Private Tales Lord of the Fallen

A private roleplay only for those invited by the first writer

Slania Galdfangr

The Midnight Sun
Member
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7
It was late in the day when the guild worker found Slania.

She was sitting in the outside area of a sort of restaurant/tavern place that served food and drinks, as well as clean enough rooms for weary travelers and adventurers in the Outer City part of Alliria. Things were on the expensive side there, but that was to be expected when the things served there was as good as they were.

The place had a sort of calm ambiance about it, with the smell of cooked meals and spices wafting through the windows, the waiters and waitresses' friendly yet distant demeanor, it was the perfect place for Slania to just... Take a break and relax.

And then a young woman rushed to her table and slammed both hands down on it. "Found you!"

All eyes on the outside of the tavern turned towards her, mostly curious or worried glances from the customer, and glares from the waiters. Under the weight of all those looks, the young woman shrank in on herself and slowly moved her hands off the table.

Too much for a break...

Slania sighed and standing up, giving the nearest waiter her best attempt at an apologetic look before placing a somewhat heavy pouch of coins on the table.

The guild worker then tapped Slania on the shoulder. "Umm, sorry about that, miss Slania, but the guild master asked for you. He said it's very... urgent."

Slania turned her attention to the woman infront of her. She was blonde, with dark freckles sprinkled over her nose and cheeks, but her most striking feature was her bright, emerald green eyes. Something about them made her a bit uncomfortable, but still, she gave the woman her usual faint smile and nodded. "Lead the way."

The walk to the Adventurer Guild was a short one, mostly to how fast the two women were walking through the quiet streets.

The building itself, while not as marvelous as the ones in the Inner City, was a beast on its own. Composed of stone like most buildings in Alliria, it had one story along the bottom floor, with large glass windows and stone pillars lining up the outer side and holding the protruding first floor gave the building a more sophisticated look than what was around it. Two guards armed with swords and spears stood around the front door, while others circled around the area.

Inside the building was a different case though.

It was chaotic and crowded, with many colourful people in a variety of armours and clothes, some carrying weapons, others not, and they were all just talking with each other or with the office workers and filling up the place with constant noise that, years ago would've drove Slania to just turn around and run out of the building.

But these was the old days, and now... Now she could handle it slightly better.

Her escort jumped in front of her and pointed towards the floor above. "The guild master would like to speak to you first. You can find him upstairs in the second room to the left, miss Slania." And with that, the young woman ran away and disappeared behind a group of people in heavy armour.
 
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Taking a deep breath, Slania headed up the stairs towards the room she was pointed towards.

The door was left slightly ajar, usually the master's way of saying that people are allowed to come in, with him being unoccupied. Slania knocked anyways.

A loud 'Come in!' emanated from the room, and she took that as her cue to enter the room and close the door behind her.

Guild master Farron had always been a strong man for his age, late fifties from what Slania heard. As a retired adventurer, he was always standing tall, his dark hair still maintaining it's colour and shine and his physique being much better than most people his age, but now he looked... worn, to put it lightly.

He had deep, dark circles under his eyes, and his face looked shallow and pale. His hair now had a few silver strands scattered around his head.

Slania's ever present faint smile vanished. *She takes a vacation for just a week and this happens?*

"Ah, Slania, it's good to have you back!" Farron exclaimed in that always excited voice he kept doing, a large smile spread across his face.

"You don't look so good, old man." And it was true. Slania couldn't decide on if it was age finally catching up to the stubborn old fool or if he was stressed beyond how he normally is. "Something happened while I was away."

Farron snorted loudly, but she saw his smile begin to fall. "You don't know half of it, kid... You don't know half of it."

"Caravans, merchant caravans, started going missing around two weeks ago. We thought it was just bandits camping somewhere around the road, but when we sent adventurers and guards out to check, they found absolutely nothing...

"That was when the Merchant Council started complaining," He sighed, "They started requesting that we send out more people to check for the caravans again, but this time... They didn't return."

Both of them stayed silent for a moment, letting in the weight of what happened settle in.

Slania really had nothing to say in response to that, so she chose to continue progressing the conversation.

"How many people went missing, Farron?" Slania asked, even when she fully understood the gravity of the situation, she still couldn't bring herself to express how she felt about it...

Farron just looked down at his hands which were folded on his desk. "Ten people left on these expeditions... My daughter, Mirria, was one of them."

Oh...

"I'm... I'm sorry, Farro-"

"No," he interrupted, "Don't say it. Neither of us know what happened, and that's... That's why I'm asking *you* to do this. But I won't allow you to go by yourself."

