Tel-Silgulwath glanced quietly and unobtrusively across the table to Cinara, who seemed lost in a world miles gone from this time and place. She seemed heavily concentrated, lost in her... her vision?
Is she telepathic?
He filed that possible tidbit away for the future, took one last look at her noticeably sobered yet fine face, and slid his chair back.
What an odd bunch, he thought for not the first time, and then walked out the room.
Earlier he had asked the librarian the names of all the books concerning the Light, its origins, its sources, purposes, and most of all, the methods learned over time in mastering the powers it granted.
"Sir Elric! I knew your order was prestigeous and highly regarded, however I had no idea they had this much information!" he said excitedly to the paladin as they ate together
"Light is such a fickle thing, Carloseus," budded-in Tel-Silgulwath, "I've studied it for years because it is the most openly-available and because it's free- you can find access to holy tomes and scrolls at any monastery, church, cathedral, or guild hall that is founded on the principles of the Gods of Light."
He looked at him sternly, "You know where the real power lies; you have direct access to its main source. Why don't you take it?"
The words chilled him to the bone. He had felt this being to be a victim of darkness, of the evil that he himself fought. He did not show his shock. Perhaps, he still was a victim. However he was dangerous, that was sure.
"The light, indeed, is open to many. You are wrong in assuming it is accessible to everyone, for it takes discipline and work to attain any measure of power. The access I have at its main source," he retained the exact meaning of which they spoke. The rest did not have to know what exactly was being talked about between the two, "is much more shallow, much less rewarding in what it gives. It destroys, and it cares only for itself. I dare not take it, because I don't know what would become of me. And a dear friend took that power." he included. He felt the realization of what the conversation was about from Elric, and the realization of what happened to Bastrom from Tel-Silgulwath.
"He will find me, I will not go to him." he said before allowing Tel;Silgulwath to respond.
After resting up in the guildhouse of Sir Elric's and Darrian's Order, they made their way to the Bridge district of Athkatla, where the Prelate said the Fallen Paladins were said to have made their base of operations.
As they entered the district, they heard shouts echoing down a back alley that sounded like the clashing of swords and the cries of men.
"The cry of those in need!" cried Sir Elric. "Quickly let us aid them!"
Running down the alley they saw several well armored knights being attacked by a larger group of thuggish brigands.
"Do not falter brothers, the Fallen Paladins shall prevail!!" yelled the leader of the armored knights.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
Tel-Silgulwath glanced critically at Sir Elric, inquiring him what to do. When the words did not come quickly enough, a pike jetted through the air and into his right shoulder and the opponent crudely tore it out. Tel-Silgulwath fell to his knees, his hand groping the hole bleeding crimson and scarlet over his battered, brown robes. He turned to see the face of a manic fallen Paladin.
Do they not see? Look at the strength he draws from his hatred! There is no question that the furnace of power that burns in the deepest Hell is by far superior to the frail light of the High Heavens.
As he thought that, he tried to stand up, only to be shot through again, this time in the thigh. He fell to his side.
If I only had the power, these idiots would all have Hell to pay. He inwardly chuckled at that unintentional pun. Is this madness? To be lost in thought in your dying hour?
He lay there, blood streaming from his body and in to the crevices between the cobblestones of the street.
Carloseus's heart had sank when all his physicians restrained him in the temple. He could not set foot out of it, and he had been forced to see his friends go out to adventure and he to care for his weakened body. It might have made him angry, but he waved away the feeling with a simple thought.
He moved on with his excercises, his body growing tired yet stronger with every slow movement of his sessions. And now with his body stronger, they were now able to place him in baths in which his body suffered slightly due to the components boiled into its waters, however it sharpened his mind and quickened his restoration rate once he was removed from it and laid himself to sleep.
And whenever he would have to break from his retraining, he would go to the library where he would read the tomes containing stories, legends, history, and even teachings of how or when to use the Light. Sometimes he would invite other members who had the time for it, and they would discuss the purposes and the different styles of directing the power. As he learned more and more, he began forming his own conclusions. The Light was an endless power, and everyone had the ability to be a vessel of this power. However most don't know they can open this vessel and those who do can only guess as to become expanded vessels through which the Light could flow much more freely and therefore wield more power.
