King's Forest

You are standing in the edge of the King's Forest. Sunlight filterslazily through the branches here, providing you with the neccesary light.All around you you can hear the sounds of animals, birds chirping, squirrels barking, etc etc, but you can not seem to find exactly wherethe sounds are the sounds are coming from. A small path leads off to the west.

Kaze walks along the path, gently leading Razz around an overgrown root,"Well, this is a forest. Not the best in the world... But what can one do."

Razz nodded. "I don't care," she said. "Thank you."

Kaze pauses for a moment, looking a bit worried then returns his face toit's previously pleasant expression, "Like trees?"

Razz nodded again. "It reminds me of home..." She slipped her hand out of Kaze's grasp, and gingerly stepped her way over to a tree. Placing a hand on its trunk, she settled her back against it and sat down, closing her eyes...

Kaze throws his now dirty cloak on the ground and kneels upon it, his leftleg folded underneath him, his left hand clasped over his right knee. Kazelooks over at Razz and studies her rather intetly for a moment, then turnshis attention skyward, "It is a beautiful place, sometimes."

Razz's head gave a slight tilt, has if she had given the barest hint of a nod. Her eyes remained closed, and her body still. Her breathing slowed to a gentle pace, almost as if she's sleeping... It's comforting... listening to the sound of a tree's breathing... slow... whispering the secrets of many long years... of strength... and endurance...

Kaze sits down completely and crosses his legs one over the other, his eyesreturning to Razz as he clasps his hands together, just watching her.

Razz stayed still for the longest time, listening to the whispering of the tree... a sound that cannot be heard, but felt. And she was still, as if she had became a part of the tree... There were moments when strings of tears would fall from her closed eyes, but she never made a sound.

A long time passed until the elfling finally opened her eyes again. Slowly, but that did not seem to wake her completely from her trance... after all, she is blind.

Kaze starts humming under his breath, barely audible as to not interruptRazz, his hands come up and he begins to form a small ball of black energy,a ball which he slowly expands and contracts, warps and weaves inta ball which he slowly expands and contracts, warps and weaves into various shapes, his look that of intense concentration.

Razz took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. That seemed to wake her up considerably. Tentatively, she tested her voice. "Aah... What time is it?"

Kaze blinks and the half-formed ball of energy slingshots into thedistance, Kaze watches it for a moment with a rather surprised look on hisface then turns to Razz, "Ah... It'd be... a bit past noon? I don't know...lemme... find a watch."

Razz looked up as the energy ball shot out of Kaze's hand. "What was that?" she asked, with a look of confusion.

Kaze holds up either hand, "A dragoon skill. It's... Using ones very soulto forge a weapon with which to fight our... ahem.. enemies."

Razz asks: So... what did you do?

Kaze grins a little, "Well, being at a disadvantage over other warriors, Ineed to perfect the skill of forming that energy, into various weapons andshapes which would be of use to me... I was sort of concentrating a bit toohard trying to make it into a sphere you see, and you surprised me... so Irather lost my hold on it... and it flew off into the forest... It'llprobably just dissipate once it gets too far away from me.

Razz says: Oh. I'm sorry.

Razz ask: Why are you at a disadvantage over other warriors?

Kaze chuckles slightly and pushes his hair from his eyes, "No reason to besorry.. and as for that...." Kaze holds up his 'hands' again, "Well,because I only have my left hand to work with... I guess you haven'tnoticed because I tend to keep my right arm under my cloak... But it'srather encased in a large cylinder of... something akin to gold... I'm alsounder a bit of a spell, you see."

Kaze clears his throat and runs a hand over the golds surface.

Kaze looks at himself.

Razz looked slightly confused. "What kind of spell?" She asked. It took her a couple seconds before she'd figured out that there probably was something wrong with Kaze's right hand.

Kaze laughs slightly, shaking his head, "Well, which would you like to hear about? Seems I've lived long enough to be put under a few, really. One of them made me lose the basic use of my right arm and hand... I was, united you could say, with a weapon... a very powerful weapon. It is my burden to carry this weapon and keep it from others. I don't particularly enjoy power like some do..." Kaze runs his hand along the golds surface again, tracing out little shapes, "But it has served me well when I need to defend myself and others... The other one... well... That one is best just not talked about I think..."

Razz nodded. "Okay...." She pushed her back off the tree, but remain seated in its roots. Releasing a heavy sigh, she turned her face back to him again. "Thank you... I'm sorry if I kept you waiting..."

Kaze shrugs indifferently, "I don't mind waiting, it seemed important, and I enjoyed the company. Even if it was silent. Take your time, Razz. The kingdom will run with or without me there. I'm quite fine spending time out of doors instead of inside one of those stuffy chambers."

Kaze stands up and picks his cloak up off of the ground, beating the dust out of it quickly then throwing it over his shoulders, clasping it into place, "The ocean is nearby, I've known the waves to be a relaxing sound to my ears. Care to listen to the waves with me, Razz?"

Razz nodded. "Okay."

Kaze extends a hand towards Razz, both to help her up and to guide her, "Shall we, then?"

Razz stood up and dusted herself off a bit, before taking Kaze's hand. "Okay."

Sandy Beaches

You stand on the white sandy beaches, on the eastern shore of the InlandSea. From your viewpoint here, it would seem that the entire world is atpeace. Unfortunately, that is not the case, but you could stay here andlive in your own little dream world if you want.

Kaze leads Razz gently along the beach, taking care not to move too quickly or to kick up any sand, he then stops under a single small palm tree on a part of the beach.

Razz slipped her small hand out of Kaze's again. With careful steps, in case she ran into any obstacles, she made her way over to the lapping waters. Crouching down to take her shoes off, she allowed the foamy waves to touch her bared feet, cooling them.

Kaze leans against the tree and closes his eyes as he tilts his head back, a small sigh escaping his lips as he listens to the waves, he then mutters softly to himself, "Yes... spells.. any spell can be broken... isn't that true... mother?" He asks, as he twists the small bauble of his necklace around.

Kaze straightens up and looks over at Razz, "Beautiful, isn't it? The sound of the ocean, the feel of the sea breeze. The tang of salt in the air."

