[IC] Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia nodded to the old lady in return, and accepts the food and water with a thank you. This was probably as close to a breakfast without fish as she was going to get, so she was going to eat here. Plus, this meal seemed luxurious in comparison to yesterday. She searched the tables and seats, making sure that she sat at the cleanest (or the least stained) seat and table.

[Lucius Cypher]

You choose a corner edge seat that, with a bit of cleaning, was clean enough. The food tasted rather decent though you note the lack of spices aside from salt in the stew. The beef chunks were largely fat with the bulk of the solids being potatoes and carrots. Still it was a thick stew and went well with your bread, which seemed to be some sort of pumpernickle. It was an otherwise quiet morning.

That large man came down stairs again to eat. Unlike you he didn't seem to care for the stains and simply got his food and ate in silence. The broth would occasionally stain his large bushy white beard but he otherwise didn't seem to notice or care. When he finished his meal, the old lady would come and refill his bowl. The third time this would happen, Dirk actually came out from one of the back rooms, yawning and rubbing his eyes. He looked different outside of his usual thief tatters; he was just wearing trousers that revealed his rather lithe body. When he saw you he covered himself up with his arms. "Sylvia! I-I-I whoa you're up early!"

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

As she ate slowly, she noted that breakfast was missing some spices. After mentally listing some spices she knew from home that could do well with this dish, she also thought over what she needed to do today. There was the kitchen set she should pick up from Iola's husband, and there was the refurbishing of tools, the making of potions...Were the both of them actually going to be able to head out of Cassari today?

There was also the matter of the dragon. She had no information on where it was right now, just that it was out and about and flying somewhere.

...Should she warn people as she traveled on? Or would that just cause unnecessary panic?

She snapped out of her thoughts when she noticed the large man appeared and ate his breakfast...which consisted of three bowls of stew. Dang! The guy ate a lot. She was curious as to who he was, but she wasn't going to intrude and start asking questions. Might as well leave the man be.

Then Dirk came out...in only his trousers. She pointedly tried to avoid looking at his body, so as to not make him any more uncomfortable. She greeted him, trying to keep herself composed, trying not to be either embarrassed nor burst out laughing, "Ah! Morning Dirk!"

...How red was her face right now? Probably pretty red, she guessed.

[Lucius Cypher]

“Goodmorningmakesureyoueayalotseeyoulater!” Dirk said in one breath as he dove back to the room he came from. This got a chuckle from the big burly man. “Young fool needs to be more willing to show off himself in front of women. What was he expecting anyways, walking out here dressed like that?” Soon more people would arrive, the traders from last night, after the old lady had cleaned the tables. Pylia herself came down somewhat groggy but she was more limber once she had a meal. Sitting in front of you she seemed to realize something embarrassing. “I... Forgot to fix those tools and make those potions last night. So much happened with those insects too. So... Thoughts?”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia couldn't help but let out a "Snrk!" and laugh a bit after Dirk sent himself back in the room he came from. Poor guy. She then looked towards the older man as he chuckled and made his comment. She commented "I don't think he expected anyone to be up so early,"

Soon enough the crowds came in and Pylia was up. She shrugged at the mention that they forgot the tools and potions. She couldn't blame Pylia, a lot did happen last night, so it wasn't a big deal to Sylvia. At the question regarding her thoughts, Sylvia nodded and answered "Yeah. I still have some questions I'd like to ask you. Not only that, but there are still some things I need to do today before we head out anyways,"

She then looked around the room to see if anyone was listening in on their conversation.

[Lucius Cypher]

Though it wasn't very loud, it seemed that people were mostly focusing on their own conversation. Even the big guy was talking to a green-haired woman about something in a strange foreign language. Pylia slowly ate her meal, as the soup was too hot for her to just scarf down. "Sure, of course. I can handle the potions and repairing the equipment back at your room, we can talk in private there too if you want. I don't think anything I'll be doing should take more than say... Two hours or so. We should be able to leave before noon."

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia couldn't help but notice that the big guy was talking to a woman with green hair.

Green hair...that's an unusual hair color...

She figured that Keratia didn't have hair dye here, and naturally green hair is usually seen in anime if Sylvia remembered correctly. But then again, this was a completely different world. Maybe green was a natural color here.

She turned her attention back to Pylia when she spoke. She nodded in response and she answered Pylia, "Sounds good. Let's talk in my room first, then I can go out and do my errands,"

After she answered, and she had finished her meal, she headed for her room so she could speak with Pylia and ask her questions.

