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Post by Drei on Mar 22, 2015 6:24:02 GMT -6
Drei's gaze seemed unwavering towards the dancing orange flames which captivated him in some sort of way. His eyes however did not just linger upon the flames but almost stare through them. As if his frigid stare could pierce and sunder the flames. His expression numb in a manner of sorts as if he was listening but lacked the capacity to respond. His head tilted however after a few moments. Snowy white strands of hair shifted as Drei's gaze obscured behind him closing his eyes. He paused before speaking. His tone masked almost every aspect. Now he was speaking more of personal opinion, as thoughts took him to a place of arid air with intense heat beating down upon him where burning sands greeted each step and found countless cracks of space to occupy; a burning itchiness surfacing along almost any aspect of exposed skin. Nabata was his second least location to visit. "Nabata is an unpleasant place. We found it easier to travel than most might..but we wern't bogged down by armor or horses or the such. It's heat however is unwelcoming as it's sand is unplesant to sleep upon. Setting up camp in the desert was a nightmare and the vast reaches between civilized dots seem to make it less worth visiting than the heat almost. Ilia's cold wastes atleast have a higher chance to find civilization, in addition to an easier time making camp. One can clear the snow out to make a camp ground. A thousand men could dig for a thousand days and the desert would still win..." After the brief alteration of conversation he returned to a quiet gaze at the fire.
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Post by Duma on Mar 22, 2015 8:31:39 GMT -6
Most people usually say sorry. Your emotionless state and impoliteness are starting to wear on me just a little. Duma sighed softly. He shouldn't blame him loss and death are a tricky subject. People respond differently.
"I've gone to Illia once. To recover in a hot spring place after an uncomfortable fight with a giant spider." He spoke calmly. Although the tale may seem far fetched it was true. Monsters were roaming the earth which was a nice boon to mercenaries like him but also a burden. Few in the world know how to successfully deal with monster and even fewer know how our where they come from.
Then his tone shifted slightly to that of a more serious expression.
"Drei. Tell me something honestly. Do you hate Eturia? And those who inhabit it?"
The swordsman did not blame the shaman if he loathed the country and people who took away his home, his livelihood. But he also knew the effects of what hatred does to the human mind. It corrupts rational thought causing unneeded bloodshed. Hatred causes death.
If Drei harbored these thoughts it could bleed out into his magic subconsciously. At least that us what he thought, which could be problematic for the partially raised in Eturian swordsman. He remembered once Mila had tried to cast a fire spell once when she was angry, the spirit responded to that rage. And the man responsible for his scar was ALMOST horribly marred as a result. The full details as to what happened were hazy even to him.
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Post by Drei on Mar 22, 2015 11:07:37 GMT -6
Drei heard his story, but before he could really respond the man asked him a question that occupied most of his attention. "Drei. Tell me something honestly. Do you hate Eturia? And those who inhabit it?" "
His gaze though still upon the flames masked the mixture of emotions. Anger. Frustration. Hatred. Anguish. Loss. At first retrospect upon his own soul, yes. At first glance it looked as though he had no lingering good will towards the nation who's over zealous ideals robbed him of his home. Who stole his family from him. A family that couldn't return. However that wasn't the root of it. His general distaste stemmed beyond that. Drei's mind turned as thoughts worked at the cogs of his processing. His eyes closed as he sifted through broken emotions to find clarity. His fingers extended as he poised his palms as if to cup an invisible object. Energy crackled to life between his finger tips and the young Shaman began to slowly manipulate the gathering shadows into physical form. Altering and twisting them until they were palpable sphere's within twin palms taking small protruding spikes or other traits as they shifted and swirled around. It helped him suppress the stirring emotions and remain clear in thought. It..also brought him closer to his parents in memory and helped ease his center of focus. As the boy's amber eyes opened slowly, he calmly gazed at the swordsman with his hands still gently guiding the shadows through twitching fingers. As if he could multitask the two perfectly. The reflective light against the shadows from the orange flames turned the twin onyx orbs to shades of purple, or at times orange or pink as they were manipulated in his hands. It was the act he had performed of sorts, though on a smaller scale by far. When he spoke it was as if he had no personal investment. The lulling calm of his focus into the Elder Magic required absolute calm of mind.
