Sariel: May 20th: Kargos Capital, Plainview Church
In twenty-three days, I will have to make a choice: fight or fail.
Since I am not one to lie down whilst wasting an opportunity, I naturally chose to fight my future rather than lie in a slum waiting for the rats to take me. And that brings me to my current predicament.
Fighting rats is one thing, but men, men are quite a different beast. Considering my physical capabilities, I am having to accommodate quite a few noticeable differences between me and my opponents' strength, mainly that High Priest Felton is not lacking in any department when it comes to swordsmanship, and has a wealth of experience.
Breathing heavily after taking another hard blow to my side,
I move to grip the tree next to me.
Im not beating this man, he's not even breaking a sweat, it doesn't even make sense, I know the elven lifespan is long, but the man is over two hundred and fifty years old and is fitter than twenty human guards in their prime. I am well and truly outmatched. This past week of training has been practically draining me.
My hands are covered in cuts, and my body aches every second I stand up. The wooden training sword I was using had started giving me splinters even through the thick leather gloves I was gifted from the church as a perk of my new 'station'.
Despite the weird rituals that were a normal occurrence as far as being part of the church was involved, it felt good not to have to worry about how I was going to pay or find food later on.
My clothes were a visible improvement; I now donned a large brown fabric cloak, and underneath it wore a white woolen shirt with the temple's holy star stitched in golden thread on the side of each shoulder. Thick leather pants, of an alright quality, were useful for my training as well, as they stopped most of my bruising from being too severe.
I forced myself forward, pushing off the tree with a speedy momentum, gathering the last parts of my strength and running at the man in front of me.
His guard was perfect. High Priest Felton was adorned in pristine white holy armour, well-crafted. And his stalwart eyes were fixed upon me, as he took a step back, already bracing for my attack.
I moved swiftly; my pain was slowing me down a fair amount, but I had a renewed purpose as I slid into his realm of attack.
My sword clashed with his in a fervent succession, but he was unmoving.
A strike from the left was parried with ease, as he lifted high into the air for his next strike.
I saw my chance; the training had amounted to nothing, I had but one chance to land a blow upon him, to pass the perfected blade of the clergyman.
I charged my foot down and propelled myself forward, my practice blade reaching its mark, and skidding off the armour with a slight thunk. I was already put off balance by the move.
He shifted to the side slightly, and as though swatting a fly, his blade came down on my back, with the force of a stallion. And I was forced to the ground with it.
-" I yield"
My breathing was heavy, as I lay facedown in the grass like a lame cow.
King Vargen: May 20th: Kargos Capital, Royal Spire Palace
A chorus of footsteps echoed through the halls; they were singing a similar tune as they reached the palace entrance. Unbridled wealth.
The shoes were perfectly stitched, handcrafted by the best leatherworkers, made from the finest beast's hide, and worn by Atira's finest, noble houses from across the three great kingdoms had travelled far and wide to attend this bout, with the pleasure of being hosted by King Vargen The Epicurian of the elven kingdom of Kargos.
A pipe smoke shroud filled the air as the guests began to form into the palace, after the many servants had announced the king's intention to begin the diplomatic talks.
The great elven beauty of the palace was not lost upon the many human nobles, who remarked upon its great size and golden decorative attire spiralling up to the top of this proud and vast Edifice.
Rings of chatter died down as the king made his appearance.
In the grand halls of his ballroom.
Dozens of servants sauntered down in a less-than-timely fashion. They ragged the linen carpet down the staircase, creases being flattened by the Regal figure as he practically sprinted down the stairs towards his favourite guests below, leaving his queen consort in the lavish linen dust. He paused for a second before landing in the room, and regained his posture and relaxed demeanour before she shortly caught up with him. Arm in arm, the King found his way to the lavish tables filled with gourmet dishes from across the land. He took a full plate away with him, and sipped some wine before handing it to his wife, and straightening up.
_________________________________________________________
King Harold of Lemsguard looked fine and quite ravishing. Dressed in an appropriate manner for our negotiations to take place, his family crest lay bare upon the crocotta pelt finish of his mantle.
-" A pleasure to see you here again, Harold. Why not stay and dine with us? It has been a while since you stayed the night. We will have the maids prepare your quarters."
