Climax towards redemption

[Rayl Torien]

OOC: Huzzah for time skip power?

After spending the night at the inn in Araphen, Rayl continued onward and swept quickly through Sacae. He had debated on taking a detour to visit Katara and the others back at the village, but time was running out for his leave, and he had only one person left on his list: Persephone.

Just the name of the woman brought back the few good memories he had from five years past. When he met her (and Alcibie too) in Sacae just a short time after he had graduated from the training academy. After they fought alongside Crowley the Magnificent (Rayl had just finished writing his book, which was becoming increasingly popular in Pherae and Ostia), that one time they held hands, though he forgot why exactly...he was Twenty-Five now, but just thinking about the women with flowing hair like snow and eyes of crystal made him feel warm inside.

...So warm, in fact, that he almost forgot that he and Elibe were trudging through snow and frosty winds, and soon was pulled back into reality, wrapping his blue cape around himself in a vain attempt to recollect that non-existant warmth he had just moments before.

This was the first time he had seen snow like this, and he wasn't liking it one bit, nor was Elibe, who's breath you could easily see as it snorted with frustration from the wind stinging it's sides. But it would follow it's friend and rider to the end, so if they needed to get through this: So be it. The mighty horse would manage.

The two rode on for what seemed like a lifetime, waiting out the rough patches of wind and frost in forests or small town, before coming across a (somewhat larger) mountain village, with a sort of castle atop a small hill overlooking the meager settlement. He'd remembered Persephone telling him that she was of noble birth, and a castle was as good enough of a place to start looking...and so with newfound vigor, he and Elibe rode on through the village, catching the curiosity of the village people: what was this type of man doing here? He didn't look like a mercenary...or anyone they'd seen before, for that matter.

[Rayl Torien]

Riding right on up to the castle gate, a pegasi knight flew over the wall to check the intent of the visitor, and Rayl could only recall the (blurry) image of his first meeting with Persephone, before addressing the mounted women," Do not fret, maiden of the skies. I am but a pilgrim on a long and arduous journey. I am here to inquire about a woman named Persephone Fairsky." There was a long, silent pause from the woman (who looked similar to Rayl's snow queen), before the rider took off back over the gate, which opened itself, and thus Rayl and Elibe made the last footprints (and hoofprints, respectively) on this journey, which would very well soon end.

While being escorted through the snow covered court, Rayl had a hand in one of his saddle bags, fumbling around for something, until he pulled it out: a diamond ring. He'd been saving money over the past five years, waiting for this very moment. They lead horse and rider to the stables, filled with Pegasi, then told the Pheraen knight that a Madame Fairsky wished to talk to him, and that she was in one of the towers. Rayl put Elibe in a stall and removed his cloak to reveal his armor (which was polished...and very very cold!), and rested it across his steed's back,"This it boy: the final part of our trip!" he patted the horse, who let out a snort in the cramped stall: they wern't meant for massive, Elibe sized horses.

And so with renowned vigor, Rayl followed behind two guards as they made their way up one of the tower's spiral staircase, the knight, in his anxiety and nervousness, came up with the strange thought of a horsemen going up a staircase on their mount! Preposterous! Upon reaching the right floor, the guards left him before a door, and as he gripped the cold handle, he could only wonder what the next moments would be like, before twisting the knob, and letting himself in...

OOC: Horses up staircases? Where did that idea come from? I was debating on Rayl going up the staircase on Elibe, but...naaah.

[Rayl Torien]

OOC: Oh boy, this post will be epic.

As the door slid open and Rayl slowly entered the room, a woman was facing out a window, but turned and faced the visitor once she heard the door close,"Ah, so you're the visitor, then?" the woman smiled, and the knight could only guess she was around Persephone's' age, maybe slightly older," I am Persephone's sister...oh, please take a seat." as instructed, Rayl sat down, not really thinking, his mind clouded by joy: for the first time in a long time (not including the breath of fresh air from being forgiven by Alcibie), he was genuinely happy! Nothing could possibly ruin this momen-

" So tell me, sir knight...Rayl, was it? What details can you share about my sister's death?"

wait- what? What just happened here? What did she say? Persephones...Dead?! That joy that was in his face just moments ago washed away in a tide of anguish, but other than that, he showed no tears. He'd have to make something up, it seems. Persephone told him about her being from a long line of Pegasi knights, so...

"Well, madame, I can tell you this: if it hadn't been for your sister's noble sacrifice, the battle wouldn't have been won, and Elibe would be seeing darker days now." he feigned a smile, and the woman smiled back,"Then she was a true knight? That's good." the woman smiled and turned back around to look out the window for a moment, whereas Rayl quietly stood up, and exited. Once the pegasi knight turned around: the other knight was gone, and so with a shrug, she continued her business, completely unaware of what just happened.

The staircases were long. This gave Rayl a long time to think. To think about how the past five years added up to one goose egg. To think about how his whole life just seemed to lose meaning. About halfway down the steps, he stopped and sat down, looking at the ring, which now rested in the palm of his hand, reading the engraving upon it's inside: To my darling Persephone. You are the half that makes me whole, the stars to my sky, the flames in my heart.. He stared at the ring for a long time, before looking out one of the tower's windows, and let the ring slip from his hand and be lost in the cold and snow, before continuing his descent.

Without a word to anyone else, Rayl slipped into the stables, saddled up Elibe and set off without a word. Once the gates shut behind the two, leaving them out in the cold as well, Elibe shook it's reigns, as if asking what was the matter, but Rayl merely patted his steed.

"It's over."

And thus they began the long trek home, unknowingly riding past the ring...he was feeling much colder from when he had arrived.