EliteCommander

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

Ssarak Dyreackthanose

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At first, Ssarak was not quite certain what to do after leaving Khan’s office. There were no other tasks to complete, but Ovak had not yet told him it was time to go to the garden. The feast would likely be starting soon, but once it did, he would probably not be staying long. Regardless, he headed back to the dining hall, which was probably the best place currently to pass the time.

Once he rejoined the crowds in the dining hall, Ssarak wandered mostly aimlessly. He did see Meirin, but she appeared to be in a conversation with two finely-dressed individuals, perhaps diplomats, and an old Yarsomerian man. Based on the description he had heard of Ovak, he felt that it might be the Archmage, but he had never actually seen him in person before. He did not wish to interrupt, so he continued to search around the room to perhaps find another of his friends to converse with. However, his thoughts kept going back to Meirin, which had not been uncommon over the past few days. He felt like he was becoming a bit obsessed, honestly, but he did not quite believe that to be a bad thing. To him, it meant the feelings were genuine, instead of some trick of his mind.

After a few minutes, Ssarak decided that there was no reason to continue waiting. Ovak had not told him it was time, but there was no harm in arriving early. It would give him the chance to actually prepare something for Meirin. Luckily, the fact that it was the day of the feast meant that there was plenty of food around with which he could collect a dinner for himself and Meirin. He was quick to gather food for his own meal, but he took more time making his selections for Meirin. He knew she did not eat meat, but it took some time for him to think back on the foods he could recall her eating, and what she had liked. Nevertheless, he was able to put together a plate of steamed vegetables, a bowl of mushroom and cream soup, a side of watermelon and grapes, and some wine for the both of them. He was fairly certain she would eat cream, though he would have to ask to be sure. He put both dishes, along with the wine, into a large, covered platter and carried it carefully with him out of the dining hall. He was not certain if the staff would want him to take an entire platter…but he did anyways.

Ssarak rarely had a specific reason to go to the garden, so he had to wander for a few minutes in the right general area in order to find it. As he hoped, he was the only person present for the moment. The feast had drawn most of the population of the College to the dining hall, and the area around it, so it seemed as if he would have the chance to spend quality time alone with Meirin. He just needed to find the best place for them to sit; Ovak had mentioned something about cupid roses, though he could not confess to actually knowing what those were.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"You're right, it isn't." Ahnasha mumbled, mostly to herself as they continued on. Once they made it to Bruma, Finley's pack set them on the path following the Altmer. As Meesei had hoped, the Altmer's trail could still be followed. Her footsteps were still visible in the snow, an upon close examination, Ahnasha could identify her scent. As long as that did not change, following the Altmer would be no different from tracking any other prey. With both her and Turala being quality hunters and trackers, it would likely take strong magic to throw them off of the trail. Hopefully, the Altmer would actually lead them somewhere of consequence.

The warband continued along the path, now with Lorag assisting the rear guard. Meesei could watch for signs of life ahead, and mostly everyone was watching out for traps. Since they were now in danger of being attacked, idle conversation had all but disappeared, and everyone was at the ready, just waiting for the ambush they were expecting. Though, it did not seem like that ambush would happen on the trail, as Galsek had moved south into a more open area. If they ran into an enemy force, they would have the high ground, but that did not mean an ambush could not be effective.

Meesei reached into one of her pouches and produced a magicka potion, which she drank quickly. With some of her energy restored, she lead the way down the path to the south, pulsing her detect life spell. The transition from a narrow path to an open area could provide an opportunity for an effective ambush, so Meesei did not intend to be caught off-guard.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Yes, I am. I've thought a lot about that, but it hasn't changed anything about my decision." Ahnasha answered. Of course, she did not mention the actions she had taken in response to that issue. She did not exactly want others to know about the tome back with the rest of her belongings that she had been studying, at least not strangers. Necromancy was not a popular practice anywhere in Tamriel, and it was particularly reviled in Dunmer traditions. Given the size of the clan, there were likely mages among them capable of necromancy, but she did not know if any of them practiced it openly. Ahnasha was not content with dying after only a fraction of Fendros' lifespan, but she could act as if she was.

