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Post by Omio on Jun 25, 2010 15:09:27 GMT -5
Len shook his head. "The explanation of the 'why' is a bit tricky for even me, but if you know what geas is, I can cut my explanation a bit short." And it was true. "So either we have a long story ahead, or a quick little clarification, depending on your knowledge."
[[ I wonder if I can get Eroko to play the part of Len's dragon...? Maybe I should pester her about it... ]]
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jun 28, 2010 21:35:15 GMT -5
"I know what a 'geis' is, but I have never heard of the word you have mentioned," Kimara said, still waiting patiently. "I have time for a long story."
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Post by Omio on Jun 29, 2010 9:40:42 GMT -5
Len sighed, and nodded. "Part of it isn't pretty, but let me get on. First of all, Saira and I - though Saira is just fresh, and still learning a lot - practice Wild Magic. Oh, wait, have to define 'geas'. Geas is a compelling force of a supernatural sort; one of which cannot be resisted easily, if at all. Back to go on about Wild Magic, it's a type of magic that allows us to bend the natural rules a bit, at a cost. We can see into far places, or make lights, and just about anything, really - as long as we have the will for it. However, just like any other type of magic, Wild Magic has its cost. The greater forces, so to speak, use these costs to realign the world as needed. A spell I have worked recently has granted me a very great cost; I must talk with the dragons, and attempt to make peace with them." He paused for a bit, letting the information soak in before he talked on a more personal level. "It sounds crazy, I know, which is why I'm going to Armathalieh+, the City of Light. I'm getting some materials there that will help me secure myself a bit more, so if violence is a must, I can at least take care of a couple. I'm a former Dragoon - I have all the skills of a normal Dragoon, and a bit more. I'd have a chance of taking care of the dragons if absolutely needed, but I greatly prefer peace. And if my life is sacrificed for this need, so be it - even your own life can be sacrificed in Wild Magic, should the spell be grave enough."
[[ Long Len ramble. =P ]]
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jun 29, 2010 19:37:57 GMT -5
Kimara didn't say anything for some time, gazing at Len with no emotion in the ancient face or milky eyes. After a while, Kimara turned to Saira and Sarora. No words passed, but there seemed to be a flow of information between them...at least between Kimara and Sarora.
"I see that all three of you have made up your minds about this, for better...or for worse," Kimara finished heavily. "I would advise against it for many reasons, not the least of which is that if Len decides to retaliate with any violence that the dragons show, he will have to kill them all. Then you WILL be the only one left, Sarora." Kimara glanced in her direction pointedly.
"Since that is the case, I will tell you what I did not tell you earlier. It concerns you, Saira." Kimara glanced at the young girl and a sad smile fleeted across the rugged face. "For it is you that goes into the most danger...not Sarora or Len, although I'm sure they would share it with you and try to protect you...as I would myself."
Kimara didn't say anything for a minute and then continued. "If you remember, a spell was crafted for the ice dragons to give them their invisibility. However, it had a weakness. It had to be internally used and known. When Sarora rescued you, it brought on a whole host of problems for the dragons, including the fact that they were no longer invisible. This meant that they could not range far afield and hunt now, nor could they hunt for you and Sarora because they were prone to become victims too."
Kimara glanced at Sarora before turning back to Saira. "I'm not sure what Len hopes to accomplish by going there, but I can tell you that if you go there is only one thing awaiting you: Death."
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Post by Omio on Jun 30, 2010 12:39:42 GMT -5
Len had more to pelt out - even stuff he didn't tell Saira or Sarora, because he hadn't thought of it yet. "I had advised her against coming, but she insisted. To this very time, I had suspected that would be true, but didn't have anything firm - though you've confirmed my earlier suspicions. While I'd protect Saira and Sarora, knowing that now, I can't let them get even to the borders of the ice dragon lands. They can assist all they wish to that point, but once that point is reached, I intend on a one-man journey.
"And there's also one thing I've heard scholars talk about in the City of Light which may earn me a bit of an audience. You have to trace many centuries back to find the information, however, and it's a somewhat vague reference. By now, they might've discovered more info, or been killed whilst searching. But I hear word of Bondmating, and the history books talk of a warrior that Bondmated with a dragon, and was gifted with magic. Perhaps this magic is capable of recovering that invincibility. And if I were a dragon, I wouldn't want to think of myself as merely a giant well of magic power.
