Quest As The Stars Bare Witness The Wind Silently Cries

[Taylani]

Standing next to Fallan only put her heart at ease, it did not give her courage simply because she had yet to feel afraid. Taylani might marvel at her lack of fear later, but for now it just seemed right that she was safe. Fallan's introduction did give her pause that she hadn't provided her name. She hadn't thought to give her name, in all of the excitement. She did feel very small next to this Velispar both in stature -not a feeling that the tall girl was accustomed to- but also in significance. So many questions, so much curiosity bubbled into her heart that she almost couldn't contain the outpouring of questions.

For all her training in performance arts, Taylani could appreciate the setting of such a meeting, even the words chosen perked her interest carefully. Though she remained a tad on the rash side, and just a little on the impulsive, Taylani looked from the Velispar to Fallan, her blue eyes questioning. She would not commit him to helping, he would have to commit himself though she thought that when she accepted he would as well if for no other reason then to keep his child safe.

It seemed late to be offering him her name but she understood that it might seem rude if she did not, especially if she were to ask all the questions that spin in her head. "I am Taylani." She said simply, Fallan might have accepted that she was of the Amethyst clan in his own way but she herself knew she was not. Not that she was opposed to it, the Drykas was what Lhex has deemed for her, and once she accepted that she found that there were many that she could respect. However, a simple lover does not make a captive Drykas this Taylani knew. So she simply kept it short to her name.

"What is in..whatever you need help opening? I will help if I can, but only if I know that I will not be releasing something horrid into the world..." Taylani lifted her chin just a little, rash and impulsive and even a little stubborn yes but she also was starting to learn slowly that one can not accept terms on surface conditions. "You said you were a Velispar, how old are you? How long have you been around, what you must have seen?" For all Taylani knew, he could be only days old, but something about the Velispar's eyes spoke of ancient wisdom. Something in his voice spoke of generations past. It was all just a feeling, and feelings could be wrong Taylani knew but it did not stop her from believing it.

[Fallan Windchaser]

Fallan accorded the ancient creature respect and whilst he loosened his grip upon his weapon he did so in the knowledge that it would in any case be a futile gesture. Futile or not if it gained Tay just a few steps lead then it would be worth it for in the balance of things her life meant that their child would live and that was a price that any father would accept without thought.

He heard Tay speak and her words flowed across his mind as he considered the implications of the creatures words. He frowned slightly as she gave her name even though he had omitted it but shrugged it off as not doing any harm.

Designed to be opened only by a human? It was an odd statement and it raised questions in his mind that would not be easily assuaged. It spoke of magic for nothing else could surely explain it and what magic could withstand such a creature?

It came to him quickly that there had to have been a reason such a thing had been designed the way that it had and clearly its creator had not wanted it in the hands of the one who now accosted them with its presence. Or was this some trick?

Refusal seemed pointless for there would be others if he refused and likely those he would trust less with whatever it was that the thing contained, yet neither could he be careless of his partner or the Drykas.

He bowed his head to Kalivaris, thanking Tay silently for the time to consider and spoke after her, smiling to himself as her questions spilled out.

"Taylani speaks truly," he spoke once more in the language of his people his hands showing the feelings of his heart. "Help requested is not easily refused but what assurance do you offer that this does no harm to the Drykas or to the Grasslands?" He pointedly did not include himself in the potential to be harmed for in agreeing he would accept the risks such as they were.

[Gossamer]

The creature looked thoughtful, if such a thing could be said of an enormous blood red creature with glowing eyes that only hinted at size strength and power. It was decidedly the curve of its eye ridge and the softening of its eyes that gave it the distinctly thoughtful look. “Good questions.” He said, turning his snout towards the woman. He blinked because she asked a lot in a short amount of time and wondered if she ever took a breath and looked around, taking time in the world to enjoy it. Humans would do themselves some good slowing down a bit and not trying to live so fast in such a short amount of time.

“I don’t know what it is. I’ve spent years studying it, and come to the conclusion the only way I can find out more about it is to open it. And it’s simply not something I can. It’s meant for human hands.” He replied, casually, as if this was something he’d seen before, for certain.

