[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/9ry9Z7H.png[/img] & [img]https://i.imgur.com/YW5kpkR.png[/img][/center] [hr] There were few times that Kiim and Jaav agreed upon something, and now was not one of them. Guul had to admit that their continued ability to find something to argue with each other about was quite a skill, impressive in its own way even if quite tiring. The golden barge that they all rode upon was not big enough to escape it, especially considering they were all joined to the same body. Still Guul had found some pleasure in fully exploring the craft, even though it was her own effort that created it she was only going by Thaa’s designs. As it turned out he had quite the eye for detail, even if in rather odd places. Of course there were the generalities as they approached the island that some of the mortals had taken to naming ‘Pakohu’, an odd name in Guul’s opinion but she supposed they would find ‘Guul’ to be an odd name. But yes, the generalities of the craft, it was perhaps a little larger than most mortal’s river barges, even if it was still well in their capacity and ability, they seemed to have little need for such larger craft. Ornate as it was, discounting how the entire structure shimmered in golden coloration and texture, it was in of itself well designed to show mimicry not so much of how the mortals actually did build on Galbar but something that they could understand, an expansion upon what was already shown perhaps. Guul did not know how creative Thaa was really, but so far she could come to appreciate the delicate detailing of the sides of the craft. Where they could have been simply smooth instead there were inlays hard to see unless one looked closely. She seemed to find that the more she looked there seemed to be more details to find. Guul found herself increasingly looking beyond the craft, to Pakohu and the waters below, it wouldn’t be too long before they would need to be presenting everything to the Night Elves. Thaa had been rather quiet of late, a blessing if there ever was one with how Guul had ended up taking the long way to their collective destination, but he had mentioned that they were skittish with death in his experience. Although, Thaa seemed abrasive at the best of times to Guul at least, easier to go along then try to resist for her experience at least. The sun’s light seemed almost completely gone at this point, though they were not quite there yet, it would seem that they would arrive in good time to speak with Night Elves in any case. Their boat rolled slowly into the mouth of the river [i]Tal[/i], and divine eyes could even in the darkness see the fields and checker-pattern of irrigation channels. There was a frightening lack of Night Elves, however - at least until harder eyes affixed on various shapes all around. The shapes held javelins, and had taken positions in the darkness where the light was at its dimmest. From one corner of the shadows came a whisper, “Who are you and why have you come?” In whispers came a reply, [color=Aqua]“We are the divine servant,[/color] [color=YellowGreen]Kiim[/color][color=Teal]’Jaav[/color][color=Aqua]’Guul. We have brought a gift for King Safron, we assume you are our honor guard as none would commit such folly as seeking to threaten a divine servant.”[/color] There came no response, and in the darkness, milk-white glares paid close attention to the divine servants. Eventually, one shape exited the shadows, clad from top to toe in fur clothes and with a herbal wreath on his head. He clicked his tongue in greeting and knelt. “I am Safron, son of Turmerick I, king of Fragrance lands. Our people are all pious and godfearing servants of the gods, so we pray from the bottom of our hearts that we will be spared their ire. Now… What honour have we been granted?” Kiim and Jaav watched the Night Elves that remained in the shadows, all three moved their body closer to the edge of the barge closest to Safron. Guul spoke in a whisper that carried only to his ears. [color=Aqua]“An honor for you Safron, son of Tumerick. My Master hopes it will help your people and guide them on the right path forward, but that it left up to how you use this gift. Rise and board this vessel if you are willing.”[/color] Silently, a path of stones from the river bed rose up, forming a connection through the air up to the barge and back to near where Safron knelt. The king swallowed nervously. Behind him, his wife, daughter and son approached and the king turned to see them. “It’ll be alright. I will be back before you know it.” “Father, why--?” “We do not refuse the will of the gods,” replied the king sternly. Queen Clove nodded somberly. “Come back to me.” The king leaned in and kissed her forehead. “I will.” He did the same to his daughter and placed his hand on Turmerick’s head. With that, he turned to the barge and stepped aboard. The river stones drifted to the shore, forming a small pile. And the barge lifted, coming up above the river, above the trees and a far range above all the land below. Guul whispered to the King. [color=Aqua]“I apologize for the necessity, but some of the instructions are very clear in how you are to receive this gift from my Master. This will not take long.”[/color] The king took a deep breath. “... I understand. I will follow the wishes of the gods as they have planned for me.” He closed his eyes and stood ready. Kiim broke in, a whisper but a harsher tone, [color=YellowGreen]“Open your eyes dear Safron, you will need them for the fullness of the gift.”[/color] Jaav whispered, [color=Teal]“Look out at the landscape, you have an opportunity to see the lands that you rule from a perspective most mortals won’t. There must first be some explanation of the full qualities of what will be given to you, and this is for your ears alone. Once you have accepted it and returned, speak as you wish of this whole encounter, it matters not who you tell, but we must only tell you.”[/color] The king frowned, and moved over to the edge to observe the world below - he didn’t see much on account of the darkness, but the shapes known to him stood out. “... We irrigate smaller fields than I thought,” he remarked and went to the other side. “... There’s Scenta, Xiang, Lukt…” He drew a breath. “The world seems small from up here - as though conquest and domination were merely days away… How do the birds handle seeing everything this way?” [color=YellowGreen]“Not our concern, but it is our hope that you take these sights to heart.”