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Post by Ammodytes on Feb 20, 2009 2:13:18 GMT -5
It was a late evening, the sun was going down somewhere but Nereis couldn't see it as he was surrounded by tall buildings. The last rays of solar light were inflaming the large clouds, giving the sky a color that makes even the most bitter man drift into awe.
The young man was walking beside his faithful horse, his eyes were pinned at the strange sky, he loved it, the beauty of nature surpassed the beauty of any arhitectural wonder which might be just to his right or left. His pace was slow, his face pale and tired from the long walk he had taken this day.
"Why can't things be as simple as a red sky?" He thought with a deep feeling of melancoholia. He missed the tall trees and the cold moist moss of the forrests, the hard city roads were hurting his feet as he was not used to walking on plain ground. He would have preferred to climb a rocky hill than to walk for kilometers on plain hard soil, he knew he would have grown less tired on the steep hill.
Finaly, the White Tower appeared before him. He gazed at it with disbelief, he couldn't believe he was finaly here. Scanning his surroundings he found a good place to leave Vasar, giving him the typical "Be good!" as he walked away from him and towards the Library.
He entered through the large doors, pushing them slowly behind him, allowing them to close. He took two steps forward then stopped to absorbe the new terrain with his eyes. His posture was rigid, his legs were covered with the long black kilt, his right hand was hanging by his side with a closed fist and his left hand was resting on the hilt of his sword. Feeling the wooden handle, a quick scarry thought ran through his mind as he realised that he had brought a weapon in this temple of knowledge.
"Great! Just what I need, to be turned into a frog by a mage who thinks i'm some kind of thief..."
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Post by Sky on Feb 20, 2009 23:14:00 GMT -5
Sky was walking from the regular Library over to the white tower when she saw him walking up to the tower. She knocked her head to the side slightly in thought and then righted it again as her feet moved along the cobbled street, her leather boots making a scuffing sound as they practically slid along instead of taking purposeful steps. It was a pleasant day and one she hadn’t really wanted to spend indoors, but her studies had needed to be done so she could return these tombs to their resting places amongst the millions in the tower. She wore her usual hunter’s type garb, abandoning the usual dresses and what not of most females in the city. She always hated to mess with skirts or brushing her hair to try and impress, she was far too busy for all that nonsense.
She watched the horse as it stood there where the man had left it, a sudden devilish thought passing through her mind but put it away. “No Sky, be good, it’s horse and it hasn’t done anything to you.” She told herself as she passed the animal on her way to the huge doors in front of her.
It wasn’t that Sky was a bad person. She just had trouble controlling her urges to play practical jokes on everyone or thing she came across. She sometimes just simply could not pass up such easy targets but she was working on the problem, really she was.
As she stepped up to the doors, her hands full of books, she just missed them being open and mental kicked herself for not hollering to the man to hold the doors so she could walk in without juggling the tombs in her arms to push the doors open again. Alas though, she hadn’t and so, Sky did just that, she moved all the heavy tombs around to one arm and then with the other, pushed the doors open so that she could follow the man inside.
Sky made it inside and then plopped the tombs on the nearest table and looked around, her dark orbs now falling on the, what she saw to be an armed, fellow standing in the main entrance. She cocked her head to the side and eyed him for a few moments. The entrance to the tower was huge and quiet, always quiet, the massive libraries not actually stating until the second floor. This one was filled with not but furniture and art, paintings on the walls a place to meet and discuss studies or whatever the Mages found they wanted to talk about. And of course, the only place outsiders were allowed, without invite.
Sky and her entire 5’5” tall figure walked over to the man and then walked around him, her dark orbs watching him, her face unreadable. When she came to be in front of the man, she stopped, hopping slightly with a smile on her lips.
“Hi.” She said in a quick voice, loud enough to echo in the vastness of the building. She giggled at the sound. “Heloo…” She said as she turned her head away from the man and listened to her voice echoing. “Oh, sorry for that, it just always seems to amuse me when that happens.” She then continued, though not so loudly this time, so she wouldn’t create an echo. “Name’s Sky, what can I help you with?” She asked the stranger, extending a hand for him to shake.
