Location [Syliras Entrance] The Main Gates

[Robynson]

18th day of Summer, 511 AV

It was a full three day walk from his father’s homestead, but finally Robynson had reached the main gates of the city and it was nearly dark. Robynson has traveled to the castle fortress many times to sell the harvest, but he had never actually entered the large stone city. As Robyn made his way up the path and got in line to enter the city. The farmer boy started to become nervous. It was the first time in his life he was going to enter Sylrias. He had never had a close encounter with Syliran Knight. What would they say? Robynson asked himself as he got closer and closer to the front of the line.

Finally, Robyn found himself face to face with a Syliran Knight. Copying the others before him, Robyn came forward with his pack opened ready for inspection. “Ser,” the young man said and presented his bag for inspection. The knight merely peered inside and saw nothing of suspicion. The knight then eyed Robyn’s long sword then asked Robyn his name and what his business was. The young man answered immediately, “Ser, Robynson from Southfarm. I am a traveller seeking night lodgings, Ser.” The knight nodded and pointed the boy towards traveler’s row.

[Sabrinaa]

21st day of Summer, 511 AV

Sabrina galloped on her Windrunner towards the two large spires, quickly approaching her line of sight. Her hair was whipping wildly around as she cupped her hand above her eyes to shield them from the setting sun, and also to get a better view of the castle. She wasn't very far away from it; only about one more minute of fast riding and she'd be at the gates. She had been to Syliras once before, but it was when she was much younger with her parents. She grimaced slightly at the thought of her past, but quickly shook it off, grasping the reins of her horse tightly. "Yah!" she said to it with a hard kick to the underbelly.

She quickly arrived at the gates, but was met with a couple of other people standing in line. She slowly rolled her eyes and scoffed as she hopped off her her horse and landed on the brick with a soft clunk. She took one of her hands and held on the the reins, careful to not let the horse get away.

After only a couple minutes in line, she finally was met by one of the knights. Wow, did that take long enough? she thought as she sighed heavily. She wasn't known for being one of the most patient people. The knight looked at her horse, and then to her. "State your business here." he said in a sturdy tone. Sabrina raised one of her eyebrows as if to say that was one of the stupidest questions ever asked. She crossed her arms, still one hand ahold of the reins. "I'm tired. I've been traveling all day. Is it a crime to want to sleep in a bed?" she replied in a snotty tone. The knight stood up taller, looking like he wanted to declare dominance over her. "Name?" he asked. She rolled her eyes again, her patience dwindling. "Sabrina Burns. Can I go in now?"

The knight felt a wave of suspiciousness wash over him. "I need to inspect you belongings, miss." he said, in the same sturdy tone. She quickly grabbed the backpack off her back and shoved it into his face until he nodded at her, then swiftly led him to her horse's pack. "Alright miss, you may go in. Please keep the peace." he said, then breathed a barely audible sigh. She scowled at him as she walked into the city, guiding her horse with her. Dumb people these days... she thought, shaking her head.

[Rhuryc]

45th Summer, 511 AV Clack, clatter. Rhuryc glanced aside. Two horses trotted past, their armored riders giving the man and his hooded companion no more than passing interest. Their armor glistened in the morning light, sharp, loud flashes of reflected sun announcing their presence from miles away. Armed as well. Knights. Hrmph. Rhuryc offered the woman at his side a smile before he resumed his pace toward the city. Thick, leather boots slouched along over the sporadic tracks of the common Syliras traffic. Even from this distance he could make out the rampant activity from within the city walls. Pedestrians made their way in and out of the city while farmers drove their half-hitched wagons between them. The guards did what they could to keep it orderly. A few soles were held up in a line at the front gates, their persons inspected and given a thorough look-over before they were allowed inside. That was what he knew. The rigid, unforgiving law of civilization. A small part of the man regretted his return. There no exception for the two of them. The guardsmen motioned for a halt and Rhuryc had little but obedience on the mind. He parted his cloak and offered his weapons for view. His pack came next. They exchanged a few words and he provided the men with a welcoming appeal, smiling and quipping with a few jokes where it was appropriate. Perhaps they even recognized him, though it seemed highly unlikely. In all the process was quick, easy, and without fault. There was nothing to find, after all. When the two finished with Atzi Rhuryc slid his arm around the Kevlic's waist and stepped forward. The city was as he left it. Busy, safe, civilized. From the loud, boisterous traffic to the subtle musical flow of the architecture, there was a small measure of peace that fell over the man's countenance. This was home after all.

[Runas]

Mid-Afternoon, Summer 1st, 511 AV

The Eypharian gripped the reigns on her pony tightly as she jostled her way through the crowd at the front gates of Syliras, her deep green eyes scanning the faces of the Knights keeping guard over their fair city. She was dressed in a light shift, bound across her waist with an unadorned belt, and sandals adorned her feet, decorated with small moon stones that contrasted the dark leather.