"Your training is going most excellent master Carloseus. Do not fret. You will be with your friends soon enough." he would be told by his trainers when they detected his exasperation.
"Greetings to you, friend. I am grateful for your aid against these dogs, and would know your names if you are willing to give them." asked the leader.
"Who we are matters not, just be grateful that I arrived when we did." replied Balgarath.
"Fairly said, I'll pry no further. My name is Bowen, formerly of the Order. I am now led by one Beofer... Might you be interested in employment?"
"If the pay is adequate, you might hire our services." replied Balgarath
"As for the task... when Beofer left the Order, the Paladins stripped his Cup from him. The Cup is... important to him. Perhaps you could retrieve it." said Bowen.
"Where will we find this cup?" asked Balgarath.
"Find the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart in the Temple district." replied Bowen. "The cup is within their building. You shall be rewarded admirably for its return."
"We'll go now and retrieve this Cup for you, although it hardly seems a test of our abilities." Balgarath said with a hint of reluctance in his voice.
"You'd best be prepared, the Order is strongly defended. I, myself, would die quickly if I stepped near their Hall. I wish you well, my Lord." said Bowen sweating a little when he mentioned the order again. "But... one question before you leave. The warrior who stands with you... he bears a most remarked resemblance to Sir Elric Sigmundson. It has been so long..."
I am not the one you seek, Bowen. You are mistaken. I feel pity for one who has been reduced to pettiness and evil, no more." replied Sir Elric.
"I... I see. Forgive me, then." Bowen said with a bow. "I receive so little news of the Order... it does not matter. I wish you well, my Lord, and hope to see you soon."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
Cinara tried to hide the contempt she knew must show on her face at these...these men they had just helped get out of a fight they did not appear they would win. "Hmmpf and they considered themselves knights," she thought.
She listened as the leader of this small group was trying to hire them out to get a cup they admittedly did not have the strength to obtain. As they talked with Balgarath, one of them thinks he recognizes Sir Elric, Cinara tenses up, ready to engage incase Sir Elric's identity has become known, but he is able to convince the dregs otherwise.
As we head back to the Order, for the cup, Cinara wonders just what Sir Elric has planned.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Smiling is infectious.
Give, expecting nothing thereof. ------------ BoD - Come have some fun! Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
" You have returned earlier than I expected, what do you require?" asked Prelate Yurius.
"The Fallen Paladins have asked us for a cup of some value as a measure of our loyalty to them" replied Sir Elric.
"Anarg's Cup?!" exclaimed the Prelate. "I cannot possibly give you this, for he was stripped of it when he lost his paladin status."
"Then we cannot finish the mission you asked of us." Sir Elric said with a grim look on his face.
"Very well then, you shall have it. Return it soon or you will not be given your reward. It is very important that the cup remains in the hands of the Order." said the Prelate.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
Cinara wonders why the Order is reluctant to give up a cup, a cup."Oh well, she mumbles to herself, at least this mission has been an easy one. She considers leaving the group and going back to town to pick on Zubin but decides against it, they may have need of me later, besides I have to find out what it is about that cup that is so important."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Smiling is infectious.
Give, expecting nothing thereof. ------------ BoD - Come have some fun! Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
Returning to the abode of the Fallen Paladins with the cup they were met with Bowen.
" You return, my Lord. Were you successful? Do you come with Beofer's cup in your possession?" asked Bowen.
"Yes, we have it." replied Balgarath.
" You do?!" exclaimed Bowen astonishedly. "I had almost not dared to think it possible. You are very resourceful. Come... I shall introduce you to Beofer, now."
" You are a fool to bring Elric before me!" cried Beofer. "Do you think I would not recognize him, even after all this time? I still have ears in the Order... I know why you are here, Sir Elric. You've come to slay me. Draw your swords and do your best."
