Distant shores: Chapter 1 - The voyage North

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

Although Aneuhl had been smiling a moment ago, he was not now. His eyes were deathly serious and any humour was now gone. In quiet, soft tones he spoke, "It is mine to 'play' with," he frowned; as though his answer was inadequate; as though Pieter was not the one he had to answer to, but rather, merely a medium and it was but for himself, "For answers, for knowledge… for the voyage of self-discovery. It is not the destination nor the goal that truly counts; but the journey. It does not matter where I take myself in this lifetime; there will always be risk. I could die tomorrow; I could be outside of this townhall and cut down in the dead of night by some foot-purse.”

The young man’s eyes narrowed, "But that is no answer at all.” he paused again, "I could not tell you, nor give you a solid reason save for that which I am searching for – myself, perhaps. There is more to life than meets the eye and perhaps I have not found my true calling yet. Perhaps I have. Regardless, I wish to learn more about myself and the world around me. If aiding helps me discover that, even a little, then gladly I will do so. In a sense, I am serving myself. Only through taking on challenges may one seek to learn more of oneself; one’s true nature. Only when faced with choice may one decide. And I wish to learn more of myself and hopefully help others along the way.” Aneuhl smiled, his good humour returning, "Has that answered your question sufficiently? If it has, maybe you could explain it better to me.” The young man smiled again, "Perhaps you could tell me if any have ever posed such an answer to your question before.”

Aneuhl seemed to truly believe what he was saying, although a part of him remained skeptical. Most of all, he simply wished to know but could not put words to explain so. Above was the only way he could really think to phrase it. To experience and to learn was what interested him; why he would risk his life. If he had wished to die an old, dull death and an equally dull life he would have stayed on the farm.

[ 01-14-2006, 06:16 PM: Message edited by: Calaethis Dragonsbane ]

[DrowArchmage]

Anon visibly relaxed and crossed his legs as he sank to the floor. He adjusted his greatsword so it was more comfortable andclosed his eyes so he could slip into medatation.

[Kazilan]

Machaon

Machaon talked with Aneuhl, exchanging first his name and then what little knowledge he had of the expedition they both hoped to join. When his new acquaintance was called away, Machaon sighed and scratched idly at his ragged brown hair.

"Not a bad fellow," he muttered to himself. "I suppose rocks aren't too bad, although not as much fun as plants." He reached into one of his many pouches at his waste and withdrew a small clump of dull blue berries, then began munching away, his mind now lost in thoughts of the exotic tastes he may discover on the expedition to the wild.

[dplax]

For Aneuhl J'harna

Pieter Horsfeld looked at one of his fellow council members, who taking it that it was his turn to talk, put down the feather he had been writing with.

"The previous answers differed from yours, as the others said that they were just looking for adventure."

He picked the feather back up, dipped it into the ink pot next to him, and continued writing. Horsfeld spoke again, intently examining Aneuhl.

"Whatever answer you were to give would have satisfied the question. This answer helps you get further than the previous three went today."

"The next question you might not know the answer to, but it tests your intelligence and common sense. What do you think the mission is, that we want you for?"

The old man, who had asked Aneuhl the first question, turned to the scribeing Council member next to him and whispered something to him, which the Council member proceeded to write down, while shooting a strange glance at Aneuhl.

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

Aneuhl remained quiet for several moments, mulling it over. Finally, he ventured, "While I may not know exactly what this mission is, I do know that there have been several occurrences which may or may not be closely linked… and if I were to believe in coincidence these events would be highly convenient. Let us review these events – and consider their implications from these deductions:”

Aneuhl began to tick the points off on his fingers, "Firstly, there was the man who returned from an expedition – the expedition to the inner areas of the island. I can safely assume that by now, you will have questioned him and discovered what he knows.” Aneuhl paused again, "This by itself does not mean much, but does raise the question as to exactly why this Council has suddenly very publicly called for people willing to risk their lives on a mission they are keeping very hush-hush and stringent with the details.”

He paused to give them all a direct look, "These two seem closely linked, which means that is safe to assume that the survivor of the prior expedition discovered something – something that the Council wants to investigate or retrieve. Possibly information, or possibly something more… substantial. Now, consider that a star was seen falling through the sky and struck the inner islands somewhere after streaking through the sky two months ago… while perhaps not the object of your search, any such object from beyond our skies is rare and valuable.” Aneuhl shrugged a little self-consciously, "I seek out and study such things so perhaps the last is not quite common knowledge… but an area of expertise I plan to master one day.”

Aneuhl turned and addressed the man with the hexagram on his forehead, "Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, you would care to tell me exactly how you know my thoughts. My guess would be if the room is enchanted only to prevents eavesdropping, then it must be one of you upon this Council.” He smiled almost shyly, "Without meaning any offence, of course. If I have overstepped my bounds, I do apologise.” The young man paused once more, "And finally… you’ve not sent me away yet. In conclusion, I would have to say that you are sending us to continue - or indeed - complete the mission the survivor began, or at the very least, follow up on it. I would say you are sending us to the inner areas of the island.” With another shy smile, he asked, "So how’d I do?”

[ 01-15-2006, 03:32 PM: Message edited by: Calaethis Dragonsbane ]

[dplax]

For Aneuhl J'harna:

Upon his mentioning of the falling star, Aneuhl clearly saw a fleeting moment of surprise on the faces of several of the Council members, but they quickly composed themselves. After he finished for a short moment they could not decide who should speak, until Pieter Horsfeld as a leader of the Council cleared his throat.

