Legend of Ransera

Glade 90, 124

The expedition had been traveling for nearly a week now. This would be the third day outside of Drathera controlled territory, the third day of them being on their own away from the protections of their civilization. While there had been some delays and distractions, so far there had been no casualties. And for that, Norani Windwalker was grateful, as she lay there upon her bedroll, staring up at the dark sky beginning to split as the sun was considering rising once more.

She lulled her head to one side, seeing the muscular back of the archaeologist that was sleeping on his side. She looked at the markings there, seeing the story of how when he was a boy, his family was fleeing the destruction of their village at the hands of the Imperium. They took refuge in some long lost forgotten ruins from Ecith's long and storied history. One of his fathers died in those ruins as they stayed hidden as soldiers pushed further inland. This man, Irto, had sought refuge in the old runes and pictographs carved into the walls, trying to not look at the covered body of his father, or the vacant look in his other father's eyes, the love of his life having succumbed to the wound taken in retreat.

Norani reached out, touching the markings, feeling his warm, green skin beneath her fingertips.

"My father is from Kythera, originally."

Irto didn't turn toward her, speaking softly as everyone around was still sleeping.

"I'm returning his ashes to his home."

Norani closed her eyes, pressing her hand flat against his back. She didn't say anything, didn't think there'd be more he'd need to hear. But she scooted in closer, pressing her form against his back, an arm wrapping around his stomach, and she held him, just as Yeva often had held her. Be the comfort that others needed.

After a while, morning broke and breakfast was had by all. The other Winds set out on their patrols, finding the best route. But today was Norani's turn to take a day off from the skies, to travel with the Satchels and Shields. Tomorrow was Kilu's day off. Norani walked about the camp that was being packed up, seeing there was still a small amount of time before they would be moving. She removed her traveling hides, setting them on a wind to float them in the air by her. She then pulled some water from the humid air around them, cooling it, and letting it glide over her body, soaking into her hair. She conjured some rocks, grinding them into sand, and set them off scrubbing at her skin, taking the grime of travel from her. This was followed by a quick rinse and then she warmed her body with her internal fire, setting a bit of steam as the water evaporated, returning to the air once more.

She repeated the process for her hides to clean them as well and she dressed once more.

Norani pulled on her pack, strapped her chakrams at her waist, and saw that the convoy was moving once more. The Flood Hippos carried the group across a backwash and out onto some soggy ground, the group traveling beneath the canopy of a fairly swampy jungle. Most of the group was riding on the safety of the hippos. Norani was walking along the water as easily as one might on ground. She was in constant communication with the Winds on patrol, utilizing the elemental winds to carry messages.

She saw a man out on the perimeter of the group, an elf of some sort. He must be a member of the Shields out on a portion of more firm ground. Norani jogged over to him, coming up on his side. She didn't know his name, still not having had the time to quite met everyone more than a simple nod or look. He looked foreign born, new to the life of the Commonwealth. She looked over at him and smiled, "Hello. I'm Norani Windwalker."

She left a pause so that he might introduce himself.

"What brings you on this trip to Kythera?"

After her brief conversation, as it was, earlier in the morning, she wondered why everyone here might risk their lives for this trip.

☠

☠ Ecithian life was starting to suit him, and it was something he was ok with distracting himself with ever since the incident resulting in the death of Varinious & Taidryn. Though the people of the commonwealth were welcoming and accepting, it didn't heal the hurt and hole that had seared into his soul from the betrayal of his mentor, and the death of his closest friend. It was all the more reason he had to see this through now. He had come so far yet lost so much and was too close to give up.

Not to mention, he wasn't truly sure what awaited him if he were to go back to his father. After everything he had experienced, he knew that there would be no escaping his fate if he were to return to the Solunarium. He was Ecithian now, so that was all that mattered. He missed Taidryn even now, but he had to focus on the expedition. He was guarding the outer reaches of the group as they patrolled, whispering the name of Dinok Jot into the air, the clicking chittering of the demonic centipede echoing as it came into reality alongside its summoner.

Just then he could hear the sounds of footsteps coming from behind him, and turned to see an orkhan woman. She was a bit taller than he was and greeted him with a smile, introducing herself as Norani. He remembered her name and face from when the expedition first started as she was leading the Wind Team of this expedition. "Oh hello. It's nice to meet you Lady Norani. You may call me Læbirius." He gave her a polite smile back, feeling Dinok Jot as it nuzzled against his leg, resulting in a head pat from Lae. She asked why he was on this incursion. For a moment he paused, but looked to the horizon ahead.

