[Game Thread] Together Again

[Segafriday]

"It's been a long time since I've seen that sword" he said with a faint smile.
"But... if it has a new wielder, then what happened to Qualin?" He lowered his head in disappointment when he realized that the answer was obvious. "I was good friends with Qualin, he was a great man, that much is certain. May I ask how he died at least? It would set my mind at ease." The man rose slowly from his seat and stroked his small blonde goatee. "And yes, perhaps your friend should be here, if he is one of the white guard then I suppose it is his duty" As the light from the candles illuminated his face, his age began to show more clearly. There was no doubt he was human, and an experienced one at that. He looked no more than 50, but the scars that marked his face like scores on a chopping block told that he had seen many a battle, and his eyes were infinitely more telling of that.

[Segafriday]

Just as he spoke his words another figure appeared from the hallway, startling the group.

"I thought we were alone!" the old man said. "WHO ARE YOU?"

[Frodiddly]

"Why, that sounds wonderful, Mazia!" Turin's stomach grumbled slightly at the prospect of the delicious sounding cakes. He realized it had been some time since he had a bite to eat. "I would love to swap stories with you as well. I can tell you more about my life in the monastery! Though hopefully I can come up with something a bit more enticing than that..." Turin said with a wink.

Illya's teeth-grinding caught the Dwarf's eye, so Turin decided to speak up. "Is there something you need, Illya?"

[Chekken]

Mazia was taken aback. "Oh no, I'd love to hear about you life in the monastery! Granted, my Pelorian rite was pretty boring, but my life back in Lassay was exciting. I don't want to tell you too much, but my father is a beast master." Mazia beams with pride, but then her face mushes itself into a half-grimace. Illya, for once, was not playing his ocarina o grinding his teeth. "Of course, it's somewhat...well, it used to be odd for a girl to spend time around any animal except for horses. Father didn't really want me to be a beast master. So I left home to join the priesthood. There were barriers there as well, being a woman and all. But Pelorians seem to like women as priests for some reason. So here I am!" Mazia smiled again. Whenever she smiles, it seems like her eyes become enlarged, and you get the sense that she's almost staring at you. It makes for an odd sort of sensation somewhere around Turin's stomach.

At Turin's words, Illya nods. "Thanks, Turin. Was looking to get in a word." He turns to Mazia. "We've got another problem with the..." He looks at Turin, and then around Turin's general direction. His mouth curls up at one end. "Erm...well, let's just say that I need your pop to come around the house again."

Mazia sighs iritably. "You've GOT to be kidding me. Why do you insist on keeping that thing in your house when you know it's dangerous?"

Illya breathes in slowly. "Well...that's the thing. We would've gotten rid of it sooner, but it had babies."

"WHAT?!" Mazia nearly fell over in shock. "Wh...where did it...how did you...?"

"It was pregnant. Had no idea when I took it out of the forest."

"Why did you even take it in the first place?"

Illya suddenly became really irritated. "WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE?! LET IT DIE?" He shakes his head and leaves the temple, heaving and huffing the whole way. Illya barely even glances at Turin.

[wisdomtd]

"WHO ARE YOU?"

just from the way the way the man said it the elf knew that he was not expecting anyone, except the people he was with. it was easily noticeable that they where not cultists. and the old man had just said that he had infiltrated the cult. in order to keep his own cover he had to run back and find reinforcements, he couldn't take them on by himself. and just when he was about to turn around and run for it, he noticed the sword in the dragonoid's hand. this meant that even if he would run trouble was ahead. if that is the sword he heard so many stories about, if that is the sword that can repair the fabric of time itself, then there was no way out but to be friendly.

"My name would be Firodren."

Firodren then stepped further down the hallway, his quarterstaff ticking on the tiles. the top of the quarter staff ended in 4 spines growing upward in opposite direction. in the middle of those spines was a continual flame. as the light from the fire enlightened Firodren he realised he was still wearing the cultist robe and that there was absolutely no reason for them to trust him.

