do you not agree?' Erlin nodded a little bit before looking back down at his horse's ears.

The two noble men took their places on the edges of the dirt road and rode onwards with Gaius, Erlin and Chiptooth riding in the centre. The five of them continued onwards on the road to Azadia. As they did, Gaius chose to struck up conversation.
'Forgive me if I must ask, my lord, but I believe you phrased us as "Magicians"?' Gaius began. 'What might your opinion be on us humble magicians?' Gaius asked, leaving a tiny bit of stress on the last word in his sentence. Gaius meant no disrespect, as he was simply curious as to what views this knight had on mages and those who use magic. He believed it might've been a very good idea to learn a little bit more about these men if they were to accompany them. Erlin had kept his mouth shut and head down the whole time.
 

Xiga

Active Member
#9
It was a relatively calm and quiet afternoon in the small forest village called Iruit. People were tending to their choirs and the streets were busy with merchants calling out their prize to passersby. An older man was fixing his roof, while a woman happily invited a guest to her home. But despite that busy streets and happy aura in the air, nothing could help but to make Marfince uncomfortable in the scenes. It seemed like everywhere she went she brought silence with her, not only due to the fact that she was a mute, but also due to peoples assumptions that she was a fallen angel. Or for those who actually knew her race, that she was a thief and a dark and evil being.
But Marfince, compared to most Netixels, was loyal to her clients and she had promised to meet up with an older man at the Local Inn, the Twiddle Leaf Inn to be precise. So she continued on her way down the streets, ignoring the stares and whispering comments behind her back.

After about an hour or two of wandering around the town she realized that she was lost. A cold shiver shot down her spine as she knew that she would have to ask someone for directions. She eyed her way down along the streets as she proceeded walking till she found a apple stand in a crossway. she approached the stand when she noticed a little girl hiding around the corner of the stand looking at her. Marfince felt awkward as she looked back, but soon she was interrupted from the lady behind the stand.

"... Welcome." She said reluctantly as she eyed Marfince suspiciously, obviously she was feeling threatened by her presence. Marfince looked back at the lady, nodded politely then quickly reached for the sholderbag to pick up her notebook to ask the questions when suddenly the lady yelped:
"Help!! She's robbing me!" most likely assuming that Mar was about to pick up a throwing knife or similar. Immediately the whole street went silent and the attention was brought to Marfince and the old lady who now hid behind her apple stand. two men approached the stand as mar froze in her steps her hand still in her messenger bag. Marfince looked around her surroundings in the silence and thought about escape upwards, when the little brown-haired girl from around the corner giggled, probably over the situation. That simple giggle and the smile on her face made Marfince snap back to reality and she lifted up the notebook. Some people in the small crowd around her sighed in annoyance, probably hoping for some action, while others just shrugged it off and continued to their daily life. She took out a pen as well and then she quickly wrote: I am sorry!!! I would never steal! I just need to find my way to the Twiddle Leaf Inn. Does anyone know where that is?

No one paid attention to what the note said and only gave her even worse odd looks over her way of apologizing and her behavior, except that little girl. She giggled once more then ran off around the corner into an ally. Marfince just looked at the corner, feeling confused, but soon the girl came back and nodded at Mar. Apparently she was supposed to follow her somewhere.

Having nothing more to lose she followed and soon she found herself outside the Inn doors. A wooden sign hung outside of it which said; Welcome dear costumer, We are open! so Marfince carefully entered, ducking a little under the low entrance ceiling. Through a haze of smoke and voices she swiftly moved through the labyrinth of tables finding a secluded one close to the back wall. She took her bag off and brought her notepad to the table. A pale Hume came by her table and offered her something to during with a smile on her face. Her hair was brown and with her gray eyes it looked like she had spent many hours in the dampened bar. But Marfince quickly denied the offer and went back to writing the letter that she had prepared to her upcoming client. After all, she had to present her abilities of action.

As time passed by the bar emptied and no one that fit the description of the man she was supposed to meet was there. So she ordered a drink, not wanting to wait any further before she got a chance to put out her lingering thirst and with only two sweeps the glass was empty. Standing up she placed a few coins on the table then left , and exited out upon the brightness of the streets once more. However something was different now.

A heavy feeling hung in the air, and the smell of death was lingering through the alleyway, but furthermore, the shouts from the salesmen had turned into aggressive and panic filled screams. Immediately Marfince grabbed what weapon she had, A small slingshot, and with a flap of her wings she was up in the air. With horror she saw the scene that unfolded beneath her, smoke rising from some of the rooftops, and villagers attacking their own, as panic spread.
On a field not too far away from her she suddenly saw a green flare caught her attention as it shoot at a small cottage. Her eyes widened as she understood what was just happening. A dark mage of some kind was attacking the village. No way in hell was mar's sling shot going to be enough against this man. Then something else caught her attention. The girl from before was running. But compared to anyone else she was running towards the mage, clearly targeting him. Without hesitation she quickly dove down and landed between the mage and the girl, facing her as she tried to tell her to run away.
But words wouldn't leave her mouth, and Marfince knew that she must have scared the little girl half to death by the sudden appearance. That didn't matter. She had to get her away from the man, and so she grabbed the girls arm and pointed towards the forest and signed. RUN.
 
