Author: Aegis, Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2017 5:54 PM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

“Never once have I heard of the blade. Then again, I have not walked this earth as long as you I am sure of that.” He took the blade in hand as she handed it to him and looked at the obsidian blade, he could sense that it also had an affinity of darkness as well. “Its purpose is made clear that is for sure, there is a strange darkness to it. Benevolent to the one who it chose, of course not all darkness is evil. I have seen necromancers use their magic in order to aid the souls of the dead to their final rest.”

“You know I heard people say that a weapon chooses its wielder. I always thought of that as something people said to soothe those who didn’t know what they wanted, but it seems there is some truth to it in this sword.” He got up and went and put it back on the weapon rack, as at the current moment he had no sheath and didn’t want anyone to accidentally draw blood upon its edge, especially how he saw Bryony handle it. For him, it may not wound as strongly as others.

“My hatred and pain manifested, I’ll be sure to make use of it well that it doesn’t turn its edge against me.” Sternly he spoke as he returned to his seat at the table.
He was confused about the second part of what she spoke of. That he would be traveling with Kaylani, he didn’t even think about that at all. In his mind, he wanted to leave so that the group wouldn’t attack the both of them, but the words she spoke almost seemed like the truth to him.

“Stomaching it is something I can handle, after all, I did grow up and live around a mercenary encampment. The Raven’s taught us to be strong. And if that blade is a clue to me becoming a mage hunter, then so be it.” Conviction lined his words. “Who knows maybe a new era of my old company will come to, but this time we shall be hunters of rogue magi. And it will start with those bastards who betrayed me and my family.”

“But for now it is best that I heal, and take it easy. When the time comes I’m sure I’ll know it. Besides I am kind of enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.” Not stating that he was concerned for his well-being if he so happened to screw up even a little bit

Author: Kalyani, Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 2:49 PM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

“Of course I can… It takes a lot of effort and concentration though so I choose not to.” Kalyani let him in on the secret. “It’s easier just to talk the other way. Why should I have to waste time perfecting my language for most morons.” The last part was a jest at him as she smiled. “It is honestly a lot of work. It makes me tired.”

Bryony looked around the room and saw his sword. It had to be his because well… It just had to be. “Vox Noctis…” She pushed herself up and retrieved the katana. “You know it has many forms it has taken over the centuries it has existed.”

“You know about?”

“I’ve seen it before. Mage hunters use it and it can only be summoned by those it finds worthy of its cause.” Bryony was very careful with it. “Many decades ago it was used on the clergy of the evil gods during the God Slayer War. It was the third time I had encountered it. A sword like this is easy to catch rumors of… Easy to hear of. Not to learn of. Had the pleasure of meeting the third owner myself. Got cut down in the battle because he took on too many at once. See Vox is a very powerful relic… It disrupts mana flow and makes magi useless. Think you are weak? A mage with no magic is the worst thing there can be.”

She brought it over to him and have him bring up his hands so she could put it in there. “It chose you… and it appeared to you because you and it have the same goals in mind. Just be sure to use it responsibly. This is a great weapon… So while you sat there pitying yourself… You didn’t even see what laid before you.” Bryony gave him a smile. “This is such a good and fine gift. Do not lose hope Zanar Arowin, for I see what they did to you… and I know what they did.. I also see your future though it is hazy. I know of one thing that means. You will be traveling with Kalyani.”

Kalyani looked confused for a moment but she let it go. If Bryony said it was going to happen that was it. “If I were you… There are many people who would pay top dollar for someone who can now do what you do. If you can stomach it… That is.” Bryony smiled down at him.

Author: Aegis, Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 1:46 PM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

His eyes just narrowed at her when he heard a correct speech pattern, “Oh, so this one can speak like a normal person after all,” He stated a little harshly, after all, he had to try and listen through the accent for a while before actually getting the hang of listening to her correctly. With Bryony’s statement, it seemed like she did this, more often than not. Mayhaps it was a ruse she used on people unaccustomed with?

As they set down upon the table, Bryony gave a warning about the so-called stuffed animal in Hazel’s arms. So what she was saying earlier wasn’t just a child playing…Even worse its of Eldritch nature, Zanar thought to himself, yet this child seemed to handle it as well as she could along with the ground rules that she was given. “Wouldn’t dream of taking Jack away,” unease lining the words that escaped his lips

This scene unraveling before him was like a small family get together, and he was the outsider in it all. A human that was almost weaker than most humans now. It was strange, but he didn’t mind it much it was nice to relax. He was also shocked to hear that this small girl went into the circles of hell…and beat up demons.
Yea, I’m definitely, nowhere near as gifted as these people

“No, it does not seem like she needs any help at all. Unlike poorer human soul,” He chuckled. “Though I do admit I feel like the odd one out amongst this group, barely being able to do any such feats.”

“Humans, they survive in a wild world like this cause they can adapt and their bodies are excellent conductors of mana, aether, arcane energies. Whatever you call them, all the same, yet what does a human do when he can’t even cast the simplest of spells?”

His words probably brought down the atmosphere of the room a bit, but the mana channels inside of a being are something that couldn’t be fixed with simple time or spell weaving. “I’ll admit, sure I may have high martial prowess..but also afraid that I won’t be able to do a damn thing if physical strength can’t help a situation.”

