Falson quietly made his way back from the eaves, utterly exhausted, leaning heavily on his staff. Behind him followed Jae, looking at Falson with a concerned look. As they made their way through the gates, Falson did not speak a word, but turned to look at Jae with a sad expression on his face.
“Shalafi?”
Falson just shook his head and entered the village, walking slowly to the Blue Boar.
“Jae,” he finally muttered as he entered a room on the top of the Boar, “sadly, as powerful as I am, using magic like I just did, to reach out through the very Weave of magic to contact a person, is very, very draining. Especially when it is a mind as tortured and twisted as Heaven's.”
Jae nodded, not quite understanding, Falson sighed softly.
“Each sorcerer sees magic in different patterns and in a different way,” Falson spoke softly repeating familiar words, “I see magic as a collection of threads, all linked to the others in different ways. To perform magic I manipulate this weave... however.”
Falson turned to Jae, smiling soft and tiredly.
“You must find your own way of viewing magic. Perhaps you will see it as I do, perhaps you will see it in your own way... but that is the key to truly harnessing your power. Something I suspect Heaven does not realize, which is why she fills the void in her understanding with...”
Falson trailed off, and leaned back on his bed, his eyes drooping heavily.
“Roll over, onto your stomach,” Jae stated.
Falson looked at her a moment, shrugged lightly, and rolled over. Jae moved over and sat on the bed, reaching for Falson's back she began massaging him gently. She continued to do so for a while, until Falson began to breath rhythmically, asleep.
“Alright... time to,” Jae shook her head, she was exhausted as well, “just... maybe here for a moment... then to my own room.”
She laid down quietly, dropping into her own slumber next to Falson.
-----------------------------------
Falson dreamt, or at least that's what he thought this was. He stood in a finely crafted stone hall, twenty pillars on each side and a stream of water flowing down the middle of the hall. He could sense the Weave of magic about him, more intense here then anywhere else he has ever felt it before, but also more peaceful, untroubled. He slowly began walking down the hall, each step he felt as if went nowhere and yet everywhere at once. He moved forward quietly, his robes whispering, his swords strangely absent. He turned suddenly, a small room off the hall had appeared, and in it was an old man, his features wise and calm, staring into a pool of water in the middle of the room.
Falson stepped quietly into the room, causing the man to slowly turn, a slightly concerned look upon his face.
“Its not your time yet, why are you here?” the man spoke.
Falson looked about.
“I do not even know where here is,” Falson murmured, “nor do I know about times...”
The old man nodded slowly.
“You strained your magic again... sorcerers,” the man smiled an affectionate smile, “it wasn't enough to hold back the Horsemen's plague in yourself with your strength, you are constantly pushing your boundaries, aren't you Falson.”
Falson looked up, a confused look in his eyes. He stared at the man for a long moment, and finally understanding dawned.
“Ea,” he stated.
The god nodded.
“This is your?”
“My home... you have an appointment... but that is not for a while yet.”
“So why am I here now?”
Ea smiled softly.
“You keep straining your connection with magic. A normal sorcerer would have actually managed to sever his ties to it by now.”
Falson looked confused.
“Ahh, mortals,” Ea turned back to his pool, “thinking you know so much, but understand so little...”
“Then explain.”
“Oh, that would be cheating,” the god chuckled, “can't have that, that's not fair... that's what Nergal and Alinkahar do...”
Falson started at the mention of the evil deities.
“Just the other day we were all together playing po--” Ea stopped, and suddenly laughed, “you're not here to listen to a god tell silly stories, now are you?”
Ea suddenly turned again, the laughter gone from his face.
“No, you're here because magic demands that you come...”
“Magic demands?”
Ea nodded.
“But don't you control magic?”
Ea smiled softly.
“My son, I no more control magic than Ki truly controls nature. I tend magic, manage it per se. I balance it against Alinkahar's corruption of it and Nergal's twisting of it.”
The god shrugged.
“Which is why I chose you.”
Vision of Sweet Water...
Moderator: Lords of The Realm
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Peregrinus
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Vision of Sweet Water...
