Kavala was fortunate to find the Kelvic who was willing to help lend some muscle, build, and had a tad of magecrafting experience. All those things were hard to come by, but too what she was fortunate for was the fact that he seemed so mature, so well put together, and strong. She didn’t mean physically strong, though she sensed that about him too. She felt, just by being in his presence, that he had a strength of character that was wholly unusual. There were open things about him as well like his love of family, and deeper secrets she sensed. She wondered how he knew how to magecraft, but it was a question for a time when they knew each other better Now wasn’t the time. But she already knew he had a lot of appeal to him. She liked that his parents were important to him and definitely wouldn’t mind meeting them.
“Perhaps we can invite them to come see your work at The Sanctuary when we get some of the buildings completed. But they’d be welcome before that as well. Family is a big thing so you should invite them to visit as much as you’d like.” Kavala said, emphasizing that she didn’t mind family, friends, and close ties. Because while her flesh might be that of a pale Konti woman’s, her heart was Drykas and they were all about community, family, and a sense of being together. When Pavilions united because children changed hands for apprenticeships or marriages, they were strengthened. Kavala felt the same way about The Sanctuary. The more people it sheltered, the better in her mind. Adrien’s family would be no different.
When the talk turned to the twins, she wasn’t sure what his reaction would be. Would he blame her for healing the slaver’s property without charge? The expressions on his face changed to fast for her to follow, but she felt compelled anyhow to reach out and stroke his shoulder. It was a stretch. Adrien was big, and the closer she got to him the more she realized it. He moved like an animal though, all collected grace and purpose. She was glad he seemed to have had a great life thus far. He wasn’t nervous, jumpy, uneasy or standoffish in the crowd. Sure, he wasn’t completely comfortable either, but it was something Kavala was glad for. Nervous Kelvics made for unhappy ones.
“You just be you around them. That’s all they need in the world: sincerity.” Kavala said, now wanting to introduce the Rhino to the Cat and Eagle she already loved. The clothing shouldn’t have affected him so much. Kavala made sure everyone had what they needed at her place and the Gods knew he’d work hard enough and would need more than he probably had both as a Kelvic and a man. Men didn’t tend to own a lot of clothing, not like women did. She was glad he finally accepted them and thanked her.
“I owe you kindness and the thoughtfulness of a person who knows how hard we will all have to work. New clothes are important. I’ll be responsible for you wearing your current ones out fast.” Kavala said, just as the thief struck and her belt pouch was taken. It happened so fast. Normally she was prepared, but Adrien had her mind a thousand miles away and bells from now. He had a way about him that distracted her slightly, kept her off guard, and opened her to things like the thief.
She started to shout to Adrien to let the thief go, but he was away through the crowd before she could. The Konti knelt, picked up his new clothing and brushed the dirt off it, then folded it all over her arm. She watched the direction the two had fled, but knew chasing them in the crowd with her delayed reaction was futile. All she saw was Adriens rear disappearing into the parting crowd. Kavala headed that direction, deciding shopping was done for the day, worried Adrien would get hurt. The money wasn’t something she was worried about. She could make more. But the Rhino could have gotten seriously hurt in the process of trying to chase the thief.
She shouldn’t have worried because he soon almost ran square into her as he headed back her direction. Kavala studied his face, listening to what he said, and shook her head. “He probably needed the coin more than we did. It’s tricky. This is their territory, and they steal well. It’s okay.. really. But your face looks like it hurts. I didn’t want you hurt. I… I’m sorry.’ She said, suddenly kneeling at his feet to leave the big pile of things on the ground there. Then she reached up, standing on the toes of her boots, and ran her scaled hands up his face, cupping his jaw in her long webbed digits. Kavala looked deep into his grayish green eyes with her icy blue ones, catching his attention as power flowed through her hands. Relief from the pain flooded his jaw, soothing, and warm. He could feel her concern and fear surround him for a moment as a sort of link opened between them that he might have sensed upon their first meeting. She’d been worried about him.
Then she slid her hands away leaving his face skin-toned and soothed and brought her lips up to his jaw and kissed him there gently, her lips feather-light on his skin. “Don’t risk yourself for things that can be replaced like coin or clothing. Only risk yourself for things that are precious, like family or loved ones.” She said, the link bleeding off and the emotion the konti was feeling suddenly cut off from his.
