In Their Time of Need (open)

[Sonia Zobek]

Lycia, just south of Ryerde

Sonia huffed as she jogged up the hill in front of her, the only thing standing in between her and a good overlook of Ryerde. After a few weeks cleaning up revenants in Badon, the undead slayer took to travelling north, having heard rumors of even more gathering just outside the city walls in Ryerde. It always seemed no matter how many she laid to rest, twice as many sprouted up in another territory for her to deal with. It was a vocation she’d willingly given herself, though, so she wouldn’t complain.

Reaching the top of the hill, Sonia sighed, stopping for a moment as she looked over the changed landscape. She’d only been in Lycia for the past three years, but she’d passed through Ryerde, Worde, Thria, and Laus enough to see how the past few years had changed the landscapes of the respective territories: walls erected where there had once been none, razed fields due to the soil being contaminated with rotted, corrupted flesh, and more than a few abandoned homes. It infuriated her to think that just one man and his twisted “prophesy” and goals had caused this much suffering to his country’s neighbors. It sickened Sonia to her core.

Even though the cities had changed, the demon hunter knew only her continued intervention could keep the problem from continually growing. There were a handful of others like her, travelling the Lycian countryside to try and keep their villages from being overrun. Others simply hunted for sport, which didn’t much help anyone save themselves. Still, Sonia supposed it was one less monster for her to deal with, so she simply left those men and women to their ways. There was no changing those who hunted for glory.

Attentive eyes surveyed the land in front of her, trying to see where the undead might be coming from and causing the most trouble. To the north of the city was a decent plot of farmland, and to the east and south much of the land was covered in a sparse tree covering - enough, though, that the undead could shamble through with much intervention. Hunters and local loggers would be affected, sure, but considering the territory could do business with the surrounding territories to fill that gap, no one cared much to help clear the small forest.

But once the loggers and hunters bled out of the town and the undead started emerging from the forest, the villages surrounding the main city started having issues, and put out a call for help.

Content with her initial survey of the land, Sonia slid down the hill, taking a path west, as she’d approach the city from there. She still needed to resupply before she could take to the forest, as well as speak to some locals to gauge what she might be dealing with. So she marched toward the city, its walls growing taller as she grew closer.

[Gavriil]

Lycia, it was a truly #$%#ned place. The prophets hand stained the nation as monsters and devils walked the land. Here hordes of the living dead walked from town to town devouring all that stood in there path and corrupting the land. It is here that the sins of the holy man are most evident and it is also here that Garviil has come on his journey. The crimson priest came alone, it was his own way of remembering his sins. He once fought in the army that turned Ostia into dust and now he looks upon the results of there actions. How could anybody consider this to be holy, to be just, or the will of the heavens. The prophet was mad, and all those who followed him were also equally mad.

Still this was Garviil's vacation, and there was still much work to be done. The priest did not come here to simply roll around in the sins of his past. He came here to help, to aid, to lift some of the burden off those who live here. His staff, though not made for combat, was the only weapon he needed. The monsters were persistent however they lacked the knowledge and wisdom to capture there prey. Garviil was always a step ahead. The zombies or remnants as the mages call them, he would simply lead them to a hill where would fall to there own demise. The other creatures were much harder to deal with, but Garviil had very little faith in there abilities He was sure he could outsmart anything that came his way.

With a warm smile and a large staff in hand Garvill walked into the nearby city.

[Sonia Zobek]

Getting through the main gates hadn’t been a challenge, considering Sonia was clearly still alive, breathing, and with a reason to be in the city. Being a smaller, outlying city in the overall Ryerde, not many populated the streets, but there were still fewer than the Etrurian expected to see in the mid-morning. Considering there were more than a few empty shop fronts and covered carts, it seemed this city was either not getting as much foot traffic as it once did, or people were beginning to abandon the city in hopes of greener pastures. Both of those options likely applied in some form, though, Sonia concluded.

Walking down the main dirt road through the middle of the town, Sonia entered the first open establishment she saw, which turned out to be a dusty old bookshop. A small bell rang as she entered the shop, the sound ultimately dulled out by the piles and piles of books in bins and on the few shelves that had been afforded to the little wall space the cozy store had been afforded. Sonia would have guessed a store like this would have been one of the first to go, not being a true necessity in a place and time like this. But who was she to judge a man’s resilience in the face of adversity?

