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Post by Remus on Feb 22, 2015 8:42:59 GMT -6
Amelia giggled a bit at Nayru's comments of kidnapping kids. Owain actually made a form of noise. Laughing quietly in a volume similar to Amelia's giggle they continued to follow Nayru; each small child clasping at a hand as they were led down the stairs. Though Owain seemed to keep to Nayru's side, Amelia noticed a shine and turned as they turned the stairs to look. Though they weren't paying attention to the group of three in the alley, in the center of the street she could see three men talking to what looked like the inn keep. Each one had studded looking armor and silver like large blades dangling from their hip. The shine that had caught the girl's eye was the morning sun reflecting off one of the men's shields. All three had bronze colored tower shields. Though he didn't notice, as the children followed Amelia tried to wave goodbye to the nice heavy set innkeep. She remembered Remus saying the man let them stay for free and only Remus had to give money. That made him a nice man, right?
Remus was not long to follow. He moved through the door with his staff in hand, and two brown traveling bags slung over his shoulder. The blue haired priest looked side to side before noticing the sound of the descending trio. He spoke somewhat loudly, just loud enough to be heard as he swiftly moved to catch up to them; yet careful enough to make sure he didn't tumble down the stairs. That would have made for a horrible bout of irony. A grim dark irony. Living through being stabbed three times simply to die falling down the stairs. Why did that make him chuckle at realizing it? That was. Odd. Perhaps Miss Nayru was more of an influence than she (or he) realized. "Miss Nayru, Amelia, Owain. It's only me. We should hurry though. As I left armed men had started searching around. I think going through the back alley's is going to be safer. Err..I hope atleast. "
Amelia, frustrated at the inn-keep ignoring her as they went down the stairs turned around to wave again. Her cheek puffed out in frustration as she kept trying to simply show the portly kind man a goodbye. Maybe she'd have to shout? If he didn't she probably would because it was rude to leave and not say goodbye. Remus had taught her that hadn't he? The raven haired girl kept turning her head to look behind her as they moved down the stairs. However when she was about to yell to the man the voice of Remus caught her and Owain's attention. They looked up at the priest coming down the stairs above them, excitedly.
It seemed they were going to make it out unnoticed.
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Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Feb 23, 2015 2:07:36 GMT -6
"It seems fortune truly does favor fools" was Nayru's chosen greeting, patting Amelia on the head to regain the child's attention from parts unknown before crossing her arms with a bemused smile. There was neither ire nor fire in her tone despite the relative severity of their meaning, but neither had she excluded herself from her statement; she had been possessed of plenty of time to think of just how reckless she had been. If anything, her words were aimed more at herself than Remus, though she took no efforts to disabuse him of however he chose to take them.
There was power in perception, after all, and she was curious to see how he chose to react. Naive to the ways of the world did not make a man a fool, but everyone could stand to have their minds stretched out a bit... and worst case scenario, if he did get offended, at least it would make parting now easy. The group would probably be safe without her now, so long as they kept moving; if anything, they might well be safer without her.
...Not that Remus would be very happy to hear her say that, and so the dragon kept her mouth shut on the subject. Probably wisely, unusual for her. "Mmhmm. The sooner we exit the village, the better. It will take time for the town guard to figure out what happened there, and even longer for them to figure out that we are no longer in the building, but after that they will likely do their best to close the perimeter of the town, and we had best be long gone by then lest you plan on hurting men simply doing their jobs in order to wrest freedom from the jaws of defeat."
She shook her head, her smile dimming. Nayru didn't say as much, but the simple truth was that she would do what she had to do in order to keep on living, no matter what it took - even if it meant fighting her way out. Too many years of surviving, rather than living, had engrained that response into her mind. But bing capable of doing something did not mean that she had to enjoy it, and even were Remus and the children not here to judge her for it, she would have gone to great lengths to avoid having to spill innocent blood simply on principle. Surviving at all costs did not preclude a certain degree of consideration for others wherever possible, and she held nothing against the guards that would be looking for the people who had caused so much destruction.
But all of that was neither here nor there, and it would be entirely irrelevant if they took action now. "Let's keep moving. The sooner we leave, the sooner you can get back to your search."
