Dezuel

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Patience. His vast patience was running thin. Almost as thin as his waistline. That corset was indeed doing wonders for his figure.

But where in the world was the somewhat useful blonde servant girl? Surely Aelios wouldn't have left him unaided, unless… she had planned for this. The goddess had wanted him to step out and come to the realization that he would not need to yell for them. They would come to him as Aelios had clearly decided. He felt flustered. How had he missed that part? He shook his head softly turning around and pushed against the door.

It wasn't moving. 'What peasantry is this?!' His noble eyes narrowed. Another test hurled his way? The nobleman raised his head and gaze to the top of the door. That had to be it.

The nobleman reached for the handle and pulled. The door opened.

'Ah!' He mentally proclaimed his victory. You were supposed to pull. Of course. It all made sense now. He was pulling the door handle, and Aelios was pulling him in turn. He felt a sense of accomplishment for his puzzle solving skills, surely those dimwitted dirty mountain apes would have taken years to figure out how to open the door. They were after all dumber than dogs. That's why he had always prefered cats. Every noble worth his vault in gold would have at least one cat to bring to the contests. Of course he still had his horse, which had won several medals, even if the medals really belonged to the nobleman himself. It was after all because of the strict diet, training and etiquette that his horse had performed as well as it did.

Then again, much like himself, his horse came from a refined line. Albeit a hoove bearing one. The nobleman walked back into the private bath area, looking at the peacock warning parchment in his hand.

'What a dumb warning. Could it be to keep the idiotic thickheaded louts away from here? Perhaps they have some unreasonable fear for majectic avians.' He tossed the parchment to the side casually and then he stepped on something.

A feather clad thing? Was it a dead bird? He reached out with his bare foot and gave it a poke, looking down at it. That was no bird. It was a hat. It did remind him of his own, just in a far worse condition. Probably some jealous second rate noble was trying to impersonate him. He chuckled to himself. They would need all the luck in the world with that. There was alot to impersonate, and none could do it as flawlessly nor with the same grace as the original. He gave the feathery hat a kick to the side, sending it off to the other end of the bath area. Then he lifted his gaze, setting sight on what looked like a the massacre of a bird.. and then.

The nobleman took a moment to allow his noble braincells to connect in their own pace.

It was his attire. No. It were his attire. What remained of it. Some abominationable snowman was holding unto it!

"Ahh? …ahh....Aaaaahhhhh! What do you think you are doing?! YOU WALKING HAIRBRUSH! YOU LEFTOVER BEEF JERKY SHOWING UP UNINVITED!" He screamed at the top of his lungs as the realization stuck him, he had been attacked in his absence. Someone had forgotten their pet mammoth at the bath. That damn beast tamer. It had to be. He took another breath before unleashing his second barrage.

"Shoo! Go back to your cave! You constipated walrus! I've seen more charismatic rocks! Clearly evolution got bored with you and decided to skip work the day you were made! Your face is a crime scene!" Ayel spit wildly as he seethed, pointing an accusing finger at Ivor, forgetting that he was standing there in all his undressed glory. "If only ugliness were a weapon then perhaps you could have been useful! What have you to say for yourself APE?!" The nobleman grinded his teeth against each other, his face was growing red enough to steam the water from his face.

@Beard Dad

Realms of Sun & Shadow

It was a lovely morning, day, evening or night. Claret had no idea which, he had been taught that the sun went up... and then came down. He was certain there were something about directions too. But thinking about it would waste valuable time better used to obtain the three reasons to live. Booty... and he could have sworn there were two more reasons.

The hatless man made his way to exit the doorway when an orange haired woman passed him by. It was one of the women that had earlier given him that predatory look.

She wanted him. The scoundrel gave a cheeky grin to the thought, why had the goddessses made him so damn irresistable?

'Tha wanted posters are roight. Me be feckin' craved. Shite.' He thought but his mind went to other things as he felt a familiar feeling, as if he was standing on his ship again. He was swinging left and right, but he kept his balance. No wait. He wasn't the thing moving, neither were he. It was the orange haired woman's-

Stern. That's what you called it on a ship.

He felt nostalgic, not only did it remind him of being on the swaying ship and facing the salty rain and wind, it was also motivating him about keeping eyes on what truly mattered.

'Booty ahoi!' He mentally chanted and before he knew he was starting to follow her. No wait. He had to meet royalty and make a good first impression. The man stopped in his tracks and licked his hands, then dragged both hands along his hair back.

