[Talon] High Hopes, High Standards

[Rickter]

High Hopes, High Standards

Ash 12th, 120th Year, A.o.S.

He had already taken the bloody damn lift once again, debating on the idea of just using the stairs all the way up from now on. Rickter had decided that another visit would be vital to his cause, given that he was now steadily driven to achieve monumentally difficult tasks in a season. Though not impossible the idea of attempting it was barely feasible in his current state, which is why Rickter planned to work hard and do his homework prior to his first trial.

The second he felt would be a bit easier to handle, given that he'd worked quite a bit as a freelancing mercenary for a while. Finding work wasn't always certain, but doing things helpful to others became easier when you didn't expect payment. So when the time came for that tourney Aoren was to host, Rickter's real test would begin for sure, but before all that he had to thoroughly prepare for all of that. Such was the nature of the first trial, however, that surmounted all the crucial needs for preparation. Not only was he heading up somewhere rather cold, but ripe with uncanny dangers that could easily end the trial abruptly.

Such was not the way he wanted to go out in this world, and certainly freezing to death didn't appeal to him either. No. He wanted to know exactly what he'd be getting into, and if there was one family that knew the business of dragonshards best... it was House Novalys. The wolf had determined that another visit to see the Prince could be beneficial, since they had never really had the opportunity to speak with one another before. No doubt he was made aware of the fact Rickter would be attempting the challenges, and that he'd also recently visited his own mother in turn. The wolf knew better than not to expect such things, as Talon was too clever of a warrior to ignore events close to home. Plus Aoren likely shared everything with him, a result born of the deep bond the two seemingly shared.

Walking outside the loft from the Skyharbour he tucked at the edges of his shirt and doublet, and made sure to straighten them out at the sides a bit on his walk out. The Palace was already in sight from where he stood, so like before, the wolf marched his way from the terrace up towards the street which led him towards the gates overhead. In passing a few of the locals up here, he barely greeted them with a look, more or less keeping his eyes diverted every time someone in passing came along. When you were tall like Rickter, only Avialae and other certain races towered over you. The rest typically looked up in some angled slant, often curious as to why the big guy avoids confrontation with just about everyone.

Regardless the wolf made his way up the path towards the palace, climbing the winding stairway that would lead him evermore onward toward the entrance. The sun had managed to reach its peak at his point of arrival, to mark the shift in the day once he'd reached the front gate of the courtyard. "State your business, oh..." Upon his arrival the very same guard from the other day greeted him, quickly remembering the towering man as he approached alone this time. "Have you further business with the Knight-Captain?"

"Actually I request an audience with the Prince..." The wolf answered somewhat assertively, his tone still gentle as he tucked his hands behind his lower back. The gate guard looked impressed, maybe even curiously at the man in front of him.

"Prince Talon's receiving visitors, aye, last I heard he was seen in the courtyard gardens." The wolf tilted his head in response, gesturing at the gate for a grant of entry on behalf of the guard in front of him. "Of course." The bulky soldier responded in turn as he stepped aside, allowing Rickter to pass through the gate and into the courtyard of the palace. He remembered more of his first time up here, and how agitated he'd gotten when approaching the place. Telion was all excited though, even so much as enjoyed the scenery around the palace. Yet while the wolf felt uncomfortable being where nobility lingered, it was honestly the palace itself he felt like he didn't belong in, whereas out here within the courtyard things were different.

Not by a lot but rather marginally, as Rickter had always felt a sense of connection with nature. Though he was considered no gardener, he did appreciate the beauty and value in things like plants. Animals too. It all weighed into a bigger picture for him really, but overall, the wolf felt noticeably more relaxed being out in the open; even in the presence of nobility. But royalty was another matter entirely, as Rickter didn't need long to spot the several guards serving as Talon's entourage. With a bit of reluctance in his step, the wolf took the approach, slowing to a near halt when he was noticed by Talon's comrades. "Greetings your highness," he started with an indirect stare to the ground, knowing that eyes were now upon him, "I request only a small portion of your time."

That was how nobility talked around here right? They were very formal and articulate with their words, and Rickter maintained a composed sense of patience when he gave the request.

"Every side attacks you when you don't pick sides."

[Talon]

“You should be resting, Your Highness.” An elder human woman with a face filled with wrinkles stared at Talon. Her gaze was that of a healer looking for the slightest decline in health, the tiniest tremor or hint of fatigue. Talon smiled at the woman. He kept his tone gentle but firm.

“I have spent enough time in bed, Healer Myra. I am resting. I simply wished to spend time in the open air.” Myra, a respectable healer and someone who frequently saw to the medicinal needs of his family, worried her bottom lip before nodding. She cast a brief look to the ball of fluff that was resting in Talon’s lap. Talon gently scratched under the chin of his minova bat. The little bat made a content sound as he leaned into Talon’s petting.

“Very well, child. But you must promise me that you will not skip a meal today.” Myra placed her hands on her hips. Talon recognized that look in her eyes and the firmness in her stance. When he had been a boy, he had often been in the company of Myra as she watched over the children of the palace. She would broker no argument when it came to the health and care of those placed in her charge. He bowed his head.

