To Be Crimson; Flames and Bloodied Palms (Antar & Eryss)

[Antar]

As Eryss weaved his shield, Antar hesitated a moment to use Auristics, but soon he shut that sense down hard as the mage began shuttling the djed of his in a complex pattern like threads on a loom in a weave that made his head hurt to stare at.

So he took it easy, taking a small drink from his waterskin to refresh himself as he waited for Shai's response. It was not his place to cajole her into attacking, nor defending. Merely to watch: and wait.

Antar smiled at little at the symenestra's solution to the problem, wondering if the branch would actually touch Eryss or not. He knew one weakness of a shield, no matter for what it was cast and tasked for. A single blow of stick might reach through the shield, though he made a note to let Shai in on a little secret; Any shield, no matter how it was tasked had a chance of breaking from a physical attack. The attack just had to be stronger then the shield weavers experience in making the construction.

With a mage like Eryss though; That would be difficult, even for him.

But the effort was worth a try at least.

Smiling at the spider's progression of thought, Noth returned to his own work, letting the earthen snake disipate upon the ground, unraveling in a haze of sparking rock that melted part of the topsoil into glass. He had come across this idea in the last time he had noted fire and sand made glass and he wondered if sharp shards of the fire wrought crystalline substance might be able to be propelled by wind at an enemy. The more and more he practiced, Noth was thinking that wind would be the next best choice for an element, at least when he was capable of harnessing it.

For now they he began another reimantical manipulation, this time letting five balls of translucent Res begin to extrude and move around his body. Lighting them on fire one by one he spun their rotation around his body. The heat was delightful, though the rogue possessed enough caution to keep them at least three feet in radius from his position. Letting the globes spin faster and faster he breathed in deeply and exhaled slowly to help him meditate as the balls of fire became like spinning diodes of light around his form, circling him like the random electrons of an atom as their orbits began to vary one by one.

It was practicing, one day he hoped to be strong enough to keep such a moving barrier about himself while his form was shielded, literally having a reserve of an arsenal of res in which to use against multiple foes from whatever direction they came. But for now, this exercise was just practice as he waited for Eryss' regards to Shai's methods. The spider was an outside the box thinker, that was for sure and he thought she would be invaluable as an ally, but worthless as a pet... if only she could work on realizing that discarding one's pride was just another weapon in an assassin's bag of tricks.

Whether Shai learned sheilding or not tonight was inconsequential to him, though in the future he might prevail upon her learning the craft simply for her self -preservation. Tonight, he would be content so long as she began to understand the weakness of her lack of knowledge of such disciplines. And if she could understand that, then he considered how very much he would see her grow...

[Eryss Waldu]

