Kal and Surin talk some more, A Wedding
Subject Kal and Surin
"Yeah, I've never been one for chain either. Weighs me down, slows me just enough to throw me off. Plus, it's on the noisy side, which ain't helpful in my line of work."
Seeing the smirk leave Kal's face, Surin bites back the sarcastic comment that was on his tongue.
"Huh."
The dagger reappears, this time in his left hand, and he begins work on the nails of his right. "So it just bubbles up, like?"
He pauses in paring his thumbnail, feels the edge of it with his right forefinger, and the resumes. "I'll tell you true, scared me a little knowing I was going to be off in the woods with Harp. There are worse things out there than orcs, but not for want of trying--they're a nasty bunch. You'd think the child of one of them things and a human would be about as bad. Worse maybe. I knew a dog one time, was half wolf. Thing was crazed. Didn't fit in as a dog, that's for damned sure. One minute it'd be all licks and cuddles, and he next it'd get all nervous. If you wasn't careful it was liable to take your face off when it got like that. It tore up one of the kids pretty bad, my aunt put it down herself. Just wasn't safe to have around."
"When I first met Harp I was afraid it'd be like that. It ain't been that way though. He gets angry, sure enough, but he's not one to explode." He laughs. "If he was, you'd've been pasted to one tree or another by now, and that's a fact. Hell, you had me pissed enough to smack you, that one time, and you weren't even talking to me."
He finishes the nails of his right hand, eyes them critically, and buffs the nails of both hands against his chest. "Seems to me, though, that the biggest proof that he's not what you'd reasonably expect ain't that he ain't pounded you though. Nah, what clenches it for me is the gifts his god gives him. Now, I don't know a lot about paladins, but I've heard that if they fall out of line their god takes away their magic on the spot. That hasn't happened with Harp. I figure the gods probably know a thing or two I don't, so if he's good enough for Hironeous, I reckon that's good enough for me."
OOC: and on that note, I've got to get to bed. I'll do another turn when I wake up in the morning, Josh.
From: Josh
Subject Kal and Surin
"I was very certain when I first met Harp that he was the enemy. Everything I did afterwards followed from that. If you had believed as I had, you would have gone to the same lengths. I couldn't allow 5 elves to put their lives in his hands when he was so clearly an enemy of our folk. His evil nature was written clearly across his face."
I did what I did because I believed he was an enemy, I went as far as I needed to, no further."
Kal goes silent for a moment, obviously deep in thought. His left hand absently strokes the hilt of his rapier.
"Most bladesingers are right handed, you know. Our training usually starts after our eighth birth-year, which is before most children are able to show favor to one hand or the other. Unless for some reason the child shows a strong inclination toward his left, he learns with his right. "
Kal tests the edge of his blade with his finger. Finding a dull spot, he takes out his whetstone and begins to sharpen. Two quick strokes on each side and he re-tests the edge. Another two strokes on each side and he's satisfied.
"I wasn't selected at birth for training like most bladesingers, however. I was 20 years old at the time they found me. My father had already began training me with as a swordsman with my left hand, and it was more natural to start my training from there."
Kal stops for a moment again, clearly considering his words carefully.
"I'm surprised with you, Surin." Kal says, "Most people would have hated me outright for how I treated their friend. Why do you care to hear my side?"
From: Karl
Subject Kal and Surin
Good turns guys. Keep it going. :-)
From: Mark
Subject The Wedding
The head Chapter House of the Order of the Silver Sword was efficient if nothing else. The echo of the first bell had not stopped reverberating though the bell tower before the pages had shown up at the doors of the rooms where the party slept. Some had no problems waking their charges. Ragnar and Ran were already up. Young Squire Geoff was surprised to find Salix just where the Major Domo had said he would be, out under a tree in the courtyard. Squire Sean had a tougher time rousing Sergeant Harp and was scared half to death by the growl that came from the 1/2 orcs room after he had been pounding on the door for a while. Taking the cursing as sign of the 1/2 orcs being awake he scampered off, back to the Major Domo to let him know that his task was done. Squire Patrick has the same problem with Allistair, with out the cursing, but the mage looked the worse for wear, with bleary eyes and unkempt hair. Squire Mattias found the halfling Surin and Kal sound asleep, but easily roused.