“I promise, Xi’shan.” He used her familial nickname. A term in Synskrit that roughly meant mother-bird-tender. Myra’s expression softened before she nodded and stepped away. Talon turned his head in the direction of the gardens after she went. He always enjoyed being in the gardens. They were a tranquil place where he could think and reflect on matters that weighed heavily upon him. He had been bedridden for most of the day prior. Talon was finding that his strength was coming and going with each day. He was doing better but he was still not completely up to his full strength. It had been all he could do to get time away from the palace to go to his shop, where he could forge and think and simply create things of wonder that helped soothe his weary nerves. When he had awoken that morning, it had been made clear that both his mother and step-mothers were adamant that he remain on the palace grounds for several more days before venturing back into the city proper. Even the Speaker of the Elder Council had come to visit the palace and vouch his support of their wishes. It hadn’t been necessary as Talon fully intended to honor their request but the implied statement was clear. The last thing that the council wanted was for Talon to be killed while his father was travelling abroad.

Trinket, the well-fed minova bat curled up in his lap, perked up. Lazily, the little bat climbed onto Talon’s shoulders where he draped himself across them and promptly fell back asleep. Talon picked up a journal on the bench beside him. He opened it, contained within it were sketches, notes, and diagrams that any learned magical crafted would be able to recognize. They were plans for a project of some sort. Talon picked up a stick of charcoal and began outlining some of the thoughts running through his head. He was half-way through a sketch on what appeared to be a piece of jewelry when the guards in his vicinity became more alert. It was an average height Avialae with dark skin and sharp brown eyes bearing the wings of a hawk that stepped into Rickter’s path. He wore the silver vestments of an Argent Hand knight and possessed the broad build commonly seen among Avialae.

“What business do you have with the First Son of the Shokaze?” The demand was not made harshly but it was stern. Talon looked over and recognized who it was that the knight was speaking to.

“It is alright, Vaako. That man was there the night of the attack. He saved my life. He is no enemy.” The knight gave a small nod and moved to allow Rickter to pass but he remained close-by. Talon eyed Rickter as he approached. His gaze was not critical but it was welcoming. He was dressed simply in a plain white cotton shirt of fine make that hung loosely about his torso. He wore only a pair of white pants as well while his feet were bare. His hair, as usual, was tied back into a ponytail.

“Rickter.” He nodded to the Rathari and gestured to a cushioned stone bench opposite of him. “Aoren has told me of you. Please, sit. I apologize for not rising to greet you. I am…”

What was he? Talon was weary. There was no denying it. He was certain he looked it as well. But he was determined to find his footing again. He had to.

“I am better than I was.” He smiled. “What is it that you need?”

[Rickter]

High Hopes, High Standards

Ash 12th, 120th Year, A.o.S.

Though he had certainly missed on the topic of his health and eating, Rickter would've undoubtedly been on the side of the healer before she'd left. Still, the fact he'd even found Talon in this place was something, since the gardens looked nearly half the size of the palace's own interior. In drawing close upon his contingent, of course, he knew to maintain a completely passive demeanor in their presence. He was not here to simply pester the prince after all, and came with legitimate business regarding the trials ahead of him.

So when the dark-toned Avialae addressed him, the wolf readied a viable response to the inquiry, only to find that such a thing wasn't necessary, to begin with. Talon could immediately determine who he was, and that alone seemed enough to welcome the wolf in his presence. There was no denying the tactful watch that was still placed on Rickter of course, but he still paid the brown-eyed warrior a brief bow before moving to approach the prince himself. Talon gestured for him to sit across from him, to which the wolf accepted with a quiet sigh through his nostrils, after easing onto the cushioned padding of the stone chair he eased into. Strange. Not the chair of course, as it was actually quite comfortable.

No, what was strange was the creature on Talon's back, as Rickter hadn't really seen one in person before, but knew only knew of them by name alone. Minova bats. Immediately the wolf's nose traced the scents that wafted through the air, as the gentle breeze coming down the mountain pass carried them over his way. The most noticeable ones were the musky scent of an animal, though one that has been bathed and groomed properly, mixed with the hint of pinewood and even a smidge of cherries. How odd. Yet the pet looked so docile on Talon, who himself, possessed a palette of unique smells to the wolf. There was a dose of cold but not as in the temperature, no something more akin to the crisp air itself during Frost. The breeze itself certainly smelt fresher in comparison to before, which was debatable either Talon or just the mountain air itself, but there was of course a trace of nature imprinted within it as well.

Something that suggested how worldly experienced the Prince actually was.

"Tis no trouble, you need to be sitting... and resting." The wolf remarked in terms of Talon's regard for not standing, though the sound of Aoren sharing much of what happened did slightly soften the look in his eyes. "I can only hope they were all good things." Not that he expected them to be, the wolf hardly did anything impressive in his mind. Sure he'd aided the prince twice now, even so much as met with the Queen because of it. Yet those were simple outcomes of consequence, whereas the nature of his visit this time was considerably academic at heart.

