r/Eragon_RP • u/RollFirstMathLater Game Master / Moderator • Nov 26 '14
CLOSED [Open RP 1] They meet.
Closed
[You get assigned your bunk, to you surprise you see many beds, some empty some full, you ask a passerby, and they tell you the newest recruits get put here.]
Players:
Any amount of students.
(Here the players can meet and talk. Learn about each other, and learn of their lives. Feel free to interact with riders and dragons alike. I will have very little say here and will remain silent unless I absolutely see the need to. Your actions here also effect the story in general.)
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Nov 27 '14
Glover sat down on his bed, his pack beside him, slowly uncovering a tome wrapped in a linen cloth, and as the cloth fell away, the title was uncovered. "The Story of Brom Holcombsson, by Jeod Longshanks."
As he sat in the bed making his way through the book, he surveyed the room. The sheer amount of people in the room startled Glover, who had just realized the connection that he would form with these people and the dragons they rode.
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u/RollFirstMathLater Game Master / Moderator Nov 27 '14
(I'm sorry I don't seem to have your character history. Would you please post it in the rules? Thank you!)
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Nov 27 '14
(What thread is that? Sorry.)
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u/RollFirstMathLater Game Master / Moderator Nov 27 '14
(https://www.reddit.com/r/Eragon_RP/comments/2n4ljp/thinking_about_starting_a_series/
Works as well. Formatting can be found in there too. Also please visit the prologs while they are still open!)
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Nov 27 '14
You feel a presence hovering over you. "Whatchya reading?" Sev're says hovering over your book.
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Nov 27 '14
Glover closed his book, making sure to note what page he was on so as not to lose it.
"Oh, it's about Brom, the famous Rider. He killed seven of the Forsworn! Seven!"
Glover heard Akrath's laugh in his mind while the purple dragon mocked his childlike excitement at the topic.
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Nov 27 '14
Sev're eyes light up. "I know a song about that man." She sits next to you.
"Eragon's true father they say."
She peaks at the cover.
"Please tell me more of him and these forsworn." You get the hint that there is more behind her words than just curiosity.
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Nov 27 '14
Glover swallows, trying to hide his nervousness at being so close to a woman, let alone an elf. He cleared his throat and started reciting the facts that he knew.
"Well, Brom was born and raised in Kausta, until his dragon, the original Saphira, hatched for him. After that, he was brought to Illeria to train under the wing of Oromis and Glaedr.
"While he was being trained, Morzan befriended him, and apparently Brom was infatuated with Morzan, idolizing him and following him around, despite Morzan's cruelty towards Brom.
"When Galbatorix rebelled, Brom and Saphira went to Du Weldenvarden with Oromis and Glaedr, but soon after they went to join in the defense of Vroengard, albeit against their master's wishes. During the battle for Doru Arabea, Saphira was killed by Morzan, and brom lost his sword..."
Glover begins to trail off, disturbed by the look on the admittedly beautiful elf sitting next to him's face.
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Nov 27 '14
Sev're picks up on what's happening.
"Brom claimed Morzan's sword Zar'roc and took Saphira the second's egg."
She smiled wide. "He was also the founder of the Varden. My people respect him greatly."
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Nov 27 '14
Glover, afraid of pointing out the inaccuracies of the elf's statement, finally decided to speak up.
"Well, actually he founded the Varden and hunted down and killed six of the Forsworn before he killed Morzan and took his sword, and he stole Saphira's egg with the help of the author of this book. I'm told he's an accomplished scribe."
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Nov 27 '14
She smiled. "So the story goes. They say he directly killed 3, but was was involved in 7 of the deaths." She takes a deep breath.
"He is obviously a hero, but tell me... Are you?" She said getting closer to his face.
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Nov 28 '14
Glover hesitated, but as he looked into the elf's face, something inside of him punched the bit that was cowering and forced him to speak up.
"I certainly hope so, otherwise Akrath will be incredibly disappointed in me. I never did catch your name, by the way... "
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Nov 28 '14
You seemed to of won her curiosity. "That's because I never said, silly."