Razz stepped further into the sea, the water coming up to her calves. She was mindful enough to pull her robe up to her knees with one hand... when a familiar melody seems to manifest from the sounds of the ocean... Where had she heard it before...? "Ice thaws out in heat and becomes water.. water boils away into gas..." She repeated the words of the strange old man she'd met outside of that bar one day to herself. The sea... seems to be calling to her, somehow...

Razz seems to not hear Kaze's words... and steps farther out to the ocean, still. The water coming up well over her knees now, wetting her robe... but she wanders still...

Kaze tilts his head to the side, watching Razz curiously and readying himself to run to her if need be, but keeping himself still, just... watching.

Razz walked further out still... The sounds of the waves crashing are nearer now... Her body wavering as the sea did, the water over her chest, and rapidly climbing over her shoulders. But Razz doesn't seem to notice... she just kept on following the call of the sea in a trance like state... the call seems to promise to rid her of pain... of guilt... until a wave crashed down over her head, and she disappeared from view.

Kaze unclasped his cloak and threw it to the side in midstep as he ran towards the ocean and the suddenly vanished Elfling. His heavy steps splash through the water as he takes a running dive into the water just to the side of where she had gone under, he then looks around for her and reaches out to her when he finds her, trying to grab her.

Razz's eyes are closed against the water... her long, black hair spread out in the sea water... the current of the sea pulling her limp body even further away from the shore. And she drifts, without struggling...

Kaze grumbles under his breath, quickly forming a spear of energy in his hand and cutting away the buckles of his boots, the footwear quickly falling off and being swept away with the current. Kaze then begins to swim towards Razz and wraps an arm around her, trying to drag her to the surface, though having difficult wearing a half suit of armor.

Razz seems to have lost consciousness some time during her drift in the sea, as she doesn't seem to be reacting to much of anything.

Kaze continues to struggle towards the not so far away shore, so he hopes, keeping both his head and Razz' above the water level, but looking none too happy about things....

Justin's skills at tracking are... minimal, to say the least. Tracking of the sort hunters practice, anyways. But the Conerian citizenry are an observant lot, mind, and the king is an easy person to recognize, and it didn't take /that/ much effort to extract their general whereabouts from the populace. You can imagine how happy he is with the scene that greets him.

Kaze drags Razz out of the ocean, lifting her easily up and into his arms... he then walks over to his cloak and kicks it up from the ground and into the air, with a quick bit of juggling he manges to catch it and quickly wrap Razz in it, he then listens carefully, "Yup... still breathing.. sort of... Of course... it wouldn't have let her die anyway..." he says to himself as he looks around for his boots.

Kaze pauses then looks thoughtful for a moment, "At least, I doubt it would... ah well..."

Razz starts, and coughs, hacking violently, ridding herself of the sea water that had gotten into her during her little drift at the sea. After a moment of more fierce coughing, she curled up and started crying, God knows why.

Kaze smiles a little, "Well, at least you are still alive." He then walks over to the singular tree and places Razz on the ground. Kaze stays next to her and quickly removes a small package from a side pouch, places it on the ground, then pulls something that looks like a zippo from his pocket and lets the packets corner. The package quickly catches fire and is soon a rather merrily blazing affair, the day not too far from evening.

Justin attempts to make use of some of the elemental mastery he's worked so hard to achieve; parting the seas is not withing the scope of his talents, but, fortunately, Kaze's covered that already. He /can/ summon some warmth for her-- for /them/, however. And donate his own cloak. And hold off the questioning for now; other matters press. He reaches out for her, hesitant a moment, and wraps his arms around her.

Kaze raises a hand to Justin in something near greeting, "Salutations, Justin." Kaze says in a rather conversational tone, though not very merrily.

Razz's sobbing ended abruptly when she felt - Justin? Picking her up off the ground. "Justin?" She asked, not at all expecting him to be here.

The small amulet around Kaze's neck gave a gentle pulse of red light, Kazethen quickly covers it and turns his back to the other two, his voicewhispering softly, in a language that doesn't sound quite like it'senglish, "Yes.. yes I know.. I'm sorry... no.. she's fine... I willMother... don't worry." He then turns around and begins to dust the sandoff of himself, awaiting what was probably soon to come.

Justin nods, but remembers to confirm vocally only after a moment. "Yes. Finally tracked you down. If you didn't want me along, you need only have mentioned." He draws a long breath, releases. "Would either of you like to explain what happened?"

Kaze scratches the back of his head and looks skyward, "I had... a memorial built... for the child..." Kaze looks over at Justin, "I felt she should go alone. She wasn't the one whom left you without word. I got her out without you knowing." Kaze then turns to the side and walks over to the tree, picking up a small stone, "We walked around for a bit, and ended up here. She then, decided, to go for a swim." and with that, kaze throws the rock out into the water and it skips over a wave before going under with a 'thock'.

Kaze says: Either she can't swim, or chose to just not swim. But you saw what it ended up as.

Kaze idly wrings out his shirt, shaking free some of the water which has found its way into his armor.

Justin shall not comment on the patent falsehood of 'got her out without you knowing'. Truth be told, the issue isn't /that/ big. "Huh. Are you alright, now? Ah, both of you?" He appends, although his original query was plainly directed at Razz.

Kaze ignores the question, as the fact that he is standing and wringing out his clothes should clearly give an answer to the inquery. Kaze looks down at his bootless feet and sighs, rather dramatically, then looks back up at Justin, "You should have told me someone was following you when I first invited you into the castle. I could have started preparing then."

Justin nods, slowly. "Perhaps so. With respect due, though, I can't imagine any preparations you'll make will matter, unless you've got Ancients on the payroll." He frowns faintly. "Ah... somehow, though, that doesn't seem quite as unlikely as it might..."

Kaze shrugs indifferently, raising his left hand to show the ring placed upon it, "A knight of Death, at your service. Personal Vanguard of Lord Raven. I've been told that your problem, and my Lord, have met before."

Kaze snickers softly to himself.

Kaze runs his hand through his hair and shakes out the last of the water, his figure looking more like a soggy and unhappy panther then a regal king.

Justin manages a faint, bleak grin. "Indeed. Quite a battle, I'm told it was. Aid at that level I would hesitate to petition for, but certainly not to accept."

Kaze nods his head, then looks towards the sun, "She's had quite the day though. I'm Sure she'd been tired, and we can talk more once she's been... dressed more warmly perhaps. I doubt catching a cold would brighten her current disposition."