Sonia picked a book off of the top of the nearest stack, which appeared to be some sort of magic tome. Flipping through the pages, she shook her head, unable to make out whatever ancient tongue this had been written in. Even if she could have, Sonia knew it wouldn’t have done much good, considering she had absolutely no affinity for anything magical. That had always been her sister’s talent, after all.

Placing the tome gently on the precarious stack of books, Sonia stepped carefully through the shop, towards the counter where a small, old man with bifocals stood, smiling as soon as he laid his squinted eyes on the brunette.

“I thought I was imagining the bell!” He laughed nervously. He had a rag in his hand that he turned over and over as he looked at the woman in front of him, who – dressed in armor and a fur cloak – looked like a fish out of water in a place of learning like this.

Sonia just smiled, giving a half wave with her hand. “Nope, flesh and bone, just like you.” She moved a bit closer, holding her hand out over the counter for a shake. The man paused, looking over her anxiously as if she would jump out and bite him, but returned her shake nonetheless.

“Peter Austin Teo, at your service ma’am.” His introduction was polite but still cautious. Wow, he really hadn’t had a customer in a while, had he?

“Sonia, sir,” the Etrurian replied, taking her hand back and placing it down at her side. “I was hoping you might be able to tell me a bit about the undead that have been plaguing the town. Have a few minutes to spare?”

[Gavriil]

Getting through the gate was a great challenge for Gavriil. Sure the old man did not have any magical tomes or any weapons hidden on him, but he was from Eturia. People in Lycia had a distrust for them. It was justified of course. They were the ones who burned Ostia to the ground and seem to have initiated the spread of monsters. All the damage and death done to the nation could be laid at there feet. Still Gavriil was determined to do good here. It was his way of repenting for the sins he committed. Walking into the city the priest began to take a quick walk around. He wanted to see the condition of the city and the condition of the people. Maybe he might find some use for his staff or another poor soul who needs salvation. There was always plenty of room in the orphanage and Lycians made excellent assassins.

As Gavriil walked down the street he noticed something that caught his eye. "A book store", he spoke with both surprise and joy. It was rare to see these kind of places in this day and time. People usually did not place to much stock in words of the past and a many more just could not simply read. Gavriil however did not believe in illiteracy. He made sure there was plenty of room for books inside The Dragons Door Step. However most of the books had already been read and some of the older children were forced to simply reread old books. It was a travesty. Gavriil had made it a effort to get more books, but the only ones available to him were holy text and scripture. Gavriil was a true believer however to much of a good thing was bad. The children needed imagination, education, and a grasp of the outside world. In there line of work and future lines of work imagination would be one of the most important facets in determining success.

"Well lets see what this store has to offer", spoke Gavriil as he walked into the door. The shop was just as he imagined. Full of books and lacking in customers. Though the big man was surprised to see a woman clad in armor inside. You would think that one clad in so much armor would not spend there time in a book store. Usually the battlefield called her type away. Though after hearing her speak he understood why she was here. Monsters, they filled the minds and the tongs of everyone in Lycia at the moment. Like a plague they marched across the land tainting and destroying all in there path. The smart warrior did there research before battling them and the wise warrior talked to somebody else who had already done research.

"Good afternoon", spoke Gavriil as he waved at the shop keep and walked off to the shelves of books. His eyes scanned over the name of text and his hand moved to grab those that were interesting. Off the back he grabbed hold of the magical tome the woman before was holding. The ancient language was something his children needed to study. Mainly because he wrote all of his orders in them. No easier way to hide information from prying eyes than to write it in a language that no longer was being used. The tome probably contained some interesting theories about magic and would prove a interesting reed as well. Quickly Gavriil's hands began to fill up with books as he moved from shelf to shelf picking out anything that looked as if it would be useful. He knew the shop keep would probably be ecstatic with Gavriil buying so much product. The old priest might need to make a trip here a yearly thing. He did not want to see the man go out of business.

