A Wizard Is Never Late [Gossamer]

[Alric Lysane]

It had been both a long and short journey, he would say once he had had time to reflect and heal. Short in the sense that a mere ten days had passed since Sunberth had been left behind, its billowing Slag Heap, symbol of misery endured, faded into the distant horizon. There to be replaced with rain, wind, cloud and then beautiful infinity – a skyline that was slightly curved and had no end, only the distant promise of explorations rewarded. Yet, it had been a misery of a journey in some ways. As they soared through the last miles his legs burned despite the padded trousers he had bought them, his arse was sore and he felt sure that at least three layers of skin had been scoured away, only to have those underneath them tanned a slight golden shade, after the sore redness of burning passed.

Despite this dichotomy he found himself somewhat excited as the voice of the Wind Eagle’s rider rippled back to them over the wind, pointing and shouting that the end was now in sight. Such elation was tempered by the knowledge that this was not likely to be the delightful beginning that perhaps he would have wished. Curses abound and if any were as Shiress had been then things were worse than he had thought they were. They were like as not walking into a viper pit, just not knowing what the viper was, or where it was. He was fascinated as they drew closer, though, the island in the bay coming into view with a few larger structures dotted off to the sides, a few of them even larger but soon lost to the jungle as their view went from bird’s eye to a closer range of vision.

Lys looked up and back at him, hunkering into his chest further and squeezing his arms – she had voiced her concerns so often along the journey that he knew them by heart. She hadn’t even been harpyish about them either, just quiet and worried, she didn’t want him to get hurt and though she still held the dream of the letter she had already told him that it was worthless if he stupidly got himself killed by whatever curse monster was at play, like the mistress they had been informed of. He couldn’t fault her for having the same fears as he did, and truthfully it warmed his heart that she cared even as the situation doused it with icy water. Swooping in low they circled as each Wind Eagle landed at a time, until eventually they were all arrived amongst the sands and sea surf.

Jumping down proved to send a jolt of pain through him as he leaned against the saddle with a groan, blinking away a few stars before forcing himself to straighten and helped Lys down too, who had similar complaints. They both half-walked and half-waddled to offer hands to Shiress, whom had done two trips now, and eased her down even more gently. He offered her his arm as he had many times before but she had begun to smile but firmly refuse, finding her own strength as he nodded, secretly quite proud for the woman, who having suffered so much still tried to make her own way, upon her own strength. Still, he was true to his promise and the first location they began to seek out – despite his desire to find Tazrae rising strongly – was the home of Mathias, the only place that was a known sanctuary.

This place feels…full. There is a temple here…others… Jade pulsed in their heads and they both turned to look at him curiously.

Others?

Other Gasvik…a priest of Xhyvas…this Mathias. You flew well, for a human. Perhaps you will be worthy of your ancestors once day after all. So long as you remember who you are, and that the best of your kind didn’t rule…they served. Come, the black haired one needs rest, the flame of her life flickers Jade imparted his knowledge with his usual half-cryptic mannerisms and set off, unfurling his wings and flying off to their right, towards a structure upon what looked like a bend in the beachfront.

People had already surrounded them, appearing from all over to greet them and grabbing whatever small pieces or cargo they had brought back with them so as to make the journey not just one of transporting people, for that would be too obvious an entrance. That had been thought of in advance and Alric had approved, it was something he would have thought of, a mask for something true beneath.

He had no idea where anything was though, which meant that some minimal interaction was required. He asked for directions to Mathias' Place, as well as the Protea Inn for his own selfish reasons, and was told of a few other places nearby within the Commons that he filed away for later, but was not concerned with for the moment. No, he kept things simple, not sure what to expect and knowing that already at least one murder had been committed - it made sense to limit interactions, at least for now, to those who he could be sure were not about to find a quiet place to slit another throat. His attention was drawn back to Jade as the Gasvik interjected his own counsel.

It wouldn’t last, as he and Lys were new, but from what he had been told custom was to meet with the Founders anyway, which provided a neat excuse to say their helloes, make promises of proper greetings later in the day, and begin their slow shuffle towards Mathias’ home as quickly as their bruised and aching bodies would allow them. Shiress chose to remain upon the decking, resting upon a bench and they left her there, safe and sound for once they were assured. Walking through the doors had them taking a few paces, slowing and then stopping, eyes darting around to try to take it all in.

“Alric,” Lys whispered and tugged at his arm excitedly, “look at them. So many! That one's so small, aww so cute!” she began, and he tapped her head gently, reminding her that they were sentient things.

“How many are there? Vas has been busy! And I thought he’d only just returned too. Wait…didn’t Jade say something about them watching over his bloodlines? Maybe they watch over Priests too, no?" he mused aloud.

Jade? he thought out and got no response from the Gasvik he sought but the others all seemed to turn and regard him more closely before the smaller ones ran, flew and jumped all over him, around him and Lys as if they were the first new people to notice them in a long time. Their voices assailed them almost in unison, making it almost impossible to hear what they were actually saying. He tried to make mollifying gestures, but they ignored him.

“Quiet now…come on please…I don’t…” he didn’t get the rest out as a few smaller ones landed upon his shoulders and their pulses of thought grew even louder then before and he sighed, trying to ignore the noise and catching his eyes about for the master of the house. Lys was having a similar experience, though she was predictably loving every second of it in the way only youths were capable of, "Lys, why don't you take your playing outside, go to the next building over and see if Tazrae is there, grab yourself some proper food and let her know we are here, and keep your eyes open. Remember why we are here, you can play with Gasvik if we solve things as much as you like. Go on, take this" he pulled a dagger out of his belt and flipped it, offering it to Lys in its sheath, to attach to her own belt.

“Mathias? Are you in?” he asked, stepping into the home deeper once Lys had run off upon her mission.

The building had an open plan sort of playout he noted, a large hearth and some sort of combination kitchen with a large expanse of floor as if many people gathered there often. He wasn;t sure if that was for the Gasvik or for humans, but either way it had been a good choice. He didn't head towards the upper story, despite his curiosity, though he did find a bookcase in his wandering and his fingers trailed the spines gently, continuing in his wandering towards a set of doors towards the back of the room, pushing it open cautiously and stepping out ontp a series of decking that overlooked the waters. Off to his left slightly he watched Lys run acriss the sands towards the next building with a small smile, even with everything else he was happy she had somewhere that wasn't Sunberth she could spend some of her childhood in.