[/color] [color=Aqua]“The gift has power innately, but it pales in comparison to the power one could achieve through properly applying it’s abilities.”[/color] [color=Teal]“It is time that you know of it.”[/color] A Sword floated towards Safron from out behind the three headed form of Kiim’Jaav’Guul, it stood in the air, hilt to the ground and pointed to the sky. It was almost entirely golden in color, shade varying between the blade and the handguard. The handle was dark in coloration, almost a complete black although hints of blue appeared under close inspection. Some small amount of decoration was evident along the hilt, although nothing that might impede function. [color=Teal]“A sword, beyond that of mortal means. It is as sharp as any mortal blade, more durable than any weapon of mortal make as well. It will not lose that sharpness.”[/color] [color=Aqua]“Most Importantly however are the abilities that this sword possesses. You need to know three. Firstly as Owner and User you could choose to upon your death embed your soul in the sword, you would then be able to speak with the next Owner of the blade.”[/color] [color=YellowGreen]“Secondly, when the bright Moon of Gibbou is absent from the night skies you can wield the blade and speak questions to the souls of the dead at rest in Aquibeophates, the Afterlife. It does not translate for you, so be aware of your limitations.”[/color] [color=Teal]“Thirdly, this blade is far more dangerous to your enemies than a mere cutting instrument. To mortals, if you so wish it, the sword will rend their soul from their body upon the slightest hit from the blade.”[/color] [color=Aqua]“Our Master has instructed us that you have the opportunity to refuse the Sword, but it will not be offered to you again. This is an opportunity for your people, for you, for your family, to take your fates into your own hands and to understand your world and fate better. Consider carefully Safron, son of Tumerick I, King of Fragrance.”[/color] The king looked upon the sword and the three heads of the messenger. Was there truly anything here not to want? A sword like this could give him and his dynasty a reputation that could cull the morale of their foes. Sharper than any [i]pi-xxois[/i] javelin, perhaps even the obsidian type, and durable for all eternity. He could stay as his son’s mentor even after death, and his son could be his son’s mentor, and this could continue for eternity, ensuring stability in his kingdom. The offer was good… Almost too good. He offered the servants another kneel and whispered, “The gift is beyond what we deserve… It would be foolish not to accept. However, before I do, I must ask - does your master demand anything in return for his weapon?” Kiim was quick to whisper a reply, [color=YellowGreen]“It is indeed beyond what you deserve, but it is not our choice or decision.”[/color] And Guul followed up, more helpfully, [color=Aqua]“There is one thing you, and all your descendants must do if you wish to keep the favor of our Master for this gift; use it. No worship is demanded nor how it is used, as long as you are bold and serve yourself and your people to your best ability.”[/color] Jaav had one last thing to whisper, [color=Teal]“Will you accept?”[/color] Use it? A simple demand. The king clicked. “Yes.” [color=Aqua]“Then rise and take your sword King Safron of Fragrance, we will return you now.”[/color] When the king grabbed the hilt of the sword nothing immediately happened, a bit of a let down given the whole build up for this, well his new sword. Suddenly upon that very hint of a thought of ownership, he felt a wave of… ...something pass through him. The king hissed at the sensation. “What is this?” he whispered and wiggled his body somewhat. Kiim and Jaav seemed disinterested in the king after he had accepted it, the barge began to move back towards the spot on the river. Guul replied with some measure of amusement, [color=Aqua]“You are now its owner. I trust you will learn to use it well, you may be unused to swords as I do not believe your people use them much yet. It is pointed like a spear but also the edges of the blade are sharp like that of an axe, practice and you may very well become a true adept. It is your fate to make now, learn to use it well and it will serve you well, that goes for all its aspects.”[/color] “I…” The king pursed his lips. “Of course. It is what we agreed, after all.” The boat touched back down on the river, and the king disembarked back ashore. He reunited with his family and turned to the barge and its three-headed passenger. “The people of Fragrance thanks you and your master for this gift. We will be certain to use it within the moon.” The golden barge already began to depart, taking to the air and away. A last call came out, Kiim was the last to turn away, [color=YellowGreen]“We will be watching.”[/color] The king turned to his people, his sword in hand. It glistened a pale bronze in the moon which had begun to peek out between the clouds. He raised it into the sky and spoke, “Tomorrow, we will travel to Monsax and relieve it of its tyrannical vampire lord! This new weapon will see us through it! Fragrance shall grow stronger!” His words were met with low, celebratory claps. [hider=Summary]We open on Kiim’Jaav’Guul finally arriving near Fragrance, whereupon they descend to the river in the Golden barge to arrive upon the Night Elves there. Heading into the river they are met by a party of Night Elves which after some questions of who is who, leads to the Divine Servants Kiim’Jaav’Guul meeting King Safron, who they then invite to receive a gift and come aboard the barge briefly. Safron comes leaving behind his family and people. He gets shown around from above the lands which inspire ideas of conquest, the serpentine three then explain the sword, and its abilities and what is expected of him to accept the gift. Basically just use it and we won’t be havin’ any issues. They then bring him back and depart. Safron then announces to his people that they will go ‘liberate’ Monsax from its vampire lord with the new weapon.[/hider] [hider=MP Summary]None Spent[/hider]