Location [Syliras Entrance] The Main Gates

[Tomas]

Timestamp: Season of Winter, Late Morning, 509AV

He had been on the road for what seemed like days. The merchants he was traveling with had to stop often to rest their mules, shout their wares to passing travelers, or just to sit around and drink ale. Once they spent three whole days just sitting around drinking that disgusting brown water they so loved. Until this journey Tomas had never tasted ale before, and he did not care for it. Not one bit. But that was finally behind him.

Last night he got his first glimpse of the city and would have gone through the gates that very night, but the merchants insisted they camp outside the gates and enter in the morning. The morning, they said, was the best time to set up your wares. Having promised the merchants he would escort them all the way to the gates, Tomas had no choice but to camp with them. He was up at dawn, but the merchants did not wake for hours. When they finally got moving, the sun was already high in the sky.

Despite all his excitement, he had butterflies in his stomach. By the time he arrived at the gate he was sweating from nervousness. Where would he go once inside? What would he do for food? Did he have to keep wearing these pants? All these questions and more raced through his mind as he approached the guard.

"Name?"

"Uh.. um.. Tomas."

The guard eyed him suspiciously for a moment. "That your real name?"

"What? Yes. I, I'm just not used to telling people my name."

The guard frowns then nods his head. "What's your business here in Syliras?"

"My business? Um.. I don't know. I-” At this one of the merchants walks up and interrupts him. "Give the boy a break, Norm. He's Kelvic, and he just lost his bond-mate. He's just looking for a place to stay."

The guard seems to recognize the merchant, though he can't remember his name, and nods. "That’s a shame. I hear that can be quite traumatizing. If you're looking for a place to stay, try Traveler's Row. Also you might want to find some work if you're going to be here a while. I'd try one of the taverns."

"Good luck to you." The guard waves Tomas on, noticing the people behind him getting impatient, and moves on to the next person in line.

Tomas nervously goes through the gates and stops, having no idea where Traveler's Row might be or anything else for that matter. Finally, he decides to follow his nose and heads in the direction of the first interesting smell that comes to him.

[Benacer]

60th day of Winter, 509AV

It was early in the morning, not long after dawn. The sunlight came from the horizon just in front of the main gates, illuminating the large structure that impressed Benacer so much. He couldn't wait to go in and see what was different about Syliras. It had been so long since the last time he stepped into that city, it was certain that much would have changed. He approached the gates carrying his goods, stumbling upon a large line of people waiting to get inside - and it was no more than a few chimes after dawn! It seemed that whatever the time of the day it was, there would always be people waiting in front of those gates. Benacer patiently placed himself at the end of the line, waiting to reach the large doors, observing the guards from his distance.

The line was moving forward at a rather fast rate, and it didn't take long for Benacer to reach the guards. One of them looked at him with disdain and moved his palm forward, a gesture telling Benacer to stop moving. And so he did.

"Name?" asked the guard coldly, as his eyes danced between Benacer's face and the axe he carried on his back.

"Benacer Stalbarg."

"What business do you have in Syliras?", questioned the guard, making a forced expression of curiosity.

"I seek merely a place to stay for a few days," replied Benacer with a smile on his face, "Would you know where to find a good inn around here?" The guard had an expression of suspicion on his face.

"I suppose that is fine," said the guard while his eyes slided to the side, followed by a brief moment of silence. "You should look for the Traveler's Row, it is where most visitors stay" answered the second guard, breaking the chime of silence. It seemed like the guards had nothing else to say.

Benacer began moving towards the large door as if the guards were done with their inspection, but the first guard stopped him once more. "We're not done yet." The guard's voice was deeper this time, and he looked somewhat impatient. He then raised his head for a moment, as if trying to recall something to say.

"And how are you?" asked the guard after a slight pause, "Have you been feeling ill lately?"

"Not at all, I am feeling just fine. May I step forward now?" questioned Benacer, shrugging. Indeed, for some reason the guard was taking quite a while to let Benacer in, the people waiting behind were beginning to make whining noises about it.

"Fine, fine," said the guard while opening the doors, and quickly glancing at Benacer's axe for one last time. "Try to keep yourself out of trouble."

"I will," said Benacer while crossing the gates with a smirk on his face.

[Seamus Okibbon]

Season of Spring, 6th day, Dawn, 510AV

Seamus had not been able to tear his eyes away from the gates ever since the sun had risen above the distant hills. It wasn't that they were anything special; he had seen many city entrances, towers and spires that seemed to touch the sky and gates the height of fifty men hewn from solid plates of hardened iron. It wasn't that the sun glinted off the stone in a way that caught his eye; the rock was plain and worn, nothing compared to the beautiful carved cliffs of Riverfall.