[Watching as the Symenestra stalked towards the nearest tree and the proceeded to scale it Eryss would share a knowing look with Antar. Not because he knew what Shai had planned, the Mage had no idea whatsoever, but due to the fact that Antar and Eryss both likely knew exactly what would come next and so there needed be no words between the both of them. Indeed Eryss was quite content to wait until Shai reappeared with her stick and displayed the ineptitude of his Shield to him which crackled as the stick penetrated its threshold, the Mage might have woven his reimancy into the shield so that when it was breached it would react but he hadn’t, he just stood there while Shai proved her point by jabbing him in the chest once with the stick she held.] [Afterwards, as Shai dropped the dead tree limb and backed away, Eryss would concede that...”You were successful. Well done.”...before listening to Shai tell him the obvious regardless of the fact it was not the point of the exercise. Antar probably understood of course. Unimpressed by her demeanour and her display Eryss had little to regal the stubborn Symenestra with though he’d lift both his hands and position them at shoulder width apart from one another before beginning to exude the sorcerous energy of res from his palms. Summoning his own djed and transforming it once more into res Eryss would concentrate it between his hands and fashion into a perfect sphere made of the thin gaseous substance that he had woven into the Shield before it faded, like the former it was a sickly emerald in color, which he would control mentally.] [In time Eryss lowered his hands but the sphere of swirling res remained hovering in place until he willed it to move. Move it did too. At his level of expertise Eryss was capable of exerting quite a bit of control over his res which moved at a high speed and blew past Shai towards Antar and then turned around to hover back in the direction of the Symenestra. The Sphere began circling Shai at an angle just out of arms reach, no matter where she went it would move to match her trajectory so that it stayed just out of her reach while rotating around her slowly, as it circled it maintained its given form though a keen observer could tell that the res was moving inside itself even while incapable of expanding.] [Sighing as well Eryss would chide Shai once by saying...”Unfortunately you did not follow your instructions to the letter.”...before allowing a silence to pass between the two of them and then adding...”Cheater.”...before miraculously activating the sphere he had created. Lightning was difficult to control, its reach extended in all directions and it could drain itself in an instant, however the Mage had acquired a solution to this by only transmuting the exterior of the orb, electrifying it, and allowing the rest to remain as the gaseous res of his creation. As the shell of the sphere transformed itself into an electrical beacon tendrils of lightning would extend in all directions to lick at whatever was nearest to them indiscriminately, which included both Shai and Antar, as the extended themselves looking to latch onto something. Shai being the closest thing to the sphere was prime target for many of the lightning tongues which would caress themselves across her intimately if they were able to latch onto her only a single time. Electrically charged they wouldn’t break her bones but one touch from them could cause her nerves to spasm and muscles to contract painfully and prolonged contact would likely burn her skin, blackening it quite thoroughly.] [Antar was not exempt from this either though from the knowing look Eryss had shared with him earlier the Mage expected he would be prepared and defend himself appropriately.] [The Mage too was not entirely exempt but his Shield, woven with the very res that he had used to create the electrical sphere, would dissipate the charge of any lash that strayed too close to him and absorb it into the Shield itself strengthening it in the process.] [Only a single touch of an electrical arc licking out from the sphere should be enough to bring an individual down, understand too that the Mage was not even using his full potential as his lightning could easily kill, and once they were in their place there would be no remorse. Underneath the hood he wore Eryss would have smiled, he enjoyed inflicting pain on others you see, but there was a lesson in all of this which is why he stated...”If you were skilled at shielding you might be able to protect yourself to some extent girl. Shielding is a necessity you see. Protection for those who need it. Why not reach into yourself now and make something small, like Antar had done.”...he managed to sound half concerned for Shai even if it was a lie though it would be wise of her to heed his words. “You know I must break you if you do not heed me.”...was just about all he had left to say to Shai as he loomed there allowing the arcs of electricity to outstretch from the sphere he had made while willing it to hover closer to Shai so that its full potential would be directed towards her.]

[Shai]

Shai’s pupils narrowed perceptively, dispelling her dark vision. Purple eyes locked on the orb of lightning. The expectation was clear, you couldn’t out run lightning, but the spider was at a complete loss of how to achieve it. She’d heard the terms now; res, djed. They meant nothing to her, no more than the concept of the sun being tangible. Existed yes, but you couldn’t grasp it. What other knowledge could she draw on? Hypnotism? I only know hearsay- Shai dropped the line of thought it was a waste of time and the mage was directing the orb now, at her.

Snapping her eyes shut; whether from her intention to do so or from the instinctive flinch was uncertain and irrelevant, the spider grasped desperately for the only internal art she knew of the one she had only begun to understand a few days before. Trying to find a desperate tranquility in a mind rushed with adrenaline was futile. The pulse pounding inside her skull gave her a blissful reprieve from the crackling threats of electrocution. Calm was impossible until a remembered phrase roared to the forefront of her thoughts. ‘Music is a common rhythm Spider, but it is only one of the rhythms available to us.’ The premise she’d been taught days before finally clicked home. Flinging her thoughts towards the pulse she mentally wrestled with the rhythm trying to hold it. For a moment she almost lost her grip on it, the mage was speaking; providing a distraction against her desperate concentration.

