[Temple of the All Gods] Yahal Talkin' To Me? (Sutekh)

[Xalet]

70th Day of Fall, 511 AV

Xalet sat not within the pews carved from fine wood, but instead leaned against the wall at the rear of the Temple. It was late in the evening, and often he came after many others had left. With a day of training behind him, the Temple was a relaxing place to meditate quietly to himself. It was often used to focus and strengthen his resolve. The resolve that kept his other half from reaching up and dragging him down.

HIs patron had taught him that mental reflection was good. It kept the mind sharp, and the mind was used in all facets of a squires life. Xalet had to be on guard at all times. That mental state of high alert was dreadfully taxing, and without proper respite from time to time, the mind would crash, and thus so could Xalet.

The articulated metal gauntlets that typically covered his large hands sat within his pack, as did his helm. It was one of the few times where his purple skin was bared for all to see. Typically his color was hidden away beneath all that mail, just another Knight in training, if a bit taller than the average young man. Perhaps 'a bit' was an underestimation of Xalet's size, as over time he had grown to seven feet tall. His mother, the all-knowing matron she was had decreed it to be possible that Xalet still had further to rise toward the sky. The squire was not so enthused by this motherly prediction, horses hated to allow him to mount them enough as it was.

Most unusual about Xalet, beyond his size and pigmentation was the odd tattoo upon his right palm. It looked to be alive, given its ability to appear constantly in an animated state, glowing unnaturally. The vortex, an optical illusion with no discernible beginning or end as it swirled upon his palm. To those that understood the will of the Gods, that was Xalet's tie to his most favored lady, Priskil. Favored next to his mother of course.

[Sutekh]

Sylrias had proven to be an interesting city for Sutekh; it was free of crime and a very civilized and well structured, established city. He enjoyed how secure it was, how secure all the citizens felt within the city walls. Sutekh did not get to enjoy the attention being one of the few Benshira to escape the desert, as he heard stories of other men and women of his race venturing into the city and becoming memorable in the minds of the citizens of Sylrias. Not that it was entirely something that Sutekh found completely hopeless in garnering some attention from the other Benshira, as he was one of the few of his people that practised magic. He had to restrain himself from demonstrations of what he could do - he had a job in Sylrias and in the Temple, to promote the word of Yahal. Yahal, a god that even the Sylrian Knights recognized as the right god to worship. In the evening it was the perfect time for Sutekh to gather his thoughts and prepare for the next day within the temple. He had far more people interested in what he had to say about Yahal than he expected that evening; Sutekh thought that there would be no one interested other than the Knights that kept Sylrias safe and secure. It turns out that plenty of citizens enjoyed his speech and his presence; they had been most welcoming of him into the arms of Sylrias. The strong warriors of Riverfall have been few and far between in Sutekh's journeys, and he was quite surprised when he saw the form of one leaning against the wall at the back of the temple. Even seated, the large warriors stood out from the regular humans that surrounded him and Sutekh smiled as he spotted the man while he was at the front of the Temple removing the artifacts from his sermon that had just concluded. "Hello," Sutekh called out as he folded a cloth over on itself until it was a neat and perfect square and laid it down on the small table to the side of the main altar. He looked over to the Akalak who appeared to be standing more rigidly now that Sutekh had openly acknowledged his existence. From what little Sutekh knew of the Akalak, he knew that they did not favour Yahal - but perhaps this one would be different. Perhaps he was Knight. As Sutekh descended the steps he placed his hands within the pockets of the folds of his dark robe and walked over to him, that easy smile never leaving his face while he looked the young Akalak over: No no, Sutekh thought, he was far too young to be a Knight, even with the odd maturity rate of the Akalak. "I am Sutekh, a ..." He looked up to the man's face, watching for any subtle cues to the reaction of his name, almost as if he was expecting some reaction from a stranger, "... Son Of Rapa. Follower of The Great Yahal. I have not seen you before in these walls - but I must confess, my time here has been limited. But I assure you, I would have noticed someone of your stature and never forgotten that sight. May I humbly inquire your name and how I may be of assistance to you? I do hate to be the bearer of bad news, but my sermon for the week has just concluded. Though I will be more than happy to speak with you of Yahal, if your ears are patient enough to heed to my words."