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Post by Ammodytes on Feb 21, 2009 4:42:42 GMT -5
Nereis heard the doors open behind him and when he looked over his shoulder he saw the woman carrying the heavy books, he wanted to help but by the time he had finished the thought she had already placed them on a table. He then started turning slowly towards her when she poped up in front of him saying "Hi" and then a long "Hellooo". She had a strange taste for fashion and her spiked hair and dark apearence were in contradiction to the childish manner in which she acted. Nereis was unsetlled by this aproach and he took a step back to widen the space between himself and the misterious lady. Seeing that she wanted to introduce herself he quickly got over the small surprise and responded:
"Ah yes, Greetings!" he reached and gently grabbed her hand while taking a small bow. "I am Nereis, son of Algokhalmin." When he ended his introduction he last words rolled out with difficulty as his eyes met with her's. There was something very profound in those black eyes, they sent a small shiver down his spine, however this only added to the young man's interest. He continued with a bold voice:
"I could use help, yes, but unfortunetly it is difficult, because even I am not sure what I am searching for. I came here because I know this is where the greatest mages in the realm reside, and I was wondering if I could meet one and ask him a few questions..."
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Post by Sky on Feb 21, 2009 16:22:44 GMT -5
Sky smiled inwardly at his reaction to her welcome. She was usually a bit for people to take in at first meeting, her quirky actions and somewhat playful attitude often made one think her to be very young when in fact, it was the total opposite and she liked it that way just fine as it always gave her the upper hand in these random meetings to have the first look into the demeanor of said person. This one, she guessed was more than likely quite an honest man, his eyes telling at least that much.
She shook his hand and once more noticed his reaction once he did indeed make eye contact with her. This one perhaps was far more than just a nice guy, he was as well quite observant. After she regained her hand from their initial greeting she once more cocked her head to the side as he went forward and announced what it was he thought perhaps he might be looking for.
She regarded this man a few moments longer, her quirkiness seemingly slipping from existence now, a much more mature mannerism taking on its place, for the time being at least, one never knew what to expect when it came to her, but then again, neither did she at times. Even after over 700years, she still hadn’t gotten over her changes in mood at the drop of a dime.
She righted her head then and offered him a soft smile, her dark orbs coming ever more to light as if animating thoughts openly for all to see behind the dark pools of onyx. “Well then, Nereis, son of Algokhalmin.” She started, her eyes settling on his. “You have come to the right place. This is indeed the great white mage tower of Celesta after all.” She continued. “If you wish however, to speak with Master Titus, well he’s not currently here, probably out with his new found intellectual equal somewhere in town, though I would be more than happy to accommodate anything you might have to ask.” She told him, her voice speaking matter-of-factly. “If you wish, you may accompany me on my trip through the library to return what I have barrowed and pluck a few more from the great shelves.” She stated. “I can always use the company and if it serves to help another while I enjoy the company, well then, all the better, wouldn’t you agree?” She stated and then asked all at once.
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Post by Ammodytes on Feb 23, 2009 5:44:30 GMT -5
Nereis felt his heart grow, finally he was getting somewhere. Not only had he found someone to help but he would also get a tour inside the tower of the mages. He could already visualise books over books, thousands of written lines passing on the knowledge of every generation.
"Yes, that would be absolutely magnificent!" He said with a smile.
"I will follow just lead the way!" he said with a joyfull voice, his posture had relaxed, and the weight of the day that had just passed simply wanished. He placed himself on the side of the new companion. Something about her was not natural he could feel that, but he didn't give much credit to the thought, he had seen many strange things on his long journey, he didn't refuse something new.
"And who is this Master Titus? I have never heard of him, is he a mage of great power?" He asked with a childish voice, his head was turned to the side, his eyes were focused on Sky.
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Post by Sky on Feb 23, 2009 21:48:31 GMT -5
Sky was pleased that she’d made her choice to include him in the library trip through the Tower. She knew not may outsiders ever had the chance to see such works collected in one area, and though they certainly wouldn’t be making their way up the total one hundred stories of the tower, she had needed to get to at least the fortieth.
“Very well, I hope you do have your climbing boots on, we’ve forty floor to climb today then.” She told him as she collected the many volumes she’d placed on the table not all too long ago.
She was happy to sense in him a certain anticipation at the chance he had been given to even brows the shelves, of course, she couldn’t allow him to take anything out of the tower, she could provide him time to peek into some of them should he find something that peeked his interest.
She smiled at his unknowing the name of Titus. That was not something that happened all too often, but then, this man was no mage so indeed it was possible that he would not have known the great man.