#10
"'Fortunately for all of us, that sword is rather blunt and dull." Roderick couldn't help but chuckle at that, and he shook his head as he replied,

"All the more reason to teach him how to put it away, it is a great deal less work, and has the same amount of menace..." A sword would, at least, summonings were a bit different, he assumed. The knight noted that the younger of the two men seemed a great deal more shy than his guardian, perhaps his youth in the face of seasoned veterans was affecting him, but it didn't much matter to the warrior, so long as there was at least one speaker for the group, it didn't much matter who was talking to him. So they set off in earnest, and the nobleman had been just about to start his explanation on the Errantry Wars of Piras, when the elder mage decided to ask him another question. Jorgun was struck by a sudden fit of hilarity, fully aware that his knight was not exactly fond of those too curious to listen to the answers given to them. But the squire was in no mood to explain anything, so Roderick just frowned at him passed the two men between them, and then started a new train of thought.

"My opinion of magicians eh? Well, I'm not exactly partial to them, they are useful enough I suppose, but the pursuit of knowledge seems to lend them an extraordinary sense of self-preservation, which one finds troubling on the battlefield. I especially dislike the ones who just keep asking questions without waiting to hear the answers to their other questions. But that is just my opinion of magic-users I find friendly, or sympathetic to my cause. Hostile magicians are a pox. A swarm of vermin to be exterminated as such. During my service in the the Errantry Wars, I did more than my share of that with the help of this marvel of science..." At that, the nobleman gently tapped the stock of his jezail, which was resting comfortably over his shoulders. He paused for a moment and then continued, "But you lot seem like nice-enough fellows, I'm sure we'll not need to butt heads, indeed, the practice of your craft could no doubt benefit from combat, could it not? What could be better than time spent as summoners for a free company to further your skills?" the warrior couldn't help but try and jump on this opportunity. He didn't much like magicians, but at the same time, he could acknowledge them as formidable. They were much more devastating than a single shot as well, so he might save his precious ammunition for taking out high-priority targets.

They had not gotten very far as he spoke, the outer riders being wary of enemies hidden along the road, but now Roderick was about to embark on a much longer tale, this one probably about to be told about the pace of their travel, as he sought a balance between his story-telling and keeping watch. "You wished to know of the Errantry Wars in Piras you said? Well, they started many years ago, when the qualifications for knight-hood were dropped. They were not dropped far, but the many barons of Piras were in need of more knights to wage their petty disputes. So the qualifications were lowered only a tad. But somehow, it seemed a great many men qualified for knighthood then, and whole swathes of land were snatched up over night as newly-knighted warriors vied for control. But now there were more knights than anyone could ever need, so the Lord of Piras introduced the Errantry. A period where a fresh knight is not allowed to own land. Instead they must wander until they find a lord who would give them employment, and three years later they could be granted land and estate. So, three years later, there were more men seeking estates than there were estates to be given. And everyone was set on having a patch of land. It was a long, bloody affair, and still is. Barons hurl their knights at one another in hopes of getting them killed or capturing land to give them. I am deeply surprised that they have yet to have the sense to march on the rest of the world. A united Piras would be a most devastating force. That many knights would be undefeatable, if only one could muster the resources." Roderick found himself intrigued by this point. It was true, so many cavalrymen would be certain to destroy their foes, but then they would disband quickly as land was staked out.

"That is essentially it, in a nutshell. Our story only adds a little, and it's not very exciting..." Jorgun piped up. The squire looked somewhat proud of himself for some reason, and the knight-errant opposite him only shook his head, sometimes the older man was rather strange, and rarely was he helpful when butting in on conversations...
 
#11
Rose Marie

Rose hurried down the stairs of the old Inn. I slept in again! Why didn't Marcus wake me up? She then threw back her hair into two plaited pigtails, as she raced into the back kitchen. The cooks all said good morning as they did everyday and Rose quickly helped prepare the morning orders for all the customers. A young man entered the back kitchen and Rose quickly raced over to him, slapping him on the arm as she glared at him.
“Marcus! You didn’t wake me!” Rose snapped.
”Of course not. You worked late last night; you needed your rest, everyone agreed. Besides, you work a too hard. What is it now? Eight years without a single day off? Take a break, read book, just go relax.” Marcus explained.

It was true, Rose hadn’t taken a day off work in the eight years she had worked at the Twiddle Leaf Inn, not even when her father died, she had just worked harder and longer so she could pay rent and buy food for her mother… Until the day she took her own life. Then the people at the Inn decided to take Rose in and give her a permanent room. She couldn’t let them down.

“You know I can’t do that Marcus. I need this, please. Just let me do something.” Rose pleaded.
”Alright, but just promise me you’ll relax a little bit, okay?”
Marcus replied.
“Alright.” Rose simply said.
“You can work on tables, only drinks and take the orders, just socialise with the patrons, they love you.” Marcus said. Rose smiled.
“Thank you Marcus.” With that, Rose walked off and started offering drinks at the bar and making small talk.

* * * *

Hours had passed and Rose had been talking and offering drinks to all the customers. As the afternoon came around and the leaf hands of the Inn clock clicked to 2:30, there were less people in the Inn than usual. Must be something going on in town. Rose thought. She then walked into the back kitchen to see Marcus. He had explained to Rose she had to get out and take a break for a while, maybe go to the market or see the fair in town. Rose nodded a little bored.
“For the fresh air, Rose.” Marcus said. “Now go get changed, not leaving in a serving girl dress.” When Rose was changed, she wandered out of the Inn but not before giving it one more look. She then walked out into the sunlight and shielded her eyes as she breathed in the fresh air.

Rose looked about her and saw how peaceful Iruit looked. The sunlight beamed into the large clearing where the village was in the forest. She sighed and walked out into the street, strolling over to the markets where there were many different peddlers selling various wares and goods. Rose browsed the wares and looked through them, observing the various curious objects she could perhaps never buy. Then there was a small kafuffle nearby and Rose turned her head. A lady had screamed and everyone stopped speaking and stared at a Netixel at a stall. She looked nervous under the pressure and then looked really scared when two men came up behind her. She pulled her hand out of her bag and held up a notebook. Everybody sighed in disappointment and went back to their daily lives. The Netixel then quickly scribbled on her notepad and showed it to anybody in sight, but they all ignored her. Rose pitied the Netixel. Poor Lady… She thought.

