[Syliras Location] Recruitment Office

[Jokor]

Jokor just looked straight into the man's eyes, not smiling when the old knight chuckled at his reply of free lodging and food. A bitter scowl coming on his eyes when he asked if that was worth his life and he ignored alero's growled out barb and the glare aimed at the back of his head. “I grew up on the streets in sunberth ser. I know what having a hard life means, probably know it better then some of the squires who got in.” he didn't answer the question if free food and bed was worth his life, thinking that the fact that he lived on the streets for most of his life would explain that. “And as for a poor ally, I watch their backs they watch mine. No problems with that, watching your own back gets tiring after a while anyway.” He just replied shifting a bit uncomfortably in his sheet under alero's glare. When the older man asked what would keep him going during the difficult times he just gave a defiant look towards him. “I don't bend easily ser. My spine ain't made of shale.” he said in a firm voice. Fully convinced he could handle almost everything life could throw at him.

[Archon]

Eldon Sunkiss Nilas was silent as Eldon started to speak, still seeming a bit stand-offish, and his speaking of being proud brought a pained looked to her face, as if she was remembering something unpleasant. The look faded as he continued to speak, and as he spoke of the Knights being like the Stormwatch a ghost of a smile touched her lips. Still she did not speak as he finished, instead waiting quietly, almost seeming anxious for him to answer her second question. When Eldon did finally start to explain his reason for leaving the Drykas the Squire began to relax, and a sympathetic, even understanding, smile and look was directed towards him. Ser Erik, for his part, had a curious look, but remained silent as the two talked. At Eldon's question Nilas gave a small shake of her head, her lips curved in a soft but warm smile as she replied in Pavi, "No, I don't believe it's a mistake for you, Eldon Sunkiss. I think you will find what you search for here among the Knights," it was her turn to hesitate a moment before she softly added, "I know it has become such for me." Without explaining her comment she turned and nodded to Ser Erik as she spoke common once more, "He wishes to join the Knighthood because he wishes to be a strong and noble warrior with a purpose he can be proud of," she paused a moment, glancing back to Eldon briefly before returning her gaze to the Knight and continuing on, "He has nothing to draw him back to the Drykas, and so I think he would be loyal and dedicated to his training." "Rather like you then?" Ser Erik's question caused Nilas to fidget slightly, but she gave a faint nod in response, "Well then, I believe my answer is clear," he turned and smiled pleasantly at Eldon, "Eldon Sunkiss, I believe you would be a good recruit for the Order. You have my recommendation, and now will go talk to Grandmaster Loren Dyres so he can be sure of your worth and mettle," he then turned his smile to Nilas, "And you will accompany him, to help make things easier." Nilas' eyes widened slightly in surprise, and then she gave a small nod as she murmured, "Yes Ser Erik," and then turned to Eldon to help translate fully for him, "Ser Erik approves of you, but you need to speak to the head of the Knights before you're accepted. I will be accompanying you when you speak to Ser Loren Dyres," her voice clearly held much respect for the man as she smiled softly, "He is a good man, and if you are sincere in your desire I believe he will accept you." OOCDusk will be handling the interview with Loren Dyres. I've sent her a PM so she's aware that you're ready to proceed. Jokor Ser Erik and Alero were silent as they listened to Jokor's replies, but at Jokor's last comment the one armed Knight gave a chuckle, "Well, I suppose that's true enough with you being here with Alero." Alero shot a bit of a glare at Erik, but the Knight didn't seem to notice or care as he looked at Jokor contemplatively. After a few moments he finally cleared his throat and spoke again, "Very well, if you truly wish to join the Order then I will give my recommendation," he turned a faint smile to Alero as he continued to speak, "I'm sure Alero will take you through the next steps just fine. Good luck." With a grunt and a nod Alero moved over and placed a firm hand on Jokor's shoulder, "Come on boy, we're off to see the Grandmaster." OOCDusk will be handling the interview with Loren Dyres. I've sent her a PM so she's aware that you're ready to proceed. Erzotol Silverden "Well met, Erzotol," Ser Erik's eyes seemed to dance with a bit of amusement in response to Erzotol's eagerness to speak, but he remained silent as he listened to the man explain his skills and desire. "Most Squires need to learn their skills better, so that's certainly not a problem," the old Knight finally spoke as his eyes drifted over the presented bow and sword, "And most don't even have their own weapons beyond a single sword or shield. Those are things that can be handled otherwise though," the man's gaze turned towards the Drykas again, and this time with a certain firmness, "You say your heart lead you here. What happens if your heart leads you elsewhere? Being a Knight is not something to undertake on a whim, especially as it is a commitment for life for most." After a moment the old Knight gave a soft chuckle, his gaze softening slightly, "Just look at me. Even without the ability to properly wield a sword anymore I still serve the Knights in the ways that I can. There are plenty of ways you can serve and protect others, why pick the Syliras Knights specifically?"