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Post by Remus on Feb 23, 2015 13:30:14 GMT -6
It was an odd moment. When all tension had fled and it supplemented with a form of mirth. Knowing that they had escaped possible death and worse filled Remus with no small amount of a multitude of feelings. Joy that all were safe and unharmed. Thankfulness to Nayru for protecting the children, and himself in earnest as well. Hope, that if they could escape this situation perhaps their journey before them of impossible odds would be fulfilled. A grin spread upon his lips as Nayru commented upon their fortune. Chuckling slightly the priest shifted his staff fully approaching while nodding a bit with a smile. Leaning on his staff he found his breath after brief moments before speaking in return. "It surely does. I think it favors me quite greatly, to have saved me so often in just one day eh?" Beaming down to the children he smiled warmly with a sensation he could only imagine as that of a parent of sorts. The sheer relief at seeing them unharmed, it by it's self was enough to make him feel infinitely better about the situation alone. He returned his gaze to Miss Nayru. "It seems you've saved not only my life twice, but the children's as well. That alone is proof of such favor. Thank you, Miss Nayru. "
When she placed her hand on Amelia's head the girl found the distraction ample enough to look up, shifting her gaze with a giggle while peering up at Nayru through one of her fingers. The girl had become quite fond of the older woman, then again a strong female figure had been lacking for the entirety of her life at the orphanages. The admiration was quite obvious though she wouldn't have recognized it. The girl crossed her arms and nodded in agreement as if all knowing with Nayru's words while Owain simply looked from Nayru to Remus while they spoke.
Remus spoke a moment later as he landed from the final step and moved to stand aside Nayru while looking at length of the village left to traverse before shifting himself. "I can imagine that once we are a street or two over we'll be safe to leave without drawing suspicion. After all, guards there won't know of any issue most likely should we make haste as you suggest. We can acquire mercenary assistance in other towns in Ilia. It's simply a matter of getting to them. "
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Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Feb 23, 2015 22:26:06 GMT -6
Nayru forced herself to focus on the present, further stowing away her thoughts of a moment before. Focus on the present. "If there is a god, he - or she - is a joker." It was a stupid saying, perhaps, but one she had grown fond of in its own way. Irreverent, silly, stupid - and yet, at least to her, a poignant reminder of how strange the world and all its so-called 'fate' and 'destiny' alike could be. People had to find their own paths, after all; whether they used their faith in the Saint or faith in themselves as strength, the end result was still that they had to find it within themselves to push forwards. She and Remus might have very difficult beliefs, but each had only themselves to truly rely on when the going got tough and the tough got going.
Still, nothing wrong with helping each other out a bit. Didn't need any gods or legends to do that. Just a bit of good old fashioned humanity... as humans put it. Dragons had a different word for it, to the surprise of literally no one in the universe, but both meant the same concept. It was curious that mortals decided to attach such an important concept to a race that only sometimes displayed it - but perhaps it was as much a goal as a statement, a reminder of what people should aim for, what the human race should aim for, rather than the sheer amount of gall and egotism alike it would take to declare humanity as the sole purveyors of kindness and mercy - especially given their past.
"You're right," Nayru evenly responded, betraying little evidence of her thoughts. "If we are fortunate they may not figure it out - but someone wants you dead, enough to spend multiple assassins in broad daylight, and that implies a certain degree of power within the town... and possibly corruption within the guard. I would rather not risk dawdling, if it is all the same to you." Her words were a gentle rebuke of sorts to Remus, less a lecture than something she suspected he had not considered. They were safe for now, but that only lasted so long as they kept moving and got out of the danger zone quickly.
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Post by Remus on Feb 24, 2015 9:45:44 GMT -6
While Remus at first chuckled at her statement upon the god of great jests he felt a slight tug at his mind subconsciously bursting to be expressed. While they moved in quick strides, he lifted a hand to his chin in thought speaking while he reiterated her words with concern. "Why would anyone wish ill upon a priest and two children though..? I've hardly done anything of note let alone anything that should have earned Ire. Is Ilia truly such a horrible place as to fear for your life simply by arriving?" Truly he was confused. Even so, as t his problem plagued him he would not let it prevent him from atleast effectively heading for safety. Remus walked with bags in tow and his staff in his other hand as they swiftly made their way through the streets. Nayru was right to mention their haste. As he looked around he could see the guards of the town moving around and stopping random passerby's to question them. Most seemed to be trying to locate someone. Were they looking for them personally? Had they been identified of some sort? He couldn't tell, nor did he want to be within ear shot to find out earnestly.
