Twin Souls (Xalet)

[Verilian]

Taking out the bolt was painful, and released a gush of blood which Xalet had nothing to staunch the flow with. The bolt itself turned out to be mostly useless, unable to even fit in the keyhole on the lock, and trying to leverage it open proved impossible with his injury. The more pressing concern was his bleeding wound. The bolt had at least kept the flow of blood to a minimum, but now he would have to hold the wound closed with one hand unless he wanted to pass out from blood loss. On top of everything, Xalet's fellow prisoner had taken to muttering incoherently to himself and it was just annoying. Time passed, and while Xalet surely tried his best to escape, it was useless. He wasn't going anywhere, his injury was making him weak, and he had been deprived of food and water for who knew how long. At some point Xalet would have to come to terms with everything. With his life, his goddess, with the fact that he would likely be tortured and killed soon, and ultimately with himself. Xuphim, wherever he hid in Xalet's mind, would have to accept it as well eventually. Every now and then the screams of Ser Aaron would echo throughout the cave, but aside from that and the other knight's mutterings, Xalet was alone in silence. It was impossible to know how much time passed, many bells to be sure. The screams of Ser Aaron stopped after a while, but the knight was never returned and Xalet could only guess at what that meant. Surely his turn would come soon? It did. The Ebonstryfe returned, though they did not have Ser Aaron with them. If Xalet asked he would only get a chuckle in return. "Time to go, Akalak." Though he would likely struggle, Xalet couldn't overcome all of his captors unarmed and injured as he was, and he was eventually dragged out of the room and down a long tunnel. There were a few tunnels branching off from the main, all dimly lit by torches, but Xalet could not tell which one might lead out. He was eventually taken to a small room. It was filled with various frightening devices used for torture. A table was laid in the center of the room with clamps for the arms and legs, and there were several wicked tools on another table nearby. Near the far wall was some sort of contraption that looked like it might dangle a body in its center, tied with ropes or chains, and stretch them out at the turn of a lever. There were other cruel devices as well, but Xalet didn't have time to examine them all. He was roughly shoved onto the table, laid on his back and held down while another unchained his wrists so they could be put into the clamps. Before that could happen there was a shout from elsewhere in the cave followed by the sounds of combat. "Go and see what that is," the man who appeared to be in charge shouted at the two men holding down Xalet. "Don't worry about me, I think I can handle one wounded unarmed akalak." After the two men ran off the one in charge turned back to Xalet, a cruel smile on his face. "So, Akalak, are you going to give me any trouble?" The man tapped the pommel of his sword, a long curved blade at his side, then turned away from Xalet, almost daring the knight to attack him from behind. "It's interesting, you weren't on our list. Who are you, and what were you doing there? If you answer all my questions, we can bypass all this unpleasantness and you'll be sent back to your cell with your fellow knight." The man picked up a small, hook-like blade and examined it, his back still turned. "Of course, if you find that too difficult, I'd be more than happy to assist you." Xalet probably didn't see the torture device the man was examining. He probably didn't see the man throw back his head and laugh, his voice echoing through the room over the distant sound of fighting. No, Xalet's eyes would most likely be drawn to something else, something that had not been there moments before. On the table, next to his right hand, was a short, glowing sword, the metal of which was an odd blueish color that deepened to cobalt at the tip. It was probably one of the most beautiful works of craftsmanship Xalet had ever seen, but he didn't have time to appreciate it. In situations such as his people didn't have time to look at pretty blades, much less wonder how they had suddenly appeared the moment their captor's back had been turned. They only had time to act, and that was what Xalet needed to do. Act.

