On Edge - Silvia, Veridian and Cai
Jan 18, 2022 10:33:14 GMT
Delilah Daybreaker, Celina Zabinski, and 3 more like this
Post by Wixspartan on Jan 18, 2022 10:33:14 GMT
She expected it to take days of searching, bribes, travel. Half an hour later and she had learnt from Dwirhian that he resided in Fort Ettin, in fact he had probably been in the alchemy lab as she passed it ten minutes ago. Now she stands at the door to the alchemy lab, her breath slow and controlled, he should be here. Why was she nervous, a powerful wizard who happened to have what she assumed was a poor relationship with the being she had bound her being to, what could go wrong? With another deep breath she opened the door and steps inside.
The wizard is sitting at one of the tables with his back to the door, his green coat hangs on the back of the chair, sleeves rolled up he appears to be in the middle of some sort of experiment. As the door closes behind Silvia he turns round at the unexpected noise. He appears to be wearing goggles that are magnifying his eyes to appear about three times their normal size. Before she can panic and run she opens her mouth.
“You must be Veridian I presume?”
Stupid… He knows his own name, he knows you know who he is. He probably knows who you are, there’s no reason to-
“I’m Silvia, I just wanted a conversation.”
The words fly from her mouth before she can think about them.
“Yes I am Veridian, Veridian Pentaghast at your service.''
He removes the goggles and begins to almost study Silvia for a second.
“Of course I’d be more than happy to have a conversation with one of the newer adventurers.” He gestures to one of the other tables and is considerably less cluttered.
“Please take a seat, I’ll be with you in one second, just have to make sure that this mixture doesn’t explode like the last one.”
Veridian quickly pours various liquids into the bottle that he seemed to be working on when Slivia entered, there is a slight pop and puff of smoke before he turns back around.
“That could have gone better but anyway what is it that I can help you with?”
She takes the offered seat.
“Mr. Pentaghast, first I must ask for my safety. I know far less than I would hope, and I fear I may say something that will put me at risk of retribution or pre-emptive self defence. Is that agreeable?”
“Yes I do think that is agreeable.” Veridian walks about ten feet further back then where he was standing. In an instant he throws some sort of red dust that heads straight for Silvia, it surrounds her and seems to solidify into a perfect cube of amber energy.
“There you are perfectly safe now and so am I, not the best way to start a sentence but ok, please continue.” He takes a seat.
“Thank you Mr. Pentaghast. Now please, if you would. How much do you know about dragons?”
“Maybe a little more than most, I’ve studied some in quite close proximity and do have the ability to turn into a dragon myself.”
“Was there anything specific you needed to know about them, to be honest if thats why you are here I might have to point you to the Daring Academy they might have experts on dragons that could be a better source of information.”
She looks at the cube surrounding her.
“We all know the stories, dragons hoard things. Treasure, art, magic items. Books though, that is rarer, and one book in particular is what interests me here. You stole that book didn’t you Mr. Pentaghast?”
Veridian burst out laughing. After a second he calms down.
“Oh I apologise but I was not expecting that. Well how I acquired the book is a matter of perspective, I see it more as taking a powerful item out of the wrong hands.”
He places a hand on the book but doesn’t break eye contact.
“You are new in these parts so I shall give you a warning. The last person that tried to steal my book I shot in the back of the head as they ran away, and they were much younger then you. And I’m more powerful now and can inflict much worse fates. Choose your next words very carefully.”
“Apologies sir, I have only heard one side of matters, and that side definitely seems to believe it was theft.”
She seems to consider something before pulling a dagger from her hip. Its blade appears to be a wickedly sharp fang and the handle is bound with black thread.
“I asked for protection because I knew you would not be pleased with what I would bring before you. For the past seven years I have borne the burden of a bond with the creature you stole that book from, and he wants it back. I have no belief he wanted me to speak with you but I am my own woman and I wanted to be open and honest. Plus I tend not to enjoy only hearing one side of a story, it tends to lead to fanaticism and ignorance.”
