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Post by Lailoken Wyllt on Dec 28, 2016 22:21:16 GMT
As the warrior figure neared, proclaiming greeting and offering his name, Lail slouched back with ample weight put upon his back foot. With eyes wide and filled to the brim with spiraling brown, he surveyed the sky. Vision pinning sporadically, he looked left and he looked right, as if he hadn't heard the greeting at all. Once he was finally satisfied with his assessment, he stood upright and shook his head. "I've never been quite good at forecasting the skies, I must admit. I say it is quite bold to predict hail...hardly a cloud in the sky."
Taking in the fresh air of the Marston Port, he looked towards the figure and nodded his head. As if to agree to something. "You look like a Kaelan. I've never known one but in my minds eye..." He pointed to his temple. "You fit the bill. I...am..." He looked around for a scratching post. There was nothing in sight. Settling for his garment, boiled leather of low ounce, he rubbed his hand back and forth before offering it as greeting. Ever equipped with an unabashed smile. "I am Lailoken, of the Wild. Ambassador to the Ravenwood."
He wasn't quite fond of that title. He wasn't quite fond of the system of titles at all. Truth be told, wild was the only thing that fit. He knew what he was and what he wasn't and if he could just sort out where that might land him, he might stop running into all these forms of trouble. But what was life without a little bit of mishap? "Though I would hardly call myself esteemed, wouldn't you agree? Of course you would, you seem the thoughtful type."
Before Kaelan could take his hand, Lailoken had already retracted it. Not out of insult, of course, but more for the itch that crawled up the thick beard on his chin. Scratching furiously, he gestured towards the innards of the keep with the opposite hand. "I'm here to discuss the matter of encroachment. The matter of evil and its taint...throughout my woods. Of course."
All the while, he kept a keen and vigilant thought towards the Centaur. The spirits had spoken of such creatures, half man and half hoofed beast. Beast. Considering he felt a kindred sort of appeal to such moniker, it could only be assumed that such a thought would manifest as compliment. If any were privy to such things.
Stormwall | Kaelen Silverblood
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Post by Stormwall on Dec 29, 2016 1:08:22 GMT
Lailoken Wyllt Kaelen SilverbloodHalfway through the door of the keep proper, Stormwall glanced back at the new arrival. That silver-chased staff looked worn but the product of painstaking, probably expensive craftsmanship. Ashdell had no college of its own; even so, he'd ranged far enough afield to know what kind of bearded, mysterious men carried ornate staves. An unknown quantity, then, and possessed of what you might call unknown unknowns, as Stormwall was no mage. He had a minor gift, though, and he took a moment to listen to the birds. The birds liked this man. He hesitated, unsure what to make of it all, then ducked and followed his hostess through the door. "I haven't yet heard that story, milady, or much to do with anyone of Mystmarch. I'm quite new in town, you might say. But please, go ahead."
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Post by Kaelen Silverblood on Dec 30, 2016 2:01:52 GMT
All of the Runic Circle mages were odd, but this Lailoken Wyllt was strange even for one of them. He didn't seem like the bad sort, but it was clear he didn't spend nearly enough time around others. That was not enough reason to treat him with a lack of respect, but it meant that conversations were going to get old rather quickly. Kaelen just smiled to the man as he looked up to the sky and spoke. "You can never trust the sky though. You know how fickle she can be. Almost as bad as the sea." Kaelen replied back in a friendly way. Better to just entertain the man than argue with him. Then the man spoke some more and then some more and then offered his hand. Kaelen was about to take it when he suddenly pulled it back. The man finally got to the reason for him being here and it concerned the Lady, the Council, and the High King. It had to do with what he called "encroachment", but didn't give any specifics. That was not a problem for Kaelen however as it was enough for him to justify letting the man enter the Keep itself and meet with Lady Witford. "That is an important matter. I will take you to the Lady so that you can tell her and anyone who needs to hear it at one time." Kaelen said as he held an arm out to allow the man to head that way before him. The man might be strange but he was still a Runic mage and they deserved respect for everything that they did. ========================================================== Lady Witford walked next to Stormwall as they headed towards the waiting area within the Keep. She said in a polite tone, "My husband led the siege on Marston and was the one proposed we take a portion of the main land for trade reasons. The battle was bloody and fierce from what I am told, but eventually the governor was trapped inside this Keep. It took weeks, but our troops finally made it inside and captured the governor alive." Lady Witford paused as a catkin servant opened up the door into the waiting area. She gave the servant a nod before heading inside. Once in she continued, "So Gareth had the man dragged out into the public square. The people of the city gathered around and he asked them 'Marston belongs to the people who live here, who work here. What fate do they wish for the man who intended to rule over them as the next Emperor? The man who extorted more taxes than could be paid. Sullied your daughters and bloodied your sons. Tell me what you desire done to the man that would be your Lord.'" Lady Witford smiled to Stormwall as she turned to face him. She said in an almost playful tone, "What do you think their reply was Stormwall?" She seemed to be asking seriously as she did not offer the answer after. Her face was begging him to make a guess to see if he could figure it out.
