The Last Mage

[PoetLore]

Alexis was pleased with his effort and progress. He stumbled and fell, but got right back up and continued anew. With that sort of attitude, it would not be long before he was proficient with the sword. She knew it was more a matter of his muscles becoming accustomed to a new and different movement and focus, but she felt certain he would succeed. She slid her sword into its sheath and the pulled the gloves from her hands, tucking them into the belt of her armor.

He sheathed his sword and was smiling. That warmed her heart, and gave her confidence that they were progressing in a productive manner. She smiled, "I would be glad to have you join me to meditate," she said. "I will be at that same spot at sun up."

He handed her a plate of food and she accepted it gladly, "I did not realize we had sent out hunting parties. I would gladly have helped," she said as she sat with her plat on the make-shift log bench near the fire.

The old Elvin man approached them and began to speak, "Actually no..." she admitted, "I ahve not heard that..." She was cut off by the children's clamoring for their story and just smiled and waited. She could tell the older man liked telling stories and that the children's request would be fulfilled. She listened and absorbed the tale as she ate her dinner.

She turned to Brom when the story was ended, "Do you think maybe you will find a connection to that ancient magic there?' she asked, "Maybe some artifact or hidden source...it is a good thought," she said, "If it is as strong and fortified as he said, we should consider leaving your family and friends there. This journey is not safe for these. We cannot possibly protect them all, not continue to adequately feed them all." She frowned, "Forgive me...I am merely concerned for everyone's safety."

 

[Shalashaska]

[fieldbox=Aeron Cross, red, solid, 10, Book Antiqua]

"Why I'm offering is my business." Aeron teased with a smile. "Besides, you're the insightful one, not me. But, I guess even I can get one past an Oracle." He chuckled before whistling as he stepped beside her.

"I'm sure you'll figure it out... Sooner or later." Aeron said, keeping his teasing tone. "Anyway, I suppose we should go see what the rest are up to. Don't want anyone getting any wrong ideas - what with the two of us all by our lonesome over here." He chuckled, hands finding their way into his pockets. Whistling, he soon found himself listening to Celebror's story, going silent by the end of the tale.

"I have to agree with Alexiania." Aeron finally spoke up, intentionally butchering the Templar's name. "Unless you actually expect us to somehow care for and support this many people. No offense, but the amount of time and effort it'd take to even teach a bunch of slaves to not be useless would be absurd. Unless you actually expect us to... Y'know." He said pointedly. Aeron had no idea of how either Brom or Celebror could expect them to travel and fight against The High Command while trying to keep slaves fed, but, in the back of his mind, he couldn't shake the feeling of that being what they intended.
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[PoetLore]

Hellena lifted a brow, "Having the gift of sight does not necessarily guarantee that I am insightful about ordinary things, I should think," she admitted, "I find I am often times quite totally clueless about interactions between people. I must attribute it to my lack of companionship and socialization, but...I would think you would have little trouble getting one past me...as you say." She shrugged, "I may figure it out given enough time. How long were you offering to travel? I may need all of it." She chuckled and then made a face at him, "No one will think anything of you speaking to me. They will assume..as everyone always does...that I am revealing some great vision to you that will no doubt guide us forward successfully."

She was well aware that most people were completely terrified of her, or in awe of her. Neither led people to actually befriend her. Even Alexis who had been with her longer than anyone, had not actually spent any time talking to her, in this manner. The Legion had protected her, bu they had also made sure her reputation had remained above reproach. They put her on a proverbial pedestal and let people look at her from afar, like a tiger in a lovely cage at the menagerie. Even the general rarely spoke to her, so her interpersonal skills were more often than not, lacking.

When they approached the others she heard the tale of Tuminor and took in the excitement of the children and the warmth of the fire. She listened from a slight distance away and allowed her sight to give her a feel for the group. There were many people there, and it was a blob of reds and greens and whites. She could not make out any distinct image of anyone with so many near. So rather than trip over someone or cause a problem in some other manner, she just stayed back.

