Sunrise [Solo]

by **Serrif Von Chatlyn** on October 14th, 2011, 2:11 am

51st Fall 511AV

Serrif had been pouring over Lym’s words again and again in his head. He knew he didn’t really have a choice in all of this. He knew that one day he would eventually leave this isle. And he figured it was best to do it while he hadn’t settled down at all here. He had no kids…well daughters…He really didn’t have a lover anymore. He was thirsty for knowledge that he likely would never learn from the healers here. He had a thirst to mean something to someone. Lym had told him he could be a beacon of light to the rest of the world. He thought she was grossly overestimating his abilities as a healer. He didn’t see himself as anything special. He wasn’t marked like these women were. He wasn’t special like they were. All he had was his herbalism and medicine to help him heal the masses. And his bow and poison to protect himself from them. He didn’t own much at all, it was actually sad how little he had. And he knew he had no home. Especially here on the isle among these women. This was far from his home. In his mind he just wanted to be somewhere where he could settle down. But here among these women…this wasn’t his home, it couldn’t be his home. So he had finally somewhat come to terms with the idea that he was leaving. That there was nothing he could do to prevent it…and that he was going again out into the world.

He was sitting at the open flap of his tent just looking out across the beach. He was going to miss it dearly. But he knew that it was for the best. That there was nothing he could really do about it. Honestly, it was almost exciting to be heading out into the new world. He now saw everything different, and mostly because he didn’t remember how everything looked before now. And he wasn’t sure he even wanted to know. Instead he had resided himself to think that he was just going to do his best. Because honestly that was all he or anyone else ever could do. He would heal because he could and assist where he was needed and even where he wasn’t. He would strive to do good and help the generations after him. It was a large goal, but he knew if the goal was simple he wouldn’t be happy with it. He wouldn’t ever strive. And where was the challenge in doing something that he knew he could easily do?

“Come on now, I have less than half the season with you left. You won’t start slacking now.” A familiar voice spoke to him while a weighted backpack fell at his feet. He hadn’t even seen Ildin come up he was so far gone.

A smile came across his face. He was going to miss these morning runs as well. “Yes Mistress.” He answered as he stood and burdened the backpack. It was heavy, but not overly so. He stretched and adjusted the bag so it would be somewhat comfortable.

Then Ildin started off at a smooth and even jog. Serrif as always followed. And she pricked him with a statement between breaths. “Serrif….you will have…to make your way….out there alone…there isn’t…anyone else out….there who will do it….for you.” She was telling him things he already knew. He would be all alone out there. But it was what she said next that really hit home with him.

“But my training…my skills I taught…you are my little…but of me that…you get to take…with you…I will…always be there…with you through…thick…and thin.” He had never thought of it that way before.

He knew she couldn’t come with him, but her training was her way of being with him everywhere. Knowing that he was going to do right by her, all her training seemed to prepare him for this moment when he would leave the Isle. Alone to fend for himself in a cruel unforgiving world that would swallow him in eternal darkness all too quickly. But with the skills Ildin had gave him; with the skills he had worked so hard to obtain it was much more likely that he would survive out there. No matter what he circumstances may be. He would survive because he was driven to excel. Because Ildin had broken and reformed a sorry and weak man into something far surpassing what he had once been. Serrif was like a raw piece of iron. Useless in his old state. And Ildin held him to the flames then beat a new form into him. Ruthlessly pushing his boundaries. Until finally she had something useful she could be proud of. Something that almost didn’t even resemble the original product, something extraordinary.

by **Serrif Von Chatlyn** on October 14th, 2011, 1:42 pm

The pack was a good thirty or so pounds, nothing too extraordinary. But as time continued on he was getting tired. The entire time he was thinking about what Ildin had told him. Her training was her way of being with him through thick and thin. He thought about it and well she was right in a way. Nothing could take his training away from him. He would always remember what Ildin had taught him. Those skills would never leave him, and in essence Ildin would never leave him either. That helped settle his spirit some. He knew that he would always have guidance, because he would always have Ildin’s teachings to help lead the way. After a good half hour he was beginning to feel weak and Ildin knew it. They stopped and Ildin spoke.

“Take a rest while I adjust the backpack.” She said as she then picked a small potato sack bag out of the backpack.

It seemed she had loaded the entire pack full of these bags. He didn’t know how many of them there were inside but he did know that she cut the bag open with her knife and then drained the contents out onto the beach. She placed the bag back inside the backpack afterwards. The weight of the pack had declined a decent amount. A good almost five or so pounds. The rest lasted only long enough for her to empty the bag onto the beach before she started off jogging again. Serrif stood and followed. The bag was a little lighter so it made everything a ton better for him. It was far easier for him to follow her now. The pack weighed less and his body noticed it easily. His steps were still tiring though. Every last one of them a struggle because he wasn’t used to this kind of exercise. And he had something to prove to her he felt. So he was going to push harder than usual.

