Fable - Ask The Canal

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"You're doing great!" Alistair called out as he watched Kalix launch himself over the side of the ship. Was this all they had to say to him? This could have been so much easier if he would have known that...but you live and you learn.

Alistair looked over to Raf and Kristen with a smile. "Alright, then let's get going." Alistair leaped over the side of the boat to land next to Kalix. He looked over to make sure Kalix was ok but then hurried towards the shore. He really did not like the feel of wet clothes.

The sight before him of so many soldiers wading toward the shore really made Alistair feel like they were finally experiencing this important mission. Until now he had felt a sort of detachment to the whole thing. He could feel his blood beginning to pump in excitement. He glanced back one more time up at the ship and then at Kalix.

"Last one to shore buys the next round of drinks."

Kristen Pirian Raf Kalix
 
Oh. Raf couldn't do that. Wasn't he the touching one? Or was that Meredith? Who was the touching one? Goodness, she got this mixed up far more often than was acceptable. But it didn't matter, for Raf had a plan nonetheless.

Modesty demanded that Kristen widen her eyes and cover her mouth with the tips of her fingers, and she, dutifully, obliged. She blinked a few times, glancing from Kalix to Alistair to Raf again. Why, how would shouting such a scandalous thing possibly be the solution for Kalix to overcome his--

Kalix hurled himself overboard. The splash of his landing soon followed.

Disbelief made Kristen's expression go slack, and she, with her hand moving near autonomously, slowly returned Raf's thumbs up.

Alright, then let's get going.

Brought back to reality, Kristen shook her head clear of her stunned incredulity and said, "Yes. Of course."

Fortunately, her timidity didn't have a chance to stake any claim in her decision-making before she was already in motion over the railing. A short drop later and she was in the water (Oh! It was pleasantly warm!), white frothing foam from the commotion bubbling up around her.

Stretched out over a great expanse of the beach, soldiers were trekking through the turquoise waters, rising up with the slow incline of the shelf, waist and then knees and then calves and then feet emerging from the shallow waters as the first of them reached the beach. From inside the small town, curious elven and human onlookers were peeking out from around corners and from windows, stepping out into the gaps between homes to observe the force slowly gathering on the white sands.

Kristen, meanwhile, still up to her knees in the water, heard Alistair's proclamation. Ah! Yes, she had plenty of wealth with which to purchase wines and other intoxicating beverages, but that was hardly the point! A little spark of competition, lit only on a few special occasions thus far in her enrollment at the Academy, alighted.

"It shan't be me!"


A giddy smile crossing her expression, she tried her mightiest to pick up the pace, sloshing through the water as fast as she could manage! (Which, granted, could stand for some improvement.)

Raf Kalix Alistair Krixus
 
Raf couldn't entirely believe that had worked.

Kalix went bounding over the edge like a man on fire, rushing into the water below as though he had forgotten the whole ordeal around getting onto the boat in the first place. He frowned for a brief moment, head shaking as Alistair and Kristen quickly followed.

A few seconds later he heard his fellow initiates call.

"Last one to shore buys the next round of drinks."

Ha. What a stupid suggestion. That didn't even ma-Oh shit.

Raf thought in sudden realization. I don't have any money.

Panic suddenly struck him, his eyes bulging open as he reached behind himself and gripped the staff on the small of his back. The length of steel flipped open, and quickly he darted towards the edge of the ship. Using the staff like polearm he launched himself off the deck.

Raf flew through the air, splashing down just short of the shore and dashing towards the beach.
 
Kalix hadn’t moved forward. He stood them, a bovine expression on his face as he just stared down at the water. There was a part of him that wanted to run and another part that didn’t want to move whatsoever. The water wasn’t that comfortable to him to begin with despite the temperature. Alistair jumped down, Kristen jumped down. Kalix still wasn’t moving, and he probably wouldn’t have moved if it weren’t for Alistair’s tease.

Whether or not Kalix had money wasn’t the issue. The issue was that Kalix would never just lose to something that he could easily win. And just like that, life came back into Kalix. He looked to see that so far it seemed Raf then Alistair then Kristen were in the lead. Wait… that put Kalix in last place!

