PM to join [White Crane] Out on the town

[Xira Hezmek]

Once again Syna dipped down to find the horizon and Leth rose up from the other in chase of his beloved. Thoughts of his previous encounter rose to the front of his mind as he watched the heavens change from it's normal lapis to oranges, pinks, violets and indigos. He had the scars on his palms to prove it, even if his body was now healed of the shallow cuts and thus bared no trace. Yet that encounter was... intense. He leaned against the walls of the Sanctuary just outside of the gate waiting for the healer.

Xira could not help but want to get to know Kavala. Especially after what they shared together. Of course, he was not hoping for anything more than friendship. The courier's thoughts were distracted by a massive white snout nuzzling into his coat. Snow was geared up and clearly ready to go. Either by boredom, or affection or the simple desire for a treat, the mare nuzzled into him. Xira smiled and stroked her mane, those liquid brown eyes swiveling to regard him. "No treats for you right now" He said softly and smoothly, "Besides, you shouldn't be eating with your bit in." The courier lightly admonished his mount.

"We are just waiting on Kavala then we can go." His fingers moved from her mane to her snout, the other hand holding onto the reins. The courier stroked the pale horseflesh, smiling at her. He needed to ride her more, he missed the simple act of running with his horse. With all that had been going on, he had found precious little time to spend with her. Snow nickered softly in greeting and he turned.

Aweston emerged from the gates and nodded to Xira, who nodded back. He was hoping for and expecting Kavala. "Busy day?" He asked the groom politely, attempting some small talk as they waited. "Yeah. Some of the horses broke loose of the paddock and got into the gardens. Luckily they didn't get into anything poisonous to them..." The groom trailed off, staring both at Xira and Snow. "So where are you off to?" He asked at last.

Xira quirked an eyebrow at the man, amused at his straightforwardness. "I asked Kavala if she wanted to have dinner. I was going to take her to the White Crane." He looked towards the gate for a moment then back to the groom, "We were to meet up here to ride into town." The groom nodded and said, "Hint of advice, don't try and pressure her into anything." This confused Xira. What would he be pressuring her into? He didn't ignore it exactly, but certainly did not feel it applied to him.

He thanked the man for his advice and turned as he heard a set of hooves clopping along the packed earth. "Ah... Good evening." He said to the darkened gates

My words

Their words

[Kavala]

The Konti took a long time getting ready. She didn’t know why but she was nervous setting out on anything that even remotely resembled a date. Last time she had, with Stefan, things hadn’t gone so well. Sure, that was a paid escort to take her to dinner and perhaps listen to her, but the man had gotten them lost and then she’d ended up taking his life. Kavala glanced down at her hands as she reached to pick up a hairbrush. She was bothered by the fact that killing a man hadn’t bothered her more. It almost felt… good. When she finally wrapped her slim digits around the ivory handle of the brush and lifted it to her hair, she signed softly and met her own gaze in the vanity. She noted her hands shook.

It wasn’t Stefan’s death that bothered her. It was Xira’s life. He was a good man. She could see that about him. And because he was calm, patient, and stoic she knew he would be good for her. But was she really what he needed or even wanted?

Did she want a relationship with Xira? Was she ready for another one? She already knew him intimately, and he’d made her so proud during the ritual. But things she touched tended to go south fast. He had pleased her greatly and she knew she could really enjoy a physical relationship with him. The Konti had to face facts. She liked having a lover and Xira was incredibly easy on the eyes. There wasn’t much about him that wasn’t pleasing in that context. But she worried about his heart, his soul, and if he guarded them jealously enough. She got attached to people deeply. And when that happened, things often turned sour. She wished, for a moment, there was a situation in Riverfall like she’d had in Mura, where the Konti could still play and not loose her heart. But she didn’t know Xira, not really, not like she wanted too.

He had a past like everyone else. He had wants and needs like everyone else. Long before she set the brush aside and started working in complex braids into her hair, Kavala had decided to ask him what he wanted… just flat out ask him. It might save a lot of the guess work out of things for later on. If he was just here to enjoy himself, work within the Cytali, then there’d be no complications. If he wanted more, that would terrify Kavala. The truth was, she wanted a deeply complex and abiding relationship that would stand the test of time. She wanted someone who would stick around and not just for any children they could sire on her, but because she was who she was and they wanted to be around her.

She’d use this dinner date for a chance to get to know him. A nice dinnert out sounded good, especially with lovely food and company. Maybe he’d let her ask him some questions or talk a little about his past. She’d like to know more about him for sure, especially since she virtually knew nothing other than the parts of his Chavi she’d walked from sheer curiosity.

Kavala braided her hair in a loose crown of woven strands, letting their ends fall free so that her hair swung around her face without feeling too confined. It was a homage to her Drykas roots that she always kept some form of braiding in her translucent hair, even though swimming often tangled it. She added a smooth flowered dress to her body, one with a split skirt that would allow her to ride to town without hitching up a cart or carriage. Then she added dropped stones to her ears and a necklace of pearls and contemplated her face. She was too thin, too gaunt still, and she knew it. Her recovery was happening fast, but she was no where near where she was before she got pregnant. She glanced at the vanity and found cosmetics that were… lackluster for putting meat on her bones. Still, she added a hint of color to her cheeks, a bit of contouring to her face, and shaded her lids in a light violet that matched swirls of colors on her dress. She slipped a gloss on her lips and rose.

