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Post by FangedSmile on Feb 16, 2006 11:56:40 GMT -6
Virose stood in the alley behind the weapons shop with his head bowed and his arms folded, trying to ignore the voices of the people inside. The problem was that his ears were great at picking up sound and the people in the shop were trying to be the loudest group of bastards that ever walked the earth. The dwarven women had their pitchy, child-like voices set to maximum and someone was telling a tale that caused them to burst into screaming fits of laughter every few minutes.
As another chorus of shrill guffaws rampaged from the open door, Virose turned to see who this brilliant comedian actually was (and if he could take him in a fight). He was met with the slightly-cringing face of a pure-blood elf who was also trying to suffer through the noise. She had the traditional white hair, though her eyes were between green and blue, with one leaning much more towards green. Her eyebrows raised in a shrug as she met his gaze, then her eyes flicked to a bard that was ready to pull out a vielle.
When she returned her gaze to Virose, she had an imploring look as one hoping for a rescue. Then her eyes swept over him and her features slackened and began to curl with disgust. He knew that look.
She wasn't going to want anything to do with him if he made a move. Maybe, back when he'd had his reputation to stand by, she would have joined him outside.
But not now.
The tattoo crawling up his neck marked him as a 'hero,' but everything else about him said 'trouble.'
The similar crest upon his coat was one only 'Hero' graduates of the Tai'Lu Academy were permitted to wear. At that moment, however, he wore it because the air was cold rather than because he felt any sense of pride. The stains upon the coat were enough to tell the world he was worthless. His brown hair was dark with excess oil, his lavender eyes were bloodshot, and his frame showed signs of emaciation. A broken sword paired with a broken arm painted the rest of the picture.
A portrait of failure. The tragedy of wasted potential.
He honestly was a trained and graduated Hero with a repertoire of high marks and awards in excellence. A childhood of the best opportunities and limitless options had been his to take advantage of- and he did.
But, that was the past.
Virose let his gaze fall, offering the woman an escape from their interaction and himself an escape from her judgemental glare.
His broken arm throbbed and demanded his attention, but it had been broken for a while now. Focusing on it only made him worry. He didn't want to think about how the injury might heal in a way that would leave that arm crippled. He had tried to fix it himself and make a brace, but the break was too complex.
There was a chance that Callen would have it treated, but Virose wasn't even remotely willing to go back to him.
Not yet, at least.
The owner of the weapon shop appeared in the doorway to get some fresh air and berate the hero loitering in his alleyway.
"Learned your lesson?" he asked, already placing his hands on his hips in his favorite pose to berate adventurers.
Virose cringed against the oncoming lecture. "How is the sword coming?" he asked, by way of avoiding the rant.
"You look like hell," replied the blacksmith. "And that sword is mangled. Not sure it or you are worth my time."
"Just the sword, thanks," replied Virose, with a confident, practiced, and obviously fake smile. "I haven't the coin for opinions or advice."
"Then take this for free, Hero," the blacksmith lectured with crossed arms and a scowl. "Survival always comes before pride."
Virose took a breath and let it out with a shrug and flippant wave of his hand. The smithy repeated the gesture with more flamboyance, and scowled.
"I can't figure out why I try to help you," the smithy replied gruffly. "No matter what advice I give, you still insist on doing things the hard way."
"Your advice just tells me who wears the boot and who licks it," Virose countered with a grumble.
With a growling sign, the blacksmith uncrossed his arms and took a step toward Virose, "I'll fix your damn blade," he growled, though he did not move until Virose looked him in the eye. "Go back to Callen tomorrow and kneel. Don't make him educate you again, he only has so much patience and he does not suffer fools."
Virose nodded that he understood, but the blacksmith did not move. Deflating further still, Virose shut his eyes as if that would lessen the weight of his words. "...I will." When he still felt the smithy's eyes upon him he grit his teeth and in a louder voice he declared, "I will."
"Tomorrow" the smithy pressed, poking Virose in the chest.
"Tomorrow," Virose agreed, rubbing the place he'd been jabbed at and hoping this was the end of their interaction.
Satisfied, the smithy returned to his shop and the adventurers he actually liked.
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Sword_of_Aeons
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Post by Sword_of_Aeons on Mar 4, 2006 5:41:22 GMT -6
Despite his humble posture and bowed head, Alkesh easily parted the traffic on the busy afternoon street. No posture, after all, was seen as humble on a rather large reptile. It didn't seem to matter that he wore the robes of a Priest of Esh- a religion known for its abhorrence of violence.
