Winter 10th, 511 A.V.
No matter how hard he tried, Xelhes simply could not come to truly love the winter season in Denval. The settlement simply became uncomfortably cold, food normally going low at some point, and even some of the kindest people seemed displeased about something; that was how Xelhes saw things, they being the most common occurrences during the harsh season. Winter had hardly even begun and already he wanted nothing more than spring and summer to come back, the seasons where it was generally warm and gathering herbs was much more doable. The cold had ruined almost all of the herbs Xelhes knew of in the area surrounding Denval, the plants withered and damaged to the point that they were no longer of any use; anything that could be salvaged would most likely be extremely diluted as well. He would look again tomorrow, but any time after that would probably simply be a waste of time; searching for dead and useless plants was hardly what one would call a productive way to spend time.
Today though Xelhes had decided to try and visit Veldrys, to get whatever mentor ship he could while there was still a possibility. With the winter’s arrival, practical learning would be much more difficult though the Ethaefal did not doubt that Veldrys would have at least some herbs to show him. The visit was one Xelhes had postponed for quite some time, due to the events that had occurred during their last, and first, meeting. Both had been struck by a powerful nausea when Veldrys had used his gnosis mark, as well as gained a glimpse at their own and each other’s past lives. Physically the Ethaefal had felt better the day after, but mentally it took time to sort everything. It was a lot to process: his own memories, the foreign memories of another and the information of a relic called the Solduvan Stone. Now that he felt confident that he had sorted everything, Xelhes was ready to see Veldrys again; the Ethaefal hoping that his Symenestra acquaintance had also sorted the disarray that had likely inhabited it.
Entering the Chapel, Xelhes shivered for a moment despite the change from the cold outside to a slightly warmer building. Originally he had thought of visiting the Symenestra's home but decided against it, the notion possibly seeming rude to Xelhes. He had only met the healer once and showing up to his house to see him seemed odd, something that a friend would do. Despite how much they may have learned from each other Xelhes felt as if Veldrys did not seem him as a friend, rather a person the Symenestra could talk to because of his open mind approach. It was most likely only because of this mind frame, as well as understanding no issue was simply black or white, that Xelhes had been able to still view Veldrys and his people the same. The truth of Symenestra procreation had been a shock to the Ethaefal and he could imagine how others would hate the race, yet Xelhes simply could not do it. How could he hate a group of people that were simply doing what they had to in order to survive? When Veldrys spoke of it the man seemed saddened by the fact, bringing comfort to Xelhes as it told him that at least Veldrys truly understood how horrible a predicament it was.
Looking around for a brief moment Xelhes noticed the Symenestra at the altar, this time seemingly alone though possibly praying. Slowly the Ethaefal walked up to the altar, glancing at the occasional person who was praying and smiling lightly at those that met his gaze. It still felt old to act so warm towards others yet at the same time it brought comfort and warmth to Xelhes. He had denied it for a good length of time though the truth was apparent; he did enjoy the company of others, as well as their happiness. Being detached from everyone had been an unpleasant time; Xelhes could see that now and had no intentions of living like that ever again. Now standing beside Veldrys, the Ethaefal looked at the altar and said the same silent prayer as last time, his eyes closing as he focused on it. For those who inhabited Denval to survive the season and other events that could occur during such a time. The prayer was not directed at Xelhes himself, but rather those who had already suffered from misfortune; the people that had already seen how cruel the world could be.
Opening his eyes Xelhes turned his gaze to meet Veldrys', the man done with whatever he had been doing. With a small smile appearing on one side of his mouth the Ethaefal turned to the altar again, then said, "I did not mean to take so long, but I think I am ready for you to teach me what you can about herbs; maybe even medicine if you think I have a talent for healing." Xelhes turned around, looking at the rest of the Chapel and the people inside, the cold having lost its effect. "I need time to think about everything; the visions we saw, and what you told me about your people. Considering how sick you were, I assumed you probably would need some time to yourself as well." Xelhes stated, smiling at a young man and woman who were looking at him, or Veldrys. With that thought he said nothing more, simply returning his gaze to the altar and then the floor just before it. It was the Symenestra's turn to speak as Xelhes was unsure of what else to say.