"Wait, hold on a second. Don't mind me thinking aloud here, but there's a bigger plot somewhere, probably. First, the introduction of Saira to Sarora, and an evident capability of telepathy, which can be called a sort of magic. Dragons and their Bondmates are potentially either with the legions of He Who Is, or the Children of Light. Then there's me, a Wildmage, and former Dragoon. Wildmages whom do not pay their costs are among the legions of He Who Is, and the Wildmages that do are amongnthe Children of Light, like I am. With this, it's possible to draw on two conclusions, both of which are quite massive.
"The first conclusion is that He Who Is is on the rise again, which can mean I'm risking myself to gather allies, and getting ready to set the balance right again. Which probably means that a lot of loss will come about for everyone, and if the dragons do not co-operate, their loss will be the greated, be it by my hand, or by the legions of He Who Is. Because I'm sure that Ice Trolls aren't something for a dragon to be fickle with.
"I doubt my second conclusion merely because it is the worst, but it may be possible that the dragons have been, in a sense, Tainted. Influenced by either a minion or He Who Is himself, it's quite possible that they will meet me with hostility immediately, and set out to take a strong Child of Light, or three - which would be Saira, myself, and Sarora. Saira, after she learns Wild Magic, will likely be a more considerable force than I. Right now, however, she doesn't know its full possibilities, and so is pretty much on an even level with me."
[[ Massive amount of information... ...has fried my brain... @_@ I think it's best to let Wolf catch up. ]]
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Post by WolfEnchantress on Jun 30, 2010 15:15:19 GMT -5
Saira and Sarora were both silent during the exchange between Len and Kimara. She listened with some confusion, Sarora clarifying a few things, until Kimara reached he part about Len possibly choosing to retaliate with violence towards the Ice Dragons. Then, Sarora let out a growl - a nervous growl, but it held an edge of threat.
Len could not kill all of them. He is one human, and there are dozens of Dragons, if not hundreds. I do not know their numbers, but they were great when I left with Saira. It was not possible - he was very skilled, moreso than most humans she'd had the chance to see, but a human with all the skill in the world would be no match against an entire colony of Dragons, especially in their home territory.
Saira kept listening, though, as Kimara told her she would die if she went, and Len's refusal to let her come with. Sarora growled again, this time with more anger.
tainted? She repeated, her thoughts implying it wasn't even a thing to consider. Given her situation, she remained loyal to her home colony, despite their anger against her and Saira. She was one of them, she wasn't going to abandon them... not completely, anyways.
"I don't care if I die," Saira said finally, in a small voice - but not one that was shy, one that was determined. "If you're going to go, and Sarora is going to go, then I'm going to go. I won't wait behind just because I could be in danger." She looked almost insulted that he would suggest going on alone after accepting that she would come. "I want to see what's going on, too." She thought for a moment, trying to find a way to put what she was thinking into words. "I grew up with a dragon. She is my family, because mine was killed. And that makes the rest of the Ice Dragons my family, too, whether they accept me or not."
she sighed in frustration, sensing that what she was saying wasn't getting her point across.
She is trying to say that no matter what the reason, and death impending or not, she will come, Sarora offered. As usual, she could tell down to the last fleeting thought what Saira was thinking. I think it seems appropriate. Whether I want to accept it or not, she is the root of all of these problems, as Kimara said. It would be ridiculous to show up, only to say we left her behind. It will give the impression of cowardice, and more than likely give a worse impression than if she were to show up. There was evident struggle behind Sarora's thoughts - she didn't want Saira to go, either. But, once she thought about it - it might be the only chance for Len's survival.
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jun 30, 2010 21:32:03 GMT -5
Kimara listened to Len think outloud only half-heartedly. The main focus was on Saira and Sarora, who were scared and angry, yet determined. It was a positive character trait in both of them, but one that had to be kept in check. It seemed that more of an explanation was in order.
