Open The Prodigal Rider Returns

[Eldon Sunkiss]

25th of Winter, AV 512 Approaching Endrykas, Midday OPEN TO ALL!

Eldon, Vanah, Sylvi, Nejin, Morse, Danadeh, and Unlu trudged slowly across the Sea of Grass. The Sunkiss survivor, the last of his family, chose to walk along Vanah, his old friend and strider, amongst the four dogs that constantly sniffed and observed the areas around. It had been many seasons since Eldon was last here, in his homelands. In those many days of absence, he had seen so much as well. He'd nearly given himself to the knighthood of Syliras, he met the Jamoura of the Spires and played a small role in the cleansing of the fogs, and now he was returning home. Where he truly belonged. When Eldon left, he felt the gods were guiding him to great things, to help those who really needed him, and even though the Jamoura did need help, he felt his role in their recovery was small, almost nothing in comparison to what he felt he should have done. Now? Well, he had no compelling forces driving him anywhere, he just wanted to see his friends. Kayiri, Edalene, Denen, Sama'el, Vanator. And, in all honesty, he felt it was time he carried on his father's name. He felt it was about time to extend the Sunkiss Pavilion beyond his lonesome self. But, Vanah was old. A trusty and strong strider she was, but had seen more than most striders did. She was worn out, tired, and Eldon felt guilty for pushing her in any physical ways nowadays. It was like the Spires took a true toll on her, a lingering exhaustion that most of her kind never saw. Eldon didn't want to admit it, or even think about it, but her time was coming. She and Eldon both knew it at heart. Eldon continued to walk, one palm gently resting on the great strider at his side, whispering calm reassuring words to her. They were close enough to Endrykas by now to have surely been picked up and noticed on the web. He had probably been seen days ago (of course, he had no idea that there were problems in the web), but something about this place felt off. The beasts that roamed the plains were strangely rare these past several days. And true, it was winter, but he couldn't recall a winter this cold in the past. Under his feet he could hear the crunching of frost. His breath were visible vapors. His skin was infected by the gooseflesh that used to only come from nervousness, but now was there from the chill. Something about this place was off, and Eldon hoped the weather was the only change, and it would be short.

[Aarias]

Aarias wakes up to the usual cold biting at his face, the warmth of the rugged blankets cocoon around his body. He smells the fires outside starting up, the soothing wafts of smoke reaching his nose. For this short moment, he smiles, forgetting the horros that lie outside his tent.

His days of intense training at the War Storm Pavilion have waned greatly since the sickness. The cold and unwavering nights are relentless, taking many in its wake.

There are many plots of open space where the frostbitten individuals lie on blankets or mats, the stages of the disease intensifying as the days roll on. Medicine men as well as the people of the clans, coming together to try and make their last moments as comfortable as possible.

Ever since that first frosty day of winter, Aarias has sliced his training in half offering a chunk of his time to those who are sick. It's his duty to do so. His strength has been used to carry the deceased, the dark black marks symbolizing the victory of the Pox, to carts. From there they're pushed to the Sea of Grass, the dead laid out and their chins up so that they may see Syna, Leth, and Zintila's stars.

It is already late morning when Aarias stops snapping in and out of drowsy daydreams. He finally finds the strength to roll out of bed and dawns his simple clothing. Once he steps from the tent, his spirits sink, remembering the sickness and suffering both in families and the infected.

After a rationed breakfast, he gets the crazy idea to take a jog in the blistering cold. Something needs to keep his mind from falling back into the waves of lonesome depression. There is so much of it around him, it's hard for him to catch the low spirits.

While keeping Endrykas well within his sights, he starts off in a small jog around the perimeter of the mass of tents. The cold soon dials down as his heart starts pumping, vibrating sweet warmth from head to toe. Soon enough he finds that strange limbo of solace he was looking for, remembering the daily morning runs he used to take in the warmer seasons.