Meesei was increasingly aware of the terrain the group was entering into. She considered the potential tactical implications of the terrain, and though several of them actually worked in their favor, she did have a few worries. The trail was narrow, so they did not have as much room to maneuver as she would have liked, though neither would their enemy. Fendros' observation was likely correct, so she needed to plan to make the most of the situation. "Yes, this trail is something like a pass, without much room to maneuver. Provided it does not open into a wider area, we would be forced to fight the enemy only a few at a time...though that is not a disadvantage for us. We are lycans, after all; in single combat, we are quite capable of overpowering most normal mortals. The most effective strategies for fighting lycans involve surrounding, outnumbering, and outmaneuvering us. Since this pass prevents them from effectively outnumbering us, they may be looking to surround us. If there is an enemy force following us, they would be able to attack us from both sides. Oswall, could you have one or two of your men follow a short distance behind us? Preferably people who can move stealthily and warn us if the enemy is approaching from behind, without being detected themselves. With warning, we could turn such an attack into an ambush of our own. And of course, we will need to keep an eye out for environmental hazards around us as well, such as falling rock traps." She warned before turning her head to Lorag.

"Also, Lorag, I would like you to move to the back of our group and help guard our flank, in the event that we are attacked from behind." Meesei added, to which he quickly agreed.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha was true to her word in that she had no problems keeping pace with Turala, despite the terrain. She was not quite used to moving in such heavy clothing, but her training and natural agility could compensate. With the cold biting against her, she was glad to have the furs, as her own fur was woefully inadequate for dealing with this climate. It was more designed for keeping her cool and protected under a blistering desert sun.

"Yes, Fendros is my mate. We have a son named Rhazii." Ahnasha answered without a hint of hesitation. In their travels, she and Fendros had not yet faced many issues with others regarding their relationship, apart from Fendros' brother. Though, that was mostly because they did not usually associate with others outside the pack for any extended duration. She knew there were those who would take issue with it, and some who might even become confrontational over it, but Ahnasha had decided long ago that she was not going to hide it, nor would she just take any insults lying down. There was something off about the way Turala asked about it, but she did not know quite yet if it was going to become a problem.

Despite the false alarm, Meesei was as alert as ever as they continued on shadowing Galsek. In regular pulses, she scanned the area all around them for signs of life. A few times, she stopped them once she sensed something, only for it to be an animal. Luckily, the fact that they were on a frozen mountain instead of a dense forest meant that such interruptions were sparse. They could keep up with Galsek, even if some of the warband did not have quite the endurance of the rest. Even Meesei was not as adept at handling such extended physical exertions as mountain climbing, but she could use her magic to restore her stamina. Thanks to the potions she was carrying, she was not in danger of running out of magicka any time soon. Lorag, meanwhile, hardly looked as if he had exerted himself at all compared to most of the others. Evidently, his body was not nearly as old as his mind had convinced him that it was.

"He may, or he may not. I would not make to many assumptions of his movements." Meesei commented to Harriet. "Vile's followers may have a cave like ours. They could be anywhere, if it is indeed them that Galsek is leading us to. If he somehow managed to learn we are following, we could be going anywhere. Though, he cannot lead us on forever. Unless he is planning on sacrificing himself just to throw us off of his allies' trail, he will need to find some form of civilization soon enough. Do you think he would be willing to die for them, or am I right in judging him to be a coward?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha smiled at Fendros and gave him a quick hug. "Don't worry about me; I know how to stay hidden. You just keep an eye out for traps and show that snake that he's just not good enough to surprise us." She answered. Her new partner, Turala, seemed ready to go, so she turned to her, nodding in confirmation. "That sounds good; I can keep up. Since you know the area, you can lead the way." Ahnasha answered, motioning for the Dunmer to take the lead.

