Location [Syliras Entrance] The Main Gates

[Devmond Incarnata]

Timstamp: AV 511, Summer

There were many rumors as to why Vileras' bloated body was found afloat in that small cove. It had taken months of searching, long after the Incarnata family had smothered that last flicker of hope. The search group, comprised of a few extended family members and Devmond himself, had taken a needed break at the Suvan Sea, only a few miles from Alvadas where one of the younger cousins had taken a trip to collect seashells. The girl had come running back screaming and empty handed. When they examined the body, it was quickly apparent that all manner of sea-creatures had taken pickings, and not much else could be recognized. Then one of the uncles saw the heirloom, the engraved lock given to all the eldest children, that still hung on the torn out throat They decided to burn the body there at the shore; there was no reason to grieve the woman at home with that awful sight.

Around that morbid campfire, the Symenestra family discussed what could have happened to that unfortunate lad. Devmond, however, watched his brother's body grade down to ashes with his mouth shut tight against the fantastic theories quietly breathed in and out by the salty air. One uncle mentioned the last message received in Kalinor. Vileras had mentioned, in passing, a pretty daughter of a Syliras Knight. He had mused that she was healthy and outgoing, making a good candidate for his harvest. This evidence gave way to a circle of reasoned gossip that told a tale of a hero being slain in martyrdom against a vicious knight whose only motive was trying to hinder his child's romance.

Devmond, now older but just as silent, gave a small smirk as he adjusted his eldest brother's heirloom under his cloak. They could talk and talk, but there was probably no god in heaven that cared to watch Vileras pass to another life. It was best to leave those fears buried like the heathens did their dead. Even so, Devmond straightened his back and tilted his head up a little more as he approached the front gates. The Syliras Knights may not have been responsible for his brother's death, but that did not mean he could relax after the many nights that sunken face appeared in his dreams. He prodded his horse up a quicker trot and until he could see the eyes of the two guards under their thick helmets.

He nodded curtly to one of them with a simple greeting and dismounted, glancing up at the ramparts with the archers peering back down. His packs were searched and his horse's teeth were examined. It did not escape his notice that the examination seemed to be repeated a few more times than necessary for an ordinary traveler. They must have asked what was his business was at least five times. The answer given without hesitation every time, "Want to work as a writings teacher at the Welcome Home." This was a lie, he was here merely for pleasure and relaxation, but to hell with being honest. Symenestra had a certain reputation that made traveling difficult. You had to be creative to stay out of trouble. Finally, one of the guards gave a tap to the doors and they were opened to him.

[Auron]

74th Day of Summer, AV 511

There were still two more bells until noon when Auron first caught sight of the city. It was hard for him to believe the things that men had shaped stone into. Much of what he had heard men had accomplished, he knew must be over-exaggerated. The complexity of it all … It would be much too confining, he thought. Kaedyrn, the Gildling that Auron rode, would not take kindly to being penned up inside.

The rider spurred his horse as his excitement grew so that he trotted past merchants trundling along in their slow wagons, peering into each as he passed by to catch a glimpse of the wonderments they might be trading in. As he neared the gates and the press of civilians seeking entry into the city, Kaedyrn was forced to slow. Auron sagged in his saddle, the eagerness he had felt to enter the city lost in the irony of the wait before him, and resigned himself to people watching. He propped himself up as he grew no more than a few wagon-lengths from the gate, and leaned back to take in as much of the work as he could. He was so lost in his wonderment that he almost missed the Knight calling for his attention. Auron immediately dismounted from Kaedyrn and led him to where the Knight was pushing through the crowd towards him.

“You there! Come, state your business.”

“So this is Syliras?”

“What if it is?” The knight crossed his arms, and glanced at Auron’s mount. “In any case, not the best place for a horse.”

Kaedyrn snorted, as if to say that he was up to the challenge.

Auron had had conflicted reports about the Knights of Syliras. While some of the travelers he had met swore that they were the noble peacekeepers one might expect them to be, others had claimed that they were no more than common thugs who’d let the power they weilded go to their heads. Auron had decided that he would have to see for himself. No matter the Knight’s tone of voice, he was, at the very least, only trying to do his job.

Auron reached up under his horse’s head to stroke its nose. “Kaedyrn is kind enough to take me anywhere I ask him, even if that be the heart of this city. We’ll do fine,” he answered with a smirk. His survey of the walls that towered over him ended, and he laid his eyes on the Knight for the first time. An impressive sight, no doubt in that.

The Knight rolled his eyes. “Aye, this is Syliras. A bastion of civility, or so they tell me. We don’t take kindly to folk trying to upset that, swinging swords around and such. You’ll keep from disturbing the peace.” He pointed to Auron.

“I’ll do my best,” Auron answered slyly. “Kaedyrn, on the other hand … I can hardly be held accountable for all the trouble he’s like to get into.”

The Knight frowned and was obviously frustrated with Auron, eager to end the conversation so that he could get on to the other passers-by.

“What brings you to the city?”

The half-Drykas shrugged. “I’ve heard stories about this ‘shining jewel’ of yours. Thought I’d come and see for myself.”