[Xalet]

The Akalak tried everything. Literally everything. His muscles, his mind, his will was being tested, and all were failing him. It was a lonesome place within his own mind without his second Soul popping in to throw a foreign emotion, thought, or set of words his way. That solitude was only broken up by the mindless gibbering of the tortured Knight that lay barely conscious inside of that dark patch of cave with him. Xalet worked as hard as his body would allow him, but eventually even that huge mass of flesh started to fail. His vision began to blur, almost as if tears were flooding past the lining of his eyes. Was he crying? It was difficult to say, everything was just one large blur. His vision, his thoughts, the cacophony of sensations that worked their way through his body. Instinctively he reached up with his right hand to clutch his left shoulder, trying to place his palm across the ragged hole made from his unskilled and rather desperate removal of the bolt which had penetrated it.

The thought had crossed his mind, was this the end? He didn't want it to be. All good Knights had to expect the potential for death everyday, but now faced with that real possibility Xalet simply didn't want to be sent away from this life. He didn't want his name to end up being spoken at the meeting of those marked by Priskil. He didn't want his mother to mourn for her son after she had already lost her husband long ago. He had to think, he had to focus. Somehow he had to override ever natural sense that was telling him to just quietly go into shock. It was so difficult, simply staying awake. He leaned against one of the dark, damp walls and felt his eyelids sag. What he wouldn't give for a cold drink and a hot leg of roast. Thinking about those things were a welcome distraction over the severity of his situation.

The screaming stopped. Did that mean another Knight was lost? Damn it, damn them, damn Ebonstryfe. If only he had more time, more training, more strength hidden inside of that big body. His thoughts centered on the sight of that cursed magic, vaporizing one of the Knights. Damn that impure magic. The silence that had grown from the lack of echoed pain was replaced by the sounds of more Ebonstryfe entering. Xalet looked back, their blurred figures focusing slowly before his eyes. Time to go? Xalet didn't offer much resistance. Everything felt so heavy, this must have been what it was like to lose a lot of blood. Xalet had been injured plenty in his time as a squire. He had bled for the sake of training before, but not like this.

The clutter of corridors was thoroughly confusing. It was like some spiders web of underground maze-work. Even if Xalet wanted to, he couldn't tell which way was which. He could barely tell which direction he had come from. The view got worse the closer he came to the end of the line. It seemed these bastards spared no expense in acquiring nearly every device imaginable to elicit pain.

He found himself tossed down onto an uncomfortable table, the little wind he kept in his lungs knocked from him. His arms tensed up as they were moved and the bindings were released. That was when a sound resonated from the vast complex, the sounds of fighting. Who could it have been? There were many Ebonstryfe from what he had seen during his initial capture, and he hadn't a clue where they were taken. Similarly he had no idea how much time had passed. It could have been that two Ebonstryfe were simply dissatisfied with one another.

That man sent the two which had been holding him down, and Xalet couldn't believe it. They left, just as directed, leaving simply the Akalak and the man preparing one of his many torture tools. What he said was true, and that was the deepest pain of all. Knowing the potential for escape was stronger now than ever, but being wounded and unar--wait...what was that? There, past the sounds of malicious laughing lie an object so robust, almost ethereal in it's make. It was a short bladed weapon, just like the kind Xalet used. Unlike his old weathered sword, it was in an entirely different league. Even with absolutely no knowledge of the art of weapon crafting, Xalet could feel it's superiority.

Pain. Remove the fear, just let the pain sit there. Not just the pain of injury, but the pain of loss. The loss of battle, the loss of a mission, the loss of his comrades.

The pain became anger. Anger brought about that second wind, the chance to show your body just how much you could take, and still get up. Xalet always had that quality.

The anger became strength. The muscles tensed, the body released whatever adrenaline was left, proteins burned. Strength could overcome.

Strength became faith. The thoughts of all the things he could lose came rushing back, the mind became more clear. Faith could replace the shield he could not carry in his injured left hand.

Faith became...