Rose then noticed a small girl giggle nearby, who smiled at the Netixel. She then ran off giggling and the Netixel followed her. Not wanting to startle the Netixel, Rose carefully followed the two around, ducking behind various things or hiding amongst people so she wouldn’t be noticed. Rose was very shy and timid outside of the Inn, she had never taken time to leave and didn’t know what the outside world was like. She felt like she could sympathise, or maybe even empathise for the Netixel. Rose then stopped as she watched the girl run off and the Netixel walk into the Twiddle Leaf Inn. Rose smiled and then heard a giggle close to her.

Rose turned around and saw the girl from before was standing next to her, holding her cute doll in her hand. Rose was surprised, but then just smiled again. She then had an idea and reached into her pocket and pulled out a beautifully made bead bracelet. She took the girls wrist gently and tied it up.
“This is special to me, promise me you’ll take care of it?” Rose asked. The girl beamed at Rose and ran off, her childish giggles and laughs following her in the streets. Rose just stood up and smiled. She then made her way back to the Inn. Rose had no idea why she had just given one of the only cherished things she had that reminded her of her mother to a little girl she didn’t know, but Rose felt that it was the right thing to do.

Rose walked back into the Inn, told Marcus that she went to the market, but nothing else. Rose then returned to work after dressing back up into her serving girl outfit and continued serving drinks to patrons. She then noticed the Netixel from before sitting at a table against the back wall of the Inn. Rose walked over to her casually.
“Can I offer you anything to drink?” Rose asked. The Netixel shook her head and declined. Rose nodded and was about to make conversation when she noticed the Netixel was writing a letter. She decided not to bother the Netixel for now. Rose continued working as the clock ticked to 2:50.

At that point, the Netixel had finished her letter, or was tired of writing it, and raised her hand. Rose walked over to the Netixel to take her order, who wrote on her notepad, “Water”. Rose nodded and went to the kitchen to get a cup of water from the water pot, returning and giving it to the Netixel. Rose moved away and saw that the Netixel quickly downed the drink. After several more minutes, at exactly 2:55 according to the clock hanging on the wall, the Netixel stood up, left the tip on the table and walked out. Rose picked up the tip and looked at the curiously. She then decided to follow the Netixel. Marcus surely wouldn’t mind… He’d want me to get out again. She thought.

Rose walked out into the sunlight again and shielded her eyes as she looked around. Something didn’t feel right. Rose could smell something dead and rotting nearby and smoke filling the air. Rose looked down south and saw that just on the outskirts near the farms, houses were starting to burn and mottled people with half-dead looking features brandishing farm tools were attacking the people. Screams of terror and panic filled the distasteful air and Rose gasped. A Necromancer with black hooded robes, a black piece of cloth over his face and wielding a battlestaff and sword, his red eyes burned in the shadow of his hood as he walked the streets, killing any in his way. He then shot a gaze at Rose as she froze in terror, remembering a name she thought only existed in stories. Kardos Galas… Rose thought.

Suddenly she saw the little girl skip towards the Necromancer, for some reason. Rose then broke out of her trance and then ran to the side. Marcus was there on his chestnut horse, the wagon just behind him.
“Rose! Jump into the wagon!” He yelled. Rose grabbed onto the horse’s neck and looked up at Marcus.
”Marcus! You have to save that girl there! We can’t leave her there!” Rose cried out as she pointed at the girl. Marcus saw the girl as she neared Kardos.
”That’s impossible Rose! It’s suicide!” Marcus shouted over the panic. Rose shook her head.
”Just try! Please!” Rose had tears running down her face. Marcus then nodded.
”Get in the back and hold on!” Rose nodded and jumped onto the Wagon, holding onto the side as Marcus yelled out as he whipped the reins. Meanwhile, Rose prayed to the skies that the girl would be safe. She has to be safe… She has to be… Rose prayed.

Rose looked out and then saw the Netixel from before come out of the sky and land between Kardos and the little girl, miming for the girl to run. Marcus wheeled his horse around just behind the girl. Rose then jumped out of the wagon and grabbed the girl, hauling her into the wagon with herself as well.
“Go! Marcus, go!” Rose shouted as she hugged the girl close. Then she remembered the Netixel was still there. But too late as Marcus had already began riding his horse out of the chaos and soon out of town, the wagon rocking violently on the cobblestone street as people scrabbled to try and get on. By the time they were on the northern outskirts, the wagon had picked up a group of people. Rose looked back at the village she had always known, praying that the Netixel, and many other people were safe.
 

Andre Valias

Salamander with weird Tatoos. D:
#12
Kidnapped || Sedonian Reverse || Return of the Urchin || Act of Revenge || Travels

Andre slipped down the iron ladder that lead down from the grate to the city into the Valanastian Waterways. The sewers, to be quite blunt. Andre had been down in these waterways for as long as he had been in the business of being a nuisance. The thievery he commited above, was "taking back what was theirs". "Theirs" refering to the poor and the abandoned. He began running through the waterways, his splashes in the water filled canals could be heard in the dark, foggy tunnels. He knew that the Eradian Guards were still on his tail. But not for long. He thought with a smile. The thing was, Andre knew the waterways so well, he could probably lose the guards in them blindfolded. The tunnels are so familiar, that where he wanders in the dark without a care in the world, the Eradian Guards need torches and still have a fear of being lost in the waterways. The waters in the canals grow stronger and weaker at times as they split off someplaces to go deeper under the city. There are some dry stone platforms to go on, but Andre likes leading the guards on a frantic goose chase. And they always lose. He thought.