"I do not hate all Etrurians. I hate the ideal that blinds them. Ignorance. As one who lives by a blade, you can not fully understand it; though only by Elibe's society and not any failings on your own part. Elder Magic is feared. Though some consider this a form of respect, respect it's self is not fear. I've told you I grew up in Sacae, with my family's circus. There is a reason for that. Travel as myself, or any other shaman and you will understand upon entering any town. When doors are slammed shut in your face, people threaten your health and others quick to bar you entry to a town simply because you are proud of your talents and do not hide them in shame...It builds contempt. Ignorance is what allows the average farmer to see my tome and believe I am here to raise the dead. Ignorance is what justifies Etrurian guards butchering innocent people. Ignorance is what forces these out-casts to look to one another...simply to live a life without solitude. Sacae has this as well, but in far greater absence. People will not flee in terror because I look different and hold a black book. Usually. "
He paused for a moment. Inhaling and exhaling slowly in a deep breath before he merged his hands slowly. Palms guided towards one another they merged the sphere into one before it began to fade and whither away, as guided by his whim. He closed his eyes for a moment longer in silence before speaking again towards the swoardsman. "My children will never know their grand parents. My wife will never know my parents. My comrades shall never see the great shows my family could perform. My home, will never return...because it was not a set location. It was a group. A group of those like me who belonged no where, yet found a place among one another. Even now, news spreads of the execution of a "Cult of Necromancers." as my family has been labeled. For what? Tricks of light using dancing shadows? Your question is answered by both yes and no. I hate all Etrurians bound by that ignorance. All Etrurians who would..who would turn others aside because they are afraid of shadows. For a place home to light...they..are far more horrifying to me than any tale I've heard of the dark."
Drei was bitter. Indeed. No matter how calm, no matter how cold and how collected he could be. He was at heart still a child. A boy who had lost his parents. Had lost his family. Had lost his home. Set astray to wonder a land where he'd have to fear that any person he meets would resolve to kill him for what he was. A place where someone couldn't belong, simply wasn't a place anyone should have to be. As he tried to speak his voice finally cracked. The cold exterior briefly wavered and his Amber eyes averted as pain filled his gaze. Tears threatened to break through as water glossed the corners. Some things, no matter how strong the individual; simply couldn't be held back. Shaking his head once to free his thoughts he kept his gaze downwards a bit before exhaling. His voice much quieter now; and his tone still slightly torn he mumbled. "That is your answer..Take it as you will."
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Post by Duma on Mar 22, 2015 12:20:42 GMT -6
Duma let the boy speak his piece. Carefully dissecting the words and phrases in his head. Although he put on a brave face and used his craft to keep him calm the swordsman could see and hear the emotions of his words. His answer though riddled with honesty intrigued him. He guessed the boy's age to be around 16 or 17 just judging upon his tone of voice and appearance.
"You. Are a mature young man. And I am not good with words of comfort. Many of your age would have simply said yes. They harbor a hatred for all Etrurians regardless of the circumstances that they have been born into. Some would have used that hate to raise an army and storm the country only to be slaughtered by the prophet and his dogs. You bare both hate but acceptance. You understand the differences between the people and their ignorance. That.. is very admirable." Duma paused for a moment. He wasn't sure if admirable was the right word for it but he had already spoken it.
"I was raised within those sheltered walls of the nation. And hated every moment of it. Like you I had my family, a home, a place where I was accepted for who I am. We were never welcome in Etruria. We were not born upon it's soil and had taken no vows towards the idiocy that was their prophet. But for the sake of my family I grit my teeth and bared it. We did what we could to scrape by without rousing little suspicion to ourselves." He wasn't sure why he was talking. But hearing Drei speak prompted something in him to give his own exposition.
"I know what it was like. To be turned down for help. For food. For work. Our city knew we were outsiders. And they hated us for that. Even though my parents worked with the guards to help protect their brainwashed citizenry every night. People treated us like dirt. Blamed us for every thing wrong." He sighed.
"That ignorance runs deeper then you may think. It is so ingrained into the mind of the people that it may be impossible to separate the two if and when the time comes. In time your answer may change." He eased himself into a more comfortable position.
