Travels Through Time: The Wizard and the Paladin IC

[Parrallathan]

"What do you expect me to do about it? As far as I'm concerned, she's after you for righteous cause."

[Annalia]

Fezim Aulm

"I - I expect nothing." Fezim replied after an instant. He fell silent and ran a hand reflexively through his hair with a sigh. For once, he did not seem to have something to add.

[Parrallathan]

Celdur sighed.

"At least you don't presume to be owed anything. I'll return Jessana's holy symbol, and then come back here. Then we'll have to depart, given the whole town knows who you are now."

[Annalia]

Fezim Aulm

"Very well." Fezim replied. "What will you tell her about it?"" He was keeping a straight face, resisting the urge to smile. It was a step forward, if any, but Fezim was far from enjoying himself in a bliss of fun. If being 'good' is like this, I hardly see a reason to do it. The thought was only enhanced by the occasional slash of pain running through his head, reminder of the heavy hit he'd took.

[Parrallathan]

"I'll just tell her we found it when we were searching the thieves' den."

[Annalia]

Fezim Aulm

"Good." Fezim replied. "I will keep the disguise on, but you should hurry. It may last another 90 minutes, but not much more, and I would find it safer to keep other illusion spells for later."

[Parrallathan]

Celdur nodded, rising from his seat and adjusting his cloak. With a mental note of what time he had before Fezim's disguise wore off, he set off to find Jessana.

[calijames]

Suddenly Jessena passed, running . She saw Celdur and changed direction, she passed the strange man with him and hit Celdur in the face
you have given me wrong information, the guard at the north gate told me that he never saw him leave, and worst he became he hero here.

[Parrallathan]

Celdur rubbed his cheek sorely, glaring.

"He did leave. I never knew he was coming back. And as for a hero? That's a lot of garbage. My paladins raided that shack." Celdur said angrily.

Flinging her symbol at her, he straightened himself up. "That's gratitude for retrieving your symbol, isn't it?"

With that, he turned on heel and departed.

[Annalia]

Jessana Windrider

She caught her symbol with a frown, but stormed after him. "Stop right there!" She called, her tone not unlike what she'd use on a criminal.

[Parrallathan]

Celdur turned around, placing hands on sides with a frustrated glare.

"What Now!?"

[Annalia]

Jessana Windrider

"You are lying." She stated, walking up to him and stopping only a few feet away. "This 'haunted' house has been watched by the guards for quite a while. They have seen him go in and out. That is why he is considered a hero. Never has anyone else walked in and live." Her grip on the symbol was so tight that her knuckles whitened. "No one could have recovered this except him."

[Parrallathan]

"Right. So I, a paladin, associated with an evil being, told him to enter the shack and retrieve the symbol, took it from him, then gave it to you. Because clearly, Pelor has struck me down and robbed me of my powers!" Celdur retorted sarcastically.

"If the little fool did anything, it was using an enchantment - you remember? He's an enchantment specialist? - to earn himself some fame and potentially leave you crawling around in a useless town following bottomless leads for a month while he fled north! Did you ever take that into account when you followed your overzealous little rant and personal self-obsession?" The paladin added, frown turning to scowl.

"Do yourself a favour and stop thinking he's at the base of everything. The world could go to hell as far as you care and you'd still go after that one insignificant human."

Rolls:

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(1d20+12)[5](17)

[Annalia]

Jessana Windrider

For a moment, Jessana looked hurt, confused, and extremely pissed. She struggled with words, and calmed slightly in the pause. "The man is not insignificant. He is a criminal and it is my duty to see that he receives his due." She started with reassuring grounds, repeating words that had long ago become her mantra.

"I - it needs to be done." She sounded somewhat shaken, and began turning around "May I have your name?" It was like an afterthought - a politeness she'd barely remembered.

[Parrallathan]

Celdur paused, frowning. He moved back to Jessana, planting a comforting gauntleted hand on her shoulder.

"Jessana, you are a righteous warrior of a proud deity. You should be proud of what you are, but never forget that Heironeous chose you to act in the name of the forces of good, not vengeance. I will not detract you from your desire to give chase of the criminal. But there are those who will need you more in this world than the criminals who inhabit it. Men, women - children." He put emphasis on the last word with a sigh.

"Never forget who you are, Jessana. Never forget who you serve, and what lengths are considered the pursuit of justice."

Celdur removed the hand, and turned about, walking away.

"I am Celdur Hanicen."

