Closed Returning Home (Tourmal)

[Kyra]

TimeStamp: 70 of Winter 512 AV

Kyra finally made her way back to the city of Ravok. It had been a long season and a half of traveling through forest and over mountains and on and beyond through grasslands to Syliras and back. It was a long journey and full of surprises as well as interesting people. But she was back now, to the one place that she had known to be home. It was a place of fond memories as well as sad ones. Days filled with love and happiness and nights to cold and lonely that even the touch of ice would feel warm.

It was a harsh world that she lived in, and one she barely understood. The young kelvic was back in the city now and ready to finish what she had set out to do so long ago. She had the information, knew the name of the man she needed to find, all that was left was to track down his exact location. Sadly she hadn't gotten more information from the merchant in Syliras but her time was cut short when the knight arrived on the scene.

She now knew that the man's name was Sen, and that he was in Ravok. It wasn't much to go on but she would make due with what she had. Walking the streets, asking questions and keeping her ears perked for anything that sounded of interest. It was the best way that she knew of, and it had worked for her so far.

It was late in the afternoon when she arrived with her newest companion at her side. Kyra had met the man in the city of Syliras, and after a strange and dangerous encounter, he decided to follow her and learn to survive and to become a fighter. Kyra didn't mind this, but to say that the young kelvic had a plan would be very wrong. Most of her time she went by whims of change and thought, it was rare and only when necessary that the girl put a plan together.

She moved into the city, gently pulling the crimson hood from her head and allowing her pale blonde hair to fall free. She gazed into the streets, golden embers taking in everything almost as if it was the first time that she had saw it, before she turned to her companion. "This is Ravok..I grew up in this city. It seems like ages ago, but sometimes I wonder...Just how long was it.." her words trailed off as her thoughts were interrupted by another. "Would you like a tour?" she asked as she turned her body to face him. A tour through the city was something that most did whenever they visited a new place and she assumed that he was no different.

[Tourmal Firemane]

Tourmal, Winter 70, 512 AV The city was amazing to see. It was surprising to see so much diversity in the construction of settlements. From the moving city of tents of Endrykas, to the opposite a completely stationary fortress that is Syliras. And now a city built in the center of a lake using the lake itself as a transit system. How he wondered had they been able to build a city in a lake. The man had not seen much but Ravok was a marvel in its own sense just as the other cities he had visited. The transport that took Kyra and him from the edge of the lake to the main city was quick and enjoyable. Seeing the city expand as they drew nearer was a memorable experience. It was nothing like Syliras to say in the least. However Tourmal remembered hearing that this city too was controlled by an entity much like that of Syliras. Looking at the city from the boat kept the man silent. As they entered the city from it's docks, which lie on the outer-most part of it, he remained silent taking in all that was around him. Kyra dropped her hood and looked around as he. Then commented on how long it had been since she were last here. Abruptly she asked if he would like a tour. “Yes he said continuing to take in the environment. “That would be nice.” He then turned to her and smiled. He needed a tour he would likely get lost many times just as he did in Syliras and a tour would help reduce the number of times he did.

[Kyra]

Kyra glanced up towards her companion and noticed the look upon his face. She knew that look, it was the same look that she had when she left Ravok for the first time and traveled around Sylira. Everything was so different in the outside world, even the weather seemed to change and grow harsh. But even then, she had returned to Ravok, returned to her home and to the world that she knew best. There was a calming peace to being there again, though she hadn't forgotten the reason that she returned.

She nodded to Tourmal and started off into the streets, her movements weren't fast, nor were they slow. The girl simply moved with the normal elegance grace that she usually did. Her companion easily towered over her and with his longer legs, wasn't likely that he would get left behind. "What was it like...the place where you grew up? Was it a city like this?"

She continued through the streets, being sure to keep Tourmal close when they met with the busier crowds then moved through them. The young kelvic decided it was best to start in the Merchants Ring to show him around. It was the center place to buy food and other types of goods, as well as employment. "This is the Merchants Ring. " She said simply and paused to allow him time to look around and take it all in.