Andre ran through the canals, sliding down some of them for fun before continuing towards the exit where he usually loses the guards. But this time, the flood gate was closed and the grate next to it was opened to accept water. Andre then cursed and shook his head. He could then hear the guards yelling and running growing a bit stronger. Thinking quickly, he then took the long tunnel that lead to the Forgotten Sewer, where he would meet all the other street urchins and poor people of Valanastre. He had to get there quickly, but he had to lose the guards first. The canal he was following snaked and twisted. He knew where it went too. Most of the Valanastian Waterways were an easy breeze for him. Suddenly, a guard was in front of him, who attempted to get the jump on Andre to knock him out. "Attempted". Andre quickly slid on his back in the canal waters out of the guard's reach, sending the guard sprawling in the water where he had been standing. Andre was annoyed though. So many times he had lost the guards through these tunnels, that suddenly they knew them as well as he did. How did they? Andre then slid down the canal into a small hall, his exit was not far, just up some steps that were on both sides of the hall. Suddenly, another guard was running out from the flood gate opening where the water Andre was in was flowing. Andre quickly sprang up and drew his shortsword and dagger, parrying the sword aimed at him. Blades locked, the guard raised his armoured fist to knock Andre in the head. Andre quickly dodged, sidestepping rather quickly behind the guard before dealing two blows in the back before finishing with a kick in the back. The guard yelled and fell over when he was kicked, slowly drifting with the canal waters towards the flood gate opening. And then the Flood Chamber. Andre then couldn't resist an angry urge to smash the guard's head with a savage kick that he didn't know he could pull. The guard was incapacitated as he slowly drifted off. Andre then shook his head as he headed towards the exit. As he left, going through the exit, he pulled the lever which was on the other side, bringing down a rusty iron portcullis down, blocking the way to where he was going. All in a day's work...

Andre walked about the stone tunnel that kept going straight. He hated this tunnel, never wanted to use it. He was more angry at how the guards knew the waterways so well. How did they? I'm the one who they've chased through these tunnels and canals thousands of times, and everytime they end up lost! Andre then hit the wall beside him, the cold, mossy stone colliding with his fist. It hurt, but it didn't matter so much to him. Andre then felt a sound in his head. He shook his head and then continued on. He then had the urge to take a look at the sword he had taken. He took the sword in it's sheath off his back. The sheath itself was a work of art, amazing patterns on a piece of ornate leather. He unsheathed the sword, amazed at its great balance. The sword was too, a work of art. The sword was made of pure Mysticite and Arcanite that was held together by a gleaming silvery metal, the glowing Arcanite and Mysticite stretched all over the blade as veins in the metal. In the hilt of the blade was a socket of where something was supposed to be. Perhaps a gemstone? Andre then swung the sword around a bit. It felt quite lightweight for a longsword and seemed to cut the air easily with a sharp whistling tune. Andre then placed it back in its sheath and continued through the tunnel.

As Andre continued through the boring, dark, dank and wet tunnel that didn't seem to have an end, he then thought of the past. But like the many times before, all he found was a void, an empty space that continued up to the point he remembered waking up in the rain just outside Valanastre, his hands clutching the crystal shard he wears around his neck today. Andre pushed harder, trying to go deeper to remember what was before that. But no matter how hard he tried, his endeavors ended with the void space. Andre shook his head angrily and then walked a little faster through the tunnels, his steel boots creating echoes in the tunnels. Why can't I remember anything before eleven years ago? Why is there just an empty place? Am I not supposed to remember? Why? Andre was usually good at answering questions in good words, but he really hated it when he wrote down questions for himself in his head, that he couldn't answer.

Andre finally reached the end of the echoing dank tunnel and emerged into a small hall. There was the portcullis just ahead of him that lead to the Forgotten Sewer where all the poor people gathered. He looked up to a stone platform to his right where the street urchin watch of the day was supposed to be. And beside the watch of the day, was a familiar face.
'Well look who's here! It's Andre! How about that?' The face yelled out in that familiar voice. 'How much did you run through the waterways this time?' Andre shook his head and smiled. The being jumped down from the platform and landed on both feet with great balance. She was a Sea Argonian, slender and lithe. She showed a lot of grace in her step. 'You're not hurt I presume?' She asked. Andre shook his head.
'Only my pride is a little bit wounded. He answered sarcastically.
'Oh spare me Andre, we both know that your pride is floating around in the sewers right now.' She said.
'Well its good to be back now Thalene.' He said. Thalene smiled.

'Anytime you two would like to go in, you're a little late.' The watch called from above. Thalene turned to him and bowed her head.
'Sorry, you can open the gate now.' She apologised. The watch then nodded and walked over to the wheel on the wall and began turning it. The portcullis began to lift and Andre and Thalene walked through when it was open. When they were on the other side, and slammed down closed.
'I take it that it was the guards that made you late, not the work?' She said. Andre nodded.
'The usual exits were blocked and I had to take the Green Tunnel.' He explained.
'I guessed that, I was waiting beside the usual exits but you never came.' She said.
'Well, I didn't really care about taking the Green Tunnel. I admit I was a angry at first but the guards were just difficult. They knew the sewers well!' Andre said with that tinge of anger near the end.
'Calm down Andre, I'm sure it's not your fault. Come now, we have to hurry up, I don't want them to start the gathering without us.' Andre sighed and then followed Thalene to the gathering hall which was the old Flood Control Chamber. He had done this thousands of times before too.