Ghost was a stallion, but he was the best to take to town for he always behaved with others. And he could be penned up nicely while they strolled the streets of Riverfall. So she threw a simple Yvas on him and draped a halter and lead across his shoulders for when they got to the stables in Riverfall and rode to meet Xira.

Kavala had a small fur wrap over her shoulders for the chill the night would bring.

She greeted him with a smile as she brought the stallion to a halt beside Snow. The two horses blew into each other’s nostrils in greeting even as the two people aboard smiled. “It’s a lovely day for this.” Kavala commented, shifting slightly. She had a handbag she’d tossed into her yvas bag as well, knowing they may very well stroll somewhere and need coin for something they admired.

“So where exactly are we going? You didn’t say.” Kavala said, gently urging Ghost into a walk knowing Snow would pick up the pace and they’d be on their way to town. “Do you want to take the road or ride along the beach? We can circle around the Sanctuary and head into town via the beach if you want a longer trip. Or we can head straight to town for the shorter route. It’s up to you.” She said, making two suggestions to get them to town. One way they could talk. But then again they could talk in town too.

[Xira Hezmek]

At the sight of the konti Xira mounted up on Snow... but not very gracefully. He struggled into the saddle, which the windrunner patiently endured. The courier could ride, he could tack his horse and take care of her, but he was still very much a novice. Luckily, he more or less got into the saddle without issue even if he had to shift about in his saddle to get comfortable. He gave an apologetic look and adjusted the reins for his and her comfort.

Kavala was beautiful in the failing light. She was thin, but her beauty was beyond such things. Her cheeks were blushed and her lips were an enticing violet, but in Xira's eyes she did not need it. She appeared to be recovering from whatever ailed her, the gauntness that he saw when he first met her was softened. Today she wore a crown for herself woven from platinum strands; it suited her and spoke of her unusual background. Which Xira knew little about.

Perhaps it was the initiation a few nights before. Xira could not help but feel a bit attached to her. What they had done together was beyond the physical and carnal. Boys and young men told stories about the intimate things one did with women, but everything paled in comparison to what Kavala and he shared. In truth, he wasn't sure what to make of it. He desired her, that much was made painfully obvious. But his instincts told him to keep her at arms lengths in fear of being hurt.

The courier turned mage reached out to stroke Snow's mane before responding. "It is a glorious day, isn't it?" He agreed cheerfully. "I was thinking an evening out on the town. I have a reservation for dinner at the right crane but that isn't until much later. Until then I was figured that we could simply enjoy each other's company until then." His thumb lightly rotated the ring Kavala wrought from magic around the digit as he spoke. "You are a mind reader Kavala. I was thinking of taking a ride on the beach"

The ring along with his signet were both reminders of his past and his future. A future shrouded in mystery and one as a magi. A past freshly written and one old and forgotten. He hated dwelling on such symbolism for long, but it was striking and perhaps a bit auspicious. He was after all riding into unknown territory despite his instincts telling him he ought to turn around, metaphorically speaking.

He squeezed Snow with his calves and she started forward. Together the four of them went down to the beach, or at least Xira assumed Kavala was following him. They rode in silence for a moment before Xira began, "Have you ever been to Syliras Kavala?" It wasn't much of an ice breaker, but it was the best he could do. His thoughts constantly touched on his birthplace, his home. Perhaps there was common ground to be found in it, or at least a story to be told.

Snow was an adventurous mare. She did not flinch at the sight of new things and was more often decidedly curious about unusual things. Of course she ran and obeyed herd instincts if something unexpected appeared threatening, not that Xira understood it as such, but she was well trained as a riding horse and tended towards the social, friendly and curious mannerisms. So when she encountered sand she dipped her head down to smell it, got a good look at it and heeded Xira's urgings into the banks and dunes besides the sea.

Together, Kavala and Xira rode and they were met with a spectacular sunset display.

My words

Their words

[Kavala]

Xira greeted her with small talk. Kavala was a bit glad for it. She wasn’t sure what they were to each other and what they were going to be. And part of her had taken to watching him when she didn’t think he was looking, studying him, trying to figure out who he was in this life and looking for signs. If pressed she wouldn’t have been able to verbalize what kinds of signs she was looking for. But with her last relationship – and indeed every one she’d ever been in expect perhaps with the time in Mura as an exception – there’d been signs that the people she was with weren’t with her for the right reasons.

Riaris had withheld love. Tasival’s father had withheld himself. Her other talvas had tried to kill her because his dark side was out of control. And now, after all this time, Kavala knew what she needed and wanted out of life. And she knew what she didn’t want… and so she’d taken to watching Xira for signs of both and being completely stumped when she found neither good nor bad. He was quiet, kept to himself, and yet was quick to help and even faster to show a willingness and thoughtfulness that was not what Kavala had come to expect in humans. He didn’t fit into the categories Kavala had separated people into neatly in her mind and it stumped her in many ways.

“I love the weather this time of year. It has so much promise. The new foals out in the pasture playing in the slowly warming weather always give me a sense of time passing and the wheel of the year turning. Summer will be amazing this year. I just know it. I hope you will be around to see it. The sunsets like this are quietly amazing. In the summer they become breathtaking.” Kavala said, offering Xira a smile and shifting slightly on Ghost’s back as they rode down the road to the beach and waded across the deep stand. They were walking along at a sedate pace, enjoying the wind off the surf and the mildness of the waves. It was the perfect weather to ride and talk in.