As they neared the outer portion of the village, with the gates in sight Remus noticed an oddity. They were being followed. He wasn't any grandios master of espionage, but the few times he had happened to risk glancing around him three men had been following them. One of them a muscled man with studded leather armor, a shield strapped to his arm and his blade sheathed within the shield it looked like. Behind him two lightly armored men with blades at their hip. Though unease filled him he knew that in most parts of Elibe guards did not have jurisdiction outside of the towns boundaries. Perhaps, if they could actually make it there they would be safe.
He spoke in a hushed tone. Making sure the children heard him more over than Nayru knowing she would easily. "I believe we are being watched, if not followed. Simply pointing out, but we should hurry; yes?" He kept his strides long and though acting perfectly of the norm he soon realized it made no difference how they acted to the three followers; who seemed content to follow either way.
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Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Feb 25, 2015 4:01:51 GMT -6
"Why indeed?"
Her voice was carefully neutral, but Nayru was no brilliant liar, and a perceptive man might notice something just a little bit off in her wooden response. She wasn't - lying, exactly, in not telling Remus what the assassin had said moments before his death. About the man, Morrison; about the so-called 'lesson.' Lying by omission perhaps, but the word had such a... negative connotation to it. As if she were misleading him for dark purposes of her own, for the sake of injustice and hatred. The truth was a fair bit more simple; Nayru's current primary goal was to get the trio of innocents the hell out of town before someone succeeded in running a sword - or a lance, if the guard were in on it - through their fragile flesh. There would be no value in dragging them along, not if it meant they were put in further danger.
Remus had barely escaped death already, and going by what the man had said, the children had already been sentenced to a fate far worse than a quick and relatively painless death. There was something rotten in this town, a corruption that bore investigation, but she could better do that on her own, alone, without putting them at risk.
...Or she could just never come back to Ilia. Seriously. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. The long-lived lady was beginning to think that Ilia was actually inhabited entirely by lunatics given that she had yet to meet anyone who hailed from there and was entirely right in the head. Whether it was Elly, Lynessa, Zarius (who was technically not from there, admittedly), the thugs in the alleyway before she met Hayle, or this adventure, there was always someone looking to break her body or her mind, or sometimes both at once.
She had noticed their stalkers as well, her thinking mind in part occupied but never entirely gone, and had no particularly good answer to Remus's comment. It wasn't like she actually had all that much experience being chased around by a bunch of crazy peopl-ok yeah she did but usually they were just bandits or muggers, not, like, real people. For whatever reason, this particular trio didn't seem eager to accost them... she betrayed her acknowledgement of their existence with a visible glance, but did nothing further since Remus seemed content to do the same.
'Friends' of Morrison's, 'escorting' them out of town limits? Concerned citizens? Resistance fighters? For once, Nayru found herself not really all that curious. The sooner they were out of the midst of this den of maggots, the better.
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Post by Remus on Feb 25, 2015 10:59:30 GMT -6
Remus paused in thought, while he tried to speculate. Though continuing the swift strides as they attempted to leave he began to go over the past few days events in his head. Wondering and trying to figure out if perhaps he had missed something. But no, nothing he could think of warranted any notion close to let alone instigating the assault of him and abduction of the children. It wasn't logical. It wasn't..well..right in his mind. However as he recalled everything, he realized that his blue robes were still torn and caked in the red tint of his own blood. He was suddenly grateful he had taken a moment to wrap the brown traveling coat around him instead of bundling it into their pack when he hastily grabbed Amelia and Owain's stuff. Despite the glances upwards at the two adults from Amelia, it was a conversation and concern for adults. Being that children had much less to worry about she could not understand it and seemed content to observe and walk with them.