Kaze looks Justin up and down, "I'm sure you can carry her yourself, unless you'd like help? If not... Perhaps moving to the castle would be best."

Razz shook her head, and pushed herself up. A bit shakily, but there wasn't any major problem. She doesn't know quiet what to say, really, so she remained silent. Her stance, however, made it quiet clear that she can walk by herself... Though it might be a good idea to hold her hand to prevent her from tripping over a stone or falling down a flight of stairs...

Justin will trust Razz about her readiness, and content himself with handholding, quite so. "Well. Lead on, then. The chill does rather penetrate. Can't imagine it's any better soaked, no."

Kaze walks into the room, lighting the various candles around the room, and starting up a decent fire in the fireplace.

Kaze says: Come in, come in... You two will be staying here from now on.

Justin enters, with Razz mostly in tow, and attempting to convey a suitable state of impressment. "Stunning, truly. Thank you." Releasing Razz, for a moment, he searches out the cloak-rack and divests himself of his broadsword.

Razz pauses at the door, and sneezes, her robe still... mostly wet. As is her hair.

Kaze pauses and snaps his fingers, a maid appearing as if from no where, Kaze quickly talks with her and points at Razz, muttering a few other instructions to her. The maid then quickly leaves and Kaze turns to his two guests, "Yes.. this room is a bit better suited to you two I think. Warmer and such."

Justin shrugs elaborately. It never much bothered him. "I, ahh, hope we aren't casting you out into the frigid night, or somesuch."

Kaze quirks an eyebrow, "Frigid night? No no, Gwen can't usually find me when I'm asleep..." he says rather absent as he moves over to the fireplace, "So, what brought you to Coneria, anyway?"

Justin chills visibly. "Well. You understand that we're being pursued, yes. By one 'Crulath'. An ancient. We were foolish enough to try to stand against him ourselves once, and the Blades payed dearly for that. So we've been in constant motion since."

Kaze scratches his cheek and mutters to himself, "Stalked by an Ancient, eh? Now that is quite the problem there."

Razz just stands, her head hung. There isn't a lot that she can say, really, and at any rate she's still quiet wet... her own fault entirely, once again. A soft sigh escaped her, but she's content to let Justin do all the talking...

A maid walks in with some clothing over her arm and taps Razz gently on theshoulder, pointing her off into a side room.

Justin nods solemnly. "We had... thought, that we'd been doing quite..." He trails off, frowns after Razz a moment. "Er, we thought we'd been doing well hiding from him, but he had no trouble whatsoever finding her at the Inn. So."

Razz faced the maid, her eyes open out of habit. But she completely misses the pointing gesture. "Yes?" she asked.

The maid pauses for a moment, then clears her throat, "Uhm, there is a roomto your right. I have some clothes for you... You can change in there..."

Kaze turns and leans against the fireplace, "Yes... I can see your problem... And I can see why you are afraid of him. I'm sure we can protect her here, though."

Razz nods. "Okay." She waits for the maid to start, and follows.

Justin ...nods, slowly. "Well. We'd be foolish to refuse your aid, in any case. Ahh, but, he did level our tower, even /with/ the aid of your Lord. I should hate to see this palace wrecked similarly."

Kaze shrugs, a rather unconcerned gesture, "I doubt it would get that bad and if it did... well, castles can be rebuilt, and it'd give the people something to do."

A small hand taps Razz on the shoulder, making not a sound.

Razz started slightly at the touch, and turned her head over to the person who'd touched her, an inquiring expression on her face.

Queala speaks, barely above a whisper, "Hello, child. I saw you take thatlittle swim earlier today... next time you should... plittle swim earlier today... next time you should... paddle."

Razz only looks more confused still.

Queala chuckles a little, "You were told by another that I'd come to talkwith you."

Justin too has about run out of things to say. Wait, wait, no he hasn't. "I, ahh, wonder if we shouldn't see about getting word back...to...uhm. Razz?" He circles round a bit to see what's holding her up. "Oh." Shrug. "Evening."

Razz says: Another...

You ask: The old man outside of the bar?

Queala nods slightly, her lips turning up in a smile, "A bar... Fitting for him..."

Razz waits quietly, not knowing what else to do.

Kaze glances over at Justin, "Get word back to whom?"

Queala sits on a small stool in the corner of the room, "Sit child, there is a stool 3 steps to your left."

Razz complies, and edges to her left until she found the stool, and sat down.

Queala clasps her hands together and tilts her head at Razz, "So, child. Itseems you tried to swim earlier today, correct?"

Razz lowered her head, and said not a word.

Justin peers over Razz's shoulder at the girl, and wonders what all this 'old man' business is, until Kaze interrupts his musings. "Oh. The Blades. I don't know if Mirai said anything about our wellbeing to them. She, ahh..." He breaks off, and peers over his shoulder at the two girls in the corner.

Kaze continues to talk, ignoring the newcomer pointedly, "We can send word anywhere you'd like. I know my messengers have beeen bored as of late."Autosave.Justin frowns, slightly. "Mallora? That's a bit of a walk, usually."

Queala reaches over and raises Razz' face to hers, "Don't worry, child.There is nothing wrong with what you tried to do... The important thing isthat you didn't succeed."

Razz cringed a bit as the woman reached out and lifted her face up, but she allowed it. That isn't to say that she isn't still rather ashamed of her earlier actions... though why she does, she does not know.

Justin could not agree more, but he's really rather interested to know where this girl found all this out.

Kaze shrugs slightly, turning his back on the room, "That isn't too far, really. If you want to send a message, don't hesitate to ask."

Queala continues to look Razz in the eyes, "Do you know why you did it?"

Alfghar sighs sleepily from the shadows, "Although, by asking, you are giving the message up to the whims of the messenger, which might not be that good of an idea, given the present circumstances."

Razz isn't all that bothered by the woman looking into her eyes, really... it's not as if she could see her do it. She was about to speak when another strange new voice in the room startled her, and she turned to face Alfghar.

Justin goes a bit still for precisely a slow count of ten, and then sighs, heavily. "True, very true. I was more considering going myself, but..."

Kaze sits down in a small chair in the corner, facing the rest of those gathered in the room, his attention particularly on the lunar, someone he had seen before... his left hand flexes slightly, small fragments of energy forming and dissapating with every flex.