The only thing that kept Seamus' eyes glued to the small, fortified gate was the fact that it hadn't changed at all. Five years...Five long years and the city still looks the same. As if I never left...

But he had left, with dogs snapping at his heels. He had fled this city with naught but the clothes on his back, and the crosses that had hung from his brothers necks. The memory of that day was as clear as the morning air to Seamus, and it's events haunted his dreams, his nightmares...

He was drifting off the road, and Ruby gave an impatient whinny to snap him back to his senses. She always knew when he wasn't paying attention, and always made a point of it. He leaned forward in his saddle and whispered into her ear, "This is home, girl. Or at least as close as it gets."

The gate was closer now, nearly a hundred paces away. He could see the two guards, standing at attention. Only one other traveler was making his way towards the gates this early in the morning, an old man and his donkey-drawn cart laden with vegetables and grain from the neighbouring fields. The old man was waved through the gates with a friendly nod of recognition from the guards; he most likely passed this way every week with goods to be sold at the Bazaar.

The morning sun was heating the air, and Seamus pulled off his hood, wiping his brow. He had ridden all through the night, unable to imagine sleeping with Syliras so near by. Returning empty handed weighed heavy on his conscience - he had not avenged his brothers' murder, even after five years of relentless searching for the killers who had taken his family. It was as if these men had simply melted into nonexistence after taking his brothers' lives. I still don't know why, let alone who. Its hard to track down men when their faces were covered with masks. No one claims to know masked men. I suppose that is the point of masks.

The guards stood only twenty paces from him now, and he reined Ruby to a slow walk as the guard on the right put up his hand, palm out, signaling for Seamus to stop for questioning.

"Ho there" the guard called, "come down from your mount so I can see your face."

Ruby pulled to a stop without Seamus directing her at all, and he swung his leg over the left flank of the horse. The ground felt hard and unstable after a night of riding, and Seamus leaned against Ruby for a moment to get his feet. The guard came around the horse and gave Seamus a look.

"You alright there, lad?" The guard spoke, sounding somewhat concerned but more impatient.

"Aye, I'll be fine."

"Alright. Name and business, if you please."

"The name is Seamus Okibbon, and my business is my own."

The guard was taken aback, and drew a sharp, insulted breath in through his nose. "No need for that kind of additude, Lad, I'm only doing my job."

"Aye, forgive me." Seamus was feeling the night's ride in his buttocks as well as his drooping lids, and did not have the energy to play "good guard, bad guard" with this man. "This city is my home. I have been gone five years."

"Well, then." The guard shifted his gaze to Ruby. " That's a fine horse you've got. You don't see many Striders ridden by locals here. Best keep a good eye on him."

"Her" Seamus growled. And she'll hold her own, g'luck to the man who tries to steal her. She had saved his life, back before they were a pair, by viciously defending him against a band of highwaymen in Cyphrus. She had chosen him to ride her, and he was glad of it. She was the only family he had.

"Well, as long as you aint sick, carrying any forbidden goods, or harboring any fugitives in those saddlebags, you're free to go. Welcome."

Seamus grabbed ahold of a rein and passed the guard without a glance at the man. He had no hard feelings for the guard, but didn't care for him either. City guards. No, nothing has changed.

The gates swung open, and Seamus Okibbon walked into the city which he had fled from all those years ago.

[Atoro]

Spring 7th day 510

A little while before

Atoro shed some tears as he waved goodbye to his parents. "I will be back soon one day mother, father. Don't you worry." Hiding his face as he said this, Atoro mounted his Frostmane horse. Getting comfy on his saddle, with bulging bags either side, he turned Monox to face the south. Nudging the horse on, the saddened man turned to see his parents on last time. Both of them, foolishly light dressed, stood in the tent flap arm in arm with tears freezing on their cheeks. That was almost too much for Atoro to face, waving one last time he shouted in the Vani tongue, "I love you both! Farewell!"

A day's riding later and Atoro de-mounted. Quickly getting to work, he unpacked the large tent his parents had presented to him and quickly got onto setting it up. A short while later his was all done and happily heating up some meat. This hasn't been too bad huh? Soon enough sleep beckoned and Atoro obeyed.

