3rd Day of Summer - After the battle with Kelwin
The Aasimar Ruins
Warbler
Warbler has been pacing the perimeter of the ruins for what to him seems like hours. The adrenaline from the recent conflict with Kelwin and his elite guards has finally started to dissipate.
“I doubt I’ll ever really get used to this,” He mutters to himself as he holds out his right hand to steady the shaking, and takes in a few slow deep breaths.
“That Kelwin … he really knows how to play the board.” He looks around at the debris from the collapsed mountainside. “We’re lucky to be alive,” he chuckles nervously to himself.
He shakes free from his musings as he sees Astarael at the edge of the Aasamir ruin tending to her weapons. He feels the weight of the longsword on his back, and draws it. He clumsily swings it low then high, as the weight of it pulls him into a spin and he barely stays on his feet, while kicking up a cloud of dust in his wake.
This is ridiculous, he thinks. What were they thinking about giving me a bloody claymore?
He begins making his way towards Astaraeal dragging the sword behind him.
Astarael
Astarael is sitting on the edge of a pile of stones. She seems ill-at-ease. Her eyes dart about, watchful over the area, and over her friends as they decompress from the battle. In her lap rests two objects. One is the Aasimar dagger, her hands absentmindedly turning it over and over. The other is a metal rod, about the length of her arm and the width of her finger. She had taken it off the body of a dead Swan she and Talith had found on patrol. The metal is silver colored, but not silver itself. A faint swirling pattern is inscribed on the surface, worn with time. Most curious of all was a small button on one end. She isn’t sure what it will do when pressed, but best to have Sav look it over before giving it a try.
Her mind is reeling from how close they were to capturing Kelwin and finding Danica. She had checked in with Talith, and set Sav up to work on the puzzle of the inner ruins, but needed a rest herself. Even with the healing Talith gave her, she was still weary and bruised. Astarael scans the area for Roux. She wants to check on him too.
Instead, she sees the form of Warbler walking her way, dragging a very large sword behind him. She smiles a little and her posture relaxes. “Hi there, Warbler. It would seem you’ve acquired quite a weapon.” She looks down at the dagger she’s holding. “I don’t suppose you’d be interested in a trade?”
Warbler
“Hey, um, hi Astarael,” Warbler says, visibly winded, as he sputters and brushes some dust from his cheek. “I was handed this beautiful … albeit enormous, weapon after Sav and Sylas had finished dissecting the Fade Beast … I think, maybe, it’s possible … that they might have the wrong impression of the extent of my martial training …”
Suddenly! Warbler strikes his most gallant and knightly pose, his chin raised, and sword pointed to the sky. His face is stern, brave, downright heroic … and in a matter of seconds he starts giggling uncontrollably.
He hands the longsword hilt first to Astarael. “I think that blade probably suits me better,” he states pointing at the dagger. “Though it doesn’t quite seem like a fair trade …”
“I’ve got a couple questions I’ve been meaning to ask you if you’d indulge me?”
Astarael
Astarael laughs at Warbler’s pose, and hands the blade to him. “Well, there’s some armor too that you can have if you like. Sav’s keeping it safe for now. I’ve never cared much for armor, it slows me down too much.”
She raises an eyebrow, with a smirk. “And I’d be happy to answer your questions, if I can. Ask away, my friend.”
Warbler
“Well … I guess my question is about Isendel, and how you ended up here? I still don’t know much about the cities, the customs … the politics, the um, the conflicts. You’re, you are Morathi right? As an outsider … I was just wondering. Why would you choose to come here … to this place?”
Astarael
“Oh. I guess I didn’t really choose. More just followed the roads north. I ran away from home, and it was really the only direction available by foot. My powers were growing and new to me, and I was afraid to take a boat.
“You see, Moraeth isn’t a nice place. It’s dark a lot of the time. The things that Isendelians are taught to fear about magic do exist there. It’s common folk are superstitious, and stories about terrible things are told to all the children growing up.”
Astarael touches the silver circle pendant around her neck. “There’s lots of things people try to use for protection, including silver circles. But unlike in Isendel, where the elite wield magic in secret, it’s well known that the aristocracy of Moraeth have access to magic. And they use it to keep power over the common folk. Even knowing about the war, I thought Isendel might be better. And often, it is.”
Astarael’s face twists into a frown, for a moment. “Even with all of the bad things that’s happened to me, to all of us…it’s still better. I’m glad that I’m here with all of you.” She smiles again. “I’m glad you found us, Warbler. I’m sorry I was so threatening, the night you appeared. I’m sure you can understand why I’m so protective of this group. Trust is a hard thing to come by.”
