Fable - Ask The Canal

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair glanced over to the others when the door was blown off its hinges. Yeah, stepping away from the door had been the right choice. He continued to speak in a deep voice, enhanced by magic.

"Ah, perfect, more meat puppets. My brothers and sisters give you their thanks." He was going to leave it at that, but inspiration struck him and he pointed his finger at Kalix.

"You will make an excellent vessel for myself, a superior host to this body." Yeah, that line would hook Kalix quicker than anything else he had said. Catering to the guy's ego was just too easy.

Kristen Pirian Raf Kalix​

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Kristen's fingertips drifted up to touch her temples in a fretful manner.

Oh, snickerdoodle, how did this all get so out-of-hand so quickly? This was a farce, a pure and simple farce, spawned of a disagreement between Kalix and Alistair about a room they would only be staying in for a single night. And now look. Property damage! What would Lord Banick think of them? Would this be cause for yet another scandal between House Banick and House Pirian, given her presence?

Kristen gave her head a shake, trying to put a stop to her runaway worries.

"Alistair." The other noble was lounging on the room's bed. Surely he must be enjoying himself, and not just on account of the bed's comfort. "Bravo on the performance, truly, b-but do you not think it is time to dispense with this charade?"

Kristen paled at her own lack of assertiveness in saying that. She did, however, muster up some confidence in what she had to say next.

"You are representing House Krixus, after all."

Alistair Krixus Raf Kalix

 

[Raf]

Raf was confused.

Kalix was acting like there were ghosts, Alistair was laying on his bed, and Kristen was saying that this was all some sort of act. The Initiate glanced briefly towards the shattered door and lock, a frown pulling at his lips as he peered back towards the others. "Uhhh."

He frowned.

"Charade?" He really thought that this was something serious, and now he found himself wondering if he'd fucked up.

Walter Banick did not seem the type of man to take this sort of thing...lightly, and he was hoping that Alistair was in fact correct. "No...no It's probably ghosts right?"

Raf asked.

"I Mean...Kalix isn't that dumb?" He didn't sound too sure.

 

[Kalix]

Kalix glanced at Kristen. And then looked inside and saw Alistair’s body pointing at him.

“HELL YEAH I WOULD MAKE A SUPERIOR HOST!” Kalix yelled, a smug expression on his face. See even ghosts understood that— wait, no this body belonged to Kalix and no one else, not even a ghost was allowed to have access to this 180 pounds of pure awesomeness. “You’re not taking my body though!” He said quickly, he wasn’t going to retract his previous statement about being a superior host. And then Kristen was talking again and… she seemed, mad? Naw, KP didn’t get mad, this had to be an illusion.

But it was also Raf’s words that made Kalix frown. Was it possible that that wimp Alistair had tricked him? Made a fool of him? Realization dawned on Kalix’s face as he considered that technically he had just wanted another room than the last pick. And sure, something felt off, but that didn’t mean one of Chasmine’s scary ghosts were in that room.

“I’m not the dipshit that broke a door!” Kalix replied, crossing his arms over his chest and giving Raf and Alistair the meanest look he could muster. Like a tiger ready to pounce, Kalix stalked over towards Alistair. “You think you made a fool out of me, Alison?” Yeah, Alistair was getting a girl name now. Why? Because he was a “…stupid fucking bitch boy!” The pernach was in Kalix’s left hand, and he raised it up.

 

[Alistair Krixus]

A grin finally broke onto Alistair's face when Kalix seemed about to realize the situation. He was about to burst into laughter when Kristen's words struck home and he quickly sobered up from his humor. It was like a switch had been flipped inside of Alistair and any of the emotions on his face disappeared.

"You are representing House Krixus, after all."

Kristen had unknowingly spoken words that his father had said to him countless times. Anytime he showed weakness, made mistakes, failed. These words echoed in Alistair's head and he frowned.

"Apologies...I can fix the door."

That could have been his only problem, but then Kalix had to go and try to start a fight. Anger threatened to boil up from within him, but he kept it down. He took in a deep breath and sighed.

"It was a joke Kalix, and a poorly timed one from myself. I apologize."

He moved towards the door, having already shut himself off from the others. He would just fix the door and then catch up on some of his studies...alone. No chance for him to poorly represent his House if he was the only one there.

Kalix Raf Kristen Pirian​

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Kristen gasped, and her clenched fists huddled nervously up by her chin. Kalix was going to strike Alistair! He was really meaning on starting a fight, here of all places, and over what? How was it that as soon as supervision departed from their presence, Kalix began to deteriorate into little more than a rapscallion? If this escalated, why, it would be up to Raf to pull them apart!