Present day

A weeks worth of riding had taken its toll on Atoro. Stiff legged, stiff backed, stiff shoulders... The list just went on and on. I don't know how much more of this I can take! He though in despair as he took of his cloak and leather jerkin. It had been increasingly hotter the further away from the snow he got. Shaking his head, he took another sip from his waterskin and thought back to the journey he had underwent.

A while after he had set up camp the first night, the weather started to smooth out and become much more warmer. Less storms and blizzards and soon enough snow did not fall but rain did instead. This shocked Atoro for the first few miles, after a couple of days in the rain he grew accostomed to the liquid water that fell from the sky. He wasn't without food either, for he had been lucky and caught a few fish from time to time. This along with the original provisions provided Atoro with the means to make it to Sylria.

Not knowing he had passed any barrier, he kept on riding towards a blot on the horizon. Slowly enough the blot turned into a massive city. As soon as he got a good look at the place, Atoro was struck stupid for a good minute or two. Growing up in a tent didn't really give the man a lot to think about when to came to buildings. Yet to see this... This was most amazing.

Slowly walking towards the city, he followed the stream of people heading into the city. All shapes and sizes of things walked and rode about the place. Most of their eyes stayed the same colour! Imagine that, a single colour of eye... That shocked him the most. Heading towards the gates, Atoro passed through the arch and got stopped by the guards who asked his business in the common tongue. "Visit place?" Was the best he could give for he was not well versed in the language, seemed to please the guards though. Smiling, Atoro moved on.

[Ana]

Spring 7th day 510

The journey towards Syliras had been long and hard. It had been the first time since she was found as a baby that Ana had been forced to live by herself. She had expected some hardships; living without people was always a challenge for her. But getting used to the new climate was definitely unexpected. It was almost unbearably warm. The farther she got away from her arctic home, the fewer layers she wore. As she got closer to her destination, all she wore was her tunic, breeches and boots; and only because any less would be unseemly.

As dawn was fast approaching on the 7th day of spring, the gates of Syliras stood before her. She stopped her Frostmane, Corin, and gazed at the looming buildings in front of her. Excitement began to build in the pit of her stomach and her eyes swirled with multiple colors. Today, new adventures were going to begin. She dismounted and led the horse towards the guards at the gate. “I am here to visit.” she said after a moments pause to review the proper sentence structure for the common language. With a nod the guards allowed her passage and she entered Syliras.

[Auburn]

Spring, 9th day 510
Auburn hadn't been living too far from Syliras, just a simple little four day journey, and that was on foot, but she was living too far for her tastes, she would prefer to be able to live closer to people. She had been walking for days and the weather had gotten pleasantly warmer as she neared her destination she had shed her cloak and boots opting to put them in her pack instead, she smiled as she reached the gates, she couldn't believe it, they where huge... Auburn felt small for a moment, but she quickly stood up strait, realizing that they where only gates and thus nothing to be intimidated by. She waited as the guards looked her over, she rolled her eyes, "I assure you I am not carrying any infectious diseases, illegal goods or small outlaws." She said half mockingly, not like she could fit anything else in her pack. After the guards had let Auburn in, well she stepped into the city, amazed but not showing it, she adjusted the left strap of her pack, it had been digging into her shoulder.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

15th of Spring, 510 A.V.

Samael was tired, but Horse was not. His grey ears were perked forward and his liquid eyes took in the growing traffic on the road up to the gates of the city. But in Samael's defense, if they only had enough food for Samael food or Horse food, he bought the Horse food, even though Horse could graze on all the new grass of spring, sweet and green and appearing with ever greater abundance. It was just a priority that had been beaten into him at a young age, even though he was ten years separated from his people. His people were long ago scavenged, picked over by the carrion eaters and the bandits who slew them.

The old tragedy no longer caused him much fretting; he had spent longer without his pavilion than he had with it. They were gone, as was his strider, the gentling of whom had earned him the rune tattooed on his wrist. He kept it hidden under a leather cuff these days. There was no point advertising to be something he wasn't. He couldn't be. It was just him and Horse. A horse and his boy. Well, his man. The windmark made him a man, and he had lived another ten years since. So what if he was just barely a man by anyone else's standards?

Samael sat up a little straighter in his saddle, picking up on Horse's excitement. This was his first time in Syliras, and he always wondered if the next place was going to be the one that kept him, that became home. So far, he continued to move like the nomads who bore him. So far, home was where Horse was, his equine brother. Their fraternity of two had proven acceptable to both of them. Samael knew Horse's moods better than his previous owner had, and if people glanced askance at the ragamuffin young man riding the horse that was too good for him, well, he certainly looked comfortable in his seat.

