Where do I go?

[kiran]

(OOC: New here, I'm just throwing this out there.)

Julius walks around aimlessly. He's not exactly sure how long he's been walking, let alone where he is. As if waking up in a strange place wasn't bad enough...oh well. I can't be depressed. I know for a fact that SHE wouldn't want me to. Julius winds up by a small lake and sits down by it.

"The water is so clear...even back home I don't think it was ever this clear. It's a beautiful place at the very least. At least I didn't wind up in some wasteland."

He removes his gloves and pulls out a canteen. Filling it up, he places it back and then dips his head in the water. It was cold, but refreshing. After holding under there for about 10 seconds he pulls it out and shakes the excess water off of his silver hair. When wet...he hair doesn't look wild at all. He takes a look in the lake at his reflection.

"You're Julius Von Guerra and no matter where you are...you are a knight first. Remember that you need to keep living for her sake....and for your mother's. Anything else would upset some very important and close people."

Julius sits there and stares at himself. Still aware of what's going on, but he almost looks as if his guard is down. He holds back the tears and emotions he wants to let down as the nightmare-ish images run through his mind. It's not your fault...remember that.

[Talwyn]

Taking in a chorus of applause, Oswin bowed to the townspeople. They thanked him for saving them while he waved their thanks away saying it had been nothing. The mayor offered to hold a feast in his name the following day and Oswin found no way to just get down to business and thus had no choice but to accept.

That next day however, everything fell apart. Joining the festivities he tried to enjoy himself, but all he wanted was the reward so he could be about his way. All of a sudden, he heard an outraged cry and turned around to see a peddler pointing at him. "YOU!" The man cried. The other townsfolk interrupted the peddler, but he could not silenced. "You dirty swindler!" He told the townsfolk that he had seen Oswin before and ALWAYS had towns where he was or had been suffered demon attacks.

To make matters worse, the peddler had even seen him summon the demon he had used to scare this village. He tried calming the villagers, but alas, the sheer possibility that it had all been a trick, had made them furious and thus he found himself running for his life. Entering a small clearing with a lake, he spotted a silver haired, young man. Running up to him, he pushed a small rod in the man's hands.

"Please good sir! I beg you! Touch me with this rod when the mob is gone and tell them you have seen no one!" With that he hastily waved his arms about and muttered something in a strange language while looking at the forest. A second later, there was a poof and the warlock had transformed into a duck, quickly hopping into the water and started swimming.

When the mob he spoke off entered the clearing only moments later, they looked at the man. "Have you seen a man come this way? About this tall, black hair, red robe." As they described the warlock, Oswin started quacking nervously while eying the strange man that held his life in his hands. "Quack quack quack."

[kiran]

If it wasn't for the fact that he wasn't a bloodthirsty person...he might have attempted to strike the strange man as he turned. Julius had his hand ready to strike until the man had started speaking nonsense. When the man turned into a duck he thought he had seen everything at that point. Not wanting to get caught up in anything, he hid the rod. The worst part is that he didn't get a good look at the man.

"Seriously...? Ugh....oh well..."

Before he could finish a coherent thought, there was a crowd before him that described what COULD have been the man. Julius was in a fix. Thankfully he had hidden the rod away before anyone had seen him. As he carefully contemplated what he should do...he decided before turning this man over, he'd hear his story. You owe me...whoever you are... There was something he WANTED to do which was go with the people. Then he just wen along with it.

"You are the first people I've seen in a long time. I apologize, but I've not seen whom you speak of. Which...way to the nearest villages? I'm so lost the only thing I know is my name."

There were some really confused looks on the faces of the villagers. Julius figured it'd be kind of crazy if he said he just saw someone he barely saw turn into a duck, so he just said he didn't see him. Which...he really didn't.

"Merely pointing me in the right direction would be all I need."

[Talwyn]

"Well," One of the men started. "Ours is the closest of course, you are welcome to join us until you have a better idea of where you need to go." At that, the duck started quacking loudly and nervously, causing a few strange looks. "Other then that... let's see... Redfort is about half a day's walk in that direction and Havenshire is somewhere over in that direction. Our village is about ten minutes away in this direction. We have to get back now though... pity we didn't catch that swindler." And with that the group retreated back into the woods, heading home.

When the men were out of sight, Oswin got out of the water and waddled over to the man he had entrusted with his life. When the man didn't seem to notice him, he started quacking impatiently while prodding him with his beak.

[kiran]

Julius took in everything that the villagers had to say. He nodded and then weighed his options. Naturally...that village would be the best option for him. However...the others didn't seem too bad. Perhaps he could make a mental map for himself. However....he figured the man who was now a duck was giving himself away a little TOO much.

"Thank you and I may take you up on that offer. Good day."

As the villagers left he heard the word 'swindler' and wondered to himself what they could be talking about. As tempting as it was to just leave the man like that, he didn't. However, he must have been in thought longer than he realized because he was being poked by the man...er...duck. Julius pulled the staff out and tapped the duck...or whatever he was.