It was the same as always, the street urchins, poor people and beggars of Valanastre would meet in the Forgotten Sewer to share their earnings and dine in a great feast (Poor Style) together. Andre didn't exactly enjoy this part of his life, but he knew it had to be done if he wanted to keep close ties with people, albeit not very important, but its hard to journey through the city without friends. Andre already found that out once. The loud bustling atmosphere of everyone's conversations began to become faint, the room growing darker around Andre. This was probably another of his common memory lapses. But when I had no friends, that was when I met Thalene.

Andre was 7, wandering the streets. Among the crowds of people, he recognised a fair number of groups of street kids and orphans walking around. He was a nobody at the time, just some whiny kid on the streets. And that is what they treated him like. When Andre could barely get by on the streets, they were always there, and yet they smashed his hopes into the ground whenever he begged them for help. This was the first time he saw them, on the streets of Western Valanastre. He was begging to join their little group. And that's when he was crushed. They all laughed and called him a poor wimp of a hume boy. And not soon after that, Andre was lying in the dirt, gasping for air and blood dripping from his nose. Of all the people in the street that were walking past him as if he didn't exist, she was there. It was Thalene. She moved over to Andre and pulled him out of the road of all the ignorant people walking through the street and then tended to his wounds. Soon after that, the two became very close friends. Andre showed excellent skill with... a stick (As perhaps how could one as poor as he have a sword) and Thalene was knocked into a sense of awe. She taught Andre some things about running, jumping, climbing and sneaking, of all things, for lessons on how to use the blade. Andre at the time wasn't sure how to teach her in exchange for the lessons he got. But somehow, he had managed to teach Thalene how to use a blade well.

Andre and Thalene, being close friends, began to start causing trouble at the ages of 8. They would run around being nuisances during the day, and sometimes go down to the waterways to train on fighting against goblins that sometimes dwell in the waterways. And that is when Andre and Thalene found their armor. Andre found his light steel armor, along with Thalene's leather armor in a large old crate one day in the sewers. This was perhaps a memorable time for the two. Because only a few days after that, Andre finally faced the group of bullies that had beat him into the ground every chance they got. With they're skills, Andre and Thalene easily finished up with the bullies as easy as they would do with goblins. Their they stood, triumphant upon a pile of what was their sworn rivals. A small victory at best.

The feast was already beginning, bustling urchins were setting up the tables with food, roasted rat meat with leeks, mottle bread loaves with cheese that looked no different, and berry juice that tasted a bit more like sewer water.
'Andre! The feast is starting, come on!' Thalene's voice rang into Andre's head. Andre broke out of his memory trip trance and then followed Thalene to the table. But if there is nothing I can do to change my life, then may as well make the most of it.

Like thousands of times before, Andre forced down some of the food that was in front of him, or what looked like food. He looked up and could see all the other urchins and poor people relishing the food they had. Even Thalene was cherishing the food she was getting.
A little while into the "feast", Thalene stopped eating suddenly and turned to Andre, who was hardly eating at all.
'Andre, I know that you don't like the life we have.' She said. 'But you know we can't go anywhere else right now.' Andre sighed and turned to Thalene.
'It's boring though and you know it.' He said. 'If I'm going to die here, I want to die doing something worthwhile!' Thalene shook her head and smiled. 'So then, what about you?' Thalene looked up thoughtfully, then back to Andre after a moment.
'I don't really mind where I go I guess... She answered. 'As long as I'm with you, I guess it doesn't matter to me.' Andre beamed and then kept eating, ignoring the bitter taste.

'So what are going to do with that sword?' Thalene asked not too long after. 'It looks quite fine.' She added. Andre thought it through for a moment.
'I was thinking of selling it, as it could get us out of here.' He said after a moment. 'But, I think it's important, so I'm keeping it.' Thalene nodded and smiled again.
'Right then! This afternoon... Do you mind if I join you on a little bit of troublemaking?' Thalene asked. Andre looked at her for a few moments before actually processing the question.
'I--What?' He stuttered. 'Oh! Sure, why not?' He quickly said. Thalene giggled.
'Great! I'll see you at the Statue of Kanordus in an hour! Don't be late!' She then stood up and began to walk off. Andre smiled for a little bit, before leaving the table himself to get ready. Andre realised he was still wearing the sword on his back. He wasn't sure what to do with it, since the guards would probably recognise it. He then decided to leave it somewhere safe. Not in the Forgotten Sewer though, someone might find it and sell it. No, I'll have to go leave it down "there". With that, Andre set off to the place he deemed safe enough to leave the sword. I'll come back for it later, when I think I'll need it I guess. He added mentally.

Andre walked over to the Statue of Kanordus and waited for Thalene. The streets of Eastern Valanastre a little more relaxed than before, with people still bustling everywhere from place to place, doing and buying what they needed before going home. Andre started whistling as he leaned against the stone base of the statue, looking for a young sea argonian in leather armour. He was suddenly startled by someone he expected to be coming.
'You aren't that careful are you?' Said the familiar voice right behind him. He jumped and turned on the spot and saw that his friend Thalene had once again popped out of nowhere.
'Why do you always do that? It's creepy! Andre exclaimed. Thalene laughed and jumped down from ontop of the base of the statue down to the ground landing with grace as always.
'Hmm, well should we get started?' Andre smiled and nodded. And so then the day progressed with pickpocketing, being nuiscances and causing trouble. The life of young street urchins.

