Pain From All Sides

[Pahoran]

88 Frost 121 Steel

Avialae
White Wings
Ice blue eyes
Golden Hair
Slightly Point Ears

Pain
From
All
Sides
It was turning into one of those very bad evenings. Pahoran had planned on going to the Talon’s and Aoren’s wedding that evening. Talon, was Pahoran’s patron but that had not actually been the driving reason. Over the past year both of them had become friends to the white winged Avialae and he had wanted to celebrate with them. Pahoran though had slept at all the night before as shortly after midnight he had awaken feeling sick to his stomach and had spent most of the rest of the night vomiting. It was mid morning before Pahoran had finally been able to fall asleep. In a moment of childishness he wished that his family was closer, most of them were either rebuilding the outpost or were making wagon runs. So he was left a lone. Pahoran was aware he could have gone to the clinic or one of the Ahtivin clinics but years of trained had prevented that. The family had taken care of themselves as an effort to hide their connection to the Dawnmatryr. So unable to break his upbringing he had grabbed some water and gone to bed to suffer by himself.

He slept the rest of the day and into the evening and when he woke his stomach still felt like he had a bunch of rocks rolling around in his stomach. His eyes slowly opened but he continued to lay there slightly curled up. He lay unmoving in that position for a while before he finally sitting up. He stayed there for a moment before standing up and got moving. His stomach was still sore but he also suspected that part of the pain was because he hadn’t eaten in hours. He dressed slowly and then made his way out of the room. He avoided the cantina deciding that most likely was the culprit about his stomach trouble.

As he walked out of the barracks he felt a faint sensation of joy. He paused cause in all honesty he didn’t feel joy right at this moment. Breathing deeply both to keep his stomach in place and focus he realized it was coming from his Emblem. With his proximity to Arcas and the high emotions of that nights event. Pahoran was surprised he felt it only so faintly. He wondered what it would be like to find someone you wanted to spend your life with.

Even as he thought about it he took wing. His original intention had been to head into the city to find something to eat that his stomach could handle but he was so lost in thought that he started flying towards the wedding. Pahoran did intend start a family he just had been so focused he hadn’t really given it any attention. Maybe it was time to look. His brother and sister had both found spouses and were happily married with children. His other brother was seeing some one.

It was then that Pahoran realized that he wasn’t heading in the right direction. Before he could change he began to hear commotions and shouts on the wind. Nothing strong but it seemed wrong and the Emblem was no longer radiating joy. The young Knight didn’t question he just turned and dived towards the complex. As he dived he summoned his blade and feeling its kinship in his hand he arrived.

Chaos greeted him as upon his arrival he was shot at. He felt a sharp pain in his wing but he held on long enough to land. Fighting against the pain in his stomach and now his wing he moved into the fray. He was at it long as these people were moving fast and what ever this attack was well planned. Then Pahoran gasped in shock at the power emanating from his connection.

He felt the righteous indignation and anger overwhelm him and he feel to his knees and vomited. The problem was that he had long empty his stomach so he retched with nothing coming out. As he was down some one kicked him and Pahoran felt himself slipping into unconsciousness as multiple fronts of pain, including from his Emblem assulated him. His last thought was that he had to get to Talon.

Pahoran briefly came awake as he felt someone touching his injured wing. He gasped and jerked awake but soothing hands calmed him down and a soothing voice. “Calm down, I am just tending your wound.” Pah gasped but felt comforted and felt himself slip back into the blissfulness of uncontioustess. There his world hadn’t just turned upside down.

The white winged Avialae could say how long he was out but he could vaguely sense people and words. White and feather seemed to be repeated often. Eventually though he woke up to find himself in some medical ward. His ice blue eyes looked around. Trying to take his world in.

[Paragon]

P A R A G O N

The sound of humming greeted Pahoran as he came back to consciousness. Accompanied with the gentle swipe of a cloth over his brow. When his eyes opened, he would be momentarily blinded by sunlight that streamed into the room. Upon adjusting to the light, he would find himself in a comfortable bed, free of his armor but dressed in a set of fitted linen pajamas. The room was humbly decorated with green and gold accents. A large window allowed plenty of sunshine to shine into the room and illuminate the space naturally. Bonsai trees were spaced upon some of the tables around the room.

“You are awake.” The voice of an elder woman drifted over to Pahoran’s ears. The form of Marhda Ahtivin came into view. She was dressed simply, in a plain robe of cotton dyed in green and white colors.

“You are safe, young man. You are in the healing rooms of Jaiyuan, the Jade Garden.” She gave a soft smile. “Today is the 1st of Glade in the new year. Can you tell me your name?”

The old woman rest both of her hands upon the knob of her cane. She regarded Pahoran with the eyes of a healer, assessing him as he got his wits about him.