"Start talking...what were the villagers talking about?"

[Talwyn]

A puff of smoke later, Oswin was himself again. "Start talking...what were the villagers talking about?" The man asked him. "Quack quack quaaaaah...." Oswin started but it was obvious the man was not fooled. He sighed. "Guess that didn't fool you did it? Oh well, in any case you have my thanks. My name is Oswin and it might be possible those villagers believe I have tricked and conned them..."

He turned his head away from the man, refusing to look at him. "It is also possible, not unlikely and most certainly probable that they are right. BUT!" He looked at Julius again before continuing. "I am only trying to earn some money good sir! I am doing important research you see, VERY important research and well... I am afraid that costs money. I am not proud of my actions but honestly I absolutely need that money."

Okay, it wasn't a total lie. His research DID cost a lot of money. And it was important... in his eyes anyway. But to say he needed the money was a lie as he was quite rich. Oh well, the man didn't know and Oswin wasn't about to tell him either. "You have my thanks good sir. If you are by any chance heading in any direction but that of Woodstock perhaps you would accompany me? I heard you telling those men you were lost. Maybe I can help you."

[kiran]

Julius wasn't exactly amused by the poor taste in jokes. He was about to crack a very sarcastic joke, but he decided against it. He awaited the explanation. After hearing it...he was rather skeptical of him. In a way...there could be a way to justify it...he just chose his words poorly.

"You know...you could have just explained that you were a performer and they just didn't like your act. For a con-man you don't think things through properly. Still...you're far more intelligent than some of the dreck I've come across."

Julius didn't care at this point. For all he knew that village could be corrupt or they could have just jumped to conclusions. Either that...or they just didn't "enjoy the show" after the fact. He needed to find his way SOMEWHERE, and it seemed like this man would be able to at least lead him to where he needed to go. I'll dump him if he gets too much of a problem...but I won't throw the poor sap to the wolves.

"So you know your way around? Why would you help me, though?"

Julius knew the answer to the question, but he figured he'd make the man say it instead. It'd also give him an idea of whether or not this guy could at least be trusted SOMEWHAT. Still...a man of the world such as he might be able to help him regardless. Still...weeding the dreck out was a tough call.

[Talwyn]

"Oh I think things through good sir. It just so happened that someone that was on to me happened to be in the village and exposed me. The villagers where eating out of my hand before that. As for the explanation... Well it is my experience that one is often best served with the truth. Or at least his version of it." That last part he simply muttered and Julius would most likely have to strain to hear it.

"As for why I would help? Well... my regular companion is not here and it is so much more fun to travel with others. That... and well... I ehh..." He paused and swallowed his pride as he whispered the rest. "I am terrible at reading maps..." Reaching into a pouch, he pulled out a map and held it out towards Julius. "So, what do you say good sir? Shall we help each other or go our separate ways?"

[kiran]

Once again, Julius was still unsure if this man was remotely intelligent...or just stuck with a bunch of marbles loose. Either way...he had to put up with him. He just listened to what the man had to say and wondered exactly what went on in his mind. At least he believed in SOME honesty...even though the man seemed rather foolish.

"I...don't even know where I am. Although I imagine I can't be much worse than you. If I can find where we are on the map...I might be able to get some bearings."

Julius looks at the map and he realized that he knew NOTHING of the place he was in. There was nothing that looked familiar at all. He took a deep breath and kept from his initial reaction of any signs of panicking. He tried to remember the names of the villages he was told, and finally pinpointed their location. This couldn't possibly be any worse...well...he could be a highly unattractive and extremely annoying female. Holding in a chuckle at that thought, Julius decided he'd just go with the man.

"Pardon my rudeness. I am Julius. Julius von Guerra. It appears that for now....Oswin, was it? We'll be traveling together."

Quite hesitant of what might happen, he held his hand out anyway in a gesture of peace. He was however...on guard. Regardless of whether he liked it or not...this man was his only friend in whatever land he was in.

[Talwyn]

Giving the man a solid handshake, Oswin nodded. "That's right. I am Oswin. Warlock extraordinare! Enslaver of demons, defender of justice, savior of villages! And as you just heard... occasional swindler I'm afraid... Pleased to meet you."

Taking a look towards the direction he had come from, he was pleased to see his pursuers had really given up the search. Still... no sense in dilly-dallying and so he hurried Julius along. As they were walking, Oswin broke the silence with a sudden question. "So eh, Julius, where are you from? Because I can't place my finger on it... Your accent is one I have never heard before. That sword of yours seems unlike any other I have seen and I can't say I have ever heard the name Von Guerra either. And trust me, I have been around."

[kiran]

Deciding it'd be best to not ask too many questions as of now, Julius walked in what seemed to be a needlessly long silence. Finally Oswin asked him about his accent and last name. That was the first time he had ever been thought of strange by his accent. Usually it was his odd build, or his silver hair. Perhaps his appearance in general. He did look a bit more feminine than most men. Even though he matured greatly from he teen years. He was glad he didn't look at much so now.

