The Immortality of Agony [Strider]

[Felypsa]

On mountains high…
There begins a story of old,
Adventure is nigh,
As the wind, it beats cold…

Lorelei could not say when she had first that little ditty, but it had probably come from her days at school. The other sorcerers-in-training would often sing such nonsense songs like that, using their musical power whimsically. Back then, she, a headstrong girl of 16, had disapproved of such frivolity. She had come to the institute to learn, and her ambition never let her rest for even a moment. Now—twenty-six years later—Lorelei leaned against the side of the mountain and looked down at the white city below her, finding it hard to believe that she had not seen this place in so long.

The mountainous region of Ebernum was one she had used to call home, back when she had been that aforementioned headstrong teenager. She had exceeded everyone’s expectations at 18 and had traveled the world for more, studying under the tutelage of some of the greatest magical adepts. She had wanted to become an adept, but more than that, she had wanted to become the greatest adept in all of history.

Yet here she was, 42 years old, humbled by her inability to cast a successful locator spell.

Lorelei clutched the charm around her neck—an amulet with a miniature flute at the end, which enhanced her magical power. Singing or humming the necessary musical combination would suffice as well, but when she used the flute—a gift from one of her former masters—the force of her spells was strengthened significantly. Yet the flute alone would not bring her ability back up to what it had been when she was 24, at the height of her ambition and prowess. She had scarcely touched the instrument since giving birth to her beautiful daughter seventeen years ago.

Betrayal had propelled her away from her daughter’s side, and now she’d had the worse news of all: her sweet Misty was missing.

Lorelei had not seen her girl since she was a toddler. Her husband, a man of the proud Escavan tradition, who like many others in that city abhorred the “unnatural,” had banished her from the household the moment he saw her perform a spell. Nostalgia had caused her to be weak, to see how she might fare with magic again, but she had been caught and horribly punished for her curiosity.

But just because Lorelei had been forbidden to see her daughter for twelve years did not mean that she loved her any less. So when she had cautiously traveled into Escavas again, and heard the entire market gossiping about the innkeeper’s girl gone missing—well, Lorelei would do everything in her power to find her.

The problem was that none of her locator spells were working, and Lorelei had to assume that it was because she was out of practice still. Even though she had spent twelve years away from the prejudice of her husband, Lorelei had only used her magic sparingly. She did a few passing good deeds for others, or would assist herself if she was in danger of starvation or thirst, but otherwise was not tempted to use magic. This situation, however, eclipsed her notions of humility. She needed her power again, the way it used to be.

The spell she was going to attempt now was a test. There was a great yawning chasm between where she stood on the mountain and the safe white walls of the city she was trying to reach, where the institute lay. The only way across the chasm was to carry herself through the air. Lorelei lifted the flute to her lips and blew a familiar melody, her fingers moving quickly against the holes to manipulate the sounds. She could feel the magic embracing her, lifting her into the air, slowly but steadily. Lorelei felt relief at her success and continued to play with more confidence.

To anyone watching, it might be strange to see a fully-grown woman, wearing nothing but gray-green robes that seemed impractical in the mountain cold, floating gradually through the air. Then again, the city was used to sorcerers and sorceresses, so anyone in the area would hardly bat an eye. Lorelei was just as glad, though, that no one seemed to be around. She was concentrating fully on the song and the spell, making sure to guide herself carefully down to the entrance of the gate.

She was just hovering near the wall of the city when there was a great loud flapping of wings. Lorelei ignored it, until she could no longer, and an enormous black bird fluttered right into her face, cawing loudly. Its talons snatched at her hands, and it pulled the flute free from her lips, causing Lorelei to fall immediately. She gasped, reaching out instinctively for the flute, and managed to wrest it free from the bird’s claws, before plummeting down. Lorelei was close enough to the wall to reach out and grab the top of its smooth marble side, and quickly oriented her other arm to hold herself there.

The flute was in her hand, but she was now clinging to the edge of the wall, and it was a mighty far fall down below. Lorelei closed her eyes and prayed for deliverance, something to help her out of this mess. She couldn’t die here and now. She had to live long enough to find and help her daughter.

[Dark Strider]

The bitter mountain wind rolled around a black cloaked man, pulling his clothes backwards. Though it was nearly mid-spring, the air still held the ferocity that it did during the winter. The man's cloak snapped and cracked in the wind and his long tabard fluttered fitfully as he continued up the shallow mountain path. His destination was a city none to far from his present location, and the sun was still fairly high in the sky. With his black hood pulled low over his face, casting it into premature darkness, the man wore on.

The man himself was a strange one, tall, thin, and enshrouded mostly in travel and battle worn armor. A glinting breast-plate, pauldrons, fingerless gauntlets, Knee-guards, and carefully molded greaves that flowed into the knee-guards. To top off the look, a black, aged scabbard rested laterally across his back with a strange looking sword resting in it. It certainly was thicker in blade width then a normal longsword, but held the same length of it. Stranger still was the lack of any kind of insulated garments on the mans body, all except for the light grey pants that he wore and a sleeveless shirt of the same color. The man's hair hung down below the cowl of his hood, long, well kept, and a midnight silver. Nothing about this man seemed normal, but most people paid him no heed. Normal people generally didn't see this man, as he was hardly ever in plain sight of most others.

This man, whose identity was a mystery almost to time itself continued to walk, even as a black portal opened near by. Out of the portal stepped a massive creature, walking on two legs, but holding the form of a wolf. Clothed in similar raiment, the creature turned to look at the walking man.

"You forgot this back at camp." He said in a distinctively German accent. "Don't do it again, Lloyd."

The creature held out a backpack, filled with provisions and the like. The man, now identified as Lloyd, nodded and took the pack. As soon as the object was out of his hand, the wolf creature turned and walked back into the portal, which closed behind him. Now alone, Lloyd turned and sat down on a nearby rock, large, but evident that it had been there for a long time. He reached into the bag and pulled out a sheaf of paper, notes hastily scribbled on them. Lloyd leafed through them, holding onto them firmly with his left hand, even in the wind. He found the paper he was looking for, and bound the others back together, replacing them into the bag.