[Gossamer]

The Wind Eagles only had one choice to land in Syka. The denizens had purposely not denuded a whole lot of the area since most of the trees provided the things they needed in their day-to-day life. Fruit trees thrived in the speckled light under the jungle behemoths and would have otherwise been burnt by the tropical sun. The Commons was a sea of roofs, but when compared to the entirety of the Maw around it, the area was small. There were roofs visible here and there especially dotting the area beneath the palms along the coast.

And the T shaped dock, of course, was visible from the air in its deep turquoise cradle. The Wind Eagles seemed to take their cue from the dock because they spiraled down in formation and touched down one after another ranged along the beach. The riders jumped down and were already pulling harness and cargo from them to free the eagles up to do what they loved doing at Syka… dust baths and splashing in the ocean. It was an odd site, seeing such monstrous creatures flop down and begin dusting their feathers by wallowing in the sand, working the substance deep into their feathers to knock any pests and dirt away. Some of them went straight to the water’s edge to play with the waves, not caring if they got wet because they knew the riders would be hosted there overnight on the beach and fed in thanks for what trade goods they’d brought.

The riders didn’t fuss overly long with their mounts. Their mental connections were strong and the birds knew it was their time to play.

This being their second trip back in twenty days, the eagles weren’t overly tired like they had been when they’d hauled the heavy glass they’d carried from Wind Reach to Syka the first time around. This trip had mainly been passengers and trade goods. James had come out to greet the rider in charge and offer his thanks and hospitality. They’d hold a hunt and get the rider’s fed as soon as possible while maintaining a semblance of normalcy in unloading what light burdens the great raptors had. The truth was they could make the trip between Syka and Wind Reach quickly. The straight shot over the mountains was high and cold, creating tremendous updrafts and easy flying. So, what the settlers would gift the eagles with was something precious to the Inartans this time of year. They would load the birds down with food.

Syka always had fruit, vegetables, herbs, medicines, and meat. The Inartans could make it through the Winter just fine usually, but Spring was a time of starvation often because the winter stores were depleted and their hunting was curtailed while animals mated and reproduced ensuring food for the next seasons to come. While the riders waited, the birds would rest, then hunt heavily of the coast, and then take the burden of what people could harvest quickly and load the eagles down with them to make the return trip.

The Settlement wouldn’t realize it immediately, but the fact the Wind Eagles hit Syka quickly on the way down with heavy wares, then stopped on the way back for food like they hadn’t ever done before would change the way the Eagles traded. The Inartans would discover Syka worth the time to stop multiple times on trade trips, especially on the way back where Wind Reach benefitted from the influx of food. And over time they would realize they could offload heavy goods at Syka, travel light with perishable foods to take everywhere else, and return with more trade goods and then reload with food for the volcanic city itself. Alric’s actions had an inadvertent benefit to both Wind Reach and Syka over the long run.

If things ever returned to normal in Syka, the effort would be easy for the Settlers. But as things were now… the gathering of food and reload would take more than a day because they just didn’t have the manpower to pull it off. People were running low on energy and spirit, and the three founders knew it. Two of the three were experiencing it first hand.

The three arrivals, one of which was newly a native, made it off their mounts and back onto the beach. A shirtless man walked out onto the sand with a small toddler in his arms. The man was barefoot and had an easy smile, though he didn’t say anything to any of them. He simply set the boy down and gestured at Shiress. The little guy spotted his mother's return immediately and took off at a wobbly run with his arms out shrieking “The shrew home! The shrew is home!” The man who’d been carrying the toddler suddenly found himself engulphed in a fit of coughing that almost looked like it was hiding laughter. The toddler careened across the sand and flung himself into Shiress’ wasted form. “Mommy!” The little boy tried to hug Shiress all over even as he threw his arms around her and held on like he’d never let go. The man who’d brought him simply slipped his hands into the pockets of his bone-colored pants and leaned back on his heels, offering Shiress a tentative smile.

Another man walked by him, slapped the bare-chested man on the shoulder, and shook his head. “She’s going to kill you for teaching Ian that nickname.” And the other man still said nothing, simply laughed, and joined the first man who like everyone else began to gather up the trade goods to carry up the beach to The Commons. Everyone gathered to work, it seemed, with no one actually complaining. The unload took only a few minutes before the beach was empty and the riders were gathered in the Commons being offered food, refreshment, and an hunt organized for a little bit of a community meal that night. Shade and the other man set off to join the hunt, making themselves useful and leaving the tradegoods under the Event’s Center Cover to be sorted and cataloged later.

Alric and Lys were given directions to Mathias’ place, which was easy to find being straight up the beach from the dock. They hadn’t needed them, not really, since Jade knew where his kind were and was eager to visit. The Founder’s cabana was sizeable by Syka standards but it was the deck and dock that stood out. The place looked well lived in, with scatterings of chair groupings and fishing tackle. Jade took wing to head that direction immediately and a small flock of Gasvik joined him from the roof of Mathias’ place. Their little flight of greeting was beautiful… ariel art at its finest. There were many of Jade’s kind here, though most were only a quarter of Jade’s size or smaller.

The young Gasvik flocked the newcomers, creating chaos in their enthusiasm. A larger one, deep dark in color, barked something at them and they settled, halting their mauling of the newcomers and returning to their perches along the roof beams and backs of chairs. One pale white one attached itself to Lys and wrapped a tail – which they usually didn’t have – around her neck like a great alabaster choker and snuggled into her hair rubbing its face on her cheek. Lys nodded to Alric’s words and didn’t walk up onto the deck with Alric, but instead went around the cabana with half the Gasvik on her tail… subtly now with an eye on the large dark guardian… as she disappeared north up the beach.

The deck was warm and welcoming, plenty wide and looked like it could host half the settlement in a cocktail party or two. There were a few instruments laid out, and more fishing gear than Alric could count. A few traps were in the water, and a bucket of bait sitting in close proximity as a gull tapped its well-sealed lid with an irritated beak squawking ‘open’… ‘open’ as if it knew the bait was just waiting inside. The neatly printed ‘B A I T’ on the side clued Alric in to why it was a bait bucket. A discarded book lay on a side table along with an empty mud that perhaps had once held tea. Next to the door, a pair of sandy boots rested long with two clam rakes that were sitting beside them waiting to be cleaned.