The town was starting to become louder. People stirred by the noises of the guards becoming more assertive drew attention as more bodies piled out of the Taverns, Inn's and shops or houses. Unfortunately some of the guards had attempted to question a group of drunken mercenaries who didn't take kindly to the interruption of their merriment. In a town full of mercenaries who were either waking up with hang-overs or had returned late night-early morning from contracts and simply wished to drink away their worries it was an unpleasant distraction. Sounds of discontent turned to sounds of violence. A few guards had attempted to take in the drunken mercs for questioning and brawls had broken out. While it made for a good distraction, Remus felt a wave of guilt wash over him. Had he truly done something wrong, that someone would send these hired men after him the after-math and collateral was also his fault. However the safety of the children was his utmost priority.
Remus quickened his pace as they neared the gate. Each step he shifted more weight into his staff and spring his step a bit now at both long strides and fast steps. He spoke quietly as his head tilted as if to talk to Nayru, eyes darting to notice that despite the dinn and noise of others fighting in the background the three still followed them. "I realize we are almost there but err...Where do we go from here? After we leave, where do we go? That is to say..we still need to get to another town. Do you know any we could head to?"
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Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Feb 26, 2015 0:24:26 GMT -6
For her part, Nayru let the lull in conversation continue until Remus chose to break it, keeping her senses sharp but allowing her vision to mostly focused on the dusty road at their feet as it stretched onwards, seemingly into eternity. It wasn't that she didn't care about her surroundings, far from it. But between the measured deep breathing exercises she was performing to calm herself and better control the power flowing through her, and her thoughts, had enough to keep her attention divided without intentionally mucking it up further.
...She did enjoy the exercise, though. Okay, yeah, a brisk walk wasn't exactly an overwhelming task, but her morning workout followed by a bit of cardio was good for the heart. Figuratively speaking anyways, and probably literally too, but Nayru didn't... think... she was likely to die from a heart disease. But there was something to be said for taking care of one's body, something she had not thought that much about until recently, though she had enjoyed her martial arts training a good - uh - it was a while back now, actually, probably one hundred to one-fifty years, she thought.
Remus was, as ever, chatty - not a bad thing, a bit of conversation could go a long way. He seemed troubled in general though, likely about why this was happening and who would do such a thing. She did feel bad for him, but... this was the nature of the world, something that neither his sheltered life nor strong faith would allow him to accept easily, and yet a lesson he would have to learn if he was to survive whatever the future might bring. As much as they might agree on how the world ought to be, Nayru suspected their positions on how the world was were... slightly different.
And while she could try to help him survive it, at least, it was up to Remus to make his own assessments of reality and act on them. She could no more tell him how to think than she could hurl the ocean. ...Which was actually sort of an amusing mental image NO NAYRU FOCUS ON THE NOW. "Well, gentle Remus, we walk. I hope you enjoy exercise, because you're likely to get a lot of it in your travels."
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Post by Remus on Feb 26, 2015 7:02:05 GMT -6
He wasn't exactly opposed to walking. It was true he hadn't done much intense exercise in his life, sheltered within not only Etruria's walls but within the churches atop that. Only when he was with the orphanage had he walked much, and that was when he took the children upon visits to the town. It was about a two hour walk to or from; but they also took plenty of stops along the way for the children's sake. They walked a road patrolled actively at all hours of the day by guards, where they could see torches of the patrol at dark and by day observe the men in Etrura's armor moving up and down the man-made roads at any given point. This would be different. The environment was far harsher, the people far harder and seemingly less friendly and they were in unfamiliar spaces. As they moved through the gate, Remus hefted the bag quietly. His gaze directed behind him to notice they were no longer being followed.
The men had stopped at the gate. Though they watched on with a scowl. Remus took this moment to stop for a brief second. Not out of need to rest but as he shifted through the bag he started to remove from it a bulk of what made it so large and full looking. The two heavy traveling coats for the children. Within the city's walls and with buildings to buffer the cold Ilian winds it wouldn't seem so bad. Now that they were venturing outside however he was going to make sure they were bundled up.
Making no obvious gesture to hide it however Amelia as she noticed Remus removing his coat looked to the men Remus had said were following them and stuck her tongue out at them. Surely they knew now, this was their utter defeat as henchmen. With such a disastrous victory blow dealt to the foul men of the world over; the children both obliged Remus's instructions as he outstretched his arms and held up the two coats. "Amelia, Owain. Come put these on now please. It may get windy and thus, far far colder."