“Your plans sound great. I haven’t been to the Crane in a long time and we both could use a break tonight. I wanted to thank you for all your help. I know you’ve been pitching in a lot around The Sanctuary and though its not necessary, its very welcome. I meant what I said when I said you could stay as long as you’d like. There is always room, especially for the helpful. The twins like you too. Cadra and Larik are hard to please sometimes so that’s a bonus. And I know more times than I can count I’ve been glad you’ve been here this season.” Kavala said, looking thoughtful.

They rode further headed to town, but as if both mounts sensed their need for time to talk, neither hurried.

"I was in Syliras once... no twice... passing through to Zeltiva where I caught a ship to Mura. I remember being impressed by the security and the overwhelming number of people that lived together in such a small space. Did you live there? What was it like?" Kavala asked, curious about his life before Riverfall, but not really wanting to press him if he didn't want to talk about it.

Kavala noted Xira fingering his ring and smiled slightly. She had a ring very similar to it on her own hand, one that she’d created for herself and Vanator in a moment of promise. It held the Denusk family crest on it – striders intertwined in knot work – and was as black as the night itself. “Your initiation was beautiful. I wasn’t expecting what happened to happen. But I wouldn’t change it.” Kavala said softly, reaching down to stroke Ghost’s neck. He arched his massive frame in response, and pranced a moment making Kavala chuckle at her own stallion’s pride.

“I can’t help but think there is something between us, but by the Gods own truths I don’t know what it is exactly and what to label it.” She said, offering a smile that was almost apologetic. “I’m glad you are willing to take some time to explore it. I mean, unless I misread your invitation tonight.” Kavala said, knowing it was her one blind spot. She was fairly bad at reading people and their intentions. Animals for her were no problem. People posed a great and true mystery though.

The Konti watched Xira for a moment then let her eyes drop to Snow. The mare was well bred for sure and had the sort of spirit that would take her safely into any journey and perhaps see her and her charges through it as well. Kind hearted but prideful, the mare was definitely a good match for Xira. And with her breed, she was excellent for the fast work Xira needed her for - carrying missives, packages and letters - with no worries of her loosing her way or even her footing in the worst weather. She wasn't as fast as a Strider, but she could leave Ghost in the dust with his mixed parentage.

It was easier to think about horses than it was to think about men.

“When I first bought The Sanctuary’s land, I spent so much time down on this beach. I used to stand out on the sand and look across the Suvan but it never made me happy. Then one day I turned around and stared up at the cliffs. And I was so filled with purpose. In that moment, I could see what I wanted to accomplish and what The Sanctuary could become. Have you ever dreamed like that, Xira?” Kavala asked abruptly, offering him a half grin. It was absolutely true. That day she’d stopped coming to the beach so much and had started work on the massive complex The Sanctuary had grown to become.

[Xira Hezmek]

The courier was distracted for a moment, his foot had slipped from his stirrup and he attempted to regain it. As he looked it caught the tail end of her soft smile and he nodded. "It is indeed, Kavala." He said her name, not unlike how he did when he first met her. It had.. a flavor, a texture that came off the tongue and moved the jaw in such a specific way. "Now would be about time the planting and tending to the fields would happen in Syliras." He mused on that for a moment before looking back at his lovely friend with a cheerful smile.

"I truly appreciate that, M'lady. I am more than happy to help out around the Sanctuary; it is the least I can do. I feel so at home here and the people are truly a blessing to be around." His voice got caught for a moment, he had been about, more than his own home was. The fledgling magi cleared his throat and smiled again, "Excuse me. I mean to say that I am very glad to be here." His hands went from the pommel of his saddle to Snow's mane, luxuriating in the feel of his equine companion's pale hair as Kavala went on to return his question to him.

"I did live there. All my life, though I was told that my mother nor my father were from there." He scratched at his chin idly before moving on, "It... was a crowded place, as I am sure you already are aware. No matter where you went there were always people about. Men boasting, women tending to children, elderly playing card games or board games. But where it lacked in privacy it made itself up in security. The knights kept it that way and we all owe our lives to them- Ahem, we citizens of Syliras. Despite all that, all those people... it was easy to feel lonely. Like an island in a sea of people when all those people are so wrapped up in their own concerns. That one is just a number, just a face in the crowd." Somehow the courier had started to ramble. He wanted to tell Kavala everything, it was so easy to talk to her. He blushed, realizing that he hadn't given his companion a moment to speak, or that he might have even spoken right over her.

He looked back down at his ring and smiled as she spoke again. "I think that I will always have fond memories of that night. Unexpected as it was, I would not change it either." He knew of course that the statement would seem multifaceted. His initiation was beyond intimate, and that connection remained in someway. He lost something then but gained the gift of magic and an experience that would never be replaced.

They rode along slowly, the horses taking measured paces in the soft sand. The water, unlike the night of his initiation, was rolling and crashing against the beach. He pondered his words and nodded but did not add to it, Kavala had the right idea of his intentions. She said what he was thinking. She was so familiar to him, but that was impossible, he had not met anyone like her before the 10th.