"Freedom. Let it go, you were born with this. Let it out...and lets kill that mother fu--" Xulphim was back, but he didn't need to go any further. All that transference of pain, anger, strength, and faith had occurred by the time Xalet's hand reached that gleaming weapon. Perhaps it was the key to this imprisonment. Perhaps at the end of it's blade he could find all of his questions answered. Speaking of questions, he could answer that which the man asked him. "I...am Xalet. Squire to Sergeant Irine Braklin. I serve the will of Syliras, and the Lady." he said as he leveled that blade, his hand tightening around the grip before he rushed forward, "And I won't forgive you!" he snarled as he slung himself back onto his feet and charged, thrusting that weapon forward with a skill he had never displayed before. Behind it were all those emotions. He was the will of Syliras, the avenger of those Knights, the faithful to his Lady.


OOCI'm not sure exactly how it works, but when I mentioned 'a skill he had never displayed before' that may have been quite literal. Since your last reply, a bunch of past threads of mine have been mass graded and Xalet's weapon skill shot up to the point where he's now Competent instead of a Novice. I'm not sure if that really matters or translates into this thread, but if it matters they all did occur in his timeline prior to this. I was actually kind of secretly hoping they'd get graded, to explain a potential sudden increase in his ability I wanted to display at some point. No big deal either way, just figure I'd mention it!

[Verilian]

He should have kept his mouth shut. The akalak would have avoided further pain that way, but Xalet did not stand quiet. Instead he fell into the trap that so many villains in all the fables fell into, and gave a speech. Speeches gave the hero, or in this case the villain, time to think and prepare. Granted Xalet did not speak for long, but the determination in his voice was more than enough to alert the cunning Ebonstryfe to his intentions. Anticipating the attack the man's hand fell to his sword just as Xaket began to charge. The Ebonstryfe spun swiftly about, his sword ringing out of it's sheath. What the Ebonstryfe had not anticipated was for Xalet to be armed. An akalak fist to the face, maybe, but a weapon!? It was too late, for both of them. Xalet felt the cold bite of steel slicing through his ribs, sinking deeper than ever before. He did not have his armor to protect him this time and the wound was devastating, though adrenaline might allow him to continue on for a while. Xalet also felt his weapon slide into the Ebonstryfe's chest, he heard the gasp as his blade pierced the man's heart, and witnessed the life leave the soldier's eye in an instant. The Ebonstryfe crumpled to the ground before him, but Xalet was not far behind. Without treatment his wound was fatal, but still he had to try to escape. Xalet could hear the faint sounds of combat drawing nearer. He took a few steps toward the opening of room and peered out. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. Xalet sunk to his knees as he watched the scene before him, struggling to understand. One Akalak, and Xalet wasn't somehow just seeing himself. One Akalak and dozens of Ebonstryfe, and they were all falling. The Akalak moved among them with such ease and grace, it was as if he knew what they were going to do before they did it. None of them could touch him. The akalak seemed to be wielding a twin blade to Xalet's own, and it sliced through each and every one of his opponents. In the middle of it all the akalak paused to glance at Xalet, offering him a warm smile, and was the last thing Xalet saw before he passed out. Then it was a blur, moments of consciousness and unknown intervals of darkness. The akalak was there sometimes, always offering a warm smile or a comforting word. Many times Xalet would awaken in pain, only to pass out and fall into darkness once more. He wasn't alone, however. Xuphim was there, always, and he was not silent. Timestamp: 2nd of Winter, 511 AV Xalet awoke on a cot inside a small cottage, a building he might recognize as one of the traveler shelters routinely maintained by the Syliran knights. A single candle was burning on a nightstand nearby, and a small fire was burning in the fireplace. Lying on the floor next to him was the mysterious sword from the cave, as well as its twin. The weapons gleamed and twinkled in the flickering candlelight, giving off their own glow as well. His armor was there also, and his sword and shield. It was all there, but that was it. Xalet was completely alone. His wound seemed to be on the mend, but he was far from ready to travel, though if he was lucky a patrol would come by soon and they would bring him home. Still, where was the akalak who had saved him? OOCYou can post whatever you like, just don't leave. Kind of a filler I guess, maybe have some dialogue with Xuphim, whatever. Also, you will be back in Syliras by the 10th, so feel free to make threads after that point. Your wound should be healed enough by then that you could function almost normally, maybe some soreness and light duty for a bit.

