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Post by Pern on Dec 31, 2016 2:45:31 GMT
"You are already late for your meeting," Pern replied without stopping, hand-on-shoulder notwithstanding - it would be like trying to stop a bull from getting to a cow. Except without the raging hormones. Or maybe this was a bad comparison. "Ignashush wash to bring you firsht thing," she knew this because it was imperative that she did. Not for her own sake, but for Ignatius' sake. The old man had begun to lose his marbles a few years ago and lately the ones he had left were rolling hither-tither. She did pause to allow an ornate carriage to pass, within which a very fair maiden made eyes at Kaelen Silverblood, her giggle getting lost in the whinny of the carriage horses. "Beshidesh," said Pern as she stepped out onto the street, "I am not allowed to drink."
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Post by Kaelen Silverblood on Dec 31, 2016 4:31:47 GMT
It would seem this orcess was very matter of fact and cared little for what he had to say right now. Kaelen certainly did have a soft spot in his heart for the more serious types like Pern , but how could he not? Duty to his family. It was why Kaelen had done everything until after he was of age and a man proper. Swordsmanship honed to a fine edge, seeking of higher learning at the College of Stormhold, pushing his mind and spirit to the breaking point to learn magic when he had only but some initial talent for it, and choosing to join the army of the High King. All of it was so that be could bring honor to his family and unburden his father and brothers when they took over. Duty to his King. It was why he had volunteered to join the vanguard for the siege of Marston. It was why he pushed forward on the continent to claim more land from the hands of corrupt governors and lords. It was why he was even here this day to make a trade deal in a far away city with little more than his wit and charm. And Duty to his people. It was why he was now the Undaunted. It was why he refused to retreat, to back down in the face of assured death. It was why he spent hours walking through rain, sleet, and snow out in the field. It was why he would spend days, weeks, traveling on a boat, on a horse, or in a carriage to reach these places that might bring more wealth and opportunity to those back home. So Kaelen had a soft spot for the serious. Despite some of his surface behavior, he was one of them. He found himself smiling to himself despite the rejection of his advances by this attractive orcess. As the carriage past by and the woman showed interest in Kaelen, his eyes were on the orc woman. He didn't care about anyone else in the city right now. Pern was the one who had his eye in the entire free city of Elbion. So he listened as she spoke. "And why is it that you are not allowed to drink?" Kaelen asked as he looked at her face. "Do you not handle it well? Or do you just hate the taste?"
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Post by Pern on Dec 31, 2016 4:53:20 GMT
"It interferesh with my work," Pern said, matter-of-factly, "shmithing ish a shkill that requiresh shober attenshin," the Orc made a face and licked at dry lips. Repetitive consonants never failed to make her aware of her way of speech.
"Too many thingsh can go wrong when your aim ish even a hairshbreadth off. Poor quality leadsh to poor shalesh, poor shalesh lead to inquiriesh from the Guild." That's where she left that train of thought. Ignatius had been under inquiry of the Guild only once before and it was because of her. Brow creasing as she erased the thought from mind, Pern motioned towards a taller, broader looming wall yet. This one was whitewashed marble and gleamed in the sunlight. Beyond it the ivory towers of the College of Elbion shone brightly, like beacons within the valley. Pern had only been allowed through the gates once before, fifteen years ago, and she could hardly remember what it looked like on the inside despite it having moved her so.
Perhaps her grief and anger at the denial had deteriorated the memory.
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Post by Kaelen Silverblood on Dec 31, 2016 5:07:29 GMT
"I can understand that. I forbid any of my soldiers to drink anything other than water when we are out in the field. Dulled senses costs lives." Kaelen replied to Pern as he caught a movement out of the corner of his eye. He smiled softly as he added, "I even follow the rules I set myself so my men are not alone in that. Right Windpaw?" The wolfkin emerged from the shadows of the street as his commander spoke his name. His ears twitched a bit as he came up to the pair. The beastfolk eyed the orcess for a moment before he said, "That it is Commander. No drinks, no fights, no fun at all unless its with a woman." The wolfish scout made an amused looking face at his own joke. Kaelen chuckled at it as well, not sure how the orcess would take it. Kaelen said after, "Did you have anything to report or did you just happen upon us?" "Both." Windpaw replied. "The city is mostly humans. Got some looks. Met some other beastfolk. Not ones of the March. Shapely fox was one of them....." Kaelen just gave the wolfkin an amused grin before tilting his head in a way that said 'go get her'. The wolf grinned back as he showed all his teeth then disappeared back into the shadows. Someone deserved a good time with a female during this trip, even if Kaelen wished that he was going to be the one to. But fate was not always kind and sent you a serious orcess who didn't seem to take the hints. Oh well. Kaelen found her company to be pleasure enough to not care about anything more right now. He also had business to take care of. The High King sent him here to make a trade deal not to bed the locals. "So this Guild makes inquires if you are not productive enough? Sounds a bit like slavery practices." Kaelen said with a brief frown. Slavery. A banned practice in the March lands. "Is it really that bad for inquiries to be made that you can't even afford to get a little drunk and bed a lucky fellow?"