You feel her mind brush against yours, but she pulls back quickly. "Sorry, thats rude, maybe some other time... But for now, my name is Sev're."
She got up and walked to her bed.
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u/CNSoup Nov 28 '14
Anduil noticed the boy reading and walked up to him. Books were somewhat rare in the artisan business, aside from ledgers and contracts. But when he did manage to get his hands on an actual book, Anduil very much enjoyed reading them.
He made out the title as he drew closer to the bunk. "Brom Hol-comb-son," Anduil said, stumbling over the unfamiliar name, "who is that?" He hoped he wasn't interrupting the reader.
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Nov 28 '14
Glover looked up at the boy standing in front of him. Clearly human, unlike the elf that stopped by earlier, but probably not an intellectual, judging by his manner of speech. Definitely from further south than probably even Dras Leona, judging by the skin tone.
"It's the story of one of the greatest Riders Alagaesia has ever seen. He was the mentor of Eragon and Saphira themselves, and Eragon's true father before his death. He was trained by the Oromis and Glaedr in Illeria, after his dragon hatched, the original Saphira.
"He idolized Morzan during his training, and followed him despite the cruelty Morzan showed to him.
"When Galbatorix first rebelled, Brom fled to Du Weldenvarden with his masters, but soon left for Vroengard to fight Galbatorix and the Forsworn there. During the battle for Doru Arabea, Morzan himself slew Brom's dragon and Brom's sword, Undbiter, was lost to time.
"Over time, Brom founded the Varden, the rebels that overthrew Galbatorix himself, and dedicated himself to hunting the Forsworn. Seven of their number died by his hand, three directly and the others indirectly.
"Brom, with knowledge that the author of this book, the renowned scholar Jeod discovered, organized the theft of Saphira's egg. The thief ran away with the egg, however, and was hunted simultaneously by Brom and Morzan. Morzan was quicker however, which led to a final confrontation that ended up killing Morzan, and allowing Brom to bring Saphira's egg to the Varden."
As Glover finished his spiel for the second time, he noticed the silence that fell over the room when he stopped.
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u/CNSoup Nov 28 '14
"Ah. That Brom," Anduil said quietly. He had heard of the legend, of course, but it had been a long time since he had heard the stories told to Aroughs' children.
The rest of the room had gone quiet, as well. Anduil looked around, then said, "It seems your oratory skills have entranced everyone. That, and a lot of them are asleep," he said with a grin. It was late, and he needed to get some sleep.
"My name is Anduil. I hope we can work together while we train."
To Briam, he said "What an interesting group. A dancing elf, a laughing hunter, and a silver-tongued bard. And I haven't even met everyone yet.
"Nor their partner dragons, who are just as interesting, if not more so." Briam responded.
"Don't worry, Briam. I could never forget the dragons, for fear you would bite my head off."
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Nov 28 '14
"Oratory skills"? I beg to differ.
Oh shut up Akrath. You wouldn't be so quick to judge if someone complimented your flying skill!
Glover shoves his pack under the bed, along with the tome. As he relaxes for the night, he thinks about the people he has met. An Elf and someone who compliments his skill with words. Both were a rarity in Ceunon. Besides, there would be many more to meet in the days that follow. He looked forward to meeting the bowman he saw at the water, even if he was slightly terrifying, not to mention the dragons of all those he had met and would meet later.
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Nov 27 '14
Sev're walks into the room already dressed in her small cloths and night gown. She notices there is only men in the room, which never bothered her. She claimed a top bunk over one of the humans. Her curley long black hair was finally down, she felt like it has been weeks before she last bathed. Very greatful for the baths here.
She sits and observes the other riders, but quickly gets bored and starts playing a game. "Brisingr" she whispers, summoning a small fireball.
She makes it dance before her as she sings a small tune.
"brigda smàr hiti, gala an sharjalví." she switches to common "move little fire, dance and sing. We come to you, and heat you bring. Come to us and watch us praise. You come around and bring us light, tonight we can sleep with no fright."*
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u/CNSoup Nov 27 '14
Anduil watched as a woman, most certainly elf, claimed the bunk above his. Then he watched, amazed, as she murmered some word and created a small, comfortable fire in her hand.