“I could not measure the years of my life like you do yours, but I was hatched before Ivak’s fall by a mortal queen, the event you people call The Valterrian. I have seen that event, survived it, and many more things as well. As, I am sure, have you.” The creature answered reasonably. He seemed incredibly patient with his response.

When Fallon spoke, Kalivaris turned to him as well. He tilted his head slightly and a tongue slipped out and swirled across razor sharp teeth. He patiently repeated what he had said to the woman. The warm red glow of his pupils, which looked human despite his inhuman form, seemed to illuminate the flesh around his orbs and give him an even more exotic visage.

“I have no assurance. I do not know what is contained within what I need opened.” The Velispar said as if this was the most reasonable thing in the world. “Knowing more about it will be something I can speak too after it has been opened.” He said, grinning like a human, and looking the pair over. He had no idea if they would agree to the favor, but they were the first he'd run into and the first he'd talked with. It was interesting they wanted the safety of their people first and not riches or rewards. But then again, he knew the Sea of Grass incredibly well and had seen fewer and fewer humans about on it... especially the ones with the swift horses. He could not remember what they called themselves, but perhaps it was the world Fallon used... Drykas?

[Taylani]

Taylani gaped at the Velispar, she had suspected he was ancient but that ancient? She surely would have stumbled back in her surprise without the strength that Fallan led her with the simple act of being beside her. As it was she reached her other hand over to grip his forearm just for added contact. She was not fearful, not in the least but she was awestruck.

Yet it did not answer a satisfactory answer, there was still no assurances that what it (he?) wanted opened did not contain a worse plague that would ravage the face of Mizahar or perhaps it was something as simple as a forgotten tome. Taylani even half considered the idea that what was in the hidden thing was the salvation of the world. Perhaps whatever it was would mend the brokenness. Even that made her smile at the incredible unlikelihood and was a poignant reminder for her that her mind leaned toward the creative side rather then the logical.

She knew she should refuse. It would be the smart thing, the responsible thing. The not knowing was too risky, especially now that she had lived a season in the shoes of a Drykas who's numbers are so small and would likely not survive another plague or worse. But something within her leaped at the idea of helping this creature, something long buried within her heart stirred to life. A passion for something. She had locked away her passion for her dance along with her memories of her old life, and while she enjoyed learning Midwife skills and got a certain satisfaction from helping captives like she had been it was not the same.

Now, there stirred another longing. A curiosity that rose and refused to be denied. She looked up to Fallan, her lip bitten between her teeth. He would be able to see the light struggle on her face between doing the responsible thing and doing what she wanted in her heart. Yet again she would not volunteer him, she stretched a little to press her lips against his cheek she turned back to the Velispar.

"I. I will help you." Saying the words sent a shiver through her, again not in fear but in excitement. An odd feeling but she simply could not feel fear, she only felt curiosity.

[Fallan Windchaser]

Fallan considered all of the answers that had been given and considered that the questions were consistent which was a positive sign. As before Taylani spoke first and still he was happy with that, for it seemed that her questions were apt. He felt her grip on his arm and knew that she was more anxious than she appeared and so was all the more surprised that she agreed to help the creature. It took his breath away and it was a moment before he could add his own words.

Could they trust this creature? The words it spoke could be carefully crafted to deceive them, but as he'd already realised there was little he could do to avoid that and if they agreed at least he could attempt to temper any ill effects should others rush in with nothing more than greed in mind.

He had never before been faced with such a stark choice and one which had the potential to affect his people for more than minor inconvenience and more than his own family. His priorities were without question especially now that Tay wished to go, a choice he was loathe to argue with. If helping this creature caused harm to the Drykas then it would prove to be an act of evil and one for which he and his family would bear the responsibility for. This creature was in essence evil for it was not of his people and was driven by its own motives. He trusted it all the less for the confirmation that the mysterious item was intended to be opened by human hands, but with no knowledge as to why that was.

Still he was as drawn to it as Tay appeared to be and in truth deep in his heart he knew that he was not going to refuse to help even if it placed him outside of his community.

He nodded and placed his hand upon Tays. "I too will assist you." He spoke the words that could doom him yet he felt the excitement ready to burst free.

"What is it that you would have us do for you?"