Queala makes a tsking noise under her breath, "Razz, please answer me. Ican remove the distractions if I have to."

Justin prefers to stand, yes, he does. With hands thrust into pockets, and being quite pointedly not distracting in the least. Although, and yes, he's a bastard for thinking it, he'd love to see how far this child would get with Razz if she 'removed' /him/.

Razz turned her face back. "Sorry," she muttered, and lowered her head again. "I... I wanted to... I heard... the ocean calling me... and I wanted to stop feeling... what I'm feeling..." she managed to say in a voice that almost died down to a whisper.

Queala nods and pauses for a moment, "Calling, you say? You do know...that... You would have never succeethat... You would have never succeeded that way, even if you were alone...right?"

Alfghar being the person that she is, decides to stay. Screw it, she has had a pretty rough day so far, and it does not look like it is going to get any better. She decides that she can better observe in a corner, with a chair under her. Yes, that works quite well.

Razz shook her head. "I don't."

Queala puts a hand over Razz's hand, "Whenever you are in trouble, that gift you were given, it calls out to others like yourself. You are never quite alone. That's how I found you so quickly. Usually it takes us a while to hunt down those we are looking for... Master is a bit vague... well, horribly vague most of the time."

You ask: Others like myself?

Queala nods slightly, "Others whom were given a gift like that crystal youcarry. There are... two others as of now..."Queala thinks and chuckles, "And well, the us four originals, of course."

Razz blinks, unsure where this is going.

Justin doesn't smirk, but he thinks it. Does she really suppose she'd subject herself to cold and wet and miserable if she knew it wasn't going to accomplish anything? Honestly. He feels he ought to be a little more supportive, somewhere, here-- gods, but he's been useless recently-- but, yah, removing the distractions. ...Uh. Four original what?

Queala leans closer to Razz, "Do you know why you were given that crystal?"

Queala, in a fit of rather unregal annoyance, smacks herself in the forehead with the palm of her hand and begins to mutter something under her breath which is quite obviously harsh and not meant for sensitive ears, shethen calms herself, "Ah... So he's even being vague with those he chooses these days..."

Alfghar shoots a glance over towards Kaze, "Whilst they converse, mind updating me on the situation with Eikigou?"

Razz was startled by the woman's reaction, but remains seated, and attentive.

Kaze sits back idly in his chair, holding up a small golden pellet and looking through it's clear glass casing, staring at Queala through the crystalline surface, twisting the pellet this way and that to let the light shine over it... "Eikigou... Eikigou... Oh yes... he shant be a problem... Or at least, I was assured he wouldn't be a problem... He and I had a nice little heart to heart one could say..."

Justin begins to pace, quietly, slowly. Maybe if he's really lucky everyone will keep ignoring him, and he can just stand here and absorb information for a while.

Alfghar shrugs.

Alfghar says: Because when Koden and myself talked with him, he was rather unreceptive to our ideas.

Queala clasps her hands and forces herself to regain composure, "In this world, there are three large forces. There is the light, there is the dark, and then there are the elements which the world is made up of. The light and the dark are active forces. Changing the way people think and forcing the world to react to them. The elements themselves are a passive force. existing for the sole purpose of existence."

Kaze raises an eyebrow at Alfghar, "Your ideas?"

Alfghar says: We wanted him to die, and he had other ideas.

Alfghar says: Or should I say, some sort of protection.

Justin stifles a cough. He should think that he'd have other ideas. Really.

Razz listens attentively, not speaking unless asked to.

Kaze grins wryly, "You mean to say that Askacia the meatshield has an ally? How quaint.."

Alfghar says: SOMETHING kept saving him from utter death and destruction, and I am pretty sure it was not of his own doing.

Queala pauses and looks at those gathered, then shrugs them off, unimportant after all, "Up til lately, the forces have been rather balanced. Things have remained passive and the people were allowed to livein moderate peace. As of late though, both the dark and the light have begun to stir. This time, though... this time the elements have decided to not sit idly by and let themselves be used. I, as well as my friends, have been looking over the keystones to the elements, the elemental orbs, for quite... a long while now... We have protected them with our lives and have grown to become a part of them. But we can't keep it up forever... It's why we have to ask those whom have the ability... have the power, to take hold of their own destiny, and whom are strong enough to help reshape the world... to help us... By taking our places when they are able..."

Kaze says: You don't say? Well, I suspect if it was something saving him, it probably had other reasons then just wanting him alive. Askcacia tends to lack any real purpose while living. Maybe it was keeping him alive so he can fatten up before becoming lunch...

Razz starts to get an inkling of where this is going... but remains silent, anyways, in case she's mistaken.

Alfghar says: At any rate, since Koden and I were unable to take care of him, you might have to.

Queala shrugs and opens her hands wide, small blue threads of something akin to water weaving between her fingers, "You, Razz, have been chosen as a candidate to take my place when you have reached the proper place in your life to take such a task on. Destiny is not set in stone, nor is this pre-determined. You can refuse my request and I shall simply wait for another to be found. You can also accept... Either way, the choice is yours to make, as no one else can control your true destiny."

Kaze says: ..Oh? Feh, that'd be a bother... I think I'll at least allow him to finish training the troops. Shields of meat have their use in an army, at least.

Alfghar asks: ...That would not do, for a few reasons. Mainly, since DARKWOOD tried to kill him, I do not think we have his loyalty any more. Secondly, who is to say that he will now adequately train the troops?

Razz looked somewhat hesitant... She hasn't been around the idea long enough to truly understands what it means to be... whatever this woman is... "Uhm... who are you, exactly?"

Kaze blinks slightly, a look of surprise on his face, "You didn't know? Why, Askacia has a much, much higher loyalty then simply Darkwood or Coneria... and I asked that higher loyalty quite nicely if it'd let it's dog continue his work. I'm sure Eikigou will do his absolute best. Which is not to say much, but proper enough to make meat shields.

Justin doesn't smile, either, but he thinks it. Yeah, who is she, anyways? She certainly speaks like someone with a part to play, and a lot of what she's been saying sounds like the stuff Mirai was telling him about.

Queala tilts her head to the side, "My name is Queala. I'd give you my last name, but it's been so many years since I've ever had to think about it,I've quite forgotten it. But thats simply a name. That isn't what you were asking, was it? I am the guardian of the Orb of Water, third Champion ofthe Elements, child of the earth and a few other titles which quite bore the hell out of me."