"Justice has reached you, Sir Beofer!" cried Sir Elric. "I pity what you have become... it is time for this to end! If you cannot meet justice on your knees, fool, it shall be plunged deep into your heart where it belongs!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
Just as Cinara was thinking that this was the easiest task they had set upon, things start in motion. Sir Elric has finally been recognized and they mean to do him harm. Tel-Silgulwath asks her "What's this about?" She shrugs and notices that Bowen is heading for Sir Elric from the rear and he has not noticed her standing off to the side.
As Bowen tries to sneak up behind Sir Elric, Cinara grabs his arm as he passes her, forcing him to turn, he looks at her bewildered, he had forgotten I was there, she says to herself. She smiles at him, brings up her dagger waves it in his face to make sure he sees it, she quickly brings it around and plunges it into his gut. She pulls it out as he falls to his knees, hands closing over his gushing wound. He looks up at her astonished.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Smiling is infectious.
Give, expecting nothing thereof. ------------ BoD - Come have some fun! Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
Tel-Silgulwath inclines his head slightly to see Cinara shrug. Not a very divulgent lot, the whole of them-
And then he barely catches site of Bowen, sliding first to his knees and then to his face. And I wouldn't want to get on any of their bad sides, either...
Cinara notices that Tel-Silgulwath is still trying to figure things out and approaches him. "Since I joined up with Sir Elric and his group I have found that sometimes it's best to act first, question later, especially when those you are following are of the good sort of people. He always has good sound reasoning for his actions. Just know that it is for the greater good.
Another of the fallen paladins approaches, she pulls out her quarterstaff and gets into position. He charges with his blade held high, she shakes her head and thinks he must be drunk to charge at a foe like that, she swings her staff around and lands a blow to his side then knocks his legs out from under him. He hits his head hard and is knocked out cold.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Smiling is infectious.
Give, expecting nothing thereof. ------------ BoD - Come have some fun! Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
He cocks his eyebrow, a bit taken-aback by the sudden and quick answer, and then nods his understanding. Or not really understanding, perhaps. Acknowledgment, since the terms she seemed so confident to use were a bit too abstract for his paradigm.
He timidly steps forward, toward the fighting band, and then slips behind them and towards the edge of the bridge, taking a good look down. His somewhat small and lithe stature attributed to his stealth- or perhaps they did not think that an aging, small shell of a man like himself would have any business with their weapons. "Quite a fall...," he mumbles to himself, looking over the bridge's railing.
"Praeses, Alia, Fero," he whispers, trying to avoid notice, as he flicks his wrist at two of the light-armored fallen paladins, then cocks it quickly upright and watches second-handedly as the two are brought promptly to the air.
"Hm... Where would we be without magic-?"
With that, he jerked his arm sharply and released the spell and the two victims, flinging them from the bridge and off the side, screaming to their quickly-impending deaths.
He nearly choked on his words, his body and mind suddenly wracked with nauseating pain. The strain of the spell was a tad bit too much for his oldened mind. He stumbled backward and little and dropped to his forearms. "Damn! Damn this!" he harshly whispered to himself as he struggled toward safety.
As Cinara finished off another fallen one she looks up to see that Sir Elric has piled up a few bodies around him.
She laughs as she sees Tel-Sigulwath flinging bodies and making his own piles, but then he faulters and drops to the ground. Looking around she notices that all are taken care of except for Beofer and Elric is dealing with him, so she rushes over to aid the spell-caster. She turns him over and sits him down, noticing that he is out of breath she digs through her pouch for an herb that will boost his energy and gives it to him. He looks at it, grimmaces but accepts it, knowing that the taste isn't exactly pleasing.
She then hears Beofer pleading with Sir Elric to spare him.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Smiling is infectious.
Give, expecting nothing thereof. ------------ BoD - Come have some fun! Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
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Is she telepathic?
He filed that possible tidbit away for the future, took one last look at her noticeably sobered yet fine face, and slid his chair back.
What an odd bunch, he thought for not the first time, and then walked out the room.