[Erzotol Silverden]

He thought for a moment over the man's words. It was quite something to consider, and before him seemed a choice that affect the course of his life for years to come. It was a heavy decision to forsake his family back home, to be with the knights now, and bear all that came with the title. There was nothing left for him at Endrykas anymore, or at least in his mind, with his father’s life lost to the grass, so too did it slowly eat at his tie to the lands, till he found himself here. It was odd how such a event that happened long ago affected him, but still that was the way of things he supposed, and now he truly knew the answer to the knights question was.

" I am here to stay, not much is left for me back in Endrykas, and here offers new beginnings, and a chance to prove my worth " he answered with certainty, and folded his arms before him in his lap. " The knights are where I feel I can best fit in, and do what it takes to bring honor to my family name "

[Archon]

Erzotol Silverden For almost two chimes after Erzotol finished speaking Ser Erik sat and quietly regarded him. The feeling the Drykas got when he looked at the old Knight's brilliant blue eyes was that he was being measured against some grand, yet invisible, scale. Most would probably find the unwavering gaze of such a scarred and rough looking man to be unnerving, especially when it was for so long, but there was no threat or harshness to Ser Erik's gaze. It was firm and unwavering, much as one would expect of a grizzled veteran sizing up a new recruit. Finally Ser Erik gave a slow nod and smiled pleasantly, "Well then, Erzotol, there will certainly be plenty of chances to prove your worth and find honor in the Knighthood. You have my recommendation, and so just need to talk to Grandmaster Loren Dyres so he can be assured that you will make a good recruit." OOCDusk will be handling the interview with Loren Dyres. I've sent her a PM so she's aware that you're ready to proceed.

[Dusk]

Eldon Sunkiss As Nilas turned to translate Erik's approval to Eldon, the cheerful man rose to his feet and crossed to a door that was half-hidden in a corner, tucked away behind a set of bookshelves. He gave a quick knock, and then opened it far enough to lean inside and murmur something. A few exchanges, and Erik gave a short bark of laughter and straightened up to open the door completely. "Off you go, my friends," he chuckled, waving the two of them forward. Nilas took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and gave Eldon an encouraging smile before stepping forward and leading him through the office and into the next room. It seemed to be a rather simplistic sitting room, a pair of couches facing each other in the center of the room that looked well-worn and comfortable. One entire wall was taken up by a massive window that let in the bright light of the summer sun, and beyond it stood a huge courtyard filled with flowering trees and stone-lined paths. A garden on the roof of the city, and the best view of it given to the Grandmaster's personal foyer. A pair of knights in full plate armor stood at attention against a wall, and the only difference in their attire was the bronze key painted across their breastplate instead of the usual white tree. Though they were as intimidating as any knight in Syliras, they each flashed the pair a smile before returning to attention. The only sound was coming from an archway that led to another room, a rustling sound of papers and a hushed conversation that was broken only by the occasional sound of a woman's laughter. Moments later the rustling ended, and footsteps preceded the entrance of the Grandmaster of Syliras and his Konti adviser. Loren Dyres was not the most physically intimidating of men, actually a bit shorter than most, and his huge blue eyes gave him an impression of innocence that surely couldn't have been true. He wore silks instead of armor, comfortable pants and a heavily embroidered shirt, though a pair of swords hung from his belt. Despite his unassuming appearance, there was an unassailable aura of power to the man that had everyone in the foyer standing a little straighter. It was there in the tilt of his chin, the knowing roam of his eyes over the visitors, the strength of his hands. He stared at them without shame, though his eyes quickly left Nilas and struck Eldon instead. His companion slid into the room behind him, ethereal and pale as the clouds, and as she passed in front of the windows the sunlight struck her skin and splintered into a thousand prisms as it reflected off the scales that lined her body. White hair, white skin, white scales, but as she looked up at Eldon he would see that her eyes were the pale blue of the sky at dawn. Her gaze caught his, and held him, and for a moment it may have felt as if the world itself held it's breath. But then a sad smile tucked itself into the corner of her mouth, and she dropped her gaze and moved again, and the world righted itself. "So we have a new recruit, hmm?" Loren chuckled, crossing the room to stand in front of the pair of them. Nilas immediately translated each word he said into Pavi, which didn't seem to phase Loren in the slightest. "I hear you speak only a little Common, but that's not unusual. We can always teach you words. It's heart you must bring to us," he said with another chuckle. "Please, sit," he murmured to them both, and led them to the couches. "This is Kaylana, my adviser and one of the Seers of the city. Forgive her if she stares a bit much. Terribly rude, she is," he teased. "Just thorough," she murmured, and her voice was low and sultry. She slid into a seat beside Loren, curling her legs beneath her. "It's a lot of responsibility, being the brains behind the Order," she sniffed, cutting a sour look at Loren. The man just laughed, though, and another quiet smile flashed across her lips before she banished it. "So, it's Eldon, yes? Please, tell me a bit about yourself and why you've come."