-Falson Almaran, sorcerer
Keeper of Dragonwatch
Initiate of the Kingseekers
Keeper of Dragonwatch
Initiate of the Kingseekers
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Peregrinus
- Dasarian Hero
- Posts: 725
- Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2004 3:53 pm
- Location: Dragonwatch
Falson quietly made his way back to the Blue Boar, Jae following close behind. He had awoken from his dream for a short time, and now felt called back. Swiftly he made his way to the top of the Blue Boar and laid down.
“Jae, continue your training,” he said softly, “I shall return soon... Ea still wishes to speak with me.”
His apprentice nodded sadly and looked at Skia.
“What of the panthers? What if Skia has her cubs soon?”
Falson smiled softly and looked at Drakin briefly.
“Take them to Dragonwatch, allow them to live there, they will be fine.”
Jae nodded softly and stroked Skia's head.
“Sleep well.”
--------------------------
“Welcome back,” Ea grinned as Falson walked back into his chamber, “a fine apprentice you have there. She'll serve you well.”
Falson nodded slowly, thinking back over what the god had said the last time.
“You said you chose me because magic... needed me?”
Ea nodded, a small smile crossing his lips.
“Well, that, and because your mother asked me to 'preserve' you and your brother as her dying boon.”
Falson nodded again and a few tears welled in his eyes.
“Yes, I remember...”
“I'm sure you do, most remember the day they were gifted.”
Falson blinked the tears out of his eyes, turning away from the deity a moment. Breathing deeply, he composed himself and turned back to Ea.
“What of magic needing me?”
“Patience is never a mortal's strong point,” Ea shook his head, chuckling heavilly, “especially you humans: shortest lived of the settled races. Not my idea, by the way.”
Ea turned to the pool that stood in the middle of his chamber and waved a hand over it. The water leapt up towards him, shimmered, and formed a strange translucent mirror.
“You are chosen because you bring balance to the use of magic,” Ea explained, “not just between the good and evil use, but also to the Weave itself.”
“You see, between the followers of Nergal and even those who are good draw heavily on one thread.”
Ea turned to the mirror, a group of threads appeared, some glowing strongly, others seemed dimmer, and one seemed not only dim, but frayed.
“The thread of negative energy,” Falson whispered in surprise, “of necromancy.”
Yes,” Ea smiled lightly and nodded, “that is why you've always had an aversion to necromancy spells, it wasn't fear, you sensed the abuse of the thread and sough to prevent it further harm.”
“I never realized,” Falson looked confused.
“I know,” Ea chuckled, “hense why I'm explaining it to you.”
Falson nodded again and looked at the water mirror Ea had raised. The threads expanded into a interconnected web-like lace work. Slowly, at different points knots started to form, some smoothly entwining while others bluntly pulled together. Falson reached out an touched the image, tracing his finger through a harsh knot that seemed to devour one of the threads of negative energy.
“That,” Falson muttered, “is Maelstrom.”
Ea nodded and Falson continued to study the weave. He traced some of the threads from the knot to where they came together again, minus the thread of negative energy.
“That... is me,” he mused, “so close in the Weave to Maelstrom.”
“Yes,” Ea smiled slightly, “that is why conversing with him is so easy.”
“Where is Heaven?” Falson asked, “In the weave, of course.”
Ea pointed at the opposite end of the web from Falson's knot. Falson nodded and studied the entwined knot and followed the thread to a harsh knot pulled together in a maddening fashion, again by the thread of negative energy.
“Kell,” Falson traced the knot out to an entwinement that was draw artificially close, “Celedrith.”
Falson glanced up back to his own point and found a small entwinement very close to his.
“Jae,” a small smile flickered across his face.
Ea made a small motion with his hand and the water descended smoothly back into the pool. Falson turned to the deity with an odd look on his face.
“So each point where the threads converged was a mage?”
“Yes, wizards and sorcerers, each and every one,” Ea nodded sighing, “all but you drawing heavilly on necromancy, wearing its power thin.”
“Why does it matter?” Falson turned away, staring into the pool, “many spells are used by all. Invisibility, the protection of premonition, all the fire spells that we throw around.”
Ea smiled slightly, and shook his head.
“It is different, those threads are only draw upon by you mages... and they can take the strain since the draw is instantaneous, and temporary. The draw upon negative energy is continuous... it never has time to recover from the constant pull.”
Falson nodded slowly.