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Post by Stormwall on Dec 30, 2016 15:01:51 GMT
Kaelen Silverblood"I'd imagine they asked for retribution. But this seems a peaceful, unburdened, energetic sort of place, so I doubt they did anything they've had cause to regret collectively. But it would have been a satisfying punishment, and one that removed him as a threat permanently. My guess? Exile very far away. Maybe branding or something along those lines." He ducked under a chandelier and continued to follow her, hooves clacking on the stone floor. "But I could be very wrong. I'm curious what the actual answer is, and what I can learn from it about the people and ways of thinking here in Marston."
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Post by Lailoken Wyllt on Dec 31, 2016 1:50:21 GMT
His expression darkened. Not because he didn't like what he was hearing. Quite the contrary, in fact. He didn't expect to be taken seriously. Why would anyone? His demeanor, his candor, were far from the typical showmanship of a member of the Runic Circle. Then again, he was far from a mage when sphere of power was considered. There was a large difference between purposes, for a druid and a mage, and he could only remind himself so many times in fear of blurring the line between the two.
"Yes, the most important issue." He repeated, partly to Kaelen and partly to himself. He couldn't lose sight of his purpose, no matter how sporadic and quick to distraction he might be. There was nothing that superseded the health of the woods. For when the woods perish, they would follow quickly behind.
"Tell me..." He held up his finger as he moved past the warrior. "This...Lady...of Marston Keep?" His tone raised, as if he was unsure of her holdings and power. He was as far removed from the leadership dogma of the Mistmarch Isles as one could be, given his rank. "Does she keep food stores?"
He narrowed his eyes as he moved forward, deeper into the keep. "It's a long journey from here to there and I'm quite fond of the roundabout. She wouldn't have any..." He twirled his fingers, rapping them upon the burnt silver inlay of the staff. "Acorn butter? Or fresh greens? Maybe fresh oranges? I would swim an ocean for a slice of an orange..." He turned back towards Kaelen. "In fact, I might have done just that. Yes..." He nodded and turned back towards the trajectory of the Lady. "A slice of orange would do me well. And then we can discuss the Darkwood."
The click of his staff, methodical in preceding his step, signaled his movement further into the keep. He imagined he would know the Lady by her appearance alone. Much of his life was guesswork, this should be no different.