Though certainly on the mend it was hardly dismissable, seeing the silver-winged Avialae's weary features, as he clearly longed to be busy yet again. It was understandable, as there were days the wolf himself just wanted to move, to keep his body moving so that his mind hardly had time to think. But lately... lately thinking is all that ever occurred anymore. He thought a lot about how he'd wanted to protect others, and how much of his own instinct drove him in those moments, how action spurred him into this monumentally difficult challenge set before him. Did he think he could do it? Of course not. But was he going to give up before even trying? Absolutely not. If he held even the slightest chance at discovering something about himself her, even a hint at what his real destiny was in this world, then perhaps the best he could do was give everything a try.

And so with the question asked, the wolf's eyes softened even more, no longer fettered by the worries that his peers talked of. If they were good things, then they were because he did what he felt was right. If not well then, by all means, show him where he was wrong. His blue eyes wandered out beyond the gardens down towards the visible parts of Kalzasi, that which loomed beneath the slopes of the mountains. "I'm glad you're doing better by the way." Strange. He wasn't one to normally admit such things, but it helped others to know that he had a vested interest in their well-being. "We've never really had a chance to talk before our unusual circumstances." Talon likely felt the same in that regard, having heard second-hand everything Ricker has done so far.

"I wanted to ask you about dragonshards by the way," He carried on humbly still with his eyes averted, "the first of the few trials require one, in particular, to be mined... And I can't say I've gone out of my way to collect Dragonshards before." Truthfully that was work for those in the Miner's Guild to be sure, but there were also some mercenaries who collected and utilized them in their work. Rickter on the other hand had no viable assets to help him learn, so he merely got along without them to the best of his ability. Never had he questioned their versatility and usefulness of course, but if he were to learn how not to just harness them, then collectively he could go much further in the future with what he learned today.

"I understand if you need to keep the details of this trial to a minimum, so I only need to understand the nature of collecting the shards in general." The wolf assured the prince firmly, his eyes somewhat averted as he still seemed to think of other things as well.

"Every side attacks you when you don't pick sides."

[Talon]

Talon closed his book so that he could focus on Rickter. The wolf Rathari struck him as an interesting man to say the least. He was a capable fighter, that much was clear to him given that Talon had seen him battle at the ridge and then exchange blows in a fighter’s ring. From what Aoren had told him, Rickter had also proven himself swift and capable in the attack on his life. He did not confirm or deny Rickter’s hope of good remarks. Talon had been told only statements regarding Rickter’s apparent abilities, which matched what he had seen himself. That did not make him a good man. That did not make him a bad one either. It made him capable and Talon had seen many men, Avialae and otherwise, who were capable of many things. Not all of which served the interests of his family and his people.

“Thank you. I am grateful for your involvement. I am given to understand you had an audience with my mother.” Sahfri had offered nothing in terms of her meeting with Rickter and Talon knew better than to ask. His mother was a loving woman...to her family. Talon was not blind to the fact that she had earned her reputation well and that she wore the black robes of the Circle proudly. He surveyed Rickter for a moment. His grey eyes bearing a resemblance to his mother’s. “She does not meet with citizens often. That she would take notice of you, it speaks to your potential.”

Talon inclined his head at the comment that they had never really had a chance to speak. Their first meeting had been in the heat of battle. Their second had been when Talon had been barely conscious enough to string more than a few sentences together. He was reminded of that simple phrase.

Fate or Chaos.

The two were often more intertwined than most wanted to believe. The Goddess of Fate, Vicis, spun her tapestry, charting the course of destinies for countless lives across the eons. Yet the Masked Queen, added a drop of chaos and so allowed mortals the freedom to follow those destinies or make choices that gave Vicis threads to spin new ones in an ever growing story that stretched on for eternity.

“Dragonshards are something I know well.” He was a runesmith. The craft and the crystals went hand in hand. One could not happen without the other. He listened to Rickter’s question. When he was done speaking, Talon stretched his wings and stared out into the gardens. He formulated his answer so that he could both help Rickter but remain fair to other challengers who might present themselves.

“A dragonshard is crystallized aether. What is aether? It is the essence of potential that we mortals realize through the exertion of our will. If you have the will to mold and shape aether through the gift of a rune of magic, then you have it within you to master what is in a dragonshard. To a degree.” The minova bat draped across Talon’s shoulders emit a sleepy burbling chirp. Talon reached up to pet its head softly as the bat nuzzled in closer. Talon smiled at the bat with obvious fondness.

“You are a mage? At least, that is my impression. You were ready to share your aether with mine on the ridge so I must assume so. Ordinary men would not think of such a thing, nor could they.” Talon’s first instinct was to draw upon his gift of Semblance. He stopped himself from doing so however. He was fatigued enough as it was. His aether moved like sludge through a clogged stream. It felt heavy and almost foreign to him in some ways. It was getting better, day by day, but it was best not to push himself when he did not have to.

“You will be able to get a sense of them. The strongest ones will electrify your senses. The weaker ones, like a soft caress. It is on you to determine what you can harness and what you cannot. I simply advise caution. Even the most benevolent of stones are dangerous if misused.”

