Kyro
The "Before" years
[M:5]
Strength does not lie in one's arm or mind, but in what they fight for...
Posts: 29
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Post by Kyro on Jan 9, 2010 15:57:38 GMT -6
"How much do you want to bet this letter is nothing but groveling?" Kyro asked his wyvern as they settled down for the night. The latter gave an uncommitted growl, too tired from the long flight to truly have an opinion.
Sighing, Kyro lugged Aiyer's saddle off to the side, being careful to set it in the grassiest area in the clearing. I've been having more and more of my time taken by deliveries, messenger duty. The Wyvern corps is still a member of the military, so why are there so few patrols? Why do so many of the riders spend more time gambling now than training? He had already mulled this over a thousand times, and he had come to the same answer every time: no country needed a military if it didn't plan to go to war. With Etruria's massive display of power in toppling Ostia--Bern's only truly rival in military might in the old days, many would say--Ilia would try to avoid military confrontation at all costs. Bernese troops going through their traditional drills despite Etruria's hinted threats would set off every alarm the Prophet had. Invasion could quickly follow.
Which, again, does nothing to make submission any less cowardly. Ilia and Bern together would have no trouble with Etruria if they fought together. But if the people of Bern gained confidence... Kyro shook his head and focused on setting up his camp. I'm just thinking in the same circles. Mulling over it constantly does nothing, so I'll wait until I learn more from this delivery. Maybe something will come to mind...I have nothing against peace, but this entire situation is ridiculous.
Finishing his set-up with a somewhat smoky fire, Kyro relaxed, trying to think of anything but the currently unsolvable problems of Bern...
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Elias
Mage Knight
The Crimson Mage
I'm just saying that the problem isn't going away, no matter how good we get at stabbing them.
Posts: 451
Etruria Fame: 1
Sacae Fame: 2
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: The Crimson Mage
Affinity: Fire
Profile: Profile (updated)
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Elias on Jan 9, 2010 18:34:27 GMT -6
A traveler? Settling down for the night? A wyvern, a man, and a smoky campfire? Sounds like trouble! Lurking in the shadows, in a way that wasn't very skilled as he was a quite ostentatious looking mage, Elias spied upon the man and his giant lizard. He poked his head from behind the tree that was attempting to shade the showy mage, trying to stay hidden. This was, of course, very hard for him to do. A tree, nay even a thousand trees could not truly hide someone like him.
However, this was a different situation then what he was planning. He needed to wait for some brigand or wild animal or something to appear before he did. Then he would erupt from the shades and save his life! The Crimson Mage! will conquer all foes and become a legend! He just, er... needed foes first.
He was as green as the leaves of the trees he was trying to hide behind, but everyone needed to start somewhere. His last few attempts were... erm... less then successful, but Elias would never give up! He left his home to become a famous mage, and make up for his father's shattered dreams.
He peered quietly at his target, a bit unaware of how badly he stood out. Hopefully it was dark enough that it didn't really matter.
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Kyro
The "Before" years
[M:5]
Strength does not lie in one's arm or mind, but in what they fight for...
Posts: 29
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Post by Kyro on Jan 9, 2010 19:11:13 GMT -6
Anyone who had ever had experience with a wyvern--especially Kyro, with his old obsession with their folklore--knew that the only wyvern that you could sneak by had to be dead. As exhausted as he was, Aiyer was no exception: when something odd came around, he was the first to know, with Kyro being quickly behind him.
"Ow!" Unfortunately, an exhausted wyvern often didn't have the best judgment, and it was only years of being bowled over by overeager wyverns and being victim to Aiyer's pranks that helped Kyro keep himself steady. The usual signal to get his attention usually involved Aiyer flapping his wings subtly, but with his wings already used up, Kyro took the hint anyway; someone near needed to be investigated. Picking his lance up where he had put it down--always close at hand, as military paranoia had taught Kyro--Kyro rotated in a slow circle, looking closely for some concealed enemy...