It was a whisper, a hint, of something else the girl had, something appealing, though she didn’t seem to use it often or regularly.
Then Kavala knelt again, picked up the clothing and boots, and shook her head. “Let’s get out of here. I need to be back at my pony cart soon anyhow.” She said, knowing there were other merchants would be delivering things to her cart soon. The Konti said little, turning to lead Adrien back through the market to the place where wagons and horses and carts were tethered. Kavala’s pony cart turned out to be a huge thing, a cart for sure since it only had two wheels, but it was hitched to a quiet giant of a horse with a chocolate colored rump and blond mane and tail. Sivak greeted his mistress with a snort and deamed it noteworthy enough to wake up from where he’d been dozing. The Seme stallion shook his head, snorted to clear his nose of a fly, and turned to study Adrien openly.
Aweston began untacking the horse and uncarting him so he could turn him loose in the pasture.
Kavala meanwhile loaded the cart and added a few items to it that got dropped off while she was standing there straightening Sivak’s harness and getting them ready for the return trip to The Sanctuary. When the cart was all firmed up again, she mounted the seat and gestured to the spot beside her. “You’re welcome to ride.” She said, then guided Sivak out of the parking area and headed for the main thorough faire on the way to the gates.
Kavala maneuvered the now loaded cart through the crowd, out the gate, and hit the road where she opened the stallion up and let him set out at a smart trot towards home. She’d discuss anything Adrien wanted too, answering any questions he had or she’d sit quietly enjoying the scenery and the company as they headed to her home.
Two miles north of Riverfall, Kavala took a turn off the road and headed towards the sea. The Sanctuary was perched on the top of a cliff, obviously a fortress, with its gates nearest to them flung wide open. An eagle soared above the facility and cried a welcome as Kavala drove through the horse gates and into the courtyard where Awston met them to help unload. The head groom, a Drykas, quickly greeted them and Kavala made the introductions. “Adrien, this is Aweston.. he’s my cousin and a Drykas. He’s head of the stables around here and takes care of the stock when we are away. Adrien is our newest handyman.” Kavala explained, letting the men introduce themselves. She tied off the reins, and quickly began unloading the cart. Larik landed, shifted, and walked up to the cart naked offering Adrien a stoic undecided look, and picked up the bundle of clothing with a raised eyebrow and one more crate besides. “Where too Aunt?” He asked, passing by Adrien and nodding to the Kelvic with an introduction himself. “Names’ Larik”, he said.
“Cadra is in the kitchen. She’s making some sort of weird cheese dipping sauce for lunch. I guess you dip meats and bread into it. She said it would be a fantastic change.” The Kelvic said, rolling his eyes and not sold on dairy for anything. Raw meat was his favorite and everyone where knew it. Kavala gathered up an armload of supplies herself and gestured for Adrien to follow.
“This is the horse courtyard. That’s the arena, boarders barn, and our resident barn on the other side. Come with us.. we’ll get this unloaded really fast and then get you settled into a room.” The Konti said, leading him around the huge arena on a stone walkway that lead to a huge set of double doors that seemed to lead down into the earth.
“We live below, though if that makes you uncomfortable you can have something higher above ground.” Kavala said, nudging one of the huge doors open with a hip. Interestingly enough there were no stairs. Instead, a ramp large enough for her to actually drive Sivak and his cart lead downward in a slow spiral that was easy for two horses or even Adrien in his rhino form to navigate. The tunnel was lit by burning lanterns filled with oil hung periodically on the walls. The stone of the ramp had ridges across it, providing grips for hooves or boots when the stone was wet or slickened. The walls were decorated in a mosaic of stone that depicted undersea lifes so that the further you desceneded into the ground, the life changed as did the colors. Surface animals like sea lions frolicked in the shallows near the two doors, but deeper down there were whales and schools of fish, even a bright sea turtle. The pattern passed down, changing even more but they took a turnoff before he could see how the tunnel’s art ended.