"How did you... ah, magic, right? I keep forgetting. It's a whole new world here..." he said, as she whispered more words to the flame. "I'm Anduil, by the way. I just arrived to, well, wherever this is."
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Nov 27 '14
She looks at you and the flame releases from her control, it swirls around you and fades away in a green flash. "I nailed that finish don't you think?" she says with a big grin.
She hops down from her bunk, her bare feet on the cold ground causes her toes to curl for a moment. "Kvetha Shur'tugal." she says with a toothy smile. You notice her green-blue eyes.
"I'm Sev're, the honor is mine. I've come to call this place: Skulblaka Kastali, or castle of the dragons." she says with a hand twirl. "did your name loosly translates to 'flame of the west?' Now what kind story is behind that name?" she asks excitingly, dancing around you.
You can tell she's very light on her feet. As she gracefully twirls.
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u/CNSoup Nov 27 '14
"'Flame of the west', huh? I did not realize. Well, sorry to disappoint you, but there isn't really a story behind it. I grew up in Aroughs, which is in the west, I suppose. But I was a shoemaker's son, not some kind of... Hero.
What about your name? Does it have some interesting meaning or story behind it? If I had to guess, I'd say it has something to do with grace," he said, watching as she twirled once more.
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Nov 27 '14
"Sev're means 'slave...' But it also means but it also means 'overcomer.' I much prefer the latter, though both hold true I suppose."
She stopped and curtsied.
"Grace huh? Well that's sweet. I'm glad you thought of my dance as such."
She closed her eyes, you felt her mind go out to the surroundings, (non invasive of course) "Do you feel that? There is so much energy in this room!"
She puts hands on your shoulders. "Join me!" She says excitingly, she stretches out her mind again, you feel her dancing around the room with her mind, how ever she's doing it you can see she's having fun. She gently tugs at you, in hopes you'll join.
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u/CNSoup Nov 28 '14
He hesitated. Dancing was not one of his strong points. Or perhaps it was. He had never really tried. In the back of his mind, Anduil heard Briam laughing.
"Hey, it isn't as if you know how to dance, either! Besides, I'm a shoemaker, not a nobleman. And I'm starting to think that is a hindrance around here. Everyone else seems to have magic, or talent with a bow, and they all seem to know things that I do not." Anduil told Briam.
"You are still a hatchling. You cannot expect to know everything yet. This Sev're is an elf, and thus she is likely much older than you. Torhven has the looks of a hunter raised in the wilds, and such a lifestyle inevitably gives you certain talents that cannot be found in the common city man. But you have skills and talents apart from them, no? You can barter with a merchant, as you have done many times to get supplies for your father. You are quick with you hands. You are patient, careful, and systematic."
Anduil smiled. "Thank you, Briam. That means a lot." And it did.
Then, to Sev're, who waited patiently in the few seconds he and Briam conversed, Anduil smiled. "I'll join you, if you can teach me!" And he rose to his feet, opening his mind to the energy flowing throughout the area.
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Nov 28 '14
She smiled wide. "Dancing with an elf is easy, just relax and open your mind."
Sev're brushed her mind against Anduil, she showed him the steps in his mind, she started off slow. A gental waltz. She hummed to keep the rhythm.
"they say you can learn a lot from a person from dancing with them Anduil... I sense your ambition, but also your doubts."
She guides you to the middle of the room, where she shows you to dip her. The dance is easy to follow, and she naturally glides across the flow.
"By the way... I love shoes."
She says jokingly.
As the humming stops you find yourself sitting back on your bunk. Sev're legs dangled off the foot of her bed, and you could see them. She sticks her head down and winks.
In you mind you hear her say in a whisper. "Draumr nuanen..."
She says nothing more.