With a roar of defiance Kalix started running as fast as he possibly could, even with his armor. Each step he took was wider than the last, arms pumping at his sides. And then Kalix did what any dignified man would do: the moment he was near the gleeful Kristen who was having so much fun and finally enjoying her time, he put one heavy, strong hand on her rather petite shoulder.

Kalix didn’t even need to use his gravity magic on her. With A deep breath, he pushed her down, but no, that wouldn’t be enough! She could spring right back up. When she was low enough, Kalix another hand over, moving it to the top of Kristen’s reddish-brown head to guarantee that her head went under the water as he pushed her down to be completely submerged. And then he was off dashing forward once more. Kalix just had to make sure he wasn’t the last on to reach the beach. And hey! Would you look at that! The closer he got to the beach the less water there was around him!

Alistair Krixus Kristen Pirian Raf
 
Alistair's challenge had the desired effect. Before he knew it, all the others were over the side of the boat and running through the ocean. He chuckled lightly to himself, but that was cut off when he watched Kalix's competitiveness on full display. The only response Alistair could offer was a sigh.

After watching Kalix run off towards the shore, Alistair turned and walked back to Kristen who had just been pushed beneath the waves. Alistair offered out his hand to her. "C'mon, wouldn't want to be last would you?"

He offered her a lighthearted chuckle as he offered to help Kristen up. Buying a round of drinks would not really hurt Alistair's funds. In fact, the only reason that he had even made the claim was to spur Kalix into action, so his plan had worked.

Kristen nearly being drowned by Kalix was an unfortunate side effect that he had not considered. He would need to make sure that he apologized to her later.

Raf Kristen Pirian Kalix
 
Ah ha! This was it! Right here! The culmination of all of the effort Proctor Magomo had demanded of her! At the time she had been so mystified as to what possible benefit running laps around the Academy perimeter could bring, but this was it! Why, 'twas easy to imagine herself as of one year ago, trying to wade quickly through these waters, crashing into a wall of exhaustion which would've brought what few impressive strides she'd been able to manage down to a pathetic, sloshing pace. The result of all her physical exertions at the Academy was as simple as this: it made her muscles agree with her spirit!

She could do it, she could--

A weight on her pauldron. Another on her head. And before she knew it that warm water had her entirely within its grasp, dunked into it as she was. She could taste the bitter saline quality of it, and the salt burned within her open nostrils. For a second she flailed about under the water, and then her head burst up through the surface. She spat the seawater out of her mouth, coughing and sputtering for a brief spell.

C'mon, wouldn't want to be last would you?

She opened her eyes and looked up. Alistair. So touched was she by his assistance that a pang of warmth spread through her chest, matching the spread of a smile across her face. It seemed altogether tragic that so noble a man was being forged into a weapon of Vel Anir, and yet even in this Alistair conducted himself with a refined grace that many of their peers sorely lacked. She reached up and took his hand. "You have my heartfelt gratitude, Alistair."

True to his word, Alistair sacrificed himself to be the last one onto the beach. True, the tiny kindling of competitive spirit within her was disappointed that she'd not won of her own merit, but his gesture was so heartwarming that said disappointment was helplessly squashed beneath it.

She was dripping wet from head to toe, the seawater droplets sprinkling the white sands at her feet. With a biting edge that surprised even Kristen as she spoke, she said to Kalix, "Next time, I shall be the one submerging you!"

At the head of the gathering formation of soldiers, Walter Banick called, "Alistair! Raphael! Kalix! Kristen! To me."

Raf Kalix Alistair Krixus
 
Raf stormed onto the beach as quickly as he could, mostly out of fear of having beg someone else to cover the next bar tab.

Something that might not have bothered him so much had he remembered that his father was in fact a very wealthy man. A single letter would have seen him more than covered for...any expense, but the details of his family had long ago been pressed into the same corner of the mind as many other things best forgotten.

A corner that was shattered when he heard Walter Banick call out to the Initiates.

The smile on his face flipped in an instant. His tongue, having prepared to bellow out at the others was squashed between his teeth. Every muscle in his body went rigid, and it was almost as if he recalled every lash that had ever run over his back.

Lips thinned, and the spark of joy that had erupted from winning the race was snuffed out with the snap of a finger.