'Lesse... if me were a spoiled royal lad or lass, where would me be findin' meself?' He pondered and looked around, spotting a tower in the distance.

He recalled the book he had read about the princess being locked away in the tower. He had not really read it back then, he had just looked at the drawings. But it had sparked his interest in pursuing gentle-piratey scholarly ways. So he could both write and read all the romance involved living such a risky pirate life.

What were he doing again? Ah yes. It was the tower. Of course the royals would be staying there. Where else would a princess be? He had already climbed up one once, and ran from a ton of guards. A sense of nostalgia washed over him, those were the days of his youth. Two years ago.

Before he knew it, the enticing swaying before him had vanished. A sense of loss washed over him, it was a step worse that a wave of saltwater.

The alchemy tower came into view.

'Feck. It be shaped just like me- oh well look a' tha' a perfectly placed windo'. Nothin' screams competence like makin' a dramatic entreh.' He dashed from hiding place to hiding place, getting closer to the building. He could already see the scene in his mind. Standing in the window and lighting struck. Lightning? It was snowing. Somehow he would have to inprovise the dramatic entrance. Like wrapping a cloak around himself and then reveal himself, causing the princess to instantly fall in love with him. Then the prince and he would strike up a friendship as blood brothers, and then duel to win the princess heart. The stuff of legends. Yes. His body was ready. But was the alchemy tower?

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Halcyon sat down on the floor, crossing his legs and placing his both hands on top of his lap. His eyes closed momentarily, then opened to stare right back at Flynn.

"Why keep me in here? When all it does is waste your resources and give the wolf chasing after the princess one less option of whom to give chase after…" He raised his left hand, holding up one of his fingers.

"Why send me to the Aurelian king, when all it does is putting everyone here at risk and that very king himself. In chess, all pieces on the board may checkmate the king if the right conditions are met. A king cannot afford rumors to spread. Lest new claimants to his wretched throne may spring up like crocuses, and he will have no choice but to silence anyone whom may or may not have heard anything about it. Rest assured, little brother. I do not crave that bloodstained throne of his." He added and held up two fingers now, smirking slightly as he pondered on the absurd idea of claiming the Aurelian throne. He couldn't afford to even entertain such folly thoughts.

"Kill me? Of course you could try that. However... I did not come to Dawnhaven unprepared. Another be within these walls ready to take my mantle should my end come sooner rather than later. Revenge is a thing we have inherited. It's in our blood. Red Star. We may of course try repel this nature of ours or fall to distractions, no doubt your own blood boils as you think of the one who attacked the princess. We are not so different are we? You are an equally bold one to leave her in the hands of those guards. What she needs is not guards watching over her. What she needs is a teacher. Of will and skill. Might and magic." He held up a third finger. "I may provide her with such, if she'd be willing." He said softer then proceeded.

"So you claim that it was by your hand that Dawnhaven was formed? Hahah... that would mean you have done a far graver offense than I towards Aurelia. While indeed it can be a potential bait for Lunaris, it can cut in both directions. Perhaps it ought to be you sitting behind these bars?" He smiled in a genuinely amused manner.

"We are here because each one of us have hope for the future. Some call it fate, that it is preordained, that all things are attached and given a role to play from the moment they are born to the day they die. That the divine or otherwise decide it all. I argue against that with my entire being, It is the choices we make, life is a choice and each action we do has a reaction. This is known as destiny. Where we forge our future from our choices. Even a man as myself have a part to play, the role that I have chosen for the great play we find ourselves in." Halcyon moved his gaze away from Flynn, to stare at the wall behind Flynn, as if there were someone standing there next to him.

"One may presume many a thing. I don't presume to know you, but I do catch quite the bit by how you speak.. how you move... how you react... it does paint a picture. While you on the other hand presume that millions will die because of the blight. Leela and Kira, two blightborn within Dawnhaven. Are they dead or alive? The blight has made discerning which is which quite harder no? Here's my take at it. As long as your will is your own and you are able to act according to it. Then you are alive. So are you willing to sacrifice all of the blightborn within and outside of Dawnhaven to restore the world to how it were? Have all those whom came here for shelter and gave you their aid be rewarded with destruction? You gaze back at the past, but the past cannot ever be changed!" Halcyon rose up from his sitting position, picking up some stale cracker and throwing it against the nearby wall.

"If you compare the miseries upon the world with that of a dream of the past, then you will never ever wake up, but only wish to indulge yourself in that dream forever. It isn't that different from a bard's tune or the sweet poison served at the inns!" He raised his voice, pointing an accusing finger at Flynn, then he lowered his arm and assumed a more relaxed stance.