"That sounds like a sensible idea." Slania said.

Farron nodded. "A young elf girl came around asking for you earlier today, and yesterday... I told her that you were taking a week off for studying and whatever you do in your free time. She seemed rather exited when I told her that I called for you today, and I took the liberty of asking if she wanted to head out with you." The old man's smile now returned to how she remembered it.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Ah, I think that's her..."
 
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Melaniphi was in a daze.
She sank to her knees as the carnage ensued around her.
The soldier beside her shoved her aside as an orc caught him full tackle.
The brute tore off his sword arm and beat him with it as the poor man barely out of his teens was bludgeoned to death.
She had no idea what to do as she ducked a swing from another orc and it caught a knight on his horse. Throwing him into the air he landed on top of her heavily. She felt the last breath leave his body as she struggled for air trying in vain to push him aside. He was too heavy.
His mouth gushing blood as she felt it pooling around her.

"Its your fault...You couldnt save us.."
He wheezed as he suddenly came back to life. He switch positions pinning her to the ground.

"Your fault! YOUR FAULT!"
He began to yell before it turned to a scream.

Blood gushing from his mouth as he repeated the words. Each digging into her ears like daggers.

"I know..." Melaniphi said beginning to sob.
"I-I tried..I really did..I..." She struggled to speak over the screams as blood threatened to submerge her and then...

A knock sounded..

She looked around confused for a moment before everything faded and her eyes snapped open.
She lunged forward in a sitting position breathing heavily as her heart pounded in her chest...

Just a dream...
Just a dream..
Then the knock sounded again.
"Miss!? Miss!?"

It was the maid.

"Yes Mrs. Humble? Im awake!" Melaniphi said loud enough to be heard through the door.

"Guild master just sent word! That adventurer you were looking for has been called for and is waiting on your arrival." Bollocks...She had meant to wake up early and be there before she arrived.


"Thank you Mrs. Humble!"
She said still cursing under her breath as she pulled on her glasses, before they immediately slid down her nose, grabbed the knapsack she had packed the previous night.

She grabbed her blow gun and leather case of darts sliding them into a small holster on her belt behind her back as she buckled her journals holster to the belt as well.
An enchanted quill was between the pages. It was always ready with ink when she wrote with it.
Finally she buttoned up her shirt and pulled on her pants before sliding into her nearly knee high boots, tying on her scarf, shouldering her knapsack and quickly making for the door ,snatching the staff leaning against it, as she passed. The streets were bustling as she made her way from the central market before slowly relaxing and quieting as she neared the adventures guild on the outskirts of the city.
Soon she found her way to the guild masters office and walked up to the door before timidly knocking and after a deep breath before slowly shouldering open the door.


"I'm so sorry! I meant to be here earlier I overslept.."


She said softly unable to look up at either of them as she rubbed her right arm and stared at the floor before needing to push her glasses up her nose once again as they slid down her nose.
 
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Slania wasn't entirely sure what to make of the newcomer.

The elven girl wasn't what she expected. She was close to Slania in height, just an inch or two shorter, and incredibly slim. But with the way she was hunched over and staring at the floor, she looked much smaller than she actually was.

What really interested her was the magical energy practically oozing from the girl. It was impressive for someone so... Weak looking. Physically at least.

Still, Slania put on a polite smile and took a couple of steps towards the girl.

"It's good to meet you. My name is Slania Galdfangr, and I guess you're my partner on this mission?"
 
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She jumped slightly at being addressed, but drew to her full height as she looked up to say hello.
Slania was smiling politely, but the smile didnt reach her eyes.
They were cold and analyzing.
She felt like she was a book being read whether she liked it or not.
She wore a beautiful blue dress with slits for better movement and a long sword strapped to her back.
She continued to rub her arm as she pushed her glasses up her nose once again before responding.

"Y-yeah, I-I am.."
She said softly.

This woman intimidated her.
She was taller than her by a good 2 inches and seemed cold and driven.
Someone who definitely didnt need a partner.
Someone who was taking her along to be polite.
 
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Slania tilted her head slightly. The girl infront of her was nervous, and she had no idea how to deal with that.

She didn't like talking too much, and usually tried to be polite with people so they would feel at ease and do most of the talking, but that didn't seem like the right way of dealing this.

It was... Hard for her to relate, really. Even though the way this girl was reacting reminded her so much of how she was with crowds or strangers just talking to her for any reason, but she felt that, at the very least, should try and do *something*.

"So..." She began speaking, "You are a magic user, correct? Tell me what you can do."