Maybe it was also more than fear, maybe it was the envy of hearing all that they were talking about. Their connections to gods, the fact that a simple child sitting next to him could end his life in a blink of his eye. All of it didn't matter when the root of the problem was his undying hatred for those that destroyed some so precious and so vital for his survival. "Please forgive me, just a momentary loss of reasoning there. There is probably something out there I can make do."

Author: Bryony, Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 4:08 PM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

“If scholars studied the word trouble they would find Kalyani listed under it. Most of the time if there is a commotion it is because of her.” Bryony smirked a bit and winked towards Zanar as she went to deal with her.

Hazel tilted her head at Zanar and smiled when he wasn’t afraid of her. “Most people run and hide from me.” Her shadow began to sprawl on the ground and form tentacles. “No, Mr. Jack stop it. You are a bad, bad squid.” She squeezed the squid to her. “This is why we don’t have friends because you scare them away.”

One Kalyani was out on the ground Bryony ruffled Hazel’s head of wild hair. “I taught Kalyani to take people in when they were hurt. I also taught her that if they were scum she needed to charge the ever-loving hell out of them. Come on I’ll make tea… Kalyani apologize to him… in correct common.”

Kalyani got a look on her face it was pure stubbornness. “Fine, I am sorry that I forced you to look at me naked… and that I have been… Do I have to lie to him? I like giving him attitude.” Her accent was still thick but it was more complete sentences now.

“Nah, the first part was all you needed. Think after three hundred years or so I would have you broke of this shit by now. Come on… into the wagon.” Once everyone was around the table Bryony set to making them hot water and getting a snack ready. “I wouldn’t take Mr. Jack from Hazel, even if you are trying to play. As a warning, not that you would. Mr. Jack is an Eldritch being possessing my daughter since birth. Inherited from her father. We’ve been trying to get rid of him. The Goddess Angela bound the creature to that stuffed animal and it’s her only means of control. What are the rules Hazel?”

“Don’t let Mr. Jack go. Don’t listen to Mr. Jack’s bad advice. Suspect everything he wants to do is to take over my soul.” Hazel nodded firmly. “He’s a big ol’ meanie when it comes to other people but Rohan deals with him effortlessly.” She had big speech for such a little kid but Kalyani chuckled.

“Since when did you become such good friends with Angela’s little squirt?” Kalyani tilted her head.

“He’s not a little squirt! He is the bestest friend ever! He’s going to protect me forever and marry me when I’m older. Lily said so.” Hazel sounded a little upset but gave a firm nod to both Zanar and Kalyani.

“Lily read them their love fortunes the other day… If it comes true they will be married in the future. So what she says isn’t child’s play. They’ve been very… excited about it. Even going so far as to start planning for a wedding. Can’t say it wouldn’t be nice to have a goddess for her in law to keep her out of trouble. Right now though she is grounded… She decided it was a good idea to run through the circles of hell and beat up demons.”

“RO WAS IN TROUBLE!” Hazel protested to Zanar. “I saved him.”

“Sounds to me like Hazel doesn’t need anyone to save her.” Kalyani chuckled.

Author: Aegis, Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 1:55 PM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

He quickly turned to the sound of the voice, again a defensive reaction, and saw another woman and child walking towards the wagon. Her suggestion though was something that he wanted to consider at times, but also didn't want to cause himself more harm in the process. He noticed that child had strange silver colored eyes, though he was not one to talk as he had seen his reflection. The piercing illuminated blue of his was also something different. "Trouble, that ma'am would be an understatement at times.."

The woman left the child with him and entered the wagon like she owned it herself. I have a bad feeling about this one. and as soon as he thought that the wagon became to move a little and screams were heard out of it. Don't…just don't even and for once he listened to his own warning

He squatted down as the child began to talk. "Well hello there Hazel, I'm Zanar," he replied to her couldn't help but smile at the child's innocence. He cocked his head at the moving plushie that she had. "You know what, I think Mr. Jack just wants to look out for his friend. That or he could just be a little jealous," he said with a small laugh

He got up as the door to the wagon flung open and the woman was coming out, with no other than Kaylani hoisted over her shoulder. She was screaming to let her go, and he for the best of him was trying to keep from bursting out laughing. And as she was tossed in front of Zanar he couldn't help but wince at that. This woman had so much strength to her, and now he was in front of two women who could seem to kill anyone who crossed them with ease.

I feel like I'm going to die in this place, not bad of course…better than a prison cell…but still

She introduced herself and it all started to make sense to him, all the pieces of the puzzle was coming together. It also made sense where Kaylani got her brash attitude from as well. "I wouldn't say a complete heathen, she took me in and nursed me back from a near-death experience," he stated, "Oh right my apologies, my name is Zanar Arowin."  The most shocking part was to find out that Kaylani was over three hundred years old, though the elf-like ears should have given that away.

"So I guess I could say that I owe your, uhm daughter my life a little."

Author: Bryony, Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 1:22 PM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

“It’s not like I ask for sex… or you looking for sex. It’s just two people and one is nude. Why is that so bad?” She shrugged at him as he pushed her away. She turned from him as he talked about his restraints and she rolled her eyes. “Seems to me that is stressful.” Kalyani made her way into the bedroom and got dressed but before she could come down he was already outside.