Deep indigo paint marked the curve of her slender neck where it met her shoulder and red paint was streaked through her long midnight hair. Green paint streaked from her cheeks down to the curve of her jaw, accenting her moss coloured eyes. She had purposely decorated herself to make an impression on the Knights, hoping to use her appearance to smuggle her weapons into the city without suspicion.

As the Eypharian and her pony stepped up to the nearest Knight, she allowed his eyes to run over her body before she turned her gaze to his. As soon as their gazes locked the Eypharian began to leak Djed into her eyes and voice. She would hope to find him easy quarry.

"Hello, sir." The Eypharian purred in her honeyed tones, lacing her words with a faint trace of Djed. She knew she had him enraptured as his eyes became glazed. Really, humans were some of the simpler races on Mizahar. A few sweet tones, a cloying scent, a hint of seduction, and a dose of Hypnotism and they pretty much fell over themselves to do whatever they could to please you. "I've traveled for so long and I was wondering if I could spend the season in Syliras. I promise to be nice." Now here she laced more seduction into her voice, withdrawing some of her Djed.

"Well... Um..." The Knight blinked dumbly, like a bovine beast, and the Eypharian had to hold back a grimace. She'd used too much Hypnotism, of course. "Yes. Yes, you can enter Syliras... Uh, what is your name and business?"

So stupid, these humans, thought the Eypharian. She didn't voice or show this opinion in any way, though, just smiled as charmingly as she could and winked suggestively.

"I'm Tawna, and my business here is for pleasure."

She found laughter rising in her as the Knight fumbled to speak. His loyalty to Syliras was the only thing giving her trouble at this point, but that was no matter. He nodded her in with a dumb look in his eyes and the Eypharian continued on her way, her sweet smile fading as soon as she was out of his presence. She'd gotten into Syliras with no problem. Now was the time to enjoy herself.

[Lutaaria]

Year 511 AV, 40th of Summer When she and the other Charoda had slipped out of the Suvan sea, it was almost as if they were alien. Webbed hands writhed onto the rocks and they hauled their flexible bodies onto the shore. Standing up, Lutaaria observed this strange world and gurgled happily. “I was unprepared for such astounding oddity!” She announced loudly. “Gods, the voice doesn’t carry here at all, it appears.” The other Charodae nodded in agreement and looked around the landscape. Happy that they were definitely on land, they picked up their maps and located precisely where they were. “Up ahead! Follow that path… and we find Syliras, yes?” One of the Charoda asked, and was met with approval. They walked for about twenty minutes until the great castle was visible. The Charoda met this with admiration and they hurried in order to get a closer look. The gates were just up ahead, and Lutaaria was the quickest of them all. The gates were heavily guarded with armed knights. She had expected protection, yes, but this caught her off guard. Were the swords necessary, really? And all that armour… it was almost as if they were seeking a fight. “Greetings!” Lutaaria yelled, holding up her hand as a sign of friendship. “We are the Charodae of Charbosi, it has been arranged I take up residence in your city and study your species and way of living! I hope to learn from you and teach of my people and our culture!” She waved her hand about madly, worried the message wasn’t getting across. The guards were eyeing her with a strange expression. “Miss, your name?” One of the guards asked. His voice was gruff but he seemed friendly. “Do you have any weapons in your possession and if so what is your purpose with them?” The other guards seemed to be laughing for some reason. “My name is Lutaaria Vespilmherr, and I have never obtained a weapon, and I do not intend to! We are peaceful pacifists and shall do no harm in your city! I am here for research and study purposes only.” The guard seemed to believe her, and she passed into the city, waving goodbye to the other Charodae.

[Tessa Poe]

Midmorning of the 25th of Summer 511AV

See how easy it is when you stick to the road for a change? Tessa shook her head ruefully at that thought as she made her way towards the great gates of the fortress city, trying to decide if she really had to go in there. It always felt so very... cramped and enclosed, so very permanent and still. Something that was probably comforting for the people who lived there, but not for her. The thought of not seeing the sky for that long made her skin crawl if she was entirely honest. Still it couldn't be helped, she needed to pick up a few things for the road and it wasn't like there was anywhere else she could go.

She wandered up and took her place in line, humming quietly to herself as she glanced at the others waiting in line. Maybe she could stretch to a night at one of the inns? It'd be nice to sleep in a bed, and get a bath. A few minutes passed and she reached the head of the queue, giving the knight a smile and a nod as she pulled her coat back to show him the sword and buckler hanging from her belt. She was reasonably sure she recognised him from one of her previous visits to the city come to think of it.
"Business in Sylrias?" He asked as she reached into a couple of her pockets to show the pair of daggers she kept there for emergencies.
"Just passing through, need to get some provisions and maybe a night at one of the inns if that's alright?"
He simply nodded in reply and waved her through with an instruction to keep the peace to which Tessa just smiled brightly and wandered in towards the inner courtyard. At least there'd still be a little bit of sun before she passed into the fortress proper.