Alfghar arcs an eyebrow, "You know...It would be nice to inform your cabinent members of pertinent information, Kaze."

Justin comes to a stop, a few steps away, and looks up. ...Yep, that's her alright. He clears his throat, quietly, and beckons her attention. "Ah..?"

Kaze looks quite frankly surprised, "Oh? You mean I hadn't? It must have slipped my mind... You really should remind me more often you know. So many things to attend to these days, I have so much time and so little to do... Er... so little time and so much to do... Heh."

Alfghar smirks in amusement.

Queala looks up at Justin, the blue fibers weaving between her fingers solidifying and taking shape into something suitably unpleasant looking, "Yes, child?"

Alfghar says: To be quite frank with you. It would be nice to be told the whole truth on occasion, instead of having it shaded slightly. We work towards the same goals, you and I. Neither one of us necessarily goes along with Kesnick because we want to. We have our own plans, that supercede all orders given from our 'superiors'.

Justin has been an ornament on the Tree of Pain, lady, he can take it. "Ah, do you know a Novina?"

Alfghar says: For once, let us be frank with each other.

Queala stops to think for a moment, "Yes, she is a close friend, I dare say a sister."

Kaze leans back in his chair, still spinning the pellet between his fingers, "Do you really want to be frank in front of a priestess of water, and two people whom we hardly have reason to trust with 'frankness', Alfghar? I dare say I'd rather not have everything I know out for the public to peck over at their whim."

Justin nods, slowly. "Ah, a friend of mine wanted to speak with her... you might ask her if she remembers Mirai, when next you see her?"

Alfghar says: I mean at a later time.Alfghar nods over towards the others, "I believe they have an idea what is going on, but thankfully, are not paying much attention to our little chitchat."

Queala steeples her fingers, the threads of water slowly wrapping about herhands, "If I see her, I'll be sure to relay the message. I shant go out ofmy way to deliver it though." Queala then turns back to Razz, "Was that what you wished to know?"

Kaze ponders, "Alfghar, you get into fights a lot, don't you?"

Razz chewed on her bottom lip, wondering... "What exactly would I be doing... If I took over your position?"

Justin is far more attentive than he lets on, make no mistake. Having delivered his message, and successfully avoided a bad case of freezer burn, he returns to his pacing, and listening.

Alfghar says: I have a tendency to aggravate people, yes.

Queala shrugs slightly, "You will be doing what you always do, child. You shall be living your life. The difference being that you will now have a power, a responsibility. You must be ready to protect the power if someone was to come after it. You must learn from the power, and grow with it. Soon... anything is possible."

Razz asks: How would I learn? Would I have a teacher?

Kaze reaches into a small sling pouch at his side and takes out a handpull of small, gold capsules with clear crystal centers, some of which have a silver liquid in them, he then begins dropping the 'full' ones back in the pouch and flicks two empty ones over at Alfghar, "Next time you get in a fight, drop that on the ground. Pick it up after the fight is over, or when it's full... Either way."

Alfghar eyes Kaze as she picks them up, "Can I inquire into the use and purpose of these things, or is it better left unsaid, currently?"

Queala opens her hands again, as if cupping something between them, and the blue fibers weave together into a ball and form a small, flawless sphere,"This will be your teacher." She says simply as she holds the sphere a bit higher, Razz crystal begins to resonate at a different pitch, "You can hear it speak, and it can show you what it wants you to see. It will be your friend, and your guardian. As well as your responsibility and your dependant."

Kaze shrugs slightly, "They are energy capsules. Everything gives off a form of energy, I am simply collecting the energy to further my research. To break a spell, one could say."

Alfghar arcs an eyebrow quizicallt at Kaze.

Razz's psi sense can pick up these crystals... making them remarkable in that alone. She sits silently for a moment, in wonder and amazement. Then, she'd made her decision. "Okay," she nodded. "I think... I will accept this."

Kaze asks: Didn't I tell you my sob story, Alfghar? My beautiful mother being forced into an eternal sleep by a big, bad warlock?

Queala says: Of course, Razz... You will have a final test, to see if youare ready to carry the orb itself... I want to give you time to recover, to grow a bit stronger, then I will be back for you. I warn you though, this test is yours alone. So be prepared to do it alone.

Razz nods, somewhat timidly, yet solemnly at the same time. "Okay."

Queala stands up, the orb vanishing as if it was never there, "I think Ishould go now. This place reeks of Warriors." Queala then bows to Razz,"Til we meet again, Razz. Keep yourself safe. And please, try to swim next time."

Razz lowered her head again. "Okay," she murmured quietly.

Kaze snickers under his breath, "My, wasn't SHE the charming vision of beauty?"

Alfghar shrugs.

Kaze ponders, tapping his chin distractedly, "Though, it seems this castle needs better security measures."

Alfghar says: Might I add that is NOT my area, bug Eikigou about it.

Justin grins, ever so faintly, and ends his pacing at Razz's end of the room, now that her companion has evaporated.emote remains seated, pondering over the day's events.

Razz remains seated, pondering over the day's events.

Kaze stands up from his chair and walks over to a side cabinet, he opens it slowly and pulls out a small crystal bottle, emptying some of the contents into a tall yet slim glass.

Kaze pours some of the liquid into another glass, then puts the bottle downand picks up both glasses in one hand before walking over and placing oneon the table near Alfghar, "Strawberry juice, with a bit of sake. Don'task, it's good."

Alfghar hmms.

Kaze motions to Justin and Razz with his glass, "I'd have asked either of you if you wanted a drink, but for some reason, neither of you look to be drinkers."

Alfghar looks at the glass as she picks it up, and arcs an eyebrow at Kaze curiously, before shrugging slightly, and downing it in one gulp.

Razz turned her face Kaze's way. "What is it?"

Kaze takes a sip from the glass, turning on his heel in mid step, "It's... strawberry juice, spiked lightly with sake. More strawberry then anything, really. I've been trying to stop drinking, so I don't use much sake."

You ask: May I have some?

Justin was judged rightly enough; drink makes him ill. And slow. And he is, in fact, just the sort to complain about his senses being dulled. Just goes to show, I guess.

Alfghar shrugs.