The knight furrowed his brow; he seemed to be unsatisfied by the answer.
Auron sighed. The Knight obviously hadn’t much of an appreciation for his sense of humor.

“I haven’t seen much more than grass all my life, Ser Knight.”

The Knight seemed to consider it for a moment. “Very well. You may pass. There is a building through the gate where we receive visitors. Stop there if you need any ideas.”

“Much obliged, Ser.” Auron nodded his head at the Knight and led Kaedyrn under the portcullis, fearing that at any moment the points of it might come crashing down upon him. He was glad to be through the thing, and even though it was the crowded streets of Syliras that he emerged into, he found a measure of peace in knowing that Syna shone her light here just as bright as on the Sea of Grass.

[Aizeth Lieth]

Early Fall, AV 511

It had been a long journey, for one boy. A tale which, did not have a 'happly-ever-after' for him. No, he was damned, he was sinful, and all the boy looked to was too redeem himself. He rode on a old, but trusty Colorsplash Mount, the boy quite a shifty figure. Upon inspection, one would assume he's roughly ten...thirthteen, somewhere around that age. He's young, still holding a fairly innocence, dare say 'cute' voice. But, with the events and his backstory, innocence was something that had long gone left him. The trail to the gates were mainly deserted, most traders long gone or haven't arrived yet.

Approaching them at threatening speeds, he slowed down the mount, the hood on his cloak still raised over his head. The boy was shifty-looking, his hair was thick and not well washed. Mostly noteable, one would still be able to spot the distinct color of white on the left side of his face. Upon a more closer examination, one would find his entire left face was wrapped in White Cloth. Finally coming to a halt, the child had found himself flanked by Syliran Knights.

"State Your Business in Syliras, Boy." a rough, heavy voice spoke out to him, the boy smirking slightly. Speaking, the boy, known as 'Aizeth', told them in a slightly cryptic answer. "Redemption...and to start anew." Aizeth explained to them, his voice not yet hit puberty honestly. The guards, doubting he would have any lethal weapons, thought for a moment. Seeing him as not much of a hostile threat, they scrambled together, the gate slowly opening. The cracking of wood and chain, and eventually, it lowered gently towards Aizeth.

"Enter, if you wish." the voice spoke out again, Aizeth wanting to be concleaded mostly. He was still quite scared if the Knights were aware of his former band of bandits, and had no intentions of being thrown in a dungeon. Not to mention, the Syliran Knights, while peacefully and such, weren't exactly the best when it came to punishments. If he was caught, hell...Aizeth might of had been put on Death Row. The Archers above the Smoothstone Walls lowered their weapons, as the child slowly entered the City.

Hitching his horse on a Hitching Post nearby, the child set out into the more deeper parts of the city, satisfied he finally...can begin again, and wash the sins off his tainted body.

[Alcore Silver]

Day 2 of Fall 511 AV --- It was the first time Alcore had seen the gates since his parents death. He looked up at them with both exsitment and sadness. It reminded him of what his parents ment to him. They where his care takers and his teachers. It made him angrey that he couldn't protect them the way they did he. He drew his fathers blade and looked down into it, he saw him self. So this is it he thought. His train of thought was interupted by a guird who was standing over him looking down. "Thats a good looking sword boy, whats a boy like you doing with a sword like that?" the guird reached for the sword. Big mistake, Alcore steped back and pointed the tip of his blade at the guird's neck. "If you try to touch my sword again I will kill you." the guird looked into Alcore's eyes and could tell he was't kidding. Without a word the guird stept aside and opened the gates. As Alcore walked trew a smile graced his face. He knew he could have never killed that guird.

[hunterxll]

Timestamp: 1st Day of Fall, 509 AV

Hunter gazed at his feet as he walked over a hill and in to the sight of the city gate, a sigh of relief came over him as the sound of other people filled the air smells he had never thought of were present and drawing him and his rumbling stomach closer to the gate. A feeling of being watched was firmly in his mind but hunger overcame quickly as he pressed on.

In front of the gate stood stalls trying to sell good and people shouting back and for Hunter felt cold eyes from everywhere probably staring at his tattered cloths none the less, staring up at the walls it was if they never ended touching the sky from where he was standing. Lost in thought Hunter continued to stare into space while not watching where he was going as he tripped over his own feet falling to his knees and catching himself with his hands.

[Khaled]

Timestamp: 1st day of Fall, 511 AV. The guard was getting a might bit peevish with the lad trying to hide, whatever it was he did not want to be caught with, underneath his shirt when the whinny reached his ear. He glanced to the side, and what met his eyes he was not prepared for. A stranger, likely Benshira was sitting atop a beautiful horse. What made the stranger so, well strange, was not the fact that his hair was unruly or that he looked like he had not the faintest clue as to what the act of shaving was. No, what made him strange was the way in which he was smiling, like a child who had just been given a toy he had pleaded with his parents to get him for years. It seemed as if he was studying the walls intensely, as to find some intricate pattern or inner beauty to the massive thing. The guard coughed twice, ”so what be your business here?” as if broken out of a trance, the stranger turned towards him and the smile plastered to his face changed ever so slightly as he studied the guard with mild speculation, then he said in painfully articulated common ”hello.” the guard sighed, it was going to be one of those days ”what is your business?” repeated he, taking the slow and elaborate means of speaking, as one does with the terminally daft. ”Oh,” said the stranger ”I am here to see. I have silk to sell.” the stranger pointed towards a bundle at the behind of the horse. The guard sighed, see what? Well, at least he was a merchant, after a loose inspection, ascertaining that it was indeed silk that the stranger was carrying, the guard waved him through ”the marketplace is that way.” said he before turning back to the tedium, slightly more annoyed than before. ”Such a nice man” said Khaled to his steed, which neighed in response, ”I wonder what we will find in here.” and with that he spurred his horse towards towards the marketplace.