“Wait, that oversized lizard has the ability to grant you power? As in you have magic through this connection. How can he, I didn’t think he’d be strong enough for something like that. I wonder if I was to make it permanent…..” He trails on in thought for a second before snapping back. “So would you like to know why I went after the book?”
At the mention of magic she gives a wave of her hand and wisps of shadow whip between her fingers and fade again.
“I simply wish to know what that book is. Apparently it could save several people’s souls”
Veridian looks very confused at this.
“I don’t see how, the book's power is tied to the changing of the physical world, it is a book of alchemy and transmutation. It has no power of souls.”
She shrugs.
“I tell you what I know, no less but no more. There are many questions I want to ask him, and several I want to ask you, but I will start with what primarily concerns me. Who of the two of you should I believe is in the right? Because right now I’m not entirely sure who to trust and neither of you have made good impressions, although you have both made some interesting proposals, if perhaps one of you did a far better job of being polite…”
“Very well then I shall explain why I went for the book.” He gets himself comfortable in his chair.
“A few months ago it was brought to my attention that a figure in the very north of the Angelbark forest had somehow acquired a powerful book of alchemy. A book in which they were exploiting in order to seemingly lay siege to that whole part of the forest. I managed to gather other adventurers and we headed there to investigate. Upon arrival we realised that something had changed the forest; it was a completely different climate then what it should have been. Oh and then we saw this.”
He makes a simple gesture with his hand and in front of Siliva appears a view of the forest as seen from Veridian's eyes. Wyverns flew in the skies above and breathing down fire onto the forest below, riders sat on their backs. The image changes this time to a path leading to a compound lined with spikes with several heads impaled upon them.
“You see, the person who had the book had amassed a small militia and was using it, we went and cut the head off from the snake, and succeeded. As that pathetic dragon fled he left the book behind and I picked it up as compensation.”
He goes to say something but stops.
“As for myself, yes I have a slight problem with reacting in anger and have done some things in my time here in Kantas that some would believe to be questionable, I don’t deny that nor do I apologise for it. However I have saved countless more lives than I have taken in my life, I doubt our shadowy friend could say the same.”
She holds up a finger.
“Associate, not a friend, not yet. You speak as if he is some weak being that does nothing but try and kill and yet since I have finally been able to meet him every time I have asked for his compliance in helping others instead of harming he has agreed. It seems the mindset of “I kill but for a good cause” lies strong on both sides Mr. Pentaghast. Now, if you will allow me to ask another question. When this field drops, when I head back to my room to sleep, am I going to wake up?”
She stares Veridian dead in the eyes, a cold, but not harsh gaze. She’s watching, waiting for the anger. He chuckles once again
“If you walk out of this room then yes.” He returns the stare unfazed.
“Well then, good to know I’m not going to die in my sleep at least. Not if I don’t steal from you clearly.”
She stands up.
“Is there anything else you wanted from me? I have come for answers and gotten some, I do not intend to stay here any longer unless you wish for anything?”
“I simply will offer you my help, should at any time you wish to break this connection, I will do all in my power to see it happen. I do not enjoy seeing people stuck in a situation they can’t get out of, especially when I can help”
His expression changes from a cold stare to one of compassion.
“To be honest I was going to walk out of here and leave in there for its duration but an act of good faith deserves another.”
With that he raises his hand, two fingers pointed at Siliva, the tips of these fingers begin to glow amber and after a second a thin line shoots out and strikes the forcecage Siliva is in. She can almost feel the force of the impact against the barrier and it shatters around her, the red dust he had thrown out seems to flow back in the small bag on his hip that it came from.
“You can see me at any time and we can talk some more if you wish.”
She smiles sadly.
“Thank you sir, but first I need time to think and discuss. It has been a very long day.”
“Maybe stop by the chapel here in the fort, my partner Cai should be in there, he is very good at listening to others problems and helping them through it. Of course in your own time.”