[Rickter]

High Hopes, High Standards

Ash 12th, 120th Year, A.o.S.

He did note the fact that Talon not only thanked him for past excursions, but also brought up the fact he'd met the Queen herself in turn. A feat one can hardly claim as a commoner like him, but for Rickter there was certainly more to it than that. More than what either one of them was letting on, because in truth they were both aware of what her involvement meant. However minor or even simple, someone like Sahfri did not usually do things upon a whim, and if what Talon said was anywhere near true; then Rickter had a sense of promise he could not ignore.

A promise to use his strength for protecting those around him, along with an innate power of war meant to carve a way forward. For them. It was slowly becoming clearer little by little, the more he spent time realizing his role in all of this. Whatever grand scheme was at work with the cosmos, whatever games the Gods themselves wanted to play, Rickter had a budding sense that the key of his role was soon to be revealed. He just needed time to work towards it, to reveal what destiny really had in store for the wolf. He wouldn't fail those that'd fallen into that promise, for Rickter knew too well what that failure would cost him if he did; and he wouldn't dream of feeling it again either.

"I've wondered about that myself..." He admitted with glance to Talon, surprised to see the resemblance with the Queen in his eyes. It didn't shock him innately but Talon didn't come off the way Sahfri did, compared to her, he was almost a warm ray of sunshine on a cool Searing day. In a way it was kind of visible, what with the minova bat snoozing without care atop his shoulders. "Potential is only useful when you put it to use. As a boy, I never thought I had much potential, until a man decided to teach me discipline that is." He had learned what it meant to be strong, and with that strength, what it meant to protect others you cared about. At that time there were only ever two, and one of them later died when he failed.

There was not much he could do at that time, but he would never forget the cost of his failure then. Rickter didn't plan to let any others slip away so easily, not if there ever were any others that had fallen into his care. Which there were... now. While Linden was off doing Gods knew what, Rickter kept to himself until Telion and Hannah showed into his life. Now with them, Talon and Aoren were figures joining the midst also. Four people... Four charges he'd sworn to protect, and surprisingly one of them was of noble birth. "I can't promise anything, but I plan to give the trials my all. If I succeed..." He wanted to say something genuine again, but this time actually refrained from sharing the statement.

Partially, Rickter wanted to do Talon proud. He wanted to bring him honor, and to certainly avoid failure at all costs. Yet what drove him to that length? What about Rickter made him feel obligated to do so? Even he struggled to ascertain it, simply carrying out the conversation that led to the discussion of Dragonshards. He knew about them on a fundamental level, but with the way Talon described them, he certainly felt his eyes were opening to a broader truth. They did indeed possess something akin to a double-edged sword, enabling great feats of power as well as terrible bouts of destruction. Not that he'd seen it firsthand of course, but given what a mage like Talon could do... with just force alone? Imagine utilizing that power with shards, and how devastating it'd be if one used them carelessly. Carelessness breeds catastrophe, which was a mistake Rickter wasn't in the habit of making.

A chirp from the bat warranted another brief glance to the quiet bird-man, his expression fixed with affection as he seemed to genuinely care for the creature. A humbling sight to be sure, one that reassured Rickter's underlying concerns. Though he wasn't ignorant of the fact Sahfri was still his mother, and that in turn played an unseen influence on the prince itself. What she wanted with Rickter though, that much still remained a mystery, one he wasn't sure he wanted to find out believe it or not. "Carelessness breeds catastrophe." He spoke aloud this time more or less chiming the thought, his eyes still out over the city as they watched the distant horizon.

It was then he had been inquired about being a mage, to which the wolf humbly chuckled before giving his answer. "To a degree." He mused as he folded his hands together, tucking them between his knees as he leaned forward. "The man I mentioned earlier... He taught me the art of war, and what it meant to be, what he was. He believed..." Did Talon really need to hear this? Was it important for him to know? The wolf didn't really plan to share much about himself, and yet so easily, did he feel the incline to impart such snippets of his past unto this man. In a sense, Rickter wanted Talon to know who he was, and who he'd be dealing with if he did succeed. Why? That part wasn't answered yet, and Rickter wasn't sure if he would find that answer, until he managed to see how far he'd gotten within the trial.

"He believed that fighting should not be for personal gain. That one who would revel in the taste of war and blood, would become one who forsakes their own peers. I'd asked him about this magic during our training, but all he'd ever tell me it was a part of the family. Something that remained in "The Old Ways" he still practiced." It was then he looked to Talon once more, a sense of genuine concern when he did. "I don't want to forget that. Nor do I want to forget why he granted me the power, as I'd made him a promise, that should I choose to fight, I'd only do it to keep me and those close safe from harm." Thinking back Rickter wondered more about that man, and if maybe he might've been someone actually important. For instance... his father. He had known since he was quite young, that the mother he grew up to knew wasn't her's originally, and that the father which left them wasn't his either.