[Sonia Zobek]

Sonia had noticed the entrance of the green-mustached holy man into the bookshop, but she kept her focus on Peter as he explained what had been happening. Apparently they had been dealing with revenants for some time now, but now there were reports of larger undead intermixed in their ranks as well. They were easier to keep at bay during the day, but as soon as the sun began to set they spurred into activity – very typical behavior for the hellish creatures. And unfortunately for this town, much of the outskirts were altogether abandoned thanks to an overall increase in numbers, as their ramshackle walls weren’t holding well in certain places.

Hmm, this was worse than the brunette had initially believed. For the first time in a few months, she worried if she would be able to handle this thread on her own.

“Peter, what’s happened to the town guard?” Sonia asked inquisitively. Even though this town was on the smaller side, even a few able-bodied men working together nightly would quell the majority of the beasts.

Peter shook his head sadly. “Well, most lived in the outskirts ma’am, and what’s left of them have been pulled to protect the walls near some of the wealthier citizen’s homes and businesses.”

Well, that ruled out asking the town guard to assist her. Sonia furrowed her brow, angry at what he’d just revealed. “It seems they’d rather line their pockets on other’s misery rather than help everyone. Disappointing.”

“You know,” Peter added after a brief pause, “if you’re looking to go after those monsters, there are a few young lads who hunt them together every now and then when there are too many. They might help you.”

Usually averse to bringing in others when she went out on a Clearing, Sonia determined it was more important to help the town than to stick to that principle. “Oh? Where might I be able to find them?”

After exchanging the location of the Wild Hare Tavern where the supposed young lads hung around, Sonia thanked Peter, turning to rush through the stacks towards the door. Unfortunately for her, she turned a corner too quickly, caused her to collide directly with the priest who had entered a short while ago, sending a small collection of books tumbling to the ground.

“Oh, I’m terribly sorry Father,” Sonia said as she kneeled down to help pick up the man’s books. “I should have been more careful.”

[Gavriil]

"No me books", spoke Gavriil as the young lady collided with him. The middle aged man had no idea what was truly going on at the time. The number of books he had piled up in his arm had distorted his view. When the young lady ran into him he did not even see who or what it was. For him it was just a great push and confusion. He did not understand he was run into till he hit the floor and by that time his collection was scattered across the floor like leaves from a tree. "Oh excuse me", spoke the priest at the same time the woman apologized. Gavriil figured it was probably his fault with him blocking his own flew with columns of pages. Without a word Gavriil started to collect his bounty of words and knowledge and begin preparing to move once again.

"Do not worry yourself young lady", spoke the father as he gathered everything together. "I am more at fault than you are in this collision. I had piled the tomes us so high I could barely see in front of me. Speaking of which", spoke the bearded man as he motioned for the shop keeper to come. "Excuse me can I buy all of these books", he asked. The aged priest moved his bounty over to the counter top. As he waited for the man to calculate the cost he began to speak with the young woman once again. "So why the rush young lady", he asked thought he probably knew what it was about. When she walked in she was asking about monsters and following that pattern it probably had something to do with monsters. The beast in the dark were always the subject of interest in Lycia He doubted that there was anybody who did not have them on the tip of there tongs.

"Young lady how much about the creatures of darkness do you understand", asked Gavriil suddenly. "I heard you talking to the shop keeper about monsters when I walked in. I find it odd that so many people do not understand the nature of the creatures that they fight and yet they expect to have victory. A wise man once said to know your enemies. If one knows themselves but do not know there enemies then they will loss as much as they win. If they know themselves and know they enemies then they will win many victories and suffer few losses. However if they do not know themselves and do not know there enemies then they will loss many battles and fall into ruin. What I am trying to say by bringing that up young lady is that one should take the time to understand your foe and not simply rush in blind. The creatures you speak of, the undead walking corpses. They are nearly immune to all physical blows and have razor sharp claws that can cut through steel. If you face them in battle aim for the head and use magic that is powered by faith. They are closer to the neither, which is dark magic. Anime magic, or elemental in the common tong, is less effective on them than light."