He swallowed hard, collapsing his staff and sliding it back into place on the small of his back as he walked up the beach with a joyless expression.
 
Kalix didn’t even look back. Why would he? Survival of the fittest! He hardly glanced at Alistair as he went back to help KP up. Yep, survival of the fittest after all. The two nobles in the back and the dreadkid winners in the front! Although Kalix wasn’t sure how Raf was able to run so fast? Never in his many years at the academy did he ever think that Raf could sprint like that?

If there were actually hot busty elves with no bra on Kalix would’ve beat Raf easily. It would’ve been child’s play.

He looked over at Kristen as she… wait, was she giving him attitude? Kristen Fucking Pirian, look at how far you’ve come. Kalix gave Kristen a big grin, gold eyes flashing as he then gave her a strong, hearty slap on the back. She wanted to talk big she was gonna get a big slap! It was a compliment, really. Ask Zael or Perci, these were Kalix’s friendly slaps on the back!

KP, if ya wanna sound cool when you diss someone, ‘shall’ kinda makes you sound like a snob. And big words just make you sound like a nerd. Just say ‘next time I’m gonna—“ Kalix stopped speaking, looking at Walter Banick. He began sprinting over to him. He’d tell KP later how you actually talked shit to someone so they’d be shaking in their boots.

Alistair Krixus Kristen Pirian Raf
 
Alistair took a moment to recollect himself for a moment on the beach. A smile sat on his face as he was about to make a remark about how drinks were on him next time, and admit his loss. The change happened quickly. He saw it on Raf's face and in Kalix's sprint towards their commander. It was something that all Dreadlord initiates learned how to do at some point in their training. A switch that was flipped telling them it was time to do what they had been trained to do. If you did not have that switch then....well, those were the real psychos.

The grin disappeared from his face as he nodded reassuringly to Kristen one more time before walking off in determination to join the others alongside Walter Banick. His brain was inspecting every piece of his equipment like he did every time before a mission. A pre-assignment ritual that had been created through repetition.

It was a way for Alistair to be put at ease when he felt nervous. If his equipment was in good condition was fine then he would be ok. He had trained hard so there was never any real worry about his own fitness. It was always just a question of his equipment.

"Ready, sir." Alistair expressed as he came to stand at attention next to Lord Banick.

Raf Kalix Kristen Pirian
 
Kristen felt the air vacate her chest when Kalix smacked her on the back. Truth be told, it was only when his arm was in motion that Kristen realized that she'd perhaps taken a step too far in being so assertive. But this was the noble side of her flailing meekly about with its prim opinion. The fledgling Dreadlord side of her, in contrast, rather liked the assertiveness she'd somehow mustered--even the physical consequences thereof. A brief flash of a certain wheat field came to mind.

And what was wrong with the word "shall?" 'Twas a perfectly sound word! It boggled Kristen's mind that it was so unpopular amongst the common folk. They seemed to abhor it! The vernacular register of Common favored heavily the repeated and easy use of "will" for everything.

Lord Banick called, interrupting Kalix and wiping away the small semblance of fun and enjoyment from the expressions of Raf and Alistair alike. In that Kristen was a touch dismayed, but alas--they were here for a mission, not a vacation.

Upon reaching Lord Banick, he surveyed all of them briefly. Said, "We're to meet with Mayor Ulthelian. Come, but be on your guard. Things are peaceful now, and they may yet be through the duration, but...we cannot be certain of it."

Walter raised a hand into the air and sliced it forward. The silent command was given, and the soldiers of House Banick began to march into Elyr'Adith from every pathway.

As the white sand gave way to more solid soil, Walter led the way through the cozy paths of the town. Elves and humans were standing outside their doors, pausing in their daily tasks, peeking out from windows, all with either curiosity or apprehension or mild excitement. Some were vigorously greeting the soldiers, accustomed as they were to adventurers and outsiders visiting for relaxation. Many more still were retrieving gifts from their homes and coming back out onto the pathways to offer them.

A human family of five, husband, wife, and three small children, offered freshly baked bread to Raf as he was approaching, the husband saying, "Welcome to Elyr'Adith, friend! You must be hungry." And, behind him, the youngest of the children pointing up to Raf and exclaiming, "Ma! Look how big!"