Though the children took but a moment to get their coats on Remus now had enough bag left he simply used the strap to sling it over without it being too bulky. Nodding he adjusted himself and stood back up to continue walking with Nayru. Like scurrying rabbits the children moved so Owain took his old spot at Nayru's left side. Amelia clasped up at Nayru's right hand, grabbing Remus'es left and as they walked would periodically exploit the grown-up indomitable arm strength of either adult to support her wait and try dangling as they walked so she would hover in the air. Her own arms only held her up for mere moments before she was sadly forced back upon her terrestrial bindings known as feet. She looked to her left as Nayru talked then to her right as Remus talked. The blue haired priest had chuckled before speaking in an almost out of place cheery tone.
"No I don't mind. I used to walk the children out on field trips when we still lived at the orphanage. Though those walks only went for an hour or two so I can't say I've ever walked for days on end."
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Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Feb 26, 2015 7:47:28 GMT -6
Well that had been uneventful.
Nayru knew that, pragmatically speaking, she should be grateful that nothing further had arrested their escape - that their followers had not caused further issue, that the mysterious Mr. Morrison had not deigned to send another wave of assassins - or, if those men had been it, that they were less suicidal than the rest - and that the town guard had not known who to look for in time in order to delay them. That was good. She hadn't wanted to kill anyone else, innocent or otherwise, so she would not - could not - complain.
But it still felt like a bit of a cop out in terms of dramatic tension - what kind of story ended with "and then the bad guys stopped chasing the heroes and everyone lived happily ever after?" No grandiose final battles atop a burning cathedral in the heart of Etruria, no mighty dragons laying waste to their surroundings, no brave heroes and clever rogues and esoteric mages working together in perfect harmony to defeat the Demon King. Sure, it was a happy ending, but one about which few stories would be written.
A little disappointed despite her own better judgement, Nayru sighed, a touch melodramatically. It- it wasn't like she was looking for trouble or anything, but if Veigue had been there she might have... well, gotten them both into a horrendous degree of trouble, but probably killed Morrison somewhere in the process. Jacquio and Zarius were similar after all. The real problem was if these men might follow Remus, though it didn't seem to be likely based on their actions... for now.
Nayru crossed her arms, staring blankly at the men back at the gate, deep in thought as Remus took care of the children. It wasn't that she didn't care about them, simply that Remus was by far the better suited to mother them - there was some irony in that sentence somewhere, she was pretty sure - and let the 'family' of sorts do their thing before turning to join them as Amelia resumed her rightful place at her side.
"It's not all bad, you know." The dragon smiled fondly, a little wistfully. "The opportunity to see the world as it is - to experience Elibe at its best and its worst, to see what evil lurks in the hearts of men and what beauty lies in the furthest reaches of nature; the quiet warmth of a campfire shared with others, and the experience of discovering different cultures across the continent." There was something to be said for appreciating the simpler things in life. In experiencing Elibe in its totality, rather than simply dreaming about it. "I suppose it would be faster if one could but sprout wings and travel as the crow flies, but there is much to see and learn of this land, experiences that are robbed of those who travel with an eye, not for the journey, but for the destination alone."