[Xalet]

Xuphim tried as best he could to correct the trajectory he had placed Xalet on, "No! Don't talk, just stab him in the back! STAB HIM IN THE BACK!" However, the Akalak was known for many things, following orders was one, but following them from his other half was not. Inside, Xalet could not allow himself to stab someone from behind, unknowing, unprepared. He despised these Ebonstryfe's, and he wanted to cast their souls into the Void with the stroke of his newly acquired blade, but there was still a level of honor and dignity that he simply couldn't let go. It clung to him tighter than his own skin, as if it was what personified him outside of his purple appearance. Regardless what Xuphim said, he wouldn't change his mind.

He should have changed his mind. The squire felt that sharp pain for a second time, as if the blade piercing into his clenched abdominal muscles was still glowing, fresh from a hot forge. It burned like fire, radiating outward from his core. With the very last ounces of his power he jammed his sword forward, his hefty Akalak weight driving his weapon straight through the man as his unarmed hand tried desperately to grip the offending blade before it sunk too deeply into his midsection. With his bear hand he pulled the weapon out from him, casting it down upon the ground along with it's wielder, whom slowly slid from the edge of this masterful short blade.

Grunting in pain and effort, as if he was physically attempting to will his blood into staying into his body Xalet stumbled outside of that room, trying to force his feet to carry him further. Regardless of his will his shoulder came to rest against the cavernous wall to his left before his body slid downward, one hand pressing downward against the ground in an effort to stabilize his fall. In the distance he saw something. It was like lethal poetry. How was it even possible? Did men possess those types of skills? He could see someone, an Akalak, just like him. He moved the way Xalet did in his dreams, as if he were weightless, as if the only thing that limited his speed was his own thoughts. Finally his elbow gave out and Xalet plunged into the ground. All was dark.

The next several days were a blurred mess, more dream than real. The first real thing Xalet saw when he awoke was the soft glimmer of a firelight dancing upon the wooden ceiling of the cabin he was in. He listened for a moment, allowing the strength in his body to return enough to allow him to sit up. The ache in his gut reminded him of those last few moments before he passed out, so it wasn't all just some nightmare. Of course not.

"I would appreciate it if the next time someone was trying to torture and kill us, you listened to me and not that damn code of whatever you follow." Xuphim was quick to remind Xalet of that strike that brought him to his knees. That brush with death had even Xalet questioning his ethics in such a mortal situation.

"I don't find it easy to strike a man from behind." Xalet rebuffed his other half's statement, but Xuphim wasn't going to give in quite so easily this time.

"And I don't find it easy watching us get stabbed repeatedly. Maybe you're forgetting what's on the line here, that's not just your body you're throwing onto the sword of an opponent, that's mine as well, sometimes I think you forget that."

"Maybe, but I'm in control." Xalet replied as he drew his legs in and moved them around to plant them upon the floor. They moved with great lethargy, the act took far longer than it would have were he at full strength. As his feet touched the ground he noticed the blade he had wielded before, glowing softly like a star. He didn't have much time to contemplate it and it's forged brethren.

"You and this control thing. You think you can just forget about me? You think I'm just going to go away? I'm always going to be here. I refuse to just be cast down into the darkness. Do you know how that feels, living in the darkness? You know the helplessness you feel when I'm on top? Imagine that all the time. You talk about the cruelty of people, but you wish to segregate a man from civilization, from all contact, I can't live like this, I don't want to live like this."

Those words made the back of Xalet's throat tighten because he knew that not everything Xuphim said was incorrect. Yes, he did seek to push Xuphim down so far that he would never see the light of day, but for good reasons. "Civilization? You're not civil!"