He needn't have bothered. It took mere seconds for him to pick out the obnoxious glare of red in the trees, worn by a boy that had to be at least Kyro's age. Does he honestly think he's hidden? Kyro thought, slackening his grip on his weapon in bewilderment. I can't see how, but...if he wanted to attack me or Aiyer, he probably wouldn't have done it. Caution first, though. Never letting down a shred of his guard, Kyro called out to the stranger. "May I help you with something?"
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Elias
Mage Knight
The Crimson Mage
I'm just saying that the problem isn't going away, no matter how good we get at stabbing them.
Posts: 451
Etruria Fame: 1
Sacae Fame: 2
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: The Crimson Mage
Affinity: Fire
Profile: Profile (updated)
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Elias on Jan 9, 2010 19:26:00 GMT -6
Is, is he talking to me? Oh crap, my perfect ruse! My ultimate disguise is flawed! He froze at the spot and stayed still for a few moments. Silent, as if he was hoping that he would suddenly turn and think he wasn't there, or realize that he was talking to someone else and it was simply a coincidence. That was a really really fat chance, but still Elias was optimistic. When it became obvious he indeed did see the bright red mage, hiding behind the tree in a truly spectacular display of failure.
"So, you've found me..." He surrendered and came out from behind the woods. He had his hand on his hip, his cape laying atop that and his robe drooping a bit below. "I guess you win this round." He shook his head sadly looking down. Snapping back, he stared straight at the man with enough fire in his eyes to make even the strongest Elfire tome look away in shame. "I am The Crimson Mage! Elias, and I am here to assist you traveler!" With all the dramatic flair of a bad overactor in a horribly cheesy play he suddenly shifted in position and pointed at the man with the spear. "Let my flames burn fear in the hearts of all that oppose me!" He smiled wildly, but he was harmless. Granted he was annoying and over dramatic, but still harmless.
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Kyro
The "Before" years
[M:5]
Strength does not lie in one's arm or mind, but in what they fight for...
Posts: 29
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Post by Kyro on Jan 9, 2010 19:59:33 GMT -6
The minute it took for Elias to reply was a mystery to Kyro. Is he deaf? Does he think I'm talking to someone else? Should I motion to him...? What's going one here? He was used to a quick response, thought out and worded carefully but casually. Of course, Kyro had rarely talked to anyone but diplomats and his friends in Bern, all of whom were used to talking. This boy was like nothing Kyro had ever seen, if the obsessive amount of red testified to anything.
The response did nothing but confirm Kyro's consensus: whoever he was, he seemed to have been sheltered from bandits, cut-purses, thieves, politicians, and basically any sane person that could hurt him or might reveal the wrong in the world. Maybe he's some kind of theater performer, lost or something...
Kyro once again stowed his thoughts as useless. "Fear, absolutely. I'll let you know when I start feeling the fear." Something about this boy was completely disarming; Kyro couldn't believe he posed any danger. "Are you hungry? I have some food if you are." He turned to sit down by the fire, stroking Aiyer soothingly on the way. "Don't mind Aiyer, he won't hurt you if you don't try anything."
It took the walk to the fire for Kyro to remember his manners. Without turning--no need to be formal with someone that so obviously didn't care--Kyro began his introduction. "My name is Kyro. I'm a wyvern rider in Bern's service...although I don't have any title as impressive as the, ah, 'Crimson Mage', it's a living. A pleasure to meet you, Elias."
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Elias
Mage Knight
The Crimson Mage
I'm just saying that the problem isn't going away, no matter how good we get at stabbing them.