The old man rubbed his mustache or a second as the shop keeper gave him the price. It was pretty high, but old gavriil had more than enough coin to pay. Without missing a beat the old man payed the sum along with 50 coins more. "Can you have them delivered to this location", he spoke as he handed a man a piece of paper with a city located near the boarder between Lycia and Eutria. He would pick them all up there before he headed back into the holy nation. "If you don't mind young lady I would like to come with you. If you plan to hunt the undead then you will need medical attention. There claws and fangs can do serious damage and my staff can heal your wounds."

[Sonia Zobek]

Sonia smiled as she finished helping the priest pick up the last of his selections from the ground. As a young girl, she had always wondered how the priests of St. Elimine’s church kept busy, considering they didn’t often have families or seem to leave the church at all. Sonia wished a younger her could have seen the man in front of her now, as she knew a younger she would have been fascinated by the strange sight.

“Ah, a bad habit Father,” Sonia said, avoiding the whole truth with the man. Though she had been separated from her home, she still thought highly of devotees of their faith in these dark times. “I always rush, even when there’s no place to go.”

But Sonia should have known dealing in half-truths with a priest would not end well for her. The book shop wasn’t terribly big, so hearing the man warn her of the dangers of the monsters that roamed Ilia made her curse herself. Sonia listened to the holy man’s advice and guidance regarding the demons she would encounter. Though she was quite familiar with his words of caution, as many lessons she’d had to learn the hard way herself, she remained silent out of respect for the man’s position. Besides, nowadays she wouldn’t turn away advice from a man or woman of the Light.

What she hadn’t been expecting was for the man to offer to accompany her and assist her. She frowned, not keen to bring more people into this than she had to. Sonia didn’t want to place the older man in harm’s way. Then again, she had been off to the tavern to recruit the town’s self-proclaimed “monster hunters,” hadn’t she?

“’St. Elimine, guide my blade, and her church guide my heart,’” Sonia recited, one of her favorite scriptures from their holy tomes. Maybe she was not a great reader, but she was an excellent listener when it came to knowledge of her faith. “Father, I worry for your safety, but I cannot turn away the help you offer. It is greatly appreciated.”

“We won’t be able to move on the demons until night-fall, however,” Sonia made clear, since it was still mid-morning. “For the trouble I've caused you, Father, may I provide you with lunch? There is a tavern a stone’s throw from here.”

[Gavriil]

"Worry for my safety", spoke Gavriil as he gave off a light chuckle. "Young lady you need not worry for me. I can take care of myself and if I do fall in battle the world will not loss much. As you can see i am quite aged and the orphanage I run back in Eturia can take care of itself without me. Though that statement was self evident with me being here in Lycia and not in Eturia."

As the maiden offered to give him dinner Gavriil began to rub his chin as he often does. "Is it not customary for the man to pay for dinner on the first date", spoke the priest. It was not long before he let out a great chuckle. "A jest young lady, a jest", he spoke as he raised his hand in his defense. "I am far to old to be dating and have my own vows as a priest to keep. I will accept your offer of a meal though. However I would need to properly introduce myself. I am Gavriil a humble priest from Eturia. I spent a long chunk of my past fighting with mercenaries and serving as there healer. I then turned my skills to the Holy Army before I retired and became the director of the Orphanage called The Dragons Door Step. My past may not seem that glamorous as others, but I have seen battle before and know my way around a battlefield. So you won't have to worry about me when the fighting starts I can take care of myself. If I may be so bold however I would like to ask you of your own name. You don't have to give me your back story. That was something I added in just to let you have a idea of who I really am. Most people see me as some glass pot ready to break the moment it hits the ground."

[Sonia Zobek]

Sonia gave no reaction other than a simple nod of her head as the holy man rescinded her concerns for him. She doubted a man with an attitude such as his would not be missed by someone, especially knowing he apparently headed an orphanage back in Etruria. Many times priests and sisters weren’t aware of how many lives they had truly touched; Sonia knew this first hand, remembering how her whole family had been affected by the loss of their court’s sponsored priest. He had been a generous man, devoted to his faith and his country, and unfortunately lost his life in the Prophet’s upheaval. So many in the county had been devastated to hear of his passing, though most of the mourning was done in silent because of the Prophet’s influence.

