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the hasty priestess
The Crossroads
This is where we'll all RP when I get the story altogether!
A cloaked figure was wandering down an old path, his destination was known only to himself, suddenly a pair of bandits a Rhino and a Gorilla moved infront of him, both were brandishing weapons "'and over yer valuables!" the Rhino said in a thick accent "and we may le' ya see the dawn" the gorilla simply grunted and glared menacingly, the figure chuckled quietly, the Rhino tilted his head slightly "Wha's so funny?" he asked angrily the figure raised his left hand and the Rhino now noticed that it was clutching a silvery metal staff, he watched as the figure brought the staff down and then was blinded as a super thick fog seemed to come frome nowhere "you need to choose your opponents better" the figure said as he dissappeared into the fog, the Rhino and Gorilla roared in anger and then the Rhino heard a sudden
crack! like the sound of bone cracking under metal, then a
thud! from a body hitting the ground, he turned to where he had heard the sounds just as the figure rushed at him and braught his staff down on the Rhino's head, then everything went black, the fog dissappeared as quickly as it had came and the figure was the only one standing, he pulled back his hood to reveal a male White Bengal Tiger with striking green eyes, he looked at the bandits "at least I gave them some advice....and a headache" he smirked before turning around and continuing on his way.
“Impressive skills,” came a voice from some nearby bushes, “might I enquire as to who you are and where you are travelling?” came the strangers voice. As he stepped from the bushes, it was clear that he was feline, however his tail pointed towards another race mixed in, The stranger sported leather armour, and had a katana at his side. There was a small pack on his back, mostly containing food, and a map or two, and on one wrist, there was an odd bracer, with two swords crossed on it as the crest.
The Tiger stopped and looked at the stranger "mearly a traveler" he replied "and as to my destination?" he said casually "there is a special abbey about three miles away if I continue along this trail, I suppose that would be where I'm headed at the moment" he answered matter-of-fact
ly.
“Can anyone stay at this abbey?” The stranger asked, “I’ve been out on the road for days, with little to eat. I wonder if they would allow me a room and a meal for just one night,” he said to the traveller. “Might I know your name as well, so that I may thank you properly?” the stranger asked after a moment. His tail twitched slightly from side to side, however his ears continuously scanned his surroundings for any sign of danger. His muscles, although appearing relaxed, were like coiled springs, ready to strike if he was threatened.
the Tiger smiled slightly "it is an Abbey not an Inn, but I suppose I can speak with the Templars there and let them allow you a nights rest and a hot meal"he said casually "and as to my name, you may call me Len" he closed his cloak around his front to hide his medallion, under the pretense of being cold "the night is getting on and we have an abbey to get to, shall we be on our way?" he gestured towards the distan Stone building.
“I thank you for your kindness sir Len,” the strange hybrid said as he followed the white tiger towards the building. Never looking directly ahead, but rather continuously scanned his surroundings, even amongst this suggested safe area of the abbey. Ruben reached into his small satchel pack at his side and pulled out several small stones, each with a distinct symbol. No one in this land would recognize them, and only Ruben knew their purpose. As the two of them approached the front door, Ruben selected the stone he wanted, and placed the others back into his pouch.
Len chuckled "it's just 'Len', I'm not used to being called much else, well!" he stopped suddenly "I am called something else but only certain people can call me that, and they do it only for traditions sake" he shrugged "oh well!" he continued along and soon enough they reacked the massive oaken doors at the front of the Abbey, a wolf in green robes and sporting a sword at his hip greeted them "identify yourselves!" the wolf said in a stern voice, Len stepped foreward and opened his cloak, the Wolf nodded "welcome Keeper , welcome to Cheiron Abbey" Len smiled "it's more like 'welcome back' actually" he gestured to the traveller "this is a friend of mine, he was hoping for a warm meal and a soft bed for the night" the wolf surveyed the stranger "you will need to take this up with Captain Xyla and Abbot Siskus" Len nodded "then I shall" the wolf nodded "he will need to relinquish his blade as well" he said pointing to the strangers sword.