She listened as Aeron voiced his concerns, and she could feel his frustration and anxiousness over the prospect of continuing on in this fashion. she knew it was dangerous as well. She'd made several short trips with the legion before and they never traveled in this manner. It was far too big a target for the dark Lord. She was actually shocked they had not been attacked before this. She had seen no visions nor received any messages of warning, so she had nothing to offer in the way of guidance.

"This would seem a good time to discuss strategy," she offered from her place behind the group. she could not actually see where Celebror was, and that was a bit disconcerting to her, "Celebror, what is your wish for your people? How are you expecting us to aid you?"

 

[Shalashaska]

[fieldbox=Amelia Norwyn, blue, solid, 10, Book Antiqua]

"I'm sure Brom and Celebror have somezing in mind." Amelia said, addressing the matter of what they'd do with the slaves. "Zough, zere's also ze possibility zey want us to actually care for ze slaves, and if zat's the case I'm not sure how we'd be expected to proceed. Ve are barely able to care for ourselves, and ve have no true... Connections or benefactors. I am not sure ve'd even be able to protect zem from the ze High Command." Amelia spoke bluntly, not mincing her words.

"Neverzeless, ve cannot be expected to care for zem. From here on out, if ve logically want to proceed, ve'd have to leave zem to zere own devices." She shrugged, her gaze shifting between Frazer and Brynn. "Ve freed zem, so zey must care for zemselves."
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[Furasian]

Frazer reached out and collected the dagger should the girl let him, studying it and appraising it with what knowledge he had with the Black Rose. A satisfied hum escaped the Druid, but there was also a hint of concern in that minor response. "You can make a fine blade.. But can you use it?" He gave the girl another glance then offered the dagger back to her if he still had it in the palm of his hands. He thought he evaded the controversial discussion, but soon he quickly found himself going back to it, this time with the warden giving input that supported his concerns. Frazer was silent even well after Amelia had finished adding her educated observations to the table. Eventually a difficult sigh escaped the ex-politician as he turned to look over the many faces once more.

"Should we leave them here there is no doubt the High Command would discover them following our trail... But we can't keep them forever. I know my colleagues with the Dark Rose would be happy to take these freed slaves in. Giving refuge to those victimized by those bastards was part of the business, but never have I seen a cell hide an entire prison... Successfully, that is." There was another moment of pondering before the Druid nodded to himself, his half-eyed gaze shifting over to Brom. "He has a in-tact moral compass, and he won't fancy the idea of leaving his people, his mother included.. But this can't be the tale of the white knights... Not yet. He has a lot to learn in my opinion." The final comment was more to himself than to the others, he even lowered his volume significantly, but even an untrained ear could pick up what the Druid had said.

 

[AceSorcerer]

[fieldbox=Brom, blue, solid, 8, book antqua]
"That's not my entire plan."

Brom shifted in his seat, drinking more from his wineskin before speaking up.

"I hope to restore Tuminor. From what I know from my time as a slave in the dark temples, it is built on a holy site that deters those who serve the High Command because a Shard- a physical embodiment of the Creator's magic- lays within the fort's foundations. We can use it as a base of operation, and those amongst the slaves who are willing to stay and help restore the fortress and the town. I intend to ask the other leaders to take the remaining slaves and help escort them to places where they can safely assimilate with the locals and live their lives as if they had never been taken from there. Besides, I called the various leaders there to see if they can cease their petty squabbles and come together. It may be a bit much to ask, but I have hope. And if there are other people who are sensitive to magic- whether they be slaves or children- they'll need a safe place to seek refuge so that they aren't captured or exploited."