"Goddess," he whispered under his breath, "I hope you're right about this." Alkesh cringed as his ears heard what his tired mind had ignored. Doubt.
What good was doubt? What had doubt ever gotten him? He owed his success in life to faith. Doubt was what threatened to hold him back. It was not welcome, so he said a prayer of penance and promised to have more mental fortitude from that point on. It had just been a long week at the temple, involving interviewing mercenary after mercenary, knight after knight, and Hero after Hero- the majority of which had seemed like perfect candidates. Strong and brave, they'd all been, with tales of victories and an abundance of skills.
But, Esh turned down every single one- which was an explanation none of them took well. No one liked to be told that the Goddess of Balance did not see them as worthy. That insult, however, was forgiven once Alkesh explained that the pay for the job was not equal to the skill it required. A few of the Heroes actually seemed relieved when they were dismissed, though they all asked if he was sure he could find someone better suited for the job. He assured them he could, though he had felt a tinge of panic when he looked out the temple gates for the next candidate and there was no one left. The last hero had seen his reaction and refused to leave until Alkesh told him the name of every single person that had been interviewed.
"Ah," said the hero, a man in his fifties with one of the tattoos of the Tai'Lu Academy's spider-web-like mark upon his neck. "Personally, I'd call Shi'it back for a second go..." he eyed Alkesh for any sign that his suggestion would be headed, then sighed. "But you could also try..." He fished around in his coat pockets and picked through small squares made of thin animal hide. The one he settled on bore the Tai'Lu crest and a similar symbol that allowed Alkesh to confirm his suspicion that the neck tattoos were for identification. Next to that was a name. "Pronounced like virus, but with a hard O," the hero explained. "...Sanor's apprentice."
Alkesh had heard that name pop up a couple times when he admitted that he needed someone who would work for cheap. Learning now that the name he had heard was the apprentice of the legendary hero, Sanor? Well, that settled it. Alkesh had set out the next morning with the support of the other priests and a sense of confidence that this was the man Esh had wanted him to find all along.
Finding him, however, had proven difficult. The first day had been easy to get through... the fourth, not so much. When he asked people for someone named Virose, they just referred him to an animal trainer of sub-par reputation or teased him about celibacy.
With an uncharacteristic sigh, Alkesh eventually gave up and decided to meet the animal trainer and ask if he knew of someone else by the same name. So far, the man had not been at the top three locations he was supposed to frequent- a bar, a tavern, and a pub. Alkesh decided he would not be recommending this animal trainer to friends. On his way back to the original bar, Alkesh glanced around the weapon shop and stopped dead.
There in the alley beside the shop was a man wearing the Tai'Lu Academy uniform. Someone Alkesh had not interviewed!
"Virose?" he asked the figure hopefully, pulling back his hood to reveal a black-scaled reptilian face with red eyes that managed to appear less sinister and more thoughtful than one would expect.
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Post by FangedSmile on Mar 4, 2006 5:44:58 GMT -6
Virose heard the gentle tone, though its hissing quality was odd. He glanced to the side and was greeted with white, slightly traven-warn robes and a blue vestment- which seemed to add up. Religious people were quick to talk to strangers and usually the first ones to ask heroes for help. What he wasn't expecting was a S'skarran with ebony scales and red eyes.
The robes said 'priest' but the face said 'man-eater.'
Virose found himself at a loss for words, not sure if what he was seeing was entirely real. Was this creature there at all? Was the face he saw real? The lizard seemed hunched over as if trying to appear shorter than he was, and had large, clawed hands that were clasped almost pleadingly together. Surely, this wasn't real.
Narrowing his eyes and stepped into a more guarded pose in case this thing was real, though he did not try to talk to what was probably a figment of his imagination.
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Post by Sword_of_Aeons on Mar 4, 2006 5:46:56 GMT -6
Alkesh smiled as the eyes that stared back at him grew in mild surprise, then narrowed. All things considered, that was a better reaction than usual. A faint sense of peace washed over Alkesh, and his eyes were guided to the tattoo upon the man's neck. He had stared at that same mark enough times to recognize it immediately. Thank the goddess! Alkesh felt his crest rise as he bowed low in greeting, and took out the hide he had received from the other hero. He offered it as a letter of introduction, just as he'd been instructed.
"I am Alkesh, a priest in the service of Esh. I came to ask for your help in an important venture."