King Harold responded
-" Of course, old chap, I would think it rude to deny the elven king his wish after naming this grand event in my honor" he laughed a hearty laugh. I joined him naturally and gave him a good pat on the shoulder as we moved across the space towards the kegs of specially bought spirits for this day in particular. I just couldn't help it, my excellence even amazes me some days. I had brought peace to the continent with my every move.
The demons would despair rather than make a direct move upon any of my great royal friends, after I had so carefully executed my skills of negotiation to form the three-kingdom alliance. I had this feast in mind for The Kingdom of Lemsguard, and I know Queen Arnissa would enjoy the more private event, which I will be hosting next week to affirm The Kingdom of Souldiar's support.
Harold and I, along with a few of the noble ladies we encountered along the way, were backing down drinks like there was no tomorrow, Two elven girls were feeding me grapes from the stalk, and Harold was getting a foot rub from some of the serving wenches, before I spotted him planting a kiss on the esteemed heir of the Szarian commerce empires' bottom.
-"Harold you naughty dog you"
She slapped him as soon as the kiss had landed, and we simply couldn't stop laughing. I could barely even think before it was almost dawn, and the hall was mostly empty.
A ringing hit my head, a very affront to my honour by the demonic influence of alcohol.
I stepped over harolds passed out body; he was in a well-dressed pile of men and women alike who had clearly succumbed to his offers of alcohol after I was too drunk to rail him in. He was always subject to his impulses, but I accepted him as he was, nonetheless.
I was shaking through the vast hallways of my residence. Finding my bed in this place, hungover, was a nightmare that would likely never end.
I passed through a particularly spacious corridor before finding the entrance to my room blocked by my short-tempered brother.
-" oh angel be damned, lothgen, what is it now?"
He stiffened up at the sight of me, although my attire was now soiled by last night's embrace. The presence of the king still seemed to knock some sense into him, as I could see by his fixed expression that he was holding back a flurry of insults that he wished to unload. How childish this man was. I had thought age would harden him, yet even now, as I am conducting the highest form of political maneuvering there is, he ambushes me in my own halls.
-" Brother, I see you have returned in yet another drunken stupor after neglecting to inform the council of this extravagant liberty you have partaken to."
He always fired venom at me whenever he got the chance.
-" Yes, little brother, I am not meant to be subjected to the scrutiny of every man, woman and child in the realm who holds noble blood every time I host a dinner party. I am the king!"
I tapped my crown, and it almost fell from my head before I caught it with tactical precision and placed it back firmly.
He let out a sigh
-"fine… if you are going to have these 'negotiations' at least beforehand send over a dossier by crow of your approval for our plague prevention plan to rid our capital of the rats infesting the slums, and the demon influence control act we have proposed. These are urgent matters. I have the files here right now if you would care to take a look at the…"
-"Oh please, our kingdom has no need to fear a the rats or the fucking bugs lothgen. The demons are practically a wives' tale, Moltigar the pitiful demon city that locked itself away after being fought back so valiantly by me and the human kingdoms after the tragedy that befell Armond forest. It's best not to dwell on such things, and even better, not to waste the money we already have when we could be using it to strengthen our military to counter the actual threats. I will hear no more of this!"
My guard approached, and I flicked away my meddlesome little brother before finally getting to my bed.
What's next, a tactical strike against the grass, for the demons have made it grow too long?
The fur of my blanket enveloped me and soothed my condition after last night.
A king's duty is never easy, but they are at least lucky that one man has sense when surrounded by sycophants and fools who want to waste time on a threat thats none existant.
Sariel: May 20th: Kargos Capital, Plainview Church
I felt the blades of grass rubbing against my boots as High Priest Felton and I were at a fast pace returning from the training field to Plainview Church. After quite a long, exhausting day.
A Temple Crow had come shortly after my combat training had reached its natural end earlier. And the high priest was skimming through its contents now as we walked.
I turned to speak with him after he had folded and slid the paper into his robe pocket.
-" What does it say?" I spoke
-" It says I am requested at the temple by noon tomorrow, apprentice. We may have to start looking at your magical aptitude sooner rather than later, Sariel."