The stranger smirked slightly, as he had expected something like this to happen, “Regrettably,” he said as he bowed his head, “I cannot relinquish my blade, for I fear that the code by which I live would not allow me to do so,” he said as he began to activate the stone he’d palmed in his hand. “Would you readily give up your soul if it was asked of you?” the stranger asked simply as he raised up his gaze to look the wolf in the eye.
The wolf looked at the stranger and scowled, but Len stepped between them "all we must do is ask that he keep his blade sheathed while he is in the Abbey, does this seem acceptable to both of you" the wolf looked at Len "if you say so Keeper" he then looked at the stranger.
“That would be acceptable,” the stranger said; as he released the magic from the stone, harmlessly back into himself. Walking up the stairs to the doors, the stranger looked at the wolf, although taller, the wolf seemed harmless enough, but the air of distrust rang clearly. I’ll set up wards tonight regardless, the stranger thought as he continued through the doors and into the abbey behind the ‘keeper’.
Len entered the main chamber, it was massive with a large circular stained glass window in the center resembled the crest on his medalion it looked like a hanging scale with a red flame on one side and a blue one on the other, there is a Bloodhound at the alter beneath the window he was wearing similar green robes but had a silvery staff like Len's he looked at Len and smiled "Brother Torlak" he said with a small smile "welcome back!" Len bowed slightly "it's good to be 'home'" he looked around "where is Grand Elder Fabre?" he asked, the hound smiled "where do you think?" Len nodded "the relicwary" he said softly in realization, he turned to the stranger "we'll need to make a detour before we see to your lodgings for the night I'm afraid" he patted a small pouch tied to his waist "this is rather important"
“I understand,” the stranger said as he followed Len around. The stranger couldn’t help but admire the architecture of the place, red carpets lined the hardwood floors, tapestries of countless varieties hung from walls and the attention to detail on even the trims around the doors was done with care. Small tables were carefully decorated with urns, candles and flowery of numerous kinds, presumable for whomever they were for. Whoever built this place cared deeply for their craft, much as the stranger did his own. “Len, if I may ask a question,” the stranger asked seeing as the two of them were alone in the halls for the moment.
"you already did" Len said with a quiet chuckle "feel free to ask another if you'd like" he smiled to himself as the walked down the empty halls and decended down a long flight of stone steps.
The stranger was un-amused by Len’s remark, but chose not to say anything to his gracious host about it, “I’ve been looking for someone and I was wondering if she may have past this way, possibly with a child,” the stranger asked as he held out a sketch of a beautiful wolf woman, “she’s very important to me, and someone said that someone matching her description came this way, I was wondering if you knew if she stayed here?” the stranger asked, the extremely subtle tone of hope betraying just how important she was.
Len examined the picture "curious indeed" he said quietly he did indeed recognize her but showed no trace of this "forgive me for answering a question with a question, but...why do you seek this woman?" his tone was simple as if this was merely a matter of curiosity.
“Because she was my lover,” the stranger said simply, “and perhaps more importantly, she could have our child with her,” the stranger said with a whimsical tone. “She and I were separated a long time ago, and I’ve been looking for her ever since,” the stranger took back the picture and placed it back into it’s special place within his satchel, “do you have news?” the stranger asked again.
"so you are the girls father, she is hoping to meet you someday" Len said in realization before handing the picture back to him and turning back down the hall "they were here alright, asking the same as you, food shelter and medicines besides" he said calmly recollecting the day they arrived "she was weak from their travels and her mind tortured by something but she would not talk about it to anyone as we tended to her and her child both were strong-willed and only stayed a week or so before continuing on their way, I believe they said something about stopping in Byrok on their travels" he turned another corner and entered a long stone tunnel at the other end stood an old badger holding a torch he looked at the pair and smiled as they came down the tunnel towards him.
“Thank you for the news, I will leave first thing and tread on your good graces for as brief a time as possible,” the stranger said, the relief that he was catching up obvious in his voice. “She thinks I am dead, and that is why she did not want to speak of it,” the stranger said just before they reached the bottom of the stairs. When the old badger looked at the two of them and smiled, the stranger bowed respectfully, “Perhaps I should wait upstairs?” the stranger asked, fearful of imposing on secrets that he wasn’t meant to know.