“Master Titus is perhaps the greatest White Mage this world has ever had the pleasure of knowing.” Sky told him. “He’s written perhaps a good portion of the books in this tower and is the one who had it constructed so that the world would know that the Mages where here to protect them and offer assistance to all who might ask.” She turned and winked at Nereis. “Which brings me to the thought that you had a few questions at hand that I might be able to aid you in?” She questioned as she began to make her way up towards the second floor and the first section of books.
He books along this and every floor were settled along the walls from the moment they stepped onto the second floor landing, accessible from the stairs and all around them. Sky moved and deposited a couple of her heavy tombs onto the shelves in various spots and then returned to her present companies side.
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Post by Ammodytes on Feb 24, 2009 3:51:01 GMT -5
"Ah yes, my problems..." He said with half a voice.
"The problem, I am affraid, is beyond my limits of understandings." He took a small pause to clear his throat and to prepair that which would be a long story.
"I set off from home about two years ago, in this time I have seen many and done a lot of things, but the thing that still lingers in my mind is the reason for my departure. My father, a great man, told me that I have to go on a journey in which I must seek "the light". At first I was very confused, but as time passed I started to understand that it had to be something related to my sowl or my mind. But it is very difficult to search for something when you do not know what it looks like or how it is supposed to make you feel. If there is anything I have found in the last two years it is the darkness and bitterness of the land. Beyond these well protected city lies a land covered with shady caracters, wild dangerous beasts and corrupt men. But I heard about this place from a braghing drunk who said he once managed to steal a book from here and then sell it for a lot of gold. I didn't believe him but the ideea of a place filled with wisdom drew my attention. I sayd to myself that maybe here there is at least a clue to help me in my search."
Ending his story, the man realised that the books Sky had been carrying might be heavy. The stairs didn't bother him so he reached out to take half the books off her hands.
"Allow me to help, forty flors go down faster with half the weight!" He said with a smile.
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Post by Sky on Feb 24, 2009 22:20:40 GMT -5
Sky listened as she deposited books in their few places and as they began once more to climb the steps. From the third, she deposited nothing but thanked her guest for taking half the weight from her burden, though really didn’t mind carrying them, it was kind of the man all the same. They moved on upwards though the stairs, climbing all the while shelves upon shelves upon shelves of books, literally thousands already they had passed and where only at the forth when Sky paused once more to deposit a few more volumes, taking one from his pile, she plunged it gently into its resting spot behind the man’s head.
“To seek out the light could have a very large meaning to it sir.” She started and then smiled as she, instead of returning a volume, plucked a new one from its resting place, the title having something to do with the sky and air verses clouds and their use in drawing electricity from the sky.
“This should do fine.” She muttered and then continued, making their way back onwards and upwards to deposit, or pluck more books.
“He could have meant for you to simply enlighten your mind to the outside world, to find your place in the light, find the right path, one that would fulfill you mentally as well as physically. To make your way in life.” She explained as she plunked yet another volume onto a shelf. “Find what is your own truth in the world.” She further explained. “Then there is the question however, as to rather you, yourself sir, have ever found within you, something that burned to be released, a feeling of emptiness that is not empty but heavily weighing on your soul.” She then continued, this last being half question half statement.
Sky continued to move, her small frame taking no stress on the stairs, even with the burden as they climbed still, reaching the twelfth floor at this point. Where Sky took two volumes form his possession and inserted them back to their resting spots and pulled once more another volume she added underneath the three she had left to put back, in her arms.
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Post by Ammodytes on Feb 25, 2009 4:33:13 GMT -5
Her wise words streamed through his mind, the ideeas were simple yet they did reach a deep spot in his sowl.
"My own truth... Yes, I believe I have found that even before I left my home, to fulfill myself mentally, and physically... Yes, there might be something related to that. However , he also saids that I must share the light with those who have not seen it. So it can't be something that applies only to me."
When he ended he was again in deep thought. It was the first time he had found somebody to discuss this matter with. Climbing slowly on the great staircase his mind quickly jumped to a more urgent matter:
"Oh, but please! Don't call me sir! I can see from the way you have acces in the great tower that you are more than you seem to the naked eye. Perhaps it is I who should be more respectfull with my tone and words."
Ending his statement he tilted his head slowly towards her, eager to see if he had made a good presumption.
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Post by Sky on Feb 25, 2009 16:12:37 GMT -5
Sky smiled over at him, his words were coming to light in his own mind, and that was always a sign of intelligence, and if there was one thing a Mage liked to see in others, it was indeed intelligence.
“Oh very well then, Nereis it is then.” She said a she plunged yet another volume back into its resting place and then moved on towards another set of stairs.