The pair jogged down the beach for a good amount of time until Serrif’s body was growing weak from exhaustion again. She had him sit and she emptied another bag but this one was only two pounds or so. Still when one’s body was this tired every little amount made a world of difference to him. He didn’t ask any questions nor say anything really. He knew he was going to leave and if there was anything to be said Ildin would say it. That was how they worked. Standing again Ildin started jogging again. He could feel the difference the simple two pounds made. It was almost life changing to him when he was this tired. It was interesting really that two pounds could make this much difference. He wondered if she was trying to covertly teach him to pack light for the journey ahead. It would be a lesson he learned well because he knew he would have a decent amount of gear with him.

He had been making a mental list most of the night. He knew he would be traveling during winter and that Riverfall unlike Mura would be very cold. He would be taking a boat then walking. And it was the walking that would really challenge him. Perhaps it would be better to get a horse…he would make better time that way as well. It would also be far less tiring on him. And well he knew he would need all the energy and strength he had to make this journey…especially to make it alone. But it was another test of sorts he believed. His journey was more than just to prove himself to the Order. He believed in a way it was to test his moral compass. To see what he was really made of inside; how he acted when he thought none were looking. But he knew that there were those that could peer into the past and pick apart anything and everything he had ever done. That meant when he came back they could see what he had done while away. That said he could stand a sort of trial when he came back to see if he was actually Order material. That was what really had him worried.

by **Serrif Von Chatlyn** on October 18th, 2011, 2:56 pm

He continued to run with Ildin. He knew he had strengthened up a decent amount since he had come here to the Isle. Most of it was thanks to Ildin and her unusual training techniques. Actually all of it was due to Ildin and her training. Every step was tiring and burned his legs. It was good that the backpack was settled on him correctly; otherwise he would be completely miserable. He had to dig deep to find the strength to continue on. Mostly because he was beginning to tire out. It was a horrible feeling really but he knew that if you had to dig deep you also were doing it right by all means. His body burned and his lungs were screaming a little. But he continued on, every single step was just another step. That’s how he had to look at it. Just one step at a time. Otherwise he would get disheartened and lose hope. But he knew if he broke it down into smaller more manageable tasks he could do just fine. Everything would be ok for him. So he continued onward following his mentor to wherever she was going. Although he doubted if she had anywhere in mind at all to begin with.

He was getting worn again, and just like before she reached into the backpack and slip another sand bag. The weight was marginal. But it did feel good to get rid of some weight from the pack. He was surprised again by how much difference something so small made in all of this. She couldn’t have gotten rid of any more than 3 pounds. Yet to him it was like ridding himself of a 40 pound weight. Suddenly the entire torturous event didn’t seem so horrible to him anymore. He knew Ildin would stretch his boundaries to nearly breaking, but in the end she wouldn’t do any long term damage. This meant to him that she only wanted the best for him. And this being said he knew that he could count on her skills. He knew she had reasons. And that was more than enough of a reason for him to continue to press on through the pain.

“I’ve been thinking Serrif, you lack close combat skills. Sure the bow will help you at distance, but up close it will be anything but an aid.” She had him sit and she then removed another weight bag. “So I ask for you to go acquire two daggers from the Heart of Steel. And then for the next week I give you a break from my training, and you will learn from another Mistress.”

Serrif looked to her and then questioned. “Are you sure Mistress?”

Ildin nodded. “I am sending you away Serrif, I need to make sure you are prepared for the world out there.” She said as she then helped him back onto his feet. “Wouldn’t want you getting killed by a bandit at close range, it would be a waste of your training.” She said as she then took off jogging again.

by **Serrif Von Chatlyn** on October 18th, 2011, 6:05 pm

He continued on one step at a time. He could feel his legs burn everywhere. Muscles he didn’t even know he had were burning. Which was a little more than just simply interesting to him. He had never been pushed this far before. And he didn’t know why he kept driving himself. In a way he knew that he had to keep going. He wanted to show Ildin that he hadn’t been lax. That her skills hadn’t fallen on completely deaf ears. That he had indeed paid careful attention to her; that he had taken her word to heart. That he knew that he would have to push himself. He knew that he would have to endlessly push himself daily.

He had met his goals well, every day learning with Lym; then training with Ildin as well. He was tired but in doing these things he had gained strength drastically. He had seen the changes in himself he could feel them. He was slightly stronger than he had been in the past. Drastically stronger than when he had gotten here. Maybe it was because he was actually eating well for a change..or just actually eating. The fish he had been eating and catching here in the sea had been doing good things for his body.

Ildin had Serrif sit down as she then cut another bag so that he could continue. She knew that if she had him burden the full weight of the bag he wouldn’t last long. However if she had him burden the full weight then reduced the weight little by little he would be able to go further and could really wear himself out good. He would also push himself harder when she removed weight from the pack. A little something she had picked up on after training several students of hers. Students that mostly gave up, however Serrif had not. She kept on going on and on until he had nothing left anymore. She respected this, she knew that she could push him and he would just keep giving until he literally had nothing left.

