The evening was on fire.
The sun had begun its decent beneath the waves off of the Emerald Isle; Evermeet, the Last Bastion of the Tel'Quessir, and home to the Tragic Queen, Amlaruil Moonflower. The sun's rays danced along the water, making the usually azure water appear a sea of liquid gold. A more amazing place I had never seen, full of wonders and mysteries beyond anything I could comprehend since my journey from my homeland of Tethyr. I languidly stretched my legs while relaxing in a chair grown from the wood of an ancient tree; a crystal glass of elven wine dangled from my hands.
I could scarcely believe that we were here. The horrors we had faced, the monsters we had vanquished. I turned, examining my companions with a grateful eye. Jae, sitting there with a mischievous grin on his halfling features as he used common trickery rather than the powerful magics he usually wielded in order to baffle Turnak, our half-orc tracker. Jae's hands moved in a flurry as a small ball hopped from one cup to the next, in a shuffle that made Turnak's eyes cross.
"You're too fast for me, little one." He grumbled at the hin. "But I pick that cup." He pointed with a hesitant finger.
"Nope!" Jae smirked, flipping the empty cup. "Feel like doubling the wager? I'll even take a cup away." The hin wiggled his eyebrows with a flair that seemed more at place for a circus performer than a sorcerer. Turnak glowered. "No magic, remember?" He rubbed unconsciously at his vestigial tusks. Despite his filing them down, he still had a tendency to touch them when annoyed or afraid.
"Yes, yes. No magic. Try not to hurt yourself or anything, and I'll get rid of this obviously defective cup..." The two continued to bicker in their contest.
I shifted in my seat, moving my swordbelt to lean against the low stone wall I had my boots up on. The silver hilt glinted in the fire of the sunset, and I felt a presence against my shoulder.
"The stories don't do this place justice." A soft, musical voice sounded behind me. I turned to glance at our bardess, Illythrina Shaethe. Her elven heritage was even more apparent in this place, her usually otherworldly features the norm for once in a a land filled with Sun Elves, Moon Elves, and everything in between. Her silver hair dangled in a braid in front of her as she leaned against the back of my chair. Cherry lips curled upwards in a smile. "And I don't believe I've ever heard you go this long without talking about justice, or courage, or any of those other knightly duties you're so keen on. It's good to see you relax, for a change."
A sour grimace crossed my face. "Torm demands those qualities in His knights, in case you've forgotten. Which you may have, considering your tendency to slum among those who distinctly lack those qualities." Her smile turned to a pout and she let out a breathy sigh near my ear. "Aye, but don't I always come back to those particular qualities? More importantly to a specific knight of Torm who embodies them?" She flashed her eyelashes at me.
"Come off it." I laughed, and twisted my head. "Your seductive wiles have no affect on me, temptress." I waved a gloved hand in amusement. "At least, not currently."
This prompted a musical chuckle from her. "Just wait, I'll get you yet, sir knight." She popped her annoyingly curvaceous hip. "It's only a matter of time." Turnak and Jae glanced at one another, and almost simultaneously rolled their eyes. This was a song that had been played before.
We all lapsed into comfortable silence, watching the waves crash against the side of the Emerald Isle. A journey complete.
"Well. What have we here?"
The Nature of Courage
-
Dragonslayer
- Posts: 138
- Joined: Sat Oct 28, 2017 10:58 am
The Nature of Courage
"Well, what have we here?"
The voice resonated in my ears harshly. I stood, picking up my blade and spotted its owner. An elven man, taller than most of his kin, and a Sun Elf. Dressed in a light tunic, he had a jeweled blade hanging from his belt. Considering his build, I'd mark him a swordsman, and a decent one. What's more, the way he was holding himself bespoke nobility, and his air was that of one not used to being treated anything other than that. I dipped my head respectfully.
"My lord, please excuse us. We're the adventurers who have returned the Tel'Kiira to its rightful owners, here on the Green Isle." I struggled to get the right inflection in my pronunciation.