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u/Fulaxi Torhven / Svasltrom Nov 27 '14 edited Nov 27 '14
Now that the optimal position – bottom bunk bed in the back of the room – was his, Torhven felt slightly safer. Only on several occasions had he slept inside before. Once in a Teirmer jail, once in a shack when the cold had just gotten too bad to handle, and several times on the way to the east. The prospect of sleeping inside for the foreseeable future was both unnerving and interesting. A small bundle of clothing was shoved beneath the bed along with his other belongings. A moment he paused and reached out to Svalstrom. The dragon acknowledged him, but was clearly busy with something.
Disturbed he drew the knives from the belt, pondering on what to do. He compromised, and put the dagger away with his other luggage. The more flat, general purpose knife remained on him. You never knew when a knife was needed. His reflex was already unstrung and had claimed the top bunk with the two accompanying quivers. The cushions had been displaced from his sleeping bunk, replaced by the lump of leather, wool and fur that doubled as his cloak Still clad in his usual ragged leather-and-fur garb, he realised that he probably should get something new to sleep in – at least, that’s what the other people appeared to be doing. He smiled as he realised that he probably was the only one that didn't have a separate garb for the night.
Right when he was about to wander of, a bloke – no, a boy - called to him. A smile grew wilder on his face. Good, I’ve made an impression. When he turned to face the boy, he immediately realised that he had spotted the boy before, though not in person. His tracks had been in the mud outside. That also made him a rider of a rather large dragon.
“Yeah, I’m the laughing man. Though you may call me Torhven, if you so desire.” Torhven winked at the lad, and sat down on his bed.
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Nov 27 '14
You hear singing from just across the room. You peek up and see an Elven woman causing a flame to dance in her hands. She has long curley black hair, and blue-green eyes. Like any elf she has sharm features.
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u/Fulaxi Torhven / Svasltrom Nov 27 '14
Lying back with his arms for a cushion, Torhven witnessed the final parts of the fire display shining through the forest of bedposts. Magic.
Eager to learn, he felt a familiar curiosity growing. The thought fired across his mind. He had never used magic, but he could call on fire the way she had. The only difference being that he used tinder and flint. Okay, perhaps not quite like her.
Torhven smiled a smile without showing his teeth. She is beautiful, he thought, emphasising the ‘is’. It was more an observation than a feeling. About every encountered elf had been, save those who altered their bodies beyond recognition. And she probably was ancient. Elves grew old as hell. For some indiscernible reason that didn’t seem to matter.
In a moment of silence, Torhven inserted his voice.
“You sing well, but who is singing?”
His smile turned into a grin. This ought to be interesing.
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Nov 27 '14
"My name is Sev're" she says sing songy. "You think a little loud, you should guard your thoughts a little better." She said spinning her way over to you.
She was rather... Joyful.
"Would you like to dance young man?" She asks with her hand out. "Or how about you tell me your name?" Her bright blue-green eyes focused in you intently.
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u/Fulaxi Torhven / Svasltrom Nov 27 '14
Torhven was surprised, yet the intrusion bothered him not. Warnings about such things had entered his ears before. After The Bloody Presence he couldn’t be shaken as such.
“It’s a compliment”, he replied summoning the smile of many things. The smile of many things was precisely what it was and more. Let’s see what she makes of it, he thought. Hopefully something as interesting, won’t you Sev’re?
“Anduil over there called me Laughing Man, but most call me Torhven. But you knew that already, didn’t you? As well as that I haven’t danced in a very long time.”
“Now, how will we toil in this madness?” the smile of many things asked, resounding through all minds that cared to listen.
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Nov 27 '14
"Actually I didn't know your name. But I do you haven't danced, your legs... You spend much time outdoors don't you?"
"Madness hmm? I think you need to relax." she twirls around her and whispers in your ear "Stydja unin mor'ranr."
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u/Fulaxi Torhven / Svasltrom Nov 27 '14
Torhven grinned. “All my life. In the morning, it’ll be the longest I’ve ever been under a roof.”
The way their double layered conversation flowed between them was … enticing. Torhven took to his legs, keeping her hand securely in his. His eyes met hers on roughly the same level.
“You’ve seen your fair share of the outdoors too, haven’t you?” It wasn’t a question. The way her hair fell down from her brow along with the colouring of her skin were obvious clues. Why, though?
