[Game Thread] Solo RP: The Tale of Dr. Thorrel Warzick

[ThatMusicWriter]

My grin faded. "What's wrong, little guy?"

[TheDrakemund]

Same glanced at Vadimas and back down. "He's mean," he said under his breath as he rubbed his cheek, though it was no longer red.

[ThatMusicWriter]

I knelt down, coming to eye to eye with the little fellow. "I can see that," I said. "Now, I'm going to be going. I want you to be careful, keep your chin up..." I put my hand on his shoulder, "and know that I think your father would be proud."

[TheDrakemund]

Tears threatened Sam's cheeks as he meet your eyes and he hurriedly nodded in understanding. Quickly, thereafter, he ran off towards an alley.

Vadimas watched him go. "I don't wish to seem insufferable, but I would ask that you don't attempt to save the children where we're going. The war battered north tends to be hungrier the further in you go, and we are bound for the mountain range and it's decaying settlements." With some difficulty, the Horian had fixed his bag to the saddle and hoisted himself up, flashing the great tattooed text as his sleeves slid up in the action.

[ThatMusicWriter]

I shrugged. "I know I can never save them," I said. "But I can at least make their burden easier." And with that I mounted the other horse.

[TheDrakemund]

"I'm less concerned with your attempts to better their lives, but I aim seeking to preserve yours..." He kicked his horse into motion, though it flattened it's ears in protest. "With one hand open for your charity, they can easily hold a knife or shiv in the other."

[ThatMusicWriter]

I nodded. "I am quite aware of that," I said. "But Ly'cerrinos shall guide and guard me."

[TheDrakemund]

"Of course she will. She and her daughters of seasons will save every poor sap who throws himself into danger. There are even rumors that she can end the war should she have enough flowers on her alters." Vadimas gave you a look that suggested he had no faith in her or any other deity. He then sighed a white breath similar to those the horses were giving and let a sliver of silence rest between you before he spoke again. "So, how long have you studied alchemy?"

[ThatMusicWriter]

"About sixteen years," I said. I chuckled. "It is remarkable how your reasons for doing something can so drastically change." I turned to him. "How long have you served the king?"

[TheDrakemund]

Vadimas' lips pulled into a thin line and he sat up a little straighter as he hesitated to share such information. "Three years," he eventually said while losing a bit of tension in his soldiers, "three short yet long years I've served him. Although, we'd met months earlier when the castle guards dragged me right up the dais and read an extensive list of crimes I had not committed. They meant to have me wrongly butchered in the same manner that Aella is rumored to do with Tiefling soldiers. Andrias simply laughed and waved away the accusations as, with a quick glance, he concluded that I was not quiet fit enough to slaughter a small army as the guards would claim I did." A small, amused smile danced on his lips as he remembered the event. "He is bold, as his nickname would suggest, but a very just and wise King nonetheless."

[ThatMusicWriter]

I smiled back. "I would not know," I said, "I have never met him." I chuckled a little.

[TheDrakemund]

He watched you then with eerie blue eyes, caution--as well as a shade of curiosity--lurking in their depths. "... That could be changed, if you wished. As I said before, his highness is in need of trust-worthy alchemists, and should you follow and return with me after my work here is done, your reliability would be... proven, to say the very least... That offer will stand unless we part ways, of course." As he spoke, Vadimas' eyes had drifted to distant treeline where the sheet of pure, cold white met a wall of resilient growth.

[ThatMusicWriter]

I nodded and contemplated. "If it would be honorable work," I said, "then I would be more than willing to oblige."

[TheDrakemund]

"Well, that would certainly depend on which side you're on, but I am seeking a key of sorts, hidden away deep beneath The Mirror. If we find it, the war will be as good as won." Vadimas seemed to savor the idea.

[ThatMusicWriter]

I shrugged. "Well, I for one dislike wars," I said. "I wouldn't mind helping to finish it. What sort of key are we talking about? Alchemists are not known for their locksmithing."