So what if the Reaver he'd met was? Part of him always wondered that, and yet never did he find an answer. "In that moment my only thought was, if I were already struggling with the teeming swarms of Shinaegri, then my best chances were to give you that same strength. But you needed me, and when you did I almost failed." Of course he referred to that instance, that one moment where Shamblers overwhelmed him, and nearly made an attempt on Talon; only to be caught by a backlash of aether. "That's why if I pass these trials, I don't plan to allow it again." If he actually made it that far, of course, he was still fixed on that first trial alone.

At the murmuring of how to sense them, he nodded, collectively noting that for later since he'd be getting around to that point eventually. "How does one go about collecting them as a resource? Mining them seems a bit dangerous if done plainly, are there tools that I require for the job, or is there a trick to the method?" He inquired tactfully as he kept Talon in view of his peripheral vision, his expression still firm as he kept those personal thoughts deep within.

"Every side attacks you when you don't pick sides."

[Talon]

“We grow into the people we are meant to be.” Talon spoke the words softly and with the weight of his life’s experience. From the day he was born he had been molded to be what others expected him to be. The future leader of his family. The inheritor of the throne of Kalzasi. A pinnacle of magical ability. A warrior and a servant of the people. Talon did not begrudge his place or his role in his own life. It had shaped him into the man he was. He believed in the duty that came with leadership and saw it as a privilege to be given the chance to govern, not a right. Talon listened to what Rickter had to say. He waited, expecting the wolf Rathari to finish his thought about what would happen if he succeeded. The thought was finished with something curious.

“Ah, but too much caution breeds narrow mindedness.” The rustle of a breeze brushed over Talon’s wings and he stretched them and relaxed them, letting the wind glide through the feathers. It had been days since he had last soared through the skies and he could feel the winds calling to him. He turned his head upward to the sky and closed his eyes, just breathing in the mountain air. When the moment passed, Talon felt better but the desire to fly was still there. It was a longing that all Avialae felt. The skies called to them and they reveled in that call. As he let the winds touch that deep part of himself that none of them could fully explain, Talon listened to Rickter discuss this nameless man. It was clear that the wolf Rathari felt much toward this man. He could get the sense that this man was a father-figure to him.

“If you do not wish to forget it, if you have chosen to live by his words and his lessons, then you will not forget them. They are part of you and in every action you take. That sort of conviction is hard to shake.” Talon had seen enough soldiers, Sky Guard, Shadow Guard, and more give their lives in defense of Kalzasi. It was not without reason that their city had survived for so long in spite of the danger its greatest resource posed. The people of Kalzasi were hardened by the dangers in the Warrens. They lived passionately, taking thrill in the joys found in each moment and embracing the sorrows that followed life’s tragedies. It was often said of his people that they were all touched with a hint of insanity because of their proximity to the Yawning Chasm. In some ways, Talon believed it. His people did crazy things every day. Risking their lives or refusing to accept that they could not achieve the impossible. So Rickter’s conviction was something that he could empathize with. It was something most Kalzaserns could understand on a kindred level.

“We learn more from our failures then we do from our successes, Rickter. That is a lesson my father has spoken of often. Do not be ashamed of defeat. Rise to the challenge created by it.” It was as he was reflecting on some of the lessons that his father had taught him that Talon realized how much he missed his presence. Savien was a steady hand and an unmovable rock of solidarity for many in Kalzasi. His absence, even if it was for a short while, was something his whole family felt. They felt it more keenly because of how the absence of one made them feel that much more incomplete. He could still see the echo of pain etched in his father’s face sometimes when he thought noone was looking. Talon had not lost any family, those that remained were all he had ever known. But for a man who had never expected to inherit the throne, who had expected to devote the whole of his life to serving in the Sky Riders of the Sky Guard, of settling down to a humble estate and raising his family in his later years, Talon could see how his life and the life of his father might have been very different. The wound caused by Jacien’s betrayal ran deep in the city...and something told him that those wounds were beginning to fester.

“There are special pickaxes crafted that suppress the energy within the crystals as they’re being mined, or you can use an aether net or a shard beacon to keep the energies in a stable state. Those options allow you to use mundane tools while keeping the aether in the crystals intact without raging out of control.” He smirked at Rickter. “Novalys Mining Company sells such tools. You are welcome to purchase them at the guild hall.”

[Rickter]

High Hopes, High Standards

Ash 12th, 120th Year, A.o.S.

Hearing the words that Talon had to say, Rickter couldn't help but wonder if there was innate truth within them. He didn't doubt the wisdom of the prince before him, for he was far too genuine of a person to simply spout at the mouth. No. Talon had mountains of worldly experience whereas the wolf hardly compared, and yet for what they both stood for, somehow they weren't too far of a cut from the same cloth. Prince Talon wasn't just a noble leader, he was an individual with a destiny, determined to uphold the expectations that had been placed on him.