[Komax]

Fall 1, 511 AV.

Komax looked all about himself. It was incredible, the way the city looked from a distance, though when he got closer it somehow didn't seem as incredible. Still, this was his new home and he had to get used to it, now that the Winter's Bite was gone. He didn't know if there were any other survivors but if there were this would have been the best place for them to come to.

The guards stopped him at the gate and he answered their question before they even had the chance to ask it. "I seek shelter," he said raggedly, looking straight into one of the guard's eyes. "My ship has been wrecked near the coast about a day's walk from here." He cast a glance to either side. "As far as I know, I'm the only survivor."

The guard nodded and motioned for Komax to walk through the gate, seeming a little wary of the sword slung over the man's back. It wasn't as if he'd be any match for the guards. After all, he had little training in the sword and no armor to speak of. He'd only saved it from the ship, risking a few extra seconds, so that he wouldn't be killed wandering through the wilderness. However, he looked quite a bit more dangerous than he really was.

Shrugging, Komax made his way towards his new home.

[Harper]

Fall 10, 511 AV Harper had heard a lot of the city of Syliras before, but she had never gotten the chance to visit before. But now she was here now, and she was anxious to get inside the city. It was funny, it being called a city; it was more like a fortress, more like a castle than a city. Nonetheless, it was one of the largest cities in all of Mizahar, and it was home to the ever famous Syliran Knights. They had always sounded like an interesting group, and Harper wanted to see them first-hand. Harper approached the entrance to the city, and was halted by one of the two Knights on guard. "Excuse me, ma'am," the Guard said to Harper. "Please state your business." The Guard looked at Harper with a stern look, as did the other Knight on the opposite side. Harper gathered herself, and re-positioned the pack on her back. "I am here to live," she replied loudly enough for them to hear. "I've been traveling for a long time now--several years--and I am tired, and I wish to settle down for a while. I am not sure how long I will be here," she finished, switching glances between both guards. They looked at her for a long while, and finally they said, "Fine, fine, you may pass. I suggest you go to an Inn for the night, say The Golden Dragon. Now, move along." And with that, Harper bowed her head in thanks to the two Knights, and made her way though the iron gate into the city of Syliras.

[Bryan]

Day 15, Fall of 511 AV The roads were quite long and harsh, had it not been for the caravans to make the travel easier Bryan and Triston would not have arrived here at all. After a week's worth of being lost they ran into a caravan that helped put them on track, now they finally arrived at the front gates to find guards inspecting everyone who enters. Both boys were quite dirty, but shown no signs of illness. "Halt. State your business in Syliras." Though Bryan wanted to just continue walking, he stopped knowing that it'd only bring trouble for him. Triston looked rather nervous, but it was only a shy expression that showed he was still a kid. "We've come to find rest and shelter, preferably for the next few weeks." The guards looked at both boys for a short while then nodded, "Fine then. You may pass." Both guards had moved aside as the boy's continued onward into the city, hoping to find a place to rest for the next few weeks. As they entered, Triston looked gave Bryan a curious look. "Brother, where are going after we rest up here? You've been awfully quiet lately." Bryan didn't want to answer, though it'd be better if he did. "I know you're wanting to return to Sunberth and see Canali, but right now I don't even know if she's there. Right now we need to focus on somewhere we can go, because we don't even have a home." Disappointment came within Triston's face, "We could stay and live with her though." They stopped, and Bryan looked down at Triston with a scowl look. "We don't need to rely on her, and she's probably living in to much of a harsh condition right now." They continued their walking, Triston remained silent. "Sorry if I hurt your feelings Triston, but I'm just trying to figure out where to go." That and how to find Shad... They both continued onward inside the city.

[Tabitha Fisher]

Timestamp: Fall 1, 511 AV

Tabitha stared up in awe at the castle gates. She didn’t know whether she should feel excited at the prospects of a new home, or intimidated with the way the two knights stationed at the doors kept glaring at her. All she knew was that the cheap, leather straps of her sandals were cutting into her feet, and the sweat and dirt caked between her toes were making her shoes mighty uncomfortable to stand in. Tabitha briefly considered taking off her footwear completely, but decided against it. These two men in uniform didn’t look like they’d appreciate such shenanigans as going barefoot, blisters or not.

Adjusting her backpack, Tabitha stepped forward and shot the perplexed guards an airy smile before entering the bustling castle within.