Jokor Alero pulled Jokor to his feet and towards a door in the corner, his steps sure and unforgiving. The door was slung open, and he stalked into the bright foyer beyond with a nod to the knights who stood guard. "Tell the Grandmaster we've a new recruit," he growled, and then stood at attention and waited. One of the guards disappeared through another doorway, and there was a quick exchange of voices. A few moments passed, and then the guard returned and behind him followed the Grandmaster himself. "Ser Alero," he said, a hint of surprise in his voice. "I had thought it would be a bit longer before you'd convinced your newest project to join. Is he ready so soon?" "Up to you to decide, Grandmaster," Alero said, his tone perhaps the most respectful that Jokor had ever heard. It was clear simply from his attitude that should Jokor show even the slightest disrespect to this man, his patron might very well slit his throat and dump him in the sea. "True enough," the man chuckled, and stepped up to offer Jokor a hand. "I am Loren Dyres. Please, have a seat and tell me a bit about why you've come here."

Erzotol Silverden Erik rose and led Erzotol to a door in the corner and beyond into the Grandmaster's personal foyer, where a nod to one of the guards had him disappearing through a door to summon the Grandmaster. "Keep your wits about you," Erik chuckled, patting the man on the shoulder, and then left him to his interview to return to the other room, closing the door quietly behind him. It was several chimes before anything happened, and then finally there were heavy footsteps and the guard returned with the Grandmaster on his heels. "Apologies," the man said, coming over with a smile to offer Erzotol his hand. "Kaylana is in the city today so my schedule isn't nearly so tight as it usually is. I'm Loren Dyres, the Grandmaster. Please, have a seat and tell me why you're here," he said, waving to the couch, and there was something in his tone that said quite clearly that he expected a better answer than I want to be a knight.

[Jokor]

Jokor let out a surprised sound as alero pulled him to his feet and began dragging him towards a door in the corner. After the initial surprise jokor got his act together and just walked after him, mildly annoyed at the fact that alero found it necessary to pull him along like that. Still he wasn't going to give that scarred hardass a piece of his mind, especially right now of all times. When his eye fell on the armed knights standing guard he couldn't help but feel threatened, as if he made a wrong move he would be struck down within seconds. He just kept his mouth shut for now and his eyes open. As the guard came back after a few moments, with the grand master of the entire order in tow. When he told alero something about a project jokor got a brief scowl on his face, he didn't doubt that he was referring to him and for some reason he got a bad feeling about it. Still he ignored it for the time being, he didn't doubt that if he opened his mouth alero would make sure it was the last time he would do it. He shook the outstretched hand loren dyres. Still suspicious thanks to the project comment. “You can call me Jokor ser dyres and I'm here to join the order as a squire.” jokor said in the most respectfull tone he could manage, keeping an eye on alero as he did so.