We were coming past a green hill, and the sun beamed down on the top of the building as we reached the nearing of our destination. Plainview church was deliberately placed deep inside the commoners' district. It was nearing the walls of the city, and surrounded by arable land and small but well-worn houses. The locals here were very friendly, and I found it quite pleasant to talk to the older people here who always had stories to tell about the old city or interesting observations about the angel's grace, bringing a higher yield or lower, depending on their mood, really.
It was calm here, and a well-tempered place for training, although I had very limited experience in that field.
We passed through the more rural areas of the county and were now approaching the rudimentary square of the devout town, a lesser parody of even my own small village's trade hub.
Looking around, the place felt warm. It wasn't just the sun inviting me in, but the people were mostly human peasants, and it showed on their pleasant expressions as they passed us both by on the cobble road. I waved at a few. This place left me feeling less and less like an outsider every day I stayed here. It makes sense, seeing as their church was directly managed by Felton. Who, below the surface, valued the lord and his teachings more than a political enemy to wish away his problems unto. I had not heard him utter a bad word about High Priest Corvos for the entire duration of our training. As though his comments towards Lexi were acceptable terms for keeping the peace with the high clergy's other elite? I was still not sure how to feel about the man because of things like this.
gazing at the flowers in the fields, and contemplating broaching the question to Felton about his feelings regarding the other clergy.
Something in the corner of my eye piqued my attention to an old farmhouse.
A man dressed in dirt-stained overalls, donning an oversized straw hat, was working with another muscular and quite attractive man in white armour, who was helping him push his cattle back into a pen. The Knight looked only a few years older than me. I saw that several pigs were escaping towards our direction. If they carried on like this, I might have to waste my first paycheck on curing any mad pig disease I might incur, whilst judging from the results of my training, becoming the only half-elf in history to be trampled to death by unruly pigs.
Alright, might as well stop enjoying the view, and actually go and help get this situation under control i suppose.
I ran over to confront the beasts head on. I grabbed one by the scruff of its neck, and then another after it, and then placed myself firmly on top of the final stray's back before riding towards the farm.
I was crossing my legs and staring like a hawk as the muscular knight closed in the reins on four more pigs with ease, and was already shooing back another one. He had a well-placed smile on his face, as though he was enjoying the time spent rounding up the pigs. He was quite charming, although his white hair, ears and grass green eyes were what made me stare at him the longest.
My pig ride came to a stop, and I dismounted and led the stragglers back over to the farmer's pen; my eyes might have been distracted by the man. I felt a little bit giddy when I confirmed he was heading back over.
The farmer approached both of us with a thankful grin on his face.
-"Thank you, Sardon. You were quick to help out there. I appreciate it, pup. You too miss…"
-" Sariel"
I replied.
For some reason, this lit up the Knight I now knew as Sardon's face,
And he offered me his hand.
I shook it.
-" Pleasure to meet you, Initiate."
I hadn't noticed High Priest Felton had caught up to us until I felt his hand tap my shoulder. And Sardon and the farmer moved to the floor, resting on one knee.
-" Your holiness, your pupil has done us a kindness today."
Felton straightened up
-" Nonsense, farmer Kalahan, from where I was standing, she seemed happy to help."
He turned to me with a knowing wince appearing on his face.
-" hmm… Sariel. I see you appear to have already made an acquaintance with your new swordsmanship instructor, Ser Sardon of the holy angel order. A prestigious institution that turned out one of the best men I have ever known."
Sardon moved from the grass to meet my gaze.
-" You honour me, devoted one. I can only hope to fill your shoes well, High Priest Felton, and be a good swordsmaster to you aswell lady Sariel."
He lowered his head before standing tall again, stepping up from the grass, and approaching us in wide, swift strides.
-" I shall accompany you back to the church; only the fallen angel knows what might be lurking in the grass when you pass through it nearing sundown."
I made sure to keep close to him as we paced through the grass.
I could see his broad shoulders flexing through his shirt as we were walking. They looked… firm.
My face and neck were starting to feel slightly warmer than usual.
-" Ser Sardon, where are you from again?"
A foolish question I regretted as soon as it left my lips. Im so stupid sometimes. The heat was getting a bit much for such an average day.
-" I was born and raised here, in this part of the city. Why do you ask?"
Sometimes I wonder why I even put up with myself.
-" Oh uhhh, no reason at all… just curious."