As the sun set, Andre and Thalene sat on a rooftop together watching the dusk light descend, having decided they had already earned more than enough gold for the day.
'I'd say that's enough. Maybe we can go to one of those nice inns and get a good meal.' Thalene said. 'We have plenty of time!' She added. Andre looked at her thoughtfully. He suddenly felt an emotion that seemed to emanate from her. An emotion of liking towards Andre. Why can I feel what she is feeling? Andre shook it off and gave his answer.
'Sure, why not!' With that, they both began walking down the street. It was only for a short while before suddenly someone ran into Andre. 'Ow! Hey!' The pain didn't matter, Andre only focused on the fact that the person that ran into him was firstly, a Khajiit. Secondly, he was running off with Andre and Thalene's earnings. Thirdly, he was running into an alleyway. Andre quickly sprang up and ran after Thalene who was behind the Khajiit thief. As soon as they were inside the alleyway, it was then they started thinking how bad of an idea that was. But then thoughts can too come later than actions are too late. The next moment, Andre was knocked unconscious on the head, Thalene too only a second later, and that was it.
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Sylph and Solaril ran through the Deepening Forests with quick haste, their pace making their footsteps light and almost seemingly gliding off with each step on the dirt road to Iruit. The sounds of leaves brushing and twigs snapping could be heard as the duo swiftly made their way on the bloody trail of the necromancer, the Sedonian wind of the forests aiding them from behind. After a few moments of swft movement, the forest side scenery melted outwards into small farms and fields in a large clearing before Iruit. Sylph looked about her as the scenery quickly passed by, seeing no farmers in the fields and only a few farming tools strewn about everywhere. She then prayed in her heart and hoped that the village was still safe. But as she thought, her faint hope was short lived.

Sylph and Solaril reached the village, only to find the terrible sight that awaited them. Half of the village was put to the torch, smoke filled the darkening skies as shambling corpses, some of grotesque figure or gruesome appearance, hobbled around with whatever tool they may have chosen for a weapon. There, in the center of the village Sylph saw a black cloaked figure near the well standing beside a skeletal horse with a wagon. The black cloaked man turned around slowly as the zombies began to cease their mindless work and turn to look at Sylph and Solaril. As Sylph looked about for a moment to the houses before looking back to the necromancer. Perhaps half the village were lucky and fled? Sylph thought. Her sorrow then turned to anger as she looked at the necromancer with hatred. The two locked eyes, as if in a mental duel of concentration with each other, the necromancer's burning crimson eyes staring into Sylph's own eyes from the darkness of his hood. Only one name remained in Sylph's head. Kardos Galas.

After a few moments, Sylph quickly lifted her bow up and knocked five arrows into her bow, running forward at Kardos. The zombies then moved into her path to defend their master. Sylph shot her arrows horizontally and took out a small part of the wave of corpses before her. She drew another five arrows quickly as the wave began to close in on her. Solaril lashed out and tore a zombie apart that was about to strike Sylph with a bludgeon. Sylph didn't take notice and concentrated on her enemies, letting loose her deadly arrows again and taking out a few more zombies before pulling her shortblade and dagger clean of their sheaths. She slashed a zombie on her left with her dagger in a backhand motion, then Sylph kicked a zombie in the stomach and lodged her shortblade in its skull before kicking it off and finally leaping out into a basic Elven Blade Dance she knew so well, her blades cutting through undead flesh and splattering tainted blood everywhere about as she fought. After a few moments, the wave of dead corpses that protected Kardos had fallen to Sylph's skill and she turned to face the wicked dark elf, her blades firmly gripped in her hands. She then sprinted forward lunged for Kardos, ready to slash him with an X Cut just above the shoulders.
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(RAIEON ECHIMARUS)
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(ERISALIA)
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The knight chuckled at Gaius' little joke.
"All the more reason to teach him how to put it away, it is a great deal less work, and has the same amount of menace..."
Gaius nodded in achknowledgement, leaving the joke where it rested. Erlin sighed as they rode on. Gaius continued the discussion with the knight on various things, including the Errantry Wars and his opinion on mages. "My opinion of magicians eh? Well, I'm not exactly partial to them, they are useful enough I suppose, but the pursuit of knowledge seems to lend them an extraordinary sense of self-preservation, which one finds troubling on the battlefield. I especially dislike the ones who just keep asking questions without waiting to hear the answers to their other questions. But that is just my opinion of magic-users I find friendly, or sympathetic to my cause. Hostile magicians are a pox. A swarm of vermin to be exterminated as such. During my service in the the Errantry Wars, I did more than my share of that with the help of this marvel of science..." Gaius then noticed that the knight indicated the large device that rested over his shoulders and made good note, nodding to the man with no fear. "But you lot seem like nice-enough fellows, I'm sure we'll not need to butt heads, indeed, the practice of your craft could no doubt benefit from combat, could it not? What could be better than time spent as summoners for a free company to further your skills?" He offered.

Gaius smiled at the proposal and thought on it. Part of his mission assigned by the Shaper Council was to expand shaping influence, and jumping on the said proposal would help very much. But it meant using the noble knight as a puppet, and he was clearly feared and well known. Gaius then ignored what the Shaper Council had told him. All I care about is teaching Erlin right from wrong so that he can teach others... I'm passing to my twilight years and I cannot teach everyone.... Gaius then nodded to the knight.
'An intriguing offer, noble knight, but until we reach Varuna City, I really cannot say.' Gaius replied. 'Though with time, I will consider your proposal highly.' Gaius finished. They rode onwards, expecting hidden ambushers to errupt from the grassy meadows and forest trees on the sides of the road. Roderick decided to speak out.