[Annalia]

Jessana Windrider

"Aah." For a moment, Jessana said nothing else, but has Celdur walked away, he could hear her talk. "I knew another Celdur. This symbol was his. He was... a wise man." By the end of the sentence, her voice sounded broken - much like one about to cry. Celdur heard her whirl around and walk away in the opposite direction.

[Parrallathan]

Celdur resisted - barely - the desire to inquire about his name's origin, and instead walked away with a deep frown. He refused to let himself be upset about what he'd done - it was right, it was what she needed to realise to stop the darker futures from coming to pass. But still, to hear his mother nearly break, to nearly cry - he was both ashamed and relieved, knowing that she still had emotion left, but it had been he who drove her to that state.

Changing his expression to one of general neutrality, he entered the tavern and sat down next to the disguised Fezim.

"We're done here. Are you ready to leave?"

[Annalia]

Fezim Aulm

The Enchanter stood up and nodded, slowly picking up his pack. For a moment he seemed on the verge to say something - and indeed he started his sentence "How did she - No, no, nevermind." In the end, he fell silent and followed.

[Parrallathan]

Celdur ignored the question, instead just turning around and walking away again, passing out through the south gate - unless anything stopped him on the way out. He raised his hood as he departed, summoning forth his celestial companion from the heavens - Fang.

The large wolf stood before the pair, and Celdur moved forward, stroking his mane. Fang then growled slightly at Fezim, to which Celdur merely calmed the beast, whispering reassurances into it's large, pointed ear. It ceased it's complaining with a snort, but never-the-less glared at Fezim. Celdur clambered atop the barded wolf, seating himself comfortably, plated boots firmly in the stirrups.

"Coming?"

[Annalia]

Fezim Aulm

Taken aback by the large wolf's appearance, Fezim took a moment to follow. He put on a neutral face, but he had never been one to like animals. They, after all, were far more difficult to control. Not that it matters now anyway. he thought bitterly.

"Yes, yes, of course." He hurried after Celdur, working fast to keep up with the large wolf's strides.

[Parrallathan]

Celdur sighed.

"On the mount, Genius."

[Annalia]

Fezim Aulm

"Aah, I think not." Fezim replied, wide eyes. "If you desire to mount a large, growling wolf, it's your business. I, for one, will stay on my own two feet."

[Parrallathan]

"I have no intention of waiting for you or Jessana to catch up. Mount up or be left behind."

[Annalia]

Fezim Aulm

Fezim sighed, glanced at the wolf then back at Celdur. After another moment, he mounted. His movements were awkward, his face white and he couldn't help but cling to Celdur in front of him. It was obvious the mage had never rode on anything before, let alone a wolf.

[Parrallathan]

Celdur rolled his eyes as Fezim fumbled up onto the mount.

Fang stretched around as Fezim walked around him to mount up, nose following him with unhappy reluctance, taking in his scent with audible sniffs. Celdur scratched the wolf's ear, smiling slightly.

"Good boy. Get the scent." Celdur thought to himself.

Once Fezim was at least mildly comfortable, Celdur smirked, and yanked the reins abruptly, causing Fang to bolt off at high speed towards the south gate, Celdur's efforts to shake up Fezim even more amusing him.

[Annalia]

Fezim Aulm

As the wolf bolted forward, Fezim attempted to tighten his hold on Celdur. His shoulder wound, however, would hardly allow it. He kept slipping, taking in sharp inbreath everytime he thought he'd be propulsed off the wolf and rolling on the ground - no doubt tearing and dirtying his robes. Every bump was a pain, and soon Fezim forgot all thoughts of torn robes or messed up hair.

[Parrallathan]

Celdur glanced over his shoulder, noting the wizard's audible grunts. Easing down on the reins, Fang slowly decelerated to a slower pace, panting slightly after the sprint.

"Are you alright back there? Did you get wounded or something?"

[Annalia]

Fezim Aulm

Panting heavily, hands still tightly gripping him, Fezim managed to get only a few words at a time. "I.. yes, I am. They'd trapped.. the entire shack. It's.. nothing serious.. but that cursed wolf.. So much bouncing. I hate.. riding."

[Parrallathan]

Celdur moved his hand back round and channelled his divine energy.

"Just keep a hold and try to remain centred and you'll be fine." Celdur advised, finishing his magic treatment for now and returning his attention back to departing through the south gate.

[Annalia]

Fezim Aulm

"I don't think.. I'll ever.. be fine, but.. thanks." He smiled slightly, squirmed around in what he deemed to be a 'centered' position (not that he had much idea of what would be) and kept hold of Celdur. "Ready.." he mumbled, sounding all but ready.