An elven maiden with blonde braided hair and a light green dress which the soft breeze pressed to her willowy form held out a jug of tea to Kalix as he approached. She flushed a little, forgetting perhaps to make her offer of tea aloud and instead saying, "You have beautiful eyes..." before averting her gaze with a shy smile.

A sun-tanned elf, mayhap even an Abtati far from the place of his birth, saw Alistair and made his offer as one might make a supplication to a king or deity, going so far as to bend his knee and bow his head slightly while holding up said offering, "Honey? Would you like some honey, friend?"

Kristen, among the other Initiates and soldiers around them, marveled at the hospitality and generosity of the people of Elyr'Adith. She politely declined any of the offers made to her, waving them off in small gestures of her hand and trying her best to keep a cordial smile. Yet her heart ached, and a quiver of guilt, like the clinging bits of seawater, ran down the back of her neck and down her shoulders. Soured the whole of her chest.

Raf Kalix Alistair Krixus
 
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Raf could practically feel the unease in his spine.

As they walked through the village Raf couldn't help but remember the last time he had been in a place like this, the last time that he'd been asked to meet elves. Every time one of them looked at him, every time that one of them caught his eyes the Initiate couldn't help but look away.

His flickered down to his feet, shame sitting within the depths of his stomach.

Raf tried to dig to that place in his mind, tried to put up panels and walls. As the child ran up to him Raf felt a chill run down his spine. He reached out, grabbing the bread with a stuttered. "T-thanks."

The words were barely choked out, as if caught in his throat. Fingers clutched the loaf of bread a bit too tightly, it's crust crunching slightly in it's grasp as he quickly shuffled away and stepped up a bit closer to Kristen.

He stood there, trying to make himself as small as possible as he held the loaf of bread.

Despite what Lord Banick had said, he couldn't help but feel like this time would end like all the others.
 
Kalix was confused. Again. But his confusion arose from something he had always struggled with. He knew Walter Banick was going to speak to Mayor Ulthelian. He knew that this first place was supposed to be the easiest when it came to whatever Banick wanted? Kalix knew Banick had explained everything in great and simple detail but he was never the sort of man who listened to boring little details. Just tell him what to go fight and Kalix would do that.

But the issue was, they were supposed to be fighting anything right? This was some new Vel Anir Dreadlords-Are-People-Not-Weapons bullshit that Kalix still had mixed feelings about. It was much easier to just think about the simple things: food, water, shelter, fun. Thinking about more abstract, more complicated things? That frustrated the brute of an initiate. Because why on earth was he feeling like… he was doing something bad? He hadn’t even done anything yet!

So Kalix tried to keep his eyes straight ahead, staring right at the back of Walter Banick’s head. Besides, with his grumpy face and blazing glare it’s not like anyone would approach him! Kalix was a mean fighting machine and everyone would give him some space!

Except that hot elf lady. Kalix looked at her and blinked. Blondes weren’t his thing, unlike some other initiate who had a penchant for drooling over them, Kalix never cared much about if one had fair hair or not. But maybe it was that dress? Or the wind? Or the fact that she seemed so shy and yet complimented him on his eyes? Kalix couldn’t place what it was but there was something inside him that decided that he wouldn’t kill her. Even if she was an elf, Kalix wouldn’t harm her. And not because she was hot— although that was a factor.

It just felt wrong to look at her and to think: “yeah, I’ll slit your throat in a heartbeat.” Kalix took the tea, looking at it with more confusion before looking back at the elven woman. Wow, he wasn’t even thinking of calling her knife-ears. But then the initiate looked back down at the tea and though, what the the hell am I going to do with this?

Here, KP, you can have it.” Kalix said and handed it to Kristen. “I don’t really like bitter things.” He explained and then continued to march forward, fantasying about that elven maiden, perhaps even getting as far as getting married and having six children with her. Shy girls were always kinda hot. Not as hot as confident and deadly girls, but they were a close second.
 
Alistair followed along in the procession of troops with a relaxed demeanor. His face was relatively neutral except for a light half-smile to be polite as he looked around. His eyes moved quickly taking in every morsel of information from the crowd whether it be elven or human, alike. They all had the potential to be danger.