He had spoken, and now it was his turn to listen to her. Xira fancied himself a good listener, but given the chance to speak his mind he knew he tended to ramble. That smile was infectious and he grinned back at her, "Truthfully Kavala, I don't know if I've ever felt exactly like that. But... I dream of being able to see the world, of being a courier like a good friend of mine. I took steps to do that, but I found that its hard to be a courier all on your own. I want to do something... but I don't know what yet." He switched gears, "You have accomplished so much, Kavala. Truly amazing, I had always assumed that the Sanctuary was the result of generations of work."

Xira's hand went to his head to adjust a hat that wasn't there. He had purposely left it in the guest quarters he was borrowing. This wasn't meant to be too formal, just enjoying each other's company and talking. He wanted to get to know her, this enigmatic woman who he had become rather attached to by virtue of his initiation.

Their progress to Riverfall was slow, following the contours of the coast took much longer than the other path. "Tell me Kavala, have you lived in Riverfall long? I gathered that you lived in Mura for a time due to your message and package, but obviously you found yourself here somehow." He let Snow find her way along the sand, either his mood was affecting her or her mood, him but the two made a leisurely pace that crunched and stirred up the dark sand.

My words

Their words

[Kavala]

Kavala rode along with Xira in companionable silence for a while, thinking on what he had to say. Xira was a contrast to her, not the usual human she had encountered in these last years and certainly not like the Akalak she’d come to know and enjoy in the city. He seemed to dwell between cultures, and in a lot of way she saw him as a lost soul brushing shoulders with people but not fully integrating with them. She hoped, for his sake and in some selfish way for herself, that he found comfort and a place in Riverfall. So many wanders had. But would he stay? Ultimately content? She didn’t know. And Kavala found herself wanting him too. It wasn’t about their racial differences. It wasn’t even attraction, though there was that. It was more about his company and the fact that she enjoyed it and it brought her strength. Kavala knew souls recognized each other. They dwelled in elaborate patterns that came around again and again in the spirals of Chavi she’d witnessed in the Chavena.

But that their coming together equated such comfort and familiarity often startled her.

Kavala nodded to his words about Syliras. His observations aligned with what she’d witnessed as well. The city was alive in ways nothing and no place she’d been could be. People were ingenious there. They occupied space with the skill of rats and while that was no kind of living for her, it was the living that was important. “I think we feel very similar about Syliras. I found what you say to be very true. It was beautiful in its own right, but it was not the right place for me. There were too many people, too many walls, and something in its whole design was lost. I need the sea, open sky, and tall grass.” Kavala said gently.

The Konti glanced to the sea, glad suddenly that she had the physical form to adapt to a whole host of environments and wasn’t limited to what humans were. She looked back at Xira as he spoke and met his gaze, smiling, as he admitted he hadn’t minded how the initiation turned out and why. “Thank you. It was a beautiful ceremony. The best I’ve been privileged to attend. Certainly none have ended that way.” She offered him a smile along with her words, and reached out to run her hands through Ghost’s silvery mane. The small woman shifted on the warhorses’ back and looked momentarily uncomfortable. “I’m not prone to sleeping around; despite the children I have that might lend evidence to the contrary.” She softly whispered, perhaps allowing the wind to steal her words. He might hear them or not. But they were offered to the universe anyhow.

The horses hooves made an odd hollow sound on the wet sand as they walked. It was an unusually patterned background noise to the surf and wind and their conversation.

“Seeing the world is a good goal. If you can figure out how to do that and get paid, it’s a double bonus, I think. Team building is hard, but sometimes you just have to get it done and when the right combination of people come along, things fall into place easily.” In a way though, even with a smile on her face, his words dimmed a light in her heart. He wouldn’t stay here. She couldn’t expect him too. And the thought made her sad. But time was fleeting and things changed. That didn’t mean she wouldn’t enjoy his visit while it lasted.

She noted the gesture of him trying to adjust a hat. It almost made her smile as she then turned her gaze out to sea. His question took her by surprise. It had been a long time since she’d had to tell her story to someone. It had been difficult once to retell, but now it held less of a bite for her. Nonetheless she started out slowly.

“I was raised on the Sea of Grass in the Denusk Pavilion. There are very few Denusks left. That is my surname. My mother was a Konti who came to the grass on Call. My father married her and soon she had my older sister Akela and then later myself. She died when I was little from a fall off a horse. Among the horse clans, it was seen as the worst of luck and even something of a curse.” Kavala said, glancing at Xira, and then moving on in her story.

“Konti have very little value on The Sea of Grass unless they learn a skill. Men there have multiple wives and the best I could hope for in terms of a ranking position was a second or third wife position. Then, a man would only marry me if I came skilled, meaning I brought something to the pavilion other than myself. My mother was a healer and Akela chose to be a warrior. So when she departed to find herself in the world, I left for Mura. I studied healing there for two years at my father’s request because he wanted me to marry well thus increasing his own wealth. Men trade horses for women on the Grass.” Kavala explained.

“So off to Mura I went. But when I was there my Gift developed. You see the Konti that dwell there often gain extra powers because the water there is sacred and brings visions. Drinking it day in and day out changes a person. My exposure gave me an empathic link to animals. I can feel what they feel, their pain, their joy, and understand their needs better than average healers can. My path diverged there from the healers of people to the healers of animals. I could not get further training though because no one taught such things. So I returned home.” She said, suddenly reaching up to cross her arms over her chest and rub her forearms.