Meanwhile, Meesei paused to take a look at her supplies, and to think about how they should proceed. Of course, there was no guarantee that Galsek was taking them into a trap, but it was a strong enough possibility that she needed to plan for it. Likely, they would rely on the element of surprise to gain an advantage over them, but if they could give a surprise of their own, then the advantage could quickly turn in their favor. It was already difficult enough to fight a warband of lycans with a solid plan, much less with one that had fallen to shambles.

"I will keep leading and use detect life periodically to make sure we are not walking into a trap. I brought a few magicka potions with me, so I will not exhaust myself before the fight. If we detect a hostile force soon enough, we might be able to form our own ambush. If not, I will at least order our attack in such a way as to eliminate theirs. For now, let us keep pressing on ahead. And keep idle conversation to a minimum; consider us now in enemy territory." Meesei ordered, quickly taking the lead once more.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The longer they had been walking, the more Meesei had been thinking about the possibilities of what could have transpired in the city with Galsek and the Altmer. She wanted to avoid making too many assumptions, but some of those possibilities could put them into danger. She stopped, halting the warband entirely as she answered Oswall. "Without knowing what happened inside that general store, it is impossible to say for sure, but I have been thinking on the matter. There is a possibility that this Altmer is indeed connected to Vile, and Galsek informed her of everything that transpired in the clan. It could be she that is heading to their hideout, while Galsek is distracting us. Although, I do not know how he would know he is being followed. We have never been in his sight, and I never came close to that general store. It could be that he is simply paranoid. Regardless, I still believe that Galsek is heading to his allies. Even with the supplies he gathered, he cannot outlast us; he knows we can live off of the land. He may have sent the Altmer ahead to warn them, so he could lead us into a trap. As such, we should be on our guard. Look for any terrain that would be supportive of an ambush. Galsek may believe he has the advantage, but we could turn that ambush into a trap of our own."

Pausing a moment, Meesei looked to Ahnasha and motioned for her to approach. "But, just in case I am mistaken about Galsek's intentions, we should send someone back to investigate the Altmer. We cannot afford to greatly weaken our fighting force since there is the possibility of an ambush, so Oswall, I would like for you to send your best tracker with Ahnasha. Together, they can head back and see if they can catch the Altmer's trail. If she is capable of covering her trail like Galsek, then it is likely we never would have been able to follow her, but if she cannot, then between her footprints and her scent, you should still be able to track her. I would recommend asking Finley's pack to put you on the right path. If you find something, head back to Bruma and wait with Finley's pack."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The messenger arrived roughly when Meesei would have expected, and fortunately, her report was nothing discouraging. It certainly implied that this Altmer was a friend of Galsek's, and it was possible she was connected with Vile, but nothing about it impacted their current goal. If anything, it gave them a lead on future investigations.

Meesei gave the messenger, Nilly, a pleased nod. "Thank you for the report; we will need to have the Altmer investigated. Once you return to Bruma, tell Finley to keep her watched if she returns, but not to approach. We need to be sure not to tip her off if she is indeed connected to the enemy. We should be able to handle Galsek, so I would not worry about that. Your pack has fulfilled its role in this mission. We will leave a fire burning for you here if you wish to rest for a few minutes before heading back."

Meesei stepped closer to the edge of the camp, then turned to address the rest of the warband. "Put out the fires, apart from one for the messenger. It is time to move; we will need to move quickly to catch up to our quarry." She ordered. Just as before, once they closed most of the gap between them and Galsek, they would follow from a safe distance until he reached his destination.

