Along the Watchtower (Caehli)

by **Elem Bree** on August 29th, 2012, 4:58 am

88th of Summer, AV 512

Elem had found himself inside the Antiquities Society when he had first arrived to the City. Before, he had not known where home would be, but since that problem had been rectified, he could enjoy Riverfall more readily and easily. He had been surprised by the Akalak's love of history, unaware of their lost city until he read about it at the Society. It was odd to him that the home of Kenabelle Wright didn't have a more elaborate place like this. It seemed it was mostly the Old Quarter there and the Council kept their feet on it, hiding its secrets from the populace.

After living so poorly for so long, the extra money Elem had received in Zeltiva was burning a hole in his breeches. He made sure to leave most of it back at the Sanctuary, generally only having fifty gold mizas on him at a time. Once he had found out about the Society's fee, he brought an extra fifty, which had been handed over to the clerk there. As he was handed the Society's Compass Rose Medallion, it occurred to him that there was so much knowledge to be learned that he was so ignorant of. Cities to visit, languages to learn, knowledges to explore. He hoped he could partake of the Society's classes when he wasn't free at the Sanctuary, though in its current state, the medallion might be all he had.

Stepping out into the cool night air, the bright yellow light of the Watchtower shone behind the buildings. Another call from the past, he thought he would have a look at it firsthand. Sliding his medallion over his head and wearing it proudly, he navigated the streets to the light of the tower.

Ledger :

by **Caehli Galesong** on August 29th, 2012, 5:30 am

It had been two full days since Caehli arrived to Riverfall, in the days she had stayed there Caehli had explored every nook and cranny of the city. As an ever ardent explorer she found herself at so many places.Places that were familiar, places that she never heard of before, places she had always wanted to go to. It was all so amazing and wonderful, Riverfall had so much culture and history but it also held a fine sense of nostalgia as well.

Now Caehli was just wandering around the city in blissful state. She hummed softly to herself as she walked briskly down the stone streets. Then "it" caught her eye, the watchtower.The amber-yellow light of stone drew her in. She found herself following it's glow, or maybe it was memory that lead her to such a place.

Caehli began to recall long ago when the Akalak boys dared her to climb it and reach the stone at the very top. It was a very stupid stunt then and Caehli only got half way before getting into a whole lot of trouble.She laughed remembering when a guard had climbed up after her and hauled her down over his back. Only an Akalak, afterall could do such a dangerous feat.Her father and the Elders gave her the lecture of her life that day.

Truthfully that part of the memory wasn't as fond as the rest, but it didn't stop Caehli from walking towards the Watchtower. She began to wonder if it was tall and ominous as it once was eleven years ago. Caehli was only about to find out, maybe explore the inside as well. She had neglected to see the interior last time and planned to explore it fully like she had the rest of Riverfall.

Well the silly girl wasn't paying attention, no like moth to a flame she was drawn by the Watchtower. When walking in beeline fashion, walking swiftly with eyes up ahead she somehow didn't manage to see the rather tall man infront of her. She smacked hard into his back before falling hard on her butt.

"Ouch..." she murmured "That's what I get for following a memory blindly" she grumbled to herself.

by **Elem Bree** on August 29th, 2012, 5:40 am

Elem stared rather blankly at the tower. His mind was still traveling in ages past, dreaming of the world which once lived and breathed before the Valterrian. He imagined the ferocity of the storm of Spring and then tried to think of it as a small breeze in comparison to what had occurred before. It was surely a Divine reason that the towers still stood, they being one of the oldest structures still standing, if not the oldest. Supposedly, they were a way to move around the world at one time. Thinking back on his nearly season long journey here, he sighed slightly at the thought of instantly transporting around all of Mizahar. He felt a bit of jealousy for the long lived peoples of Riverfall. A human's lifespan was nothing in comparison.

The road being a wide thoroughfare, he had to find one side or the other, lest he be run over by the blue giants of Riverfall. Choosing back, in order to take more of the sights in without stretching his neck so much, he felt a solid thud behind him and the telltale groan and scuffling sound of someone falling down. Turning, he saw a pretty and preoccupied girl down there, his smile alighting naturally. He turned and offered his hand to her.

"I thought I wouldn't be an obstacle in a city of giants. Are you alright?" He chuckled, the shifting sigil of Rak'keli glowing slightly on the hand offered to the accidental acquaintance.

by **Caehli Galesong** on August 29th, 2012, 6:08 am

"I thought I wouldn't be an obstacle in a city of giants. Are you alright?"

Caehli looked up at the man speechless for a moment, she found him rather good looking and wasn't sure what brought more of her attention his kind smile or his jovial manner.She was however surprised, the man was so gentile to her. She after all clumsily bumped into him. Was he actually smiling down at her too? Goodness she was lucky to bump into him rather someone else. She took his hand and mirrored his smile with her own. "You're no obstacle really, I should have watched where I was going.Although the Akalak sure are...imposing no? I'm glad I bumped into you rather one of them!" she chirped.