Kaze puts his glass down and walks back over to the cabinet, reoppening the bottle and pouring some into a glass exactly like his own, he restoppers the bottle and picks up the glass, then walks over to Razz and puts it in her hand, before going back to his own drink and sipping it slowly, "I'm sure we can hold off Crulath if he was to come this way. We have enough power under this one roof."

Razz , despite her appearance, /has/ had a few drinks in her life. They were offered to her as sources of warmth a few times, back in her wandering days. And she, quite unlike Justin, would very much like for her sense to be dulled.

Razz almost chokes on her drink at the sudden mention of Crulath's name.

Kaze chuckles softly, looking over at Razz, "Sorry about that..."

Razz shakes her head. "It's okay," she replied weakly, and brought the glass up to her lips again.

Kaze turns and looks over at Justin, "Any idea where he Kaze turns and looks over at Justin, "Any idea where he is right now?"

Justin frowns, and shuts his eyes a moment. And... openes them again, and shakes his head. "Nope. Probably off in his own private dimension. He usually comes fairly directly, I think."

Razz swallows half of her glass, and holds it between her hands. Tightly.

Alfghar smirks slightly, "He has...odd ways of trying to save Delel."

Razz jerks, at that. And she almost spills some of her drink.

One of those freaky Conerian maids glides seemingly out of no where and whispers something in Kaze's ear, she then points at the door and makes a few motions with her hands, whispering all the while.

Kaze drains the rest of his glass and mutters under his breath, putting his glass down, "Tell him to come up here... May as well, it isn't like everyone else hasn't been traipsing through Razz' room tonight..."

Razz's face remains pale from Alfghar's comment, and she holds her glass tighter still.

Alfghar says: Personally, I would think there would be easier methods of gaining power.

Alfghar looks over at Razz, and mutters to herself for a second, before saying, "...I am sorry about that, Razz."

Kaze looks out the window, though the swamp is dark, "Really.. Some people are just simple minded, I guess... But, running won't do much good, not from an ancient... All that will happen.. is he'll catch you some place you aren't prepared to fight at..."

Razz's expression is almost... frightened, somewhat? as she turns to face Alfghar. "What?" Really, how any stranger can just come along and know more about yourself than you'd ever like to...

Alfghar says: Oh...I am sorry, I thought everyone knew my background. I am the head of secur the head of security for Darkwood...That job entails a good bit of surveilance, research, and general stalking, so there is not much that I do not know about.

Kaze snorts, "Stalking is about what it sums up to."Makoto trudges up to the doorway being lead in, walking a few steps into the room. Bowing deeply, "Your Majesty..er.." peering around the room noticing the visitors. "I.. apologize for the intrusion.."

Alfghar waves a hand dismissively at Kaze, "I would like to see you do it."

Kaze waves his hand dismissively, "Intrude, intrude, we've had our share of visitors tonight. Whats brings you here... ah.... Makoto?"

Razz stands up, suddenly, and, finding her way to the table, sets the glass down on it, rather shakily. She looks as if she's trying to say something, but couldn't find the words to do it. So she sighs, and turns away from the table.

Kaze watches Razz out of the corner of his eye, but keeps Makoto in the center of his attention.

Makoto bows slightly to Razz and Justin, "Lady Razz, Sir Justin" turning slightly directly facing Kaze, "I was wondering if you heard any of what Eikigou had to say to me.." noticing the same shadowy figure from time to time ...great, now I feel totally insecure...

Justin grins, a bit unpleasantly. "You ever thought of getting a life? I really can't see that this fascination with other people's affairs is at all healthy..." He trails off, however, and returns a salute for Makoto's bow as he steps a bit closer to Razz, paling slightly.

Kaze scratches his chin, "Eikigou... Eikigou... Now whom was that again...? Oh yes, Askacia..." Kaze looks at the roof, "Now, I can't seem to think of him telling me anything... or even really overhearing anything... Maybe Alfghar would know, I'm sure she's stalked him lately."

Alfghar mutters.

Alfghar asks: Might I remind you that I do not stalk everyone, only certain people?

Alfghar shrugs at Justin.

Alfghar says: If the knowlege of other people's affairs gives me power over them, I am willing to sacrifice a social life to do that.

Alfghar laughs.

Makoto snickers softly. "He asked me, to re-join him." bringing his hands in near his stomach he cups them together, twiddling his thumbs. "I was going to get your stand-point on that point of view, before I continue."

Razz paced to the window, her back to the crowd that's gathering in the room... Really, how might you feel if you feel as if everybody knows who raped you and why?

Alfghar says: I hold no emotions for any currently living, or deceased, person.

Kaze chuckles, "Are you asking me my opinion on good and evil?" Kaze then laughs, "It's all a point of view. Sometimes to just do what is best for you, to make yourself survive, requires evil. Eikigou has ch for you, to make yourself survive, requires evil. Eikigou has chosen his path, As long as he does not turn down the path of slaughtering innocnets, more power to him I say. As for following him. If you belive in him, or his cause, then you should follow him, regardless of what others may think." Kaze shrugs.

Razz placed her hands on the panel of the window.... What a joke, she can't even see out of it.

Kaze goes to stand on the right side of Razz, looking out the window as well, wearing his cloak even inside so it covers the right side of his body, "Not much to see out there, it's too dark, and it's just a dreary swamp anyway. I think this window was put her as more a joke then anything."

Razz lowered her head, and pressed the top of her head against the cool glass surface. "Oh." Was all she said in reply.

Makoto pulls his hands back to his sides nodding slightly. "Well.. Im rather asking so I can see my future without any stalkers..." he coughs slightly trying to clear his throat. "I was his squire before, that proves enough belief in him. Seeing he isnt here.. I was going to speak to you about it, assuming my stand point with you is the complete opposite, no offense inteded.. I wish to return to his side. If you can please" pulling the small quartz fragment from his pocket, squeezing it in his hands. "Tell him so.. I must relieve myself of this treachery object, all lies and dishonest. Thats what the Warriors are."

Alfghar says: Good, and evil are words used by others to catergorize actions, or people. In and of themselves, they mean nothing. It is the circumstances in which they are used that defines their meaning. 'Slaughtering innocents' might be called evil, but then again, what if they were threatening the lives of the royal family? Would killing them be considered 'good'? If you want an opinion on what to do, I believe that Kaze has the right idea. Do what you must to survive, and do not try to catergorize it into the bland terms of good and evil.