The halfling then set down his drink, popping his neck as his fingers went to his sword's hilt, his fingers tracing the wrapping on the hilt before entering inside of the ring of the blade, a rather unorthodox feature, but one that was clearly deliberate by the ancient being who forged it. Perhaps it attributed to its unique ability to kill the immortal. It seemed that the sword had become a source of strength for him, a source of the confidence that he had been lacking. It seemed to be serving him well, although no one in the camp, save one, truly knew the extent of its power.
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[PoetLore]

Brynn let him examine the blade and she nodded when he said she made a good blade. She knew as much. confidence in her work was not something she lacked, but she was used to her prowess being questioned in their use. "I am just as skilled in wielding my weapons as I am in crafting them. A woman alone could not survive in these time defenseless." she said and then felt the conversation shift to the larger group and the mage she'd met at the camp. So, he was the one. She'd heard the prophesy, and her late husband had believed in it implicitly, so much so, that he'd given his life and the life of their son to fight against the high command, in an effort to pave the way for the last mage. She wasn't sure what to make of him, but he seemed to have a clear vision and strategy.

She wasn't exactly sure now, who she should have been asking to join the group. Should she ask the Mage? Or one of these others? She stepped from behind the mage where she'd been talking to the druid, "Excuse me," she said, "I am Brynn Danoff. We met at the camp in the wizard's office." She watched him to see if he remembered before continuing, "I am a weapon smith, and can imbue my weapons magically as well. I have been looking for the group that was standing against the high command. I would like to join you. I can be of help with both my smithing, and my sword."

 

[PoetLore]

Alexis ate her dinner and listened to the concerns and the comments. It had been quite a while since their initial group had gotten together and had any kind of discussion about what they were doing, and how they would accomplish things. She was glad they were doing so now. Very glad. She was also pleased to hear the confidence in Brom's voice, and that he wasn't buckling under the pressure of so many vocal detractors. He was growing and beginning to believe and she was pleased and proud.

"If the fortress is indeed blessed to ahve that shard within its foundation, then it would indeed be a good base of operations." She agreed, "The High Command could not magically spy on our actions and plans if their minions cannot approach the fortress." She had finished her food and poured a bit of water on her plate to clean it, and someone came to her then and took it before she had a chance to do more or protest the action. She watched the group to see what their reactions would be to Brom's plans. She hoped they could all join together and see a clear path.

She looked at Brynn and nodded, "I am Alexis Corgarth, Templar of the Ashen legion. It is a pleasure to meet you. I dare say we COULD use a smith, but I am not in charge."

 

[Shalashaska]

[fieldbox=Aeron Cross, red, solid, 10, Book Antiqua]

"If that's what you want to do, then do it. But, just know, we can't sit around trying to play house. You need time to... Get good, yeah? But, the time you take to get good, is more time The High Command has to prepare for you. I'd advise letting Frazer be your go-between when it comes to talking to the various factions. There's a reason a lot of them are at each others necks." Aeron said off-handedly, arms folding. If Brom wanted to turn Tuminor back into some sanctuary, sure. Aeron wouldn't argue; Brom was the leader and he'd follow orders... Up to a point. "Anyway, I'd advise you find someone capable of teaching the slaves how to fight. The High Command was capable of successfully attacking Tuminor once, there's nothing to stop them from making a second attempt." He shrugged before stepping away from the wall.

"Anyway, I guess we should keep on moving? The quicker we get to Tuminor and start setting up an actual base, the better."
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[PoetLore]

Hellena listened and she couldn't argue with the logic of building their headquarters on such a site, however she was thinking they'd already been in one place a little too long already. Aeron was right, They needed to keep moving.

She could smell the food and knew everyone had eaten, so that was a good thing. She wasn't about to attempt to go any closer to the group, not even for food. She couldn't see anything and she knew what would happen if she attempted it. She was listening to the conversations around her, and fiddling with the ties to the belt that hung from her waist. she could easily see now why the Ashen Legion never took her away from the temple now. If she had no vision to relate, or words to speak from the gods, she was a liability, and not an asset. She was about to make her way back to her horse alone when she felt an odd tingling on the back of her neck. She stepped away from the group a bit more, and tried to focus on the sensation, but there were too many thins bombarding her at the moment. Too many voices, and too many people, and even the sounds of people eating, all of it was making it hard to isolate the thing that was signaling her inner eye.

