T A L O N
“Yes. If only.” Many were the thoughts that had rifled through his head regarding how things might have been different. It was no use lingering on the past however. He could not change what happened. He could only face what was happening to him now. Talon listened as the elf explained his rather aimless approach to the road ahead of him.
“That is quite the predicament. If you have nothing, if you believe yourself to be nothing, then one would surmise that you also believe you have nothing to lose.” He gave a smirk. “That would certainly explain your boldness.”
Peering closer, Talon observed the shape of the elf’s aura. He watched the way it fluttered and twisted as it followed his swell of emotions. He looked at the manifestation of the man’s soul, pulling away the surface in order to stare deeper into the core of who this man was. He could see a budding knot there, a spark of something that was wound up in the knotted pathways of his aetheric structure. Talon had spent enough time at the runeforge to know a bundle that was ready to explode when he saw one. Whether that meant this man had greater potential or was simply a walking disaster waiting to happen, he could not yet tell.
“The Emperor wants my power. Even before I ascended, there were those who desired to have my power at their disposal. Magic is an art whose limits I have frequently pushed. It earned me much respect and fear. Now, His Imperial Majesty holds the keys to my leash. He got what he wanted.” He spoke with no lack of bitterness in his voice. Though it had cost the empire greatly to enslave him, he had made sure of that, they had gotten what they wanted in the end. No matter how gilded the cage that he occupied, he was still their prisoner. Eloquence and finery be damned, it would be a life he would continue to hate and seek ways of leaving. He had no doubt that the emperor was aware of this fact. It was the truth of this that had ultimately led him to sending those he cared about away, even if such an act had been reckless on his part.
The more leverage they had over him, the more trapped he was. While there was a part of him that felt hollow and cold, it was for the best that such things be sent away. He could not risk them. Not when so much was at stake. He had weakened himself so that others might have a chance at freeing him and, if it came down to it, defeating him should he be turned against them.
“As for the exploits for which my power will be used? I am certain that many will hear of them in due time. I am, as you, a humble servant of the empire now. I am bidden to do as the Imperial Mandate commands.”