"And you? You're perfect? No weakness? No flaws? Bullshyke and you know it. Yeah, I'm not great at balls and meetings, but you seem to be forgetting something more important than all that Knight crap. Who's always there for you? Huh? Who never turns his back on you? Yeah, that's right, it's me. After all this ridiculousness you put us through I'm still here. What you haven't realized is that it's not ME that has the problem, it's YOU. Don't believe me? Well ready your damn ears because here it comes. The difference between you and me is I realize you need to be in control sometimes. What, did you think you were just mentally overpowering me the whole time? Like you had me under lock and key? It was because I ALLOWED it. And there you go, that's the big difference. Yeah, so you have some traits that are probably valuable sometime, but so do I you ass. I'm not here to get you in trouble, this is my life too we're talking about. But I'm not going to stand around and pretend to be someone I'm not."

Xuphim probably would have continued, had Xalet not interrupted him with words the dark half never thought he would hear, "You're right. I've let my fear of becoming a social embarrassment cloud some of my judgement."

"That was the worst apology I've ever heard, but I'll take it. Now maybe you can not screw up figuring out a way to get out of here. If fact how in the void did we get here? You remember that Akalak don't you? I don't remember seeing him anywhere in that place before, not with the other Knights. And those swords there, have you ever seen any metal like that? I haven't, this is un-petching-believable. I can't believe you get us into this shyke..." Indeed there were still some questions the two halves had unanswered, but perhaps all of the questions in the world were worth one striking realization after years of denial. Finally Xalet was starting to realize that he was only one half of a whole.

[Verilian]

"Oh, good, you're awake," came the deep and cheerful voice from the door as it opened and the mystery Akalak stepped in. "Come on outside and help me with this." The Akalak didn't wait for an answer, he just walked right back out as if it were the most normal day in the world. Should Xalet choose to follow, and certainly curiosity would spurn him to move eventually, he would find the mystery Akalak outside in the process of skinning a very large elk. "Go and start up a fire, if you would. I've already gathered the wood, and it will be dark soon. I'd like to get this cooking soon." If Xalet tried to question the Akalak he would simply shake his head and point to the pile of wood. "Fire first, questions later." The akalak wasn't demanding or authoritative in any way, but his very aura seemed to command respect. Xalet would find some flint next to the pile, so at least he wouldn't be stuck rubbing sticks for hours on end. The two worked in peaceful silence, and if it wasn't for the aching of his wounds it might have even been relaxing. Xalet had the fire burning before the older akalak finished preparing the meat, so he had a few chimes to relax and watch the flames dance as he waited. When the elk was finally ready it was the akalak suspended it over the fire. The meat sizzled as it cooked and it's scent filled their noses. "So I'm sure you have a lot of questions, Xalet," the Akalak finally began, "I'll try to answer what I can. None of your fellows made it out, I'm sorry to say. Only you, and you almost didn't make it either. You fought well though and I'm proud of you, my boy. But you're so conflicted! Xuphim has.saved your life more than once these past few days. You've got to learn to listen to him sometimes." The akalak shrugged and poked at the meat with a stick. "No worries though, you'll learn eventually." Sighing, the mysterious akalak leaned back and stretched his arms over his head. He hadn't really answered any questions at all, though to be fair Xalet had not asked either. Once he was done stretching the Akalak sat back up straight and offered his hand to Xalet. "The name's Wysar, by the way. A pleasure to finally meet you."

[Xalet]

Xalet's head raised just in time to see a fellow Akalak standing in the doorway of the small traveler's cabin. He appeared to be the same man Xalet had seen fighting beneath the subterranean complex he was taken to, but considering how blurred his vision was at the time there was no way to be completely sure. Even before the squire could get the first word in, the man was already inviting him outside, and Xalet felt compelled to follow. Helping the kinsman or not, Xalet did have a host of questions inside of his head that he needed answered at some point. Moving more like an aged elder than the wiry youthful body he wore, Xalet managed to stand, a hand testing his abdomen slightly to make sure everything stayed inside. All seemed well enough, and so outside he went.