For someone like that Rickter held no true envy, for the innate fear of failing those around him was all too real. Except unlike Ricky, Talon had the whole of a civilization to look after, which in turn meant Rickter would have an incredible charge to look after... if he did become part of the royal guard. Was he really meant for that though? It was enough he questioned himself many times before, but now with everyone around him constantly feeding encouragement, the wolf couldn't help but ceaselessly wonder if he even remotely belonged. He was so used to keeping to himself, to putting others at a safe distance, that having others close to him felt as much of a curse as it was a blessing.

He didn't want to linger on it, of course, doing that invoked feelings he didn't wish to dwell on. It was when Talon remarked about caution, in regards to the statement Rickter made, that the wolf began to see the point in that perspective. Narrow-mindedness was something he didn't contemplate before, but he could see the reasoning was there all the same. Become too prudent and you think a lot differently, and in a sense, Rickter had already shown how narrow-minded he'd grown over time. The desire to protect others stemmed from his losses and failures sure, but the drive to keep those he'd protect at a distance was also a prime example. You can't really protect what you don't invest yourself within, and Rickter certainly hadn't invested himself in the role of a guardian just yet.

"... I'll have to bear that in mind." He finally remarked after contemplating that insight, a little appreciative of the fact the silver-winged man even elaborated on the teachings of his mystery figure. Admittedly there was truth in those words, genuine truth that Rickter could agree with. Whatever the Old Ways were to that Reaver, Rickter would not forget them anytime soon, instead, those values would continue to set the example for the wolf. "Conviction is a scary concept."

Then, of course, there was the aspect of his failures Talon touched on also. In a way, Rickter started to see the bigger picture here, enough to not be so caught up on his recent shortcomings. He had indeed learned from his failure, but not enough to be so dismayed by them. "Your father... sounds like a great man." From what very little he had heard from Sahfri, and Talon just now, the man was undoubtedly an example worth paying mind to in the future. Knowing his luck Rickter began to speculate, that it would only be a matter of time before long, when he'd finally meet the Shokaze in person. A breeze caressed through the air and Talon seemed rigid, not in a tense manner but one that expressed the need to move.

The wolf could understand that need of course, as it could be similar as to how such as him needed food or air. Yet the breeze itself was a welcome boon, as the wolf realized how comfortable he'd grown just sitting here within the garden. "May I?" He finally grew to regard with a hint towards his shoes, a bit of a lean made so he could slip them off it Talon was alright with that. Just as the prince and any other Avialae liked to take to the skies, there were times when Rickter wanted to personally commune with the ground itself. Even the water sometimes called out to him, as he remembered well the days he enjoyed being just a simple fisher. Whether Talon allowed it or not, Rickter would either gently remove the boots from his feet or lean back into his chair, appreciating the breeze as it continued to graze across the skin of his arms and through his hair.

Truly it was mesmerizing with just how crisp it felt, and when the subject of mining the shards came to elaboration, he shot the Avialae across from him a look of piqued interest. Pickaxes that suppressed the aetheric energies within, nets that could do the same, or even beacons that allowed the use of mundane tools. The fact Talon's family was so prominently involved with the Dragonshard trade really did help, and it also made sense as to why the prince himself enjoyed runeforging; if Aoren was any indication of the assumption made. "I'll definitely stop by the place during my preparations then." He assured Talon almost, but not quite, with a hint of a smile in turn; realizing that he'd practically gotten everything he'd come here for. Information. That was all really, but, unless Talon couldn't afford such leisurely visits, then there was little need for Rickter to dawdle any longer.

"I suppose with that out of the way now, you'd probably like some more time to rest. Is there anything that you'd ask of me, before I decide to head out on this quest?" The wolf thought to inquire with a hint of curiosity in his tone, his eyes fallen on Talon but not quite ready to meet him eye to eye.

"Every side attacks you when you don't pick sides."

[Talon]

“It is.” Talon agreed with Rickter’s statement on conviction. “It is frightening to be confronted with someone who is immovable in their beliefs. It is frightening to be faced with someone who devotes themselves body and soul to a cause they would both live and die for. The idea that someone else’s conviction could be used as a means of eroding our own, I think, is what makes many people so hesitant to stand firm in what they believe in.”

He had seen it often enough. In the council chambers it was interesting to watch the heads of the Great Houses as well as the prominent members of various factions in the city debate. He could see circles being talked around some members while others held firm in their beliefs. It was sometimes heated enough where he could even see the point of view of things even he disagreed with. In the coming days, Talon expected to see more of the council meetings as he stepped into the role of representing his family in a more active sense. While he might not have direct power on the council, there was much to be said for being able to persuade people to his point of view. Sadly, Talon knew he was lacking in the prowess of some of the more able bodied statesmen. He was more of a warrior than that of a diplomat. It was an area of experience he would be forced to come to terms with soon, sooner than he might have hoped.

“He is.” Talon’s eyes softened at the thought of his father once more. The two of them did not always agree but he could always respect his father. In turn, his father always taught him the value in hearing what others had to contribute and say on a given matter. While what they believed might not sway his own personal decisions, his father always urged him to at least listen. He could hear his father’s voice in his head.

“A leader seeks information, always mindful that there is more to learn. Eikaen teaches us that there is an order to the universe. Naori teaches us that the order of the universe is always changing.”