The paper held a wealth of knowledge of the area, as well as the name of the city he was heading to. The city was named Ebernum, after the mountain range that it sat in. A predominantly magical city, magi and other spell-slingers coming from within the "College" that resided within the grey walls. Time worn and all, the college turned out great magic users, as well as petty ones who's only desire was to cause distress and misery for those around them. It was just such a person that Lloyd was going there to meet and then to take care of. The man, a poor-born mage by the name of Malikai, was experimenting with cross dimensional magics, something that, if not carefully processed and guided, as well as regulated and studies, could easily rip open a portal to the fiery hells, allowing demons and their ilk to spill forth and claim a land and plunge it into chaos.

Once Lloyd had gotten his fill of information, he placed the note back inside of the bag and pulled out a canister of water. After a quick draft from it, he replaced it, and then opened a small portal into which he placed the bag. The portal closed as soon as his hand was out of it and the bag inside, the scene returning to normal. His destination set and his mind on the task ahead, Lloyd brought himself to his feet and continued on his way.

Not long after that small respite, Lloyd reached the gorge that spanned the gap between the path he was on, and the walls of the city. A strategic placement of the city, he had to admit, but one that would ultimately lead to its downfall. Lloyd had seen it many, many times before, time holding no meaning over his already increasingly long life. For nearly 700 years, Lloyd had wandered the infinite numbers of worlds, seeing all that there is to see in them, and watching civilizations born and crumble, lives given and taken away. All of this had hardened him, and his emotions took on a shelf life, hardly coming out at all.

As he continued to look at the city walls and the surrounding areas, Lloyd noticed a figure dangling from the pulpit of a section of wall. Without skipping a beat, Lloyd walked forward, into a suddenly appearing portal which transported him to the top of the wall above the figure.

"Take my hand if you wish your life not to end." He said simply, the portal closing the instant he was cleared of it.

He reached down, past the lip of the wall and offered his hand up to the woman hanging there for dear life. If one could not save one life, then they could not save any...

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[Felypsa]

In truth, Lorelei was not afraid. In her heart, she knew that she could not die here, would not. She still had to ensure the safety of her daughter, and until she did, she was not allowed to die. The sorceress was carefully trying to maneuver her flute back into her mouth—when suddenly a man appeared, walking straight out of the air. Despite all her experience in magic, this display startled Lorelei a bit, but only for a moment. As soon as she saw him reaching down for her, she smiled with warmth and gratitude and relief, happy that Fate had come through for her after all.

She shifted her weight to one arm while quickly reaching up with the other, taking the proffered hand. Then she began to hum softly, the musical power enough to make her lighter, if not cause her to float altogether. Lorelei was making it easier for him, though he proved to be strong enough to lift her up anyway.

Only when her feet were resting solidly on the wall did she turn to her savior, taking full note of his armor and weapon. A soldier, perhaps? Or even a wandering warrior. “I thank you, good sir,” she said, bowing her head in her appreciation. “I regret the necessity of your interference, but I am deeply grateful all the same.”

For a moment, Lorelei had to wonder at the crow. No natural bird would be so bold as to go directly for her flute, which was made of reed and wood and was not particularly shiny. Perhaps it had attacked her because it was afraid of a floating object her size, but she was uneasy at the thought that it had been sent to take away her magical catalyst. But no one knows I am here, she thought. No one has known about me or my whereabouts for years. She did not even give out her real name to strangers. In certain countrysides, she had heard herself referred to as the “Grey Enchantress,” for the color of her robes and the limited magic she had displayed.

Furthermore, even if someone had known her name and identity, why would they bother trying to kill her? Lorelei had had enemies in the past, but they were surely all faded into time by now…

It made her uneasy to think of the alternative. Putting the worry out of mind for now, she focused back on her rescuer. “Did I not see that you have the ability to travel distances instantaneously?” she asked, interested in the unique power he had demonstrated. “I don’t suppose I could trouble you for another favor—to, ah, get me into town itself?” She gestured in the direction of the magical institute, where she hoped to find an old mentor or colleague who would help her.

“I have no money,” she added, deciding to be honest, “but if there were some way I could repay you for saving my life, you would let me know.”

[Dark Strider]

"What you saw was the result of many years of practice and study. Should someone do the same, they shall receive the same fruits of labor. As for transit, I have no objection to helping you." Lloyd said calmly, looking at the woman standing before him.

She was by no means, from what he could see, a warrior, but she seemed to carry herself with the grace and pride found only in the hardiest and strongest of people. Though arrogance was a common trait of those people, this woman showed humility, knowing enough to accept help and be gracious of it. With an inward nod, Lloyd told himself that she would do well in life. But, when she offered a way to repay him for his kindness, Lloyd waved it off, at the same time opening a portal.

"Through this portal is the gardens before the college of magi here in this city. I have business there, but you are welcome to step through it as well." He said before turning and walking through.

The transit was instantaneous, Lloyd stepping out onto the soft loam that surrounded the large white marble building. Tall oak and maple trees stood proud, though their buds were still closed from the winter. People walked, talked, laughed and made whimsey. No one had seen him appear, but a young gaggle of mages happened onto the portal. One shrieked in horror, another proclaiming that there was nothing wrong with the appearance of a portal, and yet another claimed that someone was summoning something. Lloyd, indifferent to their cries, walked through the gardens, up the stone steps of the college, and brushed past the men that stood guard before the great doors. One responded quickly by grabbing Lloyd's arm and hauling him back before him. Then, giving him a shove, pushed him backwards towards the stairs, intent on throwing him down the flight.

Lloyd, however, foresaw this, and stepped forward into the shove, forcing the man backwards.

"What business have you here, boy?" The man asked, a sneer on his lips as he looked at Lloyd.

"My business is my own, and you have no purpose in it. Stand aside before I make an example of you." He warned, standing back, settling into a combat-kind of stance.

The guard, obviously not expecting someone to back-talk him, responded. In all honesty, he did indeed try to attack Lloyd, his performance fluid and nearly flawless. But, he had not considered the battle-hardened reflexes and abilities of his adversary. As soon as his arm had extended with the spear that he wielded forward, Lloyd was already two steps ahead of him, the flat of his sword slapping the man on the arm, numbing and dislocating the bones in that arm. The man cried out in alarm and pain, and his comrade was beginning to respond in kind. It was a simple effort for Lloyd to place the point of his sword at the second man's throat and look at him malevolently.

"I said, my business is my own, and you have no right in being in it. I shall pass through these doors and continue on with my business." He told the second man. "Attend to your comrade, and reset the bones, there is nothing broken, and bed rest will ease the pain."