Xalet knew what he saw in front of him, but it still bode him well to give a cautionary sweep across the immediate area with his eyes. Make fire? Indeed the squire could do at least that simple task, however, "...I..." he was promptly cut off by the man. Oddly it didn't seem like the type of malicious interruption Xuphim would have initiated. Walking steadily over to the pile of lumber, Xalet tried to weigh the possibilities. Was the Akalak a Knight? No, he wore nothing of the sort, and with as few Akalak as there were within the Knighthood, Xalet nearly knew of them all by now. Just a passing stranger? Likewise impossible, how could a passing stranger make it into a Ebonstryfe hideout? Despite those pressing concerns Xalet found it almost natural to follow the instructions given to him, almost as if he wanted to complete the whim of this man.

He slowly made his way down to his knees as he set up a squire of wood, stacking them as best he could with the tinder in the middle. His hands worked hard to function as they once did, some of their feeling still evading the squire. Eventually the flint did as it was intended and started sparking enough to produce a small flame. Xalet leaned in, blowing his air softly beneath it's point of origin until it lived upon it's own accord. Afterward he tilted backward onto his rump, his hands steadying his seated position somewhat while he watched the fire grow. Xalet could do quiet when he needed to, as despite the necessity of being loud and commanding when appropriate of a Knight, he spoke short and soft.

Eventually the man before him spoke up, causing Xalet's eyes to wander from the licking flame caressing the outermost portion of the meat to his savior. No one made it? Even a half blind man could see that put a sharp pain through Xalet's heart, his head sagging slightly. Of course Xuphim had his own thoughts as the Akalak continued, "Saved your ass is right, I like this guy already. He knows how it is."

Almost reflexively Xalet reached his hand outward in response to accept the shake. It wasn't until after they made contact that the squire realized, "Wysar...you mean...WYSAR Wysar? The Lord of Riverfall?" Xalet didn't let himself show his surprise often, but this was an instance that couldn't be hidden. His eyes widened and his entire body tensed, it could be felt in his handshake. Even if Xalet did not grow up in Riverfall, it was impossible for an Akalak not to know of Wysar. Just as Akajia was the mother of the Akalak, Wysar was the father. How did one react to meeting the father of one's very people? "I am Xalet, but you knew that. And it's...it's my pleasure..."

"OOHHH!! Oh damn! Wysar! Do you realize what is happening here? Wysar just told you to listen to me, oh Wysar be praised this is the best day ever. All those years I told you, and there it is from a God's mouth!"

Just then, as Xuphim was nearly flipping out inside of Xalet's thoughts various different previous inconsistencies began to click. Xalet was starting to put things together, clearing his throat to repress some of his own anxiety he continued, "So that means...that sword...in that torture room...that was yours? This entire ordeal seems so confusing. I still don't even know why we were ambushed...all those Knights..." the thought of it made his jaw clench. He was thankful to be alive, and yet also ashamed at his inability to save his fellow men. A squire or not, that was a failure, one that he couldn't allow the duplication of in the future. "There's not much I can say for how grateful I am, so thank you. I've got so far to go, so much more to learn. I wanted so much to make my people proud...my patron proud....my mother proud. I can't let them down. And I'm...not even sure where we are."

[Verilian]