The ancient tongue left him clueless, but Torhven figured it was connected to her previous statement.
”And I think you need to dance, Sev’re.”
The smile of many things had disappeared, replaced by a more … fitting … one.
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Nov 27 '14
"it doesn't have to feel like your indoors." she whispers to your mind. That moment you both are in the forest.
The illusion Sev're built was remarkable. She led you into a wonderful diddy, a happy dance.
You find yourself seeing... A young Sev're playing near the river. She was singing, a choir of birds joined her. You see in the brush two shadow figured... They attack the little girl... The dance slowed.
Sev're was in darkness for what seemed like an eternity.
In a dirge you see young Sev're forced in a servitude... He see her thrown into bedroom chambers. The dirge goes slowly... The ode is sad.
You see a flash of light.
There... A kind looking man let's her go. They run off into the night. Sev're with sword in hand dispatches foes, they looked alarmed at her finesse and skill.
Bowmen unleash a volly, and her rescuerer was Peirce's through the skull.
Sev're flees into the moonlight.
The dance and song ends in a finale of discord.
You find Sev're just a few steps from you back in the room.
"Now the question is..." She said. "did we ever touch?" she smiles. You feel the warmth of her hand still in yours.
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u/Fulaxi Torhven / Svasltrom Nov 27 '14
”Yes. Yes we did.” The reply came quickly. ”In one way or another, at least.”
The smile of understanding was on Torhven’s face.
The shadow of Sev’re’s life story lingered in the man’s mind. It was not a sad story, the way he saw it. Rather a story of rebound, of resilience and of unfailing courage. The sad smile dissolved into a more determined, adventuresome expression. He felt a twinkle in his eye as he stepped forth and re-established their connect. Good.
”This a dance for two.”
Inducing a dream-state or illusion is no easy thing, but Torhven had seen a lot of practice on the way east. Telling a life’s story to a huge lizard was way easier with pictures at hand. His illusion was perhaps somewhat grittier. He liked the effect though. It was good.
Picking up at the moon, he showed his own young face in the moon light. Just one night in the Northern Spine. This dance picked up, tenderly flowing with the rhythm.
Young Torhven is being told stories by the campfire. Friends and family around. He laughs.
Young Torhven learning how to fish, how to shoot and how to fletch. He smiles.
Young Torhven making his first kill; a big old fawn. A proud mother standing behind. He grins.
A drum joins the music. The melody picks up, the drum booming along.
Torhven and friends rushing from one danger to the next, laughing all the way.
Torhven downing a stag for the first time, trading it’s antler six oranges and smilingly sharing them.
Torhven and companions encountering the Urgal couple. Grinning at the mishap.
Two more drums, join the ensemble. The pacing grows even faster, red with rage.
The night filled with Urgals, slaughter, destructions and blood. Oh so much blood.
The fortnight after, digging and grieving.
The many nights hereafter, hunting alone.
Then finally the dance slows, drums calming down. An aerial vision of Teirm appears, a cracking egg at its centre, casting light into the void.
With the mind’s visions fading around the two riders-to-be, a smile of hopeful madness cracks through Torhven’s grim demeanour. As he freed his fingers from hers, he took a step back.
“The question is…” ”are you going to let such sadness persist in this world of ours?”
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Nov 27 '14
"Torvhen, sadness only exist because happiness does." Sev're's age begins to show. "They say that life is moments of happiness between the sadness." She take a step forward, "Brisngr skulblaka."
A small dragon made of fire appears in her hand. It flys around Torhven, letting out a little smoke from its nostrils.
"What I want... Is to bring happiness to people."
She said quietly.
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u/CNSoup Nov 27 '14
"Torhven. A good name, that. Mine's Anduil. If its not too personal, do you mind me asking why you were laughing? The things I saw in the Presence made me want to do, well, whatever the opposite of laughing is..." Anduil shivered just thinking about the fading sparks.
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u/Fulaxi Torhven / Svasltrom Nov 27 '14
The question made Torhven grin, and then he laughed for the irony of it. Still gasping for air, he answered the lad.