And with that, Lloyd returned his sword into its sheath and pushed past the two men into the building.

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[Felypsa]

Despite his show of power, the helpful man struck her as extremely humble, in addition to being noble, and Lorelei was quite glad of his assistance, and of their chance meeting. It gratified her that he opened up a portal for them, as easy as you please, and explained that it would take them directly to the school that she had been hoping to go to. As coincidences went, her savior happened to be going there for business of his own. Lorelei smiled. “I am glad that you don’t have to go too out of your way, then.”

She did not inquire as to the nature of his private business, nor did she ask his name; for he had not readily given it upon their acquaintance, and she was not terribly eager to give hers in return for that information. However happy this coincidence was, though, Lorelei contented herself with knowing that it would likely not advance any farther than that. The mage-scholar within her was deeply curious about his ability over these portals, and their full extents and limits; but the crisis of her personal life did not allow for the leisure of that inquiry.

Still, she did privately marvel at the ease of transportation, as she stepped through the magical doorway he had indicated and appeared, an instant later, on the grand field that encompassed the institute itself. Lorelei gave a wide smile. This had certainly given her the advantange of saving time. Just as she turned to her mysterious benefactor to thank him once again, however, a sensation started at their arrival. Lorelei looked at the three mages who immmediately started an argument about the portal that brought them here. She smiled at their lively debate, but, like Lloyd, had little time to spare, and pressed forward urgently.

Her benefactor was ahead of her, all the way up the steps, when he ran into some trouble. Lorelei caught up with him, just as Lloyd was squaring off against one of the guards. She opened her mouth to interrupt their imminent battle, but too late. Luckily, it was very quick. The man who saved her demonstrated a deadly accuracy in dispatching the guard who had attempted to stop him, and Lorelei winced when the mistaken guard suffered for his actions. She watched Lloyd walk into the school with the diligent stride of a man on some very important business who would not stopped.

Any other day, her curiosity would have gotten the better of her. But Lorelei simply entered the building—the uninjured guard, however, blocked her from doing so. At least, for a moment. Lorelei bowed to him. “I’m with that gentleman,” she informed him, pointing at the fast-disappearing form of Lloyd, several paces ahead of her. A bit of her old girlish mischief crept back into her tone as she made the false claim, and the guard narrowed his eyes at her. Lorelei’s eyes danced with mirth as she added, “Also, I am an esteemed alum from this place. Lorelei Songheart, if you so please.” Songheart was her maiden name; she had no use for her husband’s any more, and in any case, everyone in Ebernum who might know her would only respond to the name Songheart.

Whether this guard was acquainted with that name or not, he did not contest her claim, and stood aside to let her pass. Lorelei shook her head as she moved hastily past him and his groaning comrade. The atrium of the college was a massive, high-ceilinged room made of the same white marble that Ebernum was so famous for, but to Lorelei—and, indeed, to any trained eye—the walls fairly glimmered with layers of security spells intended to keep the building and its inhabitants safe from physical and magical attacks. The whole place fairly glowed.

The floor, also, was of interest—a beautiful and multi-colored mosaic of the institute’s symbol, which was a complex shape made of pictures of elements which represented the variety of magic taught and studied here. Its familiarity was pleasing to Lorelei’s eye, but she strode across it firmly to the tall golden-robed woman at the other side of the atrium. This magnificent-looking sorceress had already lifted her hand to halt Lloyd.

“I shall not stop you, if you know where you are going, which you seem to,” the greeter was saying to him. “But I seek simply to welcome you to the Ebernum Magical Institute, and to warn you that the spells of this compound prevent you from using magic in a hostile way.” She then gave a slight bow to him before making a sweeping gesture with her arm to indicate that he should keep going, unless he had further questions.

The welcomer’s gaze next lit on the following visitor, and Lorelei saw no recognition in them. “Welcome to EMI,” she said gently, reiterating the same reminder she had given Lloyd. “How may I help you?” Lorelei hesitated, then said, “I am an alum here, and I hope to find someone who can assist me with…a locator spell.” The greeter’s thin eyebrows raised considerably, and Lorelei steeled herself not to blush. For an alum of this place to struggle with such a basic spell was unheard of, no doubt, and Lorelei was rather embarrassed by her failure.

The greeter was well-bred, at least, and she said politely, “If you are an alum, you may be acquainted with the venerable Professor Art Giles. He has been teaching here for twice the amount of time that I have been alive!” Lorelei had to smile warmly. Yes, she remembered Professor Giles, who had been getting on in years when she had been a young student. “He would do wonderfully,” she told the woman. The greeter smiled and rewarded her with directions to his office. Lorelei thanked her and moved quickly in that direction, hoping that Giles would remember her—and, more importantly, be able to assist her.

[Dark Strider]

Lloyd could feel the magic flowing from the stones of the building, the greeter only cementing the knowledge. Though the enchantments on the building were heavy and powerful indeed, there was one flaw. Magic itself was woven out of a kind of fabric of reality that flowed throughout the infinite reaches of the universe, or universes for that matter. This type of magic was woven from the understanding of a strand of that reality. It ran its course and was potent in its own way. Lloyd, however, wove magic from a different thread of that same reality, his magic focused around different rules and parameters, much different then those of the people's here.

Lloyd nodded his head and continued on his way, moving through the building, relying on his already active locator spell to guide his way. His target was an elderly man, a teacher at this school, and also the one responsible for the rampant misuse of magic in the city for the purpose of self gain and of terrorizing those around. The poor-born mage Malikai had been taken in by this elderly mage out of pity, was was trained like an equil here, given the benefit of the doubt and trusted that though he was born into poverty, Malikai would use his newly trained abilities for good. This was not, however, the case, and as soon as he had stepped off of the campus, Malikai vowed to use his powers to take revenge on those who tormented him as a child.

"Pathetic..." Lloyd muttered as he strolled forward.

It didn't take Lloyd long to find the office of the mage that he was looking for. Sitting behind his desk and behind a seeming mountain of paperwork, a grey haired man, though obviously aged, the vigor of youthful energy and curiosity, worked away at different things, transcribing runes into layman's terms. As the door clicked closed, he looked up, a small smile on his lips.

"Can I help you, sir?" He asked, his voice throwing his obvious age out the window.

His tone was warm, friendly and sincere, and it was like that of a timeless tutor who adored his students, as well as the company of other people. Despite himself, Lloyd found himself sharing a similar smile.