"Don't be alarmed, I'm not a cultist. I'm a scholar, and I must say I have "joined" the cult to study their ways.

Although this was true it was only part of the reason why he was wearing these robes. the real reason would of course be the Moon Crystal. he had learned that the cult intended to steal this crystal from black grove. and he would certainly like to study it. even if it meant staying with the cultists and if the opportunity occurred he would take it all for himself. he was always interested in arcane magic and of course in powerful objects that can be increase his own power.

the elf then just stood there awaiting a reply, ready to run, and even ready to fight if needed. he had jet to remove his hood and show his face. Firodren was never the open booked type.

[MystOtter]

"Can we talk elsewhere?"

Willow was starting to get extremely confused with everything that going on. But more so than anything else she believed this wasn't the best place to talk. Part of her suspected that there might be some magic at work within the walls, something that could record what happened. Willow had no knowledge of magic but it was something that she thought could happen. It was one reason why she showed no aggression before. And here were two people that just out right claimed to not be part of the cult. She talks a set towards Emurian, at least he she trusted.

"I don't know what going on. I blacked out and he was standing over me." Willow decided to leave out the vision for now.

[Emurian]

Emurian instinctivly stepped in front of both Willow and the newcomer while eyeing the latest cultist. The Paladin his snakelike eyelid shoved over his human pupil, a sign that the Warrior was on the edge of lashing out if the need arised. Strenghtening his grip around the hilt of Qualin his blade he observed the posture of this Firodren.

A sense of uneasiness passed through the man as he felt himself exposed in this chamber. The stench, combined with the unsettling sights around him didn't do much good to trust anyone revealing himself in this place. Narrowing his eyes he lifts Qualins blade towards Firodren while speaking up.

,,It seems that this Cult is easier to penetrate then a brothel by the looks of it. Does Aurora allow just anyone to join her ranks if they are showing interest in Her teachings or what?''

The remarks wheren't truly directed at the Elf in front of him but rather thoughts being spoken out loud. Tilting his head slightly he continues.

,,Show us proof that you are not one of them Firodren, you have to understand that is hard enough for us to believe that this cult has one infiltrator if not more that show themselves so openly towards the first obvious non cultists. Perhaps. .''

Exhaling the Paladin draws upon the powers that linger within him to identify the nature of these 2 individuals. His eyes shine with a faint greenish tint as he observes both humanoids.

,,St. Cuthbert allows me to distinquish the evil hearted from the flock as a inward gift. Your intentions seem not to be guided by evil desires Firodren of that I am sure.''

"Can we talk elsewhere?"

Throwing a quick glance over his shoulder the Paladin notices that his companion has stepped closer towards him. The thin line thats to be seen on his face turns into a faint smile as he felt safer with the knowledge of the Woman standing near him. At least They stood a good chance of repelling any direct attack which was aimed at them at this very moment.

,,I agree with Willow, both of you come along with us. We have another companion of us aboveground which will aid us in exploring this place. The both of you can offer us information in the meanwhile what we are to expect in this place.''

Holding out his hand stretched towards the open door the man gestures to both of the humanoids to step through towards the catacombs.

,,Tell me how many cultists there are in this place and if there are some of them which are noteworthy to look out for. The last thing I like is to be suprised by a mage of some sorts that pretends to be the average cultist.''

Looking towards the newcomer standing near Willow he speaks.

,,Qualin has died through the hands of Auroras Chosen. He died while defying their presence, I think he knew he would lose but he stood up to them anyhow. Qualin was a man worthy of my respect, I just hope that more of the White Guards are willing to bring a similiar sacrifice like him. I know I would, but then again im quite fond of living so I will do my best to prevent the same outcome. Now please, come with us.''

[Frodiddly]

Turin stared at the pair as the exchange went on, utterly confused. He watched Illya storm out of the temple, and turned back to Mazia.

"Uh... What was that all about?"