"Your guesses are not far from the truth," he said, measuring his words carefully. "Indeed the mission is one towards the inner areas of the island. Me telling you this much already indicates that you have been accepted." Pieter Horsfeld was smiling, and his smile was a warm smile. He was clearly pleased at having found another candidate.

He gestured at the old man. "Ashan shall reply to your other question."

"Most people think I'm a senile old fool, kept by the council as a symbol. Well I am old, and at times starting to get senile, but I'm definitely much more than a symbol." he parted the hair on his head revealing the symbol tatooed on his brow again.

"If you don't know this symbol then all I can tell you is that it is the symbol of a society of mages. If you already know it, then I can't tell you anything more."

"This room is indeed shielded by a magical barrier that requires the metals inside the door to function, but this barrier does not stop magic from functioning inside the room."

He paused for a moment.

"When you entered the door I perceived that in you, which the other three were missing. That small spark of bravery. I don't mean a bravery like that of a legendary warrior, when he confronts a dragon, but a bravery of not being diminished to something you aren't in the presence of those who have power in this city, and daring to voice your own thoughts. For the other three previously today the reply they gave to the first question was inconsequential, for when they entered the room I already knew that they were not worthy."

Pieter Horsfeld stood up from his chair and walked to the door. His hand on the handle he turned to Aneuhl.

"As I said previously you are accepted for the mission. When we are finished with the others today I would like to have a talk with you about this falling star you spoke about. Now, is there anything else you wish to tell us or ask us before I call the guard to escort you to meet the man, who returned?"

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

"Only a couple more questions, if you'll permit...” Aneuhl replied a little shrewdly, "Who are the others accompanying me and have they already been selected? Do they know if they’ve been selected yet… and…” he frowned, "Exactly how much do you know about me?” He was looking directly at the mage this time, "If indeed you can read my mind… do you already know the answers that I seek?” Aneuhl paused again, "Not that I’m asking you to reveal them… some things should be learnt by oneself… I ask only if you know.”

Then he smiled cheerfully, "I thank you all for your kind words and this opportunity, all of you.” he nodded to each in turn, "I hope that I won’t misplace your trust.” Their words of flattery didn’t seem to swell his ego and he took them simply at face value. "One last question… is there anything else I should know before I leave? Either of myself, my companions or my mission?” On impulse, Aneuhl added quickly, "You don’t per chance know where this star has landed do you? Or see the future, or the past?” How the last question was linked wasn’t immediately clear to any but those who could read his mind. Aneuhl had always been curious about the time it took for a star to die, or indeed to reach the world. His asking about time was directly linked to the length it took for it to reach this world, though he had not made the connection consciously yet.

[Morgeruat]

Rastheme Chombra

Rastheme breathed in the market air, he'd been hoping to hear word of any new caravan's entering or leaving town, mercenaries were often needed for guarding marketstalls or protecting leaving caravans, they were often low to moderate risk, high reward jobs, especially for one of his reputation and knowledge of the island. But there was no word of such need. Instead only vaguely worded requests for stalwarts, the risks were higher, typically, but they also tended to give looters rights to the survivors, which usually far outweighed what he could expect as a guard.

Cursing as several humans jostled him while walking away, he proceeded to the stairs, finally getting irritated enough to shove a foppishly dressed man who refused to notice that someone wanted past, it was bad enough being looked down upon due to size, it was worse when they only looked down at you through a nose held high in the air. Rastheme chuckled a bit as the man went down, and continued on into the city hall, noting the lamps that provided a fairly bright entrance chamber, making use of natural lighting in a way that was unusual for human architects, humans in his experience typically built ugly functional buildings that would require constant upkeep or collapse within a decade or two, this appeared to be different, but he didn't want to dwell on human architecture when he could dwell on whatever job would be mysterious enough not to list off to the morning crowd. Most of the lads in line ahead of him looked as though they had either just barely left home, or were here without their parents knowledge. If the risk was genuine most of them would likely be sent home, maybe he could teach the smart ones that remained enough to stay alive long enough to learn the rest.

Rastheme took a stance against a wall where he could easily watch the entire room, and gain a better measure of the lads present.

[dplax]

For Aneuhl J'harna:

The wizened mage replied again.

"I know some things about you, that you do not know about yourself. But as you very well said, it is up to you to discover these things."

"As to the other question I shall reply to...I am unable to see the future, nor the past, and have absolutely no idea, where this star had landed. Your other questions shall be answered later, as you must understand we still have quite a few people to interview today."

Pieter Horsfeld opened the door and told the guard to escort Aneuhl away.

The guard took Aneuhl down a different direction than the one he had come from, and to another room, at the far end of the corridor, which had a similar door. Inside was a bed, a desk with a chair in front of it, and a small chest in a corner. The bedsheets were rumpled, evidence to someone having slept there the last night.

"Armus doesn't seem to be here right now, but I'm sure he'll be shortly along." the guard said, and then excused himself and left the room.

[dplax]

Armus Jallak

He was quietly let in by the guard at the back of the Council building, in the same way as he had left the building. He only stopped briefly in the gallery overlooking the entrance hall, where no one could see him, to survey today's volunteers, and wondered whether any of them were going to pass the test today. He wasn't optimistic. The selection, he knew, was very hard.

Leaving the gallery he went down a winding staircase, and entered the corridor, where his room was. As he opened the door to his room, he could just see a young man entering the chamber where the interviews were being held.

Another failure he thought to himself.

He entered his room, and then stood rooted to the spot for several long seconds. He had not been expecting someone to be in his room.

Upon regaining his compusure he adressed Aneuhl.

"Don't tell me that they actually found someone?"