"It is always busy here, but you can usually find all your needs here. They have food here if you are hungry. Weapons, if you need them and anything else." The girl fell silent then, in case there was anything that he wanted to ask or to go and look over.

[Tourmal Firemane]

Tourmal, Winter 70, 512 AV As the woman started moving he followed suit he walked to match her speed so that the two would not get separated in the crowd. The man was preoccupied taking in the scenery and landmarks so that he has reference points to work from. “Huh? Oh... Well no. It is not like this at all really.” He looked at the city around him. “I grew up in Endrykas. If you haven't heard of it, the city is made of tents, and it moves.” As the man looked around, It was obvious to the others around him that he was not a local, for the look that they gave him was often sour and one of distaste. However their expression changed when they looked at Kyra. The woman was elegant and graceful, and walked the streets with confidence. He was like a lost child in a candy store looking at all of the splendor of the city around him. The man decided to raise the hood of his cloak over his head after having received a few too many glares of disdain. Large and brooding kept people away in Syliras he figured the same would work here. As the two walked he heard the crowds grow louder and the faint sound of merchants advertising their wares from their stalls. Those with buildings needed not, for some had signs and those that did not, he guessed were well known enough to not need them. “The Merchants Ring.” He said aloud to help him remember. As he looked around he noted a few stores that he would likely return to later. “Weapons?” the man paused. “I may be in need of work if we stay long enough.” He explained. “How about a pint? Ah never mind.” After thinking about it the question was silly, considering her distaste for strong drink. “Don't worry I'll manage” He looked around some more as they kept walking. “And what of Lodging?”He looked at his guide. “Shall I stay with you?” He ended with a smile and a wink.

[Kyra]

"A city...that moves?" she asked as she turned to look at him. The kelvic had learned a lot since she left her home in Ravok, new places and creatures of all sorts. Things she would have never thought possible. It was her innocence and naive way of seeing the world that led to such things, as she didn't realize that her own being was just as unique and rare. Kyra had stopped in the middle of their walk, although she was ever watchful, she didn't look around much while waiting for his answer.

They continued their walk soon enough and Kyra moved through the crowd pointing off things that she remembered. It was a lot to take it, but she knew there would be time to show him again, or he could simply come out himself. People only stayed with her for a short time it seemed, before they moved on to whatever else called to them. If he decided to stay in the city he could visit her easily enough has few had before.

Or if he decided to leave it wouldn't surprise her and she would continue along as she always had. The city wasn't hard to navigate, and it wasn't as confusing at the place where they had come from. He could fine his way easy enough. She could still remember the year before when she felt just as new to the city. The girl hand wandered around for bells to find things and places. But it all worked out for her as she was sure it would for him.

"There is a blacksmith here, yes you could visit with him if you needed to." His next question took her back for a tick and she had to recall where she had heard that term before. "A pint...do you mean a drink..ale?" she asked glancing back towards him. "There are taverns here that serve ale. I could lead you there if you wish?" She changed directions then, leading him through and alley to appear on the other side which was closer to the tavern and took less time getting there. "There is a place here where you can rent a room, but you can stay with me for the time, if you must."

[Tourmal Firemane]