“Normally by bashing her over the head with something,” another female voice came. This time it was a very tall woman in log blue robes. One shoulder was bare and the way it tied off to the side showed her hips and leg. She had long black hair, blue eyes that moved like the ocean, and dark skin like Kalyani. Holding her hand was a tiny child about the age of five. She was staring at Zanar with large mercury colored eyes. Her skin tone was just a few shades lighter than the woman’s and she had wild black curls. “She isn’t giving you trouble is she?”

Without hesitation, the woman scooted the child over to him. “I’ll be right back,” Bryony spoke as she moved into the wagon. Screaming began to come from the wagon. It actually moved the wagon as fighting ensued. The little girl actually had a moving squid stuffed animal in her arms and she was watching the wagon.

“Mister? Is Kalyani going to be okay? I think my mama is gonna beat her good…” It was such a shy voice. “My name is Hazel…” She shyly pulled the plushie up in front of her face. “And this is Mr. Jack.” The plushie growled at him and wiggled its tentacles. “He isn’t scary… Though he comes off as mean but he isn’t so bad. He’s the reason why I don’t have friends.” Just like a child to be open.

The door to the wagon flung open and Bryony came out with a dressed Kalyani slung over her shoulder. "LET ME GO!" Kalyani was beating her back.

"Your speech fix it. You are three hundred years old or more and you sound like shit," Bryony spat as she tossed the smaller woman in front of Zanar. "Have you been making a friend Hazel?" The mother smiled at her daughter and Hazel nodded once. "I'm Bryony, the heathen's adopted mother…"

Author: Aegis, Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 12:54 PM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

This woman was, unbelievable! He had met no other woman who just walked around in the nude with a man that she wasn’t romantically involved with. He didn’t know what to say and it was taking him most of his willpower keeping his eyes forward and not looking, again. Yeah, I’m going to die if I stay here…one way or another he thought to himself.

Even worse was when started to back him into the wall, and saying that he thought that she was ugly. “That could be further from the truth,” He said nervously as he felt his back hit the wall. Now most men in his situation would be overjoyed in this type of situation, but he had a little bit more self-respect and respect for someone who helped him get better. The laughing the situation did not help it at all either.

“Are you sure you’re not some succubus in disguise?” He annoyingly he replied back to her and put his hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her back a bit. “I have my restraints, that is all there is to it. I’ll be waiting outside.”

He made his way downstairs, his heart almost beating out of his chest. Finally, he felt like he could breathe and he inhaled sharply before slowing exhaling trying to calm his nerves. Staring up at the sky he couldn’t help but to shake his head and laugh a little. “First time for everything eh,” Turning over to the horse that was tied up nearby. “How the heck do you manage to deal with her,….and now I am talking to an animal.”

Author: Kalyani, Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2017 5:31 PM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

If she had heard him giving her sass she would have had an excellent reaction but sadly she hadn’t. Kalyani was too busy washing the suds off of her and had gone so far as sit up to get her back. For Kalyani, it wasn’t embarrassing to be naked in front of people so when he started to react she just tilted her head. “Oh, please it isn’t that bad.” She got a smirk on her face as she slid out of the tub and padded her way over to the door.

“That was breasts if you must know.” She said entertained. Once she opened the door she turned him around and put her hands on her hips. A normal woman would have covered herself up but there Kalyani stood in all of her glory. “No shame in being naked. It is natural.”

Then another bad thought popped up into her head and she began to back him up into the wall behind him. “Only time a man should scream and hide from woman is if she ugly. Are you calling ugly Zanar?” Mentally there was a smirk and a laugh outwardly she just kept it together in an angry voice. Then after a few moments, she started to laugh. “You are too uptight.” She put her finger underneath his chin. “For someone who was locked away.”

Author: Aegis, Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2017 5:18 PM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

It had been a good three weeks since he was rescued in the forest by the gypsy Kaylani. It was the longest that he had stayed in one place since he had been captured, but of course, this was all due to the wounds that he had received. That and partially the fact that he felt like he owed Kaylani for taking him in and healing him to the point that he was now. It had not been so bad staying here either. When he got better to be able to move around much more without help he had started helping her with the more physically intensive chores that needed to be done, a sign of good faith he thought.

Now he was out chopping wood for her, it was helping him regain the strength in his arms after being bedridden for the most part. It was tiring and painful still but he needed to do it, a kind of physical therapy for the most part. "Few…more to..go," he stated, showing obvious signs of exhaustion as he put the last log up on the stump. A few more overhead swings and the logs he needed were done, the last two taking longer than most of them.

He dropped the ax to the side and bent down his hands on his knees catching his breath, "Phew…that's done, now where does she want most of this." He walked into the wagon and looked around a didn't see her, probably was on the upper level. "Hey! Where do want most of these logs placed?!" He called for her. She told him to come up to where she was, not being able to hear him. "Yeah, and you know how long it took me to get that accent down," he grumbled as he walked up to the room where she was.

He opened the door, not thinking which room it actually was and just froze with one foot in. There she was with her normal hair up in a bun, taking a bath. His eyes couldn't help but to wander and stare for a moment before he collected himself. Turning about-face in a second he closed the door and just stood there his eyes closed and he took a deep breath.