Shai grappled with the beat in her head. The pounding had at first represented her rushing blood, but she knew realistically that she couldn’t control her heart beat. So how had she managed to direct this strange tempo? The next logical conclusion the Symenestra could find was that it was a construct of her imagination seeking any refuge from the pain that would soon befall her. Whatever the reason it was all she had now in the confines of her mind, waiting for the first strike.

The dreaded crack struck. It had seemed a myriad of moments and beats inside behind her sealed lids but it was far too soon all the same. The first fork didn’t actually harm her, which in any other circumstances would have surprised her instead it simply terrified her further. She had nothing to combat magic; all she had was her fear and the tempo. Fear wouldn’t save her so she threw the only other thing she had. Forcing the rhythm foreword she let out a mental scream trying to urge it’s impossible movement, Protect me! Another snap echoed through her ears before the lightning finally landed in its desired conduit.

Had the spider opened her eyes, the scene would have made vastly more sense. The first tendril that sought her body was repelled by the shield Antar had placed upon her. The first lash arched back briefly before heading again towards the little woman. But this time it was second in the running as another fork split for her chest. This second fork was met by the briefest of glimmers, trying to resist it. Whether it was residual from Antar’s shield or the lithe thief had managed something she still considered impossible was a mystery. The shimmer didn’t hold the lightning at all though, it broke through like it was thin tissue paper and took the woman in the torso.

The first things to go were her knees, legs buckling beneath her Shai fell foreword and onto the soft natural earth. Unseeing amethyst eyes flew open and her body convulsed. Her mind was a complete blank slate; she had no conscious cognitive function while the electricity sent unintentional signals to her muscles to seize.

[Antar]

Antar was wary and preparing as soon as Eryss began to glance in his direction. His reimancy was busy using his djed to expel a small resoirvoir of to large piles of Res behind him, keeping them hovering close to the ground. Unsure of what might transpire as he prepared himself. Both physically, mentally, and as magically as possible.

His eyes shifted a little to allow his aura sight to take over, as he was concerned that the attacks of Eryss might destroy the potential within the symenestra, and while his skill was paltry compared to the other mage's it was his mind that warranted his theoretical notion of trying to do more with less. He knew the mage possessed three elements under his control, fire, earth and air, but the sudden deliverance of a spinning bit of electricty going off like a whirling firecracker of sparks from a ball took even his Second Sight by surprise.

He knew from his own testing to awaken his latent djed to shielding had required an emotional trigger, and though Eryss seemed malevolent at times the rogue's Sight noticed nothing more then a passing irritation in the mage's aura hinted by the pale green tint of the mage's aura.

His aura was green, gaseous like his manipulations of djed, and he could spy where parts of the mage had been scarred from magic use. Not as badly as Barton's aura was, but in such a way as if a paint had been smeared like a brush to fill in the cracks. Eryss's shaping of the Res was instinctual, though from peaks of activity in the aura , Antar could almost see a waving current of ironclad orange-hued concentration as the spinning ball began to unleash its deadly payload of transmutive effects.

The rogue wondered if the mage was going to far in his summation of Shai's ability to grow by leaps and bounds. He knew from his own teaching that aIn order to conceptualize or create the first use of djed in a threatening situation; a person had to be subjected to a game of the mind, forging the scripting of the body.

Emotions played the part, but the rogue was still concerned as the first arc hit Shai, weakening his own protective layer like it was nothing more then a speedbump. The second arc came to him, tearing through his own shielding as a bolt spread through his arm, causing the muscles to twitch before he fell to one knee. But that did not stop him from looking as the arcing current of forces began to curve in the air towards Shai.

The second flash struck her in the leg, and he could see the surge in her djed, as her soul bore the weaving of her first faint shield around her as a defense.He had witnessed her success, the only problem now lay with the nature of the attack which had caused it: Lightning as a meta element was much more responsive in its natural laws, following the path of least resistance, and for now, in that arc Shai was the least path it could go through... even after she had succeeded ; her efforts might fail and cause her greater harm.