It had shown. The elf's golden gaze narrowed. "Please. Do not struggle so to speak our language; it is insulting to us and embarrassing for you." Said gaze traveled across my companions, and his nostrils flared in only what could be disgust as he spotted Turnak. "Consider yourselves fortunate that you're even alive after seeing this place. It is only due to the Queen's favor that the lore gem wasn't taken from you at our shores and you were sent back to whatever pits you spawned from. That is where your kind comes from, no?" He asked Turnak, bemused.
I could practically feel Turnak vibrate with anger. I held up a hand. "We have no quarrel with you, my lord. Please, we only wish to rest easy after a long journey, and one taken at great risk to ourselves in order to return an heirloom to your people." I raised my eyebrows pointedly, to which his furrowed in annoyance. "The little hound barks with his own self importance. You stumbled upon the gem in a goblin cave, and have been practically hand fed your journey here to return it. Your adventure was little more than a more convenient way to bring the gem here, rather than send one of our own to get it." His tone dripped with contempt, but his smile continued. "And you were such obedient hounds, I'm told. Thus, rather than sleep in the yard, you're let in for a night."
As he spoke, I could feel my anger rising. My hand gripped the hilt of my blade seemingly of its own accord and I began to draw until I felt a soft pressure against it. Illythrina's usually placid countenance had hardened, and she practically spit her words. "My lord," she hissed with a fury that I had never seen in her, "Thank you for your kind words. But we really must be on our way to our quarters, and then to the ship that leaves at dawn in the harbor. We have no time to spar with ungrateful lordlings that cannot appreciate our help." As she finished her tired, the elf could not contain a laugh.
"What fire! And with some of our blood running through you, it seems. You are a delight." He stepped closer, and Illythrina stiffened. The elven noble tilted his head and examined her as one might do to a gelding. Or a hound. "You are quite something. Perhaps I could be persuaded to, how did you say it? Slum with those who lack courage and justice?"
I could feel the anger blazing in my chest, seeking a way to expel its flames. I don't know where the words came from, or how I managed to remain so calm as I said them, but they sprouted from my mouth before I could stop them.
"If you touch her, I'll kill you."
Eyes all around widened, and a grin split the elf's lips, baring his teeth. "Oho. The hound barks once more." His arm lazily drifted out, and placed it on Illythrina's shoulder. "Let's see if he has any bite, eh? A duel."
As his hand made contact, the only thing I could hear was the ringing of my blade as it left its sheathe. "In the name of Torm, I challenge you--" I paused in my fury, realizing I hadn't even asked his--
"Aemornion. Aemornion Symbaern."
His grin grew wider.
The voice resonated in my ears harshly. I stood, picking up my blade and spotted its owner. An elven man, taller than most of his kin, and a Sun Elf. Dressed in a light tunic, he had a jeweled blade hanging from his belt. Considering his build, I'd mark him a swordsman, and a decent one. What's more, the way he was holding himself bespoke nobility, and his air was that of one not used to being treated anything other than that. I dipped my head respectfully.
"My lord, please excuse us. We're the adventurers who have returned the Tel'Kiira to its rightful owners, here on the Green Isle." I struggled to get the right inflection in my pronunciation.
It had shown. The elf's golden gaze narrowed. "Please. Do not struggle so to speak our language; it is insulting to us and embarrassing for you." Said gaze traveled across my companions, and his nostrils flared in only what could be disgust as he spotted Turnak. "Consider yourselves fortunate that you're even alive after seeing this place. It is only due to the Queen's favor that the lore gem wasn't taken from you at our shores and you were sent back to whatever pits you spawned from. That is where your kind comes from, no?" He asked Turnak, bemused.
I could practically feel Turnak vibrate with anger. I held up a hand. "We have no quarrel with you, my lord. Please, we only wish to rest easy after a long journey, and one taken at great risk to ourselves in order to return an heirloom to your people." I raised my eyebrows pointedly, to which his furrowed in annoyance. "The little hound barks with his own self importance. You stumbled upon the gem in a goblin cave, and have been practically hand fed your journey here to return it. Your adventure was little more than a more convenient way to bring the gem here, rather than send one of our own to get it." His tone dripped with contempt, but his smile continued. "And you were such obedient hounds, I'm told. Thus, rather than sleep in the yard, you're let in for a night."
