The Work Starts

[Baudric]

86th of Ash, Year 124 Age of Steel, The Work Starts

Dawn had yet to break. Soft light from the moons filtered into his room as he woke. Flecks of gold glint in his eyes searching his surroundings. His bearings slowly returning to him. He did not remember even going to bed. With a quick stretch, the giant man stood up from the chair he fell asleep in. Thankfully it did not seem an soreness set in.

The estate sat in complete silence. No creak or groan of wood. No snap of a creature's passing through thicket. It made him wish for company. Deep and heavy was the sigh released, the chill of autumn filling his lungs. He would need to head to the entrance soon as the meeting time approached. Uncertain as to whether or not Kaus would want him to be in full gear or not, he would err on the side of caution. Donning his armour before heading out of the room as the light of dawn began to lighten the sky outside the windows. Quietly moving through the halls trying to be courteous to not wake the house.

Even with the house closed off as it was at night the fragrant scents of the garden drifted inside. Fragmented memories came flooding back into his mind. Times of sorrow in a tavern with Rickter. The scent of evergreen on the nose. Pushing the memory aside from guilt of a failed mission. He knew nothing of the Wolfen man's whereabouts. But he recalled him being one of the souls of light in the greyspace that saved him.

The sound of footsteps brought him back out of his thoughts. Glancing up as a simple and kind smile lifted at the corner of his lips to see his hosts arriving. Standing straight like a loyal soldier to great he superiors. His arm moved to salute but the only salute he knew was one he had no love for any longer.

"If I may, how should I Salute? Or would a bow suffice? If you are to be my employers now, I need a proper way to greet you."
So engrained in him was proper etiquette placed into him from years of service in the Legion. He gave a bow anyway, so as to at least give some respect. Holding it until given permission to return to a resting hold.

"Mein Licht, vertreibe die Dunkelheit, befreie meine Seele. Fliegen Sie in der Luft des Zufalls."

[Kala Leukos]

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The twins had been up before dawn, as well. It was easier to maintain the glamours masking Kala's wings in only the fading starlight. They had landed in the gardens, her sembling sense telling her that she was safe from view. By the time they walked up to where Baudric could see them, she was swathed in her cloak that magically concealed her wings. She too was flushed from effort and exhilaration, though he might just assume her cheeks were rosy from the cool autumnal air. It wasn't that she didn't trust Baudric with her secret; it was that secrets had always been complicated given how many her House had, and even more complicated now that she was the only woman with Avialae wings outside of Atoria on the Aetheric Sea, and a nascent goddess to boot.

Kaus had put some armor on, but even as a blademaster and nimble flyer, he would always be more agile than strong. His armor was lighter, meant to deflect rather than to absorb. Baudric was clearly a tank.

"Good morning," they said as one. It was a twin thing.

They were both the children of a hatakomon, so a bow or a salute was something they took in stride. For Kala, even worship was starting to feel right, which made her question her egalitarian philosophy. Was she better than a mortal? More valuable? What even were the criteria for such judgments? Power?

"Employer? Oh, hm. I suppose so. I will have Ceran bring you a contract to freelance with the Silver Wings." Kala smiled. "In which case, you would salute Ceran as your superior officer and employer. We are merely your friends and hosts."

"But..." Kaus interjected. They shared a wordless exchange.

"Well, if you feel the need to bow or salute, Kaus can instruct you in the Kalzasern style. I am expected at the palace to meet with a trade envoy from Haqs." She touched Kaus' hand, then walked up to Baudric, making him bend down so she could kiss his brow, a sort of benediction even if her divinity was unknown to him still. "Play nice, boys. The goal is to improve, not have injuries for me to tend to when I return."

Kaus didn't need to watch her go; their souls were compasses that pointed at each other at all times. So, when Baudric returned his gaze to the slighter Avialae, he was grinning and bouncing a bit on the balls of his feet. He didn't look cocky, nor did he look cowed by Baudric's size.