Posts: 451
Etruria Fame: 1
Sacae Fame: 2
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: The Crimson Mage
Affinity: Fire
Profile: Profile (updated)
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Elias on Jan 9, 2010 20:16:22 GMT -6
"Hrm..." He silently grunted and closed his eyes. He put his hand to his chin and thought silently for a moment. This man is a wyvern rider I see... I have never seen one up close. I've read about them in books, and in my father's stories, but still. The gigantic reptile right there was awesome and cool, so I have to give him points for that. With his eyes closed, he still picked up the words that were said to him. He didn't seem to want any, or realistically need any help at the moment. He couldn't even show his incredible kindness and humbleness by offering a starving man some of his food.
He obviously didn't fear him, so Elias realized he must not of been a bad person. Also he offered his food, and didn't try to hit him in the face with an axe.
"So Kyro is your name." He repeated, eyes still shut. A sudden burst jolted through his body as his eyes snapped open and he pounded his open palm with a balled fist. "I got it!" He announced to the world somewhat randomly.
He too sat down near the smoky flames of the campsite. "I will pass on your gracious offer, as I already have my own provisions Kyro from Bern." He replied, completely ignoring his previous outburst, as if it never happened in the first place. "If you are from Bern, why are you here in Lycia? Are you too traveling the land?" He asked, a big smile on his face.
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Kyro
The "Before" years
[M:5]
Strength does not lie in one's arm or mind, but in what they fight for...
Posts: 29
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Post by Kyro on Jan 9, 2010 20:36:32 GMT -6
Fellow messengers, wyvern riders and their mounts, and the occasional politician had been Kyro's company for several years. All had had something to hide, few had been willing to share their secrets, and not one of them had been anything but distantly cordial with Kyro. This boy Elias--Kyro's age or maybe a little older--was like nothing a normal person would encounter by chance.
And he was oddly refreshing. He had full trust in his own power and perceptions based on things he knew next to nothing about, and his seemingly random outbursts suggested that he cared next to nothing about what Kyro thought of him.
But enough of that; Elias had asked a question. "I'm acting as a messenger, taking a confidential letter to the Herald, commander of the army of Etruria." Realizing that he was hungry himself, Kyro stood and moved to retrieve some jerky and bread. Returning he finished, "In layman's terms, I'm being a go-between, and my 'message' is probably groveling and kowtowing to keep the Prophet off Ilia's case."
Whether it shocked Elias or not, Kyro refused to soften the edges of his contempt for Ilia. No, not for Ilia; many of the nobles of Ilia had nothing but Kyro's greatest respect. It was the ones in power, the ones that he knew would never face the Prophet as they should, that angered him. Strength, discipline and a stout heart: the marks of those who can better the world. Kyro would never forget his father's words, as little good as they did anyone in Bern.
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Elias
Mage Knight
The Crimson Mage
I'm just saying that the problem isn't going away, no matter how good we get at stabbing them.
Posts: 451
Etruria Fame: 1
Sacae Fame: 2
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: The Crimson Mage
Affinity: Fire
Profile: Profile (updated)
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Elias on Jan 9, 2010 20:50:57 GMT -6
"Ilia?" He tilted his head slightly and thought a moment before continuing. "Erm, Ilia's the place with the flying horses, right?" He asked. He didn't really remember that well. Bern was the place with dragons, and Illia was the Horses right? Or was it the other way around? Well this guy is from Bern and he had a dragon, but then again he could of picked it up along the way. Maybe he's special and has a dragon because he's a messenger? Or, um, maybe it was Sacae? No Sacae has the horses and Myrmidons. Ah well, it wasn't important.
"That sounds like a dangerous quest." He added, not really sure of what he meant. He wasn't up to date in the politics of the world, in fact he knew very little then the small village he lived in and the stories his father told him. "However a very important one indeed." He thought a little bit more, and the more he thought the better idea it seemed to become.
"I've decided. I'll go with you." He suddenly decided.
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Kyro
The "Before" years
[M:5]
Strength does not lie in one's arm or mind, but in what they fight for...