She pondered his words about her being far more than met the naked eye, and as there was truth in those words, had it not as well held truth that any individual was more than what they seemed to be at first glance? She smiled again as they move through the thirteenth floor and on upwards.
“I do tend to put forth a persona that seems to make others believe I am not what I am, but then again, who am I really? I suppose would be the question I see in your young eyes.” She replied as, when they reached the fifteenth floor she took from his hand a book, turned it around in her grasp and then smiled down at it before inserting it into its proper place. “I do hold some presence here, but then being a Mage gives me the right to do so and as Master Titus would more than likely state.” She began. “Books are written to be used, knowledge meant to be sought and neither wants to be left on a shelf to turn dusty and yellow nor to be forgotten.” She told him as they moved upwards still. “As for the how it is you should address me, that would depend on your circumstances and as to rather I believe you friend or foe.” She then chuckled slightly. “Sky works just fine in your case.” She told him. “As I do not believe you to be a threat, nor do I feel that you desire bad intentions as your search to know seems honest.” She finished with that explanation.
She then lead him further up the tower, passing through floor after floor until they came to the thirtieth where she once more allowed their progress to halt for a few moments whilst she plucked the final volume from his grasp and settled into its resting place.
“Once more I must say that his words have a few outcomes in that he could desire that you seek the light of the priesthood, but I honestly do not know that he would push that upon his own son. I think that would be a calling you would have seen far before you even reached this city.” She began, her mind reaching out to consider his fathers meaning in his wishes for his son to share the light he might find in himself with others. “Certainly there are a great many ways to share ones own light with others.” She moved on. “It can be as simple as lending a hand to those in need.” She then told him. “Or as great as becoming the priest who lends his entire life and soul to the work of God.” She moved on as they continued their way upwards.
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Post by Ammodytes on Feb 26, 2009 6:44:30 GMT -5
His hunch was right, she was a Mage, one of importance to the tower. Yet her casual responce and her desire to help reassured him that he was in no danger of getting turned into a snail or something like that.
He answered with a small bow of the head to her desire to keep things casual in the adressing forms. Then as the climb continued and the books were reduced in numbers he responded to her latter statement.
"The way of the priest... Hmmmm! I am not sure about that. For one I am not sure I have the gift of preaching in His name. If He is the light then I am lost, because I have found no way to get close to Him. He may judge me after my death for that, but for now I am alive and I intend to keep it that way, without thinking of what may be after death."
"There is yet another matter. The responsability of a man to his country and King. I wonder if what I am searching for is simple devotement and loyalty to the rightful leader of this realm. If that is the case I must seek a way to enter in the service of the King. But different times call for different services, and right now my skills would be of no use..."
Nereis was simply fascinated by the discusion, his voice was filled with strenght and his mind focused on all the words spoken.
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Post by Sky on Feb 27, 2009 0:04:52 GMT -5
Sky listened to the man as he came to conclusions on his own, her lips turned up even further now, as his mind began to open up before him, something she knew would eventually happen, as it is always good to talk things through with others to come to just this conclusion in ones own mind.
They passed several floors as they moved upwards and finally reached the fortieth where Sky deposited the last of the volumes she wanted returned, in their proper places and even, once more took out a few more, a few of which she handed over to Nereis to carry for her. “Thank you again.” She told him with a wink.
She waited for his words to sink in to himself before she spoke of his finding though, and wasn’t until she had found the last of what she had sought that she commented on his own findings to his question.
“That could be as well, and though no, we are not at war during the present, there are still many things the palace guard are indeed tested with.” She told him her eyes loosing some of their happy spark as she thought of the darkness that had begun to swell over the land. “It would seem there are quite a few darker creatures that abound out there even as we speak, if one takes the time to listen, they might even hear the world about them screaming a warning to be mindful.” She went on to tell him. “Yes, perhaps you might be right in your choice to look forward towards the army of Celesta, should that be your calling.” She paused and regarded him for a few moments before continuing. “Just mind my words and so be mindful of your surroundings, everything is not what it seems in the lands.” She finished and then with a deep breath put that sunny smile back into her face again and with that quirky little hop, she turned in mid air, full arms of books and faced toward the landing.
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Post by Ammodytes on Mar 3, 2009 1:03:46 GMT -5
"I thank you for your help, whether this is the way I seek, or not, I will find a way to manage it. But please we have been talking only about me and I know many things about me..." He ended his statement with a small laugh.