The cabana, which had no doors, was wide open and he could hear the sound of shell hitting shell as he walked through the doors. “In here…” A deep voice called from the kitchen area. There were at least three buckets of clams sitting at an island counter, with one huge bucket of discards on the floor… and another next to it with clam bits in it. A full cauldron rested on the counter and the older man was deftly shucking clams with one hand tucked in a glove and the other wielding what looked like a deadly knife. “Come… sit down. You’ve had a long flight though so you can stand if you’d rather. There’s wine on the counter and extra glasses above it if you want. Otherwise, there’s cold water from the tap that’s from the roof cistern. Its ice melt so its ice cold… if you don’t want wine.” Mathias said, smiling slightly.

The man was older, perhaps in his early fifties, but he didn’t miss a beat shucking the clams he was cleaning. One cut through a muscle, flipping the shell open, two cuts to free the meat, a cut to remove the stomach and toss into another bait bucket, then the empty shell went into one large discard bucket and the freshly cleaned clams went into the cauldron. “I spent all morning since sunrise raking these up. We knew eagles would be here by midday and those riders can eat. But I don’t blame them. Flying is hard work and most folk don’t realize it.” He added, never missing a beat. He was halfway through one bucket now, and Alric could tell the cauldron was already a quarter full of meat.

“You must be Alric. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Mathias Okavis, and I see the Gasvik’s greeted you.” He added, smiling slightly. The house was Gasvik free, thankfully, for Mathias often found the young one’s almost pest-like. “Xhyvas has us care for them for the first few hundred years of their lives. I’ve collected a large mass of them here, so if you want to take any off with you, you are more than welcome too. I wondered where Jade got off too, but I saw him wing in with the Eagles.” Mathias gestured, and Alric could see his big kitchen ‘windows’ held an extraordinary view of the dock and Swing Beach. “I honestly wasn’t sure Shiress would be able to talk you into coming.” He added, studying Alric, thoughtfully.

“And you brought the girl too… that was a good idea. She wouldn’t have lasted long in Sunberth on her own. Children are hearty, and resourceful, but when women get to be teens her age, they need much more than the younger ones do. It opens them up to be preyed upon. Humans are much like wolves in that way. They need a pack, a family, even if its not the right kind of family.” He said wistfully, eyes on Alric even as he kept shucking clams.

“I am not affected by what’s going on here, but I cannot help them either. If I had one less mark, I could draw both swords and wade in… but this is something far more than just an attack. This is Rhysol and Kihala facing off with other gods getting involved as well. I don’t know who all the players are, not yet, but this is building fast and I feel like the tidal wave will sweep over us and leave the settlement gone as if it had never existed. And everyone here… everyone has worked so hard to make this place last.” He said, closing his eyes briefly and shaking his head.

He studied Alric a moment, and then put aside his clam knife and slipped off the glove. He walked to the sink, gave himself a quick wash-up, and said “I’ll be right back.” Then he slipped out of the room and returned a moment later with a map case and a wrapped weapon. He offered the scroll case to Alric. “Croix left this here for you. He said it belonged to you more than him and that you’d know what to do with it. It’s an Osere Map keyed to the Nymkarta. He said you can’t physically add or subtract to it because it was made with higher magic than most humans can accomplish, but that if you or any of your kind have young, it will add to itself and also mark any deaths of any currently now on the map here on out.” He added, then rested the sheathed broadsword down on the long counter.

“This is a gift from Vas. Croix and Vas can’t directly get involved here… not after Kihala claimed the settlement and Caihya backed her. That’s why they aren’t here right now. A war between the Gods is not what Mizahar needs at the moment. And Rhysol’s games are not at that level yet. But Vas said that this broadsword was what you were seeking, though it’s been asleep a long time. You’ll have to wake it from it’s slumber, and he is confident that you’ll figure out how. Its name is Zhyad. It means Revealer in the Ancient Tongue. Zhyad was your father’s father’s sword. Kalas never found it. It was never meant for him. It was meant for you. It will be important you know its name later, though it's written on its body and Vas said you’d be able to read it soon enough. He also said there was far more to your father’s line than Mortanis and suffering. He said they were incredible people, long gone from Mizahar, but sorely missed.” Mathias added, shaking his head.

“These were things you were meant to have all along, not things you are being given for coming here, Alric. What you do here is your own business. And odds are, if you aren’t careful, you will fall prey to what is affecting everyone else.” He said cautiously, a warning in his tone.

“What’s going on now is a test of Syka and her denizens. In many scenarios in the future, you become one of those denizens. But in some, you never set foot here at all, or your visit is brief. Regardless, Syka is all but out of time. The enemy has divided the people, exhausted them mentally and physically, and has them scattered so they can’t even think straight. And I hate that I can only watch and see how they fare as the season progresses. You are here now… and I will help however I can. But it has to be indirect action… like passing on these two things.” He said, gesturing at the map case and the sword.

It was hard to tell about the sword exactly, though Alric knew it was at least 45 inches long and wide enough to be 3 inches across at its broadest point. The blade was concealed in a deep warm brown leather sheath, though the hilt was visible. It was a warm metal of some sort depicting a coiled Valispar, with two blue azurite eyes that had speckles of deep green in the cut stone. Mathias ran his thumbs over the Velispar’s eyes a moment, thoughtfully.

“Your father’s family was known for their love of Azurite. Their eyes were all this deep blue and when they were wielding their power the green came out. It was on their family crest. You have their eyes. You might be Nymkarta, but never forget you are forged from more than that. It will be important.” He said thoughtfully, then stepped back from the sword, crossing over to stand behind the kitchen island and as if nothing had just happened, took up the glove and began shucking and cleaning more clams.

“I hope you are hungry. We’ll all eat well tonight. The people often treat the riders with enough food they don’t need to stop to hunt on the way home to Wind Reach.” He added… then paused as if waiting for Alric’s questions.

[Alric Lysane]

Alric watched Lys as she raced along the sands, trailing Gasvik and still wearing her white one, seemingly unphased at the dead run she was on. He snorted at that, she had a way with them that he wasn’t so sure he had. Jade was coming around to him slowly, warming when he did something praiseworthy, at times cold when disapproving. It felt like a game, of sorts, though he had also picked up on Jade’s attempts at guiding him. With Lys there was more guardianship, and for that he was thankful. As for the mob she trailed as she disappeared into the Protea, well youths seemingly liked youths whatever their species it seemed. He jumped as the squawk of ‘open’ started up, causing him to turn and blink for a few moments in disbelief.