Posts: 29
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Post by Kyro on Jan 10, 2010 17:29:13 GMT -6
Definitely isolation, Kyro decided, observing Elias' reasonable but rather eccentric response. "Flying horses"? And believing being a messenger is "dangerous"...well, I suppose dealing with a man like the Herald could easily go wrong, but that still leaves us with "flying horses." I wonder where he comes from? Wrapped in these thoughts, it took Kyro a moment to respond to Elias' decision.
"You want...to go with me?" Kyro had never considered having any companion with him but Aiyer; most of the other riders were too busy, and the ones that had time had never had the tenacity and determination to demand any form of activity they could have. As much as Kyro disliked delivering messages, he would stand inaction even less, and so he had taken nearly every military-related job he could find.
Off on a tangent again... Kyro ratcheted himself back into focus. He had to consider this; Elias appeared to be a mage (if his title really meant anything), and a magic user could be useful. And, again, Kyro was engaged with Elias' personality. If he becomes an annoyance, getting rid of him will be easy enough. The matter was sealed. "If you want to, I have no objections," Kyro replied. "If you come, don't expect me to pick up your slack. You need to pull your weight. And, above all," this was the one area Kyro already knew he might have trouble, "be as quiet as possible while I'm delivering my message. A messenger doesn't interact too much with the recipiant; if we talk to them at all, it will be when they invite us to, no more, no less." Finishing his food, Kyro moved to the second grassiest area he could find. "I apologize for not having anything to sleep on, but Aiyer and I have to travel fairly light so as to be fast."
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Elias
Mage Knight
The Crimson Mage
I'm just saying that the problem isn't going away, no matter how good we get at stabbing them.
Posts: 451
Etruria Fame: 1
Sacae Fame: 2
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: The Crimson Mage
Affinity: Fire
Profile: Profile (updated)
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Elias on Jan 10, 2010 20:54:23 GMT -6
"Yes! It is settled then! We will become legendary heroes together!" His mind was slightly lost in thought as his delusions danced in his head. "Yeah... I can see it. It starts with something small that builds and builds until it's out of control." He smiled widely with his eyes shut. "And you don't need to worry, I can pull my own weight, and then some." He laughed to himself, unable to stop smiling. It's only been about a week since he left his home, and already things were starting. His story would be one to remain in the minds of everyone, long after he himself is gone.
"And I can stay quiet. I can stay quieter then quiet, I'll be like a quietasym." He went on, in a strange bit of hypocrysy and random ego trips. "The recipient will not even know I'm there, I'll blend in perfectly with my surroundings like the most skillful of assassins." He added atop of everything he was spouting.
He calmed down after a moment of wild delusions. "Yeah, I'll be quiet." He said with finality. He then dug into the bag he was carrying around with him, and pulled out a bedroll. It was dark red, like everything else he seemed to have, and he laid it out to sleep in. "Don't worry, I'm covered."
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Kyro
The "Before" years
[M:5]
Strength does not lie in one's arm or mind, but in what they fight for...
Posts: 29
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Post by Kyro on Jan 14, 2010 17:20:15 GMT -6
Kyro listened to Elias' tirade, interested to see how he reacted; it mostly seemed favorable, if a bit naive, but it still left the matter of his silence in doubt. Awe well, I don't think he'll be killed for an outburst of the sort he seems prone to. He needs to learn to use better analagies, but I can live with that. His thoughts turned back to his "mission." If rumors hold true, the Herald is either much gentler than the prophet himself, or he simply acts well. We can only hope the first is the truth...
It took several seconds for Kyro to realize where his thinking had led him. I said we...I suppose it is "we" now, not just Aiyer and me. I wonder where this will take us. Probably not to grandeur to be remembered for centuries...heh, I'm not even fooling myself. He's infected me with his delusion. Letting his thoughts wander like he always did at night--the only time he could find free of things he considered more important--he realized that he did believe something so miraculous could happen, if only on a smaller scale than Elias had imagined. It doesn't hurt to dream a little. Dreaming enlisted me in the wyvern corps, and I imagine most of the heroes of the Scouring and the Bandit King War started off dreaming...even the manakete. Kyro's old longing for more of those stories resurfaced; he loved manakete almost as much as wyverns, and the dragon Aerious and the smaller dragon of the Bandit wars rarely received even fleeting mentions. He had heard that Sir Rayl of Lycia had personally befriended the latter of the two. I need to find that book. Maybe they have it here, where speaking against the prophet isn't hushed out of fear.