"What in the seven hells was that!!!" He yelled angrily, not only that but embarrassed as well. "You call me up here, and your bathing?!?!" He couldn't help but let out a growl at that, and thankfully a door was between them both cause he could feel that his face was lit up like nothing before. Not only had she seen him naked now he had accidentally seen her. What more could this woman do to him now?

Author: Kalyani, Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2017 4:31 PM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

“It is good… It also means possibility of family in future without need to settle down in one place. That would be boring after three hundred years of traveling… I think.”

Kalyani looked at Zanar for a minute. “Then don’t marry weak woman. Weak woman is bad for strong man. Just like weak man is bad for strong woman. Woman who can take care of self no need to fear bad men. Bad men fear her.” She poked his nose softly. “Shit happens. It makes us stronger Zanar. We lose all of our friends in an instant… all of our family. Everyone. Doesn’t mean we should stop. I watch adopted mother did this for hundreds of years and before I was born she did it lot longer. Adopted mother just kept going. Now she is one of most powerful women in Sularia. She is strong woman.”

There for a few moments as Kalyani was putting her laundry into the basket she was quiet before answering him. “I believe Angela. Not just that she is goddess but I grew up around her. I grew up with children of goddess. Furtuna is her child. Adopted mother is good friends with Goddess. I don’t think Goddess would lie to me. It is just hard to swallow it I suppose.”

She finished with her laundry and brought it back over to him. “Exactly.” She put her finger to his forehead and gently pushed him backwards with a laugh.

–

Kalyani was enjoying having Zanar around, not for companion reasons. Well that wasn’t true he was a good person to talk to but the main reason was he earned his keep. It had been three weeks since he had been stumbled upon and healing. He took up residence in her spare room. Today she was able to take a hot bath upstairs while he cut wood for her stove. He did all the hard labor and she had been cooking and cleaning. It was good synergy.

She thought she heard Zanar come in and yell for her. “I am up here. Come here if you wish to speak to me.” She was running the cloth over her and rubbing the soap on her skin. “You are very muffled right now.”

Author: Aegis, Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2017 11:16 AM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

"They do indeed; weapons and their masters are one in the same almost." He spoke as he grabbed ahold of the sword that she handed to him. It felt right in his hand as he held it and turning it to look at it. Dark energy…I can sense it coming out of it, but not a malevolent type. He thought, mayhaps the blade took in his hatred from the mages and formed it to what it is now. He could tell there was something more to the blade but at the moment he wasn't fit enough to try anything stupid with it. That and he didn't want to break anything, for fear of a skillet bashing his skull in.

The blade was taken from his grasp as Kaylani helped him back up to go out and get some air, he could not complain was not his place to anyways. It was bright, the sunshine, but it felt good. He had only seen small ribbons of it peering through the bricks when he was captured. So to actually feel it upon his skin again as a free man it was a joyous feeling.

Kaylani was indeed telling the truth about the wagon, still, he couldn't believe it. He came out of what seemed like a nice cottage to a small horse-drawn wagon. "Amazing..such a good thing for travelers such as yourself isn't it."

"No I have no wife or kids, it was something that was never on my mind. My line of work, it is hard to raise a family as they could be used against you or even killed because of something you did. Never got close enough to anyone because of that. Family, I did have, the Raven's Nest. They were all killed though," He spoke without thinking what he was saying he felt at ease to tell her this though, yet his mind did not even know that he said the words.

He couldn't help but laugh a little at the prophecy of the goddess. "Well if a goddess said it, it must be true right?" he wasn't a big fan of gods, he knew they existed and knew what they could do to the mortal realm but he never had faith in them. He could hear the sadness in her words and knew that she was just lying to herself, trying to justify them. Did she actually believe what the goddess told her?

"Never need to change for someone, if they can't accept a person for who they are. That just means they are not deserving of that person." He said to her, "Hell we all desire companionship, I care not what anyone says on that matter. We were born that way, you'll find that person trust me on that a woman such as yourself would have no problem in that matter."

Author: Kalyani, Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2017 7:33 PM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

“You shouldn’t be so embarrassed. Embarrassment is for men with small packages.” She waved her hand at him and smiled. “Don’t worry about sheets. The ones I just washed should be dry by now.” She helped him down the stairs and swung his legs around so he didn’t overly stress himself. “Everyone is far tougher when they aren’t hurt.” She flashed him a smile before the interruptions started.

After the business with the pesky scum of the earth, she turned back to Zanar and nodded. “I have a feeling it wasn’t like that before. It is new enchantment… It’s just about as old as you have been here so most likely it changed due to the response you had… Maybe not magic per say but certain weapons have the ability to change to their master.” Kalyani went to the weapon rack and brought the katana over to him. “Don’t break anything. Or I’ll make you pay.” There was that smile again.

“We should probably get you some sunlight. I take care of laundry while you sit on stoop of carriage.” For a few minutes, Kalyani shuffled about and got her laundry basket out. “I did fortune… I made him lots of money. The cut was six hundred. He rip me off, I need to eat. So I smack him with skillet to remind him.”