“Talking…birds now?” he muttered, once his initial shock had subsided and he had resigned himself to nothing ever being truly normal again. Even so he raised his eyebrow at the bird as if still doubting his senses.

“No talk! Open!”

“Hungry are you?”

“Hungry! Need! Open! Nice man open?”

“How do you know I’m nice?”

“Not nice? Not open?”

“Not mine to give you” he said, the fact he was talking to a petching bird was not lost upon him and he shook his head at himself.

“Mean man! No open!” the bird shrieked almost before flying off with what he could only think was feathery huffiness.

“Just once…I’d like a normal day again. Back when things actually made sense” he frowned at the bird as it left, hearing the deep, rumbling voice then and walking towards it, entering what was the kitchen area it became apparent.

Mathias looked older than most in Sunberth, most didn’t live so see old age, though there were lines around his eyes that suggested more laughter than brooding frown. He seemed at ease enough, working at some clams without much difficulty, his build suggesting of perhaps slightly more sitting than exercise but still strong and possessed of power. His eyes, though, spoke of an older spirit Alric thought, or perhaps of the recent strains put upon himself and Syka in general. He returned the smile with his own flashing one, casting his gaze about and taking in the simple elegance of the layout, appreciating the busy cluttered feel of the place. Stepping in he watched the man work for a while, learning what he was doing, before he found another knife much like the one Mathias was using and stood nearer to him, picking up one of the clams and trying his own hand it the task.

“Thanks, I’d rather stand. I’ve learned altogether too much about how much your arse and legs can hurt just from sitting down too long,” he noted with a mixture of a pain and amusement, “and I’d rather be doing something, there wasn’t a lot to do on the journey so might as well help out. Views were nice though, spoiled a bit by the hundredth game of ‘I Spy’ though. Still…seems fitting to work at rewarding efforts for me. I’ve a mind to visit the inn after, I’d be surprised if there weren’t wine there” he continued, slowly edging his knife between the shells and then levering, cutting and removing the bad bits as he had seen the other man doing. He was slower, of course, and cautious.

He listened thoughtfully as he concentrated upon his work. He didn’t need a glove as he wore his own leather ones still, though he did pause to shrug off his leather coat and pull the shirt from his chest a little, stuck already from the sweltering heat – he would need tog et used to that no doubt. He returned to his slow working, thankful that he could at least do something useful for now, even if it wasn’t what he had come here initially to actually try to do. Turning the man’s words around I his mind he was struck by many things, though he felt sure he was still missing something important, not sure of what but just a sense of something beyond his reach.

“Curses, talking birds and a Gasvik nursery…next you’ll be telling me you’re actually 500 years old and remember the Valterrian,” he said slowly, “Jade is fine, though I think he might wish he hadn’t been asked to watch over me at times. I’m not sure I have a talent for looking after Gasvik, but if you want a break for a time from their…rambunctiousness…seems the least I can do for one who offered me pathway here. Shiress is alright…a little crazy right now perhaps…but she means well. I couldn’t say no to a mother’s plea…though I’d be a liar if I said I’d not already been thinking of coming here for my own reasons. And she helped heal Lys a while back, I try to help friends where I can…though these days it seems more…complicated than years past”

“As for Lys, she almost never made it anyway. Once I’d have called it a coincidence, that I found her underground and dying at just the right moment. Now I’m wondering which divine it was getting involved again. Though this time I quite appreciate that they did. She is family, in more ways than some bloodline. I’d never say I was the best guardian, but I do my best. She will be safe so long as I draw breath…until she is old and wise enough to not need me anymore”

“Shiress told me of that, the part where this place is safe. Your lack of affliction being known was learned earlier. Tazrae…” and then he paused, his mind searching as had become routine, only this time finding a flooding of memories that widened his eyes slightly, his lips moved as if to talk but no sound came out, lost as he was in remembering so many things, but mostly on the taste of her lips and her scent…gods he felt like he owed her a half-dozen apologies for how he had acted, he blinked and cleared his throat, licking his lips and centering himself, “she gave me the list. I still don’t know if I can help that much, but I was honest when I said I’d come if I could, and that I hate lives being ruined and freedoms lost” he finished, leaving the other points for alter once the clams were don – he was impressed with the progress he had made so far at least, he was getting quicker and had yet to cut a finger off.

He continued to work with the blade, pressing it between the shells before slicing twice and hooking it open as Mathias washed up and vanished briefly. It was the man’s home, so he said nothing, instead continuing to pop more clam meat into the pot. When Mathia returned though, with gifts and explanations, he put his own knife down, took off his gloves and left them aside for throwing away later, and came to stand in front of the items offered. He squeezed the map case affectionately, remembering the map Ionu had shown him and knowing it was much the same as that – he’d not take it out until he was alone, sure that none could see the locations of the others that were left, not wanting to put any of them at risk. He did, however, tuck it into his belt as his fingers explored the blade next, caressing it delicately as he puzzled upon Mathias’ words. He brushed the stylised hilt, feeling out both the fact it had been made with skill but also aged enough that its edges were smoothed slightly with use. It looked out of place in a simple leather sheath, but if it was a relic of his family then he didn’t care, he’d accept it greatly. His eyebrow rose at the comment about the Mortanis though, before she snorted and scratched his chin.

“Yes, he did like to talk cryptically. You know when he met me, he showed me what it was like to be a Mortanis, three marked? Not something I will forget…ever. Correct he might be about my father’s line, but it might take some getting used to in respect to…folding over…the bloody parts,” he said, pulling the blade out of its sheath and inspecting it, it was the finest weapon he had ever seen, so much so that he wasn’t sue he was deserving of it, and after letting the light flash across the engraved name upon the blade he slipped it back in with a twinge of sadness, not really wanting to put it back for some reason, “Zhyad…thank you Mathias…or Vas. Croix too. You know I feel almost dirty next to just fine things. Probably worth more than my entire life’s earnings. I will remember your words, but you probably know more about my father’s line than I do at the moment. I’m not even sure what beast this hilt is, let alone why his bloodline was important. Did vas tell you more? Or was he cryptic with that too?” he asked, but still buckled the blade upon his hip with a certain sense of satisfaction.