Stormwall | Kaelen Silverblood
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Post by Kaelen Silverblood on Dec 31, 2016 4:13:27 GMT
Lady Witford's smile seemed to brim with joy as she listened to Stormwall give his response to her question. She placed her hands together in front of her as she said, "That is what I would think as well, but it is not so." "They did not give Gareth a response. They just stood there looking to him for an answer." Lady Witford said as she moved to give Stormwall more room to move in. "Gareth stood there waiting for minutes, maybe even an hour. No one stepped forward in all that time to give their thoughts nor judge the governor. So after all of that silence, Gareth says to them 'Silence is the punishment you choose, so silence shall it be.'" Lady Witford paused as she waited for the centaur to make eye contact with her, assuming he wasn't already. Then she lifted up one of her finely gloved hands up to her neck to make a cutting motion across it as she said, "Gareth then beheaded the governor right there himself. He let the head roll into the crowd as the corpse slumped forward. He said to them 'He will never more speak a word nor hear them spoken. Silence is all he will know eternally. Remember that ever action, or inaction, has a consequence. If you wish to lead yourselves then you will need to step up and make judgements for yourself.' He then walked away and left the corpse where it was. After a few days, the members of Marston with authority came to Gareth and pledged themselves to Mystmarch. They chose to follow instead of lead." A cheerful smile crossed Lady Witford's lips as she finished speaking. Her hands met in front of her bosom as she moved over to the table in the waiting area. She said as she got to it, "It is such a good tale is it not?" ====================================================== The druid wanted an orange? Kaelen was not sure what to think of this. How did the man even know about the southern fruit to begin with let alone have tasted it before? He hadn't had a chance to try one until after the siege of Marston. It would seem the Runic Circle mages had more perks than he ever realized. The fruit did sound good right now though, especially after all of the events so far today. Humans were not built to be up on their feet for as long as centaurs after all. Well an orange would not be so bad. "Very well. Let us see if there are any oranges in the kitchen, then we can join Lady Witford and our guest from Ashdell in the waiting room." Kaelen replied as he moved in front of the druid and began to walk in the direction of the kitchen. It did not take long to find the kitchens. The Keep was designed to be easy to move through for the servants, and Kaelen had made sure to familiarize himself with the place in case it was ever in need of protection. When they came to the kitchens, it was full of chefs working to get the bread prepared for the afternoon meal for the entire Keep as well as for Lady Witford's meal, which she was hosting for important guests. A basket full of oranges sat at the end of one of the nearby counters. "Ah oranges. Seems we are in luck." Kaelen said to Lailoken Wyllt as he pointed to the fruit.
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Post by Stormwall on Jan 2, 2017 1:08:08 GMT
Kaelen Silverblood Lailoken WylltA clever ruler understood how to manufacture consent, and Marston's lord did sound clever in that respect. What interested Stormwall more, though he couldn't say it, was the storyteller's attitude. It set him on edge, the cheerfulness with which she described a decapitation. Something about her seemed off, and he couldn't put his finger on it. He repressed his unease, apart from a flick of his tail. "A fasciating story, milady," he said, a little blandly. "Your husband sounds like a clever ruler. If his judgment and wit are representative of Mystmarch, it's clear that Ashdell has a good deal to learn about your people. Tell me - if you don't mind a change in subject - what do you know of the man who came into the courtyard after me?"
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Post by Lailoken Wyllt on Jan 2, 2017 3:37:20 GMT
With every step he took, he dived deeper into the Keep: physically and mentally. Every motion moved with the guidance of the staff, he surveyed the inner masonry and construction with a thoughtful eye. It was far more pronounced than the ruinous and derelict strongholds that once kept lords of lofty appeal within the Ravenwood. The skeletons of those times, long passed, remained with open canopy and a healthy covering of moss. This place did remind him, only slightly, of the Runefull Vale and their keep.
Though he imagined that Runic Tower would have been more suitable as a name. The Runic Circle did love their ties to the magical craft and all various symbols.
He stepped into the kitchen, following methodically behind Kaelen. As he was ushered forward, he took the opportunity to touch. Slabs of stone, hanging metal, and wood. An amalgamation of elements rested in pause throughout the cooking area, blurred by the movement of rushed pastry chefs. As he placed hands on a chopping block, a frantic chef moved in to snatch it from grasp and wipe it with a cloth. Lail shrugged, ruffling his mustache amidst oranges being pointed out. With a thoughtful pause, he moved quickly over and grabbed the first one he touched.
Lifting it up, he looked cautiously around the room before finding a wall mounted brazier. He needed the very best of the light. He had, even to this point, paid little mind to the comment about Lady Witford and the guest from Ashdell. "This appears very fresh. That's good, quite good." He turned it over before digging a thumb into the peel. The spray of the juice was highlighted as it streamed over the light of the fire. Pulling a small chunk of the peel away, Lail placed it in his mouth and chewed slowly.