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Post by FangedSmile on Mar 4, 2006 5:59:46 GMT -6
Virose stared at the hide for a moment. So then this was real? Someone was actually asking for his help instead of his...
'Skills' he told his own mind before it could drift down a darker path. 'As an animal tamer.'
That thought made him snort in wry humor. "Can't help you," he replied to the priest. He knew who had given that hide to Alkesh, and could not help but feel irritated.
Giant, man-eating lizard priest has a quest? Let's pair him with the animal tamer!
Cute.
What that hero hadn't known, however, was that Virose was currently able to turn down job offers. It wouldn't be long until word got around though. The gash on his arm began to ache as he thought about it, and he hoped the lizard would simply go away and not ask for an explanation.
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Post by Sword_of_Aeons on Mar 4, 2006 17:44:07 GMT -6
Alkesh's crest flattened limply against his head. The other heroes had answered the request for aid with a sense of dutiful pride and the older hero had implied that money wouldn't be a problem. Virose didn't look particularly busy, so why...?
"I... I was lead to believe you could," he pressed, with a subtle flourish to the hide as he placed it in Virose's hand. "I have heard only good of you and your mentor, Sanor. Surely you can help me. I've been looking for you specifically!"
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Post by FangedSmile on Mar 4, 2006 18:16:01 GMT -6
Virose felt a twinge of gilt from the name. "What do you know of Sanor?" he questioned, not expecting any response other than what people had heard from legends. Everyone 'knew' about Sanor. Hero of heroes, champion of men and elves, guardian of royalty. He was praised in songs around the continent. No one mentioned that he had not left the elven city in years.
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Post by Sword_of_Aeons on Mar 4, 2006 18:19:41 GMT -6
"I met Sanor, several years ago," Alkesh replied. "I was much younger, and more easily impressed... but then, Sanor would impress even the most seasoned warriors, would he not?"
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Post by FangedSmile on Mar 4, 2006 18:27:19 GMT -6
Virose stared at Alkesh. He'd met Sanor? How important was this lizard? "Yes," he agreed meekly. "He would. However, you may recall that I wasn't there when you met him. I'm not him. If you need him then you should go get him."
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Post by Sword_of_Aeons on Mar 4, 2006 18:42:51 GMT -6
That was easier said than done. Alkesh was well aware of the fact that Sanor was at the elven palace and had not been seen outside the city gates in quite a while. He'd written to the hero to request his aid the minute he'd learned of the gravity of the quest he had been charged with. Sanor had sent a message along with an official letter from the Elven leaders that stated they were attending to internal affairs and not getting into everyone else's drama. As a whole, elves tended not to get involved in political matters much these days. Not unless they themselves were personally affected by them and could not pay a sellsword or avatar to solve the problem for them. They had even stopped teaching magic to other species- no matter how adept the users proved to be.
Was that why Virose was not with Sanor?
That thought was encouraging. Sanor was far away. Virose, however, was right here. Where he was needed. Alkesh himself was from a civilization that had isolated itself. Still, Alkesh was here. Where he needed to be.
"Sanor wasn't training anyone when I met him." Alkesh stated with a smile. "He was waiting for the right person. You. I don't have much to offer you, but I need your help. Please, you must help me."
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Post by FangedSmile on Mar 4, 2006 18:50:31 GMT -6
Virose grimaced at what he took as pandering. "Look, I'm not telling you to get lost because I'm on some high horse. I'm telling you this for your own good. I'm not accepting jobs right now, I don't even have a-"
His comment was interrupted by a sharp whistle and the appearance of the blacksmith. "Blade's done!" The smithy knew that he'd picked the worst moment to make that announcement- but it was only the worst for Virose. It was the best for the lizard priest and the smithy who had plenty of swords but zero desire to rush because he knew Virose would wait quietly in that back alley (and out of trouble) for hours on end, like a stray dog waiting for scraps.
"Thank you," Virose growled lowly, snatching the sword from him as it was held out. When the blacksmith returned inside, Virose followed under the mumbled excuse of needing to pay.
He glanced at the pittance of copper Virose offered. The hero's eyes were already fixed on the front of the shop where an empty street awaited. That was rude. Virose's new reptilian friend was still out back! Why, if he hurried out there too quickly his friend might not be able to catch up. Smiling, the blacksmith reached past the coin and the hand that held it. He grabbed the hero's left hand, yanked it forward and shook it rigorously.
"Think nothing of it, your coin is no good here!" he announced with a campy grin, meeting Virose's eye with an expression he hoped explained his actions.