Quietly she turned from everyone and willed her mind to quiet so she could 'see' her horse or even snowball. Anything away from the distractions. She was moving though in what she hoped was the right direction, and the sounds began to muffle and fade. A large leaf smacked her in the face and she stopped moving to reach up and feel it. She sighed and pushed it aside only to hear a low feral growl.

She did not move but called on Liyra to help her.

 

[Furasian]

Frazer folded his arms and listened to the others speak. Upon being advocated to represent the group the druid perked up a bit and looked over at Aeron with a rather surprised expression about him. It made sense for someone who lived a life of diplomacy and politics to do the job, but even Frazer felt incapable for the job. Regardless, he nodded and looked over at Brynn.

"I've united families with blood feuds, I can unite the factions if you wish it.. It will take time." The ambassador added while giving the young mage a nod. "Like I said before, I can tap into my Black Rose ties and see to it that whoever you wish for sanctuary gets it, but remember.. The more they take on, the more risky it will be for them when it comes to evading the High Command. The drive to protect civilians will be mutual throughout the factions, I can use this fact to unite them... And use your name a lot. They seem to like hearing word about the Last Mage. It gives them hope."

 

[AceSorcerer]

[fieldbox=Brom, blue, solid, 8, book antqua]
Brom popped his neck, looking at Aeron. "You have a point... but we can't let petty squabbles take us away. I'll put my faith in you, Fraizer, to get it done. And Aeron... I'm thinking that you and Alexis teach those who will stay. And while some of the others have already splintered away, a good amount will be able to split off and sneak into the various villages that are north of Tuminor as well as the six or so towns and villages that are on the way. That should decrease the load."
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[PoetLore]

Alexis lifted a brow, rather shocked that she would be mentioned in such a manner. "I will serve in whatever capacity necessary to ensure the completion of this mission. We need fighters, I can certainly help train them"

She had no idea why she would be mentioned for the task, but she had no problem complying. Amelia, and Aeron seemed the more natural choices to her, but Brom was in charge, so what he wanted would be the way of it. She had noticed a few people had left their group very early on, likely they had been taken from the area surrounding the camp, and merely returned to their homes. maybe more had done so as well, and she had just not actually noticed. Understandably, since their numbers were great at the beginning, and no one had taken an accurate count.

"So then...you are saying only those willing to stay with us and fight will remain at Tuminor." it was a statement but also a question. She wanted to be sure she understood what they were agreeing to, and how it would be carried out.

 

[Shalashaska]

[fieldbox=Aeron Cross, red, solid, 10, Book Antiqua]

"Nuh-uh." Aeron said with a wag of his finger. "I don't teach. Maybe that's Alexis' thing, but not mine. I don't have the patience to do it, and my primary duty is to be Hellena's 'knight' - and that's stretching the term, mind you - so I can't be splitting my attention between that and trying to teach someone not to stab themselves in the face with the pommel of their own sword." He sighed with a dismissive wave of his hand, eyes closing as he shook his head. Noticing movement out of his peripheral vision, he raised an eyebrow when he caught sight of Hellena walking off.

"Speaking of." He nodded towards the wandering Oracle before clicking his tongue, giving the others a nod before he stepped away. Arms folded, he whistled to rouse Snowball's attention and the two made eye contact - an understanding passing between them as the tiger bounded forward. Quickly, it caught up with Hellena, walking beside her while Aeron followed from a distance, slowly becoming lost in his own thoughts.

'So, is it true? You'll keep your word? Oh, do not give me such a look, Black Knight. Your reputation does not evoke trust. But, the look in your eyes - when you spoke that oath... Can you truly keep it? Promise me, Black Knight... Corvyx. Promise me no one will die.'

He rubbed his face. He released the breath he didn't know he was holding. He shuddered.