Putting the basket on her hip she pulled Zanar up with her putting the katana back on the rack on their way out once he was done with it. “You look later. You get sunlight now.” She pulled him into the open and down the steps of the carraige. “See, it is wagon.” She was gentle as she helped him sit before moving over to her laundry line.

“Do you have family? Wife? Kids?” Looking over her shoulder her golden amber eyes watched him for a few. “I’ve always wanted kids. Fertility Goddess says its in my cards some day. A son.” She chuckled a bit. “I don’t know what man would want this life.” There was a sad undertone there for a moment. “I don’t change for no one though. This life is filling.”

Author: Aegis, Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2017 4:20 PM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

He froze when she said that he was bare naked, lifting up the covers to check if she was just kidding and she was not. "Yes….yes I am indeed naked," he said embarrassingly with a slight sigh. Even before he could say anything about articles of clothing, she was already looking for some and helped him out of the bed and slipping them on. He didn't even say a word during the whole procedure because he was already embarrassed enough by the all of it. When she was finished tailoring and tossed them to him he quickly put them on, even though the damage was done. "I thank you, but next time….starting with that, far better idea."

He accepted her offer to help him support himself as he walked, as when he started the pain started to emerge, but just because of the sudden movement. "Didn't need even more damage done to my body either, sorry about the sheets." As they moved to the lower level, it was still hard for him to believe that this was all concealed by a simple wagon, whoever made it must have been a master of the art that was for sure.

"Better yes..far better. And I'll have you know, I am far tougher when I don't have various wounds all over my body" he joked back at her. Was refreshing to know that he could have a laugh with someone once again. All this was interrupted by the sound of a door opening and Zanar's defensive reflex's kicked in but was halted once he heard the voice call for Kaylani
.
Definitely can't be them..they do not know of her

"Aye, that I do see," he watched as she grabbed the skillet off the hook. She wasn't kidding earlier when she talked about it. Couldn't help but to feel bad for the man when she whacked him good with that cast iron skillet, and if he was a normal human would've been knocked flat out. Note to self: Do not piss this woman off if you want to continue breathing.

He looked around as she was finishing up business with the man and saw a katana on the weapon rack, but it was far different than the one he had with him earlier. The blade was a pure black in color and he could feel some sort of magical energy come from it, not any magic though, a familiar one to him. "Is that the one?…I don't remember grabbing a magical weapon that's for sure," quietly he spoke to himself.

The sound of the door slamming broke his attention from the blade as he looked back over at Kaylani. "Vilpamolans tend to be like that it seems, so what did he do to deserve such wrath?" curiously he asked her. "Also if I may ask, was this the katana that you brought with me…because it feels familiar if that makes sense. Yet at the same time, I do not recall ever grabbing a magical weapon during my escape."

Author: Kalyani, Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2017 3:04 PM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

Kalyani laughed a bit at him. “They normally call us mutts. My feelings aren’t hurt so easily.” The gypsy gave him a smile as he talked about the magic. “I heard it’s called spacial magic. Lots of wizards and mages do it to hide their homes and laboratories.”

She watched him move for a minute. “You are naked by the way.” Going over to a truck she lifted it open and dug through it. “Looks too big for you. I make it fit.” She helped him stand and she didn’t really mind his nudity as she helped him slip the pants on. Retrieving her sewing kit she helped take it in. She was nimble and fast with her fingers. “I might have shirt but I would probably need to tailor that. Lot harder than pants though.” She tossed them to him when she was done. “Crap job but they will last until you get new pair.”

Once he was dressed she took him into her arms and helped him lean into her. “Lean on me and we’ll walk together.” She took him out into the hallway. There were two rooms. “You are sleeping in mine for now because it was easier than bending you into doorway. There is a washroom up here too.” She was gentle this time as she got him down the stairs and sat him in a chair at her table.

“Feel better yes? Not being a pussy ass man stuck in bed?” She wasn’t trying to insult him but the look on her face met that it was a joke.

The door got opened and a Vilpamolan man came in. “Kalyani, I need three more days to pay.”

Kalyani made an annoyed face. “See what I mean about pesky Vilpamolan scum.” She turned on her heel. “No, you pay now. Six hundred silver was the agreed price.”

“I can’t Kalyani. Look I’m sailing out and I’ll be back with the silver.” Kalyani made a face and grabbed her skillet from the hook. “Now Kalyani I know that sounds bad!”

“Bad? You say three days then you say you are sailing out. Sailing out takes more than three days. You are filthy liar.” She clocked him hard with the skillet. Thanks to his nonhuman blood he got back up. “Six hundred silver tonight… or I will send pirate queen after your cheap ass.” The man’s face went white as blood ran down it. “All I have to do is tell her your name and Furtuna will blast you out of the ocean.” The man threw a sack of silver out of her.

“That’s two hundred… I’ll bring the other four by tonight. For the love of the gods don’t send Furtuna after me.”

“Then pay your debt. I hate Vilpamolan scum.” She put her foot on his ass and pushed him out on his way out. She slammed door shut. “Now I have blood on my skillet. How am I supposed to make good meal for hurt man if I have blood on it?” She picked up the sack of silver. “Should count this and make sure its two hundred. I sorta want to see Furtuna blow him out of water.”

