Auromar: Beginnings and Endings (IC4)

[GimliFett]

Grazys

The binder shrugs and shakes his head. "Pretty much. I think they should just sleep together an' get it over with!" He looks at Kjapp for just a moment, then bursts out laughing.

"Kidding. They are at odds quite often, yes. Anura, for all her neutrality is a very opinionated woman. An' not afraid ta share those opinions, either. Hist is fairly similar in temperament, but this goes back fairly early in our companionship. She is passionate an' not a fan of secrets, which our little group, at least myself an' Hist, anyway, have had our fair share. Me bein' a binder an' him a warlock, it's usually best for us ta play our cards close ta tha vest, ya know?"

[Greymist]

Kjapp

Kjapp laughs with Grazys at his suggestion, though as a grin replaces his laugh he ***** his head to the side as if listening to something, after a moment he shrugs and returns his focus to what the binder is saying.

"Mmm" he nods "I guess I'm glad to have been raised by a farmer, a simple life with less secrets has suited me well. Though hearing other peoples secrets certainly has been intriguing." he winks.

[Moral Wiz]

Hist

Grove

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Hist bows low.

I understand, and do not protest. Once we are done here, I will travel to Pyrosia once more, the gods permitting. If such forgiveness is within my power, I will seek it.

With that, he turned to walk away from the grove, a tear in his eye

What do you expect? You were never welcome, truly, as a warlock. Now? Now no door will be open to you. They will only close, one after anothe...

Shut up.

[Toliudar]

Reid

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Keeping his face and voice neutral, Reid clears his throat and takes a step towards Hist.

Well, unless there's anything else, let's head back, shall we? Why don't I, ah, take the ring.

If Hist is amenable, Reid will open a portal back to the tree that they had just departed from.

[Moral Wiz]

Hist

Grove

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Hist hands it over without resistance, though he does look a little confused

Wasn't I just baned from tree-walking?

[Lochar]

Grove:

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As Hist walks away, Krista speaks one last time. "Fix Auromar, Histantos, and that will re-earn your blessing in this forest. I know not what changed between then and now, but you are a good man now, for the help you have already given."

[Toliudar]

Reid

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I, um, believe that you are just as able to use an existing portal as anyone else. You probably wouldn't be able to open a portal, though.

Not wishing to dwell on the point, especially with Sarai present, Reid waits for her to be with him, and opens up a portal back to the others.

[Lochar]

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Reid will find that the portal does not accept Hist's presence in it.

Sarai is very quiet when she steps through with Reid back towards the others.

[Moral Wiz]

Grove

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Hist smiles, if a little bitterly

I will try, Mi'lady. Believe that, if nothing else

And... thank you.

With that, Hist heads off, heading westwards. He runs a finger over the portal, wistfully, but does not attempt to enter it.

[Greyen]

Back with the refugees
Uri

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Uri raises an eyebrow at Grazys characterization of Hist and Anura's relationship, cracking a smile even. The old goat farm was a far simpler life until the war intruded. That was a long time ago though.

[guardinal]

Grove

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Anu
Anura listens in stunned silence to Hist's confession, but says nothing at Krista's doom is invoked.

Before Reid steps through the portal after his fiance, Anura presses an expensive-looking piece of amber into his hand.

"Reid, take this with you, please. Don't put it in a magical container, though. Hist and I will join you back with the others in a few minutes." she says quietly.

[EDIT] To Krista, she bows deeply. "Until we meet again, Lady Krista. Hopefully under more pleasant circumstances."[/EDIT]

She then flies off after Hist, catching up to him quickly (fly Mv50).

"If you think I'm waiting a week or more for us to conclude our discussion, you're mistaken," she says mildly. "Wait a few minutes to let Reid return to the group. Then I can get us both back to them without difficulty."

[Moral Wiz]

Hist

Grove

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Hist looks... slightly bemused at Anura, but smiles, if only slightly

Heh. All right.

He leans back against a tree, closing his eyes. He doesn't speak, seemingly content to just stand there, in silence.

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You desecrater of dramatic imagery.

[guardinal]

Grove:

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(Assuming Reid does accept the amber...)

Anu
Anura waits with Hist in silence for about ten minutes.

"Ok, here we go. Don't resist the magic, obviously. Dumbledore."

With the command word, Anura activates the gemjump magic (functions as greater teleport) and whisks the pair to the current location of the amber stone.

[Moral Wiz]

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You... Almost as bad as the guy with the Monty and Python class battleships

And here was me expecting a dramatic 1 on 1 confrontation. Unless... you still haven't worked it out?