[Xalet]

Xalet looked up from his place within the Temple. He didn't like sitting upon the sorrow wood pews, as his mail had a tendency to scratch them. When he came wearing only his gambeson that type of seating arrangement was much more possible. The squire had the silver eyes of his people, contrasting heavily against his much darker skin tone. His hair was as black as could be, presenting a dark image that was lifted by the silvery hue of his platemail. That mail was clearly well used, but sufficiently oiled. It would never reach the gleam of a newer suit that had less dents and marks upon the surface, but it functioned well enough all the same.

"Sutekh." Xalet said before pushing down against his feet and lifting his frame upward. The face of an Akalak was difficult to gauge. By their very nature they did not show much outward emotion. Most of their passions, desires, and other stronger feelings were internalized. Unless the dark-half had possession of the body. Xalet was slightly easier to read due to growing up in a Human dominated city, but his glance was something between an unexpected confusion and interest.

His armored suit creaked lightly, the plates chiming together with metallic thuds. "I am Xalet, squire to Sergeant Irine Braklin." Sutekh had been correct, Xalet was not a full member of the Knighthood. Most of his time was spent trying to make that dream come true. As hard as it worked, sometimes it seemed so far away. Years went by when he dreamed of the day when that challenge would come, the final test in Knighthood. No one ever knew when or where it would happen. Only that you got one chance to complete that which was asked of you, and if you were successful, the Knighting ceremony could commence.

"Am I to understand Yahal and the lady Priskil have similar values?" he asked, direct and focused questions. That was just like an Akalak. No amount of time amongst the Humans could take that away from him. "Courage? Loyalty? Faith?" he continued, taking the time to mention a few particular traits that seemed valued by both Gods, though the information he knew of Yahal was particularly lacking. Even though many of the Knights revered Yahal, Xalet knew only the most basic of information. Both he and his Patron had a strong devotion to Priskil, though the squire was not above understanding other Gods that had virtues mirroring his Goddess's.

[Sutekh]

Sutekh enjoyed the way his name seemed to purr from the Akalak's lips; he gave the faintest of smiles that showed the gleam of his white teeth through his parted lips. He gave little chuckle as the priest gave a nod of his head to the squire and he was happy with his initial analysis of the young man. The few Akalak that Sutekh had interacted with were all in the prime of their lives, much fresher and less wet behind the ear than this Akalak was, and so Sutekh had yet to meet an older Akalak. Perhaps their fighting and aggressive nature ended their lives sooner than they should have. It made perfect sense to Sutekh in that regard and also the fact that if they didn't worship and welcome Yahal in their lives they were destined for a short life. If he could try and put Yahal into this young squire perhaps he, too, will be saved. "Similar values, perhaps. I do apologize in that my knowledge of Priskil is that of an amateur. Will I wear the robes of a religious order, my studies to the other gods and goddess that exist and are worshipped in this temple is knowledge that continues to grow. But," Sutekh said as he stood there with perfect posture in front of the Akalak, his eyes looked up and locked to those silver eyes of the young squire. "From what limited knowledge I know of Priskil, she is a goddess that - indeed - shares values that are in common with my god. From one sermon I overhead earlier this week, the goddess Priskil does not enjoy burdening her worshippers nor asking much of them in regards to their treatment and affections to her. This is one aspect of this goddess that I enjoy. A god or goddess should not be imposing anything - good or bad - upon us merely mortal beings. A relationship of perfect harmony is one that we Benshira seek with our god, and one that we have obtained." The fact this Squire of the Knights of Sylrias questioned the characteristics between the two gods made Sutekh wonder if he was familiar with Yahal at all. From the Knights that he had seen within the temple, they were well away of Yahal and were happy to see a priest of Yahal within the temple. Perhaps Priskil had hooked this young Akalak at an early age. From what little he knew of Priskil, she favoured marking her subjects at an early age - tainting childhood innocence with the lies and deceit of a false god. Sutekh smiled as he cocked his head to the side ever so slightly. "What do you know of Priskil? Perhaps you could enlighten a priest and teach him a few things about a goddess that he is unfamiliar with." Sutekh glanced to the open archway of the Temple that led to a small, inner garden beside the temple. The perfect place for meditation. He turned towards the archway as he slipped out a hand from the folds of his robes and gestured for the Akalak to move and walk in front of him. "Come, speak as we walk to the garden. The evening is young."

[Xalet]

"I will, Sutekh." Xalet responded as he turned to begin walking toward the garden. Getting the chance to talk about Priskil was an exciting opportunity for Xalet. Typically when he wished to talk of her excellence those he spoke with were not so receptive. Some didn't care for divinity all that much, and others felt her to be a bit too soft for their tastes. For that reason many Knights did favor Yahal quite a bit, for his strength was more focused, and clearly more evident. Strength, stamina, and a fierce loyalty was the little that Xalet knew of him, and those traits often categorized his followers as well.