Tourmal, Winter 70, 512 AV “Yea. Everyone lives in tents and we migrate around the country south in the winter and north in the summer.” he thought back to his ancestral home. “As you can imagine going from a moving city to a stationary fortress is quite a big change.” They continued walking and the woman pointed out a few places here and there telling him about them places to find food others to steer clear of. The man took mental notes along the way hopefully he was retaining the most important information and locales. He was sure that he would end up having to figure out the city himself if he ever wanted to be self sufficient, and not have to rely on the native to continuously guide him around the city. The city was not as he expected it looked much cleaner and less chaotic than he guessed. However he still had not gone without the occasional sneer from a passing commuter. It was a hostile environment and could turn nasty any second. However it was much more civil than he expected. The weather was calm and beautiful a nice balmy temperature despite it being winter. His ears perked when she mentioned a blacksmith. He needed to make sure he didn't forget this place. He was especially interested in seeing the style of weaponry in Ravok and how it differed from Syliras and Endrykas. “Yes indeed, ale.” he smiled when he heard the mention of the word. “Sure that would be nice. Even if only to see where it is.” The two of them turned and went a different way, he suspected it would lead them to his favorite food staple. When she offered for him to stay with her, he grew excited with the possibilities that could happen he and he woman in the same place for a while. Despite how much he wanted he could not do that to her. She seemed unaware that it was a joke and he had not meant it and he would not take advantage of her. “No, I don't need to stay with you, It was only a joke.” He smiled earnestly then added “I can rent my own room. Would you take me to this place you speak of, after we visit the tavern?”

[Kyra]

"Why do you move around so much? Is the weather so bad?" Living in a city under Rhysol's grace, the young kelvic knew little about harsh weather and had only become aware of it when she was forced to leave the city a few years ago. She learned a hard truth then, but even the outside weather wasn't always bad, so it was still a somewhat new concept to her. For a moment, she had thought them lost as Clyde had only led her to the Silver Silver on one occasion. But luckily she was able to find it easily enough.

Earlier Tourmal had asked for a drink, but then had changed his mind. Kyra wasn't sure why and didn't really mind taking him there. Her stay in Syliras had been a short one, but in her time there one of the things she learned was that the people there enjoyed a drink. It was the same with Ravok in that way, so for her it wasn't a surprise that he wanted another. Kyra didn't judge people on their hobbies, vices, or how they lived their life. Her questions had always been merely curiosity and nothing more.

Admittedly the girl wasn't the quickest when it came to jokes, and the subtle, sometimes not to subtle way that humans told them. She had led a very sheltered life, and since then hadn't been the most social of creatures. If he had taken her offer it wouldn't have been a surprise, nor would she had been too wary. After all, they had traveled from Syliras together, and bunked during the nights. To her, it would have been reasonable to continue to do so, at least until he found where he wanted to go. But then even, it would always be warmer to sleep with another.

"If you wish.."

Finally they made it to the tavern and Kyra led her companion inside. The place was just as she remembered it. All the same smells and dank surroundings, even some of the same people were there from her last visit. She turned to him then, as he entered behind her and gestured towards the bar where a few empty seats were, and to the floor where empty tables sat. "Where would you prefer to sit?"

[Tourmal Firemane]

Tourmal, Winter 70, 512 AV “We move around for a number of reasons.” He thought back to his fathers explanation of it long ago when he asked his father the same question. “One is to ensure that our herds and horses have plenty to eat year round. If we graze in one place too long we will run out of food.” He thought about the green plains of his youth. “If we let the grass grow too long there wont be enough nutrients in it to sustain life. So we continually move to make sure our horses and herds can survive.” His explanation reminded him of his own strider Aurus. “On top of that we are also hunters and gatherers. So being a hunter you know that if we stay somewhere too long we will thin out the numbers of our prey. They also learn that they are not safe in that area so they also migrate. And we follow.” The process was continuous and it would never end. Well at least until the drykas are wiped out. That was something he didn't see happening too soon. “So in essence our grass runs out we move. Our prey moves we follow.” Just then he remembered her original question. “Getting back to what you asked. Yea moving helps a bit with the weather too. It keeps us from freezing to death in the winter and makes it so we can travel more lightly rather than be burdened with having to carry so many extra skins to insulate our tents.” As the two went on towards the tavern Tourmal queried. “So you do not like strong drink. What is it you like to drink? Water? Milk?” He looked to his guide with an earnest face on. “I just want to know so it isn't so uncomfortable, with me drinking and you sitting there.” He enjoyed taverns greatly a place to sit and relax and get out of the house. To Tourmal it was a place of respite, a place where he could escape from every day life and revel in the experiences of the patrons around him. He had grown accustom to the regulars in the Stallion and had grown to be friends with many some closer than others but friends none the less. Because of his fondness to the tavern scene he figured he would like to spend time there and if he was there he would like to spend that time with Kyra occasionally given her helping him in his attempts to wrestle his inhibition to the necessities of surviving. The two of them entered a building which had a simple sign above the entrance that read “Tavern” It was simple enough and got the message across. When he entered he saw tables scattered around the room there was a stage and a bar along the back wall. Seeing the open seats at the tables and bar he decided towards the latter. “The bar seems good.” The man had his hood up and kept it there hoping that it would deter the attention from potential problems.