“I’ll give you a full tour later.” She said, taking a side tunnel suddenly and walking out into what could only be considered a huge great room complete with two huge hearths, one for the common’s area and one for the kitchen. A teenage girl that looked remarkably like Larik roamed the kitchen, fussing on that end. “Cadra, this is Adrien.. he’ll be joining us on staff. Adrien, this is Cadra.” Kavala said, introducing him to the girl as they walked through The Commons. The Commons actually resembled a pub or tavern common room more than a fortress. There was a massive long table, then scatterings of furniture made up primarily of couches. The walls and stone floor were decorated here too, but in deep blues and greens of a pattern rather than a mosaic. Throw rugs were scattered about, giving the luxurious place a sense of being lived in.
Cadra smiled and waved. “I’d come give you a proper greeting, but I’ll scorch my cheese!” She said, even as a young boy ran around from behind the counter and latched on to Kavala’s side. She set the burden down to pick up the boy and hug him, as glad to see him as he was to see her. “Adrien, this is Tasival and Shayru, my sons.” She said, introducing the little dark blue-skinned boy with white hair as if he were two people. Then she gestured over at a couch that was sitting by the fire. It was a larger thing and he could see two bundles curled together sleeping under a blanket on it, one blue arm thrown over a pale white body. “Ralac and Ia’del are there. Also mine. Twins, like Cadra and Larik. They are almost a year.” She said, suddenly ducking her head. “I was a Nakivak for Riverfall before I bought my contract off through production.” She said, not knowing if he knew what that was or not.
Kavala carried the toddler with her though he was reaching the point he was almost too big for it.
Then she gestured again, leaving the supplies where they were and gestured to Larik who had followed them, to continue. “Those close are Adriens. Lets get him a room and settled.” She said, leading the two Kelvic men through the archway, down a stone hall nicely decorated with tapestries, and into a library. The door straight ahead was opened, and he could see an opalescent suite decorated with stone running horses on the wall. A hearth burned in there too with an enormous bed still ruffled from whomever was sleeping in it that morning. “This is my suite. If you need anything, feel free to visit. To the left is a hall that leads to some labs and technical rooms.” She said, then turned to the right.
“Bathing chamber is at the end of the hall.” Kavala said, gesturing to a room at the end of the hall. The door was closed. Then she opened the first door on the right, and let them into it. “You can take this one. It’s done in greens, but if you don’t like the colors I can redo it for you or help you redo it yourself.” The Konti said. It was a nicely appointed room with a green malachite wall. There was a good sized double bed, a wardrobe, a chest at the foot of the bed, and a desk with a chair. There was a hearth to warm the room and a door at the far end that obviously lead to a shared privy between this room and the next
“Well, what do you think?” She asked, finally pausing to have Larik set the clothing down on the chest at the end of the bed.
“Perhaps we can invite them to come see your work at The Sanctuary when we get some of the buildings completed. But they’d be welcome before that as well. Family is a big thing so you should invite them to visit as much as you’d like.” Kavala said, emphasizing that she didn’t mind family, friends, and close ties. Because while her flesh might be that of a pale Konti woman’s, her heart was Drykas and they were all about community, family, and a sense of being together. When Pavilions united because children changed hands for apprenticeships or marriages, they were strengthened. Kavala felt the same way about The Sanctuary. The more people it sheltered, the better in her mind. Adrien’s family would be no different.
When the talk turned to the twins, she wasn’t sure what his reaction would be. Would he blame her for healing the slaver’s property without charge? The expressions on his face changed to fast for her to follow, but she felt compelled anyhow to reach out and stroke his shoulder. It was a stretch. Adrien was big, and the closer she got to him the more she realized it. He moved like an animal though, all collected grace and purpose. She was glad he seemed to have had a great life thus far. He wasn’t nervous, jumpy, uneasy or standoffish in the crowd. Sure, he wasn’t completely comfortable either, but it was something Kavala was glad for. Nervous Kelvics made for unhappy ones.
“You just be you around them. That’s all they need in the world: sincerity.” Kavala said, now wanting to introduce the Rhino to the Cat and Eagle she already loved. The clothing shouldn’t have affected him so much. Kavala made sure everyone had what they needed at her place and the Gods knew he’d work hard enough and would need more than he probably had both as a Kelvic and a man. Men didn’t tend to own a lot of clothing, not like women did. She was glad he finally accepted them and thanked her.
“I owe you kindness and the thoughtfulness of a person who knows how hard we will all have to work. New clothes are important. I’ll be responsible for you wearing your current ones out fast.” Kavala said, just as the thief struck and her belt pouch was taken. It happened so fast. Normally she was prepared, but Adrien had her mind a thousand miles away and bells from now. He had a way about him that distracted her slightly, kept her off guard, and opened her to things like the thief.
