(Flashback) Hi Ho Silver Lining! [Andresciel]

[Xalet]

85th of Spring, 510AV

The brilliance of the Bronze Woods was never so majestic as it was in the Spring. Wildlife was vibrant with birds singing, butterflies fluttering as they fed upon the sweet nectar of the many colorful bits of foliage, and small woodland creatures rustling all around the massive trees that cast their shade down upon the path Xalet stood upon. Even if he had no company able to carry a two-sided conversation, the Squire was not alone. The same horse that had often been assigned to him for practice and training purposes was within his grasp yet again, chomping at the bit quite literally beneath the hefty bulk of Xalet's frame.

That horse, Julius, was unendingly energetic compared to Xalet's more composed demeanor. Despite the differences in personality, as well as some less than perfect interaction in the past involving tossing Xalet from his saddle and dragging him a few hundred yards, the two had become quite reliant on one another when the Squire sat upon the saddle. Originally deathly afraid of the creatures, Xalet had gained much confidence since his younger years atop a mount, to the point where even to a Knight he had a few bits of information he could share. Coming from a background so grounded in avoiding equines, Xalet ended up spending more time than the typical Squire with them in order to achieve the same level of competency in the past. Now that he was past his mental hurdle, the knowledge and experience came much more easily.

Andresciel would be his riding companion for the day, a Knight whom he know only by name. One whom had received his Knighting ceremony somewhat recently, the Squire understood that this Andresciel was also a Mage, something that left him with a certain level of discomfort. Having little trust in Magic, the Akalak recognized it's use considering the military might and the protection of the innocent within the walls of Syliras, and the boarders of Syliras. It didn't make it any more reassuring to be around. Just outside of the city walls Xalet awaited the arrival of the Knight. He knew enough about Andresciel to recognize him by appearance, but not enough to consider him a true aquaintence.

[Andresciel]

Andresciel pushed himself up into the saddle of the horse he was borrowing from the stables of the Knights. He wasn't happy about the armor he was wearing, but still, they let him keep his cloak on. He pulled the hood up, taking the reigns in his hands, he flicked the reigns with a soft word to the horse. He led the horse down the streets and out of the gate towards the Bronze Woods, to meet up with the squire he was to ride with. Xalet, a warrior squire, and one he knew only by description. Still, he was roughly impressed when he saw the Akalak, but he kept his cool. Recently being Knighted hadn't changed him, so when he rode up to the Akalak, the Mage spoke softly, "Good Eve, Squire Xalet. Shall we go onto our ride?" The Mage spoke with a Syliran accent, but that of a low born, and not a noble. Still, he had the training of the noble born, "I am Andresciel, Mage-Warrior of the Order of Syliras." He introduced himself softly.

[Xalet]

Xalet had no accent that might have been found from a man whom new Tukant. Common was his first language, and in fact his time in Riverfall was so short and so early in his life the Akalak could not even remember the place or the people within it. For all purposes, the Humans were his people, although his blood always called to him, bringing with that call a distinct sensation that made him feel different from most of those that surrounded him. His second Soul always had it's fingers gripped about Xalet's willpower, waiting for that perfect moment to rise up and reign over his actions. Very few people understood, that was the reason for the stoic, calm, outwardly peaceful nature of the typical Akalak not marked as a Cerulean.

"Xalet, Squire to Sergeant Irine Braklin." the purple skinned Squire offered his own introduction in kind. Simply to restate the orders he had been given, Xalet continued with the facts as they were given to him, "A ride to the Eventide Outpost. It will take the day, I've been told." he explained, the mount shifting beneath his legs until the Squire finally gave it the cue to begin moving forward down the path northward. They would be heading up the North Kabrin road, through the Bronze Woods and ever closer to the Cobalt Mountains.

The shoes upon the warhorse's hooves clicked softly as they found the last bits of cobbled stone before transitioning onto the dirt, leaves, and grass of the path down the Kabrin road. "A Warrior Mage? What Magic do you practice?" Xalet's inquiries weren't simply there to make casual conversation. In his time as a Squire he had come across a few different types of Magery, some much more volatile than others. He'd also learned it was important to keep a close watch on those that had it. Although the chances for it's extended use was low, given the security of the Kabrin Road moving toward the Eventide Outpost due to heavy and consistent Knight Patrols, it was still best to understand the man he was traveling with.