"I have come in regard to one of your past students, one Malikai Xendal." Lloyd said, his facial features returning to an expression that did not give away a hint of emotion.

"Ahh, yes. That boy..." the man said, sighing. " He was always hot headed and quite the upstart. Brilliant though, and defiantly talented. What can I do to help you, my friend? Is there some trouble concerning my past pupil?" he asked, laying aside his work to rest his chin on his knitted together fingers.

Lloyd went into detail of the problems facing the youth, how he had turned from the honored school to a life of vice and sin. Though some of the details Lloyd gave would have bleached a less worldly man's face of color, the elderly gentleman sat there, the particular twinkle of adventure and of curiosity never leaving his eyes, and the smile never lifting from his lips.

"That's all there is to tell." Lloyd said in closing. "I have come to sever his ties to the magic of this and every realm, but I will not end his life. I am no murderer, so I will be sure to see that he lives until his natural death, be it man made or from time." Lloyd concluded.

The mage laughed a small laugh, more a chuckle out of surprise then out of outright humor.

"Well... at least there is no call for him to die. I cannot say that I agree with his decision to go into a life that was told to him to be dangerous and would bring him into a spiral of destruction, but I can't say that I like the idea of him being stripped of his natural gift. But, if it is for the betterment of others, I will assist you as best I can. Here," the mage said, pulling out a leaf of paper from the stack. " Here are the last know locations Malikai was said to be seen in. I hope this helps you, for I do not know where he is now."

Lloyd took the paper and looked it over. A half dozen places were listed on the paper, with names of those who had apparently seen the mage. Lloyd nodded his head in thanks and placed the paper in his pocket. But, before Lloyd could leave, the mage stood.

"May I at least know the name of the savior of the people? I am Professor Art Giles, one of the older teachers here at the school." He said with a chuckle.

Lloyd turned and looked at him.

"I am simply know as Lloyd von Blucher." Lloyd responded, before walking through the opened door and then through a portal beyond the doorway, vanishing from sight.

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[Felypsa]

By the time Lorelei found the office of her old professor, she was surprised to see her helper from earlier—the man who had saved her—walk through one of his portals and disappear. She blinked in surprise; apparently he had been here to see Professor Giles too. A funny coincidence, but nothing more. Shaking her head, she entered the doorway and bowed to the old man.

“Professor? I…do not know if you would recognize me, but I was a former student here. Lorelei Songheart is my name.” It might as well be, anyway, since her husband disowned her with such finality. “If you do remember me,” she added with a trace of a sheepish smile, “I hope you do not judge me for it. I was…much wilder back then than I am now.” A very ambitious, even ruthless young woman.

“I have a favor to ask of you,” she went on, and once again a small blush of embarrassment creeped over her face. “I have been trying to locate someone, but she…but I can’t seem to do it properly. It’s my daughter. Her name is Mistweaver Berlach.”

Her husband had always disliked the full name, but was eventually reconciled to calling her “Misty.” Lorelei had never told him the truth about the origin of that name. An old woman had prophesied that her child would have great power, and that she was fated to become Mistweaver. Lorelei was not sure what that meant, and had never properly done any research about any legend or lore that might have mentioned such a name, but she had decided not to toy with destiny.

Berlach would have hated such a supernatural christening. He had already been displeased by its uniqueness and had wanted to name her something like Mary or Elizabeth. Only his love for Lorelei had caused him to relent. And his love for Misty was unbounded. He must be so torn up by her disappearance, Lorelei thought. Hopefully she could succeed, with magical means, where he had failed—for Misty’s sake.

“She’s a blessed child,” Lorelei added. “I am sure she has great power. And…the city where she lived rejected great power. I fear the worst—a witch hunt of some kind, especially because I cannot find her. But she is not dead…I am sure I would know it if she was dead.” She said that last more to herself than to the professor, sinking for a moment into contemplative silence.

Realizing she was drifting off, she returned her attention to the old man. “Any help would be much appreciated, professor.”

[Dark Strider]

The professor had returned to his papers when his guest had vanished before his eyes, age and experience making his reaction minimal at most. But, it was his second guest that made him turn his head the most. He knew her face without needing an introduction, knew her voice, without having her open her mouth. A large warm smile spread across his face as one of his former students walked into his doorway. Though she was in search of help and it seemed urgent, he couldn't help but remember one of his favorite students.

"Of course I'll help Lorelei. How could I refuse?" He said, standing up from his desk.

He moved around the desk to a small cabinet that sat in the room. Opening it, the professor began to rummage through some paperwork. After searching for a short period of time, he turned around and closed the cabinet. He returned to his desk with a few papers with names and locations written on them.

"Let me see here... Ahh... here it is. It would seem that your daughter was put into the care of a man by the name of Ludivich. Alfred Ludivich, and from what it says here, he was originally a blacksmith who turned in his tools for a chance at an education. He had a surprising gift to imbue metal that he worked with magical properties. He was admitted to the college perhaps two years ago and graduated rather quickly. From what I could guess, your daughter became enamored with the young fellow and they left town rather recently. Where they were going, I don't know, but you might be able to find out if you go to the smithy that Mr. Ludivich worked." Art told the woman, reading off some information that was added to the parchment more recently. "I'm sorry I can't be of any more help, my dear... I really wish I could give you more information." The professor said, sitting back down in his chair, the smile replaced with a saddened one.

~

It was at the same time that Lloyd's own investigation came to a head. He had gone to the location of the smithy where Art was suggestion to Lorelei to begin looking for information. Lloyd had just finished casting detection spells around the shop when the owner came out asking if Lloyd was looking for anything in particular. Lloyd had found out that the man whom he had been searching for was no longer in town and that he was under a different alias, though the smith didn't know that he was in fact two people at once.

Why he had decided to take up a job at a smithy was questionable to Lloyd, but then again, it was Lloyd's job to trail this man. Unfortunately for Lloyd, however, the owner didn't know where the man had gone, only saying that he left in the company of a younger girl, perhaps in her middle teens. Lloyd thanked the man and left down the street he had come up. With a bit of information, however, Lloyd was sure that he could find out more as time went on. All he had to do was find connecting factors.

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[Felypsa]

It was gratifying to know that Giles would assist her, even after all these years. And even though she had been a top-notched student back then, Lorelei would not have been surprised if her pretentious attitude at the time had rubbed people the wrong way—or if Giles had heard rumors about the way she used her feminine appeal to get her way in some cases. It made Lorelei’s face burn with shame when she thought about those instances.