"So... how do you warm up for training?"

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[Baudric]

The Work Starts

86th of Ash, 124 A.o.S.

Surprised to see them approach not from further in the house but from the gardens; Baudric could see they had been up longer than he had. A thing he was not used to around others. Especially with how early he tends to wake. Always enjoying the early morn while the world was at peace. He felt untouchable, like no one could ever harm him in this time of day. As though somehow a spell protected him.

"Good morning to you both."
Of course it wasn't true, and that he simply enjoyed the peace and quiet. But having the Leukos twins break the silence was perfectly acceptable to him. Their grace and matching pristine etherealness, also conveyed strength is regal manner. It was not hard to look on them with reverence. So thankful to them that they would take him in and help him reach his goals.

A simple nod of understanding as they explained where he would stand in terms of work with the Silver Wings until he was suitably ready to join Talon's Order of Knights. Glancing between them as they shared their wordless exchange. It was still a very foreign concept to him that this.. Bond, that Avialae could have between them. To speak and know each other so privately. So intimately He felt his face flush knowing the two were engaged in conversation. His vestigial wings lightly rubbing his hips as they hugged close to him. As Kala spoke up about the salute, he could only assume it was something to do with formalities.

Curiously, he lowered his giant form for Kala, a gentle kiss placed on his brow. His heart began to pound in his chest for a moment until he remembered he was safe. There was no offense nor danger in this. Watching as she walked off for her work in the Palace. His thought's flashed another one of those souls of light. Karam. The night he and Kala spent in interrogation after the wedding fiasco. Karam coming in and enlisting Baudric's help. He wondered if he would ever see Karam again. The political landscape of Kalzasi having shifted and changed since that day.

The energy in Kaus was more than just alive. His grin spoke of an animal with a new toy to play with. Making Baudric wonder if maybe he made the right choice to as the man to help train him. It was a sound choice, of course.

"Typically in the Legion I would have my trainees start with flight formations followed by a hike. Afterwards combat forms and stance drills. Finished off with Sparring. How would you have me warm up and train?"
Kaus was still a bit of a masked memory. But seeing his bounce and excitement also felt familiar. Baudric always associated strength and speed with the slighter man. But when did he become so personable? Was Baudric always this blind to his personality? "I imagine you had something similar in mind. Unless you train with unconventional means. Whatever is your method, I would follow it. Think of me as clay to be shaped. I need to be stronger. Ready. I place my trust in you completely."

- - -

"Mein Licht, vertreibe die Dunkelheit, befreie meine Seele. Fliegen Sie in der Luft des Zufalls."

[Kala Leukos]

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Kaus nodded thoughtfully at the explanation of the Kathar morning regimen. Already warm, he was considering how best to warm Baudric up without depleting himself so he was no good for training. At the expression of complete trust, his smile curved into something briefly wicked, remembering how Raithen liked to 'stretch' before sparring.

"We can adapt what you know to Kalzasi and, soon, the Silver Wings." Even if Baudric was only a temporary, trusted freelancer until he made his vows to Arcas Reborn, he could learn from them and they could learn from him. Kala wasn't actively seeking worshipers, though she was coming to understand that a wellspring of faith would be her sword and shield eventually. Kaus considered subverting Baudric to the worship and service of his sister, but shook that off. Free will was important to her.

"Perhaps when Ceran and Indric catch up with us, we can think about formations, but with just the two of us, I suppose I will just have to take your measure." He didn't mean to be cocky, but Baudric had admitted he wanted to be trained, and Kaus hadn't met a more agile flyer than himself yet. Perhaps Raithen, but he would cheat with Traversion. If he read Baudric aright, he would be a strong flyer, and hopefully would have trained his stamina. Avialae flight was strange; the wings themselves weren't big enough, nor their musculature correct for it to be physically possible for them to fly and yet they did. The wings themselves were magic, as those who had them removed found out the hard way.