[Andresciel]

He chuckled at the squires questions, remembering most Warrior Squires were the same. "I am a Reimancer. I can call on the wind and the flame to defend me." The Mage Knight stated as he adjust his place on the horse back with a shift of his body. He stroked the horses' neck, patting it as they rode, looking at the Squire, "Sergeant Braklin eh? Can't say I had the pleasure of meeting him." Andre admitted freely, as he shook his head, "Didn't study with many of the Warrior Knights, stuck mostly to the mages." The Knight admitted as they continued along the path, deeper into the woods, as he sighs. Patrols reported little disturbance along the road, and Andre had hoped to see something, but still, fortune was against his hopes. "And you? What was your weapon of choice?"

[Xalet]

Xalet smirked softly as he listened to Andresciel's response about the Sergeant. That was the general misconception many Squires and Knights had, even Xalet was guilty of it when he was being moved under Sergeant Braklin's care. "Sergeant Braklin is a female. She is a Konti." he clarified, considering all Konti were females, but not all females were Konti. "And she has trained me much in the old ways." Her choice of weapons and distinct fighting styles for Xalet had some questioning how effective they would be. Wouldn't a hearty Akalak be best with a massive polearm, or perhaps a great sword? A club with a certain heft to it could also be used to inflict massive damage. Even with all those choices, Irine was a woman with insight, and kept things unusually simple for Xalet.

"Much like her, I utilize short bladed weapons and shields. I have some skill with a crossbow, as well as something of a mixture of unarmed martial arts. I learned the style of the Knights, as well as some maneuvers from the Konti and the Akalak. My strongest ally is my faith, however." he mentioned, removing his right handed gauntlet just far enough to reveal the glowing rune upon his palm. Upon closer inspection, a discerning eye, especially one with knowledge of Glyphing could tell that the thing upon Xalet's palm was neither a rune, nor a glyph. It was a Gnosis mark of sorts. It's outline appeared almost like a maelstrom shaped ravine carved into Xalet's flesh, filled with a brilliant gold.

"The Radiant Lady Priskil keeps my mind focused, and reminds me of the reasons I lift my blade." his words were level, never revealing too much of his heart, but they seemed genuine enough. Gripping the leather upon the underside of his gauntlet the Squire pulled his gauntlet back down, flexing his fingers within to best adjust the armor. Upon soft clouds rose further into the sky as the day moved into the morning. It wasn't but five or so miles outside of the proper of Syliras that Andresciel and Xalet noticed a shape within the roadway. It appeared to be a wagon with places for two horses. The horses however were tied up along side of the road, and a man wearing bedraggled work clothing hopped down from the rear of the wagon, a course layer of canvas covering the goods beneath. The frame of the wagon was experiencing a substantial tilt, as if a wheel had come loose, or had broken completely.

[Andresciel]

"Ah. Forgive me. I fear I have not met everyone in the Order yet." Andre blushed as he rubbed his cheek as he shook his head, turning to him. "The short sword, a great weapon. Light and up close. And skills of the Konti and Akalak?" He tilted his head as he shook his head, "I do not know much of those races. I know the Konti are all female and that is the extent of the knowledge. But I know of Lady Priskil, however..I am a follower of Lord Yahal, Master of Purity. He who keeps me sane." Andre chuckled as he patted the horses neck, glancing up at the wagon, "Seems there may be a person in trouble. Shall we offer a hand, my friend?" Andre asked of the Squire, knowing his own strength would not lift the wagon. He was built more for battle, then for basic things. Speed over strength, "And keep your eyes open, Xalet. You never know what may happen." The Knight warned his companion.

[Xalet]

"Yes, it wouldn't feel right to pass by." Xalet agreed as his spurred his horse forward. With a fluid motion of his hips his body encountered minimal sway as the horse stepped it's pace up to a light trot in order to close the distance between them and the man more quickly. Xalet's eyes narrowed as the man looked over at him before rushing to the front of the wagon. It wasn't long before Xalet and Andresciel were up upon the wooden moving mechanism. Just as they arrived the man was moving back into view, carrying something in his hands. He lifted it up, proving it to be a hammer and grips. "Syliran Knights, is it? My good fortune..." a thin layer of white stubble covered his face as he wiped a bit of sweat from his brow, lips trembling slightly as he put on a smile, "...strange though, the patrols don't normally come at this time, and with only two men. Well then, no matter. Don't suppose you'd take the time to help an old man repair his busted wagon wheel? Just need to get the axle up so I can knock some boards across the wheels frame and get it working again..."