A laugh erupted from Sonia as the older man joked about their proposed meal together being a date, enjoying the joke that broke her somber, hyper-focused mood. She was glad he accepted her offer, and was even more relieved to hear of his past familiarity with battle. At least bringing him out with her would not be walking the man to his death, which Sonia did not have the stomach to be responsible for. While a stranger, knowing he was Etrurian as she was gave them something that bound them together. Granted, she didn’t know if the man supported the Prophet or not, which warranted caution, but their common ground as fellow countrymen was enough to make her feel a bit more comfortable with him.

“Well I appreciate it Father, you being so candid,” Sonia said with a smile, motioning him towards the door as she led him to the exit and towards the direction she’d been told the tavern was in. “My name is Sonia, and while I don’t have nearly as colorful a past as you, I’m from Etruria as you are. I left about six years ago, though, for... personal reasons. The past three years I’ve been doing what I can to help the territories and villages in Lycia deal with the monstrosities that have plagued them since the fall of Ostia. I feel it’s the least I can do to help those who are suffering.”

It was a painful thought, as she wished she could help her own people who suffered and lived in fear of their lives under the Prophet’s reign, but the Loyalist’s attempts to right things and the results of that showed what happened to those who were unprepared for the Prophet’s wrath. And with the borders locked down and her name likely on a wanted terrorists list of some sort, Sonia couldn’t dare enter the country unless she could be smuggled in. She still had too much work to do here to relieve the Prophet’s indirect influence through the undead, though, so she couldn’t go back yet. One day, maybe.

“You said you run an orphanage, Father Gavriil,” Sonia said, diverting the conversation back to her Etrurian companion as they approached the tavern, a small place called The Broken Flask. “How often must you travel and be away? The children surely must miss you.”

[Gavriil]

Six years thought Gavrill to himself. The old man rubbed his chin, but kept his words to himself. He could pretty much guess why she left. With the prophets rise to power and the threat of death looming over any who through differently than he did why would people not leave. Gavriil knew the danger well, it loomed even over his head. Though he had his ways of avoiding trouble.

"Oh yeas I do run a orphanage", spoke Gavriil as he stepped out the door. "It is called the Dragons Doorstep. It is a lovely place and the children love the gardens. It use to be my family estate a while back, thought we were never nobility. As for the question about my attendance. I do not leave that often. Well not out of the nation that often. From time to time I leave to settle small matters and buy provisions that are not grown on the land. However I make it a personal goal to visit Lycia at least once a year. I did tell you I use to fight in the holy army right. I was there during the attack on Ostia. Things I saw that day", spoke the old man as he held his head down in shame. For a moment he got quite and then he rose back up to speak again. "Well I promised myself that I would respect the dead and honor there sacrifice by aiding the people of Lycia at least once a year. Normally I bring homeless children back to the orphanage or simply use my staff to mend wounds. This particular oath is the main reason I quickly volunteered to aid you young lady", he spoke while looking at the tavern.

The Broken Flask, nice name, Gavriil thought to himself. "As for the children", he spoke as his usual smile crossed his face. "I think they are probably happy I am gone, well for a little while. I have aids and others who aid me in watching over the place, but I am a very strict man. When I am gone they get a bit more wiggling room. I know for one Natasha loves to give the little ones sweets before they go to bed. Naturally I forbid it, but once I am gone, well things are left up to those who are still around. So the little ones get to have there snacks and we get broken beds. Still that only last for about a few weeks. After a month or so they will start to miss me. When i come back they seem to move in swarms to greet me."

[Sonia Zobek]

Sonia smiled as she listened to Father Gavriil talk about the children in his orphanage as well as his travels. It was comforting to know that there was at least some good still happening in her homeland, especially within the church that had been so twisted by the Prophet’s grasp. The estate sounded like a lovely place to be raised, even if it was under unfortunate circumstances. She didn’t necessarily like or agree with the idea of bringing children into Etruria with all of the terrible things that still went on, but she also didn’t think the man would have the heart to intentionally put his children in danger.

It wasn’t surprising to hear that the children missed him when he left, though. Even if he was strict, girls and boys who had been deprived of their parents for so long likely clung to the man as they would have their own father. The monster killer neglected to see the irony in her thought, instead focusing on opening the door for the priest.