"You wished to know of the Errantry Wars in Piras you said? Well, they started many years ago, when the qualifications for knight-hood were dropped. They were not dropped far, but the many barons of Piras were in need of more knights to wage their petty disputes. So the qualifications were lowered only a tad. But somehow, it seemed a great many men qualified for knighthood then, and whole swathes of land were snatched up over night as newly-knighted warriors vied for control. But now there were more knights than anyone could ever need, so the Lord of Piras introduced the Errantry. A period where a fresh knight is not allowed to own land. Instead they must wander until they find a lord who would give them employment, and three years later they could be granted land and estate. So, three years later, there were more men seeking estates than there were estates to be given. And everyone was set on having a patch of land. It was a long, bloody affair, and still is. Barons hurl their knights at one another in hopes of getting them killed or capturing land to give them. I am deeply surprised that they have yet to have the sense to march on the rest of the world. A united Piras would be a most devastating force. That many knights would be undefeatable, if only one could muster the resources." Gaius nodded thoughtfully. So Piras is just as divided as Azadia and Siriko itself are. Interesting... He then looked forward to the road ahead.
'I see then.' He simply said.

"That is essentially it, in a nutshell. Our story only adds a little, and it's not very exciting..."
The squire piped up. Gaius looked at him for a moment and saw the proud look on his face. He then noticed the knight shake his head. He then shrugged as the rode onwards, thinking up further conversation. Erlin simply ignored the others and pulled out his map of Siriko. He had studied it plenty when he and Gaius were on the boat bound for Valanastre. Gaius looked over to his apprentice curiously.
'What lies ahead of us Erlin?' He asked. Erlin semi-jumped a tiny bit and looked at his map for a moment.
'Er...' Erlin began.
'I don't believe there is any such place as "Er" ahead of us, ERlin.' Gaius said humorously. Erlin glared at his mentor and then looked back at the map.
'We're travelling on the Meadow Ring Road... We should be heading along towards two forks in the road... We take a right on both, and then head onwards to South Shard Fortress and head onward to Aeva Sora through the edge of Shard Forest to the Wind Plains, travel onward by foot or go up to Amik Pahi Ka via the Cloud Roads...' Gaius nodded. Erlin rolled up his map and looked at his mentor. 'Did you get all that?' Erlin asked.
'I might be old Erlin but I'm not deaf.' Gaius answered.
'I take that as a yes.' Erlin shot back. They all rode onwards from there.

The group then reached a fork in the road, the road on the left heading into the forests whereas the road on the right kep on the path next to the meadows. But at the fork of the road was a group of highwaymen, five Khajiits wielding various weapons and different unsorted pieces of armour. They halted the travellers at the crossroads.
'Stop travellers! Pay the toll or be executed!' The leader called out. Erlin noticed that they had been followed by bandits, snakes in the grass who had bows and arrows ready. Gaius simply kept a calm face.
'And how fare thee good sirs? Is it not a fine day today?' He asked casually as the sun beamed down. Erlin looked to Chiptooth, who seemed to nod back at him. Erlin was surprised and then saw that his Fyora had suddenly sprinted at the three ambushers from behind, ripping apart the first and then setting the next one on fire. Suddenly the combat began and Gaius' horse neighed and reared back as he pulled the coil locket out of his pocket.
'Splinterfang...' He whispered and the creation came back forth in smoke. Out of the green haze, acid globules flew out and hit two of the Khajiit, disolving them alive. Erlin pulled out a wand and pointed at the third archer, a flash of lightning streaming out and shocking the last archer. He then turned back to the front as the battle ensued. In a sudden flash, the leader of the Khajiit had his head wedged in the middle of Splinterfang's four fangs and mouth, and with a sickening crunch his skull was crushed. Erlin flinched a little at the sight. They all then turned to the remaining Khajiits.
 

Supremacy Kills

Angel of Death and Cake
#13
The Pyre

Kardos then watched curiously as a little girl began to skip towards him, a little doll in hand and singing a sweet little tune that incurred disgust from the master of death. He smiled at the little girl's foolishness as she neared.
'My my my! You are the brave, if not curious little girl, aren't you?' Kardos sneered. The girl looked up at him and tilted her head. 'Speaking of which, I've always wanted to add a child's corpse to my undead collection...' Kardos chuckled as he lifted his sword to his upper left, about to slash the girl across the face. 'Say good night, my dear!' Suddenly a black winged Angeal swooped out of nowhere and beat her wings back, knocking Kardos back a fair two metres. Kardos held his footing and stumbled about standing rather than falling to the ground, and looked up from his daze to see a chestnut horse with a wagon ride in. A young girl in a serving girl outfit jumped out of the wagon and hoisted the little girl up and into the wagon with her. With no delay, the horse and wagon quickly sped off, leaving Kardos with an Angeal to deal with. Eyes blazing hotter than the flames encoating the southern part of the village, Kardos walked up to figure, sheathing his sword and putting his battlestaff into his right hand as he twisted the Angeal about and grabbed it by the collar of its shirt. 'You insolent cur! I will see to it your soul remains in a ghoul's body for eternity!' Kardos raged as he held up the Angeal and smashed it across the head with his staff, with enough force to atleast knock it unconscious for Kardos to finish off and capture. When the being crumpled to the ground unmoving the moment Kardos let it go, he realised his trophy was not an Angeal, but rather an interesting creature. Kardos' bared teath then faded before turning into a cruel smile. 'Oh my, a Netixel?' Kardos said aloud. 'You will serve me well, my dear...' He then chuckled before stopping. Shadefall floated next to him, its emotions tingling erratically. 'Oh dear, we have guests Shadefall...' Kardos said sinisterly. He began to turn around slowly, mostly for the dramatic effect and face his opponent. He recognised the lone Wood Elf with the big dog immediately as he looked them over.