"Your travels alone will be full of people ruled by ignorance and lunacy. It might be a different kind of ignorance but it is ignorance all the same. And in time you may need to rely on those idiots to keep your life or the lives of those close to you safe. Those fools may even become your friends. You use your magic as a medium to keep your thoughts and emotions in check. There will be moments where you for whatever reason may be with out your spells. You may find yourself unable to keep yourself together. And those ignorant little fools will still be there with you."
He glanced up at the sky, then eventually fell onto his back. His head and back met the soft grass with a poof. Unsure of what he had just said. His mind and mouth were just speaking words without any real filter in between them. Perhaps it was age that was showing. Or maybe because he sympathized with Drei to the point of being comfortable enough to talk freely. He had spoken his piece and now felt tired.
"You can rest easy though. I'll be keeping the first watch." He muttered aloud. Night had finally painted the sky black.
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Post by Drei on Mar 24, 2015 7:15:45 GMT -6
Drei's breath became more solid. Deep steady ones that helped him center himself collectively and internally. His finger tips slowly pressed to either end. He listened to the green haired swordsman speak, but seemed to be in an almost meditative state for the duration. His response collectively being calibrated as he figured out his thoughts entirely. After all, when speaking from the heart or mind one had to be certain it was truth. The soft thud of the man lying upon his back broke an otherwise quiet moment. Drei started to speak as small dark electrical sounding currents built up between his finger tips and he practiced his art once more. It helped, practicing did. It felt as if his parents were simply..watching him do it. When he closed his eyes, he could visualize his mother sitting upon her favorite chair as she observed him.
"Etruria is blind in their fears and faiths. Any act of aggression, uniform or not; publicly atleast would further reinforce bias and unjust views towards my kind. My father often spoke of our circus as an opportunity. A place those with no home could find one. A place where those who live in the shadow of Elder Magic could take refuge from the torches of Elibe's mobs. If ever I wished a goal to aspire it would be providing such a place once more.." Though he paused, shifting his hands to realign and augment the onyx sphere he continued but a breath later. "Outsiders should not be cast aside, be it for branded physical differences or the abilities yielded to them by chance at birth. Until the world understands this shelters may be necessary at times. I know however that while I appreciate your words on my opinion...I've been left with little choice in the scope of them. I can ill-afford immaturity when people look to me with daggers in their eyes and hands upon hilts. Though...you may have company on said first watch. I don't sleep much, or long." Wasn't that an understatement. A few restless hours in the night sufficed for his uneasy mind it seemed.
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Post by Duma on Mar 24, 2015 12:09:00 GMT -6
The swordsman sighed. He kept staring up at the sky, slowly counting the twinkling stars. The nearly full moon had risen up into the sky providing some pale illumination. He was tired of talking at least for now. Actually he was just tired in general. Every time he talked about his past in Etruria weather it was intentional or not, always left him drained in some manner. He brushed his hand over his forehead, his fingers traced the scar on his face. Another uncomfortable memory stifled through his head. Her scream, his vision hazed red from his own blood, and his confusion. He closed his eyes.
He focused on his breathing. Meditation. Just relax Duma. Let the chilly air fill your lungs and have it clear your head. The night was just beginning. Although it was technically spring time, the nights on the plains were still chilly. Which was good since it kept most of the pesky insects at bay.
"Drei." He spoke calmly breaking the awkward silence.
"I suggest you bundle up and use the remaining camp light to pitch a tent or set your bed. There's only a few hours of fire left. I ran out of kindling. And the night is still pretty young." He didn't bother getting up from his position. He still kept his eyes closed. Duma only had enough rations of food to sustain himself. But if he was going to escort Drei through Sacae he would need to share what he had.
"Come morning we will have to hunt for breakfast." He yawned. Perhaps first watch was not a bright idea. Lets see if I can sneak a nap in while he sets up his bedding.