Putting that aside, she waited patiently for the information. When the truth came out, Lorelei could not help but purse her lips as emotions surged through her. Her daughter had been so foolish to go off with a strange man? What had Berlach been teaching her? What kind of wiles had this man used? And then guilt: would this have happened if Lorelei had been there as a mother to raise her? Would Misty have been better prepared?

There was no point in wasting time on hypothetical questions, though. Lorelei memorized the information that Giles was giving her, from the name Alfred Ludivich (which she would brand in her mind) to every little bit of his whereabouts that Art knew. There was more she could have asked, any sort of information about what kind of man this Ludivich was…but Professor Giles knew nothing more.

A sharp pain in her palm made Lorelei look down and realize that she had been clutching her amulet so tightly that it dug deep into her skin, almost breaking it. She released it with an exhale and shook out her hand, looking at Giles with a nod. “Thank you, professor. This means so much to me.” She bowed to him. “You have helped me more than you know.” For now she had a name, which was a lot more than what she had before.

Once she had properly expressed her gratitude to Giles, she left and headed out of the institute. She did not know exactly which smithy it was that Ludivich had worked at, but she was certain that she could find it. Ebernum was a sizable city, yes, but it functioned like a small town, and everyone kept tabs on one another. There was bound to be someone who could point her in the right direction.

She was right; it did not take long to get directions from another shop owner and hurry over there. Lorelei was vaguely aware that she would have to eat something soon, considering how long she had traveled to get to Ebernum, but that could wait. Just as she came up to the smithy, however, she saw a very familiar man leaving it. That same man who had saved her life and gone into the institute and spoken to Art Giles.

It was like he was exactly one step ahead of her, and that made Lorelei wary. She narrowed green eyes on him as she closed the distance between herself and the smithy. When she drew near, she called out to him. “So, this is the third time we happen to be in the same place. Don’t tell me you are looking for my daughter too.” She paused as another possibility crossed her mind. “Or perhaps you’re looking for her abductor, Alfred Ludivich?” What were the chances of that?

Or, a more pressing question: what did he want with him? Would they be able to form common ground, or were they enemies?

[Dark Strider]

Lloyd turned slightly to look at the woman whom he had helped before. Apparently Fate had decided that this woman would play a part in Lloyd's mission here.

"Well met." He responded simply to her hailing.

He listened to what she had to say, stating that she was looking for her daughter and her whereabouts. But, when she mentioned the name of Alfred Ludivich, Lloyd turned his attention back to her face.

"I am sorry to hear that your daughter was pulled into this. It is my intention to find this... Alfred Ludivich. I need to ask him specific questions concerning his past.” Lloyd said, his hand slowly tightening around the hilt of his sword.

Lloyd's mind quickly went over possible places where he would find the most accurate information concerning the directions of adventuring peoples and their destinations. Several places came to Lloyd's mind, some being the tavern, the guard station at the main gate of the city, and the brothel.

“Before I leave to find him, however, I must search for more information concerning his whereabouts. Should I find anything relevant to your daughter's location, I will send you word.” Lloyd said, turning his attention back to the woman.

With a nod of his head, Lloyd turned on his heel and began to walk towards the inner ring of the city, a place known for its brothels and taverns. A man like Malikai would obviously want to boast his abilities
and gather as much attention as he could pull together. Alcohol was an obvious pull for people like him, and with his abilities, it was of no matter to make as much money as he would like. As Lloyd walked, however, the idea that Malikai had taken up a guise as a metal smith. A mage of his caliber would prefer to go out and command people to follow him, not work for them. Time would illuminate the answers for Lloyd, and Malikai would receive the judgment that he was eking.

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[Felypsa]

It would never cease to amaze her how cool and collected he was, how he did not even blink at the fact that they were meeting like this again. Lorelei again had to wonder who he was, and why nothing seemed to ruffle him, not even slightly. He offered his condolences about her daughter being involved, which did nothing to pacify her. His sympathy only made her more concerned: who was this man who had seduced her daughter away from home?

She did not miss the way Lloyd gripped his sword when he mentioned an interrogation. It relaxed her to think that he was not on good terms with this Ludivich, that they did not have to fight each other. But then, after thinking, he strode away from her, promising to give her more information. The sorceress stood there for just a second before hurrying to catch up with him, letting out a little huff of frustration. He did not seem to be much older than her—in fact, he could have easily been younger—but he spoke like he was ages and ages older than she was.

“Listen here, young man,” she said sternly, her maternal voice coming out. “This is my only daughter that we are concerned with. I don’t know what you want with this man, nor do I think that I want to know. But if you think I am just going to go to the nearest tavern to drum my fingers on the table while I wait for you to come back with any little tidbits about my daughter, you are dead wrong.”

Her green eyes sparked as she stared at him, forcing him to look at her. “If you think I cannot handle myself, you are also wrong there. I might have been in a spot of trouble when you found me, but I assure you, there is much more that I am capable of. And I am going to hunt my daughter’s trail with or without your help. But since we seem to be heading in the same direction, it seems useless for us to try to go our separate ways. We are only just going to keep running into each other.”

She took a deep breath and looked hard into those distant, stoic eyes of his. “I propose an alliance, until our paths must part. But as far as we are both after the same man, then I say we travel together.”

Lorelei paused again. “Have you ever had a child, sir? If you have, you would know that you would do anything to make sure that they are alive and well…and safe. No matter what the risk.”

[Dark Strider]

As Lloyd had begun to walk away, the woman moved in front of him, obviously put out by his decree to return with information pertaining to the location of the woman's daughter. She began to speak to him like a mother would a child who had been misbehaving in public. Her matter of fact attitude belayed her desperation to find her daughter, something that Lloyd could understand without thought. The need to make sure one's loved ones were safe was a primal instinct in people.

Whether it was her sureness that she would be able to hold her own, or arrogance, the woman before him was hard set on going to find her daughter, with out without his help. It was this that Lloyd decided it was time to show something to the woman.

"It seems that there will be nothing in the world to change your attitude towards this endeavor. Therefore, I will agree to your alliance, but only on one circumstance. There are forces at work which I am not sure that you are ready to handle. My searching here at the smithy has revealed tainted magic, and I want you to see one who's magic lines up with this anomaly." Lloyd said, moving his hand in a small circle in the air before him.