At Rickter’s request, Talon merely inclined his head. The Minova bat on his shoulders snuggled closer into the crook of Talon’s neck. He rubbed his fuzzy head against Talon’s cheek before returning to his dozing. Talon nuzzled the bat, giving its head a few gently strokes. His gaze grew distant as he thought on the days ahead and the challenges that were being laid out before him. He had much to prepare for. He had much to seek and much to learn. Change was coming to Kalzasi. Talon was not yet certain whether that change was to be a good thing or something that would cause harm to his people.

“I have the whole day ahead of me to rest, Rickter. The whole palace is committed to making sure I am never more than a few steps away from some place to comfortably sprawl.” He spoke this with a fond exasperation. It was not in Talon’s nature to simply lay about in bed all day. He enjoyed being up, moving about, keeping himself busy. In fact, he found that his mood improved considerably when he was able to put his mind to a task. However, he could not deny that he was still feeling terribly weak. The encounter with...whatever that man had turned into still disturbed Talon. He had been caught completely off guard. He had been robbed of abilities he had come to rely on which had been both jarring and eye opening. It was something that had cemented in Talon’s mind his need to grow not just as a mage but as an individual of greater personal skill. Whether that was martially or academically, Talon saw it as a need to improve himself.

Despite how hard he berated himself, Talon held not an ounce of ill feeling toward his companion. Aoren could not be there at all times, though he strived to do so. Talon had to be able to stand on his own two feet.

“Do you want to become a guard or do others want it for you?” Talon searched Rickter’s face.

[Rickter]

High Hopes, High Standards

Ash 12th, 120th Year, A.o.S.

To visibly see that Talon agreed, even so, much as to ruminate, on the concept of conviction garnered more of the wolf's respect. By now Rickter had grown visibly comfortable in the presence of the prince, enough to where his eyes did not dodge or dart away from his figure anymore.

Though eye contact was still absent between them, the reception of the wolf alone was a stark contrast to his usual demeanor. To possess a conviction others could not challenge nor sway, that alone sounded like the first thing he needed to ascertain. Mostly because he knew, deep down, that he hadn't outright lived to fight for anything. Why would he? He'd been born a parentless child and raised by others, with naught to drive him forward other than incentive to live. Survive.

So now he sat here, atop the damn mountains in the palace gardens no less, wondering what about him had grown such convictions. What drove him to the extent to where he'd gone out his way, even so much as allowing pain back into his life, that he'd found a willingness to rise to the occasion set before him. Had he felt too complacent? Or was it the influence of his friends? Innately he felt a strong urge to shelter them, now that the thought about it, which itself was unusual since he never went out of his way to help others before...

Conviction. He was a stubborn fool for sure, but if conviction guided his actions when he rose to a challenge, then it only meant he needed to embrace what made those convictions stronger. With that in mind, he too would grow to become stronger, ever determined to march onward toward whatever destiny fate had in store for him. Talon also seemed to miss his father then once Rickter shared his opinion, honestly generating a slight bit of envy within the wolf, when he witnessed the minor change in the prince's features and tone. He'd never known a real father figure in his life, hell the one he did have walked out on him, so knowing that kind of love felt exceptionally rare for Rickter. Genuine as it was though he could appreciate from where he sat, and when Talon nodded in regards to his unusual request, the wolf did the same appreciatively before slipping a shoe off of each foot.

The cool air felt chilly on the skin of his bare feet, but when they lowered to rest atop the grass, however, Rickter's features became one of contentment when he felt the cold ground beneath them. The soft blades that grazed and cushioned their undersides were almost delightful, meriting a rather comfortable exhale throughout his nostrils as he laid further back into his chair. It was when he'd asked Talon his last question earlier he'd started to lean forward, listening intently when he had been asked the very same question he'd been asking himself. In a way... he never would've outright pursued the idea, even now he had a couple of qualms with himself over it. Namely, because he didn't think himself actually capable, much less deserving, to actually aim for such a lofty goal.

However, Rickter also felt compelled to challenge that mentality. The fact others could encourage him so didn't help either, because they opened him to new and unusual experiences. More importantly; they helped him learn, adapt, and grow to resolve his own personal faults in turn. It was a difficult question because, in truth, the answer felt much like the double-edged sword it probably was. "I'm not sure..." He admitted almost with no reluctance now, his eyes falling back toward the city below. "I've never wanted much before, and yet, lately, I can't help but want to at least try." It was an introspective thought that he shared aloud, his eyes heavy with thought as they remained cast below. "Others have played a part in the matter... but I wouldn't say their ideals are theirs alone either..."

His blue eyes then gradually rose before they turned to reflect back on Talon, a hint of sincerity mixed with genuine uncertainty found within their indirect gaze. "I've figured the worst I can do is think on it, while I attempt the trials themselves to see if I really can do it." There was a sense of duality to his tone then, growing confidence blended with innate doubt in his abilities. There was no question that the wolf was aware of himself, however, and the limitations he currently possessed at that moment. This led to him padding at the pocket of his trousers, sliding his hand within to grasp at something cold within its confines, only to pull it out with a look of uncertainty cast upon it. The soul gem.