“I was almost home when slavers caught me daydreaming and almost killed my horse with a tripwire over an obvious path. I went down. Windsong was hurt badly, and they captured me. I was thrown in a wagon built into the form of a cage and taken with other women mainly to be traded to the Zith. It was a … difficult time.” She didn’t get into the whole experience of slavery, but he could most likely infer a lot of it.

“Akalak raiders struck the slavers and freed the women. We were taken back here to Riverfall and I was made into a Nakivak. They are… contracted breeders for the Akalak. The Akalak are … on the verge of extinction. They rescue slave women and put them in contract so that they will bear them children in exchange for their freedom. I was no exception which is why I have Akontak children now. Both their fathers are dead, so I was able to keep my babies. And it is the reason I am not with anyone now.” Riaris hadn’t been her Talvis, but it was so much easier to explain him that way to Xira. He had, after all, treated her much like an Akalak would have treated a Nakivak. “My debt of freedom to Riverfall has been paid, and that’s how I got the seed money for the original land The Sanctuary sits on and stock. All of it has been paid off and I no longer wear the bracelet saying I’m available for use.” She said, glancing over at Xira, having no idea how he was going to take any of this and how it would make him feel that she was actually no better than a contracted whore to a series of Akalak who had used her for reproduction.

They were about halfway to the city now, the horses having instinctively slowed down even further. Kavala didn’t want Xira to dwell on her circumstance though. Instead, she asked him about his family.

“Will you tell me about your own family? Are they still alive and about? Was it just restlessness that made you leave them or are you alone in the world now?” She inquired politely, leaving her question pitched in such a tone that if she was intruding she wouldn’t mind him dodging the question.

[Xira Hezmek]

A cool breeze lifted from the west, tossing the waves further into shore and weaving invisible fingers into the hair of those on land. Xira shifted in his seat, the wind making him that much more aware of his lack of riding experience. Every time he rode Snow he woke up the next day sore. It made sense to him that this would go away, but already his thighs were beginning to ache. Which only led to other thoughts; as Kavala spoke of the ritual the fledgling mage's mind drifted back to the morning after the vigourous initiation. He was sore then too, muscles not used to working complaining about being used the night before. Perhaps if he did... similar activities he would not feel those muscles ache? He was making himself blush at his own wandering thoughts, very indecent wandering thoughts at that. He looked to see if Kavala noticed and caught her murmuring something but the wind took her words and kept it from him. He briefly thought if he should ask about it before the conversation moved on to other topics. Perhaps later, or perhaps it was nothing.

Her advice was good and he drank it in greedily. She clearly had experience with working together and business. How else could she afford the miniaturized city, that compound known as the Sanctuary? Not to mention the numerous horses and animals that she breeds and sells. Interesting and practical advice to "Just have to get it done". One would think that it was obvious to do, but sometimes obvious points are just too important to be left unsaid.

The courier gave his complete and undivided attention to Kavala the entire time she gave her story. But her story was horrifying for his Sylirian sensibilities. While multiple lives was merely strange for him, a different culture than he was used to, trading women for horses was like slavery. Xira would not have people treated like property and he found the practice terrible. His face frowned and his expression darkened as the story went on. Only lightening for her time in Mura and her magical gift with animals.

She had been a slave briefly. He had heard stories of Zith, but did not know what that meant, what they were like. Rumors and stories were dangerous to believe without seeing for one's self. He would not be able to fully understand in such polite terms. They were words to him, just that and did not impact him like they would have if he had been in the konti's place. But, the slavery did not bother him beyond the severe distaste. The breeding contract on the otherhand... Xira could not help but ball his fist around the reigns. His frown a mask of distaste and poorly concealed anger at the injustice of it all. He said nothing though and nodded politely as she spoke, something familiar to fall back on. They should free the women right then and there, if they were saving the slaves. Instead they turned these women into slaves of a different kind, slaves with freedom dangled in front of their heads. Was it not rape to do this? With or without their consent this "debt" would be paid. And of all people for this to happen his friend and recent lover, Kavala. What horrors to have had to face, horrors that could easily break a weaker willed woman. Instead she turned it around, she kept her children and obviously loved them dearly.

Xira found himself deeply respecting Kavala. His heart went out to her and he wished irrationally to help in some way, perhaps erase such travesties from her past. But the past was the past and nothing could be done about it. He certainly could not make his friend and mentor return to him. His thoughts were cut short and his dark expression faltered when she turned the question back to him.

Internally the courier panicked and opened his mouth and closing it a couple times before he could think of a proper way of phrasing his response. He could have declined to answer but she had divulged her past, it was only fair for him to do the same. "Um..." He coughed lightly into a gloved hand before continuing, "Excuse me, I never really knew my family, not the ones that gave birth to me anyways. My mother, the one who raised me adopted me after my mother died when I was born. I never knew my father, I only know his last name is Hezmek and that's it. My mother raised me alone and worked as a handmaiden for a knight's wife. She then passed away of consumption and I was left with all her meager possessions and none of her suitors or lovers wanted anything to do with me." He paused trying not to relive any of the times that a suitor acted one way towards him and another with his mother. " Instead I lived with a drykas man named Temur who was a courier. He filled my heads with stories of other places. He showed me a bit about riding a horse and living in the wild around Syliras. Interesting that you should be one of the horse people too." Xira looked at the Konti woman curiously, little coincidences linking the two in unusual ways. Temur did not talk much of his home, and it apparently for good reasons. Perhaps he was ashamed of their practice of treating people like property? He opened his mouth again to speak and he skirted around Temur's abrupt leaving and the heartache of having no one, instead he finished with, "And so his stories made me want to see the world myself, I decided to follow in Temur's footsteps and became a courier as well."