Mass Effect: The Face of Injustice

Avatar moved into position by the right door, acknowledging Sura's modification to the plan. A quick recalculation of the probable outcomes concluded that it took advantage of common organic psychology more effectively, as the enemy was more likely to view the first detonation as a distraction, rather than the second. It found a place in the door to plant the grenade, drew its assault rifle, then waited for the others to be in position. For this plan to be successful, it would need to move quickly, quietly, and directly to the airlocks. It made sure that RK had access to its sensors so she could provide additional observational capabilities while it dedicated more processing power to other tasks.

Once the others were ready, Avatar armed the grenade, then took cover. The blast blew the door mostly open, apart from a few plates near the edges. Avatar leaned its assault rifle around the corner and blindly fired several bursts into the room, though the enemy quickly returned a hail of gunfire. It waited seven seconds, enough to allow all members of the hostile force time to focus their attention on its door, then sent the signal to activate the virus which was dormant in the station's systems. After another 3.2 seconds, all lights in the room darkened apart from the emergency lights. Then, they grew brighter and brighter until they blew one after another. The room was in total darkness, and ready for the distraction force to attack.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Being that she was the first to awaken, Meesei was the first to be ready. They had been prepared to move on short notice, so most of their supplies had already been packed and ready to go. The only things left of their camp was the fires that were still going, which they would put out as they left. Ahnasha was sticking near the fire closest to Meesei and the others, while Lorag looked too eager to get moving to care about the cold.

"I told them it would only be necessary to report to us if there was anything out of the ordinary about him, such as if he was carrying any strange items, or was not leaving alone." Meesei commented. "We will need to swing wide around the south of Bruma, but we should be able to wait here for more than long enough for a messenger to arrive. I used quite a strong soul gem for the enchantment, so I can track him from quite the distance. If enough time passes without a messenger, we can assume that Galsek is alone, with nothing unusual." She explained. Undoubtedly, there were those in the camp that were eager to get moving, but if there was any quality that hunters such as themselves possessed, it was patience.

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

Khan, Ssarak, & Leith: Part 2

With each step, fire seemed to race up Khan’s limb leg causing his jawline to tighten. The very nerves in his leg seemed to protest his attempt to walk casually and aimed to make him double over in agony, his knuckles growing whiter by the moment when they trailed down the hallway. The track back to his office seemed much longer now than earlier, his mind unoccupied by the chatter the Rheven-ari provided and forced to endure the silence there. Twice, Khan feared he was about to collapse when he stumbled in his set pace and jerked a hand outright to catch himself from falling flat on his face into the floor. His breath was heavy upon reaching his office door as he pushed it open, gently gesturing for the pair to enter first.

After they did, he limped toward his desk.

Trying not to groan in pain, Khan plopped down into his seat and felt the pressure relieved from his knee. His hand rubbed the throbbing joint until the ache subsided then turned to the two students. A glass container, tall and narrow, was covered over by a red cloth but soft tapping could be heard underneath. Naturally, Khan ignored it in favor to address the to students. From the wall behind him, Zaad materialized in his dark sand self with a light, unimpressed smirk at the pair.

He turned to Khan and gave raised eyebrow, a command made telepathic obviously. Then slowly spread his shape over the room, becoming thinner and thinner until he was nothing but blackish dust within the room. Through none in the room could hear it, Zaad was created a static for any unwanted eavesdropping plants or beings alike. Khan finally gestured to the two seats seeming to wait for the two to sit within them.

Ssarak became increasingly aware of Khan’s injuries the longer he walked with him. Normally, he did not have much reason to be around the Headmaster for an extended period, but now that he was paying close attention to it he could see that he was having trouble moving. Heading into the office, Ssarak took a seat across from Khan after the demon Zaad had done...something to the walls of the room.

Since Khan said nothing at first, Ssarak decided to begin. He gave the Headmaster a look of concern, having to do no acting for it to be genuine. ”I...was unaware that your injuries were this severe. Though, the archmage did say in his letter that your condition was worse than it should be. Uicle was the one who indicated to me that you needed your medicine. He seemed to want me to be quite...harsh towards you. That is not what I intend, though I have no doubt that Uicle will be quite upset the next time you speak with him.”