Hist

Grove

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Hist seems tired after the conversation. He does not resist.

[Toliudar]

Reid

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Reid does indeed accept the piece of amber, and simply keeps it in hand. He knows better than to expect an explanation, and once Sarai is ready, they'll simply step through.

Sarai, followed closely by Reid, step through the tree, and the portal closes behind them. Their mood is, to say the least, sombre. He waves half-heartedly to the others, before leaning in to touch foreheads with Sarai.

Love, I can't imagine what that would be like for you. All I ask is that you wait to hear the full story, and then you and I together can talk about what to do next.

[GimliFett]

Grazys

The binder's right eyebrow arches as he looks from Kjapp to Uri. "Indeed, gentlemen. How'd I end up with a pair o' farmer's kids?" Grazys deadpans before his lop-sided grin returns. He looks at Uri and nods. "Ya can ask whatever ya wish. I'm still workin' through tha situation myself, so there's much I don't know. Silas would be tha best source of information. As far as differences go, ta my knowledge, Pygas is a deity of justice an' law. Judge an' jury, but not tha executioner. Seems Tha One took that inta his portfolio. That seems ta be tha biggest difference. Tha One was a deity of tyranny, basically. His will was law an' should never be questioned. Followers o' Pygas are ta uphold an' adjudicate tha law. Not create it, but arbitrate it."

Lochar:

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Is this about right? For more/better info:KnowledgeReligion - (1d20+9)[28]

[Lochar]

Grazys:

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You got the highlights.

At this moment, Reid and Sarai step back through the trees by themselves. A few moments later, Anura appears with Hist in a flurry of magic.

[GimliFett]

Grazys

A puzzled look comes over the binders face as the groups arrive separately. "Hey, folks. What's tha story?"

Lochar:

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Glad to hear it. I guess ignore my previous query about gettin' more discussion with the travelers. I'm still stuck for how we can conduct the earlier ones from Incrucio to here...

[Moral Wiz]

Hist

Hist sighed. He doesn't sound a happy bunny.

I told Krista about the past. She took it... surprisingly well, considering

He lays down on the ground, then and there, eyes closed.

[Toliudar]

Reid

Reid and Sarai join the others back in the hut effect. He stares at the prone Hist for a moment before clearing his throat.

So, Hist. All clear to tell your story now?

[Moral Wiz]

Hist

Hist leave his eyes closed. He doesn't get up.

You really think I should, Reid?

[Toliudar]

Reid

Reid ponders and rejects several aphorisms before responding simply.

Yes, Hist, I think you should.

[Moral Wiz]

Hist

Hist just... lies there. At least, it's sunk in on him just how long he's been traveling

No, running.

Hist sighs. He is tired, and this will make things no better. But... he is resigned to it. He does not get to his feet yet, but opens his eyes, and slowly sits up

Very well then. Where shall I begin?

The question is to all the group.

[GimliFett]

Grazys

Grazys kneels beside his friend and lays a hand on his shoulder. "Normally, I'd say start at tha beginnin'. With this, I think it's important ta establish tha now part o' tha story first, then tha then part." He says with a wink. "Remind 'em o' who an' what ya are now, first."

[Greymist]

Kjapp

Kjapp's head whips around as Hist arrives back, the change he had felt earlier only now making sense.

"What have you done Hist?" his voice has an edge to it "I can feel it, you're no longer welcome here."

[Moral Wiz]

Hist

Who I am now.

Hist looks up at the sky, and chuckles

Who am I now?

He is silent, lost in thought. Once more he lays down, looking up at the sky

I am Histantos Illist. Warlock, warrior, lightborn, blackflame, lost soul brought back into the light...

He seems to drift off...

[Greyen]

Uri

Fear not my judgement my friend. I can see who you are now, who you were is something that I am more than willing to hear, with open ears. I am not a judge, as many of my profession have taken themselves to be.

[Moral Wiz]

Hist

Hist chuckles, if a tad darkly

Are you certain of that, Master Uri?

[Toliudar]

Reid

Reid's voice takes on an edge of impatience.

Perhaps, Hist, this will go better for all of us if there is less playing of games and more relating of information.

[Moral Wiz]

Hist

Hist smiles at Reid's words, faintly

Reid... With what I am about to tell you all, I put my life directly in your hands. In the hands of every person here. And at least some of you are obliged to try and kill me...

Please. This is a secret I have kept for a long time. I just tried telling it to Krista, and that was... less than forefilling. Let me tell it in my own way.

Please?