The thought was, of course, repugnant to him, but some crimes were severe enough that he supposed the severity ought to be reciprocated with severe punishment. Still, though...

He smiled, shaking that thought off.

"Catch me if you can," he said, and shot straight into the air.

Raithen wasn't the only one who could cheat. Kaus was a powerful aeromancer, but he only used it for the impressive liftoff. Of course, Kala complained that Air itself loved him, and he never seemed to have trouble finding a thermal or other current when he needed one. The object, though, was not to shame Baudric but to urge him on with a healthy sort of competition that was more supportive than what he knew before.

Kaus would lead him on a merry chase toward the Astralar Mountains. He was sure they could find a trail to hike, and on the ground, Kaus would likely be the one trying to keep up with Baudric.

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[Baudric]

Take his measure...
Such a simple expression that echoed his entire life. Even at a young age he knew that phrase would come to embody his entire life. Baudric released a silent vow to never give up the fight of valor, to protect those who could not save themselves.

The chilled air carried the scent of distant hearth fires throughout the city. His wings held close to his body allowed for added warmth from any level of chill. But that would be foiled as Kaus announced his challenge to catch him? Catch him? With an unnatural burst of energy, which he could only assume was some spellcraft at work, Kaus left him standing in the entry. Baudric was not so fortunate to be able to do the same. Not his his size, nor his wingspan of twenty feet. Quickly he moved out the door and lowered himself into a power stance crouch. Wings extending wide, gave a couple warm up flaps. Kicking off with his powerful legs only to follow up with massive and powerful wing beats. Aside from the injury that sent him to Kalzasi to begin with, Baudric's wings had always reliably carried not only his weight but that of others as well.

His wings brought him into the air. Propelled with each powerful flap bringing him into impressive speeds so long as it was a straight shot. His size would always be a hurdle for him when it came to crowded aerial maneuvers. For a chase however, he would push himself. For all purposes his wing structures made the sight very difficult to comprehend. Instead of being held up by his shoulders, his wings carried him from his lumbar. For him it suited him well. It mean the center of his gravity lay more in the center of himself where as any one else would have to deal with their limited center of gravity. Baudric could change his.

"Möge der Wind dich segnen! Aber so leicht wirst du mich nicht verlieren!"
Baudric would not give up. His strength would carry him always in eyesight.

[Kala Leukos]

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Kaus seemed made for the air, even for an Avialae.

He didn't have his sister's deft touch with people, though. Whether it was her Sembling or her nature, she had an emotional intelligence that surpassed his own. This wasn't to say that he was without empathy or compassion, but rather, he was aware that their prodigal Kathar would be minefield of past traumas—he would be careful and he would learn from his mistakes. Certainly, he would talk to Kala about his experiences with Baudric in order to gain her perspective.

Kaus turned, delighted to find Baudric gaining on him. He liked a challenge. The slighter Avialae led him on a merry chase; rather than test their top speeds, Kaus would change course or do some aerial acrobatics when Baudric drew near, which might have been frustrating but then, this was training. Each course correction still led them into the forested mountains, and eventually, Kaus dove through the canopy toward where he knew there was a decent hiking trail.

Immediately upon landing, he ducked under cover, eyes on the breaks in the canopy to await his pursuer.

That Baudric had made it this far was good on him, and he would let him catch him here so they could hike, making sure their legs remained strong even if they could fly.

Cheeks flushed and eyes bright from exertion and from having a new playmate, Kaus whistled when he caught sight of Baudric. He wanted the other man to spot him, but also see that he was in a defensible position so no pouncing.

"We'll hike from here to a bare spot farther up the mountain," he called. "We can spar there, then fly home. Good?"

His head cocked to the side. Perhaps he ought to have commanded. He was nobly born and as his House held the Silver Wings' contract in perpetuity, he was sort of Baudric's employer for the time being. Certainly, a Kathar might be more comfortable with a boot on his neck, but they did want to encourage him to maintain his own sovereignty, his own agency.