[Eldon Sunkiss]

Eldon didn't quite understand the meaning of rank. Importance, however, was something he was very aware of by now. The Knights seemed more important than citizens. He once saw a drunk man strike a knight, and he was promptly taken away somewhere. Not killed, thank the gods, but still taken away. Yet, even then, some knights were more well guarded, more cared for than others. With every guarded door he passed through, he assumed a new, more-important-than-the-last knight to greet him. Yet, as Erik led him through a hidden door, he was stunned. Hidden doors? That seemed absurd, unless there was somebody truly important inside. Perhaps it would be the equivalent of an Ankal of the Knighthood? He couldn't understand why someone would want to harm the person, but things were so very different from Endrykas. Eldon liked the room though. It was the most open, best view, and undoubtedly the most comfortable place he had been inside the city. Of course, he once again noted the guards, more knights as heavily armed as any of them, watching the room for even the slightest disturbance or sign of trouble. Eldon was a pretty good fighter, but he had this feeling that if he tried anything, he wouldn't last long. Their comforting smiles did little to ease his nerves. Give him a confrontation with a Glassbeak over civil conversation with strangers any day. Eldon was grasped by suspense as The Grandmaster and his Advisor entered the room. He knew neither of them, but he couldn't quite manage to equally share his gaze among them. Kaylana was too gorgeous to not look at. It was as simple as that. She was something worth guarding so very heavily. Perhaps the Konti was the reason for so many seasoned and hardened veterans in armor and weapon. The Drykas would guard their women fiercely, why would he expect the men of other cultures, no matter how different, to act any differently? It took a moment, and Loren probably noticed Eldon's lingering gaze on his Adviser before they met each other, stare for stare. That's when the Grandmaster's features embraced him. Blue eyes. The power and demand for respect. He was the valuable one. Not as pretty, sadly. As Nilas repeated everything to him in Pavi, Eldon nodded. "I say little Common." Eldon hated being unable to speak for himself, it made him feel inferior, weak. He wished to say, what little he could, when he could. Nilas, however, was a valuable lifeline that would keep him afloat for now. Eldon nodded as Loren asked about him being a recruit. Eldon was going to go through with this. Someday, he would visit his home and share stories with Sama'el, Stormwatch and Knight. Finally he would have something to be proud of and share with his cousin, the last of his family. As Grandmaster Loren Dyres asked him his reasons, Eldon wanted to groan audibly. He just had explained it to the one-armed veteran in the next room, or actually to Nilas who was cursed with the task of translating both ways for them. Why was everyone so interested in his life? "Is it pitiful of me to answer the question the same as before?" Ash'eny spoke, of course, to Nilas in the Pavi Tongue. "I don't know what else I can add to it. And it still be true I mean."

[Erzotol Silverden]

He followed Ser Erik silently, his eyes looking ahead to where they were going as they passed through a door into another room. A guard disappeared off through a door, heading quite possibly to the person Ser Erik had mentioned. Lost in thought as he was he still managed to return a smile back to the knight, and nod to him before he to disappeared leaving Erzotol alone standing in the empty room. Being under so much stone still yet troubled him, it just didn't feel to natural or right for that matter to live underneath something that could fall at anytime and crush you into dira's embrace. Still maybe it was best that this place reminded him nothing of home, it kept his mind far away from the darker thoughts that crowded it, and did nothing to remind him of the past.

It seemed to last several bells to him before the guard found himself back into foyer with a new man he had not yet seen following close behind. Already his senses where on edge, patience not being a virtue that favored him, but he bit his tongue at the prideful remarks that came to mind, and shook the man's hand, a gesture not to unfamiliar to the drykas greeting of clasping arms. He decided to take a seat before speaking; using it to measure his words, and clear his once buzzing mind. " It is fine, not too much different from if I sought audience with an elder back in Endrykas. I find myself here I wish to give my life to work with knights, and if chance one day if I find myself proven, join with you. ” he said slowly and calmly. His common was passable, but he wanted to make sure it came out at least understandably, and he didn't make too much of a fool of himself. At the end of what he said he offered a nod towards the man, more like a short bow while sitting down. Adjusting his position on the unusual seat, he made sure he was found more comfortable while awaiting the response from the grandmaster.