That was not something he would allow.

Not something he could allow if he was to be the one responsible for her keeping.
Stretching his concentration to the limits he disregarded his aching muscles and the lightning currents towards him. Meeting force with force, he sent each of the four lit ball of fire towards the reimantical construction of lightning. If Eryss had made it with all of his potential power it would have been a useless effort, but since he had not, the battering of the four shells against it would create something that would be exponentially important to ensure Shai's life, and body remained safe from further harm.

Resistance.

But for Antar, there would be one more necessary thing to accomplish to ensure her safety. One he would not yield to in his thoughts for many people, not even those who were mere 'associate's' of the guild. But for Shai, since she was waging a war for her own acceptance amongst the Guild in Eryss' sight he would.

The resoirvoir of Res at his feet surged forward at his mental command, splitting in three waves, each about knee high as they crossed the firmament of the loam within the copse of trees.

One sprang higher between Shai and the source of her torments, it's Res already being forced into it's transmutive state as wall of earth spikes sprung from the ground, diverting all the rest of the electrical strikes from her body before the currents would damge her enough to collapse into unconsciousness. The regard for her safety before his did not bode well for him as a wayward volt of electricity arced into his thigh, causing the flesh to become burned as his mental concentration came to the second wave, the one between him and the threat.

In his own defense as his breath let out a hiss of pain, the rogue managed task the Res enough to form an immediate transmutation in the second wave. From the earth; a large stalagmite burst from the ground, raising about chest high to divert the threat towards himself. Giving his body the same protection he had just surrounded Shai with so long as he could complete his attempt to stop the movement of the lightning ball.

Collapsing to one knee, the rogue forced his hand out and upwards in a sudden grasping motion. Clenching his fist as his eyes saw what the others could not, and used his Auristics to help mold his final reimantical creation into being. From beneath the lightning balls coarse a fluid ball of earth rose, surrounding the construction of lightning within a swathing coffin of earth as the beastly elemental barrage became trapped within. Throwing his hand downwards till Noth's gauntlets rung heavy on the copse's soil, the earth shield ball of lighning was forced into the ground, grounding it both literally and figuratively as the element reaction within spent its fury in rippling waves of visible electricity across its surface.

Heaving great breaths, Antar smiled at Shai and checked her once over for injuries with his Aura Sight, noting only three strikes of Eryss' creation against her. One in her arm, and her leg, and the other by her boot. He thought that all were to be painful, but not too dangerous as he forced the djed surge to his eyes to view her with his plain vision. It was a shame she may never see herself in the same way he could see her, the beauty of her soul, even if some of it was fragile and harshened by circumstance.

But that did not mean he would brook from her failure, or deny the dangers of training. In all things, preparation must be as tempering of one's abilities as the actual thing they were preparing for. His solution for events had been one grounded in risk, and the natural laws anyone could observe in Mizahar. In the future, Shai might face any number of circumstances similar to the one she had just faced.

In a harsh voice , the words from his lips came raspy, filled with slight bits of pain from diverting the arcing lighning from Shai's body, "It seems she suceeded Master Eryss. I saw the shielding form, instinctually. Though I wonder if my own paltry summation of ability is justified enough to pass your test."

Clearing his throat roughly , he forced himself to straighten under the burden of the slight burns of the wounds he had taken, "You see Shai, when one of us gives another the chance to enter the guild, we bear the risk alongside them as well. I imagine if I had not acted in some way to save your life then Eryss would have tried to ... engender me to remember the lesson rather harshly."