The badger raised his hand to stop the stranger "you are here because you are meant to be here master Ruben" he said in a calm and almost ancient voice, he smiled gently at him "I am Grand Elder Fabre and you have met Brother Len Torlak, I welcome you to Cheiron Abbey" he bowed slightly "this is one of the many Sanctums of we who are called the Keepers of the Balance and this..." he gestured to the rather solid looking oak doors behind him "is our relicuary, where we keep....unique magic, and speaking of unique magic" he looked at Len as the tiger took out a smal blood red crystal "ah! the Eye of Argon" he took the crystal as Len spoke "it was easy to aquire since the wards behind it had weakened and any foolish treasure hunter could have gotten it, not a good sign at all" Fabre nodded as he turned "fortunate we were able to aquire it before any serious damage was done" he said simply as he opened the oak door behind him to reveal a brightly lit chamber, even larger than the main chamber, laden with artifacts of all kinds.
His heart skipped a beat as the old badger spoke. Ruben had been so careful to not tell anyone his name unless it was prudent that he do so. How this old badger knew was beyond Ruben, “Tell me Grand Elder, how is it that you know my name” Ruben asked in a serious tone as he stepped closer to the old badger, “I must know. There are those looking for me, and if they learn my name, and who I’m looking for, lives could be in danger,” Ruben hadn’t realized it right away, but instinct had made him un-secure his sword, meaning he could use it an anytime with the reflexes that only those of his unique order possessed. Ruben replaced his sword, fearing that drawing the sword would not get him answers.
Fabre chuckled "I'm able to see a great deal young man" he turned his head slightly, there was a glint in his eye "I was made aware of your arrival in our lands before you finished your journey, you have a unique connection to the Ether Stream, not unlike brother Torlak here, but rest assured, no one here wished to claim your life or the lives of your family"
“I see,” Ruben said as he thought for a moment, “would your abilities extend to being able to tell me where those I seek are now?” Ruben asked, eager to know where the next leg of his journey would take him. “Or did you just get lucky, hearing a whisper on the wind of who I was. There are those who know what this symbol on my bracer means, and they know my name,” Ruben explained frankly as he held up the golden bracer, and pointed to the blood red crossed swords which were as clear as day.
"ah! now you are having some fun at an old man's expence" Fabre replied "I have never seen that emblem before, doubtful anyone in this world has" he said with a small smile, it was as if he was telling the truth with a light heart "just as, I suspect, you have never seen our emblem before let alone heard of our order or what we do"
"No, I haven't," Ruben said slowly, "But apparently you like to avoid answering questions," Ruben said with a slightly sarcastic tone. "So do you know where my family has gone so I'll know where to go when I leave in the morning, or am i just waisting my waisting my time hoping that your supposed gift of insight can help me?" Ruben backed up from the badger and leane up against a wall, crossing his arms infront of him as he did so.
Len piped up "I believe I already mentioned that they were headed for Byrok" he seemed curious about Ruben but hid it well, he could feel the starange aura of magic around him and wanted to learn more, but placeing the Eye of Argon in it's new resting place came first.
Ruben shot Len a dangerous glare, "I wasn't talking to you," Ruben said harshly, "You gonna answer me old man and tell me where my mate and daughter have gone, or shall I take my leave and search for answers elsewhere?" Ruben asked as his attention returned to the old badger in front of him. Ruben was growing impatient with the badger's games and wanted answers, and the more impatient Ruben got, the darker his expression grew.
Fabre smiled kindly at Ruben "calm yourself young warrior" he said in a easy tone "Brother Len was simply pointing out what you may have forgotten in your eagerness for answers" he stopped at a long table with several jewels adorning the top, he slowly set the Eye in a small setting in the center "there!" he said in a tone of finality "the power of the Eye of Argon will remain here until the time it is needed" he turned to Ruben "as to you my young friend, it is as Brother Len says, your mate and her child were headed for Byrok, a large city that's to the east of this abbey, you may stay the night here and continue your long journey in the morning" the way he said it made it sound not like a suggestion but more like an order, but Len didn't notice as he had been watching Ruben carefully.