“But we have time,” Ea nodded to the human, “go and rest some, I will call you again soon.”
“Jae, continue your training,” he said softly, “I shall return soon... Ea still wishes to speak with me.”
His apprentice nodded sadly and looked at Skia.
“What of the panthers? What if Skia has her cubs soon?”
Falson smiled softly and looked at Drakin briefly.
“Take them to Dragonwatch, allow them to live there, they will be fine.”
Jae nodded softly and stroked Skia's head.
“Sleep well.”
--------------------------
“Welcome back,” Ea grinned as Falson walked back into his chamber, “a fine apprentice you have there. She'll serve you well.”
Falson nodded slowly, thinking back over what the god had said the last time.
“You said you chose me because magic... needed me?”
Ea nodded, a small smile crossing his lips.
“Well, that, and because your mother asked me to 'preserve' you and your brother as her dying boon.”
Falson nodded again and a few tears welled in his eyes.
“Yes, I remember...”
“I'm sure you do, most remember the day they were gifted.”
Falson blinked the tears out of his eyes, turning away from the deity a moment. Breathing deeply, he composed himself and turned back to Ea.
“What of magic needing me?”
“Patience is never a mortal's strong point,” Ea shook his head, chuckling heavilly, “especially you humans: shortest lived of the settled races. Not my idea, by the way.”
Ea turned to the pool that stood in the middle of his chamber and waved a hand over it. The water leapt up towards him, shimmered, and formed a strange translucent mirror.
“You are chosen because you bring balance to the use of magic,” Ea explained, “not just between the good and evil use, but also to the Weave itself.”
“You see, between the followers of Nergal and even those who are good draw heavily on one thread.”
Ea turned to the mirror, a group of threads appeared, some glowing strongly, others seemed dimmer, and one seemed not only dim, but frayed.
“The thread of negative energy,” Falson whispered in surprise, “of necromancy.”
Yes,” Ea smiled lightly and nodded, “that is why you've always had an aversion to necromancy spells, it wasn't fear, you sensed the abuse of the thread and sough to prevent it further harm.”
“I never realized,” Falson looked confused.
“I know,” Ea chuckled, “hense why I'm explaining it to you.”
Falson nodded again and looked at the water mirror Ea had raised. The threads expanded into a interconnected web-like lace work. Slowly, at different points knots started to form, some smoothly entwining while others bluntly pulled together. Falson reached out an touched the image, tracing his finger through a harsh knot that seemed to devour one of the threads of negative energy.
“That,” Falson muttered, “is Maelstrom.”
Ea nodded and Falson continued to study the weave. He traced some of the threads from the knot to where they came together again, minus the thread of negative energy.
“That... is me,” he mused, “so close in the Weave to Maelstrom.”
“Yes,” Ea smiled slightly, “that is why conversing with him is so easy.”
“Where is Heaven?” Falson asked, “In the weave, of course.”
Ea pointed at the opposite end of the web from Falson's knot. Falson nodded and studied the entwined knot and followed the thread to a harsh knot pulled together in a maddening fashion, again by the thread of negative energy.
“Kell,” Falson traced the knot out to an entwinement that was draw artificially close, “Celedrith.”
Falson glanced up back to his own point and found a small entwinement very close to his.
“Jae,” a small smile flickered across his face.
Ea made a small motion with his hand and the water descended smoothly back into the pool. Falson turned to the deity with an odd look on his face.
“So each point where the threads converged was a mage?”
“Yes, wizards and sorcerers, each and every one,” Ea nodded sighing, “all but you drawing heavilly on necromancy, wearing its power thin.”
“Why does it matter?” Falson turned away, staring into the pool, “many spells are used by all. Invisibility, the protection of premonition, all the fire spells that we throw around.”
Ea smiled slightly, and shook his head.
“It is different, those threads are only draw upon by you mages... and they can take the strain since the draw is instantaneous, and temporary. The draw upon negative energy is continuous... it never has time to recover from the constant pull.”
Falson nodded slowly.
“But we have time,” Ea nodded to the human, “go and rest some, I will call you again soon.”
-Falson Almaran, sorcerer
Keeper of Dragonwatch
Initiate of the Kingseekers
Keeper of Dragonwatch
Initiate of the Kingseekers
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JaeEleutheria
- Dasarian Hero
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Jae opened the door to the room quietly and was greeted by a growl, that quickly stopped.