With that she turns and throws up a wave before heading for the door. On the other side she leans against the door and lets out the breath she had been holding the whole time he had kept the forcecage up. It had gone well, maybe. He seemed genuinely willing to help her, or at least not to pop a magic missile in the back of her head whilst she slept which was a plus. This Cai seemed like a logical next step. After all, the only sensible thing to do when faced with difficult choices was simply to ask questions until the choice became far less difficult. She tried to stay calm as she headed back up to the chapel. It was getting late and she would have to sleep soon but not now, not with her mind racing this fast...
The wizard is sitting at one of the tables with his back to the door, his green coat hangs on the back of the chair, sleeves rolled up he appears to be in the middle of some sort of experiment. As the door closes behind Silvia he turns round at the unexpected noise. He appears to be wearing goggles that are magnifying his eyes to appear about three times their normal size. Before she can panic and run she opens her mouth.
“You must be Veridian I presume?”
Stupid… He knows his own name, he knows you know who he is. He probably knows who you are, there’s no reason to-
“I’m Silvia, I just wanted a conversation.”
The words fly from her mouth before she can think about them.
“Yes I am Veridian, Veridian Pentaghast at your service.''
He removes the goggles and begins to almost study Silvia for a second.
“Of course I’d be more than happy to have a conversation with one of the newer adventurers.” He gestures to one of the other tables and is considerably less cluttered.
“Please take a seat, I’ll be with you in one second, just have to make sure that this mixture doesn’t explode like the last one.”
Veridian quickly pours various liquids into the bottle that he seemed to be working on when Slivia entered, there is a slight pop and puff of smoke before he turns back around.
“That could have gone better but anyway what is it that I can help you with?”
She takes the offered seat.
“Mr. Pentaghast, first I must ask for my safety. I know far less than I would hope, and I fear I may say something that will put me at risk of retribution or pre-emptive self defence. Is that agreeable?”
“Yes I do think that is agreeable.” Veridian walks about ten feet further back then where he was standing. In an instant he throws some sort of red dust that heads straight for Silvia, it surrounds her and seems to solidify into a perfect cube of amber energy.
“There you are perfectly safe now and so am I, not the best way to start a sentence but ok, please continue.” He takes a seat.
“Thank you Mr. Pentaghast. Now please, if you would. How much do you know about dragons?”
“Maybe a little more than most, I’ve studied some in quite close proximity and do have the ability to turn into a dragon myself.”
“Was there anything specific you needed to know about them, to be honest if thats why you are here I might have to point you to the Daring Academy they might have experts on dragons that could be a better source of information.”
She looks at the cube surrounding her.
“We all know the stories, dragons hoard things. Treasure, art, magic items. Books though, that is rarer, and one book in particular is what interests me here. You stole that book didn’t you Mr. Pentaghast?”
Veridian burst out laughing. After a second he calms down.
“Oh I apologise but I was not expecting that. Well how I acquired the book is a matter of perspective, I see it more as taking a powerful item out of the wrong hands.”
He places a hand on the book but doesn’t break eye contact.
“You are new in these parts so I shall give you a warning. The last person that tried to steal my book I shot in the back of the head as they ran away, and they were much younger then you. And I’m more powerful now and can inflict much worse fates. Choose your next words very carefully.”
“Apologies sir, I have only heard one side of matters, and that side definitely seems to believe it was theft.”
She seems to consider something before pulling a dagger from her hip. Its blade appears to be a wickedly sharp fang and the handle is bound with black thread.
“I asked for protection because I knew you would not be pleased with what I would bring before you. For the past seven years I have borne the burden of a bond with the creature you stole that book from, and he wants it back. I have no belief he wanted me to speak with you but I am my own woman and I wanted to be open and honest. Plus I tend not to enjoy only hearing one side of a story, it tends to lead to fanaticism and ignorance.”
“Wait, that oversized lizard has the ability to grant you power? As in you have magic through this connection. How can he, I didn’t think he’d be strong enough for something like that. I wonder if I was to make it permanent…..” He trails on in thought for a second before snapping back. “So would you like to know why I went after the book?”
At the mention of magic she gives a wave of her hand and wisps of shadow whip between her fingers and fade again.