"There are no guarantees in life, not all of us are going to make it all the way. Yet have faith in mankind. We are still here. Surviving as before. If you care for the afflicted ones, if you indeed want to remove the source of the blight from this world and save everyone, the princess and yourself, then there's only one pathway for you to go and that pathway leads you right into a clash with Aelios herself. Replace her as a god." Halcyon lowered his voice and then walked up to the bars.

"Your child? One ought to not leave a child an orphan indeed. Some would be amazed at the length a parent would go to protect their offspring from harm. At the cost of their own health." Halcyon said in an eerily soft tone of voice, blowing some air through his mouth and throwing a glance to the wall behind Flynn.


"...the stone glimmered in the sun, in the fields of alraune, the lynx beheld it from afar, so that the golden door of the future would be kept ajar... A precious gem of the feline foe. An oath sworn in blood upon it's back, to ward it from all attack." The blonde began to hymn then turned around to face away from Flynn.

"You've ought to go and protect your other half aswell, little brother. Make haste. I did not have that luxury nor time. I am the ally of the blightborn and Dawnhaven, but I am the mortal enemy of Aelios and Auric. Nothing can change that. Not even the precious stone itself with all the curative powers it holds." The blonde narrowed his eyes to slits and turned around, his mouth forming into a smile, his blonde hair swaying from side to side.

@The Muse

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Era of Anarchy

I would like to show my interest for this one.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

The ever grateful and humble noble breathed out a sigh. Not of relief, but one of bother. The very important person section of the hotspring did not have any walls or a roof, so when he would speak to himself, he was not meant with the pleasant echo of his own voice.

A travesty, possibly even a crime. He would have to forward his grave concerns and legitimate criticism to the temple priestesses. Perhaps his lady, the ever- well the usually shimmering goddess of the sun wanted him to educate them. Like an experienced master would to his flock of witless students.

The darkhaired nobleman rose to his feet, basking in his own state of being. It was almost illegal to be as fortunate and blessed as he were. If only his mother could see him now. Not in the spring, but the wonders he would bring to Dawnhaven.

Ayel stepped out of the spring, and felt confident the water had now been graced even further by his flawless shape. The very thought made him chuckle as he looked for a towel. A towel. He did not bring a towel! Not even a piece of cloth to dry his regal goddess-given body.

A sheer moment of controllee panic filled him. He tried his best to breathe. He couldn't dress in his clothes, they would get wet and then freeze. Neither could he wait for himself to dry as it was too cold. The nobleman got back into the water, sank down with just his nose and eyes above the surface. He was cooking up a plan. Despite feeling like a piece of pork in a stew on the stove.

He couldn't even dry himself off with his coat, because then he would have to wait for it to dry by the big brazier in the main hall, not only that, people would see him and start gossiping like commoners usually would.

Gossip about him not being able to afford a towel and forced to use his coat would spread like wildfire. He would be the laughing stock in the refined noble circles. He could not let that happen.

He had to find a towel. He glanced down to the commoner section of the spring and frowned. No. Absolutely not. He would not dirty his pristine body with a towel for commoners.

He raised his left hand to his mouth, holding back the need to throw up.

No. He had to go and find a towel, the inside of the temple was still warm enough for him to traverse, despite lacking an attire. He scurried out of the water towards the door, opening it slightly and peeking outside.

How hard could it be to find a towel. What was it that the blonde servant woman had babbled about?

'Keep your thoughts to yourself... disturb priestesses for added duties...' He mentally phrased to himself. That did sound right. Due to his own voice in his head having taken rightious priority before when he was being escorted to the spring, he wasn't a hundred percent certain.

It made him for a moment feel a tinge of doubt in himself, but he soon after shook his head violently. She was just a vommon servant, those were definitely not worth his time.

The nobleman spotted the piece of paper placed on the door. Truly his perception were without equal.

He stretched out his statue-esque perfectly biologically made arm to snatch it. Then he read what was written on it. First he furrowed his eyebrows, this handwriting was worthy of his critique, but he had gotten used to Faldrin's writing. He was also a filthy commoner without proper writing precision and refinement.

'Peacock warning?! At the spring? Why would anyone be worried, I literally hunted most of them down in the forests near the capitol. My coat did require a large amount of feathers after all. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make. Besides my coat turned out perfectly.' He nodded and thought for a moment. This piece of paper could be used as an ample cover for him in his search for a towel.