“What’s new? Ever since I learned who I was, before even with Yshul setting me upon a path towards Taz, I’ve been at risk of terrible things. At least here it feels like I might be able to be in such a position for a proper reason. I’m not sure I can read the settlement without being put at risk anyway, if that is the best approach to take. Time is short, and the period for half-measures passed. Besides, no one wants Rhysol to win this, evil only becomes emboldened when allowed to run rampant. Sunberth is a clear enough example of that, even if parts of it are good still. I will do what I can, but this entire settlement is new to me and there are what…5 days left of Spring? Discovering where to start…” he trailed off, sighing and remembering Arcadius’ words about getting so tired you could give up. After a moment or two he set his jaw and breathed in deeply, returning his gaze to Mathias.

“I never was one for religion…never really thought it mattered in my life. Now…well where does knowing end and belief begin? I wish I could say that I feel your pain at being unable to be involved Mathias…but the truth is that I’m not sure I’d ever understand, the priest’s life doesn’t seem to be one for me. I feel more like prey at times, a piece upon a games table. But it sounds like Kihala is the one to seek out, and her Guardians should surely be able to do something? She can’t have left them completely,” he scratched his chin thoughtfully, “I suppose there wouldn’t be a way of contacting her, that would be too easy after all”

“I had hoped that people might pull together, I know my letter didn’t get a good day after its reading but I had hoped that at least that was taken from it…chaos and order, evil and love…they are anathema toe ach other. Perhaps we can get some unity of purpose back, your settlement certainly had it before and it was a strength. That much I remember being told by Taz, at least until I leave your home I suppose. Five days might be enough if they came together…much like that whole statue guardian building thing…you know this place better than I, what advice can you give that might at least start my footsteps in the right direction?”

[Gossamer]

Mathias smiled at Alric. “Good thing you didn’t give that gull that bait. It’d never leave. Eywaat, the demigod of Birds, placed a statue here in our early days and it grants the birds within Syka a limited capacity for speech. It’s a shame really, that no one pays them any mind. They see everything and for a bit of food can often be…helpful.” He added, his hands working while his eyes followed Alric. He grinned at the younger man declining the seat. “Riding Eagles is not a thing for the faint hearted. If you would have taken the time to thank yours, I suspect you would have heard their voices as well. They speak in their rider’s heads and into the heads of anyone who cares to listen. They have an intelligence on par to ours, you know.” He added, and smiled. “I’ve put some time on a Wind Eagle saddle. Us priests are required to travel at times, if our lieges need us.” He added, watching Alric thoughtfully.

“You look tired. You should get a shower at the Inn, some of Tazrae’s cooking, and a good night’s sleep. Have that lady of yours fuss over you a bit and pick you both up some clothing. Dawn has been sewing for most of the season keeping up with the demands of the new people here. She’s got something of a foresight, that one does, so I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a set of clothing or two waiting for you and that girl you brought all ready to go. Tazrae will know where to find her. I’d give a lot to be a fly on the side of a palm when she spots you.” He said with a grin. “I know she told you, but when she first met you, she came to us and told us about you. She asked advice and we gave it. I’ve never seen someone so clueless to her culture and upbringing as that one was. But now we have more Benshira here, and I think she’s beginning to finally come into her own too.” Mathias said. “She comes to talk sometimes… to fish. When she needs someone to remember her.” He added, then studied Alric more in depth a moment.

“You look like you are coming into your own as well. A street rat of Sunberth wouldn’t climb on a Wind Eagle to travel across the world to help a group of people he doesn’t even know.” Mathias said softly, then shook his head. “But that’s not true either, is it? You know them… at least some of them. Shiress, Cleon, and his little sister Faye. You even know Mortiz and the new Isur, Crylon. And Naadiya. Don’t you think it’s a little odd, Alric, that your people went and found you all on their own?” Mathias said, continuing to shuck his clams and nodding his approval as Alric joined him in the task. Busy work always went faster with a good conversation and an extra pair of hands.

"Us three Founders won’t be around forever. These people here, all of you, are sitting on a wealth of something they are just now awakening too. It’s something very important that was lost and rediscovered. The Gods know it too, that’s why they are gathering and moving pieces about the board. I wasn’t really sure you were going to come into play, but every chessboard needs its royalty, and even if you aren’t ready to take up your crown, the knight position is wide open and your lady has been gathering mounts.” He said with a slight grin.

“It’s nice, isn’t it, seeing the world from the back of an Eagle. You can come to understand just how much time and space separate everyone here and how vast Mizahar is.” He said with a knowing look and then laughed at Alric’s other comment, beyond the ‘I spy…’ He nodded and smiled. “She has wine… always. And good stuff, does our Tazrae, though we’re needing it less and less these days. Stu’s brewing is coming along and the last batch of rum he made was exceptional. I expect you’ll switch over soon enough. Its cheaper, being produced here, and it goes down easily. The first batches would melt the flesh off your bones, but the rum is going to be something we are known for now that he’s getting it right.” Mathias added, then elaborated. “Stu is our other priest. He runs the Tidepool Bar. When you have a spare moment, go over and introduce yourself and make sure he knows Lys. He’s a good person and an ally, even if he follows Sivah.” The man smiled slightly, as if it was an inside joke. And perhaps it was. The seasonal god was all about celebrations and revelry… nothing like Mathias’ preferences.

“The people think its Rhysol and I don’t think they are wrong. And the fact that we haven’t been touched tells me one thing… it’s at least one of his Priests if not a Druvin. The Druvin are gifted with the blood of Rhysol and somewhat immortal. I don’t know the ins and outs of their becoming, but whatever it does to them it turns their eyes a solid white, much like Rhysol himself. The ones I have met were prone to fits of rage and absolutely uncontrollable. So, if a Druvin were here, Syka would be bathed in blood. Plus… it seems too… full frontal to send something like that here. This has to be something else. Ravok is in transition right now, with Rhysol’s consort, his Voice, having left an empty chair. This is, however, someone powerful and underhanded, a person or creature that is wreaking havoc and destroying lives.” He said softly.