When the Abtati man approached him, he quickly moved to make him stand. His smile had grown and softened, the perfect appearance of charm and grace for the nobility. However, the others might notice that the smile never reached his eyes.

"No, thank you, my friend. Please keep it for yourself and your family."

A kind and caring answer, but it would mean fewer deaths if the elves had something to eat when they were forced out of their homes. That would be the ideal scenario...Of course, Alistair could just as easily run these people through with his sword if need be, but that would not be very...efficient.

As quickly as he had interacted with the elf, he moved on to stay in the range of Walter Banick. When he moved beside Kristen, Kalix had just given her tea. He mumbled under his breath.

"I wouldn't drink that...just in case."


Kristen Pirian Raf Kalix
 
The soldiers hardly seemed to mind the situation, keeping composure of themselves and keeping their responses, if they did choose to response, measured. They appeared to enjoy a certain mundane and routine nature to it all, a mind which regard this as but another day in service to their Lord.

Though Kalix was much like the soldiers, Kristen could sense a certain unease with Raf and Alistair. Especially so with Raf. At the very least, she could take heart in knowing that she was not alone in her disquiet.

Kalix gave her the small jug of tea, and she replied, "O-Oh. Thank you." Yet it was not a moment later when Alistair spoke to her in a low tone his words of warning. She sniffed sharply, all at once understanding his meaning. Father, Uncle Tobias, many of the more powerful members of House Pirian had tasters whose purpose it was to, in morbid fashion, detect if there was any poison in food or drink by putting their own well-being at hazard. Even with magical detection available, still it came down to the old-fashioned certainty of knowing that someone else had likewise partaken of the food or drink in question and was quite alright.

At the earliest opportunity, Kristen would set the jug down somewhere and innocently "forget" to pick it back up.

* * * * *​

The meeting with Mayor Ulthelian went well. Well, as in, peaceful.

His abode was quite modest for the man in charge--small town or no. Only Walter, the Initiates, and some of Walter's top advisors and bannermen could fit inside. Among those advisors was an elf--presumably, based off of his or her height and eye shape. But the elf was wearing loose, baggy clothing and a cloth mask wrapped about their head to conceal all but their eyes (including their eyes, whether or not they were pointed). Their purpose became clear after the short introductions and pleasantries between Walter and Ulthelian's parties: they were a translator.

The business was brief. Walter was direct and to the point. He informed Mayor Ulthelian of the Canal Project, that it had been signed off by the Republic of Vel Anir, and that fair compensation would be given for purchase of the land. Timed well enough, the door to Ulthelian's abode opened and soldiers hauled in a trunk full of gold coins (this being the stipulation that the Republic imposed upon Walter, that House Banick needed to source said compensation from their own coffers for the Republic's approval of the Project). This was punctuated as well with the offer of relocation, and assistance in such should they desire it, for the denizens of Elyr'Adith to the newly constructed Tenements in Ostia Anir.

Still, Mayor Ulthelian appeared reluctant, and outwardly suggested in polite manner possible ways Elyr'Adith could be spared. Walter entertained them for a while, explaining some of his reasoning countering each of the suggested ways. Eventually, he settled on telling Ulthelian, with a thin, cordial smile, "The arrangement is beyond altering."

And that ended the conversation.

* * * * *​

Outside Mayor Ulthelian's home, the Initiates (as well as the soldiers) were given their task:

Go door-to-door and inform the citizens to gather in the town square, where Mayor Ulthelian would make his declaration.

Kristen had let out a breath once she had exited the Mayor's abode. Certainly it was one thing to let Lord Banick do most of the talking, to simply be, as they say, "a fly on the wall." But now it was incumbent upon them to go and speak with the elves and humans of Elyr'Adith personally, even if it was merely to give them a simple instruction.

What if they did not obey? What if one of the elves of the Fellowship was among the populace, hiding in the plain sight, just waiting for an opportunity?

"I would like to suggest," Kristen said to her fellow Initiates, "that it would be wisest for us to go in pairs. How does that sound?"

Raf Kalix Alistair Krixus
 
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Raf stood in a small circle with the others, slowly munching on the bread that had been given to him earlier. The crust was all but entirely cracked, but the taste of it was utterly delicious. He had already forgotten the trauma behind receiving the food, and was simply enjoying himself.