“Few of the students do, a fact I’m actually happy with. Last thing any of you need to do is worry about me as much as for the challenges you will face in the future, namely on the missions and graduating through that’s a ways off. Through to be honest, few people would be uninjured when coming face to face with a nightmare messing around in their head. The demon attack left scars on everyone as I’m sure you’re aware and some things are best left unknown no matter how much they will help to have knowledge of them.” Khan stated gently, his hand still rubbing his leg. Zaad’s red eyes peered at him, feeling the demon clawing into his skull with his usual sass.

“Boss, having Kudd messing around in your head is no minor issue. That vial you had me hiding wasn’t exactly normal for your usual behavior, even the doll, Lucilia, could see you were hiding something. Telling someone can’t exactly hurt, can it? Zaad almost sounded pleading, until Khan shut him out.

Ignoring Zaad’s advice, Khan leaned further into his chair while listening to Ssarak reply, adding only a bit about Uicle. [color-goldenrod]”As for Uicle, it’s not the first time he’s yelled at me for such minor things and it won’t be the last. I think it’s pretty bad when I feel worse taking my medicine then when I don’t, so there’s one big reason I prefer not to take it. Besides, the stuff tastes terrible.” [/color]

Leith sat down, glancing at the container that had noise coming from it before looking at Khan. ”I can think about the future later. Besides, people are going to worry about you. It’s just what they do.” He gave Khan a dry look at the mention of the medicine tasting terrible. ”Of course it tastes terrible, it’s supposed to. I don’t think I’ve had any type of medicine that tasted pleasant.” He chuckled. ”Tastes terrible.That’s the lamest excuse for not taking medicine. As for feeling worse after taking it, it could be a sign that the medicine is working.”

Khan sigh, agreeing with the gesture, but kept firmly to his chair. He knew his last comment was pitiful and childish one, immediately regretting his mention. “True, but doesn’t mean I enjoy it. Even Yarsomere Dragonspit doesn’t get rid of it. And that stuff overpowers even the drinker, so that’s an accomplishment in itself for the medicine. As for working, I don’t know. Without it, I can actually walk without the cane and if it wasn’t for the lacking memory issues, I wouldn’t consider what I’m doing dangerous. If you could believe, I didn’t need the cane this morning as you can ask a student Baulder, I was actually walking perfectly fine. Whatever Norschtalen poisoned me with, it wasn’t Tiien based. I fear it might be much worse…”

Khan’s eyes shifted to the table and leaned back further, his hand had stopped rubbing his leg and rested on his chair arms. In a more thoughtful and lower voice, he added an afterthought. “Right now, people worrying about me is the most dangerous part.”

Ssarak had not known of the nature of Khan’s injury beforehand. Based on the nature of his symptoms, he had assumed it to be physical in nature; perhaps some kind of terrible trauma that he was still struggling to recover from. But a poisoning, that was much more sinister. Khan seemed to imply that it was demonic in nature, which meant it could have wholly unnatural properties. ”Every unit needs an effective leader, and for the College, that has been you. It is only natural that we would worry about your health. Do you truly believe that there is anyone else who could fill your role as effectively as yourself? Anyone who is knowledgeable, powerful, yet still diplomatic? Someone who everyone at the College would respect? You know your staff better than I, of course, but no one comes to my mind. Lucilia is intelligent, but some of the decisions she had made would cause me to be frightened if she were in the leadership position. Uicle too is powerful and intelligent, but if his reaction to Ovak’s letter is any indication, he can also be angry and impatient. Satori is the teacher whom I know the best, and yet, I do not feel like I know her at all. Her mind is impenetrable, literally and metaphorically, but if her display at the opening feast was any indication, she has no issue bringing harm to the students. Tyrael...I do not believe I need to elaborate on him.”