It's on this peaceful jog that Aarias first catches the dots of Eldon and his band of followers across the next hill. Who is that? Do I know them? Aarias quietly asks himself, squinting as he quickens his pace as to not lose Eldon in his sights.

He keeps running, the crunching of his boots against the frost humming to its own paced rhythm. He heads towards the Sunkiss survivor, the weight of his body crushing the frost beneath him in a rhythmic pattern. Curiosity is at the heart of their meeting.

[Eldon Sunkiss]

Morse let out a low bellowing howl, and the other three hunting dogs only mimicked as a figure approached from the distance, specifically from Endrykas. Eldon smiled, and it wasn't his "I'm-Screwed-Up-from-Overgiving" sort of smile, but a genuine pleased grin. He was home! He was being greeted by his brother or sister of the Drykas, and just the thought that he wasn't exiled (not that he had a reason to be) from his people for wandering away for so long that he was accepted, it warmed him a little. Eldon gave Sylvi a light jostling from inside his pocket. "We're home, Sylvi." The clay face that looked up at him, staring through those interesting stone-like eyes, and smiling anxiously, was equally satisfying. Eldon was sure even the Pycon was ready to settle down for a while, rather than moving around every day. Eldon lifted his hand in the air and waved it slowly, back at forth. Aarias was still a way off (and he wasn't on a strider?), but Eldon was slowly able to pick out features as they closed the gap. A man, casual jogging, nothing else standing out right off the bat. "Hello brother!" Eldon chuckled aloud, and would have picked up his own pace, if only he wasn't so concerned with Vanah's health. Vanah most likely wouldn't see the end of winter. And finally, they were close enough to speak. Eldon himself couldn't contain his own excitement as he moved towards Aarias and embraced him in a fierce overly-friendly hug, as if they were family or dear friends. In truth though, Eldon simply didn't care. Aarias was the first Drykas he's seen since the Knight that translated for him in Syliras when he nearly joined the Knighthood. That meant that Aarias was, in Eldon's eyes, every person from Endrykas that he loved and cared for in his own absence. "It's so good to be home." Eldon released Aarias, and seemed entirely unashamed of his actions. His eyes were even watering up just at the thought of being here among his own people "I am Eldon Sunkiss, I was a Water Maker for the Clans years ago. Tell me, what news of our people since the storm." The storm, the Djed Storm of 512, almost a year before. Eldon had charged into the Spires after the storms messed with the Talderan Wilds, hoping to help fix things back to the way they were meant to be, yet the concern for his own people never left his mind. "I've been homesick for so long, I can't believe Zulrav has blessed the winds at my back, and I have found it again."

[Aarias]

Aarias' eyes quickly went to the crowed around Eldon as their distance closes in, wondering if it was a signal to flee. He thinks of turning out of his current pathway but once he notices the hand waving in the air and the delight on the Drykas' face, he knows no danger would likely come to him.

His arms move in harmony with his legs, feeling the chilling wind slap by him. Oh how refreshing it was! Sweat pours from him but seems to oddly freeze where his skin is exposed. The twisted auburn locks reaching his shoulders bounce and whip around.

The crunching of his boots slow and before he can utter a word out, Eldon's arms are around him in a desperate looking hug. Aarias' toned arms fly up as the foreign arms warp around him. Shock renders him speechless, his mouth half gaping. The tingles down his spine cease and he claps the Drykas on the back, returning his own embrace quickly. They seem to be standing at the same height.

"You have been-- " Aarias doesn't even let himself finish before offering his own hand to Eldon for a sturdy shake. Perhaps through the white of his torso, Eldon can make out the thick windmarks. "I'm Aarias Stormshadow, training Warrior of the Diamond Clan." The toned body now coming into focus - it's hard to tell from afar.

As soon as the question comes from Eldon's lips, Aarias' eyes fill with sorrow. Images of the haunting sights of the Pox fill his mind. It seems there is no escaping the present no matter how many times he may try. Those blue eyes move to the other members of the small band.