Author: Aegis, Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2017 12:12 PM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

Nomad house? He was confused and intrigued by what she had just said. How could something like this move from place to place? It must be some sort of magical item or something entirely different than that. "Well, either way, it is nice to have somewhere to shelter from the elements out there on particularly nasty days."

"Ah, so you did retrieve it. Good, I sense it will be a good partner from here on out."

He just listened as she spoke of her past, and couldn't help but to feel a little sorry for her. He had forgotten that there were other people out there who suffered, for so long he had been on the run and thought of only himself. It was hard, hard to actually see the world with a more wide horizon than the tunnel vision that he had resided in for so long.
The warmth of her healing magic sent a chill up the spine as it exited his form. He had forgotten that magic could also be the white variety. It seemed that his whole past had closed his mind out to a lot of things, so sheltered, was he. So filled with hate and disgust that he forgot to look at the beauty and magnefic world that surround him. "Mayhaps you are right. There good be good mages and humans.." he said with a tone of defeat, "but that does not excuse the actions of those that would use power for their own misconduct…especially a power such as magic."

"Rosenites huh? Never seen one, but I have heard about them. Never thought my first encounter would be a hybrid of sorts," he stated with a slight chuckle not trying to offend her. His question about the house was answered when the mention of the wagon from the hag. "Impressive, no one would ever expect a nice place like this inside of a small wagon at all. Has to be some sort of alternate plane or dimension that gives birth to this…contained in some sort of field. My apologies…one tend to pick up on a few details when they become a dark mage hunter."

"You found yourself…that's all that matters. Who cares if it is taboo if it is what you want to do, that's what I say"

He moved his legs under the covers and nodded a little bit. "yes I do believe I can move some now, though not at full strength of course..so may need a little bit of guidance." He stated, he felt calmer now than when he first got here. He felt like he could be at ease for a little bit at least.

Author: Kalyani, Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 10:17 AM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

There was a smirk on her face. “You are in nomad house right now. This is magic nomad house. You can go outside later and look. I move about once a week. You are very lucky I found you. Normally I do not stay in Virens long because I dislike pesky village people from Vilpamolan thinking they can rip me off.”

Kalyani thought about it. “My adopted mother is over three thousand years old. It’s made her grumpy in old age. Once saw her curb stomp a man because she wasn’t into his advances. No warning… didn’t even try to tell him to stop. I was ten.” Tilting her head again this time to the other side she laughed. “Katana is downstairs in kitchen on a weapon rack. I make everyone leave their weapons at front door so if they rip me off I can bash their faces in with cast iron skillet.”

For a moment she was quiet. “There was a time in the desert… Where people would be tortured for what they were. Rosenites? You got caught by Adelunian guard you were pretty much dead. I was a little girl and I saw much death. Adeluna once hated us. I once asked adopted mother about it and she told me humans are scum of the world.” She took a breath. “We left the desert and not long after that we get message… Adeluna attacked Arri. Killed many women and even raped a lot more. Mother was furious and she was crying but she couldn’t go… She had me. I remember very little from it because I was very young. The wounds though? Always stuck with me.”

After a few pauses she looked at Zanar. “Not all humans are bad just like not all mages.” She understood his pain but she had never been through it herself. “As for me…” She kneaded it evenly into his wounds and blew a soft green aura onto it from her lips. Her magic was warm as it healed. “Arri is populated by Rosenites and Elves but up until three hundred or so years ago… Elves no like reproducing with Rosenites. There was a first wave of half elves born from them.” Kalyani pushed her hair back showing even more defined elvish ears. “My parents died during an attack while they were making their way from the desert. Adopted mother was marrying my father’s brother. He died too… but she took me in because half elves at the time in Arri if had no parents ended up dead. The Rosenites did their best to take care of them but there were too many orphans.”

Kalyani finished bathing his wounds and applying magic. “I went home when I was fifteen… The reason why I got kicked out was because I commited taboo. I am a seer by trade, it’s how I make my silver. I fortune tell and divine. Taboo in Rosenite culture. So no one wanted me so I left in exile. Been nomad ever since. Then a few years ago I run into old hag. She had nice wagon that could turn into house on the inside. I made a bet and knew I would lose because she was a cheating bitch… so I cheated too. Got house that way… and horse to pull it.”

She put the bowl back on the shelf and got new bandages to fix him up more. “I keep in contact with some Rosenites but not a lot. It’s taboo what I do and I know that. I do not blame them for disliking my trade. Only the reborn dead can do what I do… like my adopted mother.”

Once she got him completely bandaged up. “How are your legs? Are they strong? I can take you downstairs to sit and eat more food if you like…”

Author: Aegis, Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 9:53 AM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

“Coincidence in name I suppose. Sorry to hear that he left you in such a state, seems like a jerk of a person.” He stated. “Yet, we both are probably assholes, me cause of my profession of choice.” The name was not that common of a name, but he had heard it around and thought it would make a perfect alias, “Nomads…yes they do know their way around, living off the lands and moving when the time is need. Just like the Ravens..” Sorrow completely apparent in his voice when he said that word, it was still hard to think about them.

“Scariest bitch on this side of Revaliir, eh?” With that it was made apparent on where she got her attitude from, not a bad thing in a sense but scary all the same. As the bandages were getting removed he could actually see the damage done, both from the running and the mages. It was far worse when blood wasn’t around the wounds…to actually see them was almost sickening. Only the tribal raven tattoo on his left pectoral wasn’t damaged. “The katana? I had almost forgot about that…only thing that let me escape.”

