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[center][h1][color=crimson][u]Questions[/u][/color][/h1][/center]
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[color=crimson]Mentions/Interaction:[/color]Queen Astrid, Inga, Arne'altan'jaros, The Skygge [@Force and Fury]
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The Sun began reaching over the roofs and walls of Meldheim, as it began to warm the roads and homes as it seemed to almost create a thin mist. Yet within the training grounds of the King of King's estate, a thick mist seemed to almost envelop the area Kol and his opponent Arne'altan'jaros were dueling in. As the moments of crashing blade versus metal made enough force to blast small holes in the mist. Kol was methodical in his fighting, he shifted and moved to anticipate how Arne would move, yet the skills of the yasoi 'Mage-Hunter' make even any movement unpredictable. Kol's attacks seemed almost to supernaturally find themselves always moments too fast or slow as his attacks missed, yet his senses were quick and sharp enough where when attacks were to also be thrown at Kol he shifted, swayed, and moved out of the way of attacks. Inches of distance Kol originally gave himself turned to centimeters, as Kol constantly dodge the same way when he was getting attacked by the same attack, a teleporting slash to the back left side. Kol always dodged by swaying his body forward and twisting, showing his back to the Yasoi as he passed by. 

Kol decided to start taunting the man, doing moves that are quite showy and showing little care, as he shifted and moved just outside of the 'Mage-Hunters' reach. Kol used this to almost say that even if he was to show Arne his back, he'd be unable to even touch Kol. As that was the moment Arne did his same jump, pouncing forward and about to run into a hit before he leaped through space and time, as Kol dodged the same way he always did when Arne lept through time and did a backslash from the left, bending forwards and tilting his body away from the blade. Yet this time Arne had teleported and now was prepared, as Kol would show his back to the yasoi, as instead of a left-handed slash, it was a slash coming down onto Kol's back. Kol was not one to have gotten predictable, not this easily, as he planned from the beginning that this was going to be the finish, as from his position, Kol had few options, without the gift. Kol twisted his body and used force energy to fling him into the air as his body twisted around the arc of the blade before his body twisted in the air and grabbed onto the shoulders of the 'Mage-Hunter' and pulled him along in his swing as Kol and Arne would land on the ground with Kol shifting Arne into a grapple with both of Kol's arms underneath the yasoi's arms and behind his head to force the younger man to submit.

Once Kol and Arne rose from the floor, Kol patted the younger man on the back as he gave thanks for the spar that Arne had given to Kol as Kol gave a few tips and pointers to make Arne a better duelist, it was not something he needed to focus on with his actual skill sets, however, if he ever found himself in a dueling scenario, he should at least remember some of this. As once Kol gave the proper seal of approval for Arne'altan'jaros the 'Mage-Hunter' to be the ninth member of the Æresvaktr, Kol put back on his clothing and before giving a farewell to Queen Astrid, Arne, and his favorite Niece, Inga. As Kol traveled the city once more, he was crowded by countless men and women who are coming to him to either take them with him when he is to return to the war front or to take [i]them[/i]. Kol's later morning was almost identical to his early morning he had to walk through the city and he was constantly crowded and never given some time to himself. Yet this time he was looking forward to it, it took his mind off of where he was to go next.

Kol had walked maybe a half hour to a large property removed from the city proper. There he found a modest farmhouse of fieldstone and thatched roofing that reminded him of some of the homes he knew from his own homeland. Yet what pulled him away from his thoughts was meeting the farmer who lived on this land, The Skygge. She seemed both youthful and yet ancient, she seemed strange, as her scent was odd to Kol, like something familiar yet very different. Apparently, she was some immortal, one who feasted upon others, yet she seemed calm and cordial, as she seemed to have offered him a gift, a simple one, yet he was not one to turn down a gift, he was here for a reason.
 
Kol came closer as he gave a light nod as he said, [color=crimson]"Ah, thank you kindly"[/color]. As Kol took the Brandæble, he took a bite from the fruit, it was small in his hands, as it was quite easy to take a bite bigger than one expected, yet Kol was much prepared for the many feelings it was to give. Kol was often given brandæbles when he was younger to assist his learning of the Gift, while using the minor visions could have within them may help some, by this point he finds them to be more entertainment rather than to assist him in his training, as his depths with the gift is much greater where he can create visions much stronger than the ones the little brandæbles give.
 