[Chekken]

Mazia let out an irritated sigh. "Illya thought it would be a good idea to try and keep a pseudodragon in his house. But there's a good reason, I suppose." She sighed again, crossing her arms. "As Illya was preparing to leave town on the day that the Western Continent was destroyed, he came across the dragon's much larger, dying mother. The dragon spoke to him and begged for Illya to take her wyrmling with him. Well, he did." Mazia scoffed loudly. "No idea how he hid it from the guards so far. And it laid eggs, apparently. Don't get me wrong, it was noble and everything for Illya to take care of the dragon, but you've got to admit that that was a pretty stupid thing for him to do. My father can barely take care of the darned thing, and he's been a beast master since I was three."

"I suppose it doesn't matter. I'll still end up getting Illya out of another jam with his stupid dragon, and he'll still keep hitting on me every time I come over." The young priestess flipped her hair out of her large, green eyes and stared out of the glass window behind her. "I didn't know that paladins could be such creeps...no offense."

[Segafriday]

"Yes", the old man agreed, "perhaps we should move somwhere else. This place has nothing to offer but the reek of death, and I'm sure you must find it difficult, Emurian, to stay here while the evil in this place wears at your
senses...come, let us leave this place. We have much to discuss"He glanced mistrustingly at the scholar, still not fully convinced of his intentions.
"You too, firoden. Now that you know the white guard are here and that i am a spy, we must
keep watch over you until we know for sure that you are not a threat." He turned to Willow and Emurian, waiting for them to lead the way

"Now tell me friends: how much do you know of our enemy thus far?
I may be able to enlighten you further on such matters"


(OOC: you guys choose if you want to stay or leave, if you leave, we can talk while we walk)

[Emurian]

,,..we must keep watch over you until we know for sure that you are not a threat."

The Paladin chuckled at the comment as he started to walk towards the door once more.

,,In my eyes both of you are still a threath. Please excuse me if this may sound rude but I am not one that is so easily trusting others that I encounter in vile places. You should be able to understand this dear man. Your name has eluded me so far, would you care to enlighten me?''

Pausing for a brief moment the Holy Man picked his words carefully before proceeding with the conversation.

,,We know little to be honest, Qualin would have trained and prepared us to oppose Aurora and her Knights but his premature death has made it all the more complicated for us to find the right path in these dark times. We know that Aurora had been silenced by our ancestors yet not fully beaten. She has a selection of Chosen, a group of individuals which might surpasses those of any other humanoid that I have ever seen.

Avis is one of them, we encountered him multiple times since Qualin his death but he withheld information from us whenever I tried to probe for it. The man is telling us what he wants to tell us and nothing more. The magical device here has actually shed some light about Avis, or at least, I think he is referring to Avis when it talked. He said that one amongst Aurora her flock is different and follows his own path. By my guessing this would be Avis as he has been the only one to show himself once more after our. . planet got destroyed. I think he is guiding us along a certain course that he has in mind. Why and where I do not know, but I do realise that we are being manipulated to follow certain actions.

What we would like to know is if the Knights have a certain weakness. My. . ''

The man stopped in midspeech while considering if he should continue on with his thoughts as he found them to absurd to tell them at first. Nonetheless he swallows hard and continues.

,,My recent dream made me believe that this sword plays a role in our quest. I know that it sounds absurd, and it only was a dream but nonetheless it remained as vivid with me as the memories of my past. After contemplating about it I concluded that this might well be the case, the blade has been Qualins after all, and he was a Great Warrior that had opposed Aurora before.

You said that you used to be a good friend of Qualin, perhaps you are able to tell me more about his sword and its origin for I am intrigued by it. This sword has a perfect balance and weighs much less then I am used to when wielding swords of this size. I know from experience that some magical items require a certain phrase to activate as my old fighter friend Denlar had a sword which only worked when he spoke a command. You don't happen to know if anything similiar applies to this sword?''