He gave her a wan smile and tried to lift his and perhaps her mood, "Honestly, it was a decent childhood. I just miss my mother sometimes." He looked up into the sky for a moment, the clouds above were robed in pinks and oranges and the backdrop drew the color out with shades of violet and deep blue. Here and now he was riding on his wonderful travel companion with a beautiful woman whom had taken an interest in him. Him of all people, the traveler, the outcast, even in Syliras he simply did not look like the other humans, his olive and tanned skinned marked him out as different as easily as an Isur's arm, an Akalak's blue body, or an Eypharian's extra limbs, of which there were plenty in Syliras. Here and now the past could only affect him if he chose it to.

"So yup, that about covers that." He said with a more genuine smile and a thought made him tilt his head, "So have you figured out where you are planting your Vian tree yet? Or perhaps you already have." He said unsure, he knew the layout of the the Sanctuary mostly, but still got lost occasionally so it would not be unheard of him missing something.

My words

Their words

[Kavala]

Kavala rode with a confidence, automatically guiding the big stallion around any flotsam that crossed their path and keeping him in the hard packed sand that was still wet from the surf but not being currently kissed by it. She liked Xira’s company. He had an easy way about him that was neither intrusive nor too pushy. It gave her time to relax and time to reflect on his words. They didn’t immediately talk over each other, and the silences between them spent looking at the beauty of the beach, the waves, and the sky was not awkward. Kavala appreciated that. She knew Xira was a born mage, one that would question things more deeply than others might, even if he himself hadn’t admitted that.

He’d took to reimancy too. And she knew he’d only grow in his powers. She could feel it. Kavala shifted on Ghost, listening to what Xira was saying. “I’m sorry about your mother… both of them. But I’m glad you found something to be passionate about and someone to pattern a bit of your life after. Temur sounds amazing. Where is he now?” She asked, hoping he hadn’t succumbed to something like both Xira’s mothers had. Odds were in the world he had, but Kavala was still curious.

“It’s planted.” She reassured him, laughing slightly. “I got it in the ground in a very sheltered spot between buildings both erected and planned. When it gets bigger it will be the centerpiece of a courtyard garden near a greenhouse. The seeds are planted inside the clinic in a sunny window, one in the transport tube you came with but others in makeshift little greenhouses made from cut bottles. We’ll see how they do. Draer wouldn’t steer me wrong. If I can get a small grove growing, I will be ecstatic. Some of the seeds will go in the greenhouse once we get it erected. That way we can try to be doubly sure they will make it. I’m also being sneaky. I’m getting Caelum to age it once a day with his touch. He can sneak it past the vulnerable seedling point and into a full blown tree faster than you know.” She said smiling. “It’s how Ia’del managed to make it through her first month of premature life. I’d rather have Caelum skip her through the tough part than have her die too soon.” She said with a note of gratitude in her voice.

“There’s a lot of work going on up top planned for the end of spring, especially with foaling getting out of the way. Rebreeding too. Once we get mares safely foaled out and the herd out on the boarder pasture which I’ve been letting grow up, I’m going to put in the greenhouse and start on the buildings for the college. Those will house dorms, classrooms, and a few other things the healers need to utilize. Probably a mess haul of some sorts. Its going to be a big project but one I’m going to contract to builders mostly. I’m going to be selling off most of the dog breeding projects … all but the Imperial Watchers… to fund it. Most of the broodmares who have foaled out this year will get a hard look too and some will be sold. I want to be fairly into straight Denusk horses once we get the school going.” Kavala said, outlining her plans neatly and making a gesture with her hands.

“It will help bring in new blood… healers, scholars, and potential Cytali.” The Konti said, hoping more of her people would come home or find their way to The Sanctuary. There were no guarantees but it was indeed possible. “I just hope students will come. It would be nice to have the additional income. I’m not sure why, but I keep thinking what we have isn’t enough… we aren’t strong enough, secure enough, safe enough for what’s coming. That I have to expand my reach, Xira, and gather more people under our banner because its important. Sometimes everything in me screams to keep going, keep building, keep building this until it’s a Dynasty for us… for all of us.” Kavala softly admitted. She reached forward, fisted her hands in Ghosts’ mane and stared at the white and grey streaked silk tresses.

“I don’t want to be dependent upon anyone else for safety and security. I want to be the one people depend on for it. Others have so let me down in that department, but I know I’m not going to let others down, not if I can help it.” Kavala said softly, then looked up, not sure if Xira understood how little of….

Best spell it out. “In my past I’ve had very little control over certain things. I had a wonderful childhood and a really great few years on Mura training. But after that I had very little control over my fate or what happened. Others made those decisions for me. I can’t say it wasn’t perhaps a debt owed. I’d rather have been what I was than have died with the Zith as one of their meals. But now… all that has been paid and my life is my own. Control is very very important. And the more of it I have the more settled it makes me. I can’t predict the future or even control whats coming, but I can control my preparedness and the preparedness of everyone around me that looks to me for protection.” She said, offering him a slightly apologetic smile. The Konti wasn’t exactly sorry for the feelings, but she knew it was one of the things about her that had made her Tavlis’ nervous. She didn’t automatically agree with them, look to them for direction in life, or listen to their philosophies. She respected them, but the drumbeat she marched too was already firmly playing in her head.

