[h1][b][i][color=ff3333][center]Icarus Candor[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h1]

The land was dotted with trees unfamiliar to Icarus and pathways that he had once used now lay lost to the passage of time. Thankfully Solarius seem as unphased as ever by the changing of the world and provided capable as his guide through the overgrown terrain but the sheer difference in the landscape left Icarus wondering [color=ff3333][i]’If the very look of the land has changed so much since I was last here, how much will the rest of the world have changed?[/i][/color]. As he brushed through the shrubbery, the frost from the cold morning air drifted across his armor. Thankfully his union with Solarius prevented him from feeling the debilitation of the cold despite the harshness of the weather.

It was almost half a day of travelling later, with only a few diversions to forage on the land, that Icarus found a more welcoming sight. As he gazed across a well worn but still maintained pathway Solarius explained [color=ffccaa][b]’This is one of the major trade routes used to reach Bervenia, follow it to the right and you will reach it soon enough’[/b][/color]. Glancing down the road which seemed to stretch to the horizon without any capital in sight, indicating that it would still be a long trek, Icarus sighed before asking [color=ff3333][b]’And once I have arrived then what?[/b][/color]. Silence was Solarius’s reply, Icarus only hearing the sound of the gravel crunching beneath his footsteps. [color=ff3333][b]’Right - you’ll tell me when we get there won’t you[/b][/color] Icarus muttered more so to himself than to his other half.

The sun had began its afternoon descent while the knight began his lone walk towards Bervenia, the landscape rolling by without any major sites to break the monotony of the relatively flat landscapes and rolling plains. The solitary trek would not last, as hinted at by the heavy wear of the road and tracks the rumbling noise of a horse drawn caravan sounded its approach from behind. Icarus kept a note of its approach through the increasing sound until a gruff male voice spoke above the noise [b]”Ahoy there Stranger”[/b]. Turning to face the caravan Icarus spotted a rather bulky man driving, giving him a suspicious look. Nodding in return Icarus replied [color=ff3333][b]”Greetings, how fares your travel?”[/b][/color].

[b]”They have been as fine as the weather, no heavy rain or snow to slow our travels”[/b] The man replied with a smile before adding [b]”Must say you are a brave one to be travelling with no supplies and all alone - have you not been hearing the rumours of bandits along these roads?”[/b]. [color=ff3333][i]’Ah so that would explain the suspicion - I would make for an odd sight on these roads”[/i][/color] Icarus concluded. Explaining the exact nature of his situation would likely only draw more suspicion so instead he replied [color=ff3333][b]”Wouldn’t think bandits would go for someone in full armour, especially when they don’t seem like they would have much on them”[/b][/color]. The caravan leader seemed to consider the statement and glanced across the open plains on either side of the road before internally reaching his decision as he gave a chuckle [b]”That be a true statement lad, besides they probably figure anyone crazy enough to travel alone ain’t worth the trouble of robbing.”[/b]
By now the caravan had caught up to Icarus and he half expected it to begin pulling past but the driver slowed the horses pace to match Icarus’s own, clearly still seeking to talk for a bit. [b]”So where you be heading stranger, awful lot of country road to cover before you reach a proper destination like Bervenia”[/b]
[color=ff3333][b]”Bervenia is my destination actually, I have business in the city”[/b][/color]
The man gave him a curious glance [b]”Bervenia you say. Well call me old fashion but it don’t seem right to me to let a man walk when I’m heading for the same destination”[/b]
There was a moment of consideration for Icarus - he wasn’t certain how long the trip to Bervenia would be and it would be much quicker to rely on the caravan.
[color=ff3333][b]”As kind as the offer is, I’m afraid I will not be able to offer you any payment”[/b][/color]

The man gave another short laugh [b]”Don’t worry about that, just giving you a lift won’t hamper me much. And as you said, your appearance might scare off any potential bandits, which is payment enough in my books”[/b]. It seemed that this individual was a good samaritan and Icarus suspected it would be more difficult for him to refuse the offer than to accept it. Relenting, the driver brought the Caravan to a stop long enough for him to board before continuing on the Journey, and resuming his questioning. [b]”The names Samson, and if I’m going to have you on board though, will be needing a name as I can’t be calling you Stranger for this whole trip.”[/b]. Leaning back against the wood of the wagon Icarus sighed internally, it was beginning to seem that the other reason the man may have made the offer was to have company to talk to. 