“I simply wish to know what that book is. Apparently it could save several people’s souls”
Veridian looks very confused at this.
“I don’t see how, the book's power is tied to the changing of the physical world, it is a book of alchemy and transmutation. It has no power of souls.”
She shrugs.
“I tell you what I know, no less but no more. There are many questions I want to ask him, and several I want to ask you, but I will start with what primarily concerns me. Who of the two of you should I believe is in the right? Because right now I’m not entirely sure who to trust and neither of you have made good impressions, although you have both made some interesting proposals, if perhaps one of you did a far better job of being polite…”
“Very well then I shall explain why I went for the book.” He gets himself comfortable in his chair.
“A few months ago it was brought to my attention that a figure in the very north of the Angelbark forest had somehow acquired a powerful book of alchemy. A book in which they were exploiting in order to seemingly lay siege to that whole part of the forest. I managed to gather other adventurers and we headed there to investigate. Upon arrival we realised that something had changed the forest; it was a completely different climate then what it should have been. Oh and then we saw this.”
He makes a simple gesture with his hand and in front of Siliva appears a view of the forest as seen from Veridian's eyes. Wyverns flew in the skies above and breathing down fire onto the forest below, riders sat on their backs. The image changes this time to a path leading to a compound lined with spikes with several heads impaled upon them.
“You see, the person who had the book had amassed a small militia and was using it, we went and cut the head off from the snake, and succeeded. As that pathetic dragon fled he left the book behind and I picked it up as compensation.”
He goes to say something but stops.
“As for myself, yes I have a slight problem with reacting in anger and have done some things in my time here in Kantas that some would believe to be questionable, I don’t deny that nor do I apologise for it. However I have saved countless more lives than I have taken in my life, I doubt our shadowy friend could say the same.”
She holds up a finger.
“Associate, not a friend, not yet. You speak as if he is some weak being that does nothing but try and kill and yet since I have finally been able to meet him every time I have asked for his compliance in helping others instead of harming he has agreed. It seems the mindset of “I kill but for a good cause” lies strong on both sides Mr. Pentaghast. Now, if you will allow me to ask another question. When this field drops, when I head back to my room to sleep, am I going to wake up?”
She stares Veridian dead in the eyes, a cold, but not harsh gaze. She’s watching, waiting for the anger. He chuckles once again
“If you walk out of this room then yes.” He returns the stare unfazed.
“Well then, good to know I’m not going to die in my sleep at least. Not if I don’t steal from you clearly.”
She stands up.
“Is there anything else you wanted from me? I have come for answers and gotten some, I do not intend to stay here any longer unless you wish for anything?”
“I simply will offer you my help, should at any time you wish to break this connection, I will do all in my power to see it happen. I do not enjoy seeing people stuck in a situation they can’t get out of, especially when I can help”
His expression changes from a cold stare to one of compassion.
“To be honest I was going to walk out of here and leave in there for its duration but an act of good faith deserves another.”
With that he raises his hand, two fingers pointed at Siliva, the tips of these fingers begin to glow amber and after a second a thin line shoots out and strikes the forcecage Siliva is in. She can almost feel the force of the impact against the barrier and it shatters around her, the red dust he had thrown out seems to flow back in the small bag on his hip that it came from.
“You can see me at any time and we can talk some more if you wish.”
She smiles sadly.
“Thank you sir, but first I need time to think and discuss. It has been a very long day.”
“Maybe stop by the chapel here in the fort, my partner Cai should be in there, he is very good at listening to others problems and helping them through it. Of course in your own time.”
With that she turns and throws up a wave before heading for the door. On the other side she leans against the door and lets out the breath she had been holding the whole time he had kept the forcecage up. It had gone well, maybe. He seemed genuinely willing to help her, or at least not to pop a magic missile in the back of her head whilst she slept which was a plus. This Cai seemed like a logical next step. After all, the only sensible thing to do when faced with difficult choices was simply to ask questions until the choice became far less difficult. She tried to stay calm as she headed back up to the chapel. It was getting late and she would have to sleep soon but not now, not with her mind racing this fast...