Beside the two of them, a black portal opened. If the woman did look at it, she would at first see a solid black opening, no light emanating from the portal at all, seeming to draw in the light around it into an infinite abyss. Slowly the image would change, to a burning landscape, flames and darkness running rampant through the scene. In the middle of the scene would stand a titanic creature, emenating a presence so fierce and terrifying that the sight of it would send men cowering and calling for admittance to an asylum. Four piercing red eyes would look towards the portal, not being actually able to see it, but knowing that something or someone was looking at it. The being would roar a sound so horrific that it would make all nightmares prior pale in comparison.

"I have sensed a magic similar to the being that was in the portal. Foul magic has tainted the air, but so that it would not be possible to sense it with conventional magic." Lloyd said, closing the portal quickly.

"Know that the road ahead of us is filled with peril. There are forces stacked against us that will not think twice about ending the lives of anyone or anything before us. Attack will always be imminent, and there will be little chance to find a truly safe place from out adversaries. From what I showed in that portal is what I wished to prevent you from encountering. I do not wish to see you or your daughter harmed in this endeavor, but I will accept your help if you so choose." Lloyd explained, reaching into his cloak.

"Should you decide to stay your course, and join me on this quest, then I offer you this necklace. It will provide some protection from the forces of darkness, but will not stop them completely." Lloyd said holding a small amulet in his hand.

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Sorry if this is shoddy, I wrote it at 2 in the morning on 2 hours sleep...

[Felypsa]

He took her ferocity seriously, at least, and Lorelei was not entirely surprised to learn that the whole thing was much more complicated than it appeared. It was not a simple matter of a handsome rake abducting her daughter. She followed the movement of his hand, and even though she had seen him use his unique magic before, it still took her breath away when the portal opened up in midair. Lorelei’s inner scholar was aching to study every aspect of it. Even though nothing was apparent immediately right away, the amount of energy that it was using made the hair on her neck stand on end.

The portal then began to reveal images, as though scrying them from far away. Lorelei flinched slightly at the sight of the burning land, the light of destruction. But the worst part was yet to come. The nightmare of a creature rose up and seemed so real that Lorelei actually took a step back, as if nervous that it was going to step through the portal. It didn’t—but all the same, it was so hideous, so awe-inspiring, that Lorelei felt a chill run down her spine, especially when he let out a bellow that sounded as if it came from the very depths of Hell itself.

Then Lloyd’s ever-calm voice cut over the hellish noise, and Lorelei realized that her heart had stopped beating for a moment. He closed the portal, but the news that he spoke of was grim. She gave him a quick, sharp look. Oh, he was a strange one all right, very unique as well if he could sense that. “If what you say is true, then you have given me even more reason to find my daughter. If she is mixed up in this…” She paused. She had never known how much magic Misty had gained, but she did remember a prophecy alluding to a powerful destiny for her daughter long ago. Would this have something to do with that?

Either way, Lorelei’s mind was made up, and it was a good thing that Lloyd was not arguing with her anymore, at least. Of course, he still had warnings to make, and she was not so reckless as to not take them seriously. But even if she died during this journey, it would be better than sitting around and wondering what would happen. She had not wandered with much purpose in her life for the past several years. Now that this was happening, she was filled with purpose—even if it led to her death.

“You’ll have my help,” she pledged. “I’ll not back down.” He would see that she was serious by the fierce look of determination in her eyes. In return for her oath, Lloyd granted her a necklace, which hummed with magical power in Lorelei’s mind. She accepted it and bowed her head. “You have my gratitude, for this and for your assistance in this matter.” Without him, she would have run headlong into more dangerous forces than she could have predicted. With him, she had a better understanding of what she might be going up against.

And what she would save her daughter from.

“When you are ready, I am ready,” Lorelei assured him. Granted, there would probably be supplies to gather, but she had nowhere else to be, no goodbyes to make. It was only the road ahead for her.

oOc| yours was great, miiine is crap and I am sorry for this x.x

[Dark Strider]

Firstly, Howdy Fely! Been a while since I posted anything, so I thought I'd give it some work. Been missing our RPs and also been wondering how you've been! Merry Christmas as well!

Lloyd nodded his head and turned on his heel.

"We shall need to prepare for out journey then." Lloyd said, opening a small portal to his left.

Reaching in, he took out a coin purse as well as a travelers pack. Opening both, he looked quickly through the contents. He himself was low on provisions, hardly more then enough for two or three days worth of travel. Unfortunately, using his ability to portal would be hard pressed as well, for he didn't know the whereabouts of his target. This, in addition to the need to protect Lorelei and to disrupt the various attacks that were certain to be leveled at them due to the unfamiliar presence he had, Lloyd could already see that this would be one of his more... interesting, to put the best word on it, escapade.

Dissatisfied with the state of his provisions, Lloyd tossed the traveler's pack back into the portal beside him, and opened the coin purse. Inside was a substantial amount of money, the bag itself a smaller dimensional storage space, which held a vast fortune of which amounts of money were deposited by Lloyd over time. Tying the purse to his belt, Lloyd moved forward, looking about quickly. Spotting a merchant shouting his wares, Lloyd gestured to Lorelei to follow him.

He approached the man quickly, the small crowd that surrounded the man parting quickly to the armed traveler. The man, seeing the new arrival, seemed to shrink back as Lloyd approched his store.

"Good day, friend merchant. I am interested in purchasing wares from you for myself and the lady here." Lloyd said, first with a slight nod to the merchant, and then by moving to the side and gesturing to Lorelei. " I have funds and more then enough room to carry said wares."

The merchant looked about quickly for help, but seeing none, made a feign to checking the position of the sun.

"I'm sorry lad," The merchant began. "Store's closed. Come back tomorrow." He finished, making a hasty move to shooing off the other people gathered around, all of whom were slowly making their way out of the general vicinity.

Lloyd never was curt with people. Not even when they spit in his face and threw accusations against his family, or even when they slandered him, his friends, or his family. Lloyd, however, never allowed these things to continue far after they started. Never rash, never rushed, Lloyd only placed a hand on the fellows shoulder.

"Friend. I am in rather a hurried leave. I need provisions from your store. I shall pay you more then they are worth, of this you can be certain. All I need is your cooperation." Lloyd said, looking into the man's eyes.