"And I'm alright really, falling is a common occurrence for me truthfully!" she laughed off her blunder. Then as afterthought, rather informally she gripped the hand she held "Are you alright? I didn't hurt you did I?" she asked concerned.It was silly really, compared to their size difference it was unlikely for her to hurt him.Nonetheless Caehli was always unorthodox if not friendly.

Caehli then gasped at the gnosis on the hand she held. "Wow no way!" she cried and lifted his hand in better light."This is incredible! I have yet to meet someone with the mark of Rak'keli!". Yes if anything Caehli was unorthodox.

by **Elem Bree** on August 30th, 2012, 2:56 am

Elem recalled the last girl to bump into him. He had left her a letter in Zeltiva. She was beautiful as well. Of course, that was far away from here and his attention was better focused where it belonged. Her smile was infectious and she had a way about her that reminded him of Ndale. Why could he think of every girl except the one speaking to him? Man, he was sweating. He hoped his palm wasn't already sweating so he hurried and helped her up, careful not to wipe his hand on his breeches. It would be rude to do so.

"I imagine the Akalak would be happy to bump into you, so I am glad I did first." He smiled and shook his head at the query of his own injuries or lack thereof. Before he could retrieve his moistening hand, she was screaming at it. He thought it a little odd and a lot funny that she was so amazed by Rak'keli's gnosis. It seemed commonplace in the Infirmary. " Yes, I was marked by Mother last Winter." He smiled and gently pulled his hand free, displaying the shifting sigil on his hand before the two of them. It also let some air blow across his palm, thankfully.

Turning back to her, he added. "I am Elem Bree of Zeltiva. I recently arrived here this week and started working at the Sanctuary outside of town. What is your name?"

by **Caehli Galesong** on August 30th, 2012, 4:20 am

Caehli laughed softly at his polite comment.She shook her head lightly her bangs falling into her eyes "Well that's kind of you!" she said. "You're not so bad yourself!" she teased shrugging her shoulders boyishly.

Her eyes fell on their hands...she had been holding it for far too long.
It dawned on Caehli that she was crossing the line again. She blushed lightly when he pulled his hand away rubbing the back of her head shyly. Elem didn't seem to mind her feather brained traits and in fact seemed slightly amused by her silly ways! When he presented his hand before them she couldn't help but feel impressed."That is so wonderful.To carry out the gods work is so...honorable" she said as praise of his gnosis.

" Well met Elem! I am Caehli Galesong of Endrykas.This isn't my first time in Riverfall, I'm just revisiting old places!" A grin spread across her face mischievously. "So my objective isn't as honorable as yours..." She admitted whilst thoughtfully biting her lip. "So do you like your work at the Sanctuary so far?" Caehli asked genuinely interested. It made her heart warm when people were empathetic enough to take care of others.

by **Elem Bree** on August 30th, 2012, 4:50 am

Her innocent demeanor and exuberance were even more infectious than her smile. Elem had quickly forgotten the girls of the past for this new face. At her mention of honor, his smile became more solemn. "You know, before Rak'keli touched my life, I had no interest in the Divine. I was a medical student and believed my skills were as good. It's blasphemous now, but then...well, that seems like a long time ago." His hand lowered and his eyes returned to her own.

He needed to change the topic. Or speak at least, as he was staring. Hopefully his mouth wasn't open.

"Endrykas? I have heard of it, actually. Of course, I heard plenty about it as I traveled along the Kabrin through it, but I had met a warrior of the Diamond Clan back in Zeltiva. She told me about her people and it seemed to be very noble and honorable of its own right." He could see they were in the middle of the road and while he didn't think they were really in anyone's way, he felt an absurd need to keep one human female from the eyes of the Akalak. He gently ushered them over to the side of the road nearer the Watchtower.

Just push the words out. Don't give them time to get stuck in your throat.

"Would you like to go over to the Kulkuran? I'd be happy to buy dinner if we could speak a bit more." That was as smooth as Elem was going to be, considering his general lack of experience with ladies. Especially humans. "There is much work to be done at the Sanctuary, rebuilding after the Spring Storm. That's why I am taking this week to just enjoy the sights." He offered the crook of his arm to her.

"Shall we?"

by **Caehli Galesong** on August 30th, 2012, 5:26 am

Caehli caught the somber light in his eyes.Then shrugged before looking out at the sky "You know I used to wonder if the Gods even existed...". Alot of bad things had happened to her...she used to blame the Gods for her unhappiness. She met his eyes and pursed her lips thoughtfully. "You must have done something right if she appeared to you no? " she encouraged lightly. Of course she only just met Elem but she felt the need to comfort him.

