To Arms (Open)

[Kain Snowsong]

"Well, as much as I love Avanthal, I guess I'm just tired. I want something new, something spectacular, a better chance to uncover... myself. Also it's for my cousin. He wishes to be a bard and travel the world, learn new stories, and sing new songs. He's the only family I care for in this world. To raise him to the pinnacle of his dreams would be all I could want of this world."

Another jab at the tree, this one meeting dead center. Kain pulled back but he blade would not move. He pulled with what little strength he had but still nothing. Placing his foot upon the trunk he lurched back with everything in him, the blade came loose and Kain fell back into the snow. He laid there and stared at the morning sky.

"I guess I just want to find something more to live for."

[Lesserage]

"Stories!" Lesserage enthused, clearly having only heard that one word out of the entire speech. The merchant struggled for a moment after realizing that Kain had said more than simply 'stories', working out the thoughts in his head.

"Ah." Lesserage said after another pause. "A worthy aspiration, very familial. Your cousin must be proud! There is, indeed, much to see out in the world-" He halted as Kain struggled with the sword and finally managed to tug it free. "- It does look like you need more practice," he mused. 'But yes, it is always good to find a purpose in life. I, personally..." Lesserage beamed as he waved at Bjorn cheerfully. "Have found mine! To wander the road and peddle my wares, then perfect my craft in Morwen's honor."

[Kain Snowsong]

"I don't know about peddling wares, but art is something I can respect in all forms." Kain held the blade over his face, " Perhaps there's a way to apply my arts to this blade?" Kain laid his blade in the snow and sat up. From his sleeve he produced his flute and starting playing off melodies. He would start with one and then abruptly switch to another. Finally he found one he liked, he played it a few times to get the feel and then stood up. Slowly he moved himself silently along the tune, using the flute like an extension of his arm. Jab, jab, slash, dancing to the beat. Then stop, "Hmm, I don't like the rhythm change, perhaps..." and off he went into another song.

[Lesserage]

"I've heard of swordsmen who fought in rhythym of a catchy tune!" Lesserage quipped with a light chuckle. "Perhaps you could try something along those lines?" He patted the saddlebags slung over Bjorn. "I know little of warriors and their ways. The closest I could get to a warrior's mentality would be to agree on what pattern he wanted me to carve into his shield!"

[Kain Snowsong]

Kain chuckled along with Lesserage, "A tune is just the first step, if I apply dance to this as well I might be find a more suitable technique for myself. It's just working out the mechanics of the blade strikes and parries along with the movements of the dance and applying each properly." Kain quietly pondered on this.

[Lesserage]

"The tune is the first step, hmn?" Lesserage mused. "The mentality of warriors never fails to simultaneously amuse and puzzle me. It appears to me that warriors are simply craftsmen who can't make up their mind what they want to do! So they take up a sword and mingle in a little bit of everything." Another chuckle. "I once knew a fellow who was a fair hand with a blade, and told me about his hobby of beekeeping. I found that infinitely amusing. He was also no amateur to calculus!"

The merchant paced forward and observe Kain's weapon, then his observant, color-changing irises flashed gold momentarily as they appraised the flute in the other's possession. "It is well carved," Lesserage acknowledged after a moment's lull in the conversation. "Your flute," the Vantha merchant added, almost as an afterthought, to point out what he was talking about. "It is well carved."

[Kain Snowsong]

Kain paused at the comment, "Thank you... I've had her since I was a child. Playing the flute was the only thing I could ever do right." Kain stared at his flute and inched over it delicately with his finger. "Every scratch, every scuff, the chips and the cracks; each a memory. For all of my flaws, and the pains of my past, this flute reminds me of who I am, and who I'm going to be. For me, for Berus, and for my mother, this flute is what makes me a Vantha." With the last few statements Kain eyes grew dark, and he grew silent.

[Lesserage]

"A good flute, then. A very good flute," remarked the merchant in a mildly interested tone hued with respect. "It is always well and good to have a close memory etched deep into your heart, that you may be intimate with yourself." A slight pause, then Lesserage scratched his head sheepishly. "And look! I tried to sound wise for a moment there. Didn't quite work out, but we're doing okay, I think. Nonetheless, you get what I mean." A quick smile. "I shall leave you be, you should have a few minutes to yourself, I think? If you need me, I can usually be found at the Red Diamond. Have a talk with your cousin about joining me on my little journey, I'll see you soon."

With that, the Vantha merchant turned about and mounted his horse, then waved benignly at his fellow man before nudging his heels into his steed's sides and causing Bjorn to start galloping away, kicking up little clouds of snow.

[Kain Snowsong]

As Lesserage departed Kain played him off with a children's song. It may have been the first he had learned, or perhaps just his favorite from his child hood, he could not recall entirely, but all the same it meant a great deal to him. Kain didn't know if it was luck or fate that brought he and Lesserage here this day, but things had taken a step in the right direction. Kain spent the rest of the day practicing his dance swordplay only leaving at dusk. All in all he felt his progress was little but progress all the same.

[Cheshire]

. Character: Kain Snowsong Experience: Running +1, Weapon (Blade) +2, Instrument (Flute) +2 Lore: Planning for Travel, Searching for Purpose Character: Lesserage Experience: Riding +2, Interrogation +1, Horsemanship +1 Lore: Striking Up Conversation, Knowing One's Purpose Additional Note: Lesserage, I would like it if you refrain from using the Vantha terms you created while you are writing. They are not approved and you and I have discussed via-PM so to why they were not approved. Also, pure blooded Vantha do not have red hair. You are welcome to have Lesserage have red streaks in his hair but all Vantha have dark hair. PM me with concerns.