To Arms (Open)

[Kain Snowsong]

511 AV 5th of Spring

On the outskirts of Avanthal Kain wandered the wastes. The sun washed the city with a warm orange glow as it rose from behind the distant horizon. Kain paused and gazed into the distance. The air stung in his lungs but was not unfamiliar, it was as it did near everyday. He hung his head and sighed, One more season he thought, one more season. Onward Kain continued, shifting his weight onto the cane he had purchased the day prior; it sunk with a thunk through the snow.

In the distance was a old worn tree standing alone. Kain stopped, he stared at it momentarily and charged forth. He drew the forth the cane's hidden blade and prepared to strike. Like lightning the blade met the tree and with a jolt it flew off behind him.

Kain came to a halt resting himself against the tree. He had expected this to be easier, it was only a blade it couldn't be nearly as difficult to learn as his flute. Perhaps he had used it wrong. Kain righted himself and retrieved the blade sheathing it. He sat himself in the snow against the tree. "Maybe one season won't be enough", he muttered to himself. Kain drew his flute from his sleeve and began to play a light melody, lost in thought he slowly became oblivious to everything else.

[Lesserage]

The soft canter of Bjorn's shaggy hooves thumping into the snow echoed throughout the air dimly. The Avanthalian steed let out an irate harrumphing sound as he padded across the white wastes, and was swiftly consoled by his rider's gentle touch upon his mane.

Mounted upon Bjorn's back, Lesserage Skyglow dug his heels gently into the shaggy horse's sides to direct him leftwards, towards a vague blot in the distance that resembled a tree. Might be a nice place to stop by for a bit, that. The unwitting merchant was quickly surprised when there was a sudden flash of movement in the distance and a dull clang. Any other person would've made the conscious decision to get the blazes out of there. Lesserage, on the other hand, was typical of most Vantha in the sense that he loved a good story. And the flute music that wafted from there right after the sudden commotion promised a good story.

Urging the indignant Bjorn forward, Lesserage rode towards where Kain sat cheerily, holding up a hand in acknowledgment as soon as he neared his fellow Vantha's view and offering him a Vani greeting. "Essai, Vessera, and well met. What are you doing out here in the cold on this day?"

[Kain Snowsong]

Kain's mind wandered as his music danced upon the breeze, lost in his thoughts he neither saw nor heard the stranger approach. With the strangers sudden greeting the music came to a stop, Kain rolled and hid himself behind the tree glancing out afterwards. Just a fellow Vantha he thought. He gave a wide grin and chuckle lightly to himself.

"Hail," he greeted cautiously "You startled me. I was just practicing for summer come. Much to do and so little time to do it."

Kain raised himself and stepped forth from behind the tree, "Apologies, I am Kain Snowsong; Musician. And you would be?" Now calm and feeling slightly more confident Kain looked over this stranger, obviously a local but not someone he knew personally.

[Lesserage]

Lesserage's eyes flashed from their usual cold blue to a bright gold, then settled into a color in-between both, displaying the odd trait of changing eye colors unique to the Vantha. "Summer, my friend?" Lesserage inquired, dismounting from Bjorn and settling onto the snow, clutching the saddle so he didn't sink right into the snow when he descended. Patting his trusty steed on the head, the merchant padded towards Kain, struggling somewhat with the icy ground.

"You have a performance due come the summer, I imagine?" Lesserage said casually as he came to a halt some distance away from Kain before extended a gloved hand. "But well met, Vessara Kain. I am Lesserage Skyglow," he announced warmly. "A simple craftsman and a wandering merchant who just so happens to be at home for now. Pray tell, what is it you are practicing for, exactly?"

[Kain Snowsong]

Kain met Lesserage's grip, gazing into the taller mans eyes. "I must be prepared to defend myself, come the 1st of summer my cousin and I shall be setting forth from Avanthal to see the world beyond our majestic home. For this I must learn a weapon, though today is my first day even holding one."

Kain eyes slowly shifted to calm blue, Lesserage felt as someone he could trust. Kain claimed his cane and drew it's blade, "This task proves a might more difficult than I had expected. It always looked so easy by the guards hands." Kain sheathed the blade once again and held it tight, "I..." Kain stopped and turned away.

[Lesserage]

Lesserage shook Kain's hand firmly before releasing it, smiling broadly all the way. "A coincidence, then!" Lesserage gestured at the Avanthalian steed behind him, who was pawing the snow restlessly. "Bjorn and I are due to leave Avanthal soon, perhaps in summer, or perhaps as soon as late spring. I am going to bring my cargo as far as Syliras, hopefully, and once there I shall peddle my carved wares to the Sylirans! They, I imagine, should have an appreciative eye for fine Avanthalian goods." The merchant grinned. "I understand the need to master some sort of combat ability all too well. The roads are always dangerous, be they in Taldera or Sylira. I, unfortunately, am no fighter, nor do I have the fortitude and willpower to become one! I make do by hiring competent bodyguards and having them tag along with me on the long trip. There is much to be told in such company, after all! And stories, ve, are something we Vantha enjoy, no?"

The oddly red-haired Vantha smiled at his fellow again, then noticed Kain had stopped talking and turned away. Albeit insensitive to such things, Lesserage quirked an eyebrow, sensing a story, and swiftly questioned the fellow Vantha. "Whatever is the matter, ve?"

[Kain Snowsong]

Kain turned facing Lesserage. "My apologies, I startled myself is all. I have quite the anti-social tendencies but they are not as apparent for some reason. Please, no worries on my part." Kain gave his maddest grin. "So your a merchant? If you don't mind a couple of bards tagging along my cousin and I would love some company for this journey. But of course we'll do our fair share of work" Kain could not believe his luck, he and Berus alone would have been difficult feat for the pair of musicians but a caravan would be more convenient for all.

[Lesserage]

Lesserage placed two fingers on his chin and scratched distractedly. "Bards, you say? Well, a couple of bards would certainly add to the festivity of any journey, and you will of course be able to earn your own living on the road. I do hope, however, that you have your own mounts? You will, also, evidently, be expected to bring your own supplies and traveling gear. The ability to fight would be an added bonus, of course." The merchant smiled broadly at him. "If you can handle all of that, I see no problem with you lot tagging along at all! You must be aware, however, that I am likely leaving in late spring instead of in summer. There might be some date conflicts there, would you say?"

[Kain Snowsong]

Kain drew his blade and made a sharp jab at the tree. "I'll have to discuss it with my cousin but I think we should be able to adjust." A second jab more precise, cutting way through the bark. "We may have to do some extra performances and sell some things but I think we're capable." A wide swing meeting the tree with a satisfying crack. "Have you ever done this trip before?"

[Lesserage]

The flame-haired merchant clicked his tongue, for Bjorn had just threatened to wander off without him. As he brought the steed back to his person, Lesserage pondered over the question poised with the slow, careful thought process that all mercantile men possesed. "Well," Lesserage said at last after a mild pause. "I've been on trips like these before, but never on such a long overland journey. Usually I'd halt at Karjin and take ship to Syliras, but unforeseen circumstance have forced me to try hug the coast right to Syliras instead. That's a first." A halfhearted chuckle. "What about you Vessera? Why are you striking out on such a risky venture?"