Wings of Faith (Nira)

[Imass]

Although the Knight’s mood went from cheerful to distraught in a matter of moments, Nira’lia seemed to be unfazed. In fact, she only seemed to be more curious; her innocence was captivated by the quest for truth. Imass was beginning to understand that he had no more choice now but to act. He would have to tell her the truth about the Windoak... then all he could do was hope that the Konti took the oath. The Knight looked into her eyes once more and frowned; Nira was still oblivious to what her visions true meant.

Imass did not respond to the Konti immediately. Rising to his feet, the grim-faced Akalak turned west and glanced up at the setting moon. The Knight took a deep, long breath and exhaled loudly. The moon was still bright in the sky even as the sun began to rise. Small tufts of quiet clouds quickly passed through the air and over the moon. He gave a heavy hand to Nira’lia and helped her off the floor. He pointed at the moon. Suddenly, almost as if Imass knew what was to happen, a falling star appeared extremely bright and fell diagonally behind the moon. It disappeared after a few seconds.

“Look! A falling star!” Imass exclaimed, “It is an omen…”

He flipped his hips in order to face Nira’lia. He stared at her for some time again and finally responded. It must have been several minutes of silence, but it felt like forever. The Knight needed to be a good leader right now, for what he was about to say would be extremely important.

“Lady Nira,” Imass started, “What I am about to tell you will change your life forever. I have decided to do so because I truly in my heart believe that these are omens and godly signs to lead you into the Syliran Knights. Also I have no doubt in my mind, that you would figure these truths out in your own time anyways.”

“Nira’lia, this tree you are having visions of: The Vision of our most sacred banner. The Vision of me taking my vows. The omen falling star that has just marked this day for us… I know it makes very little sense now, but these signs lead to one conclusion: you are to be anointed for Sylir’s cause immediately. I command you to kneel before me Nira’lia.”

Imass drew his sword from his scabbard. The sound was clean and sharp. His blade glimmered in the sparkling sun. The Knight’s face was grim and serious.

[Nira'lia]

Complete and utter shock was evident on her expression. The Konti gaped at him, and in an instant, the blood seemed to rush out of her face. Pale and distraught, she was initially at a loss of words. The blade of his sword was menacing, but she was at least glad that he didn’t mean to take it out to strike her. His purpose was much more honorable than that—but despite this fact, she knew she couldn’t accept it. This was all unexpected to her, and she was unsure of what to say. Was he actually suggesting that she serve under Sylir’s cause? She had no qualms about Sylir. Nira’lia knew he was a good God, but she also knew it wasn’t possible for her to serve him in the way Imass wished. Nira’lia didn’t kneel down before him. Taking a deep grasp, she clasped her hand tightly and stared straight at Imass. “I know that this is what you believe in, Imass, but me seeing those visions weren’t a sign from Sylir,” she insisted, trying to make herself as convincing as possible. “Those were from Mother Avalis. All my visions are a gift from her. I’m here for a reason, and I saw those visions for a reason, but it wasn’t Sylir who sent for me. Or perhaps it was, I really don’t know what the Gods are thinking. But I am almost sure that I’m here right now to help you on this quest to Sahova, but I cannot serve the Knights beyond that.” Smiling at him gently, she hoped he would understand. The Konti knew that he was a zealot. Experience dictated that he was easily swayed by what he thought was right. “Besides, Imass… it’s my duty to help Eridanus. That was the call I was tasked with. I’m sorry, but… I cannot do what you want.”

[Imass]

Imass stood towering over Nira'lia as she explained to him that the visions were mostly likely from Avalis and not the gods of the Knights. The Knight's facial expression and demeanor did not change, however much it pained him to hear Nira'lia's refusal of his offer. The Akalak would not yield just yet though; his mind was bent on making Nira'lia realize the truth of the matter.

The golden eyed warrior stared into her eyes as she talked. His gaze was unmoving and perhaps even uncomfortable. Imass brandished his worn broadsword at his side. He did not mean to strike at Nira, but only use it to officially squire her.

The Knight cleared his voice and responded, "Lady Nira'lia, you seem to misunderstand me. This isn't your choice. What lies ahead is not going to be comfortable or easy, but none the less it is the right thing to do. You don't realize it yet, but your duty is no longer to Eridanus, but the Knights Syliran! Yes! You must have faith. Let me explain --"

The Knight raised his broadsword. The leather grip was faded and well worn from countless fights. The blade was notched, yet sharp as ever. Imass took great care of all his weapons, "Nira'lia, even if Avalis was truly the one that sent you this message, it makes no difference. You now have knowledge of the Windoak. That tree in your dreams... that tree you saw me take my vows under... That is Sylir himself incarnate. That IS Sylir himself..."