"You have a strong stance." the squire mentioned, before moving into a full conversation. Somewhere along the line he had learned to reward kindness with a favorable gesture. He had told the same thing once to a young Human girl that was acting overly affectionate to him. The squire never lied or exaggerated of course, he simply found sometime that would work well enough for a compliment and spoke it. His Patron had mentioned something about it once while teaching him her persuasive tactics. She had a natural talent for that sort of thing, many believing her to possess a silver tongue. Xalet was more a presence than anything else during their patrols, but he was slowly learning how to participate in rhetorical conversation with the public.

"I know a bit about the Lady, beloved of Aquiras, God of Doors, as I've had the opportunity to meet her several times. She's beautiful..." he quickly paused to clarify, "...not simply her appearance, but her heart. She is humble while possessing a fierce power. She understand people, as if she herself was just like us. It is she that powers the Watchtowers that stretch throughout the world. I was fortunate enough to travel through one, once. The experience was amazing. Beyond that, her purity is without contest. She says what she means, and she cares for all those she speaks to. When one of her favored dies, even one, she notifies the others and remembers their name. When one is chosen by Priskil they are not her servant, they are her friend." It was the only time Xalet spoke so much in one go for only she could draw so many words from his mouth.

Turning his right palm upward, he opened his fingers and revealed the mark upon him. His intent wasn't to flaunt his connection, but instead to show at least some credibility toward his words. Priskil undoubtedly knew Xalet better than he knew her, but he still looked constantly to understand his Goddess more with each day. "Priskil is the light that ushers in the ever lasting day. Her luminance is the same that inspires the righteous, and punishes the wicked with it's fire." his accent with the punishing part of her light found it's way in a tightening of his hand, covering up that glowing mark that he had gotten as a younger, shorter Akalak. When other Humans shied away from him, whether it be because his size, skin color, or knowledge of the dark-half that all Akalak struggled with, she had become his first friend that wished only to be called by her name.

[Sutekh]

The comment about his stance was one where Sutekh failed to show his humility; he was proud of the work he put into his body and the training it required to get to where he was. But Sutekh knew that there was plenty more training that he would have to endure before he would be able to master not only his body but the Flux that flowed through it. Under the folds his robes, and with his hands tucked into his pockets, Sutekh flexed his arm and felt the pop of muscle under the fabric. A coy grin spread across his face as the two men stepped outside, under the faint moonlight from the sky. Sutekh stopped one of the paths in the inner garden as Xalet spoke of his goddess and how he had known so much about her. He listened to the way that the goddess went away from her own life to meddle with the lives of mortals, and children at that. Children were meant to be pure, untouched, and innocent - and here Priskil marked this young Akalak, forever warping his sense of being and sense of worth with a mere touch of her foul hand. The smile on Sutekh's face never left his lips at the story, however, as every indication of his body language made the Benshira appear utterly fascinated with the story. He kept his eyes locked on the silver eyes of the Akalak while he spoke; they were friends? This was something that Sutekh had heard other puppets of the false gods speak before, how their god was a friend of theirs. Not merely a servant. How could he convince him to see the greater good in Yahal with Priskil having such a strong grip on him? "She does sound like quite the goddess to be favoured with, though I will admit I am quite jealous of your status with your goddess. It is a relationship that few people on this dusty world can ever attain with a god or goddess - one that can protect them, guide them and keep them safe." Sutekh's eyes watched the malleable face of the Akalak and determined that there was something more behind his words, something else in regards to his goddess that he was keeping under wraps, for the time being. "Marked by your goddess already - perhaps you should be wearing these robes and I be wearing your armour, young squire." He gave a little chuckle as he watched the light vanish from his hand and Sutekh continued to walk along the path, a path that was leading the two men to a still fountain in the middle of the garden. There were lanterns lit along the path so that it wasn't completely dark in the shortened days of the coming winter. "Yahal, too, marks those he favours and marks them in a way that I find more beneficial to someone that is of the shield and sword than someone that is of the prayers and the temple." In much the same fashion that Xalet showed his mark in a humble way, Sutekh almost mimicked that fashion and held out his hand for the Akalak to see. Two letters were etched in the palm of his hand - two marks that he received from his god; the first two initials of Yahal's name. Though there was no fancy light show such as that the Akalak had previously shown him to denote Priskil's light. He gave a little chuckle after he pulled his hand away and placed it back in his pocket. "There is, sadly, no fancy show I can give you to show the mark of my god for you. Nor would it be appropriate for someone of my position to demonstrate something in sacred walls as these." Sutekh paused for a moment as he looked up to the Akalak for a moment. "Does Priskil protect in combat? Keep you safe as your adversaries attempt to extinguish your life with marks of their gods on their flesh?"

