[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/7f28c785-bb7c-4826-8dbd-4f45a4e28f0c.png[/img]
[color=Peru][b]The Great Artisan, Divine Mason, Builder of Civilisations
Level 4 God of Crafting (Masonry, Carpentry)[/b]
30 Might & 2 Free Points[/color]

[i][color=olive]The Bard[/color][/i]
Level 3 Demigod of Art (Music)
10 Might [at least 670] Worshippers[/center]

Teknall watched as Toun left, then briefly returned to apologise to Astarte before departing again. Teknall gave Niciel a nod when she arrived, but his mind was elsewhere at the time. She was a bit late to stop any fighting, anyway. Teknall was still around when Astarte left with Vestec to go do whatever mischief they normally did to pass the time. Teknall stared at the Cube a while longer, yet made no progress in determining what it said. He could tell that time ticked far slower outside Chronos than it did inside, so he was not pressed for time, but a divine script written on a divine object in a divine code would stay encoded regardless of how long he studied it.

A musician was sitting a short distance away, strumming his lute idly. He had been there since Teknall arrived, and he had the aura of a demigod about him. Perhaps he knew something. Teknall walked up to the Bard and greeted him.

[color=Peru]"Hello there. Who would you be?"[/color]

The Bard strummed a few more notes on his lute, but his face remained impassive at Teknall's approach.
[i][color=olive]"Time is what I see, read and sing
The will of Fate I seek to bring
My duty to Chronos was as its guard
As for my name, you may call me the Bard."[/color][/i]

Teknall nodded his head in recognition. This was indeed the person Teknall was looking for. [color=Peru]"I'm Teknall. I was wondering if you could help me read what was on the Cube."[/color]

The Bard's head turned only enough for Teknall to see the Bard's stern glare.
[i][color=olive]"The knowledge of the Timeline you now seek,
Knowledge you earlier sought to critique.
I know what you spoke to the one you called Brother,
When he sought your help against the Flesh from the Other.
To know the truth Vowzra did implore,
Yet his warnings you chose to ignore.
His words of warning and advice,
You want now only after his demise?
I shall not humour your pleas of greed,
To you the Cube I shall not read."[/color][/i]

Teknall's face fell at the Bard's words. [color=Peru]"Ah... But-"[/color] Teknall stopped under the Bard's cold stare. He would need to try harder if he wanted the Bard's help. He thought for a few moments, turning words about in his head, before replying to the Bard's verse in kind.
[color=Peru]"Perhaps if you lend me your ear,
You will see that my intent is sincere.
I'm mourning Vowzra's death too
As I seek the assistance of you.
My criticisms may have been mean,
But how could this have been foreseen?
Since I lack his power of clairvoyance,
At the time his words seemed an annoyance.
When he came as the Timeline's advocate,
There was no proof for his claims so great;
So what else could we say,
But to ask him to go on his way?
We are all shrouded by a feeling of gloom,
For more than Vowzra inhabits this tomb.
The God of Death is also dead,
Torn by Vestec from toe to head,
And Vulamera who we held so dear
Died mysteriously while Vowzra was near.
There are those who think he is to blame,
Yet only you can clear his name.
That is why you should do this task;
To read the Cube is all I ask."[/color]

The Bard's lute continued playing through Teknall's response, adding melody to it. The Bard was impressed that Teknall had done him the honour of responding in verse, and he sat for a few moments considering the Craftsman's words. Eventually, he gave his own response.
[color=olive][i]"Flatter me though you do,
Your eyes still do not see true,
For your thoughts and words show
That your Brother you don't really know.
If you think he would do that crime,
You misconceive the God of Time.
Vowzra only does what he must,
So his actions are always just.
If the fate of Vulamera you want to know,
to her firstborn child you may go,
But as of this Cube of sides six,
It's for higher purposes than your politics."[/i][/color]

Teknall thought for a moment. [i]Vulamera's firstborn child... that would be Lifprasil.[/i] He could get his answers to that question from him. Teknall considered it unlikely that the Bard would read the events pertaining to Reathos' death if he wouldn't do it for Vulamera, so he was stuck with taking Vestec at his word for that. This left only one question unanswered.
[color=Peru]"Can anyone else ever truly understand
The ways of Vowzra and his plans so grand?
For days I may try to prove my merit,
But our minds are so disparate.
In just one more thing I ask your cooperation:
What was the fate of the Codex of Creation?"[/color]

[color=Olive][i]"That tale too you can find
When you visit the child of Mind."[/i][/color]

Teknall nodded. It wasn't quite as he had planned it, but he now knew where he could find the information. Assuming Lifprasil would be more willing to talk than the Bard, that is. [color=Peru]"Thank you for your time, Bard."[/color]

The Bard nodded in reply. [color=olive][i]"If you ever wish to speak again, Teknall, I'll be here."[/i][/color]

Teknall waved farewell and left, departing out the Gate Unguarded.

[hider=Summary]
Teknall hangs around Chronos for a little longer. People filter away as he studies the Cube (I had written this post yesterday, so Niciel kinda ninja'd me and I can't be bothered writing a full response to her).
He eventually seeks the assistance of the Bard, who is nearby.
After brief introductions, Teknall asks if the Bard could read the Cube for him.
The Bard reprimands Teknall in verse, for rejecting Vowzra's advice before, and refuses to read him the Cube.
Teknall tries to sway the Bard's opinion, responding in verse too. It doesn't completely work. The Bard tells Teknall that if he just wants to know what happened to Vulamera and the Codex, he can ask Lifprasil.
Satisfied, Teknall leaves.

Teknall shall be dealing with the Realta in my next post.
[/hider]