"I come from a country named Roland...I live in a capital which bears the same name. Somehow I fear that I am far away from my home though."

This was most peculiar indeed, however. If nobody knew of his accent...surely they'd know the name. His family name bore much fame even outside of his own country. What's more he said that it was...an unusual name. His name was no more unusual than the next person.

"What country are we in, exactly?"

Although he knew this question might bring forth an answer he didn't want to hear...he knew it had to be asked. Was he even in his own world anymore? That remained to be seen. Perhaps...this was truly the place of legend his mother always spoke so highly of. HER home....which she so willingly gave up for him and his father. Still jumping to conclusions would be bad. Surely this is just coincidence and he was just in a country he wasn't familiar with.

[Talwyn]

When Julius told him he didn't know what country he was in, Oswin looked surprised. "You don't know? This is Valear. How did you end up here without knowing the name of the country? Odd... Normally people tend to do at least SOME research before traveling... Did you end up here by accident then perhaps?"

He seemed to sink in thought after that. "Roland... Roland... If I do remember correctly years ago there was also a man claiming to be from a country named Roland. He was labeled as a madman eventually. I believe he was eventually executed after murdering someone. Sadly I never had a chance to speak with the man. From what I heard that might have been interesting. You see, I am not sure if he was from the same country as you, but at the very least it was also a country no one here has ever heard of."

A sparkle appeared in Oswin's eyes. Could it be? Would he dare voice his suspicions? "Could it be... that this country of yours exists in a world parallel to this?" A smile appeared on his face. "My my what an interesting thought! Come now my friend, tell me everything about this country of yours please."

[kiran]

"Well to be honest...I just woke up and I was here...."

He was caught...but still that didn't mean he couldn't have been left for dead somewhere remote. True...it was strange that a man would just ask something, but still. His eyes lit up and he was excited to hear about Roland...however...the story didn't please him one bit. Perhaps he shouldn't mention the story to anyone else. He...might just depart with his head. That was something he wasn't prepared for just yet. Then Oswin started to speak even more strangely.

"That...could not be...I mean what more ridiculous idea could there be?"

Sadly...he couldn't deny it. Where he was...people from a different world were all but too common. His mother, his lover...his uncle. Some good, some bad. Still they were dropping in HIS world, not the other way around. Julius decided to disway Oswin a bit more.

"Besides...what proof have you?"

[Talwyn]

"Proof? I have none of course.Well, nothing concrete anyway. Anyway first off all there is your accent and weapon. Two." Oswin held up two fingers as he said this. "You say you are from a country called Roland. I have never heard of this country. Of course none of this proves my theory. But it makes sense."

He took a moment to catch his breath and then went on with his voice sounding like he was trying to teach something to a hard learning student. "Somehow a magical mishap opened a rift in the space time continuum separating the worlds and you got caught up in it. Magic by its very nature is unstable and such occurrences are completely natural. The effects differ, but they tend to tear apart the veil between worlds. You don't hear of it to often because the rifts created could be so small no human could pass through it. But every now and then strange objects, or in your case people, appear out of no where. It would also explain how you suddenly ended up in the middle of Selkia forest without even knowing how you get here."

Oswin was nodding satisfyingly. Obviously pleased by how well his theory sounded to himself. "I have long since assumed there were different worlds, but have never been able to prove it. But these rifts come quite close to my personal field of expertise so I know what they are theoretically capable of."

[kiran]

Rather than interrupting him, he just let Oswin finish the explanation. It was clear that Oswin was a talker...At least I won't ever have to worry about being bored..." Julius chuckled inwardly. The talk of magic was a bit foreign to him. He only knew science where he was from. Science and the sheer power from within that was achieved through hard work. Plus...the thing that made people from other worlds came from a machine in a rather large castle.

"Let's humor this thought for a minute. What if there was a central machine that could cause this to happen? What would make it resonate with another world? Perhaps there's a way to pinpoint a world you're from?"

If his uncle was truly behind this...there may have been a reason that he was sent to this world. It might make a bit more sense. He might even be able to use it AGAINST him if he knew the reason. That is...if he could ever get back. As far as he knew...his uncle and mother got to his world by sheer coincidence. However what he did know is that his uncle was experimenting with the strange machine that existed there in the castle he arrived in. Granted...Oswin need not know all of this. At least not yet...until he could trust him completely.

"Before we reach the next village...I'm going to need an alibi of some sorts. Since Roland doesn't seem to be known...I'm going to need a country where I resemble the most in appearance from. Since you seem to be such a learned man...I'd appreciate the assistance."

Julius was cracking up on the inside with laughter that he had to play into this man's ego. However, he had a feeling that it was about the best way to get Oswin to help him without a big mystery-prying session at this point. Sadly...he just signed himself to being stuck with this peculiar character for a while. Thankfully...some things about him were easy to read.