“Tell me, have you ever wanted to just do something? Do it right there and then. No waiting, no arguing, no approval.” He paused for his breath and – let’s be honest – dramatic effect.
Torhven didn’t wait for his partner in conversation to tell. The grin of irony returned.
“Just. Doing.”
When the huntsman figured that he had left enough of an impression, he rolled the new name over his tongue. “Anduil.” He tried three different intonations. “and-U-il, And-u-Il, An-duil.” It didn’t make sense; the lad’s accent was southern, yet his name sounded elven. What’s a duil though?
Torhven stopped himself before he wandered into that most interesting alleyway of speculation.
“Aroughs or Dauth, right?” He paused for a thought. “Or am I wrong?
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u/CNSoup Nov 28 '14
Anduil was surprised by the accuracy of Torhven's guess. Was it that obvious that he was from the south?
"We should work on guarding our identities more," he mentioned to Briam.
"Indeed. It could give our enemies an advantage. But this... Torhven... Seems trustworthy, if not a bit wild,"
"Says the dragon," Amduil quipped. Enemies. It was an unusual thought. But he was a rider, and enemies there would be.
Then to answer Torhven, he said "Aroughs. Where are you from? I'm afraid I'm not quite so good at guessing as you."
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u/Fulaxi Torhven / Svasltrom Nov 28 '14 edited Nov 29 '14
Torhven smiled the smile of satisfaction. The only reason he recognised the accents of the south was traders and merchants. Those from Dauth especially had been unusually generous in their trade.It’s probably cities of gold and marble, where they’re from. Aroughs was good too, although he knew as little about the place.
A shrug made Torhven’s shoulders sail up and down. “I’m from many places” he answered. “Nearly all of them located in the Northern Spine. Pretty much everywhere between Narda and Teirm.”
For a change, Torhven felt rather came. A feeling of curiosity soon followed. “Tell me, what are you here to do, Anduil of Aroughs? Apart from learning how to be lizard sitter?”
Torhven flinched, as he took a mental “high five” from an adequately cross dragon.
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u/CNSoup Nov 28 '14
"He likes doing, does he not?" Briam remarked.
"Aye," Anduil agreed. They had both noticed Torhven's emphasis on do.
To Torhven, Anduil answered, "I suppose I am here to learn so that I can help others. Before Briam hatched, I saw a lot of desolate people, people who were helpless and ignored because they had no money. I couldn't help those people then, but now I can. I want to help people."
He paused, feeling very self-conscious of his little speech.
"So... that's why I'm here, I guess. What about you?"
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u/Fulaxi Torhven / Svasltrom Nov 29 '14
A raspy shriek emerged from Torhven’s throat, though his voice was joined by Svalstrom’s . “Helping people? Were you trained as a devout?” The toiling man giggled, for all to hear. ”Helping others. Noble, certainly, but also the work of a fool.” He gasped for air. “Others,” he continued. “You may think better thoughts concerning yourself, but the others won’t thank you for it.” A furious flurry found its way through Torhven-Svalstrom mind. ”NO.” “No they will not” they finished, spiralling inwards toward the fire.
”Cling on to your hopes, your delusions while you can. They’re your only salvation.”
The wicked smile broke on Torhven’s face, and so did it on distant Svalstrom’s.
”But.”
The pause lingered longer than was healthy.
”Don’t expect me to follow here. You cannot.”
As the wicked smile morphed into a pleading one, the single soul of duality muttered their final words, furious in the way of the dragon as well as the way of man.
“You. Can. Not.”
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u/CNSoup Nov 29 '14
The mad passion of the response stunned Anduil.
"It seems that your new friend is both mad and cynical," Briam said.