They worked quietly for a few moments, and then Mathias barked a laugh at Alrics next words. “I’m actually 51.” He said with a grin. “Give yourself another twenty or thirty years and you might very well be telling another younger man something much like I am telling you and they will perhaps think the same thing you are thinking. I can see the Gasvik because of my bloodline. You can see them because the Nymkarta often lay with the Gods and infused themselves regularly with divinity. It gives you something extra, though I think you’d be surprised at your links through Westfall. That’s a conversation for another time though.” He added, finishing his last clam finally.

“You aren’t looking over the Gasvik. He’s looking after you. Unlike me… he’s been alive probably as long as those years you’ve counted or longer. They don’t mark time as we do. But they are creatures of the old world and it probably warms his ancient heart to see so many young of his kind here. They get rambunctious at times, play tricks on the people that can’t see them, and do things like lace boot laces together when people inadvertently disturb them in their favorite sunning spots. You can ask them to leave, but be polite about it. If you don’t set firm boundaries, you’ll never have any privacy. And you’ll need that now that you’ve decided to start on a path and are gathering a family around you. That’s where your strength will be, Alric. You have your mind, and all the gifts of your blood, but it won’t mean anything without friends and family to fight for. I didn’t learn that until later in life, when I had Syka and her denizens. She’s a lady too… just another of yours that you don’t know you are going to be acquiring. Falyndar is one as well. Make some male friends here. Between Falyndar, Syka, Lys, and your bard… you are vastly outnumbered and will need them if for nothing more than to sneak off with, play some poker, and smoke some cigars and talk about the good old days.” He said with a grin.

“Oh, and don’t drink the water at Kihala’s Shrine, at least not until all this is over. And if you do, pray to Her that Her gifts are sons. Because that map I gave you will get a whole lot fuller faster… and they will all be here.” He said with a chuckle, smiling slightly. “Speaking of children… both human and Gasvik. Let Nasta, the white one, stay with Lys. She needs someone to watch, to guard, and your girl is a teen and will need an ear. Nasta is young, but she’s of Jade’s line and the two won’t squabble overly much. Lys and Nasta will be good for each other. I see… possibilities more often than I care to, and in every future for Lys she is stronger with family, even the ones that aren’t human.” He added giving Alric a knowing look.

Mathias rather thought it didn’t need to be said, but he had said it anyhow.

“There’s nothing crazy in Shiress. It is pure desperation. Like everyone here in Syka, she’s been mostly emptied out… of hope, of love, of the promise of a future. But still she fights. That’s what people like her do. She saw a treatment as a doctor and crossed the world to acquire it and bring it back to apply it to a disease. Now its up to the medicine and the patients both to rally. Even now… Rak’keli has her at the estuary and they are talking. I believe it is a long overdue conversation.” He said, approval in his voice. “Though, now that she’s back, I’ll expect she’ll be sleeping on the deck again. Twenty days…. without overnight company. You know… I told her she could stay the night once… just to recharge. And she showed up every day after that.” He said with a laugh.

“Ahh… the list. So that’s where it came from. I had seen them posted up everywhere around here. Your little bard is clever, even as broken as she is at the moment. And I see that you can, standing here, remember far more than you held in your mind before jumping in that saddle. She’s lucky. You came a long way on the echo of a possibility and a whole lot of faith and trust. I’m glad you weren’t wrong.” He added, then nodded as the conversation continued.

“I will pass your thanks to them… or you can thank them yourself. Vas is often here. He likes the place. I suspect he only leaves when his creatures get too overly demanding.” Mathias grinned. “Croix visits less frequently, but you’ll encounter others out and about here. Kihala walks among us daily, and is all around. Caiyha as well. Rhaus, and more. The God of Creativity is one of my closest friends. Actually all of them are old friends. I find as a mortal, you can find bridges and common ground and make friends with those that are more powerful than you are. They have a lot to teach us and in turn learn a lot from us as well.” He added.

He turned his gaze to the blade and looked thoughtful. “Truthfully, I don’t know much of Zhyad’s story. I suspected you were shown the Mortanis pathway to shed light on what your father went through. I think knowing what it would be to be a Mortanis can be instrumental in understanding your father if there ever comes a time you two meet face to face. And it might help you understand why he wanted to be well away from you for your formative years. You don’t go through what he did without a certain hardness… and that sort of thing is not good for a child. Sometimes being alone is better than being… overly protected or overly trained. You’ll understand if you ever have your own children. They need time and space and shouldn’t be weighed down with your own burdens if you can protect them from such things. But there is no Mortanis pathways in your future now… and from what I understood, more than half of them led that way before. You have a chance, Alric, at so much better of a life if you reach out and take it and protect what will make it better.” He said thoughtfully, then ran his hand over Zyhad’s hilt.

“This is a Velispar. They once were quite common, but the Valterrian took its toll on them as well. They are reptilian and some say the Ixam are quite closely related. They lay clutches of eggs and leave them to their fates. The eggs hatch all together, usually at once, and the youngsters feed voraciously on everything around them. There are creatures on the Grasslands called Glassbeaks that hold the honor of some of Mizahar’s most terrible predators. But in truth, the Velispar young are the worst. They are mindless feeders, but the secret is for each creature they consume, they absorb that creatures’ memories and its knowledge. And when they can find nothing else to eat, they eat each other. They take hundreds of years to reach maturity and can live thousands. They are elemental things… Velispar are like Reimancers… of fire, earth, air, and water. The greatest of their kind are enormous, and by the time they’ve lived as long as they can, they are more intelligent than even the Gods. Somewhere after their first hundred or so years they stop being those mindless killers, having absorbed enough sentient life to become so themselves. An Earth Velispar was the sign of your father’s family. It’s no surprise to me, when Tazrae inducted you, Geomancy was your first element. Some of your ancestors built cities, Alric. And that’s something, given time, you can do as well.” Mathias said, his knowing eyes serious.

“This one.. this Earth Velispar… swims through solid rock like it is water. Those of the Air can fly. The Water Velispar live in the deep oceans and the lakes of the world. And the Fire Velispar… well, we’ve not seen one in many ages. They are all somewhere, probably together, talking philosophy… if there are any more. I suspect more than one gave their lives calming the world after the Valterrian so Ivak’s upheavals could stop.” Mathias said gently.

“I would not announce your presence for what it is. I would… not trigger or drive whomever or whatever is doing this to act. The people here are so worn down, so lost, that its likely gotten lax in its endeavors and overconfident in what it has accomplished.” Mathias advised.