Fortunately, Alistair abandoned the ruse. There, a proper gentleman once more, splendid! Kristen let her hands fall back down to her sides and she let out a sigh of relief, and she'd yet to take notice of Alistair's dour spirits.

She was at present more concerned with Kalix, thinking he might cling to the confrontation with Alistair. It would be best to help him forget. Refocus his attention. But how?

Oh, she knew.

"Kalix, hmm, from my vantage you look to be about an inch and a half shorter than Raf. Do you think I should inform the Proctors so they can update your records to be correct?"

An absolutely inane question, but one that might serve the intended purpose.

Alistair Krixus Kalix Raf

 

[Raf]

Huh.

Alright well, maybe Kalix was actually that stupid. "I thought our fellow Initiate was in danger."

Raf reasoned to his companion, though shot Alistair a look that might have equated to 'can you believe this guy?' before glancing back over to Kalix. His head shook in disapproval, and he decided it was probably better to let Kristen deal with the other boy.

She was good at that sort of thing.

"Huh?" He glanced at her. "Yeah, maybe you are a bit shorter."

Raf shrugged his shoulder. "Al, let me help you with the door...I'm sort of responsible for that one."

Unusually, he wasn't going to try to weasel his way out of that particular situation.

 

[Kalix]

Sorry? SORRY?! Since when did “SoRrY” ever fix anything? It was just a useless word that never made Kalix feel better, it didn’t do anything at all. He had every right to swing at the asshole’s head, and in Kalix’s mind, it was all of Alistair’s fault. Everything. The door breaking? Alistair’s fault. KP and Raf thinking he was stupid? Alistair’s fault. The fact that Kalix was hungry? Alistair’s fault. Elves doing whatever the heck they wanted all the time? Alistair’s fault.

Heck, Arethil being flat instead of round was probably Alistair’s fault too.

So apologizing wasn’t going to save the noble boy. House Krixus or not, Kalix was going to show why people didn’t mess with him. He would prove that there was a reason why people made sure to give him space when he stalked down the halls. Because he—

“What?” His voice was soft despite the incredulous tone as he slowly began turning his head towards Kristen Pirian. And then to Raf. “Raf? Taller than me?” A harsh bark of a laugh soon followed, and surprisingly, Kalix placed his pernach back onto his belt. “Oh and let me guess, KP, now you think you’re over six feet when you’re really like… five… five-nine!” Another laugh, but this time it was more humorous and he slowly stepped over to Kristen, shoulders hunched forward and biceps flexing slightly as Kalix attempted the most intimidating pose he could.

“Go find me a ruler, KP.” He growled to her, getting right into her personal space and lightly knocking his forehead against hers. And he may have stood up on his toes just a bit for the extra bit of dominance.

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair simply sighed as he tried his best to ignore the others. He made his way over to the broken door. Thankfully, it was only split into three pieces so he could most likely bind the door back together and then bind the door back on the highest...He would need his tools.

The rune mage dug around in his pouch to eventually pull out his rune engraving tools. He then dragged all the pieces of the door over to a single spot and began to lay them down into their proper positions.

He spared a moment to look back at the others and closer at Kalix. He knew he could expect retribution from Kalix, but that was a future problem...He wondered what it would be like to live in Kalix's little world where there were no worries and he was always right. It must be nice.

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Oh no, what had she done?

Perhaps she'd stopped a full-blown fight from breaking out between two of her peers, but in so doing she had garnered the ire of Kalix. Kalix! It had seemed like such a good idea before...

Before he was in her space, in her face, practically headbutting her and demanding that she go and fetch a ruler. She swallowed nervously, lips pulled down tightly in an anxious expression that she just couldn't conceal. Alistair and Raf may well have blinked out of existence, so focused was she on Kalix's intimidating presence.

"R-Right! A ruler! Certainly we must investigate and settle this matter, for accuracy's sake!"

Kristen turned and hurried down the hall, walking as fast as she could, her swinging arms locked rigidly straight and her fists flared out to either side. It gave her gait an overall stiff appearance, and with it she disappeared around a corner.

Moments passed before she returned. And she did indeed come back with a ruler, likely having procured one with the help of a servant. She was able to catch a spare glimpse of Alistair working on the doorframe before she came up to Kalix.