[Lucius Cypher]

Finishing her meal Pylia would thank the old lady and follow you. Once inside the room she went ahead and started working on the weapons, laying them out on the blanket you found at Dirk's hiding spot. Pylia picked up the sickle first, then used that silver sword amulet she had to trace along the cracks. ^Repair.^ As she spoke, the tip of her silver sword sparked as it started to repair the damage done to the sickle's blade, even helped restore some color into the leather and wood handle. "So... What questions do you have?"

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

When they reached the room, Sylvia closed the room behind them. She watched as Pylia repaired the sickle before she asked about her questions. Blinking out of the stupor, Sylvia answered "Oh, right. I have three questions right now,"

She then started "Two of them are about last night. First of all, Pylia...That sword you had last night. Was that...the same sword as the one Duke Erod had in his story?"

This was a question out of curiosity, but she figured it would be best to get the least important question out of the way first, before going on to the other questions she had.

[Lucius Cypher]

As Pylia repaired the sickle she stopped to look at you, shaking her head. "Not specifically this one, no, but you could say that... A silver sword is symbolic for those who follow the Defiance and the fate of the Arisen. Whether or not Duke Erod truly defeated the Ebon Dragon is a question I've been investigating myself. And while I don't have solid proof that he did not, I have a mixed amount of evidence to say that he did not defeat the Ebon Dragon, but he did use a silver sword to fight it. Whether or not it's a silver sword related to the Defiance, I'm not entirely certain of."

Pylia picked up the hand axe and started to use her magic to repair it as well. "This might come as a surprise to you but magic silver swords are not unique to the Defiance. Even the title of Arisen is often granted after the fact largely due to the underhanded nature of how he operates. The gods work in mysterious ways after all. And I'm sure you may be wondering why Duke Erod was given the title of Arisen before he defeated the dragon, which I wonder too. That was part of my studies before... My house burned down."

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia was indeed surprised to hear that silver swords weren't unique to the Defiance alone. She nodded in agreement to Pylia's words, and she answered "I had wondered that as well, after reading his story. It said that he had sealed the dragon away, not slay it, and that he threw the silver sword in the pit as well. Which is kinda odd, I would think if you sealed a dragon away, you'd want to keep the sword just in case,"

To Sylvia, it seemed more pertinent to go and talk to Duke Erod. See if they can't get answers from him, or any help from him.

She then continued, "OK. Onto my next question..."

"Last night, you said you were able to recognize that I wasn't from Keratia right from the start. How? And are you the only one who could, or would other worshippers or magic users be able to tell that I'm not from this world either?"

She figured it would be a good idea to ask. She had a gut feeling that she would want to keep the fact that she's not from Keratia a secret from now on. After all, if someone on Earth claimed they were from another world, they would be pegged as...well, crazy.

[Lucius Cypher]

Pylia shifted uncomfortably as she finished repairs to the handaxe and moved onto the light hammer. "Well... That was a bit of an exaggeration, but I had a lot of hints. When you started talking about the country you came from, that just sealed the deal." Pylia focused on the hammer but continued to speak.

"Firstly as you might've remembered I did ask my god to send me a messenger to help me. And for you to suddenly show up as my home was burning down? Literal sign of god. So that tipped me off that you were unusual. Your overall appearance also told me you weren't native to this place." Sylvia might've not noticed it immediately, but many people around Cassari lacked her more unique features. They looked a mix between hispanic and european, making her ethnically an oddity. "You have the look of someone from the Majadan, which is very far from this place. Practically on the other side of the world. So for you to suddenly appear, a foreigner, lost and confused about where you are or how you got here. It wasn't hard for me to figure out."

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Now that she got her answer, Sylvia felt like she asked a dumb question. She rubbed the back of her head as she realized how everyone in Cassari looked in comparison to her. Plus, she did tell Pylia explicitly...

She muttered almost embarrassed, with her head on the back of her head, "Oh, right...Sorry. Dumb question,"

She then continued, "OK. Last question. It's about the dragon and what to do from here on out,"

With her arms crossed, she continued, "Knowing what we know now, I don't think it would be right if we just continued on without at least warning the people we meet. As you said, everyone is woefully unprepared for an attack, and we don't know where that dragon is heading. I'm thinking of warning Chief Arduo about the dragon so he and the rest of Cassari can prepare something. An evacuation plan, some sort of hiding place, anything so they can be ready and no one has to lose their lives. But I do realize that this can cause unnecessary panic. What do you think, Pylia?"