They had reached the city. Riverfall stretched up like a crouching animal just about to dive over the cliff. From their vantage plungepool bay and the waterfall were hidden. But there was a road that lead up the side of the cliffs and to the main gates where they could get in. Kavala turned Ghost from the beach and had to concentrate a moment because the pathway was steep and it was far easier for the big stallion to trot up the narrow cart path the fisherman and clam diggers used than slowly haul his massive weight up. She trusted Xira to keep up. Kavala clamped her legs down on the stallion’s barrel and leaning her weight forward off his shoulders, giving him room to move beneath her without her body weight impacting his action. In moments they were on the tops of the cliff and headed towards the main gate.

“Dinner first?” She asked, feeling hungry now. “We might want to stop by the stables first and leave these two… then walk form there.” The Konti suggested, smiling slightly.

Count: 1165

[Xira Hezmek]

He supposed that avoiding Temur only would only draw attention to him. He nodded lightly to her. "He wasn't the most agreeable person in the world, but he was a friend. He was kind to me for some reason, and while it was difficult to gain his approval, he gave it freely and honestly. Unfortunately he um... disappeared a couple years back without saying a word. I have no idea where he is now." He gave her a bit of a sad, embarrassed smile.

Kavala was sincere, he did not fault her for asking. In fact, most things about here were straight forward and without ulterior motive. It was strange to Xira that a woman who had gone through such hardships could be that way. Though, he knew little of the world and of the hearts of men and women, it could easily be the opposite; that it is because these hardships that she was so straight with others. In any case, he really enjoyed that quality about her.


His expression brightened when they moved on to happier subjects. Taking care of plants, gardening and such was an unexpected pleasure and Xira was increasingly turning it into a hobby. As such he followed along with Kavala enthusiastically. "That's gre- Caelum can do what?" He said incredulously. "How in the... That is amazing Kavala! Is that some magic he has learned or something or something he can do as an ethafel?" It had some intriguingly consequences, aging an object a day at a time. "I imagine that it could be used for great healing, at the expense of shortening one's lifespan. In the case of your daughter it was both." He mused half to himself, letting Snow pick her way around a piece of jetsam.

So far he was really enjoying himself. It was a cozy, comfortable feeling that seemed to come with the territory of riding horses along the beach with an enjoyable evening to be had. Sure the last couple interactions were either formal or frantically... informal. This was a happy medium. She had turned to business talk, of work to be done and plans to be made. "The college, I think you mentioned it before at some point. For healing right? If you need any assistance, I am more than happy to lend a hand. As you well know, I have been doing what I can to earn my stay here." He paused, thinking about what Kavala said, "That is understandable. I can see why you or anyone in your position would want some... what was the word? Autonomy? And I've seen that the people you've attracted to you support you in it. Your family, your friends. They care much for you." It was more of an observation than any sort of rhetoric or form of argument.

Her words left Xira somewhat introspective. Funny that he was an earth mage, when he was flexible and flowing like air or water. He was the sort of person to bow and scrape to those in power. Fitting for a courier, men who send the words of more powerful men and women to places they couldn't bother to go themselves. But perhaps Kavala was correct, maybe he sought stability, maybe he sought a spine.

And with that, they were at the city. At least, the path to the top. Said path was decidedly steep. Ever the gentleman, Xira let Kavala and the great beast she brought with her go first. The courier did not have much experience riding, but he remembered something from long ago. He made a special note of the way Kavala sat in her seat. It looked not dissimilar to something called... posting? He couldn't tell, nor remember it very well but he made to do the same as Snow made her way behind. It was awkward, to say the least. She did not use a traditional saddle, if anything it was like riding bareback, and that difference alone distributed his weight differently. In any case snow did not seem to mind either way. She had an endurance to her despite her thinner, graceful form.

By the time they made it to the top. His response came to his lips and exited without any thought behind them, "I imagine the owner of the White Crane would be very pleased to have a pair of horses in their restaurant. Imagine the mess they would cause." Afterwards he realized just what he said and blushed, "I mean, yes, yes. That is a great idea. I think I remember the way. The maps the Akalak give are very handy for newcomers like myself. And so accurate too." He pulled the map out, letting Snow keep pace with Kavala's Ghost. She knew where to go and would undoubtedly head that way, but Xira was the sort that wanted to know where he was going. "Ah. So we just go over... there." He said softly to himself, looking in the direction they needed to.

"Kavala, something occurs to me. You said a word earlier that I didn't quite understand. What is the Cytali?" He asked as they made their way to the stables. It was a short distance and they would probably would have to pay to board their horses for the evening. It was after all on the way. When they made it there the owner, Nell Luien, took a golden miza from Xira to board the both of their horses. Snow was soon munching hay contentedly in a stall, already retrieving a brush down from their short ride. He smiled and rubbed her noses, "You behave now, okay?" Which was met with a soft snort. The courier would have guessed that if he was a human, she might have rolled her eyes. But that was just him projecting his own feelings upon her.

"Right then! Shall we" He offered his elbow to the konti. She certainly did not have to take her arm, he would gladly just walk next to her, but he was not going to pass up a chance to be close to his friend and companion. "It looks like we'll make it early to the performance. We should be able to see the whole thing from start to finish while we eat. I am glad, like they say, 'Better to be early than late'" He said with a cheerful smile.