Kol finished his bite as he looked to the Skygge as and said with a calm voice,[color=crimson] ”Would you like to speak here or would you prefer somewhere else?"[/color]

[color=FFFFE0]“We are here now,”[/color] replied the woman, the hint of an enigmatic smile lifting one corner of her lips. [color=FFFFE0]“Though I sense you would rather not be.”[/color] Her eyes bore into him for a moment, evaluative. [color=FFFFE0]“I sense you have done a great many things recently that you’d have rather not.”[/color] Brandæbles often took some time to work their magic, especially for one as large as Kol, and it had done nothing for him yet aside from filling his mouth and insides with a warm, sweet, spiciness. [color=FFFFE0]“So you may speak, and I may speak in turn if you allow me,”[/color] she concluded. 

Kol gave a light nod as heard the woman speak her mind of his question and seemed to pry further into him. It was not something Kol was new to, Kol normally wore his emotions on his sleeve, yet the way this woman did it, it felt almost as if she could see something else, it was lightly disturbing to Kol as he let out a sigh. Kol looked to the woman as he spoke, [color=crimson]”Very well. As you know I am here to evaluate, approve, and bring two new members into the Æresvaktr. As with my presence here, you should know you were one of the chosen. I will be quite honest, I dislike the idea, you joining the Æresvaktr fills me with much distaste. So if you will, give me a reason why I should approve of your joining”[/color]. Kol was calm and watchful at the same time, he was wary and at ease, as he watched and waited for what could be anything. A cordial talk or a possible death match, with this woman, Kol was not sure.

The Skygge smiled faintly, turning her back momentarily to bend down and pluck another ripe-looking apple. [color=FFFFE0]“You are more honest than most,”[/color] she admitted, seizing the fruit. [color=FFFFE0]“They always fear what I will do if I don’t like what they have to say.”[/color] She twisted and shook her head, coming up with the Brandæble. [color=FFFFE0]“The truth is that I would rather not go.”[/color] She shrugged easily. [color=FFFFE0]“I live peacefully here and feed upon the bandits and the vagabonds who would make these hills their home and menace travelers.”[/color] She took a handful of her skirts and began polishing the fruit. [color=FFFFE0]“But I must do what I don’t want to, just as you must, and we must lose this foolish war together that our king has called.”[/color]

A war that is a loss before the next battle has been set, how easily could this have been predicted Kol wondered. He was uneasy, yet he also could feel it himself, the first battle was one very different, it was one where many Eskandr lost their lives, and they barely took anything other than to the land t wage war there. Kol could only think of why they were there, the many who are to die in this losing war. Kol thought of his people and the much they sacrificed for this war.

Kol sighed as he brought himself back to the moment as he spoke, [color=crimson]”Maybe, maybe this is a war that was lost”[/color]. Kol sighed as he lightly rubbed his eyes before he continued, [color=crimson]”Yet I believe in this case, there are some things I can do. Firstly, keeping some dignity, you may keep your peaceful life here, it is not one I wish to disturb”[/color]. Kol waved his hand lightly as he then made it known to the woman across from him, [color=crimson]” I, Kol, King of Strumreef, 4th seat of the Æresvaktr will not approve of your induction. As that is my right as Underking”[/color]. Kol gave a light nod as he awaited her response, if good or bad.

[color=FFFFE0]“Good,”[/color] she replied. [color=FFFFE0]“Now, I am free to travel as a private individual, away from the notoriety such a position would bring.”[/color] Her eyes narrowed. [color=FFFFE0]“My people need me,”[/color] she said quietly but firmly. [color=FFFFE0]“But I serve best far from the spotlight. Surely, you would not try to stop me?”[/color]

Kol heard the woman as she spoke as one who wished to protect something of hers. Kol has a smirk come to his face, something familiar was found within the Shadow. Something Kol could not deny as something similar to himself. Kol began to turn as he waved with a chuckle, [color=crimson]”Do as you please, for at this point you are a private individual. I am not one to deny one’s wishes, especially when they will do it even without my consent”[/color]. 

[color=FFFFE0]“There is [i]one[/i] small thing,”[/color] she added. [color=FFFFE0]“I may be many things, but a boat, I am not, nor do I have one in my possession. Might I travel with you when you depart, incognito?”[/color]

Kol heard the woman as she asked for him to allow her to travel with him upon his departure, and all he did was chuckle as he said, [color=crimson]”I suppose you may, Please do keep your presence little felt among some of the crew. Many would find me mad even thinking of allowing you”[/color].

She bowed quite gracefully. [color=FFFFE0]“You are a wise king as they say, but be aware. There are wolves among your flock. I have sensed them at work”[/color]. The blustery wind had picked up again and both were forced to shield their eyes for a moment. When Kol looked up, she was gone without a trace. Leaving Kol to wonder as he made his way back to the city proper, what she means.[/color]