Looking over to Andresciel Xalet simply shrugged and hopped down from his horse. The heavy weight of his build combined with the weight of his armor sounded like a satchel filled with iron ore slamming into the dirt, leaving two huge footprints where he impacted. His horse trusted him well enough and had been around the Akalak for sometime, staying nearby without the assistance of a lashing. Looking at the size of the wagon, Xalet estimated it's weight in his head. "No problem." he decided as he dug his heels into the ground, reached down near the wheel and prepared to lift even without the aid of Andresciel. Even with the great force he could apply, even with his knees training and the veins traveling up the side of his neck from exertion the wagon didn't budge. Was he becoming weak? Or was he underestimating the weight to be lifted? "What...in the world are you traveling with?" he asked, stumbling backwards before looking over to Andresciel. Maybe it wasn't best to go about trying that alone again.

"Oh ho ho ho..." the man chortled, waving his hammer dismissively, "Nothing exciting, just grains. Syliras goes through tons of the stuff you know. Quite literally. It's no small task to lift quite so much by yourself, Akalak or not. A full patrol would have a better chance."

[Andresciel]

Andre slid down from the horse as he sighs, moving to the wagon. He glanced around before applying the wind reimancy to his palms, placing them under the wagon. "Release..." He whispered, forcing the wind upwards, pushing the cart up, "Anytime now Squire." The Mage would grunt, feeling the wind shift and try to rip away from him. He could hold it, but not forever. "And make it quick. This is not the easiest thing to hold up." He gave out a puff of air, shaking his head as he focused, pushing it harder to keep it up enough so that the squire could do the rest. He shook, his body straining from the use of Reimancy, but still, he could feel it solid in his grip, and not too much strain on his energies.

[Xalet]

Wiping a bit of sweat from his brow Xalet prepared his muscles for an intense struggle, much as he had been shown in the past through various strength training Knights. Breathing and oxygenating the blood was of the utmost importance, as many had a tendency to hold their breath when applying great force to an obstacle. Sucking in the crisp spring air through his nostrils, Xalet latched his hands to the underside of the carriage and gave it a slow, gradual yank upward, getting his entire torso as close to the side as he could so as not to damage his lower back or core. Positioning and protection of the core was also a method taught to reduce the frequency of injury during intense workout sessions.

The cart remained upward through the combined efforts of the two men. The elderly gentleman spoke, his creased features splitting into a bit of a grin, "Remarkable! Now if I can just get this here..." his words trailed off into an indistinct grumble as he hefted up the new wheel and slid it onto the beam. With his hammer he began to set it, causing the cart to wobble slightly under the strength of man and wind. When finally the wheel would support the weight, the older fellow backed up with a nod, "That should do it boys!"

Trying to keep his balance centered, Xalet did his best to lower the heavy caravan back onto the path with the aid of Andresciel's magic. Everything went smoothly until the very end. A sharp pain leaped up Xalet's right hamstring, causing him to buckle and drop the weight he held. Luckily the distance was small enough not to cause any damage to the freshly repaired wheel, but a very unusual sound was heard by a careful ear. It was the sound of metal shifting and clanging.

"Huh?" Xalet's attention was splint between trying to rub the kink out of his hamstring, and confusion over what he had just heard. It didn't sound like grain at all. "Grain...clangs?" he mused, shaking it leg out until it finally loosened up. The Akalak's head tilted to the side as he tried to make sense of what had just occurred, and for sometime the stranded man seemed to have nothing to say, until finally...

"Ohhhh, ah, that was just me tools. Oh ho ho, you know, scythes, rakes, sickles and things. Grain culling implements of the sort. Nothing unusual for a farmer, yes? Well then you boys give the Knights a good name, but I really must be going. You have my gratitude for a job well done..." his words trailed off as he quite literally backpedaled on his feet, moving in order to get the horses ready to pull.

[Andresciel]

Andresciel knew that clang, had heard it often in the armoury and without a word otherwise, he moved to the cart and flung off the covering, "Grain don't clang. Tools don't sound like that. That is armor." The Mage Warrior stated as he dug into the cart until he revealed the steel of the Syliran Knight's armor. He looked to the Merchant as he turned harshly in place, "Sir. It seems to me that you are smuggling armor out of Syliras. For the black market?" The Knight's stern gaze did not waver as he moved closer. The Man who had backpedaled could only nod quietly as he looks up at the tale, steel clad knight. "I am placing you under arrest, You will accompany us to the outpost and then back to the city." The Knight said darkly as he brought up a torrent of winds, calling to the very soul of wind itself it would seem as the Mage turned different from his normal calm self, "You try to run and I will strike your feet from under you with the spirit of winds..." He warned the man before returning to his horse, "Squire. We are escorting a prisoner. Be on Guard"