He couldn't afford that noble-hungry blonde servant woman to spot him in all his glory. He was stunning after all, and commoner girls were known to fawn over charming rich noblemen like himself and possibly could hold themselves back.

The Marquess felt a cold shiver up his spine, was it the cold weather or the very idea of some unclean commoner coming into contact with his noble being. He wasn't certain. This lack of certainty made him worry. And worry led to rash ideas. And rash ideas led to mistakes. And mistakes led to- he didn't have time. He was getting that towel. He stepped out clad in the paper as his only shield.

"Servant! I demand a towel of exquisite material!" He called out. He felt at ease. With this he would show he did not forget a towel, no he demanded the servants to serve him. Perfect. The door clicked behind him.

"Hm?"

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Anora's steps slowed, her thoughts swirling in her head, and only snapped out of them when she thought she had seen a few figures in the disrance. But she had been out of earshot and they moved away swiftly. Was that Flynn? If it were then she had to change her direction and move back the way she came or down another path.

She decided to track her own footprints back and then passed by the jail. A group of individuals were located just outside of it. Guards by the look of it and well dressed woman with dark hair and dark skin.

Anora assumed a more ladylike walk as she got closer, her opened umbrella resting against her shoulder, her fur clad coat flickering in the wind, the snow flakes falling all around her. The nearby light of the torches reflecting off her pale smooth skin.

The young noblewoman offered the gathering a curt gesture by tipping her head and offering a slight nod.

Her fierce blue eyes wandered over the gathering, one woman towering over them all, but it wasn't her which Anora's gaze lingered on. It were the potent blue eyes of the dark skinned woman.

Were she there to visit- That man. The one that were locked up. The one who was trying to not only rattle his cage, but anyone outside of it too. Anora could't help but feel heavy at the thought of the man. She decided to shake the meeting from her mind and instead greeted the gathering as she passed. She wasn't sure if they were Lunarian or Aurelian, so she had to improvise a greeting.

"Warm winds to you all~" She said softly, giving them a faint smile as she proceeded past, hoping she could find Flynn. Somehow she knew he wasn't far off.

After having gotten away from the gathering outside the jail she laid eyes on two other individuals.

A tall darkhaired man with tanned skin, his appearance alone put Anora on the defensive. But his companion, a short woman was like his complete opposite, fair hair and meek looking. Were she in trouble?

Anora's eyebrows furrowed for. A moment, then allowed herself to don a more relaxed expression.

She called out to the duo as she came closer to them.

"Fair darklight eve to you~ Might I be so blunt as to ask you if you know where I may find his royal highness, Flynn Astaros?~" She gave to duo a soft smile and tilted her head to the side, her eyes momentarily closing.

She did want to find Flynn, but this was an ample opportunity to see if the woman was in any trouble with the charlatan scruffy looking man.

Anora's eyes soon opened again, her pale blue eyes searching Tia and Elio for answers.

"Pardon me. My name is Anora Raunefeldt." She said, knowing fully well that they probably knew of her brother. After all, who had not heard of her brother? He was after all quite the special individual.

She reached up with her free hand to move her dark hair from her face, including the blonde bangs of hair on the left side of her head.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Gadez raised his right hand to his face and laughed softly. The Aurelian prince was providing him with such ample opportunities to offer retorts. The warrior-monk's opinion of the younger man had begun to take shape. But there were still no certainty if somewhere down the line, they would come to blows. King Auric had to die, and his kingdom brought to ruin. Not only for the sake of all those who would yet be born into the world, but for all those whose dreams and futures he had destroyed. A king would ultimately be held responsible, as any leader would. Like no doubt Flynn and Amaya would also be.

"You question my motives, my loyalty and my way with words? Yet have you ever questioned the motives of the Aurelian tyrant and the clergy of the sun goddess? Have you ever pondered on the possibility that you've been duped and spoonfed lies since birth. That the wretched excuse of a king has, and is still using you as an expendable puppet to serve a purpose he devised a long time ago..." Gadez said in a manner of fact tone, his hand trailing down his jawline. Then again. He too had been given a purpose, but it had not been by the same person.

That specter serene who had made his aspirations waver, if but for a brief time. A priestess cursed to live a cheated life. Her time robbed from her. Life was truly not fair, only death is fair. It comes for all, regardless which shape it takes. How long had he'd been dead? A man without a past to return to and no future to exist in. A specter. Just like her. For a moment his gaze wandered away from Flynn to look at the wall, he imagined her standing there. Looking at him with those grey yet gentle eyes, clad in her pure white long robe and dark long hair.