"It's just me Drakin."
"Just checking."
"Any change?"
"None. Wherrre is Skia?"
"She fell asleep downstairs. She exhausts quicker than usual. I'll sit with Falson if you want to check on her."
The panther nodded and went out the door of the room. Jae quietly closed the door behind her and sat down on the bed next to where Falson lay.
"Well, Shalafi, Solace was liberated. I got to be apart of it. Shalandra says that Lone and I are Kingseeker quality. I'm not certain how to react to such a compliment. She was your sponsor right? I'm not certain. I'm still not certain of my place, or what you or anyone else wants me to do. I tend to stay in the back. I got see upfront what a claw looks like, and I have to admit I'm a little shaken. I'm not certain I want to go anywhere near one again, but, it's only a matter of time some say."
She sighed.
"I have picked up a few new spells I hope you'd be proud of. I've come to find firebrand and phantasmal killer quite delightful and efficient. Today I hunted with a couple people I had not met before, Chi I think was her name, and I forgot the other guys name already. We hunted in the varanite caves. I think you took me there before. I held my own for once. I left Skia behind. She's been awefully tired in her condition. It has to be less than a couple weeks left. She's really showing. I don't know what we'll do with cubs to take care of... but perhaps the cats know what they're doing..."
Jae leaned over Falson and brushed a strand of hair out of his face.
"Apparently some of the others think we're together. Do they see something I do not? Or do they see right through me. I don't know how you feel and I'm confused. I am your apprentice... would you ever see me as anything more?"
She sighed again.
"Who am I kidding? My loyalty was first to my husband and he was taken from me. And now, is it right for me to desire someone new?"
She looked at the door and turned a shade of red.
"I feel kind of lost without you near. Like something is missing. I haven't felt this way in a long time. But I'd never tell you that, not to your face, not when you're awake... But what I do wish you to know is simply this. Come back... come back to me..."
And with her last words she kissed her Shalafi on his forehead, and then left the room, Drakin and Skia wandering back in and curling up together in a pillowed corner of the room.
"It's just me Drakin."
"Just checking."
"Any change?"
"None. Wherrre is Skia?"
"She fell asleep downstairs. She exhausts quicker than usual. I'll sit with Falson if you want to check on her."
The panther nodded and went out the door of the room. Jae quietly closed the door behind her and sat down on the bed next to where Falson lay.
"Well, Shalafi, Solace was liberated. I got to be apart of it. Shalandra says that Lone and I are Kingseeker quality. I'm not certain how to react to such a compliment. She was your sponsor right? I'm not certain. I'm still not certain of my place, or what you or anyone else wants me to do. I tend to stay in the back. I got see upfront what a claw looks like, and I have to admit I'm a little shaken. I'm not certain I want to go anywhere near one again, but, it's only a matter of time some say."
She sighed.
"I have picked up a few new spells I hope you'd be proud of. I've come to find firebrand and phantasmal killer quite delightful and efficient. Today I hunted with a couple people I had not met before, Chi I think was her name, and I forgot the other guys name already. We hunted in the varanite caves. I think you took me there before. I held my own for once. I left Skia behind. She's been awefully tired in her condition. It has to be less than a couple weeks left. She's really showing. I don't know what we'll do with cubs to take care of... but perhaps the cats know what they're doing..."
Jae leaned over Falson and brushed a strand of hair out of his face.
"Apparently some of the others think we're together. Do they see something I do not? Or do they see right through me. I don't know how you feel and I'm confused. I am your apprentice... would you ever see me as anything more?"
She sighed again.
"Who am I kidding? My loyalty was first to my husband and he was taken from me. And now, is it right for me to desire someone new?"
She looked at the door and turned a shade of red.
"I feel kind of lost without you near. Like something is missing. I haven't felt this way in a long time. But I'd never tell you that, not to your face, not when you're awake... But what I do wish you to know is simply this. Come back... come back to me..."
And with her last words she kissed her Shalafi on his forehead, and then left the room, Drakin and Skia wandering back in and curling up together in a pillowed corner of the room.