"Sir Elric! I knew your order was prestigeous and highly regarded, however I had no idea they had this much information!" he said excitedly to the paladin as they ate together
He looked at him sternly, "You know where the real power lies; you have direct access to its main source. Why don't you take it?"
"The light, indeed, is open to many. You are wrong in assuming it is accessible to everyone, for it takes discipline and work to attain any measure of power. The access I have at its main source," he retained the exact meaning of which they spoke. The rest did not have to know what exactly was being talked about between the two, "is much more shallow, much less rewarding in what it gives. It destroys, and it cares only for itself. I dare not take it, because I don't know what would become of me. And a dear friend took that power." he included. He felt the realization of what the conversation was about from Elric, and the realization of what happened to Bastrom from Tel-Silgulwath.
"He will find me, I will not go to him." he said before allowing Tel;Silgulwath to respond.
As they entered the district, they heard shouts echoing down a back alley that sounded like the clashing of swords and the cries of men.
"The cry of those in need!" cried Sir Elric. "Quickly let us aid them!"
Running down the alley they saw several well armored knights being attacked by a larger group of thuggish brigands.
"Do not falter brothers, the Fallen Paladins shall prevail!!" yelled the leader of the armored knights.
Do they not see? Look at the strength he draws from his hatred! There is no question that the furnace of power that burns in the deepest Hell is by far superior to the frail light of the High Heavens.
As he thought that, he tried to stand up, only to be shot through again, this time in the thigh. He fell to his side.
If I only had the power, these idiots would all have Hell to pay. He inwardly chuckled at that unintentional pun. Is this madness? To be lost in thought in your dying hour?
He lay there, blood streaming from his body and in to the crevices between the cobblestones of the street.
He moved on with his excercises, his body growing tired yet stronger with every slow movement of his sessions. And now with his body stronger, they were now able to place him in baths in which his body suffered slightly due to the components boiled into its waters, however it sharpened his mind and quickened his restoration rate once he was removed from it and laid himself to sleep.
And whenever he would have to break from his retraining, he would go to the library where he would read the tomes containing stories, legends, history, and even teachings of how or when to use the Light. Sometimes he would invite other members who had the time for it, and they would discuss the purposes and the different styles of directing the power. As he learned more and more, he began forming his own conclusions. The Light was an endless power, and everyone had the ability to be a vessel of this power. However most don't know they can open this vessel and those who do can only guess as to become expanded vessels through which the Light could flow much more freely and therefore wield more power.
"Your training is going most excellent master Carloseus. Do not fret. You will be with your friends soon enough." he would be told by his trainers when they detected his exasperation.
"Greetings to you, friend. I am grateful for your aid against these dogs, and would know your names if you are willing to give them." asked the leader.
"Who we are matters not, just be grateful that I arrived when we did." replied Balgarath.
"Fairly said, I'll pry no further. My name is Bowen, formerly of the Order. I am now led by one Beofer... Might you be interested in employment?"
"If the pay is adequate, you might hire our services." replied Balgarath
"As for the task... when Beofer left the Order, the Paladins stripped his Cup from him. The Cup is... important to him. Perhaps you could retrieve it." said Bowen.
"Where will we find this cup?" asked Balgarath.
"Find the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart in the Temple district." replied Bowen. "The cup is within their building. You shall be rewarded admirably for its return."
"We'll go now and retrieve this Cup for you, although it hardly seems a test of our abilities." Balgarath said with a hint of reluctance in his voice.
"You'd best be prepared, the Order is strongly defended. I, myself, would die quickly if I stepped near their Hall. I wish you well, my Lord." said Bowen sweating a little when he mentioned the order again. "But... one question before you leave. The warrior who stands with you... he bears a most remarked resemblance to Sir Elric Sigmundson. It has been so long..."
I am not the one you seek, Bowen. You are mistaken. I feel pity for one who has been reduced to pettiness and evil, no more." replied Sir Elric.
"I... I see. Forgive me, then." Bowen said with a bow. "I receive so little news of the Order... it does not matter. I wish you well, my Lord, and hope to see you soon."