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Post by Drei on Mar 25, 2015 6:19:49 GMT -6
The swordsman had a point. The light of the fire wouldn't last forever. Though he'd done it before, building tents through moon-light was not desirable nor easy. That was where Drei would be at a bit of an advantage though. In the rolling plains of Sacae, sometimes the Shaman had preferred to sleep outside. Upon the grass, with a sleeping mat rolled out or even upon the flat of his back and gazing to the heavens. Winking stars of brilliance which dotted the sky in a radiance he couldn't fully describe, while he slipped into the unconscious state of rest? It was one of the true graces to being born in Sacae. However he would atleast do that much. Turning to his now resting steed, Drei began to unpack from the saddle. Rummaging around he removed the bed roll from the horses saddle and took a few steps to the right, unfurling it and rolling it out upon the grass. The lavender shaded pseudo mattress was a time-tested bed for him. Nodding in approval of it's placement he turned to take the blanket from the horses saddle next and unroll it. Boom.
In three minutes he'd produced a bed that would be worthy of any king. At-least, in his mind it was. While the man spoke of hunting for breakfast, Drei chimed in quietly while he laid down upon his back. His words, infact truth but ones he would probably have been better to withhold. "Unless I happen upon slower game..I may not be overly useful on this end. Err...Elder Magic isn't exactly good at leaving bodies edible...or...intact really.." It was true though wasn't it? He'd tried catching Rabbits, and Foxes even. It just..hadn't ended well. Infact it had taken to giving Drei a bit of a distaste for killing animals. Most would have doubted that the dark evil Shaman was such; but he valued the live of the small fluffy creatures more than most human lives at this point.
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Post by Duma on Mar 25, 2015 19:19:16 GMT -6
"Alright then. I will take care of it. Breakfast at least." Duma heard the shuffling sounds of Drei setting up his bed roll. There was a long uncomfortable pause before Duma sleepy asked.
"Wait. Hang on.. where do the bodies go?"
The swordsman had himself on a simple blanket and was wrapped up in a think warm cloak. The cloak had served him well over several journeys and had a variety of patches to mend the holes. His mind trailed back to his sister. She would have probably poked and prodded the hell out of the orb of shadows shamans were able to create. Wondering "Where" does the object go?
He slowly pulled himself up after a few brief blissful moments of sleep. He managed to make himself comfortable while sitting up. He sat with his legs crossed like an Indian and began meditating. He let the sounds of the plains fill his ears and dismissed all negativity. He honed his senses a bit. He focused his ears on the sounds of the grasslands and of the crackling fire. He slowed his breathing and his heart rate fell to a calm steady beat. This was his method of preparing for the first watch. By the time second watch rolls around there would be few hours of night left. And by then he would be up before dawn to his daily routine. He would run off to do his necessities, then a few training swings with his sword, and hopefully successfully hunt for some breakfast.
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Post by Drei on Apr 2, 2015 15:40:00 GMT -6
Though the swordsman asked his question; by the time Drei had finished setting up his position of rest it was already a point of silence. The Green haired man seemed as if he was meditating. That, or a fantastic master of fixed position slumber. Drei was not in earnest ready for sleep however; So he took a spot near the swordsman- but not close. Sitting about fifteen feet away with his legs crossed as well and palms resting upon his knees he placed his book in the center of his lap. He couldn't read it; no not with the dark however he could focus. He had memorized each word in it, if not by heart by recollection. His thoughts briefly wavered though. The swordsman's words echoing through his silent mind in the place of text upon the old Dark Tome. That was when Drei decided, maybe it would be better to answer the question. For his own sake admittedly so it would leave his thoughts. Silence lasted a moment longer before Drei spoke abruptly breaking the quiet.
"You asked about the bodies earlier. It's not more of a question of what happens I'd say. It's where they go. A body destroyed by being utterly consumed of darkness usually vanishes in what looks like darkness. As if it's swallowed whole. Not always though. Sometimes they simply fall over dead, body too traumatized and suffering catastrophic organ failure..or heart being stopped by raw force. Things like that are a bit more..usual. Say though, I use Flux on a rabbit and entirely engulf it. Usually it burst into bits and is crushed in the darkness made matter. The bits left are corrupted by the void. Tainted skin turned pale and devoid of life and nutrient. It'd be hazardous to eat it I suspect. "
After answering he delved into quiet inner thought. As if thinking back to unravel the concept himself.