"Mmm, this is a good orange..." He looked over his shoulder to Kaelen. Waving his hand, he smiled. "Don't worry, don't worry. You can eat the peel...you just have to chew it thoroughly." He showed the white of his teeth, oddly clean given his otherwise dirty demeanor. Once satisfied that he had properly taught his new found friend how to chew orange peel, he turned the orange back over and prodded with his finger. "This is a good orange. No rot, no decay. No corruption that can be seen. That is a good sign."
He gripped the orange and motioned towards the soldier to proceed. "We can discuss the matter with your Lady Witford and Ashdell resident, if you wish."
Stormwall | Kaelen Silverblood
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Post by Kaelen Silverblood on Jan 2, 2017 23:16:06 GMT
Lady Witford just watched Stormwall with that cheerful smile that never dropped away. She brought her hands down from her chest to her waist. A knock rang from the door then a moment after a servant opened it up. A second servant came in with some finger foods on a large silver tray engraved with markings that were iconic of Mystmarch. Pickled vegetables and dried fruits were arranged with slices of toasted bread. The servant set the tray on the table and then backed up to the door. They stopped at the door and looked to the Lady with a politely questioning gaze. "My usual wine, and-" Lady Witford turned to the centaur with a smile as she spoke. "What might you like Stormwall? We have plenty of drink options. And if we don't have what you want then we can find something close." The servant would wait to hear what the centaur wanted then departed before the other servant closed the door once more. Lady Witford gazed towards the door after it was closed for a second before turning her attention back to the centaur. She walked over to the tray of food and picked up one of the pieces of toast. "Now then, that man at the gate is unknown to me." Lady Witford said as she looked to the centaur once more. "Judging from his appearance, I would imagine one of our Runic Circle mages. Perhaps a druid...." Lady Witford made a slight face after mentioning the word "druid." She placed the toast in her mouth while covering the sight of it up with her palm. She chewed it quietly for a bit before making a sound of approval. She said after, "The toast is divine. Spiced perfectly." ====================================================== The man was making a show out of testing the orange. He was inspecting the round, fresh fruit like a jeweler did gems. He even placed the peel in his mouth and chewed on it. Curious sort, but he was right about the oranges being good. Of course Kaelen knew from experience as he sliced the skin with his knife and was already getting after the juicy flesh within. He had popped a slice into his mouth in fact when the wild man mentioned he was ready to meet with the Lady and the centaur. "Then follow me and we will meet up with the Lady and our foreign guest." Kaelen said after swallowing his bite of orange. "If you would like another orange then just grab another from the basket." Kaelen turned and headed out of the kitchen. He walked down the hallway as he ate slice after slice of the orange. It was refreshing after the long day of walking the city. Marston was not a metropolis like Stormhold or the old Imperial capital, but it was still a good sized city. The port and the garrison of troops saw to that. So after that tour from before, he needed some good food and a strong drink. He was settling for the orange though right now because of his duty to attend to the sudden guest. "Tell me, Lailoken Wyllt was it?" Kaelen said after he finished the last of his orange and held onto the left over peel. "What would bring a druid to Marston? I thought it was the duty of those drawn to your calling to keep a vigil over your woods. Isn't leaving them counter-productive? Or is this matter just that important?"
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Post by Stormwall on Jan 3, 2017 19:53:53 GMT
Lailoken Wyllt Kaelen Silverblood"Weak wine and oat mash, if you please," said Stormwall genially. "As one would prepare for a horse." He selected a few of the dried fruits and chewed happily. "I thank you for your hospitality, Lady Witford. I find myself a little embarrassed to have to decline the food and wine you've prepared so painstakingly. It's an occupational hazard of serving as a messenger between kingdoms of humans. Rest assured that I appreciate both the artistry and the thought, and if I was able to enjoy your offerings as you do, I certainly would." About to ask what 'druid' meant to the people of Mystmarch, he held his peace. His ears flicked. A moment later, Lady Witford would hear the footsteps of the returning attendant. Stormwall expressed his thanks and dug into a monstrous bowl of oat porridge. He washed it down with an equally sized draught of weak wine, the kind one gave children. He'd have preferred clean water, but you never trusted the water while abroad. Or in any city at all, for that matter. Straight from a mountain brook or not at all. "Tell me," he said, big spoon poised. "What do you mean by druid? It's a word I've heard before, of course, but it can mean different things in different places."