Sighing loudly the rogue took a moment to breathe, "Though you may not realize it, the first bits of training in any thing must be harsh. For a brief instant , I could see your fear, your emotions, prompted you to instinctively manipulate your djed in a manner which might save you. I imagine, though do not know if he will confirm it, that this is what Eryss was hoping for. A sign of promise. You are correct, in one thing though. Those amongst our number are not required to learn magic. But as you might think: your potential in the future as an assassin to survive a job may very well be based upon your ability to evade, and dodge attacks as you flee. In some cases this will work, but against those who are ensconced in Sunberth, the very capabilities you have now of getting away would still leave you unprepared to dodge a hail of them. And believe me: there will be hails of arrows in your direction if necessary ." He smiled as he added a final quip, "But not from me at least."

Turning his head towards Eryss, the rogue breathed in heavily to compose himself before speaking his final words, "My limits are reached, I will do no more lest it endanger others." He would stand there, eyes closed, beginning to meditate where he stood, supressing the turmoil of all thoughts save the focus of a ice covered waterfall.

Noth could hear the buzzing of the sweet whispers now at the edge of his mind; and by his stubborn will alone he would brook them no trespass.

Not tonight, not here, not now.

Not with Eryss, the mage he respected and gave loyalty and perhaps for some as equally strange given the short time he had known her, the respect and loyalty he afforded to Shai; earned in blood at dealing with the threats of his past. The night's conversation henceforth was between the guild master, and the newest member to try to join their ranks. He would remain as silent as possible.

But even with his eyes closed he wasn't completely unguarded, listening carefully for a shuffle of the mage's robes, or any other efforts to 'chastise' him for his small bout of chilvary would be carefully listened for. He expected something, but what exactly would come would be a sudden and sure surprise.

[Eryss Waldu]

[Necessity appeared to be the mother of encourage yet again. As the Lightning tore into Shai she appeared to produce a rudiment Shield that appeared as all of a glimmer before fading from sight as the electrical arc dispersed it. Success it seemed. That was about the end of this for the Symenestra, it actually may have even ended quite differently, though before anything could occur it seemed as though Antar himself chose to act in the most chivalrous fashions with which he meant to save the woman before her incapacitation. Alas, such chivalries often ended poorly and with bad results for those involved whether they considered as much or not.] [Watching from the sidelines the Mage would observe the torrents of res as one flowed to Shai and the other remained near Antar before erecting themselves as protective barriers. Eryss did nothing. There was a third torrent of res that engulfed the electrical sphere Eryss had created in a shell that the Mage himself wondered if it would be enough. Antar seemed quite driven though so Eryss allowed it to take its course. Instead of transmuting the remaining res of the sphere so that it could expand in one final enormous electrical surge the Mage merely relinquished control while the Rogue buried the elemental sphere inside an earthen coffin. The Sphere would have consumed itself in time, likely, and if not the earth would drown out the remainder of it leaving it as less a worry to the Mage.] [When Antar spoke, the pain of his own exertion evident, Eryss would slowly begin moving so that he could circle around any impediment and have a clear line of sight on Antar as he replied...”Yes it appears she has successful created a Shield. A fragment that will beset her on the path. She has done well enough.”...though the way he had said it may have betrayed some of the irritation that Mage felt to Antar who was likely much more apt to recognize his emotional cues. Diverting his attention from both the Symenestra and the Rogue Eryss would allow Antar to speak while he inspected something else.] [Instinctively he turned his eyes to the Shield he had woven, or rather his senses, it had degraded somewhat since deflecting a few of the arcs from the electrical sphere and Eryss would need to repair some of the damage. Often the Mage would let his Shields degrade until they dispersed for lack of energy but not this time. Inspecting the Shield he would locate the specific places where the Shields consistency had waned and add just enough to it that the thickness began to rebuild again. This made the Shield visible again as the Mage began to weave translucent threads of his djed throughout its structure to harden it once more, making it whole and as close to perfection as he could, it was not a long or taxing process considering he was only required to connect a few dots and fill in several small gaps. The procedure would give Antar enough time to tell Shai what he needed to while the Mage finished and his Shield gradually returned to an undisturbed and nigh invisible state, though a keen eye or auristics could likely still make it out.] [Now that he was finished Eryss turned to Antar just in time to hear the rogue tell him that his limit was reached and that he would do no more lest he endanger others prompting Eryss to finally shake his head and tell him...”Your sentiment is not a boon. Your chivalrous ways have saved nothing if I do not want them too and look at you to weak now to save yourself.”...obviously disappointed the Mage had decided to teach Antar the lesson now instead of the Symenestra. As he reprimanded him verbally Eryss mouth had begun to spew a long stream of gaseous emerald djed which slowly stretched out away from him hinting at the possibility that something was to occur.] [Transmuting the djed that he had created Eryss would create a heavy wind with one final exhale of breath as he closed his mouth but this was no normal wind. Creating wind was not enough. The Wind that Eryss had created spiralled and twist as it extended towards Antar in the form of a long funnel that would strike at him with the power to throw him backwards off his feet, send him tumbling across the ground, away as though he had just been discarded and it hit hard too likely capable of leaving a stuff bruise a person wasn’t prepared for it. All things considered it could have been much worse but Eryss had only wanted to prove his point which he felt he had.] [After the torrent of wind had served its purpose and spent itself Eryss would move over to Antar and look down at him, if he hadn’t climbed to his feet yet, before adding...”Your lesson is to learn not to act on the behalf of others unless you can do so with draining yourself.”...which was like saying chivalry is pointless if you don’t live beyond the act. Averting his eyes from Antar then Eryss would look back at Shai before nodding once and inclining his head in her direction when he said...”It seems as though your body reacted when I prompted you. All the answers you need now are in your head.”...meaning concentrate, work your own magic and expand on the discipline through trial and error.] [Nothing left to do Eryss would look back towards Antar then and with a bit of a sigh he went on to tell him...”This is the end then. You’ll leave for your journey soon. Good fortune.”...before moving off out of the wooded area and back towards the tents of the Crimson Edge. Not one for long goodbyes the Mage had said his piece and was done with it now. Disappearing into the night as he went a little tired now, a good night’s sleep would do him good.]