I figure this is a great time for me to shut up now, so I start to simply look towards the ground as we continue walking.
-" Where are you from, Sariel?"
My features lit up, and I shifted to face him.
-" A small village, west of the city gates. We have quite a variety of fruit, and…. meats…"
His face is up there sariel, I reminded myself.
-" Although I do like it better here as of recent"
I let off a short and odd-sounding laugh.
We later returned to the entrance of the church, and Sardon, with his armoured attire and well-crafted features. Gave Felton a short goodbye and promised to meet me the next day for training.
It was past sunset.
I was oddly struck by renewed motivation as the clergyman, and I resumed our training in his study. With little time to spare before his planned departure back to the High Temple tomorrow.
I miss Lexita quite a bit. She had business to attend to as a holy priestess and couldn't come with me this week for training. Sleepovers were fun with her, and the time passed faster.
Looking at the clock decorating the quite well-furnished room, I stood opposite Felton, feeling a slight draft brush past us before a short man with star-adorned clothes shut the door behind us.
This church was Felton's personal off-branch of the high temple, practicing the same religion but in a different part of the city. Practicing the same religion but with delegated management, it was quite an effective model, and also very far away from the inner city's buzz and politics, so I can actually get some training done.
Felton held out a fine, tempered steel dagger to me. I took it from his hands and felt the High Temples' sigil of the star on the bottom of the hilt. The handle was made of coarse leather. And it felt good resting in my hands, the weight felt homely.
-" Sariel, we now come to the most important part of your training, learning your magical alignment.
This was something to look forward to for yourself rather than just me, I hope.
To remind you.
Fire,
Water,
Ice,
Earth,
Light,
Darkness,
and Flesh
These are the 7 magical affinities known to man and elven kind. A person can only master magics from their own affinity, as is the natural order. And now we get to find out your own affinity. You shouldn't worry too much, this wont effect your magical abilities or tell you anything about your moral character, and even I have quite a scary title for my magical ability. Flesh suggests something entirely different to my preferred use of the magic, enhancing my own abilities."
He pushed hard on a smooth stick of wood that was hidden under his desk.
The top opened, and a smooth black crystal that contained jet black liquid similar in consistency to the pool of ancient angel's blood I was forced to lie in for my induction to the faith. Was exposed to the candlelit room.
-" A drop of blood should suffice."
I moved my arm to a resting point atop the opening of the desk. And mightve went slightly overboard with the knife, as I didn't expect it to be that sharp. A pool of blood poured from my wrist, and Felton practically wrestled my arm away, and hurried to tie the wound up with a clean cloth he had on his desk, presumably for situations like this.
His white robes were now covered in red splotching, and he had already started returning to the crystal when I noticed a rotting smell permeate the air, and an oozing aura of black emanating from the crystal. Working the crystal took concentration from a well-versed master of the mystic arts to produce conclusive results. Yet as he placed his hand upon the stone and shut his eyes, I noticed a few rats scurrying across the floor. How did they even get in here, I wondered.
Then Felton looked up at me.
-"Sariel, your affinity is darkness."
He looked unperturbed by the news. I, on the other hand, am sporting a scowl. I know he said it's not like an endorsement of the demons or anything, but who is to say it wouldn't be interpreted that way? I do appreciate everything Felton has done for me, but he simply couldn't understand how it is for me.
As High Priest Felton was at the end of it all, a pure elven man.
-" Thank you, teacher, I respect your wisdom. I would suggest that this is also something that might be better kept unspoken."
-" I am sorry sariel, but at the very least, I must inform the pontiff. It is our devotion to the lord that compels us forward; you have my word that nobody but him shall be told by my lips, I will do you that courtesy, my apprentice."
Darkness? I pondered.
Felton had told me a small amount about its usage being varied depending on which books you read on spell casting. And it was the prime component in any type of ruinous ritual magic.
I also know from Lexi that many in the church find it to be a mark of the demons.
So I think I am very much in for a rough ride at any rate.
Felton handed me a holy priest's volume of a book called 'Darkness spells and how they can be used piously.'
Oh my god, the fucking title.
I gave Felton a firm shake of the hand and went back to my quarters within the church, and fell asleep quickly. My head clouded by this revelation.