[Xalet]

Xalet noted how quiet the nights were when the cooler nights spread across Sylrias. The Castle City as well as the area surrounding it experienced the full flavor of the seasons. Warm, beautiful summers. Cool, brisk autumn breezes. Quiet, almost sterile winters with snow so white it made the woodlands to the north look like one uniformed stretch of forest. He had never thought much about the time in his life that he was marked in, to him it was best for the Gods to speak to their children early so as to give them goals and drive upon their chosen path.

He understood humor to some extent, the corners of his mouth lifting up when Sutekh offered trading in Xalet's plate for a set of clerical vestments, "I'm finally beginning to learn to wear this uniform, I doubt I could do another justice. Priskil understands that sometimes that which is good and righteous must be delivered by a blade, and that which seeks naught but violence for the sake of violent and sadness must be defended with a shield."

When Sutekh showed his mark, Xalet actually had to keep himself from gripping the man's hand to get a closer look at it. The squire had only seen a few marks before. Of course Priskil's, especially when he had convened with other members of Priskil's chosen. Then there was Rak'keli, possessed by his very own Patron. Finally he had seen the mark of Cheva, possesed by Torc Ironwood, a half-Isur. Beyond that, most of the Knights that could have possibly be marked by Yahal kept their markings safely obscured, or simply didn't feel it necessary to show a lowly squire. "He does? Incredible. But how? How does it work? How does one connect with Yahal? What does it do?"

If Sutekh's objective was to get Xalet asking questions, he certainly made such an impact. When asked about Priskil's direct aid in combat, Xalet struggled to comment particularly well. He only knew of one favored by the Lady that had multiple marks personally. It was true the first mark did little to directly alter the flow of war, "I...am not exactly certain. Priskil brings hope to those who seek it, that much I have witnessed in men whom would otherwise run than face their struggle, and will illuminate the darkness. I understand that her light will protect those that wield it but I...haven't actually seen it for myself. Perhaps it requires a stronger connection that I have not yet understood."

[Sutekh]

Sutekh watched the expression on the man's face with a smile; the look of wonder in his eyes as he saw something that he desperately wanted, saw something that meant more to the Akalak than he would admit to the priest. He gave the faintest of smirks at that sign of recognition on his face and turned his own head to look out to the still waters of the fountain in front of him. "One connects with Yahal by faith. Faith in Yahal's power, Yahal's ways and Yahal's spirit." Sutekh glanced over to the Akalak for a moment before returning his gaze to the water in front of him. "The mark works when it needs to work, but as I said I will not show you within the walls of this temple. There is a time and a place for everything, young Akalak, and this is not it." Sutekh paused for a moment as he pondered showing the young Akalak what he "gnosis" really did; on one hand it would be a way to secure his belief in Yahal and hopefully question his belief in Priskil, but at the same time the mystery of what the mark could do might draw Xalet more than a simple demonstration. Sutekh pressed his lips together in thought for a moment before he slipped his hand out from his robes and held it out in front of him. He could feel the build of of djed moving in his muscles, yearning for release. Sutekh could feel the muscle contract and relax, and repeat as it wished to punch something - to exert some form of control and release. Sutekh opened his hand, the palm facing downward as he cracked the knuckles of his large hand. "The mark grants the user the ability of superhuman strength, for a brief of time. It helps in combat situations when strength and clarity of mind are most helpful in keeping your flesh free of any cuts and wounds." His eyes trailed back up the dented armour of the Akalak's attire. "Priskil... Shows you the light, does she not? The light protects you, yet you have been injured in the past." Sutekh couldn't see any signs of injury of course, but the condition of his armour implied such. "The light shields those that deserve protection, yet every day there are those that perish - and they do not deserve it. The blade that cuts them down is a righteous blade for their god, and not for the greater good." Sutekh's hand reached for Xalet's hand, the one that he had shown him just moments before with the mark of his goddess in his palm. He placed his own hand over that palm, his own mark of Yahal and placed the two together. Sutekh's hand was much smaller than that of the Akalak, and much softer since the priest didn't have such a physical life as that of the young squire. "Your question of your connection, I cannot help you with. What I can tell you that, is with a connection with Yahal there is no question. There is no doubt. Once you are marked by my god you know what you are capable of, and are well aware of what that mark can do for you and what it cannot."