The pained shock on Virose's face changed to a glare that suggested the point had been made. The blacksmith eased up on how hard he was shaking but kept his grip tight so Virose would not be able to slip free and make a quick getaway. All the hero could do was become paler as time passed, and spit out empty threats. If he tried to use that sword of his, he'd have to then fight every person in the shop.
A the shop that was home base for legionnaires and heroes who wanted cheap food, weapon repairs, and a job board full of quests. At that moment, the occupants amounted to about nine mercs, one of whom was a minotaur with a two-handed axe.
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Post by Sword_of_Aeons on Mar 4, 2006 18:53:08 GMT -6
Alkesh could not quite fit through the narrow back door and was pleased to see Virose still inside by the time he made his way around to the shop's main entrance. With confused apprehension, he watched the interaction between the two men. They definitely weren't friends, which seemed odd. He would have thought Sanor's apprentice would be met by praise and acceptance wherever he journeyed. Not tormented.
Instead of interjecting, Alkesh felt swayed to stand back from the doorway. He looked down at the strip of animal hide the old hero had given him. The man had made things sound so simple.
'Find Virose and give him that. He'll help.'
What all had he said? Something about an oath? Alkesh could not remember clearly. He'd been feeling star-struck at the idea of meeting Sanor's apprentice.
He was still trying to remember, when Virose left the shop. The hero was ashen-faced and moved with the slower, stiff movements of someone in a great amount of pain. When he noticed Alkesh, he withered visibly and took a step back. The boisterous voice of the blacksmith halted his movement and his eyes shifted around for another escape route.
Alkesh frowned as he reached out to gesture for Virose to come closer, and the man replied by trying to step around him. This was a lot of resistance from the person Alkesh had been told would help. The old hero had seemed so sure.
"You have a blade and the skill to use it," Alkesh pleaded, hurrying to step in Virose's path. "You're Sanor's apprentice and a hero. I know you can help me. You must! The fate of Balance depends on it."
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Post by FangedSmile on Mar 4, 2006 19:02:45 GMT -6
Virose sighed wearily as his path was blocked and he noticed Alkesh was gripping a scrap of hide with the academy crest and his symbol upon it. How much had the priest been told about heroes? His stomach twisted and he cringed when he noted that Alkesh said he 'must' help.
That stupid oath had seemed so cool when he was a child. As an adult, however, he realized how annoying it was to be sworn to duty if called upon as a last resort. He figured it was supposed to keep high-ranking heroes from turning down low-paying jobs from widows and the elderly. Over the years, people learned how to exploit it and it was regularly abused.
The problem was bad enough that plenty of heroes who hated it! Still, just as it could be exploited, there were loopholes that worked in his favor. If Alkesh decided he was not the best candidate, or if he was incapable of helping, then he had no obligation.
"Listen, I'm your worst choice," he admitted, actually feeling the self-righteous grunt from the blacksmith who was now standing in the doorway behind him. "And," he glanced back at the smithy and glared. "Oath or not, I don't have to help you if I'm not physically able to do so. Yes, I have a sword. But the sword isn't the only thing I broke. I physically can't help you. We're done."
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Sword_of_Aeons
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Post by Sword_of_Aeons on Mar 4, 2006 19:06:38 GMT -6
Alkesh's tongue flickered in and out of his mouth in response to the rant. "Ah, yes, I noticed that." He nodded and replaced the hide within a pocket of his robe. "Injuries, while painful, are not always a problem for those blessed by the Goddess, Esh. As an avatar of her will, I can heal-"
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Post by FangedSmile on Mar 4, 2006 19:11:13 GMT -6
Virose groaned and felt his temper flare as he stared up at the... giant, man-eating lizard. Odds were that he would lose if they actually fought but no one could call him a coward- stupid, but not a coward. So, he hissed back,
"I don't want to help you. I know you're here because I'm the cheapest option and am obligated to help- but I'm trying to be honest with you. I. Can't. Help. You! My arm isn't just cut open, it's broken, and no healing potion is going to fix that. GO! AWAY!"
He tried to shrug off the hand the blacksmith had clamped down on his shoulder, but the man held tight. "Oy," grunted the smithy. "I don't expect much from you, but I expect better than that. He's clergy. Be nice."
"Piss off," Virose growled back. His face had changed. There was a wildness to it that made him look crazed. "I'm supposed to kneel to Calen tomorrow, aren't I??"
"You weren't going to do that and we both know it," the smithy snarled back, also looking like he was preparing to start throwing punches.
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