"I hope Endrykas has not change too much for your taste since you've been away." His eyes study the fellow Drykas for a moment, continuing with a quick question. "None-the-less, I hope your time away went well. I have always wanted to see other landscapes but I know my duty belongs here with our clan." My uncle would never forgive me if I left home! He adds internally, letting out a soft chuckle.

"And who are your friends?" He asks politely, "You sure seem happy to be back, it's a shame you couldn't have come back after the Pox has been cured from our people. It's been ... a tough winter and it's far from over."

He released Eldon's hand and placed them behind his back, his feet neatly parted. Even though his torso is heaving, the breath from his mouth seems smooth. He is learning to control his rate well. The crystals of vapor spill from his mouth, spinning and dancing in the afternoon air.

[Eldon Sunkiss]

Eldon accepted the manly handshake with Aarias. Eldon was ecstatic, giddy just to be home it was almost like a little girl receiving a puppy for her nameday gift. "Endrykas is always changing, and I welcome it as long as my people are strong and lively." And it would of course be fate that he would say such a thing, only before Aarias explains that pox has been spreading through the ranks of the Drykas. Eldon's grip went limp as he suddenly felt how cold winter really was just then. All that joy and excitement he felt for being home, was replaced by distress and worry. His people were suffering while he was away looking for people to help. If only he had known... oh the irony. Eldon felt a throbbing in his head, the telltale signs that a migraine was about to form. He lifted his palm and rested it against his brow. He knew, vaguely, what was happening. He had overgiven, too many times, and he was losing control of his Djed. Eldon casually chipped away a small sliver of stone from his forehead, obviously earth created by Reimancy. Even though it was minor, it was still an obvious sign for Eldon that he was losing control. "All this time I've been gone, and the clans have been suffering. I truly am foolish then to have left. Please, take me home. I must do whatever I can to squelch this illness." Eldon of course knew the way, but he wanted Stormshadow to show him to the sick, the needy, the weakened. He didn't know how to help them, but he knew he could make water, and even in these frostcovered plains, it was unlikely they had enough water, or at least could use more. "Do you know the names, Sama'el, Edalene, Vanator, Vanator's wife Kashik, or Denen? I have much to say to them."

[Aarias]

Aarias' smile wanes as he confesses the news of their people to the giddy man, seeing all the cheer fade from his eyes and his features. Upon feeling the limp hand in his grip, he lets go, his hands positioning themselves on Eldon's shoulders to support him.

"I am truly sorry to burden you with such news. I see that I have disrupted your cheer." The words are genuine, Aarias did feel awful for his words but he knows that they must be said.

"There is no way you could have known about the Pox sickness. For the sake of joy, don't hammer it upon your shoulders that you should have never left. No one saw this coming. I shall take you home but know that you do not bare this burden alone. Many have, shall, and will suffer."

Aarias scowls as the words come from his throat, feeling his own small wave of nausea overcome him. No one should suffer like this but we are not the gods.

"I have been helping the infected all that I can as well as the rest of the clans. It seems the only answer to this epidemic is to make the passage from this world to the next one as smooth as possible."

The warrior keeps his hand on Eldon's shoulder as he guides him to Endrykas, waiting until there is a sign given that he can make it on his own. His face turns to the city creeping closer to them, the sounds echoing over the hills.

"As far as the list of names you gave me," Aarias pushes his hair from his face, I regrettably inform you that I have no met a single person to whom you asked for. Not sure if I can be much help to you but I am sure, in return, you can help the people. I spend my days training to become a member of The Watch under the careful eye of Master Weykan Nightstone."

The man chuckles to himself, thinking of his current master. "He'll push you until you break no matter if you're putting in 100% already, he will want 120%." With a quick shake of his head, he adds, "I will be happy to help you look for your friends if you need it. I know this must be a shock for you to be back home. Welcome home again!"