Jae Eleutheria – Kingseeker Initiate
Ariadne Amon – Paladin of Ishtar
Bella Tari
Mikyla Peregry
Mercii Kai-Dama
Ariadne Amon – Paladin of Ishtar
Bella Tari
Mikyla Peregry
Mercii Kai-Dama
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JaeEleutheria
- Dasarian Hero
- Posts: 159
- Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2005 2:45 pm
- Contact:
"Shoo!" Ariadne told the cubs who had claimed Falson as their bed, and showed them back to their mother who was nestled quietly in the corner with their father.
Jae walked into the room, noticed Ariadne. "Um, what are you doing here?"
"Had to see the cubs."
"I see."
"Now, your bed is available."
"What?"
"Skia tells me you sleep with Falson."
Jae turned red.
"I'll leave you to it then..."
Ariadne left. Jae just sighed and sat down next to Falson on the bed.
"You're not awake to see my dress I got in Dasar," she played with the folds, "You're just not awake." A tear was in her eye.
"What will it take for you to see? You're missed. By me."
She sighed.
"I had a long day. I hunted. I almost died. Got a cleric. Still alive. Then I hunted some more, found the road to Dasar to involve far too much running away, but in the end I got some new clothes, I hope you'll like. The cubs are adorable and want to sleep on you, but there's really not enough room... I'm tired... it's been a long day..."
She just curled up, nestling against Falson in the bed, and fell asleep.
Jae walked into the room, noticed Ariadne. "Um, what are you doing here?"
"Had to see the cubs."
"I see."
"Now, your bed is available."
"What?"
"Skia tells me you sleep with Falson."
Jae turned red.
"I'll leave you to it then..."
Ariadne left. Jae just sighed and sat down next to Falson on the bed.
"You're not awake to see my dress I got in Dasar," she played with the folds, "You're just not awake." A tear was in her eye.
"What will it take for you to see? You're missed. By me."
She sighed.
"I had a long day. I hunted. I almost died. Got a cleric. Still alive. Then I hunted some more, found the road to Dasar to involve far too much running away, but in the end I got some new clothes, I hope you'll like. The cubs are adorable and want to sleep on you, but there's really not enough room... I'm tired... it's been a long day..."
She just curled up, nestling against Falson in the bed, and fell asleep.
Jae Eleutheria – Kingseeker Initiate
Ariadne Amon – Paladin of Ishtar
Bella Tari
Mikyla Peregry
Mercii Kai-Dama
Ariadne Amon – Paladin of Ishtar
Bella Tari
Mikyla Peregry
Mercii Kai-Dama
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Peregrinus
- Dasarian Hero
- Posts: 725
- Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2004 3:53 pm
- Location: Dragonwatch
Falson sat meditating as Ea, lord of magic, grinned at his glowing pool of water. Everything and nothing had happened while the sorcerer spoke with the god. Falson knew a bit more about his place in the world, but did not fully understand where her place would take him.
“Still confused?” Ea glanced at the red-robed mage.
“Yes, but not so much that my path is unclear,” Falson replied, standing slowly, “I also sense magic much more keenly now.”
“Not surprising,” Ea chuckled, “when you strained your magic, it repaired itself stronger than before.”
What?” Falson looked a bit surprised, “you didn't enhance my magic?”
“No. Think of it like exercising,” Ea smiled warmly, “when you push yourself, you'll grow stronger, so long as you don't break your connection.”
Falson nodded and brought forth a strand of magic, weaving it about in his hands. He smiled as it sparked and shimmered with energy as it entwined about itself. He released the thread and it faded away slowly, lingering, as he pulled forth another thread. It was dark and pulled in the energy around it, but at the same time it seemed frayed and weak. Falson held it gently, almost caressing it as he spun it around, causing it to spark and glint darkly.
“The weave of magic fragile,” Ea spoke quietly, “if one thread snaps, it will not be long before they all come unraveled.”
Falson nodded and released the thread of negative energy. If faded quickly and completely, unlike the previous thread, which still glowed faintly.
“So I must seek to reduce the strain on some threads,” Falson stated, “and encourage the use of others.”
Ea nodded.
“I do not expect it to be easy,” the god stated, “but you must, less magic become unraveled in the world.”
“I understand.”