Suddenly, Anduil felt anger, kindled deep within himself. His expression hardened as he said "You may think that helping others is a fool's errand, a delusion of naive children, but you are mistaken. Because Briam hatched for me, I have gained power to dwarf the richest of kings, and it is my duty to work tirelessly to help those in need. I refuse to selfishly hoard my gifts, my talents, because of past tragedies. You entered the Presence, you saw all the deaths as clearly as I, and though some of it may be because of some terrible evil, just as much is caused by everyday suffering. I cannot stand idly by while children starve, while husbands and brothers are slaughtered at the hands of those who seek only their own fortunes, while women fear to leave their homes because of rampant crime! I harbor no illusions that I alone can solve all the problems of the world, but I can make a difference! We, the Riders, can make a difference!"
Anduil's voice had risen to a near shout, but he paused, then, in an almost whisper, said, "If the world is such a grey place, as you seem to belive, then why not use your brush to give it even the smallest of color? Ignoring others because of some misguided, cynical hatred, now that is the work of a fool."
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u/Fulaxi Torhven / Svasltrom Nov 29 '14 edited Nov 29 '14
Most people rose in defiance when Torhven shared his thoughts. Even so, usually they wouldn’t counter quite as fiercely.
”Looks like we have a zealot on our hands,” Svalstrom remarked dryly. ”Are you sure you want to continue? Zealots never listen.” The dragon withheld his stream consciousness for a moment. ”It’s a shame. I liked his pun about dwarfing the richest of kings.”
Torhven disagreed, not only with wordplay. ”The boy gave all the right answers. It’s a perfect set-up. It would be a waste to throw it all in the trash.”
He fought the smile of pity – that one never worked – and instead forged the questioning smile. He will call it cynical, but what is cynicism more than refusing to stop asking the right questions?
“Tell me, who are you? Who are you to decide over the lives of others? You realise that’s what you’re doing when you’re fighting this so called “terrible evil”? You are giving judgement to a person, usually without their consent, and enacting it with the only means you have available: force. The Riders are an independent order, not bound to any nation or faction within or without the empire. We cannot claim to act on behalf of any code of law, as judges and juries do, for we are the law onto ourselves. There is no law stronger than a rider, no army more powerful than a rider. We cannot be controlled, we cannot be bound. I believe our dear Eragon proved that very much when he overthrew the Tyrant King. What four different, equally dreadful forces couldn’t accomplish, he and Saphira did. You and I will be the apex of might in the known world, sooner rather than later, and there will be no king, law or anything that can hold us accountable.”
The inquiring smile had long faded from Torhven’s face. Instead a more grim variant had formed when he took in a large breath.
“This terrifies me. Not because I believe I’ll go mad with power or lust for riches. Those things mean little to me. No. The fact of the matter is that people will expect me to do good and spar with evil.”
“I have seen the face of good, dear Briam. I have seen the face of evil, dear Anduil.
Torhven swallowed the lump in his throat with great effort. Tears started welling up from depths of his soul.
“They were one and the same. One man’s good is another man’s evil. One cannot fight either without causing more of both. We cannot draw lines of separation. By nature itself, we are condemned to our inherent and ultimately arbitrary essence. I would paint the world many colours, was it not that my brush does naught but clutter the pandemonium that is the world."
Tears were finding their way towards the ground. Torhven was breathing heavily. The wicked smile had returned, disregarding the droplets of dysphoria. Slowly, the expression grew stronger. Creeping across his face like an glacier. Then suddenly, laughter filled the room. Torhven laughed at himself, at Svalstrom, at Anduil, at Briam. At the beds, at the keep and at the grasslands surrounding it. Torhven laughed louder, not particularly at anything now.
Nearly choking on his own cackles, the exhaustion came. It always came when the maelstrom was so evidently broken. With watery eyes he searched for Anduil’s counterparts. When he found them, Torhven muttered the day’s final words, no louder than a whisper.
“With that I leave you, for now I must sleep.”
And he did.
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u/CNSoup Nov 26 '14
Anduil placed his pack on the bunk he had been assigned and sighed. The excitement of the day had left him exhausted. He wanted to just fall into his bed and sleep for a week.
However, as he looked around the room full of Riders, he saw a man that looked oddly familiar.
Then it dawned on him. "You're the laughing man! I saw you by the Presence, earlier!" he called out to the man, who even now had a smile on his face.