And from what he gathered, Baudric didn't love his handlers, his superiors within the Imperium. Kanedama could be a dick, but the Silver Wings were much like a found family, especially given Ceran and Indric were orphans, Asallon had wandered alone for a long time, and Kanedama wasn't sure if his 'brothers' had made it to this plane intact.

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[Baudric]

Baudric would never be as nimble as and quick and Kaus on the wind. But that would not stop him from trying to do what he could. Perhaps in time the acrobatics might still come in handy for him to have under his belt. Barrel rolling after the smaller man and falling into aerial corrections in his core balance. All of it allowed for Baudric to suddenly change direction due to his wings placements. In this, his vestigial wings actually had purpose. Acting as a counter balance on wind currents pushing against his attempts to change course would help stabilize him. However it was still not something he was used to and while he managed he was too sluggish to keep up for long.

As slow as he looked though, he had a strong and deliberate grace. Upon watching his movements and the lack of sound coming from his wings.. Someone could almost swear he was kin to Owls.

On Kaus' most recent aerial maneuver though Baudric Had lost sight of him. Swooping into a large swathing arc to keep his eye open to movement under the canopy. Baudric would not be able to fly through those trees with his twenty foot wingspan. A single shrill note pierced the air, snapping his gaze in its direction where his gaze fell on the sight of Kaus.

Leaning to the side he held his wings to slow him then tucked them tight to let him freefall like a celestial rock hurtling towards the ground. His heart beat fast, not just from the physical activity. No there was a thrill for the flight. Was he experiencing something with flight he had not known before in the Legion? Freedom?

In a quick shot his wings expanded once more to catch him like a parachute. The four wings working in tandem, tilting in different directions in minor movements to allow him an easy landing in silence. Only his breathing, while labored, came in long and slow controlled breaths. Years of military control for long distance stamina flights showing its use.

"Klar. Understood." He shook out his wings before tucking them back to their normal resting place around him. Eyeing Kaus carefully he pondered. "How did you learn to do all of that? I have never seen anyone fly like you do. Trying to mimic you was.. Difficult, but also, exhilarating."

While there was still a military air about him that probably would never leave his mannerisms. It was starting to become clear he was starting to become more relaxed in his two years of freedom. There was a peace about him that settled with ease out here in the middle of no where. It seems that an innate love and peace for nature had been found.

Slowly he began to walk past Kaus in the direction his body language spoke suggested. Stepping over a fallen tree with a heavy booted foot fall on loam like forest floor like it was a sponge. Making a mental note for their sparing that footing would likely be something to take note of.
"So This spot we are going to, how do you know of it?"

[Kala Leukos]

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"Klar," he agreed with a lopsided grin. He supposed he could play commanding officer still; he was just much less formal with the Silver Wings most of the time.

As for the question, he mantled his wings. They were shorter and broader in proportion to his body than Baudric's, barred, though already pale in early Ash. Up close, some of the barring was blue, some gray, some varying shades of brown.

"When I was small and my father was teaching me to fly, he called me his sparhawk," he said, only a tinge of sadness in his smile. "Kala and I were born small, so I was never going to be like my elder brother... big... strong..." He shrugged. "But before long, my brother couldn't catch me. I've worked to become stronger, of course, but I've focused more on agility."

Kaus furled his wings and planted a hand on a fallen tree to hop over it, keeping pace with Baudric which required many more strides of his shorter legs.

"Kala and I came to Kalzasi for our Warren March," he reminded his companion, having explained that rite of passage already. "We also came to serve our House. Kala's my elder by a little bit. She's in charge of Cintamani Pavilion and she's overseeing the family's business in the city. I'm more of a one-trick pony. I had thought to serve in the military, but my sister has grown too important and so... I'm her bodyguard. Not that she can't fight for herself, of course. Anyway, I took some classes at the Academy. I train. I tag along with her a lot... But I still had a lot of free time and energy so I've explored. I've shown a lot of places to Ceran and Indric, too. They are more city boys, but I grew up in the mountains. I'm used to being outdoors. So, here we are, outdoors."