As he spoke, I could feel my anger rising. My hand gripped the hilt of my blade seemingly of its own accord and I began to draw until I felt a soft pressure against it. Illythrina's usually placid countenance had hardened, and she practically spit her words. "My lord," she hissed with a fury that I had never seen in her, "Thank you for your kind words. But we really must be on our way to our quarters, and then to the ship that leaves at dawn in the harbor. We have no time to spar with ungrateful lordlings that cannot appreciate our help." As she finished her tired, the elf could not contain a laugh.
"What fire! And with some of our blood running through you, it seems. You are a delight." He stepped closer, and Illythrina stiffened. The elven noble tilted his head and examined her as one might do to a gelding. Or a hound. "You are quite something. Perhaps I could be persuaded to, how did you say it? Slum with those who lack courage and justice?"
I could feel the anger blazing in my chest, seeking a way to expel its flames. I don't know where the words came from, or how I managed to remain so calm as I said them, but they sprouted from my mouth before I could stop them.
"If you touch her, I'll kill you."
Eyes all around widened, and a grin split the elf's lips, baring his teeth. "Oho. The hound barks once more." His arm lazily drifted out, and placed it on Illythrina's shoulder. "Let's see if he has any bite, eh? A duel."
As his hand made contact, the only thing I could hear was the ringing of my blade as it left its sheathe. "In the name of Torm, I challenge you--" I paused in my fury, realizing I hadn't even asked his--
"Aemornion. Aemornion Symbaern."
His grin grew wider.
-
Dragonslayer
- Posts: 138
- Joined: Sat Oct 28, 2017 10:58 am
Re: The Nature of Courage
"This is a bad idea." Jae told me flatly.
"Duly noted. Now, buckle me." My fingers shook slightly as I struggled with the straps on my pauldron.
"Let me rephrase: This is a phenomenally terrible idea." He countered as he reached down and buckled the last few straps of my armor. Turnak held up my shield as I reached in and grasped the handle, giving me a look he usually reserved for Jae whenever the hin said something particularly stupid. "He's not wrong, you know." The half-orc growled softly, giving the armor a once over. "This is a foolish fight. Rina's honor doesn't need to be defended, and you don't need to risk your life to prove how chivalrous you are."
I gripped the shield and hefted it, testing the weight. "That's not the point. We risked our lives to do these elves a favor, Turnak. And for them to treat us with such disdain is an insult that I can't ignore. It isn't right." Even as the words left my lips I felt uncertain. Then I looked over at Illythrina. Her rage, so visibly on display only minutes before, had crawled back beneath the surface, but I could still see it; embers waiting to burst into flames once more. I shook my head. "I issued the challenge. Withdrawing at this point would only put us in poorer standing with the elves, and confirm what they think of us as a whole." It was a weak excuse. But I couldn't remove that elf's smile from my mind, nor Rina's glaring hatred. I needed to do something.
I drew my blade, resting it against my shoulder, as I surreptitiously glances over at the lordling.
He had similarly fetched for his armor, a Moon Elf retainer of some kind arriving quickly with the mithril plate. Lighter than my own steel, it would provide a significant advantage in terms of speed and protection. What's more, he wielded a greatblade, similarly shining in the evening starlight with a mithril gleam. Fast, powerful, and he'd have reach on me. That wasn't good.
Rina strode over, her face a mask. She looked over my armor, adjusting a few straps, and murmured. "You'll need to get inside his reach in order to get him. As long as he keeps you at a distance, you won't be able to get a strike in. Also, don't be an idiot, and don't do this." She looked up at me with a worried glance. "I was out of turn, this doesn't need to--" I raised a hand and placed it on her lips, stopping her short. "Relax. It's a duel, and if he wins he'll likely make some more disparaging comments about my lineage as a mud person and leave us be, content in his victory." I smiled reassuringly. "But, then again, I don't plan on losing." She nodded once, her eyes doubtful. "Just be careful, that's all."