“I’m aware of where he said they were heading, I was more interested in where they are at this moment,” Ruben said as he continued to glower at the badger, “They may have deviated to some other location for all I know.” Ruben was clearly losing his patience now, had the badger have been anyone else, he would have had Ruben’s sword at his throat by now. However, Ruben exercised his patience due to the generosity his hosts had given him in allowing him to stay under their roof, but even his willingness to tolerate more than from a normal person, Ruben wasn’t going to play games, and wait for much longer.
Fabre smiled "I apologize for sounding so roundabout" he said calmly as he turned to another artifact "I must be getting old" he said quietly to himself as he lifted a clear glass phial from another table, it appeared empty but actually containt a crystal clear fluid "this should be useful" he said to Ruben as he handed it over "the water of life, it can cure any poison, heal any wound and purify any curse, it may prove useful to you on your travels through our world, but use it wisely as it may only be used once" he handed the Phial over to Ruben as Len watched in silent surprise.
Ruben reached out and accepted the vial as he looked at in curiously, “Again you surprise me with your generosity,” Ruben said carefully as he attempted to regain his formal tone, “May I ask, has something happened to Asper that would require it’s use?” Ruben asked. If the old badger could see something, Ruben was more worried that he’d seen something happen to his family rather than to himself. “It would do me great honor to know some of the things you’ve seen.”
Fabre nodded slowly "Brother Len noticed a dark shadow that seemed to envelop the mother, there is a darkness that seeks to consume her soul" he said in a tone of calm seriousness "I fear that if she is not aided, it may soon seek the daughter as well, the power can be given by anyone, but I think it would most well recieved by the hands of a loved one" he smiled kindly "wouldn't you agree?"
Ruben’s demeanors changed completely, “I thank you for entrusting me with this knowledge,” Ruben said as he carefully placed the vial into his satchel, “but most importantly, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to heal her myself before resorting to other means,” Ruben said with a quick glance to Len, remembering the phrase, ‘keeper of the balance,’ and the implied meaning behind the title. “If you will excuse me, I should retire for the night, so that I may be rested for the journey to Byrok,” Ruben excused himself and headed for the stairs.
As soon as Ruben had left the room Fabre looked at Len "I assume you are wondering why I gave him the Phial?" he asked calmly as his eye met Len's "I am a little curious Grand Elder, and why you neglected to tell him everything about it" the badger nodded "there is indeed more to the Phial than he has been informed, and that is why I would like you to accompany him to Byrok, he may find you useful as a guide and when the time comes, you are to reveal the truth but not before he is ready to know it" Len bowed deeply "I understand Grand Elder" he turned and left the chamber, following Ruben to help him secure his night's food and rest.
Tsuki's eyes darted between Naoko and the ground. An uneasy feeling kept churning in the pit of his stomach, and he was never one for anxiety without a cause.
"Your silence is worrisome," Naoko remarked, not shifting her gaze from the path that was before them beneath the deeply hued treetops.
Tsuki's royally pale cheeks painted themselves the color of chagrin. "I'm merely worried about your safety, my priestess..." he responded softly as his eyes humbly met the tawny, brush covered ground.
"We'll be fine without the other four," Naoko said confidently as she turned her head just enough to inspect Tsuki's countenance. "Our paths were meant to cross with theirs, but not to twine onward."
"Destiny aside, our paths will never part," Tsuki managed as he met Naoko's gaze.
Naoko smiled, a little abashed, "Tsuki, you might be too dedicated to me."
"You and I are friends," Tsuki said quickly, "And the last of our kind."
"That we know of," Naoko frowned at the harsh reality as she gripped at the pendant that dangled from her throat.
Tsuki glared at the ground, listening carefully to the twigs that broke beneath their feet, trying to think of something to say. "I can't really try to cheer you up. I just don't know what to say," he admitted.
"It's alright, Tsuki. We're a priest and priestess, and we are bound to find other survivors who fled our chapels and towns, right?" Naoko looked at him with impeccable innocence.
Tsuki turned his gaze toward their feet, "Naoko..." he flushed red. "There are bound to be survivors, yes. And it is up to us to lead them home and to find what did this to us," he lied, not knowing how else to respond to her unending optimism.
"Good, we will find shelter and hopefully be on our way with my pilgrimage," Naoko said softly, comforted by Tsuki's agreement.