'I'll keep the promise I made to you... and the promise I made to myself.' He thought as his eyes settled back on Flynn.

"What of your own loyalty? Where does it ultimately lie? With Princess Maize? With the Aurelian king? Aurelia? Yourself? Or does it lie with Dawnhaven. I have already told you were my loyalty lies, because this is the only place in the world, where you can see both sides of the same coin. We live now upon the edge. I intend for the coin to remain in this state until it begins to change its form. Til the other two sides no longer exist. When all becomes one." He motioned with his left hand in a manner as if he was playing with an orb in the air.

"A man which sprout words of a common tongue tends to fall upon deaf ears, like the familiar sound of a bird chirping in the distance. You hear it. But you do not linger upon it, for you've heard it so many times, you know the tune it sings in the background. Yet a song sung in a concealed manner will catch your intrigue, for people crave to know that which seems to elude them. Immortality. Love beyond what is considered appropriate or expected. Alchemical secrets for a cure for all ills. Proof of the existance of the divine. The knowledge and power to revive the dead. The strength to ward off ones child against all harm. It all comes back to how a song is phrased and sung. You being here in this very moment, bringing it up shows that indeed it has nestled itself into your mind." The blonde man smiled softly, walking over and softly jabbing the stone wall with his hand.

"You ask for proof which may never truly be given in a physical sense. Yet you lunged at the seeming chance to save this world, believing in a prophecy well-wrapped by the clergy, believing in the Aurelian king's words. Where is your proof? Well, dear little brother. You find the proof in your own core, what you believe in... that is why despite your hesitation, your verbal denial and your clear disdain for my existance... nontheless have come asking for clarity. You merely asking me is showing me enough. That you do believe it to be true. No matter how much you would want it to be otherwise." Gadez placed his left hand by his waist, a smirk on his lips. There were many things he could tell the younger man, but there were a time and place for everything. No one like a book that spoils the ending in the first chapter. But in the book of Dawnhaven, who will ultimately be the villain that must be stopped? The blonde's thoughts fell on the precious stone. It didn't matter, as long as he would draw breath he would make sure to change this world. No matter what role he would end up having.

"In a way of looking at it, I am what you could have been. Much you are what I could have been. I left the stream, making my own, abandoning the path ordained to me by royal and divine decree, you however sailed along with it. And now we find ourselves at the lake where all rivers meet and we realize that it doesn't matter if one has or has not sprung from the same tree. What matters is what we choose to do with it. Our actions form who we truly become." He began to softly laugh, giving a slight twirl and spreading his arms in a way that only a circus performer could.

"As I told you before. The cure for the blight is acceptance, like one has to accept that death is a natural thing for all things that exist. However this fact does not sit well with the divine, or those which view themselves as such. Have you ever wondered what caused the skies to turn dark? What created the blight? It is both likely made by us mortals and the divine. A betrayal was made, a follower wanted to be in charge. A goddess fell. Her soul went one way, seeking a new temporary vessel. Her physical form was partly absorbed by this betrayer, a mortal claiming a part of what was not meant for it as their own in pursuit of lasting forever. Someone whose grown weary of the world and desire to change it in their image." He chuckled and walked as close as he could, to the bars separating him and Flynn.

"Aurelia and Lunaris. As long as we can remember, as old as a scroll may last, has always been regarded as opposites. Much like the two goddesses. They were most surely one whole at one point, held together by what I like to call a glue. Nothing is ever created as a half. This glue was at one point discarded and left in our world, and cause the whole to become two. This glue however must have felt Aelios fall, and acted upon it. Seizing what remained of her lingering divine power... to create... the blight. So in a way of looking at it, she is now most likely split between three beings. Her soul bearer. The betrayer. And The glue.

You know where it all began don't you? Under the earth of Aurelia. In an old forgotten temple beneath the capitol. Surely you must have felt it, like a heart beating in the dark, beckoning you towards it. Beyond a door that was never meant for mortal hands to open. Yet it did. But if belief is not enough for you, then by all means pursue a physical proof. If simply looking at the sky itself isn't enough." The blonde offered a bowing motion, his ghostly eyes settling on Flynn's eyes again.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

The former pirate captain had blinked as the bard shoved the coins into his handful hands.

'Well tha's nay common.' He thought as he heard Sya speaking to him from a little bit away, her words however fell on his ears in a way the reckless rogue found difficult to make out. Her name was Sya. That much he gathered, but what in the world were she saying to him.

