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Post by Orcus on his Throne on May 2, 2019 1:26:28 GMT
The night slowly crawled away, receding back as the sun's warms rays washed across the Great Woodland, enriching the Draxonian landscape with color and light. Arising from his slumber, Arkos let out a loud yawn, scratching the back of his head before he began to pack up his sleeping bag and supplies. Though it had only been one night, Arkos was already missing his cozy cabin and comfy bed. He wasn't particularly used to long treks through the wilderness - arcanists usually got to relax at home and do more scholarly pursuits; they did not usually go hunt down criminals.
The other draxon soldiers were already prepared, having gathered up their supplies and already prepping their horses for departure; Arkos cursed his lacking physical fitness compared to the much better trained soldiers. He had a long day ahead of him and he was still achy and tired from before.
"Zander," Arkos called out, "Are you ready to depart?"
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Post by Stage on May 2, 2019 16:02:37 GMT
"I am," the Lexian's deep voice answered, surprisingly close. Zander stood a few yards away, affixing a saddle to his silvery gray horse. Giruy was a picky creature that did not like to wear it when at rest, and Zander humored him. He served flawlessly otherwise, so he did not mind spoiling him in this regard.
It was obvious to Arkos that the other man was much more accustomed to early mornings. It seemed he had been up for some time, armor already donned and supplies prepared on either his own person or his steed, yet he showed no signs of weariness. In fact, with his golden hair matching the still-low sunbeams and his blue eyes sparkling like the dew, it seemed as if he were a creature of the early morning, born to break dawn and bring the day.
"And you?" the Lexian asked in turn.
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Post by Orcus on his Throne on May 7, 2019 22:05:24 GMT
Arken stretched his back, a loud cracking noise filling the air as he unstiffened his body. The arcanist turned to face the Lexian, a smirk appearing across his face as he pushed himself up onto his feet.
"Yeah... I guess so," Arkos replied. "I'm not used to being too far out from base; us arcanists usually have pretty cushy positions since we spend a lot of time studying. But hey, getting out more never hurt anyone."
turning towards the others in the camp, Arkos shouted something in what could be presumed to be the Draxon tongue, before the other men in the camp responded in sync.
"The others are ready," Arkos said, before he moved to mount his horse. "Let's move out!"
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Post by Stage on May 8, 2019 14:17:53 GMT
Zander swung himself atop Giruy with practiced ease. Although quick to mount his steed, the Paleback hung back and allowed the Draxon horsemen to take the lead. They, after all, knew this area much better than he. Until they left familiar territory, he would leave the tracking to them.
This lead to him keeping pace with Arkos near the back of the lineup.
"What manner of study does an, 'arcanist' engage in?" he asked the Draxon scholar after a few minutes of silent riding.
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Post by Orcus on his Throne on May 8, 2019 15:39:25 GMT
As the horsemen of Draxonia carved a path through the wilderness surrounding them, cutting past trees, hills, and caves to make their way towards their quarry, Arkos entertained Zander's question regarding Arcanists.
"Well, you see, an Arcanist is... well, for lack of a better word, a mage," Arkos replied. "Most Draxons have the ability to create and control fire, but not all of them are as innately talented with such power; those who show extraordinary skill in it become Arcanists such as I. Our primary role is to study both the sacred texts of Draxonian lore and to also refine our control over our god's divine flame. So basically during any downtime we have, we spend our days interpreting ancient texts and attempting to learn more complex techniques with our fire."
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Post by Stage on May 8, 2019 15:55:12 GMT
Realization flickers across Zander's face, and he replied in a quick, dismissively manner. "Ah. Magic."
"Forgive me tone," the Lexian swiftly follows up, regret evident on his pale face. It was if his initial response was automated, against his will. "Magic is... was... a rumor on Rusidus. A myth. Often used to create fear and control the superstitious. Tales of witches and such. It is... strange to now dwell in a land where such things are real."
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Post by Orcus on his Throne on May 8, 2019 16:48:12 GMT
Arkos let out a hearty chuckle. "No need to be sorry. Magic is something most people of even this world are wary and suspicious of. Many people even within Draxonia do not believe magic to exist. Though, I do wonder... what is this Rusidus you speak of?"
At this moment, the horsemen up front seemed to hasten their pace.
"Oh, it looks like the trackers might be onto something!" Arkos shouted. "Let's keep pace with them; maybe we'll get lucky and catch up before too much time is lost."
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Post by Stage on May 8, 2019 17:11:21 GMT
"She left behind her steed, so it is possible," Zander shouted back, kneeing Giruy to trot faster. "Even a Pale cannot beat a horse for footspeed."
Once they were at pace with the trackers, he turned back to Arkos. "Rusidus is the home of Lexia. A great continent that stretches from windy tundra south to hot wastelands and south still to damp forests. Its composition is not unlike this land's, in truth, though it is much larger. Several dozen times the size of this continent, at least. Yet Lexia touches all but its southern coast. We are... much reduced here. Part of only one city. Our capital, yes, but still only one city."