They had bee going on for another twenty minutes and now he had nothing left. She helped him to the ground and pulled the backpack off of his back and lay it on the ground. She knew in a few minutes he would be able to walk back. But for now he had nothing left. She sat beside him and spoke.

“You remember the first time I had you wear that heavy pack?” Serrif nodded and then Ildin spoke again. “You have traveled well over four times that distance, with nearly twice the weight.”

Serrif didn’t believe her at first; but ildin had never lied to him in the past. She had no reason to either. He sat in the sand and watched the sun come over the horizon. “Who will my Mistress be tomorrow?” He asked as Ilden then answered.

“You will find out, I will not tell you. That is for you to find out.”

requests :

by **Archelon** on October 19th, 2011, 3:07 am

new grading below

by **Serrif Von Chatlyn** on October 19th, 2011, 2:17 pm

She was always keeping her reasons a secret. He knew little of the other mistresses of the Pavilion. He had never really been acute to who else was there really. He only knew their whispered names. But even then he couldn’t remember the names. He only knew that Ildin could be found there, but she had a habit as of recent for finding him. He shrugged and then Ildin helped him to his feet with a hand, seemed they were still going. He put on the pack and readied himself mentally. He felt his weight even out on his legs and he settled the weighted pack into place. It wasn’t as heavy as he remembered at the beginning, but his body was still burning from it. Ildin again headed off at a light jog this time. And Serrif as always followed. He was taking mental notes about how it felt to be this fatigued. Everything seemed distant to him when he was this tired. When his body was screaming for sweet sleep and yet at the same time he knew he had to keep going. He didn’t want to fall behind Ildin and he knew that she pushed him for good reasons.

So he pushed himself, because he knew the only way to find your real boundaries were to push past them until you broke. Then you knew where you stood. Only then did you know where you really stood in all of this. And he had nothing but his boundaries, body and skill. Nothing else mattered. He knew that he would have to struggle, but that made all of this worth it. Because when the struggle happened he would be ready for it. He would be able to push himself harder knowing where his boundaries laid. But those fine lines could be moved and in the past they had moved farther than he thought possible. He has pushed farther and farther and he remembered where his old boundaries laid, and he was far past them now. He was happy that he had managed to push this far.

Every step was working his body in ways that forced him to dig deeper inside to continue to go on. His mind wanted him to stop but at the same time he knew he wanted to keep on going. Every single last bit he pushed was just that much more he knew he could take. Boundaries were such stupid things. They really didn’t exist; he was proving this to himself right now. Every step he took was pushing his limits further and further. He knew not where his limits were, but he knew how to find them. His lungs burned, but he pushed that aside knowing that he had to keep going. He had to find his breaking point. Once he knew it he could then use that knowledge for his advances.

He kept pushing following Ildin until he again found himself unable to continue. But this time he was struggling almost losing balance until he hit the sand hard. Ildin stopped and then came over to him and helped settle him into a sitting position. “You are unlike any student I have ever had Serrif.” She said with a slight laugh as she pulled out the sandbags and cut them all free.

Serrif could feel the weight lighten a great amount as he sat there staring out into the sunrise. It was strangely peaceful here as the ocean breeze blew over him. It took some of the heat off of his body. He was soaked in sweat and the breeze cooled him down. He sat for a little while watching the ocean. He would miss this about Mura. The sea…it was more than just a symbol for him. It represented his home, well the closest thing he had to a home anyway. Even though he lived in a tent he felt like he lived like a king; mostly because he had never had anything that was his. And now here on the isle he had almost everything he could want. But now he had to leave and take his knowledge with him.

Eventually he felt like he could make the run back and Ildin helped him back up and he jogged all the way back to where they started. Ildin then took the empty pack from him and smiled. “Remember tomorrow you have a new Mistress, treat her well.” She said as she parted ways with him.

His thoughts swelled. Who could this new mistress be? Obviously he would be learning daggers from her. But he didn’t remember any of the Mistresses ever teaching daggers. He pondered for a few seconds on what exactly he could be learning. He didn’t really have a clue but he knew that Ildin wouldn’t likely just send him to another teacher without a reason. She knew that he needed to learn something besides the bow. And she was right. He knew that eventually he would need a good arsenal of weapons at his side if he was to really honestly survive in the rest of the realm. He accepted the fact that he would have another mistress. But he wondered what she would be like. Would she be strict like Ildin? It was possible but he doubted any of the instructors were as strict as she was.

But he had other things to tend to. He knew that he needed to gather himself before going back into town and tending to Lym’s needs. He had no idea what she would have planned for him, but he knew that it would likely involve more herbalism and making of even more ornate and somewhat complicated medicine. But that was ok to him. He knew he learned best while doing things. It was practicality he learned best from. And well this was another practical thing he knew he had to do. Well he knew he wanted to learn. Lym had tons to teach him and he knew that in the long run he would be happy that he learned these things from her.

by **Archelon** on October 19th, 2011, 2:35 pm

Thread Award

"Oh man, that training is harsh!"

And the Results!!!!:

Serrif :

Would you like some extra turtle sauce ? :