'Seluna's booty wha' in tha world is she sayin'?' He blinked quickly. Couldn't people speak more like himself and be fully understood. It became clear to the experienced traveller that Sya, the serpentine owner of the landlocked ship that was the inn was a native landlubber, who spoke some variation of landlubberish.

But the former captain didn't get the chance to ask her about it, as the bard rose to his feet, so quickly that the pirate realized that the man was surely almost sober. A dangerous state of mind. A push. Or was it a shove. Claret didn't think of which it were, but he found himself against the nearby wall with the bard holding a hand against his chest.

The ex-pirate and swindler of others property was a man of great balance, but he was not a very heavy man. His constant running from the law haf kept his body in shape up until he died. And then somehow undied. He wasn't really sure, but he felt the hunger again. He needed blood.

Aldrick had pressed him against the wall, it made the former pirate feel a sense of worry. The last time he had been pressed up against the wall by a non-guardsman was the time he had tried to steal the coinpurses of a gang of courtesans in Aurelia and they had taken their revenge.

Surely this bard was not interested in him in that manner. He was interested in booty, he didn't want to end up like it, buried or not.

The underhanded swashbuckler had instinctively raised all his hands in an attempt to calm the situation, he couldn't let rumors spread of him fighting a fellow celebrity. Especially a bard. This bard was after all write his songs and epics. He just didn't know it yet.

He had to play it off in the coolest way he knew.

"Whoa... " He said in a laid back manner. No. That didn't quite sound right. "Whoa! Whoaaa!" That was better. He quickly brushed off and adjusted his coat as soon as Aldrick no longer touched him.

"Calm yarrself mate, ye seem a tad too sober, did ye wake up on tha' wrong side o' the bottle? Aye? An... me 'aven't been called lad fer at least some...uh...years... aye? Me be nah common reliever o' coin ye wound me shir'." He said with a slight tone of being disappointed and offended. He was at least an uncommon thief. But a thief wasn't truly enough to describe him, a thief stole things of value. While he relieved people of anything he could snatch that could serve the here and now need. With a few exceptions of course.

"But me shall be fetchin' ye tha' drink. Ye be in need o' it more than meself ye bull e'eaded storyteller o' me epic!" Claret adjusted the collar of his coat and then twirled on his boots, walking in direction of the bar, taking the long route so he could think.

That's when some guardsman came barging in through the main door, almost slamming the door in his face. Had he'd been completely sober it would had been nasty. The bard had spoken to him in a very cold and somewhat hostile tone. Claret concluded that the man obvioudly had some trouble stemming back to his mother. Why else would a man go out of his way to sing about other men's greatness and not search for it himself. The former pirate captain laid his eyes on the guardsman and the parchment he was carrying, before one of it was shoved into his many hands.

Free stuff. Great!

Claret unwrapped the parchment and set his eyes at the letters that made things that half of his old crew had no way knowing how to write or read. Thankfully the four-armed scoundrel knew how to do both, even a pirate captain had free time to do things, and he felt obligated to leave personal letters for each woman he had met and remembered, that they shouldn't be worried, he would likely come by eventually like a wave hitting the beach.

The parchment however was no letter of admiration, it was a summons. He felt honored. The highnesses of Dawnhaven had already learnt of his arrival and was now inviting him of all people for a personal meeting. Probably with some others. Now this was the kind of welcome a captain of his standing was waiting for. Buying Aldrick a drink would have to wait.

"Lasses and gentleladdies, 'fraid me must attend to a pressin' matter o' royal nature! Booty calls ye see! Someone buy the bard a drink or two! If ye dare take tha' bull by the 'orns. Aye! Rest ashured that meself will find a way back, so rest yer sweetycheeks all ye lasses, ye be seein' more o' me in jus' a lil while!" The pirate jingled with his newly aqquired coins in his pirate coat pocket as he made an attempt to leave the inn by the doorway.

It was all such a timely thing. The goddesses were smiling on him. If only they would do more than just smile. The man grinned and his thoughts began to dwell on things not clean enough for neither speech nor thought.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

The blonde woman had motioned for him to follow her, it made the nobleman raise an eyebrow. Since when was he supposed to let a commoner lead him? He was a noble, he should go first! But then… he began to think more about it. A few extra seconds at least.

This was akin to how he and Flynn were hunting in their youth on horseback, how they would saddle up on their high horses and literally be elevated above everyone elses heads. It made him feel nostalgic. Of course his horse was of a richer breed than Flynn's, that was likely why he saw to compensate it with all the decoration. He couldn't help but feel that Flynn, despite his royal blood at times felt insufficient in his presence. Thus the nobleman felt at ease letting this happen. Beside they were bestest of friends.