"Here," she said, presenting the ruler. "It shall be good to make for a definitive answer on this matter!"

Ohhhh...at least they weren't starting a fist fight in the estate of their noble host.

Kalix Raf Alistair Krixus

 

[Raf]

Well, this wasn't going to turn out well.

"Uhh." A frown touched Raf's face.

He really wasn't sure how to approach this entire situation. He had spent most of his time at the Academy avoiding every little bit of politics that he could. The very idea of confronting it head on was about as terrifying as war itself.

Raf glanced at Kristen. "Maybe we should...uhhh."

He liked ignoring reality as much as the next guy, but he was definitely taller than Kalix.

"Maybe we should focus on tomorrow." Raf suggested. "Lots of work tomorrow."

Raf reminded the others. "Lord Banlick will want us to be ready and prepared. This seems like a small thing."

He told the others.

"We should just get some sleep." Those pillows were very comfortable after all.

 

[Kalix]

Kalix snatched the ruler from Kristen as if she had been holding his beloved pernach. An air of indignant ferocity was about Kalix as he held the ruler up. He was ready to show everyone that he was the tallest, and this ruler would be his proof.

“Listen up, KP,” He said as he held one side of the ruler between his thumb and index finger, raising it up to the top of his head. The issue was, the ruler was at least an inch above his head as it seemed Kalix subconsciously believed that where his fingers held onto the ruler was equal to the height of his head. “I am the tallest.” And then with his greatest smirk yet, Kalix dropped the ruler. The smug look never left the young man’s face as he crossed his arms.

“See how long it took for the ruler to fall? Now, I’m going to do you.” He picked up the ruler and held it next to Kristen’s head— this time the ruler was equal to the top of the head— dropped it. And the ruler fell. “Yeah, you’re shorter than me, that didn’t take as long to fall.” He then went over to Raf and Alistair, mending the door together. Like how he had did with himself and Kristen, he repeated the “test” whether Alistair and Raf were standing up straight or not. He then turned around, beaming at Kristen Pirian.

“Look, the ruler dropped faster then, too!” He pointed the ruler at the lone female in their group. “It’s basic math, Kristen, sheesh, and you’re supposed to be smarter than me.” He shook his head, pitying her. Really, how much it must suck to be her! Short, bad at fighting and now bad at math.

Kristen Pirian Raf Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair was still not paying attention. He thought that they were now discussing height, again. Wow, Kalix really had a fixation on his height, which was a little weird since he had an average height.

He motioned for them to take a step back, while he started to carefully engrain the runes onto the door. This was all a very precise process as he had to make sure the runes worked within each other. If he put in too much power then the door was just as likely to explode as it was to fuse together.

Alistair took a step back, satisfied with his work. He performed one more check on everything, before slowly channeling magical energy into the runes. Slowly, but surely, the door pieces began to fuse themselves back together.

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Kristen had been nervous as anything with Kalix, but it seemed to go well enough. He'd been diverted from the notion of hauntings and ghosts, and Alistair slipped away to the study with nary another bother. It was when dinner was served that Kristen took some notice of Alistair's...how to phrase it? Standoffishness? Solemnness? Why, he'd sequestered himself in the Estate's study for hours and had been rather quiet at dinner by Kristen's reckoning. Had she been off? Thinking that Raf had concerns about their mission, when in truth it was Alistair? Oh dear. Well, there'd certainly be travel time from Ostia Anir to Elyr'Adith...perhaps she could get a word in with him then?

Dinner was splendid--the salmon was fantastic, Raf absolutely enjoyed the chef's tortellini. Lord Banick advised them that they would have an early morning, so best to get a good night's rest.

Kristen returned to her room, pleased to see that a fitting nightgown had already been placed on her bed for her while she was at dinner. She slipped into it, tucked herself into the luxurious sheets and blankets, and lay her head down on the fluffed pillows.

After a few minutes, an intrusive thought. One that refused to be banished.

So Kristen sat up, let out a sigh laden with longing, and gently brushed aside the very fluffed pillows that she had so been looking forward to. When she had been lost in the desert of Amol-Kalit with Edric, the privation she had to endure was terrible...and necessary. Necessary for the toughening of not only her body but her spirit. She decided the fluffed pillows, lovely as they were, stood as temptations to sink back into her former pampered life.

She lay back down. Maybe once she felt just as comfortable without them could she then use them absent the concern of backsliding on her progress to be a Dreadlord.