This woman, was smarter than she seemed at first glance, knowing the signs of torture was not something an everyday woman or even man would know. “You are correct, I was tortured in a way most people would not even think of, and because of that torture my body can no longer draw in mana the way even a basic human could…the flow was destroyed and ruptured causing these wounds,” he tried to stay calm but the thought of it just made him even more angry, and only managed not to snap grasping onto the sheets with the little strength he had.

“All to get information on Azelas…the last Raven..a ghost one could say.”

He knew that the information he was giving out was vague, but he couldn’t say too much or else. These people that he were running from were no joke, they were dangerous, far too dangerous. He winced as the herbal remedy entered his wounds, she was not kidding when she said it would sting. It did not help that some of them were pretty deep into his flesh as well. “Feel free to use healing magics…its not all mages I hate…just that group, and any who wish to abuse their power.”
“Got thrown out of your city…for healing? That doesn’t seem right…but you can never know with people.
”
“My group was betrayed…destroyed, wiped out from existence, the same group that is trying to find me.”

Author: Kalyani, Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 9:29 AM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

She paused at his name and took a deep breath. “You have asshole for name.” There was no way he had the same name but she took a look at him. “Exlover leave me in flaming carriage with a dead horse… His name was Zanar too. You have name of asshole.”

Kalyani smirked at him. “I learn to make food from other nomads. We share recipes so that when we’re in distant lands we can still cook good food. Because bad food will kill you more than a dangerous situation.” She poked the center of his forehead. “You are welcome.”

She shushed him and fed him all the food before putting the food down. “I’m not scared of anyone. If I got a problem I call my adopted mother and she destroys them.” She huffed a bit. “Scariest bitch this side of Revaliir, I promise.” She sat on the bed with him and slowly began to get rid of his bandages. “What happen?” Kalyani tilted her head at him. “You all by yourself with just a katana in forest about to give up… You are tortured and I know these wounds.” She touched them softly before taking a cloth dipped in the herbal remedy and rubbed it into his chest.

“It will sting.” She warned a bit too late as she kneaded the herbs into the wound. “It will take longer to heal if I don’t use magic. Your choice though. Can I use healing magic with the herbs or not?” She looked up at him and put her black hair back. "I do lots of healing like this. I got thrown out of my city very young centuries ago."

Author: Aegis, Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 6:28 PM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

Sensing he may have struck a nerve with the mage comment on accident, he let out an exhausted sigh. “Not all mages, Abusers of their powers…those who seek to harm and kill with that which was gifted to them.” He looked at the bowl with the herbs. The suffering he could handle, it was being here for that long is something he couldn’t risk.
As she helped him to sit up, it was still painful for him to move even that much but once situated the pain started to fade away a little bit. “My name is Az-“Before he could finish that sentence he started to cough, bringing his hand up to shield his mouth. After the fit he realized he almost gave his birth name and took a deep breath. “Zanar, Zanar Arowin.”

He wasn’t going to complain about her offering to help him eat, was kind of relieved to see someone who had a joking side with them as well. He ate the amount that she had on the spoon and it was like bliss to him, far better than anything he had for a while. “Now that is food…now some murky water down slop I’ve been eating, thank you.”
He let his eyes dart around seeing any routes he could use to get out when he was more recovered, not fully, but enough so that he could move fast enough. He didn’t need a stranger like her to get in the crossfire in this battle. “Keeping me here is dangerous; once I am recovered I will be out of your hair. After all I could be a prisoner that escaped some dungeon cell, wanted by any number of people.”

Though if she brought me back her by herself, she could handle herself against a few…but not all of them.

Author: Kalyani, Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 4:21 PM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

When he refused to wake up Kalyani pulled a vial of smelling salts out of her jewelry chest near the bed. “Well if you really want to be like that little man…” She stuck the bottle right under his nose and watched him jolt up. “Oy oy oy! Don’t do that you will rip your chest open onto my bed and I will make you clean it.” Kalyani had her mouth gaped open for a moment in shock before she straightened out.

She tilted her head. “You got a problem with magic? Do you want me to let you suffer like little human boy? I will. I will let you take months to heal.” She pulled a bowl of herbal remedy away that she had all ready to help heal him. “I will let you suffer. You will not like it.” She teased before laying it back down on the other stand.

“I help.” She pushed him up and put pillows behind him to help him sit. “Your name strange man who has serious adolescent angst with mages… What is it?” She took the spoon and dipped it into the soup before blowing on it and offering it to him. “Here, I will feed you like a tiny baby if you cannot do it.” She chuckled as she teased him. “You need food to get stronger… So herbal bath doesn’t kill you.” She showed that she was joking with her facial expressions.

Author: Aegis, Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 4:06 PM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

He felt another presence, back in his subconscious, but he had no reaction to him being pulled. He was fighting another battle once again in his mind, whether or not to let the reaper take him. It was more of a primal fight as his will and want to live was the only thing keeping the reaper at bay while he was unconscious. He could hear words, of what seemed like a woman, her accent made it hard to understand anything in his current state.