-------------------------
Falson awoke slowly. He was laying in the bed where he had fallen asleep at the Blue Boar Inn. He felt a weight on his chest, looking down he noticed Jae sleep softly on his chest. He glanced over to the doorway, where Drakin lay, quietly looking at him.
“Has she been here he entire time?” Falson whispered to the Panther.
“No masterrr,” Drakin almost purred, “she has travelled much, but everrry night she was in Darrris, she was with you.”
Falson smiled gently at his apprentice and stroked her hair.
“Jae,” he whispered, “awake apprentice.”
Jae moaned softly.
“A little longer,” she muttered, “not time to get up yet.”
He poked her.
She started and stared at Falson, who had a mischievous grin on his face.
“Shalafi?” she looked at Falson intently, “you've returned?”
“Yes.”
She came closer to his face.
“You're staying, right?”
Falson nodded, nearly bumping her forehead with his own.
“Good.”
She kissed him.
It was a sudden, unexpected kiss, sweet, but almost desperate. Falson had barely begun to return the kiss when she pulled away and scrambled off the bed.
“I'm sorry,” Jae stammered, her face turning bright red, “I didn't mean...”
Falson held up a hand, staving off her protests, his face slowly turning the color of his robes.
“It's alright,” he muttered, getting up, “don't worry about it...”
Tucking his swords into his belt and taking his staff in hand, Falson headed out, followed by his appentice.
Fin...
“Still confused?” Ea glanced at the red-robed mage.
“Yes, but not so much that my path is unclear,” Falson replied, standing slowly, “I also sense magic much more keenly now.”
“Not surprising,” Ea chuckled, “when you strained your magic, it repaired itself stronger than before.”
What?” Falson looked a bit surprised, “you didn't enhance my magic?”
“No. Think of it like exercising,” Ea smiled warmly, “when you push yourself, you'll grow stronger, so long as you don't break your connection.”
Falson nodded and brought forth a strand of magic, weaving it about in his hands. He smiled as it sparked and shimmered with energy as it entwined about itself. He released the thread and it faded away slowly, lingering, as he pulled forth another thread. It was dark and pulled in the energy around it, but at the same time it seemed frayed and weak. Falson held it gently, almost caressing it as he spun it around, causing it to spark and glint darkly.
“The weave of magic fragile,” Ea spoke quietly, “if one thread snaps, it will not be long before they all come unraveled.”
Falson nodded and released the thread of negative energy. If faded quickly and completely, unlike the previous thread, which still glowed faintly.
“So I must seek to reduce the strain on some threads,” Falson stated, “and encourage the use of others.”
Ea nodded.
“I do not expect it to be easy,” the god stated, “but you must, less magic become unraveled in the world.”
“I understand.”
-------------------------
Falson awoke slowly. He was laying in the bed where he had fallen asleep at the Blue Boar Inn. He felt a weight on his chest, looking down he noticed Jae sleep softly on his chest. He glanced over to the doorway, where Drakin lay, quietly looking at him.
“Has she been here he entire time?” Falson whispered to the Panther.
“No masterrr,” Drakin almost purred, “she has travelled much, but everrry night she was in Darrris, she was with you.”
Falson smiled gently at his apprentice and stroked her hair.
“Jae,” he whispered, “awake apprentice.”
Jae moaned softly.
“A little longer,” she muttered, “not time to get up yet.”
He poked her.
She started and stared at Falson, who had a mischievous grin on his face.
“Shalafi?” she looked at Falson intently, “you've returned?”
“Yes.”
She came closer to his face.
“You're staying, right?”
Falson nodded, nearly bumping her forehead with his own.
“Good.”
She kissed him.
It was a sudden, unexpected kiss, sweet, but almost desperate. Falson had barely begun to return the kiss when she pulled away and scrambled off the bed.
“I'm sorry,” Jae stammered, her face turning bright red, “I didn't mean...”
Falson held up a hand, staving off her protests, his face slowly turning the color of his robes.
“It's alright,” he muttered, getting up, “don't worry about it...”
Tucking his swords into his belt and taking his staff in hand, Falson headed out, followed by his appentice.
Fin...
-Falson Almaran, sorcerer
Keeper of Dragonwatch
Initiate of the Kingseekers
Keeper of Dragonwatch
Initiate of the Kingseekers