Rarely did Kyro manage to break from the circle of speculation he usually resorted to: he would start to think about the stories he had so loved, then he would remember how many of them Ilia had banned, then he would begin cursing Bern's fate and wishing for some kind of plan to mend it. Suspecting Elias' interference, Kyro began to feel an emotion he had rarely experienced in its true form: hope. Maybe he was thinking too broadly; maybe there was such a thing as fate.
Regardless, he needed to sleep, and getting himself excited would prevent that. "Good night, Elias, Aiyer," he called out, absently noticing the red of Elias' bed roll. It took mere seconds for sleep to claim him. As strange as it seems...thank you, Elias. Who knew something so small could change my outlook this way, was his last set of thoughts before falling asleep.
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Elias
Mage Knight
The Crimson Mage
I'm just saying that the problem isn't going away, no matter how good we get at stabbing them.
Posts: 451
Etruria Fame: 1
Sacae Fame: 2
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: The Crimson Mage
Affinity: Fire
Profile: Profile (updated)
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Elias on Jan 14, 2010 17:53:04 GMT -6
Ah, so sleep has overcome my new partner quickly like a farmer and a... quick thing. "Good night then Kyro, do not fear, for I will stand guard for the night!" Stand guard for what exactly? Well evil of course! He sat up in his bedroll, allowing the dragon rider to sleep along with his partner, the giant winged reptile. Aww man, dragons were so fricken awesome. Hopefully he'll get to see a real one up close some day, maybe to work with! Or maybe to slay... Can you burn a dragon? Or is it immune to fire? What would a dragon on fire look like, do they sneeze and sometimes light themselves on fire? That would suck, and be very inconvenient if they ever got a cold.
Oh yeah, guard duty.
Elias' mind tended to wander when he was thinking, it would start with one thing then start rolling into random tangents. He looked around at the gigantic trees with big green leaves, and brown wood. He loved the fall, with it's colorful leaves, but green was good too. He wondered if there were any trees with red bark... Wait, focus! Guard duty!
He looked around attentively, determined to stay up all night.
----------------- The next day -----------------
Elias snorted in his sleep as he layed sprawled across his bedroll, all spread out as he tended to move around a lot in his sleep.
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Kyro
The "Before" years
[M:5]
Strength does not lie in one's arm or mind, but in what they fight for...
Posts: 29
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Post by Kyro on Jan 18, 2010 15:47:31 GMT -6
The night had passed uneventfully, as it usually did for Kyro; no bandits had invaded, there were no lost travelers asking for help in the night, nothing to disturb Kyro, Aiyer, or Elias. It just happened to be the one aspect of a tedious life that Kyro enjoyed having.
Waking up a little after sunset, however, remained a habit that Kyro refused to get rid of in the lax days of "peace." His father and his tutor in the military had impressed on him the importance of sleeping well, but never too long; there would be no leeway in that aspect. As much as he doubted the same would hold true for Elias, Kyro took a chance and nudged his new companion awake. "Elias, we have to go. The longer we take to deliver the message, the more likely it is that the Herald will have moved. I've spent enough of my life searching for wandering addressees already." With that, Kyro began his final preparations, saddling Aiyer as quickly as possible. Today we'll see if having Elias along is worth it, he thought as he tied the last strap in place.