Stepping through the door the Paladin softly grabbed Willow her hand while pulling her closer to his side. He didn't like it to leave his back exposed to foreigners and so he made sure that the experienced female was there to cover his weak spot. Squeezing gently in her hand he looks at her before letting his pupils drift to the stairs of the catacombs and tilting his head. Coughing softly after he turned around while keeping one armed outstretched towards the stairs.

,,Please, we should discuss matters like these in a safer enviroment. I am far from at ease at this place and the other Knights might fill in anything that I am forgetting to tell you.''

The Paladin waited there for the three to start moving before following up after the third and walk up the stairs.

[Frodiddly]

Turin found himself watching Mazia for a time as she looked out the window. Her beauty was simply incredible. Light reflected through her hair, amplifying the beauty of that blond hair. He couldn't help but to feel a slight... "elation" inside... himself. It had been so long since he had known the touch of a woman... How he longed to know Mazia's touch now...

He suddenly realized the silence since Mazia had finished speaking was beginning to grow.

"Oh, um... None taken. I am not a part of those kind anyhow." He couldn't help but feel a slight feeling of resentment towards Illya. It was apparent that Mazia didn't harbor any feelings for the halfling, but that boy shouldn't be putting any sort of moves on his woman.

It was another interesting note that Turin was all ready beginning to feel an attachment to Mazia in this way, as if they were all ready a pair. They had not even begun courting each other yet! Calm yourself, Turin, he thought to himself. Do not let your emotions get a hold of you like this.

"I am sorry to hear about this dragon... I am afraid I do not have very much experience with such things, but is there anything I might be able to do to help?"

[Chekken]

Mazia smiled. "Oh Turin, you're so sweet. You're definitely not like Illya...he'd never have the courage to do what you've done for Black Grove." She leaned over and gave Turin a small peck on the cheek. Her own cheeks turned pink and she turned away for a moment. Then, after gathering herself up, she spoke to Turin.

"If you really want to help, I suppose you could talk to Illya about the dragon problem. He doesn't seem to like her at all. In fact, it's almost like he hates her, or something." Mazia thinks for a moment. "You could always talk to the dragon herself. She is only a wyrmling, but she's pretty smart and she should be able to tell you a bit about herself, if you're interested. Illya lives close to the mayor's house on the Western side of town." Mazia scoffs. "I should know...my father and I have been there way too many times."

[Frodiddly]

Redness shot through Turin's face, and it began to glow with heat. He felt a bit glad that Mazia had turned away, so she did not see Turin's embarrassment. And the sweet things she said to him... The lady was so wonderful...

Turin did manage a few more business-like thoughts, however. It might be worth investigating that dragon, though. I hear getting in a dragon's good graces is always something worth doing. I wonder if Emurian would be able to help there...

Suddenly, the Dwarf realized, Is that racist?

But now was not the time to worry about that. There was a date with Mazia to worry about!

"Well, perhaps I will check that out some time, Mazia. Thank you! But I think for now, there is much more impending business at hand, however. I believe a picnic is in order?" Turin stood beside her, offering his arm for departure.

[Chekken]

"Of course!" Mazia placed her arm in Turin's. They were just about to leave the church when Amelia practically burst through the doors. Then, seeing Turin and Mazia with their arms together, the urgency of her request suddenly went away.

"EMURIAN, I...oh. Hello."

"Hello", said Mazia. She looked around awkwardly for a bit, and then quickly released Turin's arm and coughed loudly.

A long and awkward silence befell the room, during which all three of them seemed to look in different directions. Finally, Amelia spoke.

"Well, at least you two are enjoying yourselves."

She gave a fake smile, and then grabbed Turin's arm and moved him away from Mazia. She looked around, and then said, "Where's Emurian? He's in a bit of trouble, no thanks to those...those..." Amelia took a deep, frustrated breath. "Hedgewick and Lotharain roped him into giving a speech at the parade. And I hope he's good at giving speeches on the fly, because the carnival is in twenty minutes."