[Lucius Cypher]

“Honestly? I wouldn’t be surprised if most people already know. The Church of the Maker often keep tabs of all and anything dragon related.” Pylia sighed as she finished the hammer and went to the last tool, the hunting knife. It was better maintained than the others however, all it really needed was a polish and a sharpening. “But the real problem is that a dragon... If a dragon comes, there’s hardly anywhere nearby safe for the people of Cassari. Unless everyone was already leaving, they couldn’t escape to the nearby military camp either. The only way that Cassari could be protected is if there’s a sizable garrison to protect it, and I doubt a hundred guardsmen would be enough to even inconvenience a true dragon.”

Finishing the knife Pylia looked over to you with a sad expression. “I never agree with this personally, but for the people of Cassari, ignorance is bliss. Maybe if you speak to the chief he might be able to think of something, perhaps they could build a shelter if a dragon attacks, but right now the best thing for the town is for them not to worry about a threat they can do nothing about.”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia asked confusedly after Pylia stated about people already knowing about the dragon, "Really? I got the impression that they didn't, from that acolyte yesterday. When I told him about the dream, he said that a dragon hadn't been seen in sixty years,"

When Pylia gave her final answer, Sylvia felt sick to her stomach. Deep down, she had a feeling that that was the answer. Had she hoped to hear otherwise from Pylia? Sylvia couldn't hide the slight frustration, disappointment, and sadness she felt. She couldn't do anything. Some Arisen she is...

She then sighed and told herself that she could at least warn Arduo. Hopefully he can think of something for Cassari.

She nodded to Pylia, and answered her, "Thank you for answering my questions, Pylia. I'll tend to my errands before we leave. And I'll be talking to Arduo about that dragon as well. Besides, I need to let him know that we're leaving today as well," She then gave a smile to Pylia and she added "Can't have Dirk stay on Community Service for too long after all,"

She then decided to head out of her room and head to Iola's shop first.

[Lucius Cypher]

“Well, the church here might not know. But the temple on Gransys likely has already received word and may have warned even the Duke about it. It would certainly explain some rumors over heard about the bolstering of soldiers in some of the military outposts.” With all the questions done Pylia packed the tools away and handed them to you. “Alright. I’ll work on those potions while I’m here then, see if you can’t get a pretty price for these tools. If you need anything just come find me.”

Leaving the inn towards Iola, it was still early enough that some people haven’t gone to work, but Iola’s shop was open. Not any customers yet, you’d be the first one as you entered the shop. Iola and her husband weren’t there, just the young man who is presumably their son. When he sees you he waves. “Ah, yer the lady me mum and pa spoke to yesterday ain’t cha? Here to pick up yer stuff or sumthin?”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia soon reached Iola's shop, and she was greeted by their son. She smiled and waved back to him, greeting in return, "Hi! Yes, I'm Sylvia. Nice to meet you," When he asked why she was here, she nodded and answered "Yes, I am here to pick something up. I'd also like to discuss something with them," She then tilted her head slightly and she asked "Are either of them here right now?"

[Lucius Cypher]

“Mum is making breakfast right now, pa is still sleepin.” There was a loud, metallic screech from the back room. Though the boy doesn’t seem particularly bothered not surprised. “Sounds like mum is waking up pa. They oughta be done eatin soon. Uh, anything I can helps ya with?”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia couldn't help but jump a little, startled by the loud metallic screeching and then she covered her ears until the screeching subsided. Once it was over, she looked at the boy surprised and she asked "That's how she wakes him up?! Geez!" When the son asked if there was anything else he could help her with, she shook her head and answered "Other than that, I think that's it. I'll browse the store while I wait for them,"

[Lucius Cypher]

"It's me mum's special talent! Real useful when we had that swarm of bloodhawks eatin our fishes. They didn't know wot was coming!" Fortunately would wouldn't have to wait for too long before Iola's husband came down, looking somewhat groggy and surly. However when he saw you he perked up a bit. "Ah, Cassari's hero. You're up bright an early ain't cha? Aye, suppose I know what you're looking for, just let me go grab it right quick." He left to the backroom for a short while as a frackus occurred between husband and wife, but eventually he'd return with the cook's utensils. Despite living in what you would expect to be a medieval fantasy world, the equipment he gave you appeared on par to some of those fancy cooking shows. It even had a glass lid. He looked particularly proud.

"I'll admit, the cutting board and knife I already made. But the pot and pan I forged just last night using an experimental technique I've been working on, not to mention a practice at glassblowing. Ah and here, a little something that's been gathering dust in our house." He hands you a cook book as well, somewhat faded and damaged but still legible. "One of my wife's old cook books when we were still young. She might seem like a harpy, but she knew how to cook for kings! Said to give that to you, on account of the fact she knows all the recipes in the book in her head now." All together somewhat hefty, though you're sure it would feel less troublesome once it was in your backpack.