How they would have entered the forests with their bows at the ready. However the goddess clearly saw more promise in him than Flynn, that's why his bow was much harder to string than Flynn's for certain. The hunting dogs did do well at hunting deer, but Flynn always managed to fling his arrow first due to his clear advantage in gear!

The nobleman furrowed his eyebrows as he kept following Dyna, forgetting about addressing her or memorizing the way they were going. That he had been forced to jam one of his own arrows into the already dead deer to prove that he had in fact hit it. It wasn't his fault that the goddess had bestowed him with the guile of a divine consort. Even Flynn was unable to tell. But then again. Outscoring royalty was frowned upon. Even by the most prestigious families. He recall his own words to Flynn back then.

'It would appear despite my perfectly aimed arrow, this deer in particular seemed defiant enough to not be felled by one arrow, and thus your highness was able to finish it. Well done!' He thought back on his words and smiled. Those were the good old day when the sun still shone and- Now he realized why he was remembered of a hunt. Following Dyna was like following a dog. A hunting dog.

He slammed his empty fist into the palm of his other hand as he came to the realization. Which came just around the same time that Dyna motioned to the more private section of the hot spring at the very top.

The nobleman's eyes began to sparkle like only privileged noble eyes would, his eyes wandered over it. Perhaps it was true. Perhaps this girl was in fact serving his goddess, maybe she saw something useful in her. The nobleman blushed as he pondered on it. Aelios had known he would visit and had prepared a servant to greet him, and made sure she were of a lower birth and rank than himself so that he wouldn't feel being less than what he were. He felt a sudden warmth that almost took him off-guard, and he wasn't the type of man to ever be caught off-guard. He had only felt these feeling towards himself before. Coming to think of it, he had such a feeling at the marketplace the other day. Wait a moment. This blonde woman was present. He may have been drunk from his wine. He thought he had seen double, but no. This woman definitely had horns back then. And now she didn't. By the goddess. Aelios had cured her of the blight.

The nobleman's eyes widened. That meant he was likely the cure to the blight himself. For who amongst Aelios choosen would have nobler, purer blood than him? No one!

He had to find Flynn and tell the news! But first he had to bathe. Ayel set his ever precious noble eyes on Dyna for a moment before looking over the private section of the hotspring. "You have my gratitude, which is a reward in itself, you may be dismissed. However I would also like you to make sure to not allow any animals in here while I am enjoying the view." He looked down at the water, even if it was steamy, he could make out the perfect structure of his face in the watery reflection. And then he turned to Dyna, who had left. Just when did she leave? Had she left before he had finished his speech of gratitude even? He felt like gritting his teeth. Those uncultured rude commoners. But in this case perhaps Aelios had some less important task for her like tending to the latrine or bathe that guardsman. Perhaps she had returned to stand where she initially stood?

He shook his head, whilst rich he couldn't afford any more moments thinking about it. He began to undress and in his horror couldn't find a place to hang up his noble attire. Putting them on the stones was not an option. Not only could they get splashed but only commoners placed their clothes on the ground. He chuckled as he imagined those northern barbarians bathing, if they even did. Likely fully clad in their clothes.

He spotted a torch being held at a nearby wooden post with an iron holding piece on it. That was perfect for hanging up his attire and hat. He reached up with all his height and grabbed the crude looking torch and looked for a trash-barrel. But upon not finding any, he couldn't put it into the water to put it out, he just tossed it away. Somewhere over the other end of the outside of the building. Or was it the forest? Either way. He was rid of it right now.

He fully undressed and his hat, corset and rest of his attire was hung up on the torch handle. He put his exepensive jewelry into his pouch which he put into his coat, before he was fully undressed and went over towards the water. 'I shall descend into Aelios holy water with grace befitting of a lord-' He thought and then he felt that his previous slow pace began to speed up drastically. The stone he had stepped on had been misplaced by some underhanded mason. He didn't slip.

The noble fell into the spring headfirst and then his head popped up, his hair over his eyes. He reached up to attempt to fix his locks which were now drenched. He pulled his hair back.

"Wretched craftmanshi- Wait a moment." He said aloud, another brilliant thought entered his head. Perhaps it was not so badly crafted. He had thought himself as a lord... Aelios had gotten displeased. He was a consort to be, not a lord. He had for a moment forgotten his importance and place in the world, and the goddess in her attention upon him had given him a reminder. It all now made sense to him. He clasped both his hands together and looked at the dark sky. "Praise the sun!" Then the nobleman tried to move to the border of the upper spring section, looking down at the regular spring below.