"I've considered it enough at least, and though I question Vicis and what Her plans are... I'm not inclined to simply play along either." That admittance alone felt like a personal confession for Rickter, as he admittedly never revealed any fondness or acceptance of the Gods as they were. To him, they were entities that while grand were too broad to focus on him, so the idea he played some part in the grand scheme of things almost seemed like folly. The world was riddled with too much chaos and strife for one, and the future never seemed certain no matter how planned it was. "Your mother may see this as means but... I've found that a soul is still a soul, no matter the shape and form it's given."

In a way, he felt odd about it, since that meant he now possessed a soul, when in truth he was one of the last few who should be given such a thing. "This is the soul of the one who attacked you... given new form and purpose for its transgressions. I want to make sure that purpose remains good and true, for the sake of the soul in itself..." He then looked from the soul gem as the ghostly mist swirled into the air, dissipating within the breeze that carried it to the sky above, to Talon once more with the gem gradually held out to the prince. "Can you think of a way this soul serve that purpose?" He inquired thoughtfully with consideration, the gem still held up but not quite out, unless Talon extended a hand to accept the gem from the wolf.

"Every side attacks you when you don't pick sides."

[Talon]

“The Dragon King teaches us that there is an order to the cosmos. Naori, the goddess that we Synnekar revere above all others, teaches us that the order of the cosmos is constantly changing. We can either rise and meet the challenges brought about by the storm of those changes or we can fall victim to them. Whatever the Goddess of Fate may have in store for us, it is still on us to walk the path in front of us or build a new one.” Talon shared with Rickter the same lessons that he had grown up with for the majority of his life. Since their beginning, the Avialae have been a people faced with adversity. Talon knew only the myths and legends surrounding the creation of his people. He could not confirm whether they were true but anything was possible in the madness of the Sundering. Through the brutality of the Imperium and then through the difficulties of building a civilization in the Free Cities of the North, faced with the threats of the Warrens and all the challenges they presented, still his people has persevered and found success.

“My point in telling you that is simply this; Life is going to happen whether you accept fate or reject it. So you might as well follow your heart anyways.” Talon gave Rickter a smile. A shift in the air made Talon turn his attention skyward. It was less because of the shift itself and more because he felt the presence of who had caused that shift. Soaring in the skies was none other than the raven winged Kathar Avialae that was, in many ways, Talon’s other half. But though there was normally warmth and eagerness accompanied with Aoren’s approach, Talon felt nothing but a cold distance between them. What was normally an easy and open flow of emotions and simple thoughts between the two of them was winnowed down to the bare minimum of what could pass as a bond. It was a staggering difference compared to what they had shared. It made Talon feel weaker than he actually was because the absence of that closeness was all the more glaring.

Aoren angled his body and spread his wings so that he could slow his descent. He landed nimbly and with the ease of a man very comfortable with flying through the skies. There was a blankness to his face as he approached Talon and Rickter. The warrior nodded to the other guards who let him pass without issue. Talon opened his mouth to greet his companion but Aoren bowed his head and went into a kneel.

“My Prince.” He remained that way. Silent. Waiting. This was how it had been for the past few days. Stiffness. Formality. A wall. Talon tightened his hands in his lap.

“Please rise, Aoren.” The black winged Avialae smoothly rose to his feet but rather than join them, he took up a post with his back to both himself and Rickter. Talon felt a stab in his chest but he did not linger on it overly long. He returned his attention to the wolf Rathari as he withdrew none other than one of his mother’s soul gems. Talon stilled. He could not in all truthfulness say that he was comfortable with the use of soul gems. Even with what Rickter explained, that contained within this particular one was the soul of one of those who had attacked not just him but the people in the tavern, Talon was not sure what to feel.

Gingerly, Talon reached out to take hold of the gemstone. It was cold in his fingertips which, from what he gathered, was typical of tools associated with necromancy. He brought it closer, rolling the gemstone between his fingers as he studied it. Under normal circumstances he would have used his Semblance to inspect the gem, to explore its secrets and perhaps gain a greater insight into it. He could do no such thing in his current state. He was far too unbalanced both emotionally and physically to muster up the focus to use magic. Still, he could see the swirl of the soul’s energy within the gemstone. He could see the light mist that ghosted across its surface.

“That is not for me to decide, Rickter.” Talon looked up from the gem and into the wolf Rathari’s blue eyes. “This has been entrusted to you. This…” He searched for the right word.

“This soul committed a terrible atrocity. I care not that he attacked me. I am a warrior. I have faced horrors far worse that the attempt made on my life. But this soul collaborated not just to take my life, but to hurt, to kill, and to attack our people. That is not something I can personally forgive easily.” Talon rolled the gemstone between his fingers once more before extending it back to Rickter.

“He forsook his mortal life, choosing instead to become a monster. I do not know what drove him to such a place but in the end, it was the choice he made. This is a consequence of that choice. You have been made his warden. What purpose he serves now is in your hands.”