As Kristen pointed out that it would likely be best to go into pairs, Raf nodded his head.

This was not a job that he wanted to do. Gathering people into the town square sounded like it was a set up for a massacre, but at least he could plead ignorance on that. A frown touched his lips, and he glanced at the others.

"Iwf'll go wif Awistair." The Mimic offered, half spewing crumbs as he spoke.

There was no doubt in his mind that Alistair was the most competent of his fellows.

He figured that if he went with him he'd at least not have to do much talking. He looked over towards Alistair, his eyes more than a little bit hopeful. He practically willed the other Initiate to accept the pairing, mostly because his only way out.
 
Kalix managed to stay quiet during that entire meeting. More importantly, he managed to stay quiet without falling asleep or yawning! Or, at least no big yawns had happened, just small ones that he could almost stifle back. The entire thing went by in a blur, and if anyone were to ask Kalix what was said, he couldn’t say much. Mostly because Kalix was still day dreaming about that hot elf maiden.

When the meeting was over, Kalix was happy that he could finally start to stretch his legs a bit and actually do something. As Kristen gave her suggestion, Kalix finally allowed a big yawn followed by a big stretch with his hands clasped together and held high over his head.

KP and I can go together.” He said, looking over at Kristen and giving her a overconfident grin. “We can pick up that tea jug you left behind.” He playfully patted her shoulder, although once again was probably using too much force. “I know exactly where you left it.
 
Alistair did not let a moment of the negotiations slip from his notice. He was watching a master at work as Banick came across as truly listening to the mayor's objections, but it was clear from the beginning that no concessions would be made. A true masterclass.

He could only watch in admiration during the meeting, but now it was their chance to get to work. He agreed that they needed to stay in pairs, but the team-ups did concern him slightly. No offense to Kristen, but Kalix was a lot to handle...Then again, he would be a lot for anyone and Kalix seemed to kind of get along with Kristen.

It would be nice to have a partner that was a bit more...put together. That might be the right word for Raf, more like he did not have any parts to put together. So much of his outward emotions were just so neutral.

"Fine, we can split this way, but give me one second."

Alistair walked over and placed a hand on Kristen's chestplate. He began to speak his spell incantation, one of the runes on his arms seemed to slither up his arm and onto his hand before making its way to display on Kristen's chestplate. The rune was a rough, artistic representation of an eye.

"This way I can see what you guys see. I can't hear you though, so don't bother."

Kristen Pirian Kalix Raf
 
Her idea of pairs went over well, which was splendid. How the pairing went, however, left her a trifle perturbed. K-Kalix? Why? Why did Raf have to go with Alistair? An intense flare of jealousy sparked up in that moment, but in the next it burned out as quickly as it had ignited.

Well...she did suppose that Raf was right. Right by her own estimations, as well. She had mused in her mind yesterday that she and Alistair were likely to be the moderators between the extremes of Raf and Kalix, and this arrangement was, she had to admit, for the best.

Her body rocked as Kalix slapped a heavy hand onto her pauldron. A light grimace of strain curled her lip. "N-No, Kalix, you misunderstand. It would be wisest to leave the tea--"

She saw Alistair walking toward her, and she interrupted herself, turning her surprised attention to him. He placed a hand on her chestplate and Kristen, despite herself, gasped lightly. Her hands rose up to shoulder level and she may or may not have flushed when she glanced down--she wasn't quite sure! Something moved on his arm and then his hand and there, just below the inward point of her gorget, was the runic eye.

"Oh, how marvelous!" she said, brushing a lock of hair from her face. "If only I were able to do so in kind, but alas. Good fortunes to you Alistair, and to you, Raf. Let us hurry and be done with this."

And she turned back to Kalix. There was nothing to fear, nothing to be nervous about. He was intense, but he wasn't a monster like Bull or Charon or Ignatius. Just...just think about something else to distract you. Think of...oh I don't know...maybe (oh gosh) someone dashing and handsome about to tie you up? A momentary paling and abashment at the thought, but she relented. O-Okay, but try not to blush.