“Five days can change the world. Ivak did it in one.” The man’s smile was ironic now, and he gestured north.

“A good night’s rest will clear your head. Like I said, there’s someone who will be beyond herself at seeing you. Usually, with the new people to the settlement, I walk them around, show them the sites, get them familiar and set up their housing and provide them with a job. This case… is a little unusual. I’ve never had someone new to the settlement actually just be finally coming home. You’ll understand that more, later, and I suspect your bard will do my job for me. When this is all over… come back. We’ll have another talk. And maybe I can loan you some coin for a business or sell you some land. We’ve been steering the place quietly towards being open to magic and at least half of our denizens have some knowledge of it. Why, even our Innkeeper is a mage, as shocking as that is. A school of some sort wouldn’t be out of the question… and in a place like this, a Mage Tower wouldn’t be unwelcome. It's had quite a few in its past. Come to think of it, I’m not sure you’d need a loan for any of that. But we’ll see.” He said, rising and dusting off his hands.

He picked up the cauldron and grinned, setting it back on the back counter and covering it with cheesecloth to protect the freshly cleaned clams within from insects. “I need to go milk Tazrae’s cow. She thinks the creature has been dry since we have no bull to see to her offspring. But that cow has been diligently filling her udder all winter because I’ve been stealing the milk. The Innkeeper thinks she’s just grown fat on jungle fruit and flowers. Not so. She’ll calve soon.” Mathias said with a grin.

“The young Gasvik love milk, you see… and it’s the base of the chowder I’m going to contribute to the feast for the riders tonight.” He said with a laugh. “I’ll have to bring another in soon, if the Gasvik keep showing up with young. Though, I’m almost certain the calf will be a cow.” He said, eyes twinkling. “Don’t tell her. Us old men have to have our fun.” He added, walking to the door. “I want to see her face when Muncha Muncha drops a babe.” He grinned. “We are so quick to lose our wonder in this world. I want people here to keep theirs as long as possible.” He explained.

“As for religion…. Alric… all your life you will be growing. You’ll grow into this as well. I think the woman at your side will be representing the wilds and life enough for both of you. If you look deep in yourself, I suspect your pathway lies towards different faith. Not all the Nymkarta were serious folk. And while you might be forced into that scenario, your vision is too far-flung and creative for you to be boxed in. Yshul is probably not done with you, nor is Croix. Those two are as thick as thieves and have as much mischief in them as anyone else. And while everyone here is suffering, I think you will find thwarting evil isn’t all seriousness. One can have a bit of fun as well.” Mathias said with a knowing smile.

“Come back sometime… and I’ll tell you how Morwen had a wayward daughter, whom almost no one equates to her line. Then I’ll tell you how Yshul had twins, and those twins built an empire… one at Ironrock in the northeast, and one here at Pavena. It’s quite the story, actually. And I like telling it.” He said, showing Alric to the door. He picked up an empty milk bucket on his way out.

And while he didn’t take the beach path, having some inclination of where the Mistress of The Protea could be found. He took the cobbled path to avoid her and make sure no one was the wiser about why her cow was dry. He would, as a parting gift, point Alric in the direction of the northern arc of the beach. “She bought all the land between here and her Inn. You’ll find her somewhere probably on it this time of day. Look for those blasted lizards…. Bree among them.” He said with a grin, heading off.

But he paused, just before Alric lost sight of him. “My advice? Get a good night’s rest, start tomorrow, and tell no one you don’t trust what you are doing. Let your instinct guide you. Your blood holds a whole lot of knowledge you can tap if you listen to it. Trust your friends and your guardians. And above all, trust your heart. Ask the right questions, the wise ones, and become the enemy to defeat the enemy. That means, think as they do.” He said, and with that, he started off with all the spry of a much younger man to go steal milk from his neighbor.

[Alric Lysane]

“I’m honestly not sure whether she’ll hug me or slap me…what with curses…remembering now as I stand here, it’s difficult not to see how I have acted differently around her. I’ve missed her fussing, I’d let her do it forever, but you may be thankful you weren’t that fly,” he snorted as he finished off a few more clams, “but I suppose if you bribe the birds later then you’ll find out how it ended. Eywaat…never heard of them…seems there are an endless number of things to learn in my future. As for the Wind Eagles…if they ever return then I’ll spend some time with them. Honestly, I wasn’t thinking about such things upon the journey. But good relations would seem to profit everyone, given the cargo they can carry alone”

“Oh no, don’t say that now. Crowns should be given, earned…not taken. Gods I’ve got enough trouble trying to tell Lys that she shouldn’t call me dad…no one wants me wearing a crown. I’ll accept that I’ve…changed. My life before was easy, but grey and hard. Life is harder now, perhaps, but vibrant and more alive than ever. Magic, weapons, gods and the rest…I’ve done things in the past few seasons that would’ve set me pissing my trousers before, yes…but I did it because I had to. I used to think coincidences were everywhere, now I think there are no such thing. I don’t know why they found me, or I found them, but you are right when you say that I came here because of the bonds I hold – some more than others”

He subsided into a quiet working then for a time as Mathias spoke of various things. Some were interesting, others concerning, and others still tugged at his curiosity in ways that told him he would be exploring things another time, once the season as over and they had triumphed – as they must. And there was the rub that chafed him slightly, as it echoed Mathias’ previous words – they. For the longest time he had been a lone entity, occasionally Lys entering then leaving like a thread alongside his life in the grand tapestry. Yet now he had gathered up many ‘we’ and ‘they’ connections. How long could he go on, pretending as if there weren’t a web of things that he wasn’t a part of? Did he even want to pretend anymore? He wasn’t sure, he knew fewer things for certain of late, almost feeling as if he could sense out these possibilities Mathias kept referencing for himself.

Lines had become so blurred – he was sure that he wasn’t a good leader or anyone, but he had accepted the Nymkarta were not all bad and had had exceptional leaders. He had accepted divine involvement in his life, even as he paradoxically cursed himself for being who he was and so ‘worth’ meddling with. Yet he didn’t think he was that ‘worth it’ either. He had written in his letter to Syka that he didn’t like taking responsibility for others…but what was he doing now, coming here? He felt like Taz could do so much better than him, yet he loved her enough even when having forgotten much about her to soar the skies at request, not even truly thinking about it. His life was a mess of contradictions, and he had the feeling the old Founder could see through it as he grinned at him.