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Post by Pern on Jan 8, 2017 1:18:45 GMT
The orc was nothing but curiously patient during the short side conversation with the wolfkin. Didn't see them much around Elbion. She blinked golden eyes after Windpaw as he stalked back out through the crowds, parting the people with little effort of his own.
"Ish not shlavery," Pern scoffed, "ish the honorsh of my Mashter and Mentor at shtake. The Guild protectsh ish own, in return we keep the economy shtrong. We have a shyshtem that worksh - maybe to shome it sheemsh reshtrictive, but Elbion would not be sho grand if the shyshtem wash broken."
It made sense to her. Of course the system in place was far more complicated than what she made it seem, but there was no need for Pern to know the specifics as a simple Blacksmith's Apprentice.
They passed through an alley between rows of Merchant homes and stepped out into a central breezeway where the major avenues of the Merchant quarter converged at the massive gates of the College quarter entrance. Pern produced the Maester's amulet from the pocket of her Blacksmith smock. It was given a cursory frown as she slowed her stride to get in the pedestrian line. It had been fifteen years since she'd stood in this very line. Back then she'd been much shorter but likely just as anxious as she was now.
"You will need to preshent your King'sh note to enter the College quarter," Pern told him.
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Post by Kaelen Silverblood on Jan 12, 2017 1:28:58 GMT
The description of how Elbion worked sounded, strange, to Kaelen. Mystmarch was not like the rest of the continent from what he had seen so far of it, but the one thing he had learned was that the March version of taking care of their own was different than others. He didn't know how much this Pern knew about his land. Likely little as Mystmarch was just beginning to impact the main land. He couldn't and wouldn't blame anyone for ignorance though. He was about as ignorant about Elbion's culture as one could be after all. "What do you know of Mystmarch? Specifically, how Mystmarch is run." Kaelen asked with a smile. They came out of the alley into a large space where it seemed the different districts of the city converged. He watched as the orcess pulled out the amulet she had gotten from the old man. She seemed anxious, very anxious in fact. Was there a story there or something he didn't know yet needed to know? It sparked his curiosity. He just kept his eyes on her face as she mentioned he should have his letter from the High King ready. Her lips and eyes certainly were lovely. He reached into his cloak and pulled out the letter with a wax seal with the Mystmarch symbol on it. "I have a story for you Pern." Kaelen said in a cheerful tone. "There once was a knight of great skill who always wore a tabard of bright colors. This caused him to be known as the Bright Knight. He would brag to all with ears to listen and charmed every woman in the land. Many loved him, but many hated him as well. Challenges were made one after another. He defeated every single challenger until there was none left who would. What do you think happened after the Bright Knight ran out of challengers?" Kaelen just smiled to the orcess after he finished speaking. The line to enter was rather long it seemed, so maybe he would have time to finish his story.
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Post by Pern on Jan 14, 2017 3:07:54 GMT
"Very little," Pern admitted with a shrug to his question of Mystmarch's governance. Her research involving his home Kingdom had been rather specific to the Guild and...only the Guild. Shortsightedness, perhaps, it was always good to be informed - not that knowing how a Kingdom on the other side of the continent was run had any advantage to her current situation.
"I have a story for your Pern."
The orc perked at this, "Shtory?" She cast a short glance around, the line wasn't moving too fast. Golden eyes turned back as he spoke, looking thoughtful. Pern lifted a hand to tick a clawed finger at one of her tusks.
"I imagine he shpent a lot of time refinishing his shword after sho many challengesh."
Relevant ... to a Blacksmith.
"Are you the Onshe Bright Knight? You do not look very Bright anymore."