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Post by Duma on Apr 2, 2015 17:46:40 GMT -6
When Drei started describing all the things that happened to a body of flesh when consumed by the darkness, there was a sick churning in his stomach. His mind flashed to a rabbit on the grasslands being eaten by a shadowed tendril. It was hard to see but he was slightly paler then he was when the conversation started. Duma was used to killing people and animals. To him killing was normal. He had learned how to skin and harvest wild game from his parents. He killed his first bandit when he was a teenager. None of those made him squeamish. But Drei's description made him squeamish.
He did not shift or change his position.
"I.. suddenly regret asking." He spoke in his normal tone. A few more rounds of deep breathing and he regained his composure.
"Dark Magic. Is different from Anima. I used to watch my sister study anima. She.. used to say it was a communion between the spirits of the world and the caster. The spell book was a medium, to bring the spirit to life in the world as an element." He stared out into the fire for a moment.
"She would spend hours memorizing her fire tome. To a point.. where she could conjure flame with out it. But.. when she did. The spirit was unruly. It would fizzle out. Or burn too harshly." He kept staring into the flame. The heat of the fire was strangely soothing.
"The death of the body usually occurs from massive blood loss due to the burns. There was a chance a person with resistance would. Survive. But he or she would be horribly maimed." He closed his eyes.
"Hmm.. Perhaps the talk of mutilating bodies is.. not the best thing to talk about before going to sleep."
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Post by Drei on Apr 3, 2015 8:31:59 GMT -6
Drei's response was almost instantly after Duma finished talking. Drei was well versed in the topic, having grown up aroudn shamans and being one himself. A small portion of him envied those who spoke to the spirits of anima. It made them truly safer than those who wielded Elder Magic. While Drei's tone was simply factual, there was a cold hard bitter truth to his words. "Shamans are not so lucky...We do not speak to the dancing spirits of whimsical natures like Mages, or guide the powers of the spirit like monks. The Void is but a single spirit. A one entity that is virtually limitless in existence and knows as much. It is a union. A dangerous one. Every time you tap into the powers of Elder Magic you must speak with this presence. You take from it, and it will seek to take from you. Every exchange it will whisper honeyed words and sweet nothings into your ear to tempt you. It's tendrils of inky black crawl through your mind...probing to better develop ways to manipulate you. It will offer power to the powerless. Prospecting great strength when one is helpless. To those seeking vengeance, it gives access. To the angry...it gives understanding. While your rage is pointed at the world it will fuel this so that you might take more, giving it greater access to you."
He paused for a moment. Gazing down unto the book as his twin open palms began to form dark twisting sphere's of nether energy. Though in the dark with his back to the fire it would have been almost impossible to see; the chilling presence of Elder Magic could possibly be detected. Drei practicing helped him control his focus...and his emotions. "To the lonely...it offers companionship. A presence that will always say what you wish to hear, knowing after all your every inner most fear and desire. It is patient, cunning and dangerous. You know the entire time that it seeks only to seize you...yet it is a force you need within your life; to defend yourself and progress at times. Unlike mages however if a Shaman loses themselves...It is not their body that is damaged. It sunders your soul. Your mind decays and your willpower shatters. You may become a mindless drone, or a devious and deadly thrall to the void. A corrupt being devoid of sanity...and so on. The list is virtually as endless as the nether it's self. Elder Magic can sometimes be a...trying path to walk."
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Post by Duma on Apr 3, 2015 15:59:23 GMT -6
Duma sat there listening and analyzing Drei's words and tone. He could sense he had struck a nerve somewhere with his comment on Anima magic. Perhaps from jealousy? The swordsman wasn't sure. But he took Drei's words to heart. He was no magician so he did not know what madness the spirits of the world caused upon the human mind. He had seen what it did but never felt it for himself.
"Your words. You have no idea how similar that sounds to other paths. All paths are trying." He felt his hand go to his sword. His mind flashed to the time he was presented with a slim sword from his mother. and the day she took him under her wing as an apprentice. The endless hours of training, the blood, sweat and tears. Her instructions about honor of the blade.
"I.." He paused for a moment.
"I wanted to make a clever analogy. As to how these honeyed words from the Neither you speak of.. are similar to the vices of men. Those who use greed and corruption for their own personal gain. And how they.. do everything to keep that power to themselves. How they turn around and back-stab their allies. Become paranoid. I seem to have trouble trying to formulate words about it." I could just be tired. He slowly adjusted his position. Got to keep awake.