The god was silent for a time. It was easy for someone who could live forever to forget the effect death could have on a person. Not that he felt the pain of loss any less, he just knew what came next and it was easier to move on. Xalet didn't have that luxury. "The swords are yours, actually. A gift from an old friend. They are called Kasai and Ivkai, Hope and Faith. They belong to you now." Wysar reached for the meat, which now appeared to be full done, and pulled the slices down, handing one to Xalet. It was almost funny to see the man tear into the meat. He was a god, and yet there he was performing such a mundane thing as eating a slab of meat next to a campfire. Who ever said the gods had to be godlike all the time? The elk was good, despite being unseasoned, and was very tender and juicy. Actually, it was kind of messy, but Wysar didn't appear worried about it. "We are still in Sylira," the deity continued after a few hearty bites, "A few days ride south of Ravok, actually. Apparently there was a traitor amongst the knights. The Ebonstryfe knew where that patrol was going to be, though they were surprised to see you, so perhaps the traitor is still in the city." Wysar tore another chunk out of the meat and chewed thoughtfully. Syliras was not his domain, he didn't know everything that went on in the city like he might in Riverfall, and the actions of the Ebonstryfe were the domain of another god. But he hadn't come to talk politics or strategy, he had his own gift to give. "I told you you should listen to Xuphim sometimes," Wysar continued, his voice changing tone and becoming a bit more serious. "Your second soul sees things that you cannot, offers insight where you might be lacking, but neither of you are perfect. Ignoring him completly would be foolish, but to listen to everything he says would be worse. It takes discipline and practice, but it is possible to live in harmony with your other half while still maintaining your integrity." Wysar stood and offered his hand to Xalet once more. "You've still got a long way to go, but personally, I think you're doing a great job." When their hands touched Xalet suddenly felt a tingling, almost.burning sensation on the back of his neck. It didn't hurt, however, but simply was just there. Along with the sensation came knowledge, knowledge of gnosis. He had been marked by Wysar, the gnosis was called Evantia. It was different from his other mark, however, in that he didn't immediately know how to use it fully. Wysar let their hands drop and took a step back. "The Evantian Aura. Tap the mark on the back of your neck to access it. It is a powerful tool, but not one that comes lightly. To master it will take discipline, and practice. Use it often, but do not misuse it. I have faith in you, Xalet, and I know you will do me proud." OOCYeah, so there wasn't really any description on how it actually feels or what happens when you are first marked. I didn't really feel that it should be flashy though, that doesn't seem to be Wysar's style to me. Anyway, yay for getting your mark! The thread will be wrapped up in the next post or two, then you can start using it. Right now this thread is priority one, so you won't be waiting long, I promise.

[Xalet]

Xalet thought about that for a moment as he accepted the piece of meat. Swords from a God, it seemed so fantastical. The Akalak couldn't help but be mesmerized by the entire ordeal, his body functioning automatically as his thoughts struggled to keep up. That big mass of muscle and bone wanted food though, and he began eating along side of Wysar. What a story that would make, one that he wasn't sure anyone would believe. Something that they needed to believe was this incidence of a traitor amongst the Knights. You didn't really question the words of the God of Integrity.

Strong canines and sharp incisors bit down, easily rending the soft meat of the creature's cooked remains. It would serve as good fuel to help Xalet's body heal, and more importantly give him the strength to eventually make it back to Syliras, unless the Knights found him first. Xuphim was still reveling in the previous statements while Xalet was sorting out the newest information of the Knights infiltration when Wysar went on further to describe a proper balance. There were things Xuphim was good at, most namely strategy, tactics, and war. Meanwhile Xalet was more suited for persuasion, preparedness, and focus. If Xalet was the shape of a sword, than Xuphim was it's edge. A masterful sword without an edge was useless, just as an edge on a shoddy weapon was wasted.

What could he say, the God was wise, far beyond any wisdom Xalet could conjure up. To not listen to those valuable words would be a travesty, "Thank you, I--ah..." his free hand moved quickly to reach to the back of his neck, feeling the indescribable sensation of being Marked. It felt so unnatural, and yet so purifying. He understood it, or at least he understood the concept of it. His abilities with his Luminance were constant and static, but this Evantian Aura felt more like a muscle which needed to be exercised and toned. The God confirmed the squire's knowledge, and he relaxed his hand from the back of his neck. "I will, I swear it."

"Ok ok, I'm calmer now. This is serious stuff Xalet. We need to make good on that promise, you can't be playing around anymore. I heard what he said, about a traitor in Syliras. The fact that we're the only survivors might make us prime target number one, so we better get good at this Aura quick." Xuphim was able to put his contribution upon the mental table now that the initial shock had worn off.