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Post by Kaelen Silverblood on Jan 15, 2017 2:14:33 GMT
A smile and a laugh was what Pern got in response to her answer. Kaelen didn't know if she was joking or not, but it certainly was entertaining for him. He kept at it for nearly a minute before he finally was able to stop. The start of tears had formed in the corners of his eyes as he took in several deep breaths to relieve the pain clinging in his chest. He just kept on smiling to her as he said after he had recovered enough, "No, but those are some good guesses." "The Bright Knight continued on bragging about his victories and charming all of the women in the land. His behavior got worse and worse as he felt he was the greatest in all of the land." Kaelen said as he continued his story. "Tension was building throughout the islands and whispers of an army to slay him had began. It was looking as if the Bright Knight might have a most brutal of ends. Then a knight came forth dressed in worn clothes of grey. This Grey Knight challenged the Bright Knight to a duel." Kaelen paused here to see how much time they had left while waiting in the line. The line had moved a bit, but not nearly enough to be an issue yet. He also wanted to see how much interest his story was garnering with the orcess. Flirting was clearly not going to work with the woman, but she seemed to perk up at the mention of a story. She was good enough to guide him this far and he wanted to reward her a little bit for that. It also gave him a good excuse to stare into her lovely eyes. "The Bright Knight laughed at the Grey Knight's challenge. 'You jest for sure. You resemble a beggar more than a knight. What reason do I have to take challenge from a knight so grey?' the Bright Knight mockingly asked. 'For honor my fellow knight. You have won every challenge you have faced until now, so surely there is no reason you should lose. Only a coward and a fool refuses a challenge to avoid a possible defeat. Are you either of these good knight?' the Grey Knight asked back." Kaelen said as he continued his story yet again. "The Bright Knight could not stand for such an insult and accepted the challenge. They agreed to meet in three days time to settle the challenge before witnesses of great repute."
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Post by Pern on Jan 15, 2017 2:32:02 GMT
Assuming a casual stance as she listened--arms folded at her front, one leg propped, head slightly canted, curious and faint smile appearing behind tusks--Pern wondered if this was a story from his own life, or perhaps one he grew up hearing. Like most children who lived within the realm of they learned through story, both written and verbal. Even she had her favorites but she'd never heard this one.
He had her undivided attention.
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Post by Kaelen Silverblood on Jan 15, 2017 2:52:38 GMT
"During these three days, the Bright Knight continued to brag and to charm. He came to the place of the challenge when the time had arrived. The Grey Knight was waiting for him and his clothing looked more worn than before. He had clearly been practicing for those three days. The Bright Knight mocked him and gave not a single word that was not an insult to his challenger." Kaelen said as he continued on his story. "The Grey Knight listened silently with only a grin upon his face. Once the Bright Knight had said his fill, the Grey Knight finally spoke. 'A duel with no reward lacks motivation. Why don't we fight to the death? The winner wins all of the other's possessions.' The Bright Knight was taken aback by this request but quickly replied, 'You own so little, so my victory gains me little. Regardless, I accept. To the death our duel shall be!' And so the terms were known and the duel was set to begin." Kaelen stopped as he needed to clear his throat. He wished he had a water skin right now, or even a wine skin. He just did what he could until he throat was less dry then continued on. "The duel started and it quickly became one sided. The Bright Knight pushed back the Grey Knight with every strike. Those who watched cheered on the Grey Knight to fight back, but after a few minutes, the Grey Knight was forced to his knee. He bowed his head as he said, 'I have been bested. Let us end the fight and show everyone the fool.' The Bright Knight just smiled and laughed as he lunged forward to finish the Grey Knight." Kaelen said as he smiled to Pern with an impishness to his eyes. "So what do you think the end of the duel was?"
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Post by Pern on Jan 15, 2017 3:09:24 GMT
"Mmm," the orc was thoughtful, hand lifted to thumb at a tusk, "my inshtinct ish that the Bright Knight found victory, but my mind thinksh there ish shome other lesshon in thish tale."
Wasn't there always? The Fables of Folly, a popular series of childhood stories that most city children knew at least a few of, always had some kind of moral to them. Had the Grey Knight tricked his enemy? Lifted his sword at the last minute to run him through? Was the Grey Knight not what he made himself out to be? Or perhaps there was no lesson at all but that in ego and self-righteousness. This all seemed rather deep for such a tale of whimsy.
Pern gestured at Kaelen, "I will guessh the Bright Knight won."