He was unsure on how to go about saying anything else, not without risking the chance of offending Veldrys. The topic of his people and his life as a prophet were delicate concepts, both of which Xelhes did not know how to approach. The Ethaefal knew that saying something even slightly incorrect could end any possible friendship or bond that could be formed and with the chance there he did not want it destroyed. Yet simply being here and speaking to the man, even knowing the truth of what the Symenestra did and do, was proof enough to Xelhes that his view of Veldrys had not changed; it may have improved to an extent. Xelhes only hoped that the healer saw that as well, that he did not judge Veldrys or his people to a high degree based on the actions they had executed.
Today though Xelhes had decided to try and visit Veldrys, to get whatever mentor ship he could while there was still a possibility. With the winter’s arrival, practical learning would be much more difficult though the Ethaefal did not doubt that Veldrys would have at least some herbs to show him. The visit was one Xelhes had postponed for quite some time, due to the events that had occurred during their last, and first, meeting. Both had been struck by a powerful nausea when Veldrys had used his gnosis mark, as well as gained a glimpse at their own and each other’s past lives. Physically the Ethaefal had felt better the day after, but mentally it took time to sort everything. It was a lot to process: his own memories, the foreign memories of another and the information of a relic called the Solduvan Stone. Now that he felt confident that he had sorted everything, Xelhes was ready to see Veldrys again; the Ethaefal hoping that his Symenestra acquaintance had also sorted the disarray that had likely inhabited it.
Entering the Chapel, Xelhes shivered for a moment despite the change from the cold outside to a slightly warmer building. Originally he had thought of visiting the Symenestra's home but decided against it, the notion possibly seeming rude to Xelhes. He had only met the healer once and showing up to his house to see him seemed odd, something that a friend would do. Despite how much they may have learned from each other Xelhes felt as if Veldrys did not seem him as a friend, rather a person the Symenestra could talk to because of his open mind approach. It was most likely only because of this mind frame, as well as understanding no issue was simply black or white, that Xelhes had been able to still view Veldrys and his people the same. The truth of Symenestra procreation had been a shock to the Ethaefal and he could imagine how others would hate the race, yet Xelhes simply could not do it. How could he hate a group of people that were simply doing what they had to in order to survive? When Veldrys spoke of it the man seemed saddened by the fact, bringing comfort to Xelhes as it told him that at least Veldrys truly understood how horrible a predicament it was.
Looking around for a brief moment Xelhes noticed the Symenestra at the altar, this time seemingly alone though possibly praying. Slowly the Ethaefal walked up to the altar, glancing at the occasional person who was praying and smiling lightly at those that met his gaze. It still felt old to act so warm towards others yet at the same time it brought comfort and warmth to Xelhes. He had denied it for a good length of time though the truth was apparent; he did enjoy the company of others, as well as their happiness. Being detached from everyone had been an unpleasant time; Xelhes could see that now and had no intentions of living like that ever again. Now standing beside Veldrys, the Ethaefal looked at the altar and said the same silent prayer as last time, his eyes closing as he focused on it. For those who inhabited Denval to survive the season and other events that could occur during such a time. The prayer was not directed at Xelhes himself, but rather those who had already suffered from misfortune; the people that had already seen how cruel the world could be.
Opening his eyes Xelhes turned his gaze to meet Veldrys', the man done with whatever he had been doing. With a small smile appearing on one side of his mouth the Ethaefal turned to the altar again, then said, "I did not mean to take so long, but I think I am ready for you to teach me what you can about herbs; maybe even medicine if you think I have a talent for healing." Xelhes turned around, looking at the rest of the Chapel and the people inside, the cold having lost its effect. "I need time to think about everything; the visions we saw, and what you told me about your people. Considering how sick you were, I assumed you probably would need some time to yourself as well." Xelhes stated, smiling at a young man and woman who were looking at him, or Veldrys. With that thought he said nothing more, simply returning his gaze to the altar and then the floor just before it. It was the Symenestra's turn to speak as Xelhes was unsure of what else to say.
He was unsure on how to go about saying anything else, not without risking the chance of offending Veldrys. The topic of his people and his life as a prophet were delicate concepts, both of which Xelhes did not know how to approach. The Ethaefal knew that saying something even slightly incorrect could end any possible friendship or bond that could be formed and with the chance there he did not want it destroyed. Yet simply being here and speaking to the man, even knowing the truth of what the Symenestra did and do, was proof enough to Xelhes that his view of Veldrys had not changed; it may have improved to an extent. Xelhes only hoped that the healer saw that as well, that he did not judge Veldrys or his people to a high degree based on the actions they had executed.