Aeron began to walk faster.

"So, you two just gonna go on an adventure without me?" He quipped, calling out to Hellena.
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[Shalashaska]

[fieldbox=Amelia Norwyn, blue, solid, 10, Book Antiqua]

Amelia had remained silent, closing her eyes while a smirk made its way across her face.

"If Aeron does not want to assist Alexis in training ze slaves, I shall. Frazier, ze Wardens of the East may be more wiling to cooperate if you tell zem a member of House Norwyn is wiz us. Zey have secretly been loyal to us for decades. You know all noble families must denounce association with any 'rebel' factions, but we've been providing ze Eastern Wardens with resources for years." She said, arms folding across her chest. "Anozer zing - when the fire was raining from ze sky... I have seen it before. Ze High Sorceress of Ze High Command... Ze Witch of Ravenloft." Her face scrunched up as if the words left a sour taste in her mouth.

"I trust in you, Brom, for what it is worz... But I cannot be certain Tuminor alone will be enough. Ve vill need a... Back-up plan. She is capable of far more zan a firestorm." Amelia tilted her head slightly. "Once ve reach Tuminor and eszablish a proper stronghold, I'd like to establish a proper Scouting Party. A way to know vhen our enemies are coming and to form smaller strongholds in ze area." She explained, hating the thought of falling victim to what she knew the sorceress was capable.
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[PoetLore]

Hellena felt Snowball by her side and reached her hand to bury it in the thick fur of his neck. her face was still stinging from being hit by the branch only a few seconds ago, and she wasn't at all sure what was growling, or if she'd even heard a growl. But then she heard it again, and she about jumped out of her skin when Aeron spoke. She had been straining her ears to heard the tiniest of sounds and then he was right there. Her hand grabbed onto his arm out of reflex more than anything else, and she whispered, "I thought I heard a growl..."

She was listening for it to happen again and she even backed up a step as she was trying to look around, but one thing about her 'sight' was that it wasn't as easy to see things when she was not focused. At the moment she was feeling a bit confused and off kilter, and nothing was making sense to her mind. When a few moments passed and the sound did not occur again she hoped that Snowball's presence scared whatever might have been there away. She turned her head to where she knew he was and the aura she was used to seeing was there and she let out a relieved breath. "Forgive me," she said, "It is difficult for me to stay in large groups for extended periods of time. When I heard them say they wanted to press on more tonight, I thought I would find my horse and make ready..."

She dropped her hand then and sighed, "But I can see now I did not go the right way...since you are asking if I am ..what did you say? going on an adventure without you." She closed her eyes when she felt the sting of tears and drew in a breath, releasing it slowly. Looking back at him and offered a crooked slightly defeated kind of smile, odd for her, "I cannot imagine an adventure without you," she said honestly, "I should have..." She lifted her hand and then shrugged a bit, "I could not even tell where any of you were...all I could see was a huge blob of energy and colors colliding." She frowned and looked down at the ground for a second, "I think I need a signal of some kind...so when I can't see anyone, or anything I can let you know." She didn't like admitting she had times when she was honestly blind. When she was in the temple it never mattered, because she knew the whole place and could generally tell where she was by running her hand along a wall for a few inches. All the walls were different. This was a very different circumstance.

She scratched Snowball's ears and then looked back up at him, "What can..." She blinked and straightened a bit tipping her head. Then she was leaning forward a bit, like she was looking at something, which she was, but not something there in front of her. Her hand reached out and then she dropped it and stood straight again. "At least I know I have not been forgotten," she said with a smile and a shrug, "I know where the artifact Brom spoke of is in Tuminor..." She looked back to Aeron, "But really..I need a signal. That was almost painful to me to be that bombarded by people, noise, and that mass of color. What can I do that would be noticed by you, but not by everyone?"

 

[PoetLore]

Brynn was taking this all in and she heard both Alexis and Amelia offer to help train the people who wished to be trained, "I can craft swords for everyone," she offered, "Once we are at Tuminor. And I can help train them if you need help in that way as well."