She started to shout to Adrien to let the thief go, but he was away through the crowd before she could. The Konti knelt, picked up his new clothing and brushed the dirt off it, then folded it all over her arm. She watched the direction the two had fled, but knew chasing them in the crowd with her delayed reaction was futile. All she saw was Adriens rear disappearing into the parting crowd. Kavala headed that direction, deciding shopping was done for the day, worried Adrien would get hurt. The money wasn’t something she was worried about. She could make more. But the Rhino could have gotten seriously hurt in the process of trying to chase the thief.
She shouldn’t have worried because he soon almost ran square into her as he headed back her direction. Kavala studied his face, listening to what he said, and shook her head. “He probably needed the coin more than we did. It’s tricky. This is their territory, and they steal well. It’s okay.. really. But your face looks like it hurts. I didn’t want you hurt. I… I’m sorry.’ She said, suddenly kneeling at his feet to leave the big pile of things on the ground there. Then she reached up, standing on the toes of her boots, and ran her scaled hands up his face, cupping his jaw in her long webbed digits. Kavala looked deep into his grayish green eyes with her icy blue ones, catching his attention as power flowed through her hands. Relief from the pain flooded his jaw, soothing, and warm. He could feel her concern and fear surround him for a moment as a sort of link opened between them that he might have sensed upon their first meeting. She’d been worried about him.
Then she slid her hands away leaving his face skin-toned and soothed and brought her lips up to his jaw and kissed him there gently, her lips feather-light on his skin. “Don’t risk yourself for things that can be replaced like coin or clothing. Only risk yourself for things that are precious, like family or loved ones.” She said, the link bleeding off and the emotion the konti was feeling suddenly cut off from his.
It was a whisper, a hint, of something else the girl had, something appealing, though she didn’t seem to use it often or regularly.
Then Kavala knelt again, picked up the clothing and boots, and shook her head. “Let’s get out of here. I need to be back at my pony cart soon anyhow.” She said, knowing there were other merchants would be delivering things to her cart soon. The Konti said little, turning to lead Adrien back through the market to the place where wagons and horses and carts were tethered. Kavala’s pony cart turned out to be a huge thing, a cart for sure since it only had two wheels, but it was hitched to a quiet giant of a horse with a chocolate colored rump and blond mane and tail. Sivak greeted his mistress with a snort and deamed it noteworthy enough to wake up from where he’d been dozing. The Seme stallion shook his head, snorted to clear his nose of a fly, and turned to study Adrien openly.
Aweston began untacking the horse and uncarting him so he could turn him loose in the pasture.
Kavala meanwhile loaded the cart and added a few items to it that got dropped off while she was standing there straightening Sivak’s harness and getting them ready for the return trip to The Sanctuary. When the cart was all firmed up again, she mounted the seat and gestured to the spot beside her. “You’re welcome to ride.” She said, then guided Sivak out of the parking area and headed for the main thorough faire on the way to the gates.
Kavala maneuvered the now loaded cart through the crowd, out the gate, and hit the road where she opened the stallion up and let him set out at a smart trot towards home. She’d discuss anything Adrien wanted too, answering any questions he had or she’d sit quietly enjoying the scenery and the company as they headed to her home.
Two miles north of Riverfall, Kavala took a turn off the road and headed towards the sea. The Sanctuary was perched on the top of a cliff, obviously a fortress, with its gates nearest to them flung wide open. An eagle soared above the facility and cried a welcome as Kavala drove through the horse gates and into the courtyard where Awston met them to help unload. The head groom, a Drykas, quickly greeted them and Kavala made the introductions. “Adrien, this is Aweston.. he’s my cousin and a Drykas. He’s head of the stables around here and takes care of the stock when we are away. Adrien is our newest handyman.” Kavala explained, letting the men introduce themselves. She tied off the reins, and quickly began unloading the cart. Larik landed, shifted, and walked up to the cart naked offering Adrien a stoic undecided look, and picked up the bundle of clothing with a raised eyebrow and one more crate besides. “Where too Aunt?” He asked, passing by Adrien and nodding to the Kelvic with an introduction himself. “Names’ Larik”, he said.