[Xalet]

Superhuman strength? What else could be said to interest an Akalak? The thought of becoming stronger was so very enticing. Inside though something uncertain stirred within Xalet. He was strong because of his peoples physiology, and he acquired greater strength through years of dedicated training. Time, sweat, the ache of feeling the muscles tear themselves down and rebuild stronger, that was all Xalet knew of the potential to grow stronger. There was another way beyond all that? It wasn't so hard to comprehend when he thought about it, as the supernatural abilities of Priskil to sway the emotions of others often had him struggling to answer questions about exactly 'how' it happened, when he himself did not truly know.

"My failures in protection come from me own weaknesses. Like every squire I just try to learn from and reduce them." he responded. Priskil had been in Xalet's life a long time, and although he didn't quite understand everything about her or the divine powers she gifted to her friends, he wasn't about to blame his lapses upon the Lady. Xalet had a strong trust in Priskil. She had believed in him, and due to that belief when he was on the cusp of being nearly unable to be considered a page, he managed to show enough potential to finally make it to squire. Now, slowly but surely, he was training himself for the position of a true Knight, and it was her inspiration that often kept him going when his will may have otherwise faltered.

The Akalak wasn't about to discount the powers of Yahal though. As an Akalak reaching further pinnacles of physical prowess was in his blood. He yearned for it constantly, and it wasn't just him. Inside his dark-half nearly begged for that kind of power. With strength came the possibility for nearly anything. Xalet thought about how it could use it to rebuild a society. Expand the reaches of Syliras. Provide more space and more resources for those that lived within the Castle City. Xuphim thought about how it could be used to destroy those that stood before him. Elevate himself above the typical man. Become the strongest Knight ever.

When their palms met, Xalet couldn't help but feel slightly uncomfortable, but he couldn't understand why. He had no real emotional bias toward physical touching, but his predatory instincts twinged. Quickly he displaced them and continued with his questions, "What does Yahal look for in those that follow him? How you spoken to him? What sorts of things does he tell you?"

[Sutekh]

Sutekh had almost said too much about Yahal at this point and his slight bias was showing, and he felt like he should be correcting the squire and saying that Yahal would protect him from those evils. That a god that can do more than just light a palm and "inspire" people can only do such superficial things, while belief in Yahal not only filled the spirit with purity, but filled the body with strength and agility. There were no injuries on Sutekh's body that he got from another person; the scars on his arms were results of his experiments with Flux and nothing more. "Then you are learning well. Perhaps some day soon, you will receive a grievous injury that will be threatening to your life. Then from that point you will learn to avoid such injuries and reduce them in response to that wound. That is how a squire functions." Sutekh was going to make the last a question and not a statement, but he thought that it would sound better if he sounded certain of that statement. If Xalet thought that Sutekh knew so little of squires, then what he told him must be fact and thus he'd repeat as much. Unfortunately, it would be difficult to convince someone that the wounds were self inflicted, to a degree, without admitting to the troubles of Flux. Thus that little bit of information Sutekh kept under his hat, so to speak. "He looks for people faithful, honest and true. But you can't assume that Yahal is looking for followers, those that Yahal responds to must also be seeking him and what he can offer. I have spoken to Yahal and he speaks to me now through actions and through signs - through grace. Through the smallest things, Yahal talks to me. From the simple ray of sunshine that pours into the temple to the small butterfly that flutters past in the evening, Yahal is all around me. And he is all around you, if you can recognize his grace in your presence." He smiled at the latter part of the question; what he and Yahal had spoken face to face was something that Sutekh would never tell a living soul. What happened between him and his god was intimate knowledge that was undeserving of repetition to those inferior to Sutekh in his devotion to his god. "What he tells me is that I am doing what I am meant to do in this life, and he helps me overcome the obstacles that have been placed before me. To test me. To test my devotion and to train me to be a better person." He looked back to the Akalak as he placed his hand back in the folds of his robe. "What does Priskil do for you? Does she attempt to aid you in your training as a squire, so that you will be a stronger and nobler knight?"