Warbler
“Really? It was worse than Isendel?” Warbler says thoughtfully. “That’s hard to imagine,” he mutters under his breath, and takes a long pause to stretch his left leg and shoulder; releasing a creak and a pop from his knee and neck before rolling his shoulder in a small circle. “I’m glad I found the lot of you too … Even if I didn’t know all of this was what I was looking for,” he says smiling as he waves a hand across the rubble and the ruins.
He gives Astarael a nudge with his elbow and a gentle smile. “And as it turns out. Comparatively speaking, I mean, you’re really not that scary at all!” then lets out a laugh.
Warbler straightens his posture, and his expression grows more serious. “Now that captain we just fought … that gauntlet he wore. That, that makes me nervous. I should have been more direct with my question … that’s not something I’ve ever been very good at. What I need to know is, not just how you got here, but what came after … You mentioned that you’ve spent time in Galoring, the center of Isendel right, the roots of this kingdom, the place that we’re headed? I’d like to know what I’m following all of you into. The city’s strengths, its weaknesses, its power structure. I learned a lot from Northgate, but I’m starting to think Galoring is another beast entirely. What should we be prepared for?”
Astarael
Astarael smirks at the comment about being comparatively less scary. “I don’t know what you mean. I’m terrifying.” She gives Warbler an exaggerated angry glare, then laughs herself.
Her smile fades with Warbler’s next questions, however. “Yes, Kelwin also makes me nervous. It shouldn’t have surprised me as much as it did that his soldiers had magic of their own. I had seen him briefly before, but today was the first time we met face to face. We knew from previous encounters that he had access to magic, and I would bet that the feather on his gauntlet is the source of it. It’s one of the feathers from Danica’s mother. I’ve seen a second one, on a brooch worn by Tyr Isendel. There’s a third that was gifted, and its whereabouts are unknown.
“Tyr Isendel is a master of manipulation and planning. The magic she used on me let her into my mind. She knew everything I had ever seen, felt, done, learned. It’s why I’m so afraid of her getting her hands on Danica, or any one of us. And even without using that ability, she has an innate sense of what a person needs to hear most to be compliant. She’s incredibly charming and convincing, and her followers both fear and love her.
“I can’t speak too much about the city of Galoring itself. It’s far larger than Northgate, almost unfathomably large. But I never got to leave the Cathedral when I was there. The Cathedral is where Tyr Isendel lives and rules from. It’s on the north side of the city, built on a cliff that overlooks the massive lake that circles three sides of the city. The structure itself is well fortified, and is protected by a well trained guard. They kept it well hidden when I was there, but it’s safe to assume that some will have access to magic as well.
“Kelwin is better known to our friends from Aelorean’s crossing. From what I can gather, he is a man who relies on deception and traps—calculated ploys meant to catch us off guard. Taking him down before he can reach his destination with Danica is our best bet. We need to catch up with him, and soon.
“I’m currently working on a plan with another member of the crew who knows about the Cathedral as well. When the time is right, the information will be shared. I don’t like being secretive, but the element of surprise is key, and the fewer who know about it, the safer it is for all.
“I would also like to talk to Sav more about the city itself. She was raised there, she would know more practical information on what we will encounter.”
Astarael rubs her face. “I’m sorry, I know that was a lot. Did I tell you what you needed to know? I’m tired, but I’m happy to answer more questions.”
Warbler
Warbler nods as Astarael speaks, while rotating the dagger in his hands. He examines the markings and materials. He traces the lines without understanding their meaning, but follows their movement and appreciates the craftsmanship.
He concentrates on the key components she shares; taking in the details that seem most pertinent, while trying to connect them into a pattern. He attempts to imagine a place larger than Northgate, and shudders at the thought.
“A cathedral on a cliffside, that’s perfect …” he says almost too quietly to hear, while looking over Astareal’s shoulder and far off into the distance. “Yes, yes, that’s very helpful, cousin,” Ringo says as he tucks the dagger into his pack.
Warbler returns his gaze to Astarael, looking up at her. “And there’s no need to apologize. We’ve all got our secrets. I’m sure you’ll share what we need to know when the time is right,” he remarks with a grin and a nod.
“ … I …should … probably ask more about your time in that Cathedral, but I’d say this ended up being more than a fair trade,” Warbler states as he stands, and turns back towards the treeline.
“Oh, and by the way. Talith seems a good lad. I’m glad your paths crossed again … Try not to hurt him.”
Astarael
Astarael flushes, and her face shows brief surprise. “What? Oh! Yes, well, of course, I’m glad too, and I wouldn’t…”
(At this moment, Sav has broken through the wall to find the Aasimar orb. Warbler and Astarael had heard singing and are now aware that it’s stopped. There are sounds of excitement, so they go inside to see what’s happening.)
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