"Kalix," she said, "Tell me if this pleases you: it is my thinking that I should greet the citizens as they open up their doors, and you, with your commanding tone, instruct them to gather in the town square. Does that sound agreeable?"

Raf Kalix Alistair Krixus
 
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Excellent. Raf thought to himself.

Alistair would make an excellent partner in all of this. The other Initiate was an excellent student, talked well, and most importantly was far more qualified for this sort of thing than Raf was. No shame admitting that.

Just a few seconds after Alistair placed the Rune of Kristen’s armor, the two boys headed off towards the eastern section of town.

As they wandered the two quickly agreed that it would likely be better to work their way from the outside in, or rather, Alistair pointed that out. That way some villagers would call upon their siblings and the like and perhaps even clear a small path ahead of them. Less work in the long run.

Raf steadily agreed of course, though as they entered the eastern section of town it became a bit more…ramshackle. The buildings were decrepit, run down even, some with doors that barely hung from the hinges. ”I’ll knock, you talk.”

He said with a smile, apparently oblivious to their surroundings.

Without another word he walked up to a large two story building, it’s main structure half leaning into the street as though it were about to collapse. Raf walked up to the heavy wooden door, and pounded on it.

A few seconds passed, and then a massive hulk of an elf showed up in the door. He was a head taller than Raf himself, with muscles that would have put a body builder to shame. A large scar sat on his face, and his teeth looked like they had seen better days.

If ever there was a stereotype of beauty for the elven kind, this man was it’s exception.

“Wut do you fucka’s want?”

The elf demanded, and Raf immediately looked at Alistair.
 
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Excellent it was important to set a good precedent when it came to such endeavors. He confidently stepped up to face the large hulk of an elf. Well, he thought it was an elf, but everything about his appearance except for the pointy ears and lack of tusks was indicating he was an orc. Not to mention, his breath smelled like the world's most rotten onion.

He did not mind being put in charge of the talking, as Raf's neutral tone might get on some people's nerves. Besides, if Alistair was the one that had to talk then that means Raf could not blame him when Alistair used Raf as the muscle.

"Hello, sir. By order of Mayor Ulthelian, there is to be a meeting in the town square. Your presence is mandatory."

Alistair spoke with a polite smile on his face and complete confidence in every word he said. Both of his hands were resting lazily behind his back, but his sword did sit clearly on his waist. The hilt was kept in pristine condition meant to draw the eyes of those nearby. An unspoken threat that Alistair was always ready to employ.

Raf
 
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Kalix raised a brow over at Kristen’s suggestion. Well, wasn’t knocking half the fun? And wouldn’t it be faster if they just went in the same area but went to different houses separately? But then again what if they got upset with Kristen and attacked her? Kalix would have to put those people in their place obviously. He sighed and cracked his neck. This part of the mission still wasn’t that exciting, but at least it was something more.

He briefly wondered if he could see that elf chick again.

Alright KP, sometimes you knock but I want to knock sometimes too.” Kalix said, and he began leading him and Kristen over to where they would go and inform the denizens of Elyr’adith that they would need to meet in the town square. “And the reason for that,” he went on to explain, “is because when you knock on the door you want to make sure that the knock sounds strong. That way when they open the door they don’t give shit right away.” He said and then went up to the first front door he saw.

Do it just like me, okay, watch and then the next one you’ll try.” Look at him, he was sounding like the nice proctors around the academy. Kalix made a fist and then with quite a bit too much might and bit too much force, loudly rapt on the door three times. Three seconds passed. Kalix huffed and grumbled under his breath before knocking again, just as loud. But this time…

OPEN UP THE DOOR RIGHT NOW!” Kalix shouted. He may have continued shouting but inside he heard a slight squeak and then someone shushing them.

A young elf boy opened the door. Kalix blinked down at him, that mild look of annoyance reminding him of Lysander. Kalix then saw a much younger elf boy hiding behind the older one.

Where’s your parents?” Kalix asked.

“Nunya.”

What? Where’s Nunya?

NUNYA BUSINESS!” The boy shouted vehemently, causing even Kalix to balk before his nostrils flared.

Kristen Pirian Raf Alistair Krixus
 
Oh no.