* * * * *​

The knocking on her door woke her. "Mistress Kristen," said a servant on the other side. "It is time to rise." From the sound of it, three other servants were also knocking on the doors of her fellow Initiates, each calling out their names and similar reminders that it was time to wake up.

Her eyelids felt heavy. She glanced over to the window and saw but a tiny sliver of light in an otherwise dark pre-dawn sky.

"I shall be ready in a moment," she called back.

Minutes later, Kristen emerged from her room, armor on, mace and book of verses on her belt. She fiddled with her hair, smoothing out her bangs and readjusting the band which held her ponytail, as the others were stepping out into the hallway. Lantern and magical lights were on, the four servants dutifully stood with their backs to the hallway walls, and from elsewhere in the Estate there were the distant and muted sounds of general activity: talking, footsteps both armored and unarmored, doors opening and closing.

The mission was in motion.

Alistair Krixus Raf Kalix

 

[Raf]

Raf, perhaps surprisingly to his peers, was the first one out of his room and dressed for the day.

Unlike some other Initiates the Mimic didn't tend towards heavy plate or even chainmail. He wore a simple leather cuirass, some bracers, and that was just about it. Even that seemed to annoy him, for as Kristen stepped out of the room she would find him pulling and messing with the straps.

"Stupid..." He grumbled. "Always..."

He pulled the leather down a bit. "Bites me in the fucking armpit."

It was the strongest language that Raf had been known to use, and it was clear he was more annoyed about the armor than being woken up this early. A long metal staff lay against one of the walls in the foyer, marked with sections were it could be easily collapsed.

A sigh escaped him, and the Mimic shook his head, resigning himself to the discomfort.

 

[Kalix]

Kalix had uncharacteristically been in and out of sleep, yet he lay in bed, not getting out until he heard the knock on his door. He had been awake, and perhaps he should have been doing useful, but He didn’t feel like it. So without a word, Kalix got ready, a serious look coming upon his face as he deftly placed on his armor.

With his pernach on his hip and everything else settled into place, Kalix opened the door, beginning to tie his dark hair behind his face. He was the third to come out, interesting. Well, looks like laying in bed doing nothing but thinking about how delicious the food was last night was okay after all! Even if he was the fourth one to come out, Kalix really wouldn’t have cared.

After all, he was the star of the whole team. Everyone could wait for his greatness. That smug look appeared once more on his face as he looked over at his classmates. Little did he know, or rather, little did he listen much at all, how they would be traversing to go to the elven settlements. It was the calm before the storm.

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair was the last one out into the hallway, which was not surprising to him since he had most likely been the first one away. His thoughts on the next day's mission had kept him up during the night, only succumbing to sleep when he placed a small peace of mind spell on himself.

He had woken up nearly four hours before the knock came at his door, primarily out of necessity. Alistair's magical specialty was at its strongest when he had time to prepare. He had used the early morning hours to place various runes over his leather bracers and boots, then on his padded jack of plate. Finally, a fresh set of runes were etched into his sword and parrying dagger.

This armor was enough to provide him with the necessary mobility for his fighting style often featured. It would also protect him from projectiles and lighter weapons. If someone came at him with a heavier weapon then...hopefully, he would make them miss.

"Morning everyone."

He offered a polite smile to them all, but still seemed somewhat detached from them all.

Kristen Pirian
Kalix
Raf

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Kristen would have balked at Raf's language (Kalix's own instances of it notwithstanding). Would have. A year ago things were different. Six months ago things were different. Even one week ago, things were different. But times were changing. She was changing.

Step by step.

"Good morning!" she said pleasantly, prompted by Alistair's own greeting. She couldn't be sure if Raf or Kalix could see it, or even so much as noticed anything at all other than what was presently on their own minds, but Alistair's smile was the definition of perfunctory. A good night's rest hadn't done a thing for what troubled him.

Oh, blessed Aionus, was she going to make a fool out of herself again? Was she reading him as poorly as she had read Raf yesterday? But...mayhap it was better to make a small blunder and a fool of oneself than to let a peer suffer when she could well do something about it!

Down the hall, right on time, came Lord Banick.

Alistair Krixus Raf Kalix

 

[Walter Banick]

He reached the top of the stairs and waved off Sir Keating, Sir Belford, and Spymaster Gaines. They stood by the banister and waited dutifully for his return in speaking with the Initiates.

Walter strode down the hallway, his armor rattled with each step. He wore mastercrafted, articulated, custom-fitted plate armor. A purple cloak flowed behind him, and he wore a tabard of purple with the crest of House Banick upon it. Pressed to his side in the crook of his elbow he held his helm. His sheathed sword was on his hip.