[Shai]

When the electricity finally ceased Shai was actually surprised. Her skin felt raw like the wind had been blowing against her all day. Beyond that three separate spots on her body felt as though they were on fire. Shai wasn’t sure what happened in the past few chimes so she listened carefully as the men spoke. Putting together the small missing slivers of the most recent magical event. Gingerly sitting up as Antar gave his explanation she realized she was still missing a piece, there was no chance that any tiny shield might manifest would have stopped the lightning. Eryss’s voice tugged at her attentions. Antar stopped him? It was a beginning, at least it showed he hadn't intended her to be mortally harmed. But the rogue had knowingly led her into a trap without any substantial warning.

Watching the sadistic mage retreat into the darkness, Shai sat pondering her situation. One giant screaming part of her wanted to walk away and never look back. It was probably the smart half, walk away from magic and this insanity. Probably the most intelligent reaction she’d ever had towards Antar. So why did she still sit there? Perhaps, Sentimentality? Maybe to some small degree, but not nearly enough to make her stay. No, it was a completely different lure that had the spider staying instead of heeding her instincts and fleeing.

Whatever the psychotic test had been, she had passed and gained entrance into this strange gang. A gang’s name could over her shelter from the slavers at least; she might be able to put up with their eccentricities if only for that reason. As long as there was no more lightning.

But as she sat there, getting somewhat cold at this point in contradiction to her burning wounds, Shai came to another realization. She was tired of stealing like a petty criminal. A Symenestra should have more dignity than the slime that oozed across Sunberth’s underbelly, but she couldn’t honestly say she was any better. Shai wasn’t even a very good thief. Antar had skills, skills he had alluded to that could make her a living if he passed them on to her. His teachings combined with natural abilities . . . she might never need to resort to petty larceny again. The mage had called her Antar’s responsibility; it was time to find out just what that meant.