[Cassandra Marks]

Fall, day 2, 511 AV

Cassandra walked proudly towards the Dyres district, she was excited, but didn't show it. She was going to fulfill her dream today, or at least start going in the right direction for it to be fulfilled. She was fit, she was eager and she was willing. She stopped before a knight, looked him straight in the face and said clearly:

"I want to be a knight."

She was told to follow him, and so she did. She followed him into the oldest part, and he pointed out a door for her, a few steps ahead. She was to go in there and state her purpose. She walked ahead without looking back. She didn't hear him move away, it might be that she missed the sound in her eagerness, or perhaps he was there waiting. Perhaps he didn't think she'd be a good fit for it and waited there to take her back to where she'd found him? She didn't care, really. She knew this was what she wanted, what she was going to be. If they didn't want her today, she'd come back tomorrow and try again, if they still didn't want her, she'd come back the day after, and so on until they realized this was where she belonged, and that she'd never go away. She knocked on the door, but didn't wait for a reply, merely stepped in, nodded to the one-armed man and stated clearly:

"Cassandra Marks, Ser. I'm here to be a knight."

[Dusk]

Eldon Sunkiss "I think he likes me," Kaylana drawled, her smile twitching a bit deeper for a moment as she stared unabashedly at Eldon as he conferred with Nilas. "A rare specimen indeed, then," Loren murmured, which got a scoff of laughter from his companion. Nilas just shook her head, and turned to Loren to translate Eldon's previous comments - though it took much longer than when she'd translated to Erik, which meant she was likely giving him Eldon's answer word-for-word. When she finished, Loren nodded, and sat in thought for a few long moments. He began to ask a question, but Kaylana cut him off before he'd gotten more than three words out. With a nod, Nilas began to immediately translate her words to Pavi. "That's not the question that needs to be asked," Nilas said, glancing from Kaylana to Eldon and back as she tried to keep up with the Konti's soft words. "You know the answer - he is strong, and proud, and broken. The knighthood will heal him, and make him stronger, and temper his pride with a compassion that he has not allowed himself to feel in too long for fear of being broken further. He will not simply be a successful knight. He will be a paragon, a leader of men, and he will walk a path that may change the very face of Syliras." Nilas paused, staring at the Seer for a moment in shock and awe, but the Konti simply nodded encouragingly and continued, and Nilas was forced to go back to translating. "She... she says... The question we must ask is if he can dedicate himself fully to the Knighthood, or if his heart will forever live within the hands of a woman of the Sea. If the choice is before you, and you must choose between the dreams of your old life and the oaths of your new one, will you have the strength to be loyal to the path the gods have laid before you here." Nilas blinked, and looked at Kaylana, but the woman just stared at Eldon and waited, as patient as a river against the rocks.

Jokor Loren watched Jokor as he answered, and there wasn't a single ounce of his rebelliousness that wasn't observed and noted. But a wry smile still touched his lips as he shook his head. "That isn't an answer, Jokor. You think I can't deduce from your very presence in this room that you are here to become a squire? I know what you're doing, boy. What I want to know is why. If you're here just because Alero bullied and beat you into submission, well, that means little to me. He's a brute, is our Alero, but he knows what he's about. He can sense potential almost as well as a Konti. But potential means nothing without the will to use it. So I'll ask again. Why have you come here - not just here, this room, but to this place in your life?"

Erzotol Silverden Loren settled into a seat across from Erzotol, and watched him as he answered - and then chuckled, and shook his head. "Erik's job is to make sure you are fit to join, that you have the temperament and at least the potential to learn the skills. Were you not interested in joining us, you would not be here, in this room with me. So you've answered my question with information I already have. What I don't know is why you want to join yourself to us. Why you think you are worthy of us, and why we are worthy of you," he said with a twitch of a smile.