I looked at my companions once more, and smiled with confidence I didn't feel. "The only thing I require is your faith, and that the will of Torm guides my hands. I have both, so I cannot lose." I paused, and winked. "I'll be fine." Turning before they replied, I strode over to the makeshift dueling circle to face my enemy. Aemornion was already there, and his enraging smile still in place.
"First blood, human, remember. I don't want to put the healers out too much, so I'll make it a clean cut." He hefted the greatblade with ease, positioning it in a rear guard, the point slanting downward and behind, it's long edge aiming forward at me. I lifted my shield so only my helm was exposed while raising my sword in an upper guard, the point of the blade aimed at the elf's midsection. "You talk too much." His moon elf retainer stepped to the edge of the circle, and raised his hand. "On my count, begin!"
"Three!"
I licked my lips, tasting the sweat.
"Two!"
Salvation may be found through service. Every failure of duty diminishes Torm and every success adds to his luster. Torm, guide me.
"One!"
Rina.
"Begin!"
"Duly noted. Now, buckle me." My fingers shook slightly as I struggled with the straps on my pauldron.
"Let me rephrase: This is a phenomenally terrible idea." He countered as he reached down and buckled the last few straps of my armor. Turnak held up my shield as I reached in and grasped the handle, giving me a look he usually reserved for Jae whenever the hin said something particularly stupid. "He's not wrong, you know." The half-orc growled softly, giving the armor a once over. "This is a foolish fight. Rina's honor doesn't need to be defended, and you don't need to risk your life to prove how chivalrous you are."
I gripped the shield and hefted it, testing the weight. "That's not the point. We risked our lives to do these elves a favor, Turnak. And for them to treat us with such disdain is an insult that I can't ignore. It isn't right." Even as the words left my lips I felt uncertain. Then I looked over at Illythrina. Her rage, so visibly on display only minutes before, had crawled back beneath the surface, but I could still see it; embers waiting to burst into flames once more. I shook my head. "I issued the challenge. Withdrawing at this point would only put us in poorer standing with the elves, and confirm what they think of us as a whole." It was a weak excuse. But I couldn't remove that elf's smile from my mind, nor Rina's glaring hatred. I needed to do something.
I drew my blade, resting it against my shoulder, as I surreptitiously glances over at the lordling.
He had similarly fetched for his armor, a Moon Elf retainer of some kind arriving quickly with the mithril plate. Lighter than my own steel, it would provide a significant advantage in terms of speed and protection. What's more, he wielded a greatblade, similarly shining in the evening starlight with a mithril gleam. Fast, powerful, and he'd have reach on me. That wasn't good.
Rina strode over, her face a mask. She looked over my armor, adjusting a few straps, and murmured. "You'll need to get inside his reach in order to get him. As long as he keeps you at a distance, you won't be able to get a strike in. Also, don't be an idiot, and don't do this." She looked up at me with a worried glance. "I was out of turn, this doesn't need to--" I raised a hand and placed it on her lips, stopping her short. "Relax. It's a duel, and if he wins he'll likely make some more disparaging comments about my lineage as a mud person and leave us be, content in his victory." I smiled reassuringly. "But, then again, I don't plan on losing." She nodded once, her eyes doubtful. "Just be careful, that's all."
I looked at my companions once more, and smiled with confidence I didn't feel. "The only thing I require is your faith, and that the will of Torm guides my hands. I have both, so I cannot lose." I paused, and winked. "I'll be fine." Turning before they replied, I strode over to the makeshift dueling circle to face my enemy. Aemornion was already there, and his enraging smile still in place.
"First blood, human, remember. I don't want to put the healers out too much, so I'll make it a clean cut." He hefted the greatblade with ease, positioning it in a rear guard, the point slanting downward and behind, it's long edge aiming forward at me. I lifted my shield so only my helm was exposed while raising my sword in an upper guard, the point of the blade aimed at the elf's midsection. "You talk too much." His moon elf retainer stepped to the edge of the circle, and raised his hand. "On my count, begin!"
"Three!"
I licked my lips, tasting the sweat.
"Two!"
Salvation may be found through service. Every failure of duty diminishes Torm and every success adds to his luster. Torm, guide me.
"One!"
Rina.
"Begin!"