"I don't doubt your resolve, Saira," Kimara said kindly. "But it is not worth it to throw away your life. Or Sarora's for that matter. Her life is in danger too, although for a different reason than you might suspect. Len is an unknown and could be dangerous, especially with his ideas and his focus on magic. Out of all of us, I am the only one with a definite safe passage in and out of the ice dragon territory."
Kimara took a breath and continued, speaking only to Saira. "The spell I cast long ago over the ice dragons was inviolate if not broken. It was broken by Sarora when she sheltered you and brought you into the fold. The spell is very specific because it is magic of the Old World, spells of power from the beginning of time. The only way for the ice dragons to reclaim their invisibility and be able to expand again as a population is to kill you. Only the blood of the guilty allows the spell to unfold. THAT is why I have advised against going back."
Kimara walked over to Sarora. "Your fate is similar, but more simplistic in nature. You are a fugitive of their justice and you broke their most sacred law. They will sacrifice you as a lesson. You knew this and it is one reason you never went back."
Kimara turned partly and kept both women in the glance. "You need to decide what you are going to do. I will help if I can for I know the ice dragons as well, but it is ultimately your decision and I won't impede your progress. But you NEED to think this through. The odds are it will be your last trip together as a family."
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Post by Omio on Jul 2, 2010 19:07:29 GMT -5
Len shook his head. But he had little to say, especially with agitation rearing its head. His points were all obvious now, and whatever he said was mere sophistry and repetition. Needless repetition, at that. However, he had a question. He looked to Kimara, throwing his agitation back. "Might your Old World magic reference Starry Night? Because Starry Night, among a few others, are the greater forces I speak of. Everyone else calls them 'gods', but gods are quite relative. Because Wild Magic traces back beyond what history books I've ever come across. That's the main reason why I'm asking. The other reason, Kimara, is something I would much rather discuss with you in private. It's a really touchy subject, and I don't want to let out a revelation that could lead to great potential harm." His thoughts slipped. Because I certainly don't want either Saira or Sarora to know that when a dragon and another Bond, if either one dies, the other dies seconds later at the best. That's the condition of the near-endless magic granted to the other. At the very least, I'd rather not remind Sarora...
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jul 3, 2010 8:46:24 GMT -5
Kimara turned at Len's question and faced him. "No. This magic is older than Starry Night and rests within the concept of the creation of the world itself. It's a simple, but devastating magic and it was not easy for the ice dragons to come to terms with back then. They would happily settle for that now, but they cannot because the Old World spell still resides in them. That is why Saira is a danger to them always."
Kimara looked at both of them again as they seemed to be deep in thought. The aging body walked over to Len and leaned over to whisper the following:
"I know of Bonding and I know the danger for you and the dragon should the other die. It is a form of the old magic that created the world long ago and there is an element of it in the ice dragon invisiblity spell. Bonding is a more complex magic, but very dangerous. I would advise you against it as well, but it would seem your mind is made up like theirs."
Kimara leaned away from Len and stretched. The miles were starting to tell on the old body. It would probably not be long now before death came to claim Kimara. It had been a long time coming...
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Post by Omio on Jul 3, 2010 14:45:32 GMT -5
Len blinked. "Wait a minute. You just... ...read me like a book?" If I can be read so easily, the-- nevermind, I should focus more on the Old Magic. If the Bondmating thing is a fragment thereof, then the law of equal exchange still must ring true. Could it be a way of creating the scales on which equality is weighed? And he said it was older than Starry Night... ...Perhaps Starry Night is a user of it... But why was it lost...? He shook his head. "Nevermind, I have much to think of." There's too little information, and there's nothing we can dig up now without going into conjecture...
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jul 3, 2010 16:15:58 GMT -5
Kimara smiled at Len's confusion. "I didn't read you in the way that Sarora can, but I do have the ability courtesy of the ice dragons. Some elements of natural magic can be tailored."
Kimara watched Len think some more, realizing that it was pretty easy to read what Len was thinking from his expressions. Plus, his understanding of some magics and what Kimara had just imparted allowed him more leeway in interpreting than it would most people or dragons.