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Post by Lailoken Wyllt on Jan 3, 2017 22:33:54 GMT
He pressed the orange onto the staff, inserting the wooden end into the portion of the orange where the peel had been pulledback. A pommel of sorts, he smiled at his creation as he walked with the soldier. Upon hearing the question, he lifted his free hand with an index pointed towards the sky.
"What makes you think I've left the woods? Hmm?" He edged forward, shifting his chin as if to chew on a root. Jutting out his chin implied some form of condescension or confusion, but was a long step from the truth. Though he hadn't intended it, he couldn't help his mannerisms nor how it appeared. He was an oddball and accepted that, though attachment to the Runic Circle had seemingly buffered against obvious suspicion and doubt. "I rather like my sandals. Made of leather and bark. Do you see my sandals here?"
He lifted his bare left foot, wiggling his toe as he hopped to keep pace with the soldier. "See, I left something behind. It still counts as being present." He ceased the awkward movement and began taking pace once more. "Besides, I am merely a representative of the woods. They are, in most cases, capable of protecting themselves. But a tree cannot control this corruption anymore than it can control the sun hanging low in the sky."
He gestured with the orange, now an ornament on the end of the staff. "As Lailoken of the Wild, I intend to protect it. And the only way to do that is to reach out, to spread the word." He wiped his nose, stroking his beard thoroughly before setting his sights back on the path before them. "Do not worry, Kaelen of the Marston Keep. The severity of the issue will be brought to light. Then you will understand why I have ventured so far from my home."
Stormwall | Kaelen Silverblood
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Post by Kaelen Silverblood on Jan 11, 2017 3:09:20 GMT
The pair of men had approached the door to the waiting area already. It seemed this Lailoken Wyllt had some important information, or so he kept claiming. There was a lot that the Runic Circle mages did that didn't make sense to Kaelen, but it always seemed to go the way they said or things got better after they did their thing. Hopefully this would be one of those times and not one of those times someone had eaten a few too many magical mushrooms and thought pixies were stealing all of their berries from their apple orchard. What made it weirder was that mage lived on a rocky island studying shellfish. Kaelen walked up to the door and said, "This is where we are meeting with Lady Witford. Feel free to introduce yourself and then we can hear what you have to say to us." Regardless of his remark, Kaelen would then open up the door leading into the room. Lady Witford and Stormwall were gathered within with some food already laid out. Perhaps there was no need to visit the kitchen after all. There was an odd tension about the room however that he couldn't place. Was something said to cause this or was it just because Lady Witford hated horses? He would have to figure it out on his own no matter what though because he was not about to out right ask during such an important meeting. "Lady Witford, Stormwall. I apologize for breaking away for a bit, but we have another guest who has some important information." Kaelen said as he pressed a fist over his heart. He eyed the tray of food after for a moment, his stomach subtly reminding him that the orange was not enough.
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Post by Stormwall on Jan 12, 2017 2:20:59 GMT
Kaelen Silverblood Lailoken WylltBefore Lady Witford could respond, the door opened. Stormwall turned, a matter of shifting hooves, as the Mystmarch knight and the more enigmatic two-legs came in. His eyes flicked to the orange that surmounted the druid's staff. "I see you stopped by the kitchens," the centaur rumbled. "May I assume you've been treated to a tour? It seems to be the national pastime of Mystmarch - not that I mind, certainly. On the contrary I feel very well situated." He scraped out the last oatmeal and set the huge wooden bowl aside on the same table as the hors d'oeuvres. A mildly scandalized servant removed the bowl at once. "My thanks for your hospitality, Lady Witford," said Stormwall. He folded his arms and refocused on the new arrival. "I'm called Stormwall; I'm an emissary from Ashdell. Some call you a druid, friend. What are you and where do you hail from? And what's this information you carry?"
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