There was silence and it was peaceful. For a moment she enjoyed just being each others company.

"Well the people are certainly kind and welcoming" she admitted. Caehli was proud of her culture on her father's side. "I have heard of Zeltiva ! Truthfully I wanted to see the University actually. There's so much knowledge in one place...do they have a library there? I've never been to one, it's silly of me but I'd love to have the chance to go see one for once in my life " It was a childish but she always wanted to absolve herself in books.Maybe read all day and night, all the knowledge and culture she could absorb in one sitting. It must have been wonderful to have the chance to.

Elem led them over to the side of the road. A less hectic of a setting was more suitable, it would have been a problem if they bumped into someone again.His invite made her brain sorta..short circuit. She laughed nervously before nodding affirmatively. She had to keep it cool, seem more mature and calm.

"Yes I'd love to! " she said slowly. That sounded alright, not too dorky and not too serious. She took his arm, admiring his lithe strength silently.
"I don't know about you but I love having my hands full with work. I can't seem to sit still.Although it must have been fate that we met up, I was doing the same" she said cheerfully.

by **Elem Bree** on August 30th, 2012, 6:07 am

Elem appreciated Caehli's concern for him. It was endearing, something he had not felt it some time. "I suppose you could say that. I was trying to save a dying man and I prayed to Her. I was not going to let him die and I accepted that I could not do it alone. Rak'keli's appearance to me completely changed my life, apparently for the better." He meant it in many ways, but also because he would not have met her. He would still be poring over dusty tomes. Not that he wouldn't anyway. Elem blinked a few times to kill the random thoughts.

He was pleasantly surprised to hear that she knew of Zeltiva. He did his best nto to sound like a recruiter for the school. "The University is a grand place, indeed. People come from all over to study there. I suppose I was just fortunate having been born there. Makes it not seem so amazing. Maybe the Akalaks see Riverfall as regular and boring. Who knows?" Her interest in his plans only made him more confident. He enjoyed feeling the warmth of her hand against his arm, his steps retaining a kind of spring they hadn't had before.

The Kulkuran was just around the corner from their position, coming into view in mere moments. " What kind of work do you do, Caehli? That keeps your hands full?" As they approached the doors, he pushed it open for her, his arm above her head as he held the door for her. It was packed as it seemed to always be. Must be the end of Summer and whatnot, Elem thought to himself. As usual, there was plenty of blue against the red backdrop of the Inn. He hoped the Akalak weren't telepathic because he hoped they choked on not having this one girl among the others they claimed so easily.

Releasing his hold on Caehli, the two were shown to a table. Elem did his best to have them alone, but the closest he would get was a small nook by itself, though two tables were the only buffer from the others in the tavern. He moved behind Caehli's chair and braced it. Once she sat, he would take his own seat. The wait staff was thankfully comprised of human women, so he would have her full attention.

by **Caehli Galesong** on August 30th, 2012, 7:00 am

"That must of been so chilling...to see a man dying. I wouldn't have known what to do" Caehli shivered, men and woman had died in their tribe and the funeral rights were always rare. After all living on the Grass was treacherous and even though death was common it was scary.
"Well I imagine such an event would change you for good..." she said thoughtfully .

Caehli listened eagerly as Elem talked of the University. Any place new or exciting always made her anxious. She gripped his arm gently in fascination "I have no doubt that it is wonderful there! If I ever come to Zeltiva, I'll enroll ! " she said decisively. It was a big goal for the future if it were to happen but Caehli had no fear of future.

"Well it's fine by me! The creeks, the immaculate architect..." She could go on and on.They walked briskly down the street. It was new experience for Caehli, she'd never been escorted before.Although she wouldn't admit she childishly felt grown up.She hummed softly beside Elem mindlessly thinking about the night about to unfold.Since it was a quick walk to the Kulkuran it ended swiftly but Elem caught her attention with his question.

"Truthfully I haven't a job" she shrugged sheepishly " Right now I just keep busy by traveling..and discovering something new. If anything I live on horseback" she said as afterthought. Due to her wandering personality she knew secrets of the Grass. She saw things people hadn't, like for example that the Glassbeaks make their nests in the deep craters of the soil, she also found out that they're incredibly protective of their young."I want a job but I'm not too sure what I'm passionate about..." she said softly "It must be nice to know what to do with yours" she said slightly enviously.

Kulkuran was busy, but it had a nice atmosphere to it.The excitement, the noise and chatter it was all very lively! However she was worried that it might be a little too loud for two. As luck would have it, they were shown to a small corner .

When he pulled out her chair for her, she smiled shyly in response.That was a first for her as well .His charisma made her glow. Again a pleasant blush crept to her face and when Elem sat himself a sheen of gold caught her eye. The medallion he wore around his neck...it was pretty, she tilted her head curiously.
"What's that?" she asked amused.