It was with this, a bead of sweat rolled down the man's brow. He quickly nodded his head and moved to open the doors of his store. Lloyd followed him quietly, intent on purchasing the items needed and leaving the poor man in peace.

~

It didn't take Lloyd long to purchase enough provisions for both Lorelei and himself for the next two weeks. Each of the items Lloyd purchased were immediately placed into the infinite storage area of a portal, and each time, the merchant looked apprehensively at the vanishing item, then back at the man whom was purchasing things from him.

The total came down to nearly two hundred dollars in the denomination of currency local to the peoples of Ebernum. Lloyd simply reached his hand into the coin purse at his waist and pulled out two large bars of solid gold. He placed them on the counter before the man, who's jaw dropped at the sight of the objects. He made some move to tell Lloyd he couldn't accept such payment, but Lloyd shrugged the man off, telling him it was his way of thanks as well as payment to the man for supplying the two for their journey.

Now with provisions, Lloyd left the shop quickly and looked about. Checking the sky for the general time, Lloyd devised that it was nearly five o'clock.

"I suggest that we spend one night in town before we leave on our journey. I suggest that, and please understand that I am saying this for your protection, that you find a blacksmith and ask for a light suit of armor. The road will be torturous on regular clothing, and I am not familiar with the wildlife around here. In addition to armor, I suggest a weapon as well. If you see the prudence of this as well, fear not about payment. I will take care of it when it comes." Lloyd said quietly to Lorelei.

He did not generally show emotion, but the touch of worry in his voice for her safety was plain to see. He understood drastically the desire to protect one's family. He himself carried a heavy burden in that certain regard, losing his own to the ravages of human nature. He also knew the desire to save one's child. He had lost that as well, a memory so bitterly painful that at the mere thought almost brought him to his knees. He shook the feeling off, looking at Lorelei and wondered what her plan of action was.

"I will find us lodging, do not worry." He said, nodding his head and then turning again on his heel. He began moving quickly in the general direction of the front gate, intent on finding a place for the two of them to rest.

It wasn't long before Lloyd felt the particular feeling of someone stalking him. With a silent sigh, Lloyd slowed his pace and placed a hidden hand on the hilt of his sword. From out of several alley-ways, several small groups of men emerged, each with various weapons, or improvised one for the matter. The lead man, a larger than normal person, roughly seven feet tall, moved forward and sneered at Lloyd.

"We don't like mages outside of the walls of the college. What're you doing out here, wimp?" He said, the sneer fitting into his tone of voice.

Lloyd didn't say anything. He didn't need to. His course of action was already set, his knowledge of the temper of men and how in a rush how they would fight, putting him further ahead then any of the would be ruffians about.

It didn't take long before the lead man got agitated with Lloyd's lack of response. He made the foolish mistake of sending in several of his lessers to "teach him a Lesson." The three who moved forward were disarmed before one could blink an eye, Lloyd's sword flashing in the setting sun's light. Each of the weapons clattered to the ground in pieces, and each man stood staring at the man who previously hadn't been armed.

The leader roared in anger and shouted for the group of men to rush Lloyd. It was at this Lloyd decided that this was enough. Taking his sword, Lloyd placed the tip to the cobblestone below him and pushed down, sinking the blade into the stone itself. With both palms before him, Lloyd wove a quick and precise spell, releasing it with a flick of both wrists. Each of the men halted in their advance and were suspended in mid-air, each of their weapons falling from their hands and hitting the cobblestone, but without a sound.

"Enough of this foolishness. I am no mage, nor am I a part of the college here in this town. Continue to pursue me at the danger of your own lives, for I will not show you quarter again. Now, leave me." Lloyd said, ending the spell and allowing each of the men to fall over themselves to the ground.

With that, Lloyd stepped over the form of a man who had unfortunately fallen onto his head an was struck unconscious. He proceeded without any further problems to his destination, a small inn near the entrance of the city. A simple inn, the Inn of the White Peak, family owned and operated, the patrons paying no heed to a traveler. Even the Innkeeper welcomed Lloyd warmly, not asking who he was or where he was from. Lloyd payed for the two rooms and thanked the kindly man who stood as innkeeper.

(Note. Disregard this next paragraph if you're having Lorelei follow Lloyd.)

When he entered his room, Lloyd closed the door quietly and slid the bolt in place. Weaving a quick spell, Lloyd located Lorelei in the town. Weaving a continuation of the spell, Lloyd opened a small portal near Lorelei, smaller then viewable, but large enough for his voice to carry through.

"I have paid for room and lodge at the Inn of the White Peak. Speak to the Innkeeper about a man in a black traveler's cloak. He should give you a key to the room numbered 4. This room is directly next to mine, which is Room 3." Lloyd said.

He ended the spell, and kindled the small fire that was going in the hearth in his room. Then, sitting in the middle of the carpet, Lloyd fell into a meditative state, resting and focusing his energies for the journey ahead.

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[Felypsa]

Whatever other reservations or suspicions Lorelei had for her unexpected traveling companion, she could not argue with the logistical benefit that he had money. As a countryside sorceress, Lorelei survived by making simple trades of spells for food, but here in the city of mages, that kind of currency was as useless as cardboard coins.

Lloyd casually tossed his pack into a portal, a process which Lorelei eyed with a mixture of fascination and apprehension. The scholar in her was still greatly interested in this form of magic that he used, but the pragmatist in her wanted to know the limits of his power. Their causes might align for now, but should that ever change, Lorelei would like to know as much about what he could do as possible. For now, she had to stick to her own observations. Using portals as a dimensional storage space seemed to be one use of his ability.

That was never more apparent than when they headed to the market together. Lorelei could see that Lloyd’s unusual power had an effect even on Ebernum residents. They were used to and accepting of most magic, thanks to the college, but these portals were something that they had never seen before—and it made them nervous. Luckily, there was nothing quite more persuasive than payment, and Lloyd managed to talk his way into purchasing all the items they needed. Lorelei did not have to do much at all, except stand back and watch carefully as he stored each purchase into the portal space.

She raised a delicate eyebrow as Lloyd pulled two gold bars seemingly out of nowhere to pay for it all. Well, he had a bit more money than she had expected. Where did he get it all? The more she saw of him, the more questions that were raised. Was he a mercenary? A noble traveling incognito? An accomplished thief?