Imass lifted his shift and revealed to her Sylir's gnosis mark, "We Knights have been marked by Sylir. We do his holy work; however we keep knowledge of our sacred tree to ourselves only. Only Knights may know the existence of our most sacred god in the city -- not even squires know of it! It is a carefully guarded secret that is not easily given out. Only those who are most devoted to the Windoak may know of its true nature."

"That being said, you HAVE received visions of the tree. There is only one possible reason for this; you where called by Sylir himself, through Avalis' visions in order to serve our cause. It is the only thing that makes sense. You NEED to trust me Nira! Please! Kneel before me and accept the vows you were destined to have!"

The Knight closed his eyes and opened them again, "...Duty calls for the death of any who know the secret of our most sacred Windoak... Would Avalis give you these visions of the Windoak to send you to your grave? Would she betray you like that? I think not. These visions-- the falling star-- are either a guide for your new vocation or an omen of your death."

The Over-Zealot stood unwavering with sword in hand. He would never change his mind. Nira'lia must open her heart to Sylir or face the consequences.

"If it pleases you my lady, I shall give you your oath immediately..."

[Nira'lia]

She felt her blood boil, something which rarely happened. But she kept her composure, her lips in a taut line as she stared at the Akalak. Not her choice? Who was he to say what her duty was? Only her own Gods could command her, and she had already received their orders—in the form of her Call. How was she supposed to explain to Imass how important Konti Calls were? It would be absolute mental torture not to heed her Call. And, aside from that, she greatly disliked having someone else tell her what her fate was. “Imass! If every Konti was hold accountable for what she saw, then a lot of Kontis would be in trouble…” she insisted, her voice in a panic. Despite her anger, she realized that this was soon going to get out of hand. She cursed herself—she shouldn’t have opened her mouth at all. Nira’lia made wild gestures with her hands as if to prove a point. “Don’t you have any other Konti acquaintances? Surely you know about the difficulty of sight? I’m sorry that I found out something I wasn’t supposed to know, b-but… it wasn’t something I searched for.” Nira’lia let his other words sink in. The tree was Sylir incarnate? She didn’t even know that. Was Sylir the one responsible for the hundreds of Knights and mercenaries marching for Sahova? Her dreams and visions dictated that the windoak was much more than it appeared to be, but it was Imass himself who divulged the secrets—if he realized that, she didn’t know. The Konti thought it would be safer not to point this out, as she wasn’t sure what would set him off further. “I-I’m not going to serve the Knights under an oath unless Avalis herself makes me so! And if Avalis wanted me to do so, I would know… without a doubt!” she insisted. Her voice came out clear and confident, something which surprised even her. After being a slave for half her life, she refused to let someone else dictate her fate like this. Nira’lia was sure that Imass was only doing his duty, but she strongly disagreed with him when it came to her own future.

[Imass]

Imass stood silent as Nira'lia panicked with wild gestures. He stared her in the eyes and thought hard on the words she spoke. The grim face knight did not falter and his mood was like the long shadow he cast on the grass behind him. The Konti tried to explain her viewpoint, but it did not matter; she knew too much and would not accept Sylir's call. In the end that is all that mattered. It didn't even matter how innocent she was anymore, because his duty was more important. The Knight did not know what to say just yet. Half of his being wanted to cut her down immediately, but his other half wanted to have mercy on her.

When Nira'lia mentioned to Imass Konti acquaintances, the spitting image of Naeya came into his mind. For a single fleeting moment, he envisioned Naeya sitting in front of him; her pleasant face pale and shaken. He could never harm Naeya. Never in a million years! If his gods commanded him to kill his beloved friend, he would rather take his Lakan to his heart before hurting her, yet would he truly do it? Would he have the courage to kill a loved one?

Doubt entered his mind with more subtlety than Nira'lia had intended. His dark side began to push. He wanted free. Imass' dark side had no honor, no duty...but it wanted freedom anyways. The Knight's head jerked up at the sky in a violent spasm of anger. Bloodlust entered his eyes for a few moments as he stared down Nira. He raised his sword high above his head. The thought of the Konti's hot blood spraying everywhere filled his mind. Sweat trickled down his face as his light side struggled to regain control.

Imass shuddered in anger again. That is when he knew that deep down inside he wanted to both kill her and free her at the same time. He muttered curses silently as his light side and his dark side battled in his brain for control.

"AYYYYAHHHhhhh! NiRa'LIA oh how YOU pain me so..." Imass said as a battle of wills fought in his head. Suddenly he brought down his sword on Nira'lia, slamming it into the floor by her feet. Dirt kicked up in the air, but otherwise the Konti was not harmed.

The Akalak was breathing loudly now. His face was covered in sweat. Looking at Nira'lia he knew how insane and psychopathic he looked, but he cared very little of that anymore.