She listened as the leader of this small group was trying to hire them out to get a cup they admittedly did not have the strength to obtain. As they talked with Balgarath, one of them thinks he recognizes Sir Elric, Cinara tenses up, ready to engage incase Sir Elric's identity has become known, but he is able to convince the dregs otherwise.
As we head back to the Order, for the cup, Cinara wonders just what Sir Elric has planned.
Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
" You have returned earlier than I expected, what do you require?" asked Prelate Yurius.
" The Fallen Paladins have asked us for a cup of some value as a measure of our loyalty to them" replied Sir Elric.
" Anarg's Cup?!" exclaimed the Prelate. "I cannot possibly give you this, for he was stripped of it when he lost his paladin status."
" Then we cannot finish the mission you asked of us." Sir Elric said with a grim look on his face.
" Very well then, you shall have it. Return it soon or you will not be given your reward. It is very important that the cup remains in the hands of the Order." said the Prelate.
Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
" You return, my Lord. Were you successful? Do you come with Beofer's cup in your possession?" asked Bowen.
"Yes, we have it." replied Balgarath.
" You do?!" exclaimed Bowen astonishedly. "I had almost not dared to think it possible. You are very resourceful. Come... I shall introduce you to Beofer, now."
" You are a fool to bring Elric before me!" cried Beofer. "Do you think I would not recognize him, even after all this time? I still have ears in the Order... I know why you are here, Sir Elric. You've come to slay me. Draw your swords and do your best."
" Justice has reached you, Sir Beofer!" cried Sir Elric. "I pity what you have become... it is time for this to end! If you cannot meet justice on your knees, fool, it shall be plunged deep into your heart where it belongs!"
As Bowen tries to sneak up behind Sir Elric, Cinara grabs his arm as he passes her, forcing him to turn, he looks at her bewildered, he had forgotten I was there, she says to herself. She smiles at him, brings up her dagger waves it in his face to make sure he sees it, she quickly brings it around and plunges it into his gut. She pulls it out as he falls to his knees, hands closing over his gushing wound. He looks up at her astonished.
Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
And then he barely catches site of Bowen, sliding first to his knees and then to his face. And I wouldn't want to get on any of their bad sides, either...
Another of the fallen paladins approaches, she pulls out her quarterstaff and gets into position. He charges with his blade held high, she shakes her head and thinks he must be drunk to charge at a foe like that, she swings her staff around and lands a blow to his side then knocks his legs out from under him. He hits his head hard and is knocked out cold.
Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
He timidly steps forward, toward the fighting band, and then slips behind them and towards the edge of the bridge, taking a good look down. His somewhat small and lithe stature attributed to his stealth- or perhaps they did not think that an aging, small shell of a man like himself would have any business with their weapons. "Quite a fall...," he mumbles to himself, looking over the bridge's railing.
"Praeses, Alia, Fero," he whispers, trying to avoid notice, as he flicks his wrist at two of the light-armored fallen paladins, then cocks it quickly upright and watches second-handedly as the two are brought promptly to the air.
"Hm... Where would we be without magic-?"
With that, he jerked his arm sharply and released the spell and the two victims, flinging them from the bridge and off the side, screaming to their quickly-impending deaths.
He nearly choked on his words, his body and mind suddenly wracked with nauseating pain. The strain of the spell was a tad bit too much for his oldened mind. He stumbled backward and little and dropped to his forearms. "Damn! Damn this!" he harshly whispered to himself as he struggled toward safety.
She laughs as she sees Tel-Sigulwath flinging bodies and making his own piles, but then he faulters and drops to the ground. Looking around she notices that all are taken care of except for Beofer and Elric is dealing with him, so she rushes over to aid the spell-caster. She turns him over and sits him down, noticing that he is out of breath she digs through her pouch for an herb that will boost his energy and gives it to him. He looks at it, grimmaces but accepts it, knowing that the taste isn't exactly pleasing.
She then hears Beofer pleading with Sir Elric to spare him.
Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.