Suddenly, she realized what she just said. That wasn't really she thought was the best to start a conversation.

"
Oh, sorry, I didn't ask for your name."
 
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"I'm a healer by trade ma'am. Im pretty good at it too." She said softly.
Her face losing it's nervous look as she talked about her work.

"Pretty good?" The guild master scoffed with a chuckle.
"She was a combat medic in the Steel Legion under Carter Bane. The Legion don't recruit pretty good if my memory is correct..."


"Well I like to think pride comes before a fall and I'm sure there are other healers out there loads better than me.."
She said with a shy grin as blush crept into her cheeks as Slania's next question was posed to her.
"Oh..No apology nessisary Ms Galdfangr..My name is Melaniphi. Melaniphi Syllis!" She said as her shy smile turned into one of warm greeting.
"No need for introductions on my end. I know all about you. There hasn't been a rune mage like you in ages. That's why I was seeking you out. My runes of healing and restoration are ok, but my other types leave...A lot to be desired.." She said with a shaky, nervous, laugh.
She pushed her glasses back up her nose as she turned to leave.

"Anyway, Im sorry for my lateness and intrusion. Due catch up with each other. I'll be waiting in the main hall when your ready to depart Ms. Glandfangr." And with that she turned on her heel and walked out with a slight skip of excitement to her step.

Slania seemed nice if not a bit of a loner, but Melaniphi was excited to travel with someone the guild master and others seemed to hold in such high regard for her skill. Much learning would take place, and she was ready for that.
 
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"Well then!" Farron suddenly exclaimed, making Slania jump slightly in alarm. "That girl really is what she said she was. Probably the best healer I've seen, better than you by alot, though not the best when it comes to fighting."

Slania fully turned towards the old man, her eyebrow quirked up. "That's why you're pairing her up with me. Even though I'm fully capable of doing this on my own..."

Farron looked down at his hands, which were folded infront of him on his desk. "I... You know fully well that I believe you can do this, but it's just... The possibility of you also vanishing is something I can't ignore. Besides, the girl was excited when she heard that you're around and... I thought it would be a good experience for her, to learn something new from you. And I think that's how she sees it too, even though this really isn't the best mission for that, I'm afraid."

The dark haired girl took a deep breath and stepped toward the guild master, hopping on the edge of his desk and crossing her legs. "I think I worded that wrong. I don't mind Melaniphi coming along, honestly. Probably prefer it this way, having backup and all in case something happened. I'm not sure how experienced she is when it comes to things like this, but I'll do my best to make sure she comes out of this unharmed, along with everyone we could save. You have my word for that."

While having a teammate or more on a mission like this could be beneficial, having large numbers meant they'd be spotted easily and taken out, just like all the others who did, but going completely by herself meant she won't have anyone to watch her back. Her summons were extremely helpful in that regard but she wanted to keep the runes around for when they might prove to be crucial, not just use them whenever she felt like it, especially with their time limit.

"Like you said," she continued, "the giril is a powerful mage for her age. I could how strong the energy in her felt. It was higher than most magic users in this building."

With that, she hopped back to her feet, brushing off the strands of her that fell around her face and turning towards Farron, who at the moment had a very large smirk on his face.

"I'm glad you understand. Maybe you can learn something from her too, eh?" He winked before getting off his chair. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting with the Councils, along with the other guild masters. Are you going to keep your new friend waiting? Shoo! You keep her waiting waiting long enough!"

Slania hurriedly ran out of the room, leaving behind a mad, cackling Farron and made her way down the stairs.

She had a mission now, and she won't fail it.
 
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Melaniphi sat by the main gate. She waved as she spotted Master Slania showing where she had been waiting.
It was'nt very long but her excitement was difficult to maintain as she was simply bursting to be traveling.

"So where exactly are we going? I know the region pretty well, but do we have an exact location? Like the last village someone saw them perhaps?" She asked in quick succession like she had been holding it in.

She was so distracted with her question asking in fact she didn't notice a pot hole.
It struck savagely fast sucking her right ankle into it's depths causing her to take a nice face plant into the gravel path just as she moved to push her glasses further up her nose.
She lay there for a moment before sitting up in the street clutching her nose. Blood was already flowing from between her hands as the tears came.


"Ow, Ow,OW!"
She squealed.

"Oh my gods Im so clumsy.."
She said as she noticed the blood covering her hands.

"Is that my blood.."
She whispered before paling for a moment and promptly throwing up to her left as the wailing recommenced.