As he spoke, Ssarak’s eyes glanced to the Headmaster’s cane. The fact that he claimed to feel worse when taking his medicine did complicate matters, but that only meant that there was more for Ssarak to learn. ”Of course, even ignoring all of your skills and responsibilities, I would not wish to see you come to harm. Perhaps, if I may ask, could I know more about this medicine? I assume it treats the effects of the poison? What does it do, what are the side-effects, and who created it?”

“Leaders don’t end up crippling themselves because of empathy over another's troubles. If I’m the leader of this, I’m a rather sorry excuse for one and not the best choice. I’m still trying to understand Ovak’s reasons for choosing me over other candidates to be completely blunt. Everyone has their flaws, Ssarak, I don’t think I need to tell you that which is what makes us mortal.” Khan admitted, his voice clearly unsure of himself. When the question about his medicine drew his attention, the Esyire narrowed his eyes and seemed to study Ssarak for a moment deeply. After a moment or two, he inhaled to continue. “As for the medicine’s details, Ovak and Lucilia are the only two that actually know the contents. I merely drink it. Which is what I did this morning after Uicle sent another student to ensure I did. According to Lucilia, Ovak made the first two vials and gave her the list of needed ingredients as well as instructions on how to concoct it. A list, which, to my recent discovery is running low due to the difficulty in harvesting the ingredients. Some of them can’t be grown here. As for treating the poison, I assume so because I’ve not had Kudd in my head since.”

Khan nearly bite his tongue off at letting the name slip from his muzzle. Most mortals, from Esyires to humans, knew Kudd to be some from the stuff of nightmares and fiction. A type of forgotten boogeyman that had long since vanished with different stories, versions of the truth and understanding of his origins. Which in the end, made Khan’s uttering the name sounds like a child being fearful about a monster lurking under his bed. The headmaster sighed, not denying or correcting his slip, as he waited for the ridicule to come.

While Khan’s mention of having Kudd in his mind was certainly concerning, it was not unbelievable to Ssarak. Uicle had already informed him that Kudd was behind the demon attack, so it made sense that he would be involved with Khan’s health issues. However, the detail of Khan’s answer that he found the most useful was that it was actually Ovak who had originally created the medicine. Obviously, if Ovak created it, then he had reason to believe that it would treat the condition. Though, Ssarak was starting to feel that the argument that the medicine was worsening his symptoms was merely an excuse to cover up the real issue.

“You say Ovak created the medicine…” Ssarak began, looking to the side and pausing for a moment as if in thought. “I would like to ask about him, the archmage. He seems like an old and unimaginably powerful man. He stopped the demon that would have destroyed the college, and he uses magic in a way that I cannot begin to comprehend. But…he is distant. Esoteric. All I know about him is what I have said. Could I know more about him, what he can do, and more importantly, who he is?” He asked. It seemed as if he had gone to an only marginally related topic at a strange time, but he had a reason for asking.

“You’re not the only one that has pondered over Ovak, I’m afraid. Many have, in his earlier years as archmage, tried to test his worth through a challenge. I will admit I’ve seen him do things with magic I wouldn’t have believed unless I seen it myself. Sadly, it’s at a price. His body is decaying from the inside because his body is confusing his arcanite used for existence, his soul, for fuel for his magic. Many believe Ovak can see the future, or rather it’s many branches, through he’s never denied or stated this rumor was correct. The more I spend time in his company, the more I’m starting to wonder if it is true. Then again it’s impossible to know because no other known mortal has ever had arcanite before.” Khan stated simply, his mind grasping for everything he knew could recall over the archmage. “In order to reveal everything, I would have explain some of my own history, from the time I met him as a student here to present. Through even as long as I’ve known him, I can’t fully figure out how he knows some of things he does even no one else does.”

Leith whistled at the thought of Ovak being rumored to see the future, or how it could go. ”It sounds insane to think that he could see the future… but if it is true. It has some huge implications if it does.” He frowned as he pause to think. ”He may have known that you were going to be poisoned. It would make sense as to why he had the medicine on hand.” He rubbed his forehead. ”Ah, it’s giving me a headache to think about.”