He had the feeling that he was close to a finality in his search and ironically he didn't want that to happen. If things moved to fast he couldn't enjoy the simple moment of discovery.
"Don't worry, I will ponder the matter and I won't forget your wise words, but for now could you tell me a litlle about how it feels like to be a mage?" And before she could answer he continued:
"I don't want to be rude of course, if you have no time, there is no problem, I do not wish to rob an entire evening from you... It is just that I have had this fascination with the power to manipulate the elements. Is it as complicated as it is impressive?"
He ended with his tipical smile. Nereis was eager to change the subject a litlle, he didn't like to limit a conversation to one problem alone, many things can just slip by if you focus on only one subject and he wanted to learn as much as he could as he didn't think he would have the opportunity for this conversation again.
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Post by Sky on Mar 3, 2009 15:16:14 GMT -5
Sky Laughed along with him when he stated that he already knew much about himself, it was a comment that she’d not heard in a while from anyone, but a true one. She was also glad that he had chosen to move the conversation along. She couldn’t give him the answer herself, her words were only there to help guide him, as truly he would have to find his final answer within himself.
They moved along, heading back down the stairs now, along the way she listened to what he had to say, and as they reached the next floor down and smiled again. “Oh no that is not a rude question.” She replied to him. “And though indeed I am most always busy, I am never to busy to talk to a friend.” She told him in a soft manner, turning her dark orbs on him for a moment before continuing. “And to further your knowledge of life around you, if I can in any way be of assistance in that, then I am quite Happy to do so.” She then added. “Though I do not think anyone had thought to ask me what it is like to be me I hope that I can only explain it to the best of my ability.” She ended, likewise, the smile still holding on her lips and moving to cover her entire face.
They moved along down the stairs, now reaching the twentieth before she began to speak again, her mind was thinking the entire time as to how to begin.
“What is it like to be a Mage, a magical holding creature, human in form though oh so much more in mind and spirit.” She said, as she adjusted the books in her arms. “A mage of course is born with the ability to perform magic, though not always are they aware. Often times a mage will go through life thinking that they are nothing special, having no clue that they even hold this magic within. Certainly, simple things will come to them at times, but unless that magic within is allowed to be used, it will come to a stale state and never be developed. One must be found and for each mage it is usually thus at about as early as three years of age.” She moved on. “I will start with your second question though, as to what is involved in using the elements.” She then told him, turning her orbs on him again as they continued moving down the stairs. “Yes, yes it takes a lot of work and a lot of study to be any good at controlling what is an element.” She then explained. “Your average Mage doesn’t really gain any real useful control until they have studied whatever element it is that has chosen them. Reading books on weather patterns, finding out what that element is truly made of and what rules it, and of course, there is always the trial and error period when many a Mage has even lost their lives for lack of control over their element.” She moved along to tell him.
Sky paused when they reached the 15th floor and looked to her right where on a table there was placed a dish of fresh fruit. This wasn’t there on their way up and Sky smiled at it as she moved over to the table. She reached out and plucked a nice round orange from the bowl and then turned to Nereis. “Would you like one?” She asked gesturing toward the bowl. “A person can’t go on all day without something to eat, now can they?” She grinned. “A working mind needs nourishment, so if you do, please, don’t hesitate in taking one, it is what they are there for after all.” She finished and waited for his reply.
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Post by Ammodytes on Mar 6, 2009 10:52:10 GMT -5
"Oh yes!, thank you!" He said with a smile. He reached to the bowl and plucked the smallest orange he could see, he didn't want to be rude and take a large one.
As he started to take the skin off, he took a deep breath and smiled at the sharp smell of the orange. He then took a small piece of skin and placed it in one of the small bags on his side.
"Wow! to die from your own element. That is somewhat ironic. My father would say that you can always trust your sword because it will never betray you. Of course I realised a long time ago that it will betray you if you don't wield it well enough. It can cut your own skin as easely as it can cut your enemy. I supuse the problem with the elements is similar."
He paused and ripped a piece from the orange, then he placed it slowly in his mouth. He clunched his jaw so that Sky couldn't see the expresion caused by the extreme sour taste of the fruit, obviously he had chosen one that wasn't ripe.
"Ahm!" he continued with a sharp voice after he swallowed the piece almost whole. "Yes it seems that it is the same with any other skill, magic I mean, just that it takes a longer time to perfect. But you can give up sword fighting if you do not like it, is it the same with magic?"
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