He was rattled into a semi-conscious state when he was pulled up the flight of stairs. He tried to open his eyes to see, but was still too weak and instinctively started to fight back. Thrown upon the bed and the little bits of garments cut off did not help anything. Zanar tried to fight back, but this woman just kept him right where she wanted to.
The only words that he managed to hear out of the whole situation before he drifted off were, “My name is Kaylani.” He thought once again he was captured and the whole reign of torture would begin once more. He had not strength to fight and just let sleep take him away.

Short lasted and painful sleep it was as, in what seemed like a minute later, he heard her speak again for food. He cared not about whatever slop they were going to feed him and tried to sleep once again. Suddenly, he awoke to a highly unpleasant smell of smelling salts under his nostrils. He bolted up and wide. Immediately he gasped as pain flew through his body and fell back onto the bed. He felt worse than when he first passed out.

Bringing his hands above his face he looked, bandages where over any wounds and finally noticing the soft bed he was one. This was in no way back at his cell. He turned his head and looked over at the woman that was standing there. “So..you were the one..” he stated his voice harsh from the exhaustion, and let out a sigh of relief.

“Better than them…perhaps”

He noticed the bowl of soup and drink out of the corner of his eye, and the smell of it finally managed to overpower the stench of the smelling salts. Hunger immediately over took him and as he tried to reach for it another shot of pain ran through his body. This time though, it wasn’t the pain from his wounds but deeper. “Damn mages…” he growled again as he tried to hold back the pain in his body.

Author: Kalyani, Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 3:33 PM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

Kalyani had a line tied from her wagon to a tree as she hung out several articles of clothing and sheets from the beds in her wagon up. She was humming to herself when her brown eyes caught movement not that far away. “What is that?” For a moment the gypsy kissed her horse’s nose. “Guard the camp Sehr…”

She had been set up in the forest for only a little while now and she had JUST found a river to wash everything in. Crazy damn people always making it hard on nomads like her. She rolled her eyes and followed the trail of the man she had just seen. She crossed her arms and stubbornly followed right behind him.

She could hear his words thanks to her elven hearing. It was the voice of a desperate man. “That is it?!” Her thick accented voice reached the man. “That is all injured man has left? He runs around in the forest like a chicken with its head cut off and just gives up?” She sighed as she walked up to him and picked him up almost too easily. Taking the katana she put it into her layered skirts for safe keeping.

“Man won’t die today… but you will owe me.” She pulled him along the path. “Sehr… if trouble comes you ring the bell alright?” The horse whinnied at her and she dragged the man up into the magic wagon. “I’ll take care of you.”

Inside the wagon, it sprawled into a two-level Tudor cottage. She dragged him up the stairs quite harshly by turning around and putting her arms under his armpits and pulling. She pulled him into the master bedroom where she started to cut off what was left of his clothes. “You are a mess… You’ll dirty my clean sheets. I just cleaned them.” Any fight this man gave her Kalyani gave it right back to him. “Don’t be stupid and fight those who help you… I believe the saying is… Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth?”

She took a comb and ran it through his hair almost a bit too harshly after bandaging him up. “My name is Kalyani.” This was all she said as she got done and washed him up before throwing him into bed. “And you… It doesn’t matter you will sleep now. Tell me everything later…”

She covered him up after she got done practically manhandling him and made supper for the night. Once it was done she brought a bowl of soup up with some juice and set it down on the stand next to the bed. “Wake up… Food good for hurt people.”

Author: Aegis, Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 3:09 PM, Post Subject: New Sought Freedom[P, R]

Bear the pain…RUN!!
The only thought that was running through his head as he was weaving between the trees, the pads of his feet torn up running barefoot, barely managing not passing out from the blood loss of his wounds. The man was a mess to anyone who looked at him. Dried up blood around numerous lacerations on his bare chest, some bleeding still, hair knotted up and dried out from unhygienic conditions he was kept in
.
“After…all these years…” Barely being able to speak those words, he looked behind him to see if he was being followed, and managed to get caught up on uplifted root and feel to the leaf covered ground. He quickly turned onto his back and pushed himself back with his feet, holding a stolen katana in front of him. The blade wavered in his unsteady hand, not knowing for sure if he was being followed
.
Fear, and even more fear as he scanned through the woods…but nothing came out. He couldn’t take any chances though and tried to get back on his feet but stumbled back onto a knee. “Damn…damn them all,” He growled, panting. He finally managed to get up onto his feet, using the katana as the support that he needed as his whole body was out of it, exhausted from both the run and the blood loss.

Continuing on, not even stopping for a slight rest Zanar just wanted to be as far away from his pursuers as he could. His vision started to get blurry, and he felt like he could collapse at any second, his pace now to a slow walk and the air around him getting colder and colder. “Th-th-this…is…it, isn’t it” Leaning up against one of the trees he stopped. His blue eyes just stared forward into the tree line and when he tried to take another step collapsed to the earth.

Opening his eyes he could see the Katana before him and tried to reach it, but his body gave up on him and his arm dropped to the ground. While he was passed out the Katana and his blood managed to have some sort of magical reaction, as the blade fused with it and the remaining amount of mana within the blood that lined the blade, turning it to obsidian coloration. The process let out a low blue glow as the blade started to metamorphosis in the silence of the woods.