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Post by Kaelen Silverblood on Jan 15, 2017 3:31:19 GMT
Kaelen smiled as Pern gave her thoughts. He knew she questioned it. That was the whole point to the story after all. Present a tale with some obvious twists and some not so obvious ones. To make the reader remember other tales to guess the outcome. Some could do it, some could not. No matter if one was right or wrong, the point was the effort into guessing. So he just smiled to her as he shook his head no in response to her answer. "As the Bright Knight moved to make the final blow, the Grey Knight swung his sword up from his lower position. The Bright Knight lost his right hand and his sword fell to the ground. The Bright Knight screamed out in pain as the Grey Knight stood up." Kaelen said as his grin turned impish. "The crowd was stunned by what had happened. The Grey Knight said to the Bright Knight, 'This was a duel to the death, and I have killed your ability to duel ever again. You may continue to brag and to charm, but never forget the fool it had made you be.' Then the Grey Knight left as the Bright Knight was saved. The Bright Knight continued to brag and to charm, but he could never duel again. He could never forget the duel he had lost and the endless shame it brought. He cursed the Grey Knight for the rest of his days, yet the Grey Knight never heard. There was more glory to be had by the man who had defeated the Bright Knight." Kaelen looked to the orcess after he had finished. They had moved further down the line in that time, but there was still a ways to go before they hit the front. What was taking this line so long? It was almost as if there was more time for stories to be told and conversations to be hand. Perhaps the gods of Ardell deemed it needed for their entertainment. "What did you think of the tale of the Bright Knight?" Kaelen asked as he looked into Pern's eyes. It was one of the many tales from Mystmarch, and the first of the Grey Knight epic.
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Post by Pern on Jan 15, 2017 19:58:16 GMT
"How unec-shpected," Pern smiled amusedly. Perhaps she had done too much reading. Too much listening to Old Man Iggy's stories.
"It ish a good shtory. Shir Shilverblood," the Orc patted the man on the forearm and pointed towards the entry gate, "you're necsht."
By the time his patence of Nobility and letter from the King checked out Pern was already waiting inside the portcullis for him. Despite her denial into the college the residency of Elbion and her Apprenticeship with the Master Blacksmith had its perks. Ignatius was one of the few Grand Maesters still alive today, making him rather a novelty for the city of Elbion. Everyone knew Ignatius which meant that everyone at least knew of Pern, even if in passing.
Admittedly she was slightly surprised at how easily she'd been permitted through. She doubted it would have been so easy without Ignatius' amulet.
Kaelen received a warm welcome and directions to the Guild Hall within the campus.
"Good luck with your meeting," Pern said as he walked over, "I musht find Fritsh for Ignashush."
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Post by Kaelen Silverblood on Jan 16, 2017 0:47:07 GMT
Kaelen was pleased to hear that the orcess had liked his tale. He had told it for her and to try to make them a little closer. It was hard to tell though if he had managed to do that. The orcess was not exactly easy to read. It was not so much an issue of her orc heritage but rather her oblivious nature that was his bane this whole trip. He had accepted he wasn't going to get her into his bed before the end, or if he did it would only be by some miracle of the gods, but he still enjoyed the thought of getting to know her. She was interesting enough in her own way, and it was a refreshing change from the typical responses to his flirting.
At the portcullis, Kaelen had to present his letter from the High King and his proof of identity. The proof of identity was just a letter that gave some general information describing him with the seal of the High King and Council of Lords on it. He did not know if they recognized the seals as being authentic, or even knew what they should look like if they were, but he was allowed through. He was struck by how polite they were being, and made sure to be just as well behaved as well. He found Pern already waiting for him on the other side, which got a grin from him. The orcess got through far faster than he had. Perhaps next time he should just follow her.
Kaelen listened to what she had to say, which got a momentary frown from him. He said though after with a friendly smile, "Perhaps it would be best we did not part ways here. I do not know my way around your city, so there is a good chance I will get lost. If I get lost then I will miss my meeting, and then won't Master Ignatius be the one that is blamed? So in light of that, it would be best if you came with me to the meeting. Or do you disagree?"
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Post by Pern on Jan 16, 2017 2:37:41 GMT
"Your meeting ish-"
-just inside that hall over there, she meant to finish. But sometimes the sheer helplessness of people, feigned or not, really got to her. He was like a puppy. A big, smarmy puppy. The orc smiled placatingly with a shrug, "thish way."
She lead him through the main galley of the College estate, walking past throngs of students and teachers through covered walkways towards a large building off to the right. As they neared it Pern slowed her stride and, just as expected, they were stopped by two Guards in gleaming white and silver armor.
"Lord Silverblood, I presume, the Guild has been waiting for you." "No weapons are permitted in the hall, M'Lord."
Standing back, arms folded, Pern offered a hand, "I will keep them for you," which meant she would not be attending the meeting with him ... but also that she would need to wait for him until it was over, "I can look for Fritsh while you are in there."
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