With the last knot completed, Kyro accidentally bumped a saddlebag, sending a small, formally-sealed letter floating to the ground. Picking it up set Kyro thinking again: What am I delivering? Is it more Ilian begging, or will they surprise me for once...? I doubt it. Anyone that will oppose the prophet in a letter to his right-hand could certainly find the courage to speak against him while surrounded by friends. And nobles aren't known for doing what's right on the whole. Suddenly the wyvern-knight was gripped by an urge to see the letter; it felt too light to have all of the verbiage and simpering vagueness that one might expect. He reached his other hand toward the letter...and promptly slipped it back into the bag. Against our will or not, Bern is right now a part of Ilia. I owe just as much respect to them as I owe to anyone; I don't need to know what they say yet. Really, he would find out soon enough, and he would never fail to obey any order half as fit as this one.
"Are you ready, Elias?" he asked the mage, determined to leave as soon as possible.
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Elias
Mage Knight
The Crimson Mage
I'm just saying that the problem isn't going away, no matter how good we get at stabbing them.
Posts: 451
Etruria Fame: 1
Sacae Fame: 2
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: The Crimson Mage
Affinity: Fire
Profile: Profile (updated)
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Elias on Jan 18, 2010 16:08:26 GMT -6
Elias sprung right up as soon as he was nudged. "Vigilance!" He randomly burst out, snapping out of a sound sleep and straight back into guard duty... Only to learn the night was already over and Kyro woke up before him. His initial advantage of being up first was shattered, as it seemed that Kyro woke up far before he usually did. "Oh... It's sunrise already?" He added, sounding a bit weary and tired. His eyes heavy and half shut, he rubbed them with sleepy balled up hands. Adding an extended stretch and a tired yawn he got sluggishly to his feet.
"Ok! Let's go then! I'm sure we'll find this... Herald guy, don't worry." He said with a sudden burst of enthusiasm. As if he was just exposed to some raw source of energy, of which only Elias had access to, he lost all symptoms of the drowsies and became his normal self... Well as normal as Elias could be that is. His dad used to yell at him all the time for having so much energy in the morning, in his words "I get tired just looking at you." he would groan before drinking his morning Tea.
"So, where exactly are we headed Kyro?" The red magic user asked over his shoulder as he bent down to sling his pack across his shoulder. He didn't have a wyvern to help carry his stuff around, as awesome as that sounds, so he had to carry it himself and travel somewhat light. Rolling up his bedroll, he shoved it in there along the rest of his stuff. "You said you've been chasing this guy a bit, is he elusive? Like a fox? Or are you just very unlucky?" He added, all ready to leave.
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Kyro
The "Before" years
[M:5]
Strength does not lie in one's arm or mind, but in what they fight for...
Posts: 29
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Post by Kyro on Jan 19, 2010 20:39:04 GMT -6
It worried Kyro a bit that Elias started the morning as worn out as he did; a fatigued companion could be dangerous, especially when speed mattered as much as it did in the wyvern rider's current occupation. His fears were groundless, as it turned out; the mage quickly recovered himself, gaining all of the energy of the previous with some extra sleep must have given him. We'll need to put that energy to good use. Having him sitting on a wyvern all day couldn't possibly help...we have no choice, though. I won't leave Aiyer, and we need to get to the Herald quickly. He would find out soon enough.
Shifting himself onto Aiyer's back, he surveyed the clearing, trying to find any signs he could use if he came back by the same route. The clearing was functional, more than Kyro could say for many places. Seeing a stump on the edge, Kyro committed its rough position to memory before turning to Elias and holding his hand out. "When you're ready, grab on. Make sure and be ready for a long flight." Hopefully, we can find the Herald's camp today, Kyro reasoned. He should still be based in the ruins of Ostia...it shouldn't be hard to find. Ostia is--was supposed to be gigantic. It was another mark of someone's incompetence, but this time Kyro managed to force his thoughts away from berating anyone; it wasn't the time or place, and he would wait for both.
((Feel free to end the thread and have us take off, Elias. There would be only so much I could post in that...))
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