"I am in search of something that is supposed to be held within the vault of Kythera." he answered, his glowing ghostly green eyes looking up at the orkhan woman. "It is the last thing someone important to me wanted me to see through as they died in my arms." he added, the thoughts and memories of Taidryn whirling through his mind, the young mage fighting the tears as he wiped his eyes. ☠


"Common Speech"
"Vastian Speech"
"Vallenor Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"

As the newcomer spoke, she smiled softly. "Norani is just fine. We don't use titles like 'lady' and such in the Commonwealth." She pursed her lips to the side of her mouth as she remembered a bit of history she'd learned from Imogen and her time on Ailos, "Before the Commonwealth was created, many, many years ago, there used to be Kings and Queens in these lands. Some were gods, some were dragons, some were mortals. Maybe they used those titles."

She shrugged, "Anyways, well met, Laebirius. Apologies, sometimes my words get ahead of my manners."

She was fidgeting a bit, constantly listening to the many voices of the winds coming and going, her eyes bouncing back and forth as she saw them dance. "What is this thing you search for? More hands make light work, and I'm told it is a very large city." And in a softer, more somber voice, "And what is your friend's name?"

Norani felt the water in the corners of Laebirius' eyes join the world. It seemed that pain and suffering was what truly united all the people of the Commonwealth. Norani stepped forward, opening her arms, giving Laebirius a moment to accept or refuse that which she offered. If he consented, she embraced him, letting him rest his brow on her shoulder. She did not say anything during the embrace, knowing that the strength of their people was in their closeness, in the touch of a friend, of a family, of their shared unity.

And she let him end the embrace when he was good and readied. Unless, of course, he refused it in the first place, in which case she was simply standing there in solidarity in silence. "Are you on duty today? I shouldn't keep you, if that's the case." She could hear Yeva's voice in the back of her mind, 'You shouldn't be alone.'

"If you'll allow me, perhaps I could accompany you for the day, in work or in leisure?"

☠ Norani was a pleasant breath of fresh air given the tension of the camp and the patrols lately. Her words were welcomed with a smile and a nod in agreement to her request to join him. He was becoming used to how open the Ecithian people were, and he appreciated such straightforwardness. When she apologized for hers, he could only chuckle a bit as it was amusing. It almost reminded him of how shy he could be at times, and was a reminder to himself that boldness was not something to be fearful of here It was encouraged.

"I would like that actually." he invited, gesturing for the Orkhan woman to join him. He was silent for a moment but found the words to answer her inquiries from earlier. "I seek a book, a piece of a codex....well more so a collection. They belonged to a world mage that was born here in Ecith. His life's work was recorded into nine books and scattered to the world's farthest corners. One such book, The Book of Death, resides in the vault of Kythera." his eyes remained on the horizon as he walked, Dinok striding right next to him, though the spirit would peer around him to look at the newcomer, its mandibles chittering in contemplation.

The necromancer petted the demonic spirit and bade it to focus before he continued. "It is my life's mission to collect all nine of his codexes and achieve a goal of mine." he finished, looking to the woman, before returning his eyes back to his area of patrol. Some more silence passed before he disturbed it with an answer to her last question. "His name was Taidryn by the way, my friend who died......well more so murdered." his eyes narrowed as he still had to make Varinious answer for killing the one true friend he had. ☠


"Common Speech"
"Vastian Speech"
"Vallenor Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"

Norani listened, casting her eyes and ears out to join in on the patrol. The winds and waters were oft quick to give warning to the elementalist.

"Seeking knowledge is a noble pursuit here among our people. I'm sure the archives would be willing to give you a handsome reward if you would let them make a copy of the codices you find. Probably would provide you aid with researching it too, if they were asked."

She looked over at the spirit that was studying her, chills crawling up her spine. It reminded her of some of the spirits she saw during her initiation into Summoning, before she answered the call to Nature. Still, she shouldn't be so judgmental.

But it was creepy.

As Laebirius spoke about his friend, however, Norani's heart softened further. She pulled Laebirius in for another embrace. "I'm sorry that Taidryn has been lost."

She let Laebirius decide when the embrace would end. "Would you mind sharing some stories of you and your friend with me? He might be dead, but we can always ensure he will never be forgotten."

She smiled softly, "I lost a friend too. Her name is Juno. Not lost in the same way as Taidryn, for she hasn't died but she was taken by the Unknown." She placed a hand on his shoulder, "Just as you'll never forget your friend, I will find a way to bring her home, along with everyone else it has taken."