Makoto mutters loudly. "I dont need to be at his side to survive!" taking at step back at his sudden outburst ...oh that was smart... "It is my will, returning to his side."

"The view is bleak, and dark right now, but that isn't all, not really...The sunrise is a beautiful thing, the real reason for the window. Don't forget that." Kaze says as he puts a hand ever so briefly on Razz's shoulder, then turns to Makoto and Alfghar, "I will tell Eikigou to seek you out when I see him, which I'm sure will be soon enough." He then turnsto Alfghar, "As for you, ms. Intelligence. I want you to speak with Kesnick about any possible anti-ancient devices we may have stored about. This Ancient isn't very strong, so I'm sure we have some things that may be ofuse."

Justin's head hangs, for a moment, and he speaks, softly, to himself. "Wund abbilss, udos phuul mzild maglust..."

Kaze goes over and sits at the foot of the bed, his new pair of boots looking too new, even to him. Kaze shrugs off his cloak, exposing his right arm completely, "Doesn't life seem like one, continuous battle? Only time enough to rebuild before the fight begins anew."

Kaze traces figures along the flawless surface of his gold encased arm, "Conquest, power, destruction. It seems all that men crave this day and age is to hold sway over others."

Makoto sniggers largely. "Permission to speak freely?" ...oh god...Alfghar says: It seems to be the eternal quest of men, to gain power over others.

Kaze shrugs slightly, "Speak as freely as you wish, as long as it doesn't offend the ears of the women..." Kaze looks over at Alfghar, coughing slightly, "The woman present." he says, with a pointed glance sent towards Razz.

Makoto nods slowly before commenting. "Look at where you are.." sighing softly. "I lost my current battles and now im going against my ways for the same reason I left Eikigou's side.. but now im returning, something tells me I shouldnt have left in the first place.." taking a couple small steps, edging near Justin.

Alfghar nods over to Justin, muttering underneath her breathe, "Kahless naut lil chath da're"

Justin manages a rather thin, bleak grin at this. However, he rather expects that the last thing he ought to trust him to is not speak the language. But... bah. "Jal kahless zhah waela, Alfghar, dos orn zhaun nindel."

Kaze says: Everyone steps on toes as they climb the ladder upwards, one tends to forgive those whom get angry at having their toes crushed. I doubt it's pleasant...Kaze stands up and goes back over to the fireplace.

Makoto smirks slightly, "Toes crushed? How about innocent deaths? Oh.. I forget these meant nothing to you.." he snaps his finger with a discomforting look upon his face. "Forgive the one who saw their faces, as they were murdered."

Justin goes a shade paler yet, and faces Makoto, taking Kaze's side, strangely enough. "Forgive the one with the blade in his hand first, I think."

Kaze looks down at the fire, seemingly unaware of Makoto's statement, "keti amei miikoid" he mutters under his breath, he then snaps his head up and looks over his shoulder at Makoto, "I ended the lives of none but Ethon on that day. He deserved it, as he spent his life sending the innocent and unwitting to do his tasks for him."

Makoto snickers softly, taking a step back with his hand tracing the hilt of his sword. "You ended a KINGs life.. can I ask how you honestly go on every day knowing you killed royalty? Honestly.. it puzzles me.. or even telling others to kill innocents if you have to, that is all I ask." Lowering his head, he sighs softly ...I should just leave, and await Eikigou's word...

Kaze shrugs, "I am now royalty, killing me now would be the same as killing me before. It's simply a title. It changes not a man in any way. Except for some, it causes their ego to grow beyond it's normal boundaries."

Makoto chuckles loudly before roaring into a laughter. "You wouldnt be talking about the /queen/ now would you?" smirking softly, adding the complete grip around the swords hilt.

Justin stretches, working out cramps gained by hours standing here, and as he relaxes a sliver of red light gleames from his closed hand. "/Please/, Mako. Not in the /bedroom/, of all places."

Kaze pauses for a moment, a thoughtful look coming over his face, then a perplexed look, then finally a flash of comprehension, "Oh yes, Gwen... I forgot she was the Queen... Silly me. As for her, I wouldn't know, I don't speak with her. She bores me."

Makoto smirks softly. "You dont /talk/ to her or you dont /TRUST/ her?" walking closer to Justin. "I am not about to do anything Justin, and its just a habit..but if you want..we can go outside.. atleast not infront of Razz"

Justin trusts Makoto about as far as Razz can throw him, right now. The sliver of light grows, dagger-sized, and a faint, wholly unpleasant smile spreads across his face. "Any day, Mako, any day."

A faint click is all that can be heard, then a soft humming noise followingby three hollow clicks, suddenly the humming grows louder and Kaze stands across the room, the demon gun awakened on his arm, the triple barreldesign aimed directly at Justin and Makoto, "If you upset my guest, Razz, I'll be forced to upset you. I think you get the drift."

Alfghar smirks at Kaze, "I was waiting for you to do something.

Makoto snickers softly. "You dont remember what happened last time I died.. do you?" ...well a year past and i came back... "I did offer taking this outside also."

Justin stretches again, and the dagger-sized gleam flares into the semblance of a full greatsword. He smiles sunnily, chillingly, at Makoto, and at Kaze, and then opens his hands, allowing the force to fade out. Slowly, still smiling, he raises them over his head. "Here, now. Not in the bedroom, like I said."

Razz had almost been enjoying her little time of peace - if she can possibly enjoy anything right now - when she found that the occupants of the room have a rather different idea. Rather startled, she does seem.

Alfghar is still leaning back in the chair, in the corner of the room, smiling broadly, with her hands behind her head. Quite the picture of apathy, no?

Justin has two guys with weapons staring at him like they want pieces, /he/ can't /possibly/ have started it. Honest. Just look at him.

Razz would look, if she can see, dumbass. The hostility in the room has her rather uncomfortable.

Alfghar arcs an eyebrow in the direction of the warriors, "Having fun, gentlemen? Shall we continue with our discussion, or would you rather beat the shit out of each other with blunt objects for a little while?"

Kaze cracks the barrel open and slips out the three shells, placing them back into their places on his belt, the rifle slowly reforming into its usual flawless and unassuming cylinder, "I don't use blunt objects."