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Post by Remus on Feb 26, 2015 8:41:17 GMT -6
Remus tilted his head to gaze at Nayru as she spoke. He knew there was atleast some truth in her words first hand, though he couldn't personally vouch for the rest; though it wasn't to say he disagreed with her in any regard. True enough, Remus had at one point decided when he was better equipped in life he had intended to travel Elibe. He could better learn how to aid others, if he had seen the problems of an entire continent once over. Though each step took them further from the village, and closer to the wilds of Ilia it did not seem like such a dangerous place. Though cold wind bit at them after a few moments it was mostly buffeted by the trio's brown traveling cloaks. Remus pondered it a bit longer before he spoke, chuckling as he smiled looking slightly skywards. "It's funny. Growing up in the church, they mention how old bishops went on great pilgrimages to learn first hand of the world. I suppose it's only lately I've learned that tomes can only bring you so much knowledge of the land. I had wanted to start originally, with a pilgrimage you know. Wander the world, help people where I could. I don't think at the time I realized how unready I was. Haha, how unready I still am. Yet here I am walking along side someone who has saved me twice over, with two orphans to try getting mercenaries before venturing to the other side of Elibe. All to rescue another orphan. It's..a strange world, if nothing else. "
He shifted his gaze to the path before them. A rhythmic step of right foot, left foot and staff tap. The light wooden sound of his staff hitting the ground was slightly muffled against the patches of frozen mud. The blue haired priest kept the almost signature smiling visage as he sighed quietly before speaking again. "I suppose I'll see quite a few sights, if I'm going to get to Laus. Traveling through Sacae will be pleasant I'm sure, but we'll have to go through Bern since Ostia is well...-" Though he paused, the obvious insinuation as to Ostia's ruined state finished it for him. "I've no idea how bad things actually are in Bern..but we'll have to move through western Bern so hopefully the fighting is elsewhere. Then it's through Lycia which..I know not what to expect. You seem like you've traveled alot I gather, Miss Nayru. Any er..suggestions you can offer?"
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Michael shifted his poise as he watched the woman and the priest leave with the children. Hefting his shield, blade sheathed within he lifted it and moved it over his back as he turned around with a dark scowl. The two hired swords following him, he moved back through the now upturned Ilian town as the guards started to regain order and sort out the rabble. Shouldering his way through the crowd he was intercepted upon his walk by a single black haired man that moved in step beside him. The man had a coat tied around him that hid the Sacaean garb beneath. A long foreign slightly curved sword was tucked in an ornate sheath at his belt. His silence was disrupted by brief words. "He will be upset."
Michael scoffed a bit as he nodded before shrugging his shoulders. He kept the arm with the shield stepped to it partially on his hip to support the weight and not fatigue his muscles needlessly. "He's always gettin' upset 'bout somethin' or 'nother. Bet he'll just toss up a bounty 'n call it good. You gunna chase 'em?"
The blade master with long raven hair shifted his blank gaze towards Michael before he turned to look back to the large house they were both headed for. "Yes. Not for money. For him."
The sandy haired shield bearer scoffed again and shook his head. Sacaens. Save their life and they become your damn trained hound. He looked over to him with a half grin. "Well if you do, let me know. I'd like the coin. I'm sure it'll be a high one, what with them killin' two of his favorites." The two men moved towards the building moving inside; preparing to inform the man within just what had transpired that morning.
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Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Feb 26, 2015 19:39:49 GMT -6
"Yeah..." There was an odd timbre to Nayru's agreement, a hint of hesitation not born of disagreement so much as something else. All too familiar thoughts. Back in Arcadia, she too had been eager to see the world, learn of it - and it had cost her a great deal. She only hoped Remus would not come to regret it as she had. "Going from a sheltered life to the world without can be a... jarring experience, but for all it has cost me, so too has it rewarded me. Knowledge, companions, experience; perhaps more than that, it forces us to confront the world within rather than merely the one without. We learn who we truly are somewhere along the way, whether or not the realization is a bright one. Continuing on until we are forced to accept or change ourselves."
She was probably rambling at this point. Truth be told, she wasn't really even sure what she was trying to say - most of her experiences weren't exactly relevant to Remus, and while she liked the priest well enough, they didn't have the same level of trust that she had with Veigue, to where she could actually say much more. "Sorry. Thinking out loud I guess." In a way, she had been. Filtered, admittedly. If only she had a working brain-mouth disconnect - but after her transformation she had... lost a degree of that cautiousness that had defined her for so long, though whether it was wisdom or cowardice to be left behind, she knew not.
Talk about geography was a welcome distraction, all things considered. Not least because she had just passed through a fair chunk of Lycia on her way to Ilia, so Nayru knew first hand just how bad things had become in that unfortunate country. Unfortunately, she had a little less experience with modern Bern, outside of her short jaunt a few months back with... that wyvern rider and the swordsman... Jasper and... it started with a Z. Not Zarius, but his was the only name she could think of in conjunction with it, oddly enough. She'd met Aerious there too, and Elly on the border shortly before. Huh. "Bern's troubles primarily revolve around the rebellion, but Lycia..."