[Pahoran]

1 Glade 122 Steel

Avialae
White Wings
Ice blue eyes
Golden Hair
Slightly Point Ears

Pain
From
All
Sides
Pah took in his surroundings as he came out of his healing sleep. He was aware that he had pushed himself. Normally he wouldn’t have had such problems but fighting while being sick he had already started drained. Then he remembered something coming through his connection to Talon through the Emblem. That actually had had finally done him in he was sure.

In the second that this though took place he also noticed other things about the room, the first that he wasn’t in his clothing, which didn’t surprise him. One only tried to heal someone in armor while on the battle field or if doing so would open the wound more. The clothing was comfortable and Pah didn’t even think that he should be embarrassed about being seen naked. Though who ever had changed him might very well have seen the faint scares from a lifetime of training. Which gave him pause as sometime healers questioned such scares and the knights didn’t want to expose themselves. Even as he though it he relaxed, those days were going away. The knights were coming together.

His gaze took in the room and he like the beautiful simplicity. It fit with the lifestyle he had lived, simple, clean but beautiful. His gaze though was drawn to the elderly woman standing in the room. His own eyes meet those of the nurse or doctor who was in the room with him. In that instant Pah was impressed with the wisdom, kindness and experience in those eyes. It was like looking into his own grandmothers gaze. Pah wondered why such a elderly woman was there taking care of him. She surely had more important and critical patients to take care of.

He nodded as she acknowledged he was awake and safe and where he was and when it was. He had been out a while. Then she asked his name. Pah felt there was something about this question. He slowly sat up and still looking into her eyes said. “Pahoran Taselia Rayunia” He wasn’t sure why but felt that this was a formal kind of introduction. “Son of Bapona and Ruthora.” He smiled at the woman and said. “Thank you for taking me in and healing me.”

[Paragon]

P A R A G O N

The woman rest both hands upon the knob of her cane. Her expression softened as Pahoran introduced himself. Her eyes drifted to the white feathered wings that graced his back. They were meticulously clean. It was clear that they had been groomed while Pahoran had been unconscious.

“You are very fortunate to be alive, Pahoran.” Sadness crossed her features before she shook her head. “I will be the first to tell you that our beloved Shokaze has fallen.”

Her eyes shifted to Pahoran’s armor, clothes and boots, which rest nearby, cleaned and neatly arranged.

“The Sky Guard have called for all soldiers to begin arresting any with obvious ties to both Zaichaer and the Imperium.” Marhda walked forward. She brought up a hand and gently touched a finger to Pahoran’s right bicep. Beneath her touch, Pahoran’s Emblem grew warm and glowed softly.

“But I believe you have a greater calling.” Across the old woman’s body, the branches of a tree spread across her exposed skin. Life and soothing healing light shimmered softly from the old woman’s being. Her eyes grew distant and when she spoke, it was not with one voice but with two as though someone else was speaking through her.

“Young Dawnmartyr.” Upon gazing into the old woman’s eyes, Pahoran would be able to see a resplendent dragon with golden scales. Eyes of molten gold stared back at the knight. A crown of golden light shone brightly around the dragon’s head. All around the dragon, life seemed to blossom in abundance.

“Hear me, brave Knight. Your patron is in grave danger. Now, more than ever, he needs those who would call themselves his faithful. Dark forces would seek to corrupt the Light of Dawn and strip the world of Justice and Hope once more. Be swift, lost son of the House of Healers, for time is of the essence and the longer the Morninglord is left shackled, the greater the hold Darkness shall have upon him. You must not fail, young Dawnmartyr. For if you do, Light shall become Darkness. Justice shall become Wrath. Hope...shall become Despair.” The old woman blinked and the branches of the tree receded from her body. She looked upon Pahoran with knowing eyes.

“The goddess Ioniri has spoken to you, Pahoran. I would implore you to heed her words.”

[Pahoran]

88 Frost 121 Steel

Avialae
White Wings
Ice blue eyes
Golden Hair
Slightly Point Ears

Pain
From
All
Sides
Pah watched the sorrow on the woman’s face as she explained about the death of the sovereign of the city. Pah closed his eyes and breathed slowly in and out as he felt the rush of sorrow. While he was a Dawnmartyr and so ultimately would needed to be neutral, this city was a beacon of light, and the Shokaze was one who deserved honor and respect. It was why he had joined the Skyguard because he didn’t feel that there was a conflict of interest as both wanted to protect the people of this city. Besides he had meet that man and the world had lost a great source of hope. Slowly a single tear escaped his eyes as he mourned not just the ruler of a place he loved, but a man who could have been a friend, and he also mourned for Talon, not only his patron but his friend. The grief he must be feeling.

He opened his eyes and looked at the elder matron. “Thank you for telling me.” Was the soft but firm response that came out of his mouth. Pah felt that the woman kept looking at his wings, which he noticed were clean, and that was the first time he felt a bit embarrassed during this conversation. While obvious and always present, Pah hadn’t ever let anyone clean them since he was a child. It was some how personal. Understanding of needing to make sure he was clean to heal better was there but internally he still felt a bit naked. The gaze though didn’t seem to be connected to them being clean.