"Initiates," Walter said upon reaching them, "I trust that your evenings were pleasant enough. Follow me. We shall walk and speak of what is to come."

Down the stairs. Across the grand foyer of the Estate which bustled with extraordinary commotion for the early hour. Two servants, one of them being Imoen, opened the front doors of the Estate to let Walter and the four of them outside. Imoen glanced to Kristen, to Raf, to Kalix and to Alistair, giving each of them encouraging smiles as they passed.

"Allow me first to say that this will be an exercise not specifically centered on the prowess of your martial and magical skills, but on your capacity to handle delicate situations of both a tactical and strategic character. Ideally, none of you will need to draw a blade or wield a spell. Yet..."

Something gave him a slight pause.

Ralene.

"...ideals, clutched too tightly, have a tendency to lead directly into folly."

He continued, resuming in the firm tone of before.

"Let me be clear. I am the commander of this mission, but the four of you along with my senior bannermen shall be my advisors. I do not have all of the answers. No one man does. Your perspectives will be crucial to my decision-making--it will provide me a more complete picture of the campaign. I may fully incorporate your advice, adapt it, or discard it. On this latter occurrence do not take it personally; know that my situational awareness as commander extends further than your own, and know that your counsel nevertheless played a role in my final judgment: it gave me vital options."

It was good to be as upfront as possible about these things, especially with the young and inexperienced. On more than one occasion did a young cousin Banick, eager to prove himself or herself, take offense when Walter opted out of the counsel they had given in favor of a different plan.

They, along with a steadily growing entourage of bannermen, soldiers, and supporting persons, walked down a broad avenue of Ostia Anir. The smell and sound of the sea grew ever so slightly.

Walter looked to each of the Initiates.

"In your missions for the Academy, have any of you ever fought against elves before?"

Alistair Krixus Raf Kalix

 

[Raf]

Raf decided that he didn't like Walter Banlick.

The man was direct, curt, and...not as cruel as he had heard other Nobles be, but there was something about him that set Raf on edge. As the man spoke the young Initiate had set his jaw, clenching his teeth without thinking.

He couldn't place why. The man was...well he was an ordinary man. Somewhere in the back of his mind Raf knew that he could even likely kill Walter if he tried but...but that didn't help the unsettled feeling in the pit of his stomach.

A frown pulled on his lips, and he glanced quickly at the others.

It was an odd feeling, for someone that was usually so aloof. He wondered if the others felt the same, or if it was only...only a reflection of the standoffish relationship Raf had with his own family.

His fingers tightened as Walter finished, throat clearing, but he didn't speak.

There had been a few missions where he'd fought Elves, mainly when some Dreadlord had gotten word of an Elven Druid stalking Anirian Villages. Raf had been dragged along as a sort of shield, being used to copy the man's magic and then hunt him down.

It was not a...pleasant memory, and flashes of it ran over his mind. Stilling his tongue.

 

[Kalix]

Kalix tuned out Alistair— or rather, he purposely ignored him and tried to show that he was ignoring Alistair. Staring him straight in the eye and then looking away, kinda like how Liliana did whenever he said something that she didn’t understand. Kalix understood perfectly well what he meant, he just couldn’t understand how she didn’t. Or most people didn’t. Probably because they weren’t as cool as he was.

As he was purposely ignoring Alistair, the broad-shouldered initiate was too busy ignoring to fully listen to Walter Banick. Something about… advice? Here was some advice: kill everyone who opposed Vel Anir, lay siege to their town, take all their riches, and then force them into an alliance. Or better yet, add “vel” in front of their town name and now they were anirians too! Maybe Kalix should give Walter Banick some advice? It sounded like he needed it.

“I’ve fought elves before!” Kalix shouted, finally interested in something. “It was brutal, we were in a forest and it was hard to find all of them and give them a taste of their own medicine. But not a problem for me! After I cut down all of the trees they were like sitting ducks.” Kalix boasted. He hadn’t been the one to come up with the idea but he had been the one to crush anything that the elves could use to hide and set traps in. He still remembered the satisfying crunch of huge trees falling on a group of them that were so scared they were hiding together. What babies! Kalix would never hide from an opponent, that showed weakness.

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair was fixated on Walter Banick as soon as he arrived. Since he was the commanding officer of this mission, it meant that Alistair's current life goal was to accomplish any command this man gave out. It was important to have a full understanding of the situation, as even the slightest differences in understanding could destroy a well-laid-out plan.