The squires all deliver their message. The wedding will be at the third bell of the morning, the reception will be at noon and there will be a meeting with Quarion and Knight/Colonel Goodheart at the third bell after noon. The companions spend the next few hours preparing for the wedding, some more quickly than others. In fact Ran is the first out of the building, off to find some flowers and Mira. He is not in his room when Squire Martin tries to deliver a message from Rochelle. Harp and Allistair both spend an excessive amount of time in the showers and steam room, trying to shake the effects of last night. They do not say much to each other, but they do shoot each other knowing looks. What small talk there they have is about cures for hangovers both have tried over the years.
As the hour grows closer the companions start working their way towards the small chapel where the ceremony will be performed. Every one is in their best clothes. Harp is in his new dress uniform, Salix has cleaned his leather armor till it almost shines, Surin is wearing a fine doublet of silk that he had found at one of the markets in town. The only person missing it seems it Ragnar. His absence is explained when the rest of the party arrives at the chapel. Ragnar greets them dressed in clerical robes. He guides them to their seats and leaves to help with the ceremony.
The crowd is small but prominent. Ranthir's father, the Knight/Marshall is there, looking more frail than would be expected for a Paladin of his stature.. The head cleric of the temple can be seen bustling about, ordering Ragnar and two other clerics around , putting the final touches on the alter. In all there are about 30 people in the small chapel.
The chapel is beautifully decorated, with stunning stained glass windows and full size stone carvings of many heroic Paladins of the order. Harp does his best to tell everyone of the history of those depicted. "The statues honor the greatest of the Paladins of the order. The windows" he points to the stained glass windows that surround the top of the chapel, letting in the morning sun, " are depictions of the battles of our founder, Valorshield. That one depicts his victory over Mesodar. That one depicts when he was first called by Heironeous. That one depicts when he was crowned King of Schon." He goes on, explaining each window.
The sound of the third bell of the morning brings everyone to attention. The is a rustle of sound and everyone turns to look at the back of the chapel. Rochelle is there, stunning in a white dress, her hair done up, her long neck set off by a necklace of gold, silver, peals and diamonds. She wears a small tiara in her hair. She walks down the center of the chapel and takes her seat next to Angelwing. The head cleric and his assistants, including Ragnar, star their ceremony. Those attending can feel the power that they are summoning. Powers of protection, powers of truth, powers of good. Even Kal, who uses arcane powers recognizes the forces arrayed here. He knows that he would die if he were to utter any falsehood in this room now. He half expects to see Harp writhing on the floor in agony, but is not really surprised to see the 1/2 orc sitting there, his face serene.
The prayers are many and complex but they are soon done. The head cleric then calls Rochelle and Angelwing up to the alter. There he performs the simple bonding ceremony that the order uses. The power of the room is such that the witnesses can almost see the vows as they are spoken and can see them connect the two people as they proclaim them. As the vows are finished another power enters the room.
A light shines through the window on the wall showing the crowning of Valorshield. The colored light glows on the west wall where it lands and starts to coelesc. Over the next 1/2 minute or so it takes the form of a winged man about 9 feet tall. His skin is golden and his eyes look to be of silver. His wings almost fill the wall he is standing against. When he speaks, his voice is more than just heard, it is felt. Ragnar hears it in Dwarven, Kal in High Elvish, Salix in the language of the Druids. They hear it in their minds and in their hearts.
"My son, I come to you on this day, your wedding day, in completion of the prophecy I made so many years ago. Conflict is in the future and we each have a part to play. As I promised here is the key." With a gesture a form take shape in his hand. It is a golden crown with eight points. "This was my crown, the Crown of Valorshield. With it I was able to overcome my enemy. But the crown itself it just the holder. The jewels must be found and replaced for the crown to have effect. The prophecy will guide you. I will come again at the appointed time. Know, my son, that the Battle God and I are well pleased." The creature reaches out a hand and touches Angelwing on the forehead. Then he is gone, but the crown is on the alter.
It is several minutes until everyone is recovered enough to talk. "We have much to talk about. We will meet at the noon hour for lunch and then at the third bell, we will hold council again." With that the chapel empties.
OODM: Does anyone want to do anything? If not tell me you are ready to go and I will do the next scene.
From: Derek
Subject The Wedding
OODM: Does anyone want to do anything? If not tell me you are ready to go and I will do the next scene.
I'm ready to go on.
From: Josh
Subject Wedding
I've still got some more to do with the conversation between Surin and Kal, but you can move ahead without us. Nothing over there should have any immediate effect on this.
From: Jason
Subject The Wedding
Fun turn. I'm ready to go. Ragnar still has to meet Kal and Surin, but he can reasonably put it off until after the meeting.