"To answer at least one of your unasked questions, most Old World magics were lost due to the rise of other races, world upheavals, science, etc. Most still exist to a degree, but they are hidden away or lost to most of us because of a lack of understanding. Much like most of the sciences have been lost from other times. Cyclical is the world. The old magics are no different...they just work differently," Kimara ended hesitantly.
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Post by Omio on Jul 5, 2010 13:54:46 GMT -5
Len blinked. "Understanding?" Then he had to wonder. Was it because the recent generations never really bother to understand before they end up getting themselves into a fight, or some other sort of drama? And even so much as end up caught up and ruined because of it, thus ruining the magic at its roots? And then the weiirdest idea came from almost nowhere. And aside from that, invisibility isn't a necessity, if you know how to effectively camoflage yourself - invisible to unwanted eyes, and with the area being hard as hell to traverse, you have to think five times at least before going in there... I have a perfect time of doing whatever I need to, and I'm definitely not invisible. Hell, I'd even teach them camoflage, and a lot more on concealation. Sure, there's an issue while you're on the move, but why slip yourself by when you can let everything else pass by you, and then proceed once all is clear?
Len's mind went on a more relaxed and amused track. Who knows? Maybe the reason I'm going is so I can teach them to make do with what they have, and even help fend against those other idiot Dragoons, if there are any of them left... I doubt their tactics will change much... And for a short while, Len actually began to see a much more positive ending being possible.
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Post by WolfEnchantress on Jul 6, 2010 1:14:10 GMT -5
Sarora, too, was thinking of the same thing Len was - if Saira were to die, or if she herself were to die, chances were that the other would die too. It didn't happen every single time, but often the shock of not having their bondmate there was enough to do it. The longer they had been together, the greater the chances were.
Saira turned to Sarora, drawing her from her thoughts.
"Do I really have that much chance of dying?" She asked. Sarora sighed, reading the emotion behind the question. She was afraid, which was expected, but she was urgently curious too. And that wasn't necessarily a good thing.
Saira, these are very real risks. Kimara is not exaggerating. Saira nodded.
"I know. But, I figure, if I can set things right again..." She let herself trail off, and Sarora blinked in sudden realization. because the fault was being put on Saira, she wanted to fix it - even if it meant her death. Sarora sighed then, knowing she wasn't easily going to talk her out of it - if at all - and wondered how she had missed this. Of course she would want to; she hated putting burden on anyone. And knowing that she caused so much trouble and grief for the Ice Dragons had her so desperate to fix it she was more than willing to die for it.
Sarora then directed her thoughts to Kimara.
I don't think her mind will be changed, She said. I will go with her. There is no way I will stay behind if she is going ahead. Plus, she had a few things that she wanted to fix of her own, as long as they were going. Len seemed pretty set on it too. Sarora's thoughts took on a sad tone, and she sent a vague impression of what Siara felt. The likely outcome is death. But if she is ready to face that, then so am I.
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Post by Omio on Jul 13, 2010 13:59:08 GMT -5
[[ Might want to fis where you said "Omio" there - it kinda throws me off, still. ]]
Len sighed. "Changing your mind might as well be like changing a Knight-mage's mind. While I'm at the City of Light, I might as well get myself some different attire to suit the mountain. What I have is nice and all, but I'll stick out like a sore thumb, and I'll have more than a sore thumb if I end up being like a popsicle out in that area... So there's more reason to head to that dunce-filled place... Ugh, my headache's coming back, thinking of how to weave through that town..." He shook his head. "Not exactly looking forward to it..."
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jul 15, 2010 15:08:45 GMT -5
Kimara listened as the three companions decided that they were going on together to the range of the ice dragons. It was not an unexpected outcome, but it was still saddening. Saira had a lot of potential in the world and it was not something Kimara could easily watch thrown away.
Directing thoughts directly at Sarora, Kimara tried a different approach:
You travel with Len to the City of Light. Find a way to slow him down some. I will go ahead of you to the ice dragons. Allow me some time. Maybe there is another way to save Saira if she is bold enough to go back. Can you give me the time I need?
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' Bloody heck, two jobs and a BUNCH of kerfuffle later, and I'm back AGAIN.