“A priest then, perhaps. Or some other link into Rhysol’s powers. Never heard of Druvin before, but it would seem it wouldn’t be one of them then, I’ve no reason to distrust your instincts,” he paused thoughtfully, “and it would seem that Rhysol himself is probably not here either…which would mean what…a battle using pawns as proxies? In which case…I might have a couple of ways to try and seek this source out” he scratched his chin thoughtfully.

“It seems that we may be destined for many future conversations then, a good thing to know should I need to escape somewhere, vanish for a while. Croix gave me that ability, and it may come in useful by what you’re saying,” he began before choking slightly at his words of offspring and Kihala’s Well, clearing his throat and smiling wryly, “one thing at a time Mathias. I’m not even sure I’m fit to solve this mess, let alone the mess of filling Syka up with descendants” he blinked, not sure had had meant to reveal that but shaking his head and carrying on regardless.

“As for being outnumbered…well that’s what Shielding is for,” he chuckled, “though your suggestion of making male friends is a good one. I’ll let Lys know about Nasta, I’m sure she will be thrilled. I’m not blind, I know she needs more than me. We’ll start with Nasta, see what other connections decide to be forged. For now I’m just grateful she is better than she was, and can have a better life than I did”

He listened as Mathia spoke of Kalas and his own experiences. He had to admit that it made some sort of sense, though at least a message to let him know or something might have helped ease him in the long nights when he sat staring at the sky, wondering where he and his mother were. The pain of such years was something that would never fully leave him, he knew. He was not sure that the alternative was worse, as Mathias suggested…but he also had to admit that he had no children of his own, so wasn’t sure what he would’ve done in his parent’s position. It was something that gave rise to awkward feelings within and he was thankful that the conversation shifted to the of Velispar and his parting advice, before he had to look away, so Mathias didn’t see his emotions in too raw a gaze.

“Your secret is safe with me Mathias,” he said in reference to the cow, a smile flashing back across his face, “you have given me much to think upon. Family relics, symbols and more. Curses, gods, history. You say I am coming home, perhaps in time I will understand that, but I do wish there had bene someone like you in Sunberth that I could have talked to about all of this. For what it’s worth, I am sorry that you have had to watch on this season”

“Wonder is something I can’t help having, given where I come from. I’m not sure that I can give it to others but perhaps, in time, they can provide it to themselves. If the past few seasons have taught me anything, it is that anything is possible. I will do my best…but first there is a beautiful woman whom I’ve been wanting to see for a long while now. I’ll follow your directions, good luck”

He watched Mathias grow distant, then vanish, and sighed as he pulled Zyhad from its sheath and looked at it for a while, he wasn’t sure for how long, but in the end he pressed the flat if the blade to his forehead and felt that the metal was reasonably warm, unlike his normal broadsword usually was. He waited, wishing for some flashes of something to begin, but nothing came and he sighed, pulled it away and sheathed it once more.

“Revealer…if only you could reveal to me an easy way to solve all of this…no matter. Tomorrow…Mathias was right…if battle is to come in the next 5 days…well I’d quite like at least one evening in the arms of the woman I love” he muttered to himself, leaving the rest unsaid but lingering in the air if any had been able to hear.

That if things failed, then at least he’d have had that before the ending.

[Gossamer]

Grading!

Alric –

Riding (Wind Eagle) +1, Investigation +3, Leadership +2, Cooking +1, Socialization +5, Storytelling +2, Rhetoric +4, History +3

Syka: Location & Appearance, Wind Eagles: Taking Long Cross-Country Journey’s On Them, Syka: Other Gasvik’s Here, Syka: Home Of A Priest Of Xhyvas, Mathias’ Place: Location & Appearance, Mathias: Appearance & Mannerism, Mathias: Priest of Xhyvas, Wind Eagles: Subtle Trade Route Changes – Two Stops In Spring, Syka: The Populace Unloads Ships/Wind Eagles, Syka: Birds Talk, Lys: Has A White Gasvik Attached To Her, Mathias’ Place: Has No Doors, Vast Library, Museum of Artifacts, Cooking: Shucking Clams, Xhyvas’ Priests: Care For Gasvik First Few 100 Years Of Their Lives, Mathias: Not Affected By Curses, Curses: Rhysol and Kihala Facing Off, Mathias: Cannot Help With Curses, Osere Map: What They Are, Your Osere Map: Keyed To Nymkarta/Will Add Children Automatically, Zhyad: Asleep A Long Time/Needs Awakened/Vorpil Weapon/Grandfather’s Sword, Mathias: Told You The Future Is Open – Many Scenarios You Became Full Citizen, Or Never Made It To Syka or Simple Visit Brief, Father’s Family: Loved Azurite, Eywaat: Demigod of Birds – Gifted Sykan Birds With A Statue That Allows Them To Talk, Sykan Birds: See Everything, Dawn: Has Foresight, Stu: Priest of Sivah and Brewer, Mathias: Thinks Its Rhysol, Druvin: Gifted With The Blood of Rhysol/Immortal/Have Solid White Eyes, Mathias: Doesn’t Think It’s a Druvin Because Syka Would Be Bathed In Blood, Ravok: Unstable/In Transition W/Consort Missing, Mathias: Age 51, Nymkarta: Infused With The Blood Of Gods, Alric: Nymkarta Through Westfall, Gasviks: Quite Mischievious & Need Firm Boundaries, Alric: Strength Lies In Friends And Family Circle, Syka/Falyndar: Ladies In Their Own Right, Kihala’s Shrine’s Water: Enhances Fertility, Lys’s Gasvik: Nasta, Shiress: Not Crazy, Velispar: Reptilian Creatures – Appearance & Mannerisms/Life Cycle/Mental Development, Glassbeaks: Cyphrus’ most terrible predators, Earth Velispar: Swims Through Solid Rock Like It’s Water, Water Velispar: Live In Deep Oceans, Fire Velispar: Not Seen In Many Generations, Air Velispar: Fly, Mathias: Steals Tazrae’s Milk, Ionu/Yshul: Good Friends

Net Gain: Osere Map Keyed To The Nymkarta – Gift From Ionu, Zhyad – Broadsword Gift from Xhyvas – Vorpil Weapon