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Post by Orcus on his Throne on May 9, 2019 2:23:05 GMT
"Oh....." Arkos replied solemnly. "I'm sorry that you were robbed of your homeland's proper size and power, then. I'm assuming your kingdom is from a different world than this one, given how you speak of it."
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Post by Stage on May 9, 2019 17:04:26 GMT
The platinum blonde nodded. "Indeed. It is strange to see so many new peoples here. Lexia was a land of Lexians. Now we share space with varuls and goblins. I have been told the creatures of this land are strange to many, but Rusidus was home to great beasts as well, so that at least is familiar. Not a comfort, but familiar. I ran afoul of a great beast in your woods: a massive lizard with scales like blood and a crowned head."
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Post by Orcus on his Throne on May 9, 2019 20:17:39 GMT
Arkos took in the Lexian's words, before a smirk appeared on his face at his last sentence.
"Ah, so you ran afoul of one of the blood drakes," Arkos replied heartily. "Yes, they are fearsome predators. There's a good reason travelers don't move during the night. They are one of the reasons. The other reason is much less... substantial, so to speak."
As their horses galloped onwards, Arkos turned to face the Pakeback. "Tell me, Zander - do you believe in ghosts?"
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Post by Stage on May 9, 2019 20:38:38 GMT
Zander smiled wryly. "No, I do not. Though I feel as if you are going to try and shake that belief now."
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Post by Orcus on his Throne on May 9, 2019 20:56:43 GMT
Arkos nodded in reply. "You see, ancient spirits haunt these woods - creatures that originate from a time when Draxonia was a young kingdom. These spirits are created from those who suffered terrible fates, whether it be an especially traumatic death, death by some witch's dark magic, or living an uncouth, unscrupulous life. These spirits come in the form of a fearsome shadow that vaguely resembles what it once was in life. Their forms are often twisted... broken, even. Their eyes glow an ominous gold, like that of the moon when it is full. They haunt the woodland, claiming those who wander aimlessly in the night as one of their own."
Arkos paused briefly. "I know it seems ridiculous, but these creatures are very much real. They have been a plague upon our people since ancient times, for they are as malevolent as they are crafty. Thankfully, they can only appear at night, and seem to have great disdain for light..."
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Post by Stage on May 10, 2019 0:26:44 GMT
Zander was quiet for a moment, as if processing the tale Arkos had told him. When he spoke, his voice was softer than normal. "It is strange. In Lexia, we have a great significance in light and dark too. They are the domains of our gods, Leyid and Temned. The latter must be familiar to you. Temned is said to be a woman with raven hair, clad in all black and carrying a sword. Lark... no... she forfeit that name when she turned her back on us... the criminal we pursue... she is thought by the most superstitious among us to be Temned incarnate. It is nonsense of course, but she is taking advantage it seems. She has always been resourceful. When we corner her, she cannot be underestimated."
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Post by Orcus on his Throne on May 10, 2019 2:18:46 GMT
"She has a different name?" Arkos stated in a confused manner. "When she introduced herself to us, she called herself Temned... I did not know that she had taken the name from one of your religious figures."
Arkos sighed audibly. "This whole situation is getting stickier and stickier, it seems..."
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Post by Stage on May 10, 2019 17:10:13 GMT
"As a sign of their dedication to the throne," Zander explained, "Pale are stripped of their birth names and assigned new ones by he who currently sits in it. The Gray-Eyed King, may he rest well now and forever, named her after the migratory black lark, as both bear darkest black and came to us from lands afar. For all intents, she now has no name."
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Post by Orcus on his Throne on May 10, 2019 20:08:15 GMT
"Interesting," Arkos commented. "So tell me, Paleback: does that mean Zander is not your true name either? Do you remember your true name?"
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Post by Stage on May 11, 2019 3:50:45 GMT
Zander nods. "On both accounts, yes. 'Zander' is indeed a title. My true name is..."
Here, the Pale faltered. It seemed he had almost shared too much.
"I remember it, of course. It was mine longer than Zander, but I forfeited it."
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Post by Orcus on his Throne on May 12, 2019 18:00:14 GMT
Arkos huffed in response.
"What, am I not allowed to know your true name?" Arkos turned to look at Zander. "Afraid it'll give me control over your soul or something? I hear unlocking one's truename can be both good and bad."
The arcanist's lips quickly curl into a mocking smirk, before he goes back to looking where the riders are taking them.
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Post by Stage on May 13, 2019 1:42:03 GMT
Zander shrugged. "You laugh, but it is a matter of principal. We Pale make a number of vows to the crown. We give up our names, we swear fealty until death, and we forfeit the luxury of a family. We are weapons of the throne."
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