Wonderful. It was wonderful. He felt truly like a god watching down from above. He could likely behold all those unclean and undeserving commoners from up here. Perhaps that priestess of the other day could be bringing him cheese and wine up here on a platter. The more he thought about it. Perhaps having those savages bathe below was a good idea after all. He could distinguish himself from them, and watch them beat and fight each other. Like gladiatorial combat. A crude sport. But they were crude creatures. How fitting.

The marquess smirked and relaxed. Nothing was going to ruin this moment for him. He was getting what he deserved. He had to find his friend later and relay his theory that made all the sense in the world, that he… himself was the cure for the blight. Maybe a single drop of blood could cure all ills? Wait a moment. He could make a fortune selling a cure! He could put the price high enough so only the rich and successful could buy them!

A plan began to take shape. A master plan even.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

After having heard out all that Flynn had to say did he finally give in to his held back laugh, going as far as reaching his hand up to his face, taking a few moments to collect himself before approaching very closely to the bars.

"Hnn hnn! Ahaha hahahah… Ahh…" The blonde finally exhaled, assuming a more laid back expression on his face.

"Measure my life? How can you hope to even accomplish that, when you cannot even measure your own worth? Chasing the interpretation of a prophecy which demands your demise? Prophecies can be read in more ways than one. Did it ever cross your mind, that perhaps giving ones life… meant giving oneself to a cause or person. Such as dedication towards someone or a place. As for her family? Well… aren't you part of it now? Whereof you will accept my words as the truth or not. My loyalty towards Dawnhaven and the afflicted ones shall remain as firm as it has been." He blew some air through his mouth, walking over to pick up his shirt, putting it back on whilst momentarily having his back turned to him, displaying his tattoo in open view.

"I knew not of the attack when I spoke to you at the temple. Had she. Whom I am not permitted to speak of… by your majesty's decree. Not taken action to put faith in her own abilities, I would have dealt with that boy right then and there and possibly ended up in here either way. But I do not force others to cross the stream when things take a turn that I do not agree with. To violate the free will of others… is a severe wrongdoing. In this case your other half. But yes. I would have alerted the so called Champion of Aelios or one of the others had I not encountered you there, Red Star. But I did tell you." He took a moment to remove some strands of blonde hair from his face then continued.

"By the sounds of it, you seem to almost blame me for said attack happening. Hardly appropriate. I did not appoint those guards, neither did I command them. A leader is ultimately left responsible for the actions of his or her followers. Some might think it is the duty of a husband to protect his wife. However… that may not be fair considering your many… obligations. I may have said it in a cryptic manner, would you have prefered a barrage of words unleashed in panic? That wouldn't do well for your health, you do have quite the temper, prince. I can tell. Besides I wasn't loitering at the temple, I was visiting the woman I carried out of the blizzard with my own two hands. You may not ask for my advice nor opinions, yet seeing where things are going, how could I possibly not desire to aid the ones that are seemingly trying to aid Dawnhaven?

It is the place that will decide the fate of this world. In Aurelia right to counsel is earnt by whose best at licking the king's ear or has the most coin. A tyrant on his throne, surrounded by fawning merchants, prancing nobles and silver tongued leeches. I would not count myself amongst them. So perhaps your should ask yourself your own question. What qualifies a person to offer counsel? I think the answer is simple. Telling the truth. No matter how grim. At least that is how it should be..." He mused softly, adjusting the collar of his shirt.

"Trust is a curious thing. You can always however expect people to behave according to their true nature. Once you learnt what that is. Or you can tell yourself not to trust a single soul in this entire world, closing your heart to it completely. The former does seem abit less extreme doesn't it? For starters, why don't you try judge people by their actions like I have with you… gradually having more and more of the real you come out. If you intend to remain loyal to Dawnhaven and be it's leader, then I will follow you to the end, little brother. But if you side with Aurelia against Dawnhaven. Then you and I shall be mortal foes, and if this is, or has always been your intention. Then you've ought to spare us all the charade and go ahead and take me to the execution grounds." He gave a content soft smile, tilting his head to the side, his eyes turning into slits.

'The lynx in shadows holds a secret truth… buried in it's paw, lies power that you never saw. With a gem that glimmer brighter still, it guards this key with iron will… this token pure and grand, lies cradled in the beast's command...' The hymn resonated in his mind as he awaited Flynn and Amaya's next move.