“Well I’m glad to hear there are still good souls in Etruria,” Sonia smiled as they walked into the tavern. It was only inhabited by a few men, as there was at least an hour before the men who could afford it would come to partake in something for their midday meal. Colored chalk covered the walls in pictures of flowers and vines, and all of the shutters were open to let in natural light, making the place seem more vibrant. At the hearth in the middle of the room was a table where all sorts of meats and herbs hung down over, where a young woman no older than Sonia stood pulverizing something with a mortar and pestle.

Sonia looked back to Gavriil, walking to the nearest open table. “Did you start Dragons Doorstep before or after Ostia? Believe it or not, I was there during the attack… though not with any army, just there with a few close friends. It’s not something I think I could ever forget.”

[Gavriil]

"It was after", spoke Gavrill as he walked behind the young maiden. His mind wondered for a bit back to the day. "It was a terrible sight, though I expect that you knew that. The death and destruction caused on that day burns into your soul and compels you do something to make up for that. While others left the homeland in disgust and fear I stayed behind to aid the young ones. It was my own little way for atoning. Though I did not fire a single bolt of magic I still served in the army that did the deed."

The aged man stopped the conversation for a moment to put in a order. He figured that things were going to revolve around the homeland for a while, especially since Sonia had not been there in some years. "May I have some roast duck and a cup of new wine", he spoke as he moved to sit down at a nearby table. "So far things have been stable", spoke Gavrill with no context toward what he was talking about. He looked at the young maiden for a moment realizing that he had gotten ahead of himself and began to correct it. "Eturia, so far things have been stable. There has been a few inquiries into a few families, but it has been stable for a while. Though I am starting to doubt that will last long. Pirate ships are coming to ports and dubious people have been seen walking the streets of some port towns. I have have no idea what is going on, but things are probably going to pick up soon."

Gavrill had a superb intelligence agency working for him. The children who once stood in the halls of the Dragons Doorstep began sending him information about the happenings of the nation. So far Gavriil could not piece together what was going on, but he knew something big was coming. The very thought of it frighten him. It could be a purge, a removal of all who stood against the prophet. For all he knew the man's intelligence organization could have pinged him and other disillusionist. On the flip side it could be another invasion. He was sure the prophet wanted his land back in Sacae, but so far he has done nothing. It would not surprise him if they invaded Lycia and Bern as well. The two nations are currently weak and would provide little resistance.

[Sonia Zobek]

Sitting down across the priest, Sonia listened attentively as he spoke of that terrible day, her own memories flooding back for a few moments. The smell of burning flesh, the sight of the city burning and families slaughtered was burned in her skull, in her nostrils, in every bone of her body. Sonia was no soldier, despite appearing as one, but that day had scarred her with the memories of a woman of war. She wouldn’t wish those thoughts on anyone, not even the man in front of her, who clearly was working to atone for his own horrid deeds that day. In a way, that’s what most who had experience Ostia’s fall had taken to doing, in their own way. There was no real way to ignore those kinds of atrocities when you witnessed them.

The armored woman broke from her thoughts as the barmaid took Father Gavriil’s order. “Just a water and stew for me, thank you.” Looking back to the priest, she continued quietly listening as he described in brief the state of her homeland, the place she both loathed and loved. Stable within a police state was not an accomplishment, in her opinion, but for a man who cared for so many innocent souls she supposed it had to be enough. Seven years ago anyone in Etruria was in grave danger, so the fact that Gavriil could travel freely and be comfortable with leaving his children to do so much have been comforting for him.

“I’m not surprised,” Sonia said, watching as the barmaid came back around, though this time bearing a tray with their food and drink. “Something needs to stir the people, stamp out their complacency. Kraft’s grip can only hold them so tightly for so long. They’ll break it soon enough,” she mused, taking a drink of her water. She realized a moment too late how frank she’d been, but there wasn’t much she could do to take back what she’d said now. Besides, how could someone with such a vocation be in support of a man who had twisted St. Elimine’s church into a shell of what it had once been?

“What will you do if something like that happens, Father, what with all the children? It must be terribly worrying, having all of them to worry about protecting.” The woman bent forward with her wooden spoon in hand, taking a bite of her stew.