Slowly coming to her feet she watched the rogue. He was meditating, again. The man needed more hobbies. “He is gone." She said hesitantly, it wasn’t her normal style but she had no idea how to go about this conversation. Shai couldn’t destroy the concept of his superiority being unnatural; it was a social construct that couldn't easily be shed. “By responsibility . . . did he mean to imply I am now, some sort of . . . novitiate?” She wouldn’t go so far as to actually call herself his apprentice, but the implication was present. The spider needed his knowledge and she hoped he would impart it upon her but she would not ask for it.

There was one concession she would make though, and it was well deserved. “Thank you” she whispered while tugging small forest debris from her cloak. “You led me into a trap, but you still helped me. I can only assume you did not intend me any real harm, but in the future; warning would be appreciated.” There she had mentioned being a neophyte and future, Antar was smart perhaps he would pick up on the insinuated message. If not, well she could learn a great deal by working with him any ways she wouldn’t necessarily need to submit herself to his tutelage in any stated sense. “Well, glad that is out of the way.”

[Antar]

After being bowled over by Eryss' attack, Antar slowly sat himself up into a sitting position to merely wait and calm his mind. He wasn't completely useless and could have probably ended up physically attacking an assailant by this point in time. It was only his djed use which he was limiting himself from now.

Djed use was a difficult thing no matter what level one was as one pushed themself closer to the limits. Especially in reimancy. One could use djed in a manner that was able to be controlled to an extent regarding how well their personal abilities developed. But meditation and practice were one of the things that was able to help train a djed user's mind to pull them back from the edge.

At Shai's approach, Antar merely nodded at her words. One eye opening to read the body language which presented far more then what could be spoken. "Eryss' words to me was partly right, and partly not. There was no chivalry in what I did for you, it was merely a length I would go to only for any who was within the structure our group. He said that I was responsible for you, as an associate: that means it is now my task to ensure your skills develop properly as well as to ensure you don't betray what you are becoming involved in."

He sighed a moment and looked off towards where the mage had left, taking the lesson of his own abilities to heart. It could have been much worse, and Eryss was a harsh taskmaster. "Be aware though, even if you passed a multitude of tests now, that the trials we beset each other in this group may never truly be over. You took your first step of shielding today. I will endeavor to show you more of that particular Art to help you later... as well as many other useful things... From this point forwards... you are not alone."

Pushing himself to his feet he mustered the energy to hobble towards Shai enough to gently place her arm about his neck as he headed back towards camp. Regardless of where she came from, or slept the nights before, tonight he'd let her battered form rest with him in his tent. No sultry desires would be passed between them. Nothing but the trust he would rarely allow another to sleep nearby his own place of rest.

For now, for the rest of this night, he would ensure only peaceful slumber. In the morning, come what may, she might decide to move to take a place amidst the relative safety of the camp, or continue braving her way elsewhere in Sunberth's jungle of filth.

[Cantrip]

Did you want something? Shai: XP Award: Running +1; Climbing +1; Acrobatics +1; Shielding +1 Lores: Probing Shields; Initiation Rituals Wounds: Sundry burns on her arm and legs, which will heal in twelve days. Antar: XP Award: Shielding +2; Running +1; Reimancy +3; Persuasion +1; Auristics +1 Lores: Technique: Lava Snake; Technique: Earth Snake; Shai, the First Apprentice; Lore of Overgiving Wounds: Burn just above elbow, will scar (10 days) Overgiving: Tremors (3 days); Bloodshot Eyes (7 days) Eryss Waldu: XP Award: Shielding +2; Reimancy +3; Teaching +1 Lores: Shielding against Flesh; Lightning Sphere; Lore of Overgiving Overgiving: Nosebleeds (4 days) Additional Notes: Antar and Eryss, you may be higher-level mages, but you expended a lot of djed and barely even touched on overgiving. I’ve given you both some of the milder symptoms. Shai, you’re probably crazy for hanging out with them.