The dragon trailed off, not looking particularly excited about the subject. "At least Bern's problems are primarily human, with a side dish of banditry. Lycia in its entirety is plagued with monsters and bandits in equal parts - a land divided by men and monsters alike." She shook her head regretfully, thoroughly displeased at her own assessment - not in herself so much as the reality of Lycia. "Tuscana in particular is nearly closed off entirely to the outside world, belying the massive Bael infestation building up in its forests, and Laus is under constant, unrelenting siege. Your safest path to Laus would be from the east... Tania and Santaruz have done a relatively solid job in controlling their respective infestations."
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Post by Remus on Feb 27, 2015 7:24:33 GMT -6
Nayru had a wealth of worldly experience. He suspected she talked from personal experience on this regard though given it's nature. They were both words to remember and look for, and a warning. He in earnest liked the prospect though. True he had indeed lived a sheltered life, and as he was already learning the real world was a very different place. While she attempted to apologize for her bit of "rambling" Remus waved his hand airily that gripped the staff as he shook his head chuckling. "Think nothing of it! I enjoy such exchanges. As we mentioned earlier, I still have alot to learn so even such ramblings of a possibly mad woman who saves strangers two times over is much welcome. I like these talks we've had thus far as I'm sure you've gathered. " He chuckled a bit before looking to the path ahead of them. With the conversation making the walk pass by the town growing further in the distance and shrinking it made little effort of a walk that would take far more out of the wandering trio. Remus was sure that Nayru most likely wouldn't even notice the distance they'd have to walk compared to them.
He looked to her as she spoke of Bern. It was good to know that the Rebellion would concern them little if it was busy with it's civil war. While he knew helping a just cause was as worthy a goal as any other he also knew that he had one of his own to adhere too. Thus, he could not stop to help those of Bern in need. A prospect he'd have to remind himself. Often. Remus was well aware of his tenacity for wanting to save everyone. It was his duty to help, but also accept he alone could not solve all the worlds woes nor should he try. Which he would if he didn't mentally keep reminding himself otherwise. He had a child who was most likely in peril and he would not divert from the haste at which he tried to dedicate himself to saving this child. Lycia though...that was a place likely to test him. He was sure of it.
He'd heard of Lycia's condition to a degree, but he was not sure what was fact and what was rumor. What was real and what legend or Myth. This was where he had more questions. Baels. Those were large spiders right? Perhaps it was better to ask. Now was perhaps his best chance to. "Baels..those are like large spiders yes? Err...how bad exactly is it outside of Tania and Santaruz? I imagine it'd be easiest to pass south of the mountains once we get into Lycia. We could go through Santaruz then after for supplies and the final leg of the journey. I'm just glad we won't have to go through the mountains, what with western Bern being open directly to Lycia. I don't think the children could do well with travel through them honestly. "
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Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Feb 27, 2015 7:53:02 GMT -6
Hmph! Nayru huffed audibly, offended beyond words by Remus's poisoned tongue. Her! Partially mad? "You wound me, good sir!" She shoved his shoulder lightly, the heartfelt(?) and righteous(?) indignation ruined pretty thoroughly by how decidedly not offended she actually looked. "...I'm entirely mad!"
A girlish giggle that sounded more at home in a teenage girl than a woman - she forgot sometimes that she looked a bit like one again and had reverted part of the way to that mindset - and the terrifying dragon retreated from her prey, the mood somewhat lightened by her jest. Though... it wasn't entirely a joke. Not after the life she had led, nor after the events that had taken place in those ruins in Sacae, and in Veigue's hometown. Normal people didn't fight their past selves, who were now possibly evil and trying to kill you, in their own minds. But what was normal these days, anyways?
In a world gone mad, where men fought each other over gold and saints and land instead of uniting against the tide of shadow, where death by assassin was apparently a common reaction to perceived slights and innocent bystanders could so easily be caught up in the bloodshed, normality was itself little more than a fond memory. Perhaps there was a little bit of crazy in everyone. Or perhaps there were only people living in an insane world. ...That was actually kind of depressing to think about. Huh. She shelved that wagon of thought before it went off the road too badly.