He danced up a few small boulders and then returned to the previous pace. No need to rush, but this was meant to be physical training as much as anything else.

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[Baudric]

It was another stark difference between Kathar and Synnekar, family. Baudric wasn't particularly envious of it. Sure maybe he might have been if he knew things differently. To him the way he was brought up was just the way of things. Now that he was an adult though listening to Kaus talk about his and Kala's childhood, it brought to mind how much his start actually wasn't a good one. That it was grooming and strong mind conditioning against free will that just made him accept it for so long.

"Sir, if I may speak freely. In her position, despite being able to defend herself, she would not be able to focus her mind on the task of politics. At least not at a full one hundred percent unless she could leave the task of being alert to danger to someone else. In that regards she still very much needs you." He paused his thought for a moment with a queer quizzical look on his face. "I admit, leadership suits her. She has a strange command about her, for as long as I have known her, I find I cannot go against her on various things. Back when she nursed my wounds, I would fluster at the other medical staff wanting them to leave me be. She comes along and tells me to sit still.. I do. She eased me enough to allow her to tend to my wings. Even recently, she motions for me to bend down so she can kiss my forehead without a word, and I do. Its more than her kindness. There is a strength in her I have seen since day one. Its a steady beacon of light that just says 'Trust me' and that is hard to say no to." He paused again realizing he had been rambling.

"Pardon. I mean to say for someone like her in her position and command, It takes and person of equal strength and command for her to put her faith in completely. I do not not think calling yourself a 'one-trick pony' is crediting yourself right. I respect a man of your command. As I am sure so too do others."

Baudric thought further of Kaus' words on being outdoors. He by all accounts was a city boy as he put it. It wasn't until these past two years that he discovered his own appreciation for the outdoors and being away from other people. In that maybe there could be a place to understand this man that Kala held in the highest regards. To fill in the missing holes of his memories.

"As you are likely aware, I never got the chance to know the outdoors. The Legion barraks and the city were what I knew growing up. It wasn't until my Knighthood that I even got to be out in the wilderness, that I even learned what it was like out here. Moreover, when Talon freed me once more from my shackles I began to come to understand being in solitude in nature was.. Beautiful."

Slowing his steps to give Kaus a more even pace to their strides to match.

[Kala Leukos]

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Kaus spoke only truth, but his sister always sought a deeper truth. It was entirely possible he hadn't gone into service to the Shokaze because of his stature; standing next to his sister, he towered, but standing next to even an average Avialae, and he was small. He had pushed himself to become a master of the winds, a swordmaster, and a doughty mage, but he did wonder whether it was all meant to make up for what he lacked, even though his lack of height was due to having his twin, something, someone, he could not bear to lose.

"Speak," he urged, and the Kathar did so.

"She is, I think, the strongest of us—and no offense to our elder brother—while also being the smallest. She has always been a force of nature." As for the sincere compliment, a thousand excuses, deflections, and the like came to mind, but he bit them back and just said, "Thank you, Baudric."

The slighter of the pair smiled in agreement.

"Well, once we get you up into the mountains, you'll surely be even more impressed. Starfall lacks the fecundity of the greener south, but she makes up for it in panoramic vistas. I think it's especially appropriate for those of us with wings and no fear of the cold." He grinned at that.

It was a shame Baudric hadn't come sooner. He might have joined them on the Plane of Wood, but while Kala had her nominal reasons for traveling to Soluniarum, she had shared more with them than the Shokaze and the Dowager Queen would like. But their authority was temporal, and Solunarium housed two Moritasi—her cousins as she called them, Aværys and Varvara.

But her divinity was something she kept from Talon and Rickter. Perhaps she was paranoid, perhaps not. But surely Baudric would know eventually, though perhaps not if he intended to go into Talon's service. That would postpone things lest he inadvertently share what she didn't want shared.

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