He pulled his bag close and opened it. He pulled out a his water pouch and took a needed sip. He offered some to Drei.
"For what it is worth. I do not think you will succumb to the darkness."
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Post by Drei on Apr 3, 2015 19:48:17 GMT -6
Drei understood what he meant. Somewhat. The man had a decent point, sort of. Greed indeed plagued the entirety of Elibe to it's very core and back without any real sign of solution. However a corrupt official or easily bribed knight would not run the risk of consuming the innocent peoples souls or rotting their minds. Drei did not bring such up however; no real reason pertained as to why he would. He was merely sharing an opinion, not trying to spark a debate. The Shaman's fingers clutched ever so slightly as he curled his fingers to further condense the twin sphere's of blackest magic. Twisting pools of nether configured into absolute shadow before further solidifying into dense orbs of Nether. As he opened his eyes he noticed the male's hand extending in his direction. Given the audible sound of him drinking prior he could only assume Duma offered Drei the liquid within the water pouch. Drei however shook his head quietly before speaking, as he refused the offer lightly.
"While I appreciate the offer I am good. I'm not particularly thirsty. Though..I do appreciate your vote of confidence. I, like many shamans do not intend to fall to the tendrils of the Nether. It's simply a daily struggle we must endure I suppose. It's hard to register the opinions of others while the vastness of shadows it's self surrounds your thoughts. I will however, try to remember it..."
As he finished speaking he closed his fists and let the shadows fizzle. Wisps of darkness became consumed and twisted into non existence before vanishing entirely.
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Post by Duma on Apr 4, 2015 12:14:05 GMT -6
Duma closed his water bag and put it away. A small smile was on his face for some reason. Perhaps glad he could at least provide a small comfort to Drei. Many hours had passed since Drei first arrived. The sun had fallen entirely and the moon was high above them in the sky. Night time on the plains was serene. Duma could hear the sounds of small animals scurrying about. It's still to early in the season for crickets. He looked over at Drei's horse. The animal was relaxed. Duma could tell by the ears and lips of the creature. Also for the fact that the animal was lying down in the soft patch of grass.
"It's late." He commented.
"You should follow your horse's example and get some sleep." Words of an old nomad rang in his head. Horses usually sleep standing up. But when they sleep down on the ground it means they are dreaming.
"When.. horses lay like that. It means they dream. If your dreams return to that event.. try to forget it and" He paused.
"Try to imagine the dreams the horse may have?" He spoke with some hesitation in his voice.Not the best advice in the world. But, what else can we say at this point. He moved himself a little bit away from the fire. He carefully got up and stretched his arms and legs. Hmm.. usually at this point we practice a few swings with the sword. But that might disturb him. Hmm perhaps tonight I'll write a bit in the old journal. After a while of stretching and movement he sat back down. This time into a more lax position.
He pulled from his pouch a worn journal and pencil.
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Post by Drei on Apr 5, 2015 7:27:27 GMT -6
It was indeed late. However..that didn't mean the shaman would find sleep any time soon. If at all. Did that mean he would burden the other man with that though? No. His problems were, at the end of the day and ultimately always; his own. No one else needed worry about him nor would he give others prying incentive to. Drei, still sitting with his back to the fire and the green haired swordsman closed his eyes in meditation. His breathing slowed and his focus honed in as he spoke quietly after a few moments. His horses dreams were just that, his horses. If his horse wanted to share them, Drei was positive the steed would speak up. Until then he wouldn't worry about such notions. "I shall...do my best to get some rest."
Rest being used subjectively. He didn't need to be sleeping to be resting. Especially if he was meditating, his body at-least would rejuvenate it's self. He had to maintain clear thoughts, lest he begin to focus upon upsetting thoughts. Instead he focused on where he was. Where he had to go. Bulgar. The man there had always been kind to him, and he often remembered not 5 years ago being exited for trips there with his family to the town. Visiting the trading hub for goods and various other objects. Drei atleast had an idea where he was going for sure. Resting might be best, there was still a fair amount of traveling to do. So rest Drei would. Even in meditation he would find a small amount of slumber closer to dawn. A few hours of rest would go miles after all for the Shaman...maintaining his poise he wouldn't move, until morning...
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