[color=ff3333][b]”Icarus will do”[/b][/color] He replied simply, perhaps hoping that Samson would only be attempting to make pleasantries. Such hopes were dashed as Samson continued with his onslaught of questions. [b]”Pleasure to meet you then Icarus. If you don’t mind me asking, what sort of business brings you to Bervenia. Myself I am a trader and normally you only find other traders and merchants on this route. Can’t help but think that ain’t your line of work though, you seem more like the military type but as fancy as your emblem is I can’t say I recognize it[/b]”

[color=ff3333][i]”I wonder if this is how Solarius feels when I ask him so many questions…”[/i][/color] Icarus mulled internally at the sheer amount of words that were now directed at him. Processing everything that had been asked he eventually replied [color=ff3333][b]”A good observation - I am indeed no merchant. I am not surprised you don’t recognize the emblem though. It was from a relatively unknown town many years ago, I would be surprised if there are people who still recognize it”[/b][/color]. His answers however only seemed to provide Samson with more fuel for his questions [b]”A small town you say? Quite some fancy work on the armour, I take it you must have been quite a big deal for that town. And surely the folks from your town would recognize it?”[/b].

There was a slight pause as Icarus pondered the best way to answer, the silence dragging on long enough that Samson shot him a sideways glance. Shaking his head Icarus sighed before he replied [color=ff3333][b]”If any of the townsfolk saw me they would no doubt recognize me, but that would be the problem. It was during a very trying and desperate time that I managed to rise through the military ranks, and I guess in many ways I became a hero for them to rally behind. But even as a ‘hero’ I could not stop the realities of conflict, in the last battle even though we were victories so many lives were lost, I don’t know if the town would have ever fully recovered”[/b][/color]. To his credit, Samson did wince when he realized he had dug up a potentially painful memory for the knight and quickly apologized. [b]”Ah, my mistake Icarus - rude of me to be prying into such strong memories. But by the sounds of your tale you saved the town did you not? Surely when you returned you must have learned of its fate?”[/b]

[color=ff3333][i]”There really is no respite with this man is there!”[/i][/color] Icarus thought, somewhat stunned by the bold questioning. Icarus was having trouble deciding if Samson was truly interested in the story and was wanting to hear more despite the heavy emotions tied to it, or was perhaps just uncouth enough not to care. Knowing if he did not answer Samson would soon enough prod, Icarus continued [color=ff3333][b]”I did save the town but...well I never returned after that last battle. The rest of the townsfolk that had joined me on that final conflict had perished - and in many ways I found myself unable to return to the town.”[/b][/color] Icarus explained, knowing that if he explained the true nature of his death and rebirth he was unlikely to be believed he instead crafted the tale to be vague enough not to reveal those specific details while still conveying the intent of the story. [color=ff3333][b]”So instead of returning to town I ended up going my own way into a sort of retirement. Given how trying those battles had been it seemed fitting to just relax and cut off from the world. That was many many years ago, and perhaps in some ways I think the time to return to the town has long since passed[/b][/color].

Samson nodded in approval [b]”Now that there is a good tale, even if you were trying to undersell it.”[/b] He replied with a laughter as he contemplated for a moment [b]”Spice that story up a little bit and you could have a tale fitting for a legend, you definitely got a look to go with it”[/b] he added giving the knight a small grin. Perhaps Icarus had underestimated how interested the tale could be to others, for him it had just been how life was but now that he thought about it, it was true it could make for a good tale. Samson’s voice once again broke through his thoughts with yet another question [b]”But you said you were retired, I take it sometimes changed then to bring you back into the world?”[/b]. By this point Icarus simply resigned himself to the unending barrage of questions, it was really a small discomfort to contend with for a quicker travel time. [color=ff3333][b]”Something like that, In many ways I felt drawn out of retirement and pulled towards Bervenia. Could be I had just rested long enough or maybe I just feel it in my soul, that there is still something that I need to do”[/b][/color]

Samson gave Icarus a long stare before grinning [b]”Well you may not have heard of the stories in your retirement but there is rumours of strange creatures plaguing these lands - and word is Bervenia is the current place all the would-be heroes are heading to do something about it.[/b]”. Icarus interest perked up at that tibdit of knowledge, as he realized Samson could very easily be a good source of information for him on the current tidings of the world. Intrigued he asked [color=ff3333][b]”That does sound like a worthy cause - as a trader you no doubt have heard far more about these creatures and the plans to fight them? What more could you tell me about them?[/b][/color]. Samson grinned widely [b]”Ah well then it’s a good thing we have a long trip ahead of us my friend as Samson has plenty to tell you. Now the first I heard of it was a few months ago when they were still mostly rumours…”[/b] he started, and true to his word of there being plenty, continued well into the night.

--- 2 Days Later---

By the time they had arrived at Bervenia, Icarus had got some understanding of the current situation plaguing the lands - though it was hard to know which parts were rumours and which were fact. More important Samson had provided Icarus with directions and key locations of where he should head once he was in town. Apparently if he was going to want to keep his weapons on him and not raise trouble, it would be important for him to get them registered. Shortly after arriving, Icarus bid the traveller farewell and found even the noise and bustle of the town to be a reprieve for Samson’s unending questioning. Making his way towards the destinations that had been provided by the merchant he held off on asking Solarius any questions from now, finally having an appreciation for what his other half no doubt endured from him from time to time.