[Kyra]

Kyra listened as Tourmal told her of how his people lived and survived. She stared at him curiously, wondering why they didn't just live the way that Ravok did, or even Syliras the place where they had just come from. They always had food and their animals seemed to survive just fine. If she remembered Ravok had their own horses that they bred and were in good health. But he was right in fact, and she understood as a huntress that she had to follow her prey whenever they moved.

She could only nod and listen, having no other ideas of what the life of his people were like. It sounded fun however, the thought of always moving around and never settling in one place. It also reminded her of her own life. In her short years, the young kelvic had traveled through Ravok, Sunberth, and then Syliras. Moving forward, the conversation shifted to the tavern and her choice of drinks.

"I do like milk, and water." she answered simply while glancing up at him. "Your..ale, taste funny and it smells bad." She always found it interesting how people went out for drinks, or all came in their favorite tavern to drink together. Sure there were stalls that she might flock to more so than others, vendors she was used to buying from, but taverns and strong drinks were never something that she cared for. "I'll be alright. You should drink if you're thirsty."

They reached the bar, and Kyra led the way inside. The place was like any other tavern to her, and she had grown used to the odd looks and stares. Kyra had realized long ago that humans were just weird. The young kelvic took the seat next to Tourmal at the bar and noticed that he hadn't lowered his hood yet. It was cute in it's own way and caused Kyra to lift her hood and drape it back over her head again. The bar tender soon came over and stared at the two hooded customers oddly.

"Water please, and..Ale?" she asked looking to Torumal once again.

[Tourmal Firemane]

Tourmal, Winter 70, 512 AV 'Good' The man thought to himself. He was glad to know something more about the womans drinking preference. “Yea, I didn't like it much either at first.” He thought back to his childhood when he mistakenly took a drink from his fathers mug spitting it out spraying it all over his twin like a geyser. The man chuckled as he stared off into nothing the shaked his head at the thought. “The taste has grown on me since then however.” “Aye... Ale.” He pulled out one SM and placed it on the counter. And kept his gaze at the counter completely oblivious to the man who was looking at him. When the money was taken he figured that the drinks would be there shortly. And decided to take that time to ask Kyra something. “So how does a girl like you make a living?” Having seen some of her talents, daggers, bow and arrow but he still did not know how she would use them to put bread on the table. He listened to her reply. When the drinks came he took a swill of his and noticed a difference in taste. “Mmmmm...” It was interesting how every place he went had a different flavor of ale. Each tasting similar but all having something unique that set them apart. The ale in Endrykas was a bit more smoothe and had just a hint of honey, not so much to over power the flavor of the hops. Syliras mixed some wheat into the mash and it was spiced. Here in Ravok it seemed they used more hops because the flavor was far more bitter than the others. But despite the flavor Tourmal could appreciate the malted medley that was in the mug before him. All of this he thought while looking into his mug watching the head fizzle out and eventually disappear. “You know... I don't know anything about you.” he looked at his partner. “I traveled across the region with you and I know nothing about you. Is that strange to you?” He thought about how crazy it was that he put his life in the hands of a complete stranger. However he had no other guide to help him through this part of his life. “You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to. But whatever you are comfortable telling me, I would be delighted to hear it.”