"I've got to report the attack to the Knights as soon as possible as well. It's good to hear I'm not too far out. You've done so much for me, I guess there's not many ways a mortal can repay a God, but I won't let you down." he said, afterward using his mouth for gripping and eating more meat instead of talking. As his Patron once said, those who eat heal quicker.

[Verilian]

Wysar nodded. "Yes, you should head out in the morning. Tonight though you need to rest." The god returned to his eating after that. The rest of the night passed by peacefully, and at times it was easy to forget who Xalet was actually sitting next to. Wysar seemed like any other akalak, for the most part. He was cheerful, confident, and very likable. It was hard to believe the "father of all Akalaks" could appear to be such a normal guy, but he was. Eventually Wysar recommended that they get some rest, and the pair retreated to the shelter and their warm beds. It was hard to sleep considering there was a god in the room, but the trials of the past several days demanded that Xalet rest. Soon enough his eyes became too heavy to keep open, and Xalet drifted off to sleep. Before he knew it the night had passed and he awoke to the sound of birds chirping outside. Timestamp: 3rd of Winter, 511 AV Xalet found himself alone in the shelter, and Wysar was nowhere to be found. Along with his gear and the two swords, Xalet also found a few slabs of dried elk meat, a tent, a canteen filled with water, several days worth of plain trail rations, and a set of winter clothes sized for an akalak. When he went outside he would find that it had just begun to snow. Xalet was still wounded, and he would have to travel slowly. Wysar told him he was a few days ride south of Ravok, which mean on foot it would take a while to get back to Syliras, but it seemed that Wysar had provided him everything he needed to make the journey. All Xalet needed to do was hit the road. If luck was with him he might even encounter a patrol along the way and then he could travel with them, but for the moment he was on his own. Well, as on their own as a man marked by two gods could be. OOC : Okay, so I'm not 100% sure how long it would take to get back to Syliras in foot, I would say maybe 8-10 days or so, maybe faster if you hook up with a patrol and ride back. As far as the traitor thing goes, feel free to do what you want with that. There have always been secret Ebonstryfe agents in Syliras, and most other cities, so it could have just been one of them. Or maybe an actual knight betrayed the order, or maybe an Ebonstryfe sect in the city is getting powerful. Whatever you and the other mods want to make of it, or it could have just been dumb luck. Um... I guess that's all for now. Here comes the grade!

Xalet +5 Gladius +2 Riding +4 Shield +3 Shortsword You Question My Logic? : Okay, so I already gave you +5 to your Gladius. I'm pming Jen to see if that can count toward the new weapons, or if they would be a separate skill. If so then you'll have some more xp coming. Either way I'll pm you when I find out. Below is a point by point account of all xp awarded. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to pm me: +1 Gladius for practicing in the start of the thread +1 Riding for riding in the first post +1 Riding in the second post +1 Shield and Gladius in second post +1 Shield and Gladius in 3rd post +1 Shield and Gladius in 4th post +1 bonus point to shield and gladius for fighting in first real battle and epicness and good writing and all that stuff Lores: Following Orders, Ambushed by the Ebonstryfe, The Might of Magic, Feeling of Hopelessness, Witness to the Evils of the Ebonstryfe, The Folly of Speech, Rescued by a God, Meeting Wysar, Lore of Evantia (Basic), The Importance of Listening to your Other Half Gnosis: Evantia (Rank 1) Loot: Winter Clothes, 3 Slabs of dried elk, Canteen of Water, 10 days rations, Kasai and Ivkai Notes: So I had a lot of fun with this, and yay for awarding my first gnosis! Remember, you have to practice with it each season for it to approve. Right now you can only use it against one person, but each season of active use should increase that by one. Have fun! Oh, and all this has been added to your Storyteller Secrets thread.