Ledger: -1 GM for boarding horses

[Kavala]

Kavala didn’t mean to pry about Temur. It was just hard for her to read Xira sometimes and know what appropriate conversation topic was and what wasn’t. They were making small talk, which was about what they could make given that they didn’t know each other really well. The problem was that Kavala WANTED to get to know Xira. She liked him and his easy going ways. He had an interesting past and she wanted to know about the people that helped form that past. Temur seemed to be a key figure, but one she was not linking to why Xira was in Riverfall and still not working for him. And when she realized that the man had disappeared, Kavala wondered if Xira wanted help finding him.

“You know… I could find him for you. You were with him and that means your Chavi touched and from yours I could track his and find out where he is and if hes okay.” Kavala offered, knowing without Xira saying so that the man probably wondered why Temur disappeared. She would. Anyone would in that situation. If Xira wanted her help, she’d give it gladly. For the Konti loved helping solve puzzles. It was part of her personality that no mystery shall remain unsolved.

“Yes, Caelum is pretty special. I think all Ethaefal can do it. It has something to do with their immortality or something and is a gift of Leth and Syna. At least that’s how he explained it to me. And its incredibly handy in a healer who wants to age a wound at twice the rate to make sure it heals up properly.” Kavala commented, glad that Caelum was around for more than one reason. He wasn’t just a good healer, but he was a really exceptional friend. The best of the best, one could argue, for certain.

They rode on… the conversation pleasant and the evening nice.

“The college is a long term goal, yes… one we’re hoping to get going on. I’m going to build the whole thing this season I think, and perhaps take a few students next season. We will have to see how that goes. But you don’t have to work so hard. We’re glad to have you stay here, Xira… the children love you, so do the rest of the staff, and well… I like having you around too. It’s nice for a change. If you don’t have any goals, Xira, you might as well stop living. The school will help out a lot of animals and Kelvics, but it will also be a cover for recruiting Cytali. We can cherry pick the best and brightest for the future of both organizations… both Dreamwalkers and Healers… future professors.” Kavala said, glancing at Xira and listening as he talked about her friends and family and how much they all cared about each other.

“That’s what friends and family is supposed to be about, right?” Kavala asked, fairly certain now that Xira hadn’t had a lot of experience with being in a family or well loved in his short life. “They care about you too, you know. We treat you like one of us… even though you’ve only been ehre a short time. They do that because you are an incredibly good person, Xira.” Kavala said with a smile. She reached forward to stroke ghosts’ long mane where it fell over his neck, looking away from Xira in case he blushed or seemed frustrated. Kavala wanted to praise him, but only in a way that made sure she wasn’t embarrassing Xira or anything.

Then suddenly they were in town. There was a fuss about getting horses settled in the town stables. Kavala didn’t say a whole lot until they were out of the stable and strolling through the city. She forgot sometimes….

And so Kavala took Xira’s elbow and together they started to stroll towards the restaurant. It was nice… this date…. And it was something that Kavala had never experienced before. She thanked him before she forgot.

“Thank you for this, Xira. No one… and I do mean that… has ever taken me out on the town like this before.” She said, as a way to break the ice from her not answering the previous question. But the White Crane wasn’t nearly as close as it should be and there were lots of roads between… so Kavala knew she had to give some sort of explanation.

“I forget that not everyone knows or has access to their past lives. It would be so much easier sometimes if people were. The Cytali… will take a long time to explain, Xira, but I will give it my best. Feel free to stop me.. to ask me questions… I’ll do my best to explain.” Kavala offered, looking thoughtful and then glancing about the city. Riverfall was a beautiful place to live. It was safe. It was clean. And they could do things like this without worry.

“You are so comfortable at The Sanctuary because it is full of people you’ve lived with before in other lives. Some of us.. Caelum and myself, the twins… my children will be… all Cytali. You too are Cytali but you don’t know it. The official… description of the Cytali goes something like this. The Cytali are a mixed group of Dreamwalkers marked by Nysel and other Deities who existed predominantly pre-Valterrian throughout Mizahar. The Cytali take the search for lost knowledge to a new dimension leaving the anthropology to the explorers and adventurers and instead dig through the Chevena for lost information. Dreamwalkers search the individual Chavi within the Chavena for that which has been lost and learning it first hand from those that know by mining the memories of the past.” Kavala finished off, then glanced over to Xira, meeting his gaze.

“You roam now because you are used to it. You carry messages and explore because that’s what you have done before. You and I were related in a past life. Most of us were. Vanator and I were… Caelum and I were not, but we were both of the same pavilion. It gets confusing… each life is new and is a fresh start, but you do carry some things with you.” She said, keeping pace beside him, her hand on his elbow. It felt nice, even if the talk was deep. She didn’t mind. Deep talk made the night go fast though and Kavala wasn’t sure if she wanted this night to be one of those kind or not.

“Do you feel it? I know you can’t see into your past now, but perhaps soon you will be able too. Nysel usually marks all the same people life after life because he likes them and is familiar with them… once he does, if he does… I can teach you how to look backwards and learn from the past to better the future. That’s what the Cytlai does… to keep itself and everyone around us safe.” Kavala offered, hoping it was enough of an explanation. If it wasn’t she could go into more detail… but she hoped he would remember something, anything, and feel how right it should seem to him.

Count: 1,203.