But who wouldn't be more comfortable free than as a slave?

He dismounted as they got closer to the front of the line into the first gate, which looked to lead into a bit of a holding area, though the portcullis was up. The knights looked bored and none too circumspect, but appearances could be deceiving. It never hurt to be careful. That was why Horse was unconscionably unkempt. Samael was lax in grooming him for the past few days so his worth would be less apparent.

"Name."

"Sam, sir."

"Business." The soldier eyed the scimitar strapped to the saddle; the angle of it would make Samael drawing it and attacking the knights highly unlikely.

"New home. Need work." In acknowledgment of the weapon, he said, "Have to keep safe on the road, you know."

The other knight favored him with an obviously rehearsed spiel about where to stay and where to avoid. Most likely they didn't want to steer a boy with a sword toward places where people would be happy to play at mortal combat with him.

"Thank you, sirs," he said politely after they waved him through.

Part of him would miss the open spaces, but he had been a city dweller for long enough that it didn't bother him. Once inside the city, he mounted again and nudged Horse with his knees to start moving again.

"Syliras, Horse," he said, the palfrey's ear swiveling back to take in the familiar voice. "Who would have thunk it?"

[Jecon]

Jecon was leading his horse on the road, having ridden nearly all day, he had decided that it was time for the horse to not have to carry his weight.
"You ready for a rest and a place to stay ole' boy?"
Elnartin nickered at his master and nodded.
Jecon smiled, "Thought so boy, well Syliras isn't far and you can sleep well there."
They traveled on until they came within sight of the imposing walls, "We're here," Jecon murmured to no one in particular.

Jecon walked with his horse up the guards.

"Name?"

"Jecon, sir."

"Business?" the knight asked, taking in stock Jecon's buckler, longsword and horse.

"Actually I'm looking for some. Any suggestions?"

"Got any skills?"

"I can fight, I can ride, and I have a way with horses, though they could all use some work," Jecon said, smiling ruefully.

"Well you seem to be good with horses, so you might want to look at Windmount Stables."

"Thank you very much, I'll do that." The guards motion him past and Jecon leads his horse into Silyras!

[Eris]

Eris was impatient to finally enter the city. After weeks of moving from place to place and never settling, she felt a little relieved at the prospect of spending the night in a more or less civilized environment. It’s true that she loved the road. She also liked to travel light, with no tents or large bags. However, she didn’t particularly enjoy sleeping in caves, forest groves, and abandoned huts. Occasionally, she would sneak into an unguarded barn and spend the night there, with Rhine a few yards away. She never had to tie the mare down or worry about her running away. Even if she let the horse loose for a few days, Rhine would always find her eventually. Eris discovered that early on in the relationship when she tried to get rid of the troublesome horse after Rhine had tried to head butt her into a ditch. She patted the mare’s side affectionately as the two arrived at the city gate.

“Name,” barked the guard.

Eris briefly considered lying and giving the man one of her many aliases, but at the last second, decided to stick with the truth. “Eris Serlen.”

“And what’s your purpose here?”

“Just need a little rest from the nomadic lifestyle,” Eris said, a slight smile playing on her lips.

The guard smirked slightly as he stepped aside, allowing Eris to pass. As she brushed past the guard, Eris fingered the dagger concealed under her jacket. She always checked her dagger when entering a new place. Never know what to expect.

[Eanos]

Spring 22, 510

At first the trip had been an adventure, and certainly the novelty of seeing so many of the other races had intrigued him. But novelty could only last so long and once it started to wear off the irritations of travel soon started to add up. Now the open sky and broad horizons made his back itch between his shoulder blades. That and the fact that his eyes were sore from the continued exposure to the sunlight contributed to his somewhat normally dour disposition becoming decidedly grouchy.

The gates were a welcome relief and he longed to be back indoors once more, his irritation levels rose as he got nearer to the gates and the delays pushed him near to the brink of shoving his way forward. Common sense prevailed after he resisted the urge for a moment and the wave of panic which had fueled the impulse faded back into his control.

He controlled himself, closing his eyes for a moment to reinforce his control. The guards, those waiting, they were like cattle, unworthy of his rage and it unmanned him to allow that fear to control him in front of them. His breathing came shallow and he muttered a prayer to himself while the gates gradually came closer. As they closed over him and at last he was under decent stonework and the guards were behind him, the panic finally faded and his eyes once more showed the excitement of finally reaching the city and realising his dreams.