"By my authority invested in me, in the name of Tyveth the Lord of Justice and the Knight's Syliran, I hereby accuse you of heresy and being a traitor to the Knight's Syliran," Imass' eyes were glistening, he wanted to cry; in his mind's eye he saw Naeya sitting in front of him, not Nira'lia. It felt like he was condemning his own kin, "You are hereby my prisoner...If you resist or attempt to escape; I will not hesitate to cut you down."

The Akalak looked at the top of the cliff, and then back at Nira'lia, "Chivalry dictates I treat you gently and kindly whilst you are my prisoner. Honor dictates that I parley with your companion, Lord Eridanus, before any other actions are taken. Come now and I warn you. Speak no word to anyone: under penalty of death."

Imass walked over to the cliff, sheathing his sword. He waited for the Konti to follow. He would gently help her up if need be. If not he would walk back with her to the camp in silence. His heart was torn asunder. 'Oh Yahal, you guide me with Wings of Faith,' he prayed to Yahal, 'but why must you take me to the executioners platform? Why must Nira be lead to the noose?'

The Knight shuttered in righteous anger.

[Nira'lia]

Her face completely white at this point, Nira’lia almost screamed out when the Akalak threw his blade at the ground. It was evident that there was something different about him. She couldn’t pinpoint it. Nira’lia was just glad he hadn’t struck her with the sword. The fieriness in his eyes frightened her, and her lips quivered as she listened to him. So much words and they didn’t make sense to her. The names and the conviction fell on almost deaf ears. Utterly frustrated, Nira’lia could see her own doom—and her own emotions were a mix of fright and anger. She had done nothing but aid them so far, and in the Konti’s own naïve mind, she believed that she hadn’t done anything wrong. And she spoke to Avalis. She asked her Goddess to come to her aid. “Your prisoner…?” Basically, he had her freedom. The very concept made her stomach lurch violently. Demeaned, Nira’lia couldn’t help but remember her horrifying childhood. The Konti felt her eyes burning. Trying very hard to compose herself, she kept the tears from falling. Instead, she glared at the Akalak. Her fists trembled by her side. “Don’t worry; you don’t need to subdue me. I won’t run off. I’m fully aware how it is to act like an unchained prisoner,” she told him. There was much bitterness in her voice as she looked at the Akalak with anger. The Konti was well aware by how the Knights believed their every word was law, but a part of her refused to believe that she would be subjugated like this. She would find a way out, she knew that. For now she had to talk to Eridanus—if she would even be given that choice. A part of her knew that she’d just burst out crying if she would be allowed to talk to her friend. And if Imass wouldn’t let her speak to him, she just hoped that her companion would come to her aid nonetheless.

[Wrenmae]

Unnoticed by Imass and overlooked by Nira, the flask of slightly luminescent liquid heard and saw the conversation unfold. While Zan couldn’t be troubled to understand the customs of these mortal fleshbags, certainly their demeanor carried with it a sense of tense energy. Ordinarily he let Nira do as she pleased, spoke little and took his energy from living vicariously through a moving body. Now, however, he wisely chose to stay silent, listening intently to both the big blue Captain McKnight and Ni-ra-li-a speak about some sort of Windoak, eliciting the image of a tree made entirely out of wind…a fragment.

Zan didn’t understand, but he didn’t need to. It was important for Nira to know these things, just as important it was for the blue fellow to conceal such information. Wrenmae had a taste for the forbidden, perhaps too deep a taste…but even so, if Zan chose to ignore these words now, he would be castigated for it down the line.

What was so important a broken God tree anyways?

Well, he’d leave questions like that to Wrenmae…if he ever woke up.

[Paragon]

Imass

Experience

Skill	XP Earned
Meditation	1
Observation	1
Philosophy	2
Persuasion	2
Leadership	2
Rhetoric	2
Acrobatics	1
Interrogation	1
Intimidation	3

Lores

•	Lore Earned
•	Calling on Yahal's Strength
•	A Knight's Rhetoric
•	A Leap of Faith
•	Rak'keli's Domain: Healing
•	Nira'lia's Vision: The Windoak
•	Omens of a Knight
•	Taking a Konti Prisoner
•	Inaccuracies of the Sight

Nira'lia

Experience

Skill	XP Earned
Acrobatics	1
Observation	1
Philosophy	2
Rhetoric	3
Negotiation	2
Leadership	1

Lores

•	Lore Earned
•	Calling on Avalis and Rak'keli
•	A Leap of Faith
•	Verbalising Faith
•	Rak'keli's Domain: Healing
•	Declining a Knighthood
•	The Truth of the Windoak: Sylir's Fragment
•	A Prisoner Again

Wrenmae

Experience

Skill	XP Earned
N/A	N/A

Lores

•	Lore Earned
•	The Windoak: Fragment of Sylir
•	Nira'lia and Imass' Conversation

Legend Becomes Reality

Thanks for your patience with this. Wow, drama! Beautiful descriptions from the both of you too. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, please send me a PM and we can work from there.