She wasn't sure any of these were willing to have an outsider with them, but she didn't exactly have anywhere else to go, so she didn't have anything to lose by offering her services. She had vowed to help bring the High Command to an end and she was going to honor that vow, whether they allowed her to help them directly or if she had to go back to indirectly helping.

She had noticed the Templar's sword, and that it was kept in immaculate condition. She would bet it could use a sharpening, and possibly a little straightening, and she would offer once they were in their stronghold. She would offer to do so for all of them, if they were going to allow her to work among them. The Templar and the druid seemed to be welcoming, she could only hope that was enough.

 

[Furasian]

Frazer listened to the feedback, giving Brom a reassuring bow upon being given his new task. "I will see to it that the factions shall come together this one final time..." He said, trailing off upon noticing Aeron walking off. As a matter of fact the Druid began realizing that a few others were unaccounted for. It made him concerned, but regardless he had to invest some sort of trust in the others. He couldn't be looking over everyone's shoulder expecting them to be on board. The warden's comment brought the ambassador back to the discussion and he'd continue speaking after giving the girl a nod.

"I will need every asset that I can get my hands on in order to persuade these people. Fortunately the Dark Rose will be easy to convince, along with the others. It's just getting them to dedicate a lot of their resources to this that will be tricky. This is no mere 'sending a champion' like the other factions did when the Oracle called for our skills... You know the High Command will catch onto this the moment one of the bigger factions make a move. I am unsure whether or not I'll make it back to you all in one piece." He added, being well aware that this was going to be one of the most dangerous of tasks for any agent to embark on let alone a political inside man to the families under the watch of the high command. Captivity was certain if the wrong move was made. "When do you all wish for me to head out? May I inform the others of my absense before I leave. Can't have you all going off to fight a dragon again while I am gone." He chuckled at that little comment, thinking back on their first encounter at the church. They've gone quite some ways without a single significant casualty.. A remarkable feat.

 

[AceSorcerer]

[fieldbox=Brom, blue, solid, 8, book antiqua]

In due time, the group soon passed through the snow-laden fields that had once belonged to the farmers that tended the fields long ago. Soon enough, a certain peace passed over them as they came through the barrier. The blessings of the Creator gave them all ease. Of the original five thousand slaves or so, only a little more than a third remained with the group as the others had all found their way into the various towns and villages where they could start there new lives. After all, the mountains were

The fresh tracks in the snow showed that some of the group's allies had already arrived, the party of former slaves soon bearing witness to the ruins of the village Ithicus, which had been set ablaze by the flame of men. No magic could be cast within the barrier that would harm any living being, for magic of all sorts was somewhat suppressed as to prevent any ill actions towards one another.

And on the outskirts of the village, they gave witness, the high walls and grey stone of Tuminor keeping a watchful gaze over the ruins and snow.
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[PoetLore]

Alexis hadn't been at all surprised when Aeron declined to train the slaves. It didn't seem to be the sort of thing that was suited to his particular personality. She had spoken with Helenna about taking on the extra duties, and since Aeron considered Helenna his pet project, she felt comfortable allowing him to take over for her in that regard, while she focused on training Brom and the others. In many ways she was somewhat relieved, to have that responsibility off her plate.

When they arrived at Ithicus, she looked at the total devastation of the place and marveled. Men were certainly capable of horrible acts. She didn't like the idea of them crossing this open area. It was a perfect place for an ambush, and their attackers would be well hidden, making it nearly impossible to mount a proper defense. But oddly, a sense of calm serenity overcame all of her fears. She could feel the presence of the creator in this place, so much so that she felt the need to dismount an kneel for a time of worship and thanks.

She saw the walled stronghold Tuminor in the distance, and realized it was largely untouched and in remarkably good condition. It would be a good place to create the command center, especially if it was warded against the forces of the High Command, as Brom suspected.