[Meardre]

27th of Summer, 511 AV

Slowly, Meardre fluttered up to the gates, looking up at the massive structure before her. She, despite all odds, had made it to Syliras. Despite giving up and waiting to die in the Sea of Grass, she had made it, but she had made it alone, and that was a pain that she bore both in her chest and upon it. It wasn't long until Meardre was at the entrance into the great fortress-city Cabec had spoken of so fondly, flanked on both sides by guards in armor she had only seen once before, on one of the patrols along the Kabrin. Quickly, in a voice that displayed a little too much familiarity with the questions, one of the knights spoke to her.

"State your business within Syliras," Meardre slowly glided to the ground next to him, stretching her tired wings. She continued to stare ahead of her, trying to come up with a valid answer. She had never really thought about why it was that she was coming to Syliras. She supposed it was because she was simply going to where she had been before Cabec and her children had been taken from her. Maybe it was because she didn't know her way home from the Sea of Grass, or from here. Her gut told her neither of these answers would hold up very well with the guards at the gates. Instead, she gave an answer that was only a half truth.

"I'm here to find a place to stay," she said, finally turning her head to the guard in order to give him a weak, forced smile. "and to find a purpose again," it was with that statement that he noticed the lacun mark on her chest-- something he had seen all too often working in the knights. An apologetic smile met her, along with a set of instructions. "You can find lodging at the White Swan Inn or The Golden Dragon. Or, if you're looking for a more permanent setting, you can find housing by speaking to the Housing Authority. As for purpose, you can visit either the Employment Office or the Recruiting Center, though you don't seem the combatant to me, so the former seems more suiting than the latter, no offense meant. Tyveth watch over your path, milady," Meardre simply nodded and thanked the man before quickly flapping her wings, bringing herself up into the air once more, and flying through the open gates.

[Rezin Luce]

28th of Summer, 511 AV, mid afternoon.

Rezin slowly stepped off her windrunner, Rosen, and brushed off her dusty clothing. Then she looked up to the massive gates, and shivered, feeling as if the cold and steely walls would close in on her. But she held her small head high, since, after all, she had made it here all by herself. She deserved to go inside those gates, after the hell she had went through. She grabbed Rosen's reign and start to walk her towards the gate. When she finally came upon it, she smiled at the guards who stood with straight backs, and whistled through her teeth.

Alarmed, one guard raised his swords to fight while the other moved to grab her, but she shook her head. Their eyes widened as they saw a huge, fierce looking wolf come barreling towards them. Rezin laughed at their faces as the wolf pounced on her, giving her kisses on her face, ears, and neck. She pushed the wolf off her and stood up.

"Sorry," she murmured in a quiet voice. "Can't leave Kinto out here all alone." She tucked a strand of her red hair behind her ear and bent down to give the wolf a small scratch on the head. The guards recomposed themselves, and the bigger one of the two stepped forward, towering over her small frame.

"State your business here." Rezin smiled, and thought for a moment, then laughed.

"I'm here to be born anew." She laughed again and stared up into the blue sky, letting the sun bathe her face. Backing away, the guard nodded to her, and waved a hand at the entrance.

"Go on ahead," he stated in a gruff voice. She nodded a thanks, and tugged her horse inside, the white wolf following behind her.

[Elnin Eguara]

Evening, Seventieth of Summer, 511 AV

Elnin was hiding behind the bushes, practising his projection by pushing against everything, remembering the days that he could only lift a small rock.

He had been here all day. Horses had galloped passed him, creatures of all shapes and sizes had walked, slithered, or flew towards the gates that were so distant from where Elnin was standing, watching, secretly learning and trying.

With his father's warnings always present in his ears, he stood up, stretching his cramped muscles, and prepared to come out of his hiding place, more to prevent himself from giving into the temptation than anything else.

Waiting until there was no one else passing his hiding spot, he carefully stepped out from behind the bushes by the side of the road, and moved towards the city.

The queue consisted only of a Kelvic, and it didn't take him long to move in.

The guards on duty had changed, so he wasn't recognized as Elnin, who had gone out in the early morning.

“Your business here?” One of the guards asked, brief and to the point.

“I'm returning home,” Elnin said, giving the guard a grin. The guard looked at him with not so much as a hint of a smile, figured he was not even carrying any weapons, and shaking his head, motioned to the gates with his chin.

Elnin went through the gates and to his own, new room.

[Lamexus Kasnumn]

10th day of summer, 509 AV

Lamexus walked slowly up to the main gates of Syliras, lost in his own thoughts. He barely even noticed as one of the guards pulled him aside to search him. He snapped back to reality though when one of the guards spoke to him. "A kelvic, eh? we dont get a lot of your kind around here. what business do you have in Syliras?" Lamexus answered: "I'm not obligated to answer that." The guard looked about ready to run him through with his sword, and answered "you don't gotta get snappy with me, boy, I'm just doing my job. You're fine, move along." Lamexus entered the city, and once again became lost in thought. "Here is where i make a name for myself.", he whispered to no one but himself.