She should have known that Kalix would be overly aggressive and confrontational! But they were supposed to be, yes, of course, such was regrettably the nature of their task that it required a tangible boldness, b-but it could most certainly be measured! Polite! Yes, certainly! They'd yet to even get a look at the home's occupants. Why, they could perhaps be a sweet and elderly wife and husband, who would heed the message of their Mayor and gather in the town square without a wink of trouble.

The door opened, and it was not quite the hypothetical old couple Kristen had imagined. Still, 'twas but a young elven boy, and an even younger once behind him! Kristen's posture had been stiff following Kalix's harsh knocking and loud yelling, her smile more a grimace than a thing of cordial entreaty, but seeing the children made her shoulders drop and her overall demeanor relax.

Then, as it turned out, the boy who'd answered the door was being clever with them. Clever! Rather the unexpected twist.

Kristen had to step in before Kalix did something rash.

"Young man, this is not the time for games,"
she said, and it surprised her just how much she sounded like her mother upon assuming such a tone of voice. "Our business is your business, and very much so the business of your parents. We must speak with them, for it is important!"

"We shouldn't speak to humans," said the younger of the two boys, causing the older one to shoot him a reproachful look--one not for what he had said, but for the fact of his saying it.

Kristen was taken aback. "Oh. Well. But...don't you speak with the humans of Elyr'Adith, though?"

The youngest boy just shook his head.

Kristen glanced to Kalix. Unsure. Unsure of a few things, as it were.

Kalix
 
Kalix was about ready to smash this knife-eared kid’s face in. Look at him! Looking so smug! Looking like he thought he was so funny and sly and smart! Kalix couldn’t help but feel there was an initiate back at the academy that often had the same look on their face.

It pissed him off. That all-knowing, omnipotent, omnipresent look that always made Kalix second guess himself.

Why can’t you speak to us, huh? You speak common tongue don’t you? So what’s the point knowing how to talk if you aren’t gonna use your words?” Kalix said, making sure to use his inside voice— which actually wasn’t that quiet but at least he wasn’t completely shouting!

The small little elf boy looked about ready to cry!

What you gonna cry now?! What are you a girl?” Kalix seethed, which prompted the older brother to kick Kalix in his shin.

“Leave us alone or else we’ll get grandma!” He said before going to shut the door.

And because Kalix was that guy, yes, he jammed his foot inbetween the open space. Glaring menacingly at the children.

Then get your fucking grandma.” He whispered.

Kristen Pirian
 
"Ha."​

The Elf looked down at Alistair, his gaze flickering briefly to Raf. He towered over both of the Initiates, standing a head taller than each of them. A certain expression of bewilderment colored his features, as though he were trying to discern some sort of prank being played on him.

"You fuckin' jokin', rite?"​

Raf glanced at Alistair.

This was most definitely not going the way that he'd expected. He'd thought Alistair's smooth talking would take care of all of this. A frown pulled at his lips, and he couldn't help but try to stand up a little bit taller as the Elf looked at them.

"The Mayor ain't got no fuckin' business here, and you can tell em' that."​

Before Alistair and Raf could say anything else the Elf took a step back, and then slammed the wooden door shut in both of their faces.

Raf glanced at his companion. "Ah. That didn't go well."

He pointed out.
 
Alistair really did not want to spend his time doing this. He knew that he was going to run into someone like this eventually, but he had not expected it to be the first person. It was so annoying. What was it about the height that suddenly made people think they were in a position of strength?

"No, no it did not. Unfortunately for him, we do not have time to wait." People like this only understood one thing.

Alistair dug into one of his pockets and pulled out a piece of white chalk. "Raf, take a step back please." With practiced ease, Alistair draw a simple rune onto the door. Satisfied with his work, he took a step back and fed magic energy into the room.

A Fwoom sound was heard followed by a small explosion of wind as the door was blown off its hinges and into the elf's home. Alistair took a step through the doorway with his sword drawn. He looked around momentarily for the hulking figure.

"Perhaps you misunderstood. The meeting is mandatory. You can walk there, or I and my friend can cut off your legs and we will have someone carry you there. The choice is yours."

This entire time, Alistair's facial expressions had never changed to show anger or annoyance. The cadence and tone of his voice remained the same as when he first spoke to the elf.

Raf