Baels... she seemed to have a tendency to find them wherever she went these days. It was... not a pleasant circumstance. The pitched battle in the ruins of Salvation Point, the skittering horde of nightmares in the forests of Tuscana - she still had to go back there at some point to stem the tide before it was too late - the mirth drained from her quickly as Nayru realized just how much more she was going to have to deal with the accursed creatures even if earth and sky did not conspire to face her with yet further of their kind. The titanic Elder Bael in the ruins of the ironically-named Salvation Point still hung heavy on her mind, the first creature to actually shatter her reinforcement and hurl her around like a rag doll; while Aerious had ended up defeating it, Nayru was all too well aware of the possibility that there might be a similar broodmother spawning the creatures in Tuscana.
It was both a worrisome and titillating prospect; the danger was real, but so too was the chance to test just how much stronger she had become, to pit her life against the beast's, to put everything she had on the fight and revel in it. No that didn't make her sound like a battle maniac or anything shut up brain. Aaaaaanyways! Um. Remus's question. Wow, she had gotten sidetracked. Latching on to the priest's words in order to distract herself from the distraction of her own mind, she considered his query in more depth. "Large... yes, that is one understatement for the colossal size the beast can attain, though I pray you never need meet an Elder. Those who are merely the size of a horse are bad enough."
Nayru, bringer of cheer and hope and horrific implications! Leaving the good Remus free to imagine just how large they might grow - a truly beneficent gift. "Lycia is crumbling." Matter of fact. Statement of fact. "The strong survive, the weak perish, and the opportunistic profit rather than help." There was no hiding the displeasure in her voice, Nayru's feelings on the subject as clear from her tone as her choice of words - and she always chose her words. "...I suggest hiring trustworthy mercenaries for the final leg of your journey regardless. Even where the monsters are scarce, bandits are not, and many would kill you the same as the monsters they have more in common with than humanity."
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Post by Remus on Feb 27, 2015 11:25:42 GMT -6
Their was laughter all around for a moment. Owain and Amelia's giggles at Nayru's response and reaction, bolstered and reinforced by the woman's own giggle. Remus'es chuckle became a bit more of a laugh as he smiled at her in her mock wounded state at his response. He smiled a bit to her then the children before looking back to the path they walked with a half grin. He found himself able to comment once again, his tone stained with the mirth that was so visibly expressed upon his lips. "Ahh, haha..perhaps I should retract my truthful statement then madam! I would not wish to rouse your ire, now would I? Heh." Another grin as he shifted and adjusted the grip upon his staff while chuckling happily. Closing his eyes a bit to simply enjoy the sensation of a complete ease from the tension and disaster not thirty minutes ago. How mere conversation could help things mend.
As she spoke of the Baels, he tried to scour back in time to recall what he could in tomes of them. Many unspeakable horrors had been referenced in their adverse liking towards light magic. A situation in which when ever monsters surfaced, often spoken of as effects of some ritual gone wrong or cult attempting to summon otherworldly demons; only for bishops or other powerful light wielders to cast Elimine's judgment upon them and end their danger. However truthfully confessing, until recent events Remus had assumed that it was but myth. When he spoke next, about the Baels he was of a tone more thoughtful than remorseful. After all, as Nayru had pointed out his talent for healing was still something to be grateful for. "This is a situation, or potential one I wish I was able to use light-magic for. If any form of accuracy holds to the texts in Etruria such monstrosities are easily harmed by light tomes. While I am grateful for my gifts of healing...it would be nice to know that I could assist in greater ways if such dangers approach. Another task I may have to rise to and challenge myself. "
Next Nayru spoke of Lycia's condition. While her suggestion was partially part of his plan already, he realized that he would have to find stalwart defenders for such times. As to when dark creatures or bandits would approach those he hired would have to be reliable. It would not do to hire those who would flee and leave him and the two children to their own for fending. No. She was right, he would have to personally gauge character and that was something that he was not able to do easily. Remus saw good where none else would. He knew this to be one of his best traits, yet he also had recently seen the failings of it. He was quick to overlook flaws in character, in a situation where such flaws could come back to cost the children their lives later. This would also doom young Thomas. Remus quietly thought for a moment or two before speaking again. "Your right. Those that I can manage to hire will have to be steadfast to their words as well. Though this journey continues to seem more and more impossible...I have to make sure I see it through. I must. "
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