With the general supplies acquired, Lorelei herself was all set to get going, but Lloyd said that they would need to stay the night. She frowned. The urgency of what might be happening to Misty was ever-present in her mind, especially after that vision Lloyd had showed her. She did not know for sure if the nightmarish beast they witnessed had anything to do with her daughter’s whereabouts, or how they might be connected, but if there was the slightest possibility that they were…Lorelei did not want to dally one minute more than necessary.

She crossed her arms over her chest as Lloyd made his arguments. He was suggesting armor, and even a weapon. Lorelei tried to remember the last time she had bothered to don armor and fight with something like a sword or bow and arrow, and the answer made her feel old indeed. Magic was her primary defense and offense both, and in all the adventures she’d had in her youth, it had always been enough. But this was a very different sort of adventure. She wasn’t embarking on some quest for the purpose of excitement or experience. Everything that she had ever loved in her life was at stake, and the danger seemed much higher than she’d ever known.

And she’d fought a dragon on her own. And won.

“Very well.” Her tone was curt, businesslike. She wasn’t annoyed at Lloyd; though she still couldn’t trust him fully, she could sense that his heart was in the right place with this. “We shall meet again tonight.” She nodded to him before turning to seek out the blacksmith and finish her own errand for preparation.

Aside from the knife that she used to skin or clean animals, and the flute the enabled her power, Lorelei had no physical weapon. Being uncertain as she was, she avoided the main blacksmith in the market and headed to a much smaller, lesser-known shop on the outskirts of the shopping district. She was not sure if Tobin would still be there, considering it had been about twenty years since she had seen him last. There was no guarantee that the apprentice blacksmith she had flirted with in her youth had taken over the shop, or if his master, Juren, was still slaving away at the forge in his old age.

She was fully bracing herself for change, or for the shop to be gone altogether, but to her surprise, the scene that she entered upon was almost an exact mirror of what it had been twenty years ago, except with the players aged: Juren, his beard as impressive as ever, only white now instead of black, sat in the corner of the shop and bellowed over at Tobin, who was overseeing the forge: “Customer, Tobin, get your lazy ass out here!”

A small smile tugged at Lorelei’s lips, and she felt like a girl again, curtseying before the eternal grumpiness of Juren. “What, you don’t even want to talk to an old friend?” she asked, pushing her head back, hoping that she had not changed so much that the old blacksmith would not recognize her. Juren turned, squinting at her, and blinked. “I know you, don’t I?”

“Lorie?” Tobin had come over now, and gave a loud laugh when he saw her. “I don’t believe this! How are you? What brings you back to Ebernum?” Lorelei gave a rueful smile as she stepped up to give him a hug. “A quick conference with an old professor, but I’m afraid I’m headed out again.”

“Lorie?” Juren repeated. “You mean that pretty witch who wouldn’t leave you alone? I’ll be damned.” He snorted and stared at her. “You’ve got lady balls coming out here again, Miss Lorie. Ain’t a mage can walk the streets safely when the sun goes down these days. That damn cult fanaticism has even spread this far to addle the brains of the locals. ‘Purge the magic,’ tuh! Nonsense.”

Lorelei frowned. “What do mean, cult fanaticism?”

Tobin was shaking his head. “It’s a new religious creed making its way through the world. Country folk have always been wary of people like you, but now it’s infecting the cities as well. Roadside preachers talking about needing to purify the human race of the taint of magic. Even in a city as enlightened as Ebernum, with the mage college right there, people are starting to gab about this belief. Not much has been done about it, but you hear about a few attacks at night on mages who are just walking about, doing their business.” He gave her a serious look. “You should be careful, Lorie.”

Her heart clenched tightly, and she gave a pained smile. “I’m no stranger to an entire city full of people wanting to hurt me for who I am.” I was even married to someone like that. And I left my gifted daughter with him… “But being careful is why I’m here. I’m going on an extended journey, Tobin, and I need some armor to protect me.”

He looked concerned, but gave a nod. “It’ll be our pleasure. I just hope you aren’t getting yourself into too deep of trouble.” Unfortunately, Lorelei could not answer that; mainly because she did not really know what she was getting herself into.

- - - - -

Having spent the evening catching up with Tobin and Juren, and being fitted for some light armor, Lorelei was starting to wonder where Lloyd had gotten to when he contacted her suddenly, out of nowhere. She could not help but jump when his voice drifted out of the air, and it took her a little while to find the portal from whence the voice came, and by then, it was gone. Lorelei stood where she was and shook her head. That sort of thing was going to take some getting used to.

She knew the inn of which he spoke, at least, and made her way over there. Once she was checked in, she paused by Number 3, and quietly opened the door. Lloyd seemed to be asleep, however, though he was sitting upright in the middle of the room. Lorelei could tell he didn’t want to be disturbed, so she went to her own room. Sitting on her bed, she let out a sigh and reached into her robe, before pulling out the weapon that she had purchased from Tobin and Juren.

It was a rapier, its blade long but light. It was a style of sword that was popular in Escavas, as she recalled, though she had never used one before. Knowing that sleep would come hard tonight, Lorelei decided to review what she knew about swordfighting, which was not much. But again, she did not plan on using this weapon unless there were no other options possible.

Using her flute, she played a long strain of melody, complex notes weaving in and out and creating a rudimentary illusion before her. It was a vaguely humanlike hologram wielding a sword. It wouldn’t be much of an opponent, but Lorelei simply wanted to get used to the feeling of fencing again, to remind herself what worked and what wore out her muscles too soon, and to get used to the feel of the rapier in her hand.

After about an hour of this private practice, Lorelei finally felt the deep fatigue of the day settle on her, and she set the weapon aside, dismissed the illusion, and collapsed into bed. No dreams, she prayed.

But this was not to be.

- - - - -

When morning finally dawned, Lorelei felt rested, but distracted. Her head throbbed slightly as if she were hungover, but she had not had a drop to drink last night, so it must have been the residue of her nightmares. Cruel black birds had attacked her, her daughter had screamed and burned, and one of Lloyd’s portals had swallowed her up into eternal darkness. Such visions danced around her head now, and Lorelei willed them away as she got ready for the day ahead.

They were mere dreams, after all.

Once she made sure she had everything with her, she stepped out of the room and checked on Lloyd. Perhaps he was already having breakfast, but either way, Lorelei hoped they would not dally longer. She felt the weight of knowledge that the road ahead of them was long.

oOc| holy novel, Batman >> I guess I got carried away, sorry!