Of course, listening to Walter's advice made him frown. He could not help, but glance as Kalix. Was Walter aware of who he had under his command? This was going to end very badly.

Kalix was the exact opposite of the word delicate. Hell, he might not even know what the word meant. The only thing this meant for Alistair was that he was going to have to try his best to clean up after his fellow initiates mistake.

Alistair shook his head before speaking quietly. "No, I have never fought the elves." He was a little embarrassed since the others had all fought the elves at some point. He had read plenty on the elven fighting styles and tactics, so he was confident he could handle it. Besides, he definitely could fight them, but his missions had never given him the chance.

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Raf stayed quiet. Gah! Kristen could have sworn upon her book of verses that something was bothering Raf. But he had said he was fine. Was her social acumen so off, having departed from such a life with House Pirian for scarcely more than a year?

Kalix, in a manner that left Kristen dazed and wondering if he was speaking the truth or not, said that, yes, he had fought elves before. Maybe...well, maybe it was true, she didn't actually have any reason to doubt him. He'd been at the Academy and had been on more missions than she had, certainly.

Alistair's answer could well have been Kristen's own, phrased just as such. Unsure about Raf and Kalix, it was good to know that she, at least, wouldn't be the only one inexperienced in this matter here. She was heartened a little, smiled briefly in a sidelong glance toward Alistair, and then, more confidently than she would have otherwise, said, "And neither have I."

Alistair Krixus Raf Kalix

 

[Walter Banick]

Walter's scrutinizing gaze moved among each of the Initiates. "Very well." It was a near certainty, within the Guard or within the ranks of the Dreadlords, that if one spent enough time in service, one would do battle with Vel Anir's most ancient adversary. Mayhap it would do them much good in their careers to experience it sooner rather than later.

He looked forward again, speaking as he strode forward. A company of soldiers in the avenue parted after their sergeant commanded of them to "MAKE WAY," the company effortlessly splitting into two and allowing for Walter, the Initiates, and the entourage to all pass.

"Our primary concern in this campaign, as I had mentioned yesterday, is the Fellowship. They are known to hide among the populace, and to sway impressionable elven minds to their fanatical cause to fight for them. They are loathe to engage in pitched, decisive battles, but do not make the mistake of underestimating them or thinking them to be cowards." He took in a breath and spoke in a more grave tone. "Keep your magic in reserve until necessary, and do not flagrantly speak of yourselves as Dreadlords. You will be ruthlessly targeted if the Fellowship knows what you are."

Ahead, a white stone wall and arching gates over the avenue. Beyond the gates piers and docks were readily visible now, low and flat transport ships moored beside them, and beyond these the waters of the Coast glistened in the light of the stars and the light of the steadily approaching dawn.

Walter stopped at the gates to the harbor. Turned and faced the Initiates.

"Whatever personal animosities you may hold toward elves, they stay here." He pointed straight down to the ground. "They do not pass beyond this gate. Not every elf we will encounter on this mission is an enemy--not even most. We are not crossing this bay and entering these settlements to engage in a general massacre."

On this next point Walter was stern. These Initiates had within them the most dangerous combination of characteristics known to Arethil: youth and power. Temperance was an absolute necessity for them to either learn or hone--especially for Initiate Kalix. Initiates Raf and Kristen, however, were on the opposite side of that scale from Kalix, and needed more heat from the forge.

"If an elf wishes to fight, you will put him down without hesitation. Otherwise, if no blade is drawn or spell is prepped, you stay your hand. Is that understood?"

Alistair Krixus Raf Kalix

 

[Raf]

Raf frowned for a moment. He had fully expected the Noble to order them to slaughter indiscriminately. From everything he understood of his type that was...well the norm. Vel Anir did not like Elves, never much had from what he understood.

Maybe the man knew that?

His head was starting to hurt from all this thinking, and a hand quickly raised to gently rub at the bridge of his nose. "This is all such a drag."

Raf said with a quiet shake of his head, whispering the words so quietly that hopefully none of those around him would actually be able to hear. After a moment he cleared his throat, and then nodded his head.

"Yes, Sir." Raf answered Lord Banlick, knowing full well what was expected.

He had no idea how any of this would turn out, but he knew obsessing about it would only drive him to madness. Better to not worry. Better to go with the flow and just follow along with whatever the others were doing.

They would lead him through this.

Well...maybe not Kalix.