"Yes, yes we will..." he tapered his thoughts as the dark feelings of guilt surfaced since he had lied to her, to the best of his judgment.
Ruben sat silently on the window sill of his room, silently looking out at th lit lanterns of the village that extended beyond the Abby grounds. As he sat on the sill, he thought about all the things the old badger had said, ether stream, the phial, and talk of Asper. At the thought of her, Ruben remembered the last time he saw her. It had been while they were docked in a village enjoying some shore leave when bandits raided during the night. Asper was a necromancer and needed no help from Ruben. However, the two were somehow separated, and Ruben was believed dead when a hut caved in on him. Asper left that morning without him, while he was still unconcious, buried in debris. Ever since Ruben had been searching for her, sacrificing health and wellbeing, and now he was catching up.
Len walked through the main courtyard of the Abbey, so much had happened and he knew a great deal more was going to before he could make heads or tails of any of it, he knew there was mor to the Phial than what Fabre had told Ruben, it's secrets were revealed to the Grand Elder and himself on his first mission for the order and some of what had been revealed was quite true, but he was unsure if the shadow could be purged completely by using the waters, only time would tell.
Tsuki stared down at the fire that cracked loudly in the still of the night. His attention was drawn toward his beloved priestess after a moment. His cheeks flushed red as he turned away from the striking woman. Keep your thoughts as thoughts... he scolded himself.
Naoko stirred, turning toward Tsuki. "You can't stay up all night protecting me and hope to have the energy to do say in the daylight..." she said softly.
"I'll do as I must," Tsuki responded evenly.
"But I can't sleep when I'm not warm..."
Tsuki blushed and nodded, joining her beside the fire, letting her nestle closely against him. He let out a relaxed sigh as he felt Naoko's breathing slow again, to that of sleep. He blushed as he eased his eyes shut finding sleep himself.
No sooner had the sun begun to peek over the horizon, than Ruben was in the kitchen restocking his food supplies, whilst getting some breakfast. Once he was finished eating, and packing up what the cooks would allow, Ruben returned to his room. Ruben packed all of his belongings, and removed the wards he’d placed in his room. Once he had managed to get everything together, he headed back down the ornate stairs and headed for the door. As he approached the door, he caught sight of Len, heading for the kitchen. Ruben nodded as he got closer, and stopped in front of the tiger, “I thank you again for putting in a word with the elder, and allowing me to stay here, I do hope that we meet again, and I pray that we do not become enemies,” Ruben said as he bowed to be polite to one of his hosts.
Len nodded "actually the Grand Elder has requested that I accompany you to Byrok, he believes the time has not yet arrived for our paths to part ways just yet" he explained "and since you are new here, a guide may prove useful, wouldn't you agree?" he smiled calmly as he spoke.
“No offense Len, but I prefer to work alone, it’s usually easier to keep the body count to a minimum,” Ruben said with a completely straight face. While some would think him joking, he wasn’t, Ruben did his best work alone, and thus less people died needlessly as a result. “Just tell me what to keep an eye out for, and perhaps that will be good enough,” Ruben offered.
Len shook his head "in case you hadn't noticed" he said with a small smile "we keepers of the balance are not harmless men and women of the cloth, I myself am quite skilled at armed and unarmed combat and I'm an elemental magic-user, I've been able to hold my own for quite a while now" he explained as his smile remaind firmly in place.
“As you wish Len,” Ruben said with a polite bow. Bending down, Ruben picked up his traveling bag and headed for the door. Once he was outside, Ruben took in a deep breath of the outside air and looked at his surroundings. Birds flew overhead, and the trees swayed in the light morning breeze. The sun had just risen between two mountain peeks to his right, and between those peeks was the city where Ruben would either find Asper, or the next clue in finding her. He looked back to see that Len was still gathering himself, and already Ruben was regretting having the tiger come along as company. “Did you forget something?” Ruben asked, trying to hint that he would like to get moving.
Len held up his right hand and his staff flew into his hand from sowhere around the corner, he grasped it firmly and tied a small pouch to his belt, he walked up to Ruben as he adjusted travel cloak with his free hand "all set" he said as the great doors of the Abbey closed behind them.
Stumble!