Makoto sighs softly, stepping backwards with the his hand still on the hilt. "If you were in a room with two people as of now who would really rather have you /dead/ and one who helped train me but now on the opposite 'team' would you feel safe? as I said.. its a habit holding the hilt." Muttering to himself, noticing Razz's reactions. "I apologize, Mi'Lady."

Razz gave a slight sigh. Stop calling her that, please. "It's okay."

Kaze mutters under his breath, "I'd rather him quiet then dead, but I guess either way he'd shut up..." he then looks over at Razz and walks up to her, "I apologize, Razz. I guess talking morals gets some people are worked up."

Razz nods slightly. "It's okay."

Kaze turns from Razz and looks over at Makoto, "Yes, Makoto?"

Makoto takes a few steps foreward towards Kaze. "If you see Gwenevere or Jeril before I do, can you send them my way as well, please?" ...why am I still here?...

Kaze dusts off the front of his cloak, "I'll make sure to do just that, Makoto. Now I think... yes, I do think occasionally, that we should let Razz rest. She's had quite the day today, and still needs to recover..." Kaze glances over at Alfghar, "And I think we have a few matters to speak of as well."

Alfghar hmms.

Justin is still smiling, but it's not quite so unnatural any more. Just looks sorta forced. He won't force an apology, though. Better she's angry at him for his honesty than his deceit. Awaiting his turn to speak, he addresses one of his student's points. "We're all on the same 'team' in this room, so far as I'm concerned. Unless one of us is the lord of pain in disguise."

Kaze places a hand on Razz' shoulder and gives it a gentle squeeze, "Good night to you, Razz." he then turns and half bows to Justin, "Fare thee well, to you as well, sir." He then walks towards the door, once again pulling his cloak tightly about himself.

Razz turns and nods at Kaze. "Goodnight... thank you..."

Alfghar says: Well, at this point, seeing as how I am not liked by a certain party in this room, I shall take my leave also.

Makoto asks: You really dont expect me to put my back to Justin, now do you?

Alfghar smirks in amusement.

Alfghar says: Personally, I would put more trust in him than the rest of us.

Alfghar says: At least he is predictable.Alarik appears from nowhere.

Kaze mutters under his breath, "Then put your back to the wall and crabwalk out of the room, it's late and the lady needs to rest. I'm sure I could throw you out the window, I doubt he'd jump down after you."

Alfghar bows slightly, and fades into the shadows.

Justin spreads his hands wide. "Empty, Mako. Honest. Look, my sword's hanging next to the door, even." He returns Kaze's half-bow.

Kaze steps out of the room, muttering something rather unhappy in something vaguely resembling lefeinii.Kaze disappears.

Makoto snickers towards Justin, "Id rather not turn my back and be hit with a spell, but as the stalker claimed." bowing once more to Razz ...er I forget... "Goodnight, Razz." Walking towards the door he slips out with his hand back onto the hilt of his broadsword.

Razz says: Goodnight, Makoto.

Makoto leaves down.

Razz waited until Makoto has shut the door behind him, before going to the table again. Finding her half-full glass, she started drinking it once again.

Justin watches Makoto exit; the smile leaves his face as Makoto leaves the room. His arms drop back to his sides, as what little color he still posesses drains from his face. He drags himself back off to the table, and drops into a chair opposite Razz. "That any good?" he enquires, in a mostly normal, conversational tone.

Razz didn't take a seat. Didn't occur to her, perhaps. Slowly, she nodded. "I like it," she said quietly.

Justin rather strongly suspects that whatever it is in that glass is rather stronger than mostly strawberry juice with a touch of sake, but, well, I mean. In her position, we he the drinking sort, he'd probably want a few stiff ones himself. And there's probably nothing she can get up to that he can't stop her from, anyways.

Justin says: Well. ...well. I /don't/ know how much I trust him, really. Kaze. Alfghar's warning is valid, I suppose, but, well, Raven did stand on our side at the Tower. I'm sure he'll be just rapturous that Crulath is still at it.

Razz finished the glass, but didn't even attempt to pour herself a second. It's rather sweet, but not sickeningly so. A fine vintage. "Was that what you were talking about?"

Justin asks: Amongst numerous other things. Erm. That's what /I/ was talking about. Everyone else had other things to discuss, I gather. Still. Kaze has promised us the best protection he can offer. What do you think of it?

Justin blinks. Well. Can't argue with that. "This is certainly better than an Inn, anyways."

Razz nods. "It is. Tho, how did we get here?"

Justin blinks, again. "Uhm. Kaze traded us here from the Queen's quarters, for a variety of reasons. I suppose it's more secure, perhaps."

Razz says: I mean the castle.

Justin frowns. "You were brought here from the Clinic. At Kaze's insistance."

Razz asks: Why did he do that?

Justin shrugs, elaborately. "No idea. His motivations are difficult to divine. For all I know he thinks you're cute." Personally, he thinks that has a lot to do with it. "Or it could have something to do with that bit of blue glass."

Razz smiled, somewhat bitterly, at the 'cute' remark. "An old man gave it to me, outside the bar."

Justin nods, slowly. "And your friend, there, Queala, explained it a little more for you."emote nods. "Do you know who she is?"

Razz nods. "Do you know who she is?"> > Justin shrugs judiciously. "Somewhat. Mirai knows a friend of hers. The champion of Wind, I believe."

Razz says "ah."

Razz say: I'd seen her once.

Razz nodded, and added a little more. "It was when Mirai lended me that chocobo. She didn't seem to be very nice, though..."

Justin frowns. "Mmm? Mirai was saying how much more approachable than the rest she was." Shrug. "I might've thought we'd have something to talk about... masters of the elements and all... but I'm so far out of their league that I might as well never have studied the elements."

Razz ask: They're that powerful?

Justin nods, solemnly. "When they say absolute control of their element they mean absolute control of their element. Novina could stop all the winds in Eldaria. Queala could freeze the seas, no doubt. My own is, parhaps, greater in range, but the scope is as nothing before theirs."

Razz mulled that over for a bit. "Wow." was all she managed to say.

Justin smiles, slowly. "Wow indeed. I hope you understand just what you're getting yourself into. I don't, and I don't know if I can."

Razz remained silent for a while. "... I can take care of myself, if I become like them."

Razz kept her head pressed against Justin's shoulder. "What makes you say that?"

Justin shrugs his other shoulder. "Long experience and deep personal knowledge."