'Sylph Silvershadows!' Kardos called out to the Ranger, raising his hands in the air as if in excitement. 'What an honour to have you here to see Iruit become a funeral pyre! Tell me, do you enjoy the small of burning corpses?' Kardos taunted. Sylph didn't respond. Instead she drew multiple arrows and began running at Kardos. He then frowned as he willed his undead thralls to become his shield. 'Well, if you so wish it, then we shall throw your barely-living corpse onto the fire with your petty village.' Kardos sneered, the tone of poisonous malice clear in his voice. He watched as Sylph made her way through his undead wall, shooting down a first ten, her big dog chewing down another, with Sylph finally finishing the rest in a graceful blade dance. Kardos clapped and applauded Sylph's performance and her blood covered appearance. 'Ah, I didn't think they'd last so long. They were expendable.' Kardos said, seemingly distracted. He then drew his weapons and his face turned serious again as he looked at Sylph. 'But then Sylph my dear, so are you.' Sylph then yelled out and lunged for Kardos, her blades posed into an X-Cut. Kardos blocked the blades with his staff, before knocking Sylph in the stomach with the lower end of his staff. Kardos then passed his battlestaff into his right arm and pushed Sylph telekinetically with his free hand. She flew back a fair ten metres before hitting the cobblestone street. Before Kardos could continue, he saw the big dog begin to charge at him in the corner of his eye. He turned slightly to his right and backhanded the dog telekinetically so it flew towards Sylph and landed on the cobblestone just beside her. Kardos scoffed before conjuring a blue fireball in his left hand. 'Did you really believe you could've beaten me, high ranger Sylph?' Kardos jeered. 'Such a shame, a face such as yours could've lasted longer. Goodbye Sylph, and your ugly large dog too.' Kardos thought it would be the last goodbye.
He was wrong.

Before Kardos could throw the fireball, and arrow whizzed through the air and stabbed itself into his left arm. Kardos bared his teeth, not in pain but in anger at the one who stopped him from doing as he pleased again. He looked up and recognised who he was up against. Not one enemy, but almost eleven, maybe twelve. And who were they? His hated enemies in the forests, the Rangers. Kardos sheathed his sword and put away his battlestaff as he pulled the arrow out of his flesh, not feeling any pain. Suddenly, three dozens of arrows flew at Kardos. With a gesture of his hands, Kardos turned the mound of corpses into a wall that too the arrows for him, the sound of arrows pucnturing flesh could be heard as he telekinetically swept all the free corpses lying around and the unconscious Netixel onto the wagon, before jumping onto the horse and hoisting the reins, his horse rearing back and making a distorted neigh as it galloped forward through the village and out of range of the Rangers the moment the mound of zombies collapsed. Kardos looked back to the village once, then to the Netixel and then finally forward into the forests. He then smiled as the undead horse and wagon of bodies galloped through the Deepening Forest.
 
#14
The idle chatter continued for a good while as the party rode onward. But all too soon, Roderick remembered why he had so dearly wanted to leave the Errantry wars. Too many people there were okay with magic users. And here was a perfect example of why he was not partial to them. At one point there were eight highwaymen waiting to accost them, normally something he was fine with. Bandits were no threat to a properly readied knight and his squire, but then this knight, and his squire, would not be needed it seemed. There was the standard, 'stand and deliver' decree, but then it seemed his new mage friends would do neither. Of the eight highwaymen, two were torn apart, one set aflame, two dissolved to stinking offal, and one slain by conjured lightning. The last two fled almost as soon as the fighting began, not wishing to fight magicians. The knight-errant did not relish the thought either. Indeed he shuddered loudly, his armour rattling and clanking as his body shivered uncontrollably.

"My God... I now remember why I find mages distasteful..." he whispered, a scared look growing in his eyes, he then spoke much louder, to his squire, "There is no honour in dying like that. I rescind my invitation. Come Jorgun..." The horses of the two fighting-men were far superior to those of the mages, so they had little hope of being caught when knight and squire set their spurs to the flanks of their mounts, who seemed equally shaken up. Jorgun was even sweating from watching the carnage, something he rarely did, even in battle. The two sped off down the left fork, Roderick having remembered the younger magician state that they should stay right. At this point the armoured men were willing to go just about anywhere if it meant not being followed by mages, so left they went.

"Our free company will be one of fighting men and science." The prince of Hammersfeldt declared when he and his companion finally slowed.

"I can agree whole-heartedly with that. I don't think I have seen anything so terrifying in my life. Even Pirasian mages have enough sense not to do things like that. Those two are lucky someone hasn't hunted them down for crimes against the existence of just about anything..." Jorgun was the more visibly shaken of the two men, and he shuddered again. It was probably just that he did not have to wear so much armour as his employer. For if anything Roderick was the more deeply affected of the two.

"I should hunt them. Like I hunted those at Piras. I should stalk them, and slay them. I have a reputation for a reason, no?" He spurred his horse a little harder as he spoke, not wanting to stop, or even slow completely, not yet.

"Indeed mi'lord. That would solve a great many problems, and ease the fear in the hearts of many. Let us embark upon a hunt of these magicians, and cast them out of their mortal coils!" the squire was thrilled by this idea, he hoped to add two more to his mental count of nearly two-and-a-half score mages dead by the hands of his knight.

"Yes! We shall hunt them. And we start tonight. Let us go further up this road for now, and we will begin our search for them on the morrow..." Roderick smiled coldly at this idea. There was little excitement in the hunt for a magic user, but it was a good cause. A just cause. A deed that needed to be done by someone. And more often than not, for this kind of deed, he was the one...