His ice blue eyes watched the premier healer in all of the city as she continued to talk to him about the Skyguard. Pah was aware that his duty was to follow orders, but these sounded like anger response orders not necessarily tactical orders. Pah remembered what he had felt along the link and had no struggle believing only the Imperium could have captured Acras but reacting wasn’t always the best approach.

Then it happened. She touched the Emblem and it glowed and he felt the power, and then came the change. Pahoran’s eyes opened wide as he saw the image of a Dragon goddess impose itself upon Matriarch Marhda Ahtivin. He listened as she spoke and he felt a strong pull to help Talon. He felt fear and dread drop into his soul about the danger that his friend and patron was in. No the world needed Light, needed Justice and above all needed Hope. The young Knight didn’t give in to despair though. This was a warning and call, there was still Hope. They could rescue him. Light could be saved, hast was necessary, but not panic, they would need to move quickly.

Pah honestly couldn’t have described the awe and surprise he felt in that moment but he listened to each word that was spoken by Ioniri. The call made sense and Pah wasn’t surprised that there were dark force always working. The young man wasn’t stupid he knew that there was knowledge about these threats that he hadn’t learned yet, such knowledge was dangerous, but maybe it was now time to learn it.

Then came the one part. ‘Lost son of House of Healers.’ His eye brow rose briefly but he listened to all of it and watched as the elderly woman returned to herself and then called him to action. Pah took several long and deep breaths after she asked him to heed Ioniri’s words. Then he bowed his head. “I will heed her words, Holy One.” He said respectfully, “I will return to the other Knights and together we will find Acras.” He titled his head. “I have two questions though.” He made an educated guess now. “Are you Daizokura Ahtivin.” She was old, he was in their palace, and Ioniri just spoke through her, and clearly in charge. His eyes soften then and he spoke. “You have asked me to head her words, and I will always fight for light, but she called me the lost son of the House of Healers.” There was a question. “Do you understand that part? I know my parents and grandparents, and my mother’s mothers but not who my father’s fathers are. I guess it has something to do with them.” He wasn’t sure she could give him a clue but he hoped that maybe a clue was presented here.

[Paragon]

P A R A G O N

“I am she.” Marhda gave Pahoran a soft smile. She was quiet for a moment as Pahoran posed his next question. Her eyes drifted to the white wings that graced his back. Her face remained blank as she looked over them.

“Among the Avialae, whether Synnekar or Kathar, wings remain a point of pride. They define your people. They are what mark you as Skyborn. How many of your kinsmen do you know who possess golden wings? I can think of only one or two families who possess that trait and among them, the amount who actually have such wings I can count on one hand. How many do you know who possess silver wings? I can think of only two families who possess that trait as well. More specifically, I can think of only two individuals who have them.” She gestured gently to Pahoran’s wings.

“White feathers are common enough. That is to say, wings with white feathers among their pattern. Snow owl. Eagle. Crane. How many families can you think of that have wings of solid white, with no speckling, no pattern or accompanying coloration in the plumage?” She quirked a brow. She would allow Pahoran to answer the question for himself.

“I would invite you, Pahoran, you and your family to come see me when you’ve the time. I think there is much to discuss.”

[Pahoran]

88 Frost 121 Steel

Avialae
White Wings
Ice blue eyes
Golden Hair
Slightly Point Ears

Pain
From
All
Sides
Pah was relieved that his guess has been correct in identifying the woman who had taken charge of his healing. His gaze focused on the woman who was talking to him though as she basically answered his question with a question. She explained about the coloration of wings, and the pride that the Avialae felt about their wings. The Dawnmartyer couldn’t argue that there was truth to that. Pah’s particular upbringing had slightly adjusted that perspective. At the Citadel he had seen other children, but none of them had wings, not saying there weren’t other Avialae in the knighthood, but he didn’t interact with them, and so those he saw had the unblemished white wings, so to him it was normal. To him it was the presence of the wings themselves that had been the source of pride.

Even after the fall his family spent a number of years wandering with just his family, so by the time they had settled around Kalzisa they had actually done so to help hide as the wings stood out. He though back to his grandfather, who left the city because even with white wings he was living in the gutter after his mother had died, and so joined knights at a young age, and his father was raised among the knights as well.

He thought about what she said some more. It was true that there weren’t many with gold or silver, and white. She was right that white feathers were common enough, which might be why Pah hadn’t actually paid much attention, but fully white was odd. She was aware of at least on of the people with silver wings. He tilted his head and though. Honestly he hadn’t noticed any with his color of plumage. He began to wondering if many these exotic colors were limited to certain lines.

She extended an invitation to visit with his family and talk with her. He bit the edge of his lip and then nodded his head. There was something she knew, but it was mostly likely something hard and she was giving him the chance to not take up the hard thing. Pah hadn’t ever turned back from something because it was hard and wasn’t about to do so now. “I will bring them.” He paused. “It will be a couple days since they live on the outskirts, but we will come.”