The pain and seeing her own blood mixing with the embarrassment of what a sight she must be compounded her emotions as she didnt seem to notice the healing magic draining from her staff. It's golden light began to slowly heal her wounds.

It seemed ,however, in her distressed state the magic was having a hard time flowing.
 
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Slania didn't have much of a chance to answer her new partner's question as the girl fell face first into the gravel path. She dashed from where she stood towards where Meleniphi fell down, shouldering people out of the way, unheeding of their cries of alarm and insults aimed at her.


She knelt next to the elven girl, noticing that she was bleeding and crying. Her glasses cracked and bent on the floor next to a small splatter of blood.

Head injuries were always like that. They bleed alot, but it's usually not a problem.

People gathered around them in a small circle, some pointing their fingers and laughing at the girl, but they shut up when Slania turned to glare at them.

One of the runes on her back began glowing a warm orange colour, which extended from her like an ethereal tendril towards Melaniphi's injuries, slowly stitching them together. Another one began glowing, this time a silverly colour, and with a touch of her hand, the broken glasses started fixing itself, it's broken and bent pieces clicked back together until the glasses looked as if nothing happened to them.

To Slania's practical side, that seemed like a waste, using two runes for what seemed to be such a trivial thing, especially when the girl was a healer herself. The glasses could've been easily restored or replaced in another way that didn't use her magic. But she wanted to be nice to Meleniphi, she didn't want to start this partnership in a bad way.

The girl was still crying, the golden light eminating from her staff was dimming with each passing second. Maybe she needed comforting?

"H-hey now," Slania slowly started to speak, placing a hand gently on Meleniphi's shaking shoulder. "You're okay now, everything is going to be okay."

She hated how fake and insincere she sounded. How could words like this help anyone?
 
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"Oh..I know..It's just..the blood.." She said with a sniffle looking a little pale even mentioning her own blood.

Her breathing did calm however, and the dimming magic grew bright before the flow healing her maximized. Her blood seemed to drain from her nose in reverse and her nose clicked back into its original position.
The wounds already being healed seemed to finish immediately as well and soon she sat as if nothing happened to her at all in the span of a moment.


"Other peoples isn't fun but my own.."
She said looking sick before shaking it off.

"It's a problem to say the least..I'm sorry, you must think me a klutz...."
She continued with a small embarrassed chuckle.

Melaniphi Stared at the ground unable to meet her new masters eyes.
Her cheeks were burning as she felt the eyes of the crowd around them along with Slania's. If she wasnt apprehensive before about bringing her along Melaniphi hoped she hadnt brought it about with her usual clumsiness.

She simply continued to weather the snickering of the crowd that began to dispersed with each member remembering the place they need to be or the thing they had stopped doing to watch.


"I havent been the same since I left the battlefield. More scatter brained than usual.."


Melaniphi said with a slight bitterness creeping into her voice as she slowly raised her hand asking for help up. Her eyes never leaving the gravel path.
 
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*...Battlefield?*

The word bounced in Slania's mind. This young and clumsy was a soldier of some sort? She certainly didn't look the part, but Slania knew better than to judge a book by its cover. A mistake she'd need to fix later.

She picked the now repaired glasses and put them in Melaniphi's hands before standing back up, her eyes searching the dispersing crowd for any annoying hanger-ons that needed a stern glare, and sighed in relief when she saw that none chose to stay.

*The poor girl is probably very embarrassed about this...*

From one of the pouches strapped around her waist, she pulled folded cleaning cloth and went to wipe the blood away from her partner's face, but paused when she saw that the blood on her face vanished.

"Oh!" Slania exclaimed, "I guess you won't be needing this, then."

She extended a hand to the girl. "How about we go and and get you a good meal and drink? I know a good place for that, and we can also discuss our search plans there." Her voice had a faint cheer to it, something she really wasn't used to, but Melaniphi didn't need the purely professional and dull Slania now.

*Honestly, who the hell leaves a pot hole like that open? People these days...*
 
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"T-thanks"

Melaniphi said as she accepted her friends hand gratefully and standing up with a sigh.

"That sounds good. I haven't eaten since I woke. Not much time for it until now at any rate."

She said with a cheerful grin.
She placed her glasses back upon her face and waited for Slania to take the lead before following dutifully.

"I was a combat medic in the steel legion for a while. An nobleman army far south close to the edge of the Badlands.." She said after a moment.
"Sorry..It's just..When I said battelfield you seemed confused.."
She looked down after a moment as they walked.

"I know I don't fit the profile. But I was pretty good.."
She said quietly.