“Cadra is in the kitchen. She’s making some sort of weird cheese dipping sauce for lunch. I guess you dip meats and bread into it. She said it would be a fantastic change.” The Kelvic said, rolling his eyes and not sold on dairy for anything. Raw meat was his favorite and everyone where knew it. Kavala gathered up an armload of supplies herself and gestured for Adrien to follow.
“This is the horse courtyard. That’s the arena, boarders barn, and our resident barn on the other side. Come with us.. we’ll get this unloaded really fast and then get you settled into a room.” The Konti said, leading him around the huge arena on a stone walkway that lead to a huge set of double doors that seemed to lead down into the earth.
“We live below, though if that makes you uncomfortable you can have something higher above ground.” Kavala said, nudging one of the huge doors open with a hip. Interestingly enough there were no stairs. Instead, a ramp large enough for her to actually drive Sivak and his cart lead downward in a slow spiral that was easy for two horses or even Adrien in his rhino form to navigate. The tunnel was lit by burning lanterns filled with oil hung periodically on the walls. The stone of the ramp had ridges across it, providing grips for hooves or boots when the stone was wet or slickened. The walls were decorated in a mosaic of stone that depicted undersea lifes so that the further you desceneded into the ground, the life changed as did the colors. Surface animals like sea lions frolicked in the shallows near the two doors, but deeper down there were whales and schools of fish, even a bright sea turtle. The pattern passed down, changing even more but they took a turnoff before he could see how the tunnel’s art ended.
“I’ll give you a full tour later.” She said, taking a side tunnel suddenly and walking out into what could only be considered a huge great room complete with two huge hearths, one for the common’s area and one for the kitchen. A teenage girl that looked remarkably like Larik roamed the kitchen, fussing on that end. “Cadra, this is Adrien.. he’ll be joining us on staff. Adrien, this is Cadra.” Kavala said, introducing him to the girl as they walked through The Commons. The Commons actually resembled a pub or tavern common room more than a fortress. There was a massive long table, then scatterings of furniture made up primarily of couches. The walls and stone floor were decorated here too, but in deep blues and greens of a pattern rather than a mosaic. Throw rugs were scattered about, giving the luxurious place a sense of being lived in.
Cadra smiled and waved. “I’d come give you a proper greeting, but I’ll scorch my cheese!” She said, even as a young boy ran around from behind the counter and latched on to Kavala’s side. She set the burden down to pick up the boy and hug him, as glad to see him as he was to see her. “Adrien, this is Tasival and Shayru, my sons.” She said, introducing the little dark blue-skinned boy with white hair as if he were two people. Then she gestured over at a couch that was sitting by the fire. It was a larger thing and he could see two bundles curled together sleeping under a blanket on it, one blue arm thrown over a pale white body. “Ralac and Ia’del are there. Also mine. Twins, like Cadra and Larik. They are almost a year.” She said, suddenly ducking her head. “I was a Nakivak for Riverfall before I bought my contract off through production.” She said, not knowing if he knew what that was or not.
Kavala carried the toddler with her though he was reaching the point he was almost too big for it.
Then she gestured again, leaving the supplies where they were and gestured to Larik who had followed them, to continue. “Those close are Adriens. Lets get him a room and settled.” She said, leading the two Kelvic men through the archway, down a stone hall nicely decorated with tapestries, and into a library. The door straight ahead was opened, and he could see an opalescent suite decorated with stone running horses on the wall. A hearth burned in there too with an enormous bed still ruffled from whomever was sleeping in it that morning. “This is my suite. If you need anything, feel free to visit. To the left is a hall that leads to some labs and technical rooms.” She said, then turned to the right.
“Bathing chamber is at the end of the hall.” Kavala said, gesturing to a room at the end of the hall. The door was closed. Then she opened the first door on the right, and let them into it. “You can take this one. It’s done in greens, but if you don’t like the colors I can redo it for you or help you redo it yourself.” The Konti said. It was a nicely appointed room with a green malachite wall. There was a good sized double bed, a wardrobe, a chest at the foot of the bed, and a desk with a chair. There was a hearth to warm the room and a door at the far end that obviously lead to a shared privy between this room and the next
“Well, what do you think?” She asked, finally pausing to have Larik set the clothing down on the chest at the end of the bed.