”That would make sense.”” Ssarak commented, wondering about what Ovak could know about events to come. It would seem strange that he had prepared to treat the poison if he had not known it was going to happen. Even Khan did not seem to know the extent of his ability. ”Ovak seems to be beyond capable, but...you did not answer the question of who he is. His background; how he came to be the archmage of the College. To most, or all, I imagine, of the students, he is a mystery.”

Khan nodded in agreement with both statement, his mind had pondered many of the same issues over and over. It was what had brought him to the conclusion that was the main reason the College forever remained neutral among the state affairs within Tiien, never aligning with either Djarkel or Eania while in Ovak’s watch. Part of Khan, deeply, wished he could give Ssarak more information but in complete honesty, there was none. It was if Ovak had popped from the skies or thin air before becoming the next archmage which was before Khan’s arrival. The only one that could possibly answer the student’s questions were possibly Lucilia now that the Headmaster thought about it.

His hand rose to rub his temple gently in thought. “I can’t tell you much. Ovak was archmage when I came to the college and when I try to discover records, there are none. I don’t even know if he comes from Yarsomere or in that region as no official scriber, and they keep extensive records, have any indications of Ovak’s birth. I’ve tried Eania, Djarkel, even Tidehome until at last I turned to ask Ovak himself. The answers I got were far too cryptic to be helpful as he merely stated: ‘Some things are better left to trust, rather than knowledge for the truth can sometimes bring fear and mistrust.’ If I knew or had any idea how to answer your questions, Ssarak, don’t you think I would end up with less questions now than I did back then? All I know, for sure, is that he knows things he shouldn’t. He’s not the only one with secrets in this school after all. His secrets are just the most obvious to you, even I have things I much rather not have known or want others to seek. As I’m sure you do as well. That make him something to fear when he doesn’t want to reveal it?”

”I understand.” Ssarak answered with a nod. It was curious that Ovak had not shared any details about his past, but it was not important at the moment. For now, he had gotten Khan onto the topic of the archmage: the one who had selected him as Headmaster, created his medicine, and sent himself and Leith to speak to him. It seemed that Khan respected and trusted the archmage, but doubted himself. Ssarak hoped to remind him of the fact that Ovak trusted in him as well. ”Would you say you trust the archmage?” He asked simply.

Khan nodded again, his eyes soften at the memory and how Ovak had gained his trust. “He saved my life, Ssarak. Wouldn’t you if you were being possessed by a frighten monster like Kudd after being beaten and nearly killed. In the end only to have the archmage and the demonomancy teacher save you?

Once again, Ssarak gave a nod. ”I certainly would.” He answered. He did not know of the details of the event that Khan described, but it was not important that he understand them at the moment. All that mattered was that Khan did. ”You trust in his abilities, and his judgment. If he created the medicine, then I am sure that it will aid you far more than it will harm you. Of course, I think that you believe that as well. As you said, you trust Ovak. Forgive me, but...there is another reason you have neglected your medicine, is there not?”

Khan’s eyes averted Ssarak’s at mention of another reason. His vision avoided meeting the Esyire’s sight when he felt the guilt swell in his breast and tried to swallow it. “Riddic, my twin brother, had the illness that blocked his mageblood. Despite the meds we tried, nothing worked. His illness remind me of how lucky I was through we were both came from the same egg. His illness is what drove me to contact Kudd in the first place and attempt to cure him, so the last images I have is of him weak and taking medication before I left.”

”I understand that pain.” Ssarak responded simply, and without a hint of uncertainty or hesitation in his voice. He found no need to elaborate any further, either on Khan’s experiences, or his own. It was enough to know that it was a painful memory which gave him the apprehension about his medicine. ”With everything you know about the archmage, and everything he knows about you, do you believe that he would put you in that position without warning you first?”