Completed [The Rearing Stallion]Short Tales, not Tall

[Crypt]

“You do not like what you hear, it seems.” Crypt's unblinking eyes stared at Elzifar, the rictus still present on his visage. “I will not harm you in any way tonight. There is no reason for me to do so. I will be departing for the Traveler's Row soon, to return to my room and my Strider, Maras. You may wish to follow me. At this late hour, I am unsure if the offices are open, but you are welcome to accompany me there. If you still suspect me, then follow me from behind. Crypt took his mask from where it hung by his side, and gave a nod to Kirvath before turning to Elzifar momentarily, glancing at him before he started to move out of the tavern into the dark, cold night.

[Elzifar]

His voice is different. There is something very wrong with this man.Elzifar watched him leave from the corner of his eyes. The slits of his eyes contracting momentarily in a combination of fear and curiosity. He sat there, staring at his empty mug for a few moments, contemplating his next move. The Syliras Knights...They are a dangerous bunch, but their intentions are good. But that man...he said he would not harm me. But his mind does not seem stable. Ill follow, to ensure he does not hurt anyone else. And with that, he thanked both the barkeep and the waitress who served him and headed out the door. The wind cut through him. Snakes were not designed for cold weather. He pulled his cloak tighter around him, protecting his legs where his kilt did not cover beneath the knees. Damn it...I waited too long. Which way did he go? He cursed and hissed under his breath. Then, stepping into a dark corner of the pathway he began to shift. His legs fused together while his hair under his hood seemed to shrink into his head, which had rearranged itself to become serpentine. His skin became turned scaly and copper toned with the exception of two black lines running from his head down his back. As he changed he coiled himself under his cloak, so if anyone saw they would not be too alarmed. Thirty seconds later he sat coiled in the dark under his cloak. Ah, much better. He closed his eyes, sensing the heat around him. It was cold and windy, but that only made for the remnant heat signatures of passersby to become clearer. He checked around until he found a path of heat on the ground that seemed to stagger, coming from out of the tavern. Sniffing the ground he smelt the distinct scent of ale. Crypt... Carefully he moved. He tried to move quietly and without being spotted by too many people, using the darkness for cover. He tried to avoid the Knights that where out patrolling, more than once noticing their eyes on him. He followed the scent and heat until he could see the outline of his query. Heh, well then, I think I've rather outdone myself this time. Feeling rather proud of himself he froze when he heard a gruff voice behind him. "You there! In the cloak! Yes you, stop!" Elzifar turned to see 3 Syliras Knights coming toward him. Damn it! The air was cold and the heat trail was fading fast. If i lose him now I'll never find him again! But he was too late, and the Knights were on him. "What business do you have here at this hour Snake!" The knight in the middle spoke first. His use of the word snake obviously condescending. "I'm merely returning to my home in Travelers Row, kind sssssirsss." Elzifar fought himself to contain his frustration. "Oh?" this time it was the Knight on the left. "And what part of Travelers Row are you residing?" Damn it again! Why Siku do you torment me so? Without an answer, the knight on the right drew his sword. "Answer now!" he shouted. Involuntarily, Elzifar began to shake his rattle. Still hidden under his cloak he drew his dagger, ready to defend himself. Hearing the rattle the other two drew their weapons.

[Crypt]

Crypt had walked for some distance in the cold night before noticing that Elzifar was not following. Seems like he decided not to follow me after all. Though it may just be that he's lost track of me. Crypt continued on his path, his long cloak billowing in the icy winds of Fall behind him. It was but twenty minutes later that he finally arrived at an area he was familiar with; apparently taking a meandering path was more useful than he could have thought. His ears twitched underneath his hood, hearing some harsh words. Well, what do you know? Snake? Seems like Elzifar took up my offer after all. Best deal with this afore it gets out of hand. Crypt turned on his foot, striding to the source of the distraction. The Syliran Knights on patrol that had accosted Elzifar stiffened as they heard his footsteps on the cobble, turning to face him. “Peace, Knights. This person has done nothing to warrant your concern but his transformation. Do not be alarmed, for he will not harm the citizens of Syliras. I myself will vouch for him. Please, put down thy weapons, and let us speak like civilised men. Crypt spoke in a soothing tone, adding a subtle, persuasive tone to his voice as he held his gloved hands out in a placating manner. One of the Knights appeared to be mollified by his statement, for he lowered his sword to his side, but did not sheath it. However, another merely spat on the ground and replied in a harsh and rude manner. “Pah? Civilised? This... This Dhani here is not civilised. He's in half-snake form, he's obviously planning something fishy. As Syliran Knights, it's our duty to prevent crimes! So there!” Crypt observed a glint of a weapon underneath Elzifar's cloak. He turned to the knights and observed their relatively young countenances and the sole sword present on each of the right collars of their tunics. “Now, now, Elzifar, we're almost at the Traveler's Row. Don't be hasty, stay calm and don't be the first to start a fight or it'll be very troublesome for us in the end.” Crypt turned again to the Knights, one of whom was now starting to look fidgety, whispering to his companion. Why so hasty? You do not know what this... Dhani here has done so as to break any of Syliras' laws. I can tell that you are Knights of the first rank; your youth belies that. Don't taint your promising careers by making a mistake of arresting an innocent; just stay cool and calm, and you will have learnt the virtues of being cautious and unhasty.

[Elzifar]

"Svu thasiik aill!" He hissed under his breath, cursing his own incompetency in snake-tongue. What kind of assassin gets caught by both guards AND his query?! At any rate, i guess i must make the best of this...

Elzifar hesitated a moment before sheathing his dagger. A hissing sigh escaped his mouth as he shifted back to his human form. He wanted out of there, but he knew that if he ran, it would mean danger for himself. And more than that, Crypt would also probably be arrested for helping me escape.

"Crypt! There you are! How mean of you to leave me there all alone when you know I don't know this city. I apologize, Knights, I had simply lost my friend here and was tracking him down. Its easier to do in my other form than in this one. I did not mean to alarm you. He opened his arms as he spoke, revealing his hands so to not seem as threatening.

Two of the Knights took in what Crypt and Elzifar were saying. Ambitious as they were, they sheathed their swords, not wanting to taint their reputation, or the reputation of the Knighthood. The one in the middle however still eyed him suspiciously.

"Very well," he said harshly, "Be on you're way then! And if I catch you in that form again this late at night, I wont bother with questions, do you understand?"

"Yes sir, thank you." Elzifar said, pulling his hood down lower in embarrassment and frustration. The Knight waved them off with a quick motion with his sword. The two of them turned and walked, Elzifar saying nothing.

[Crypt]

Crypt stood there, watching the Knights walk away with no small amount of amusement. It had been fascinating, watching Elzifar transform himself. His short outburst in what sounded like the language of snakes was harsh to his ears; perhaps it was a curse of some sort? He turned to Elzifar, smiling widely. “Quite a close shave, eh? Thankfully nothing bad came out of it. Still, you're lucky. I've heard tell that many Knights are... well, racists. Aye, they have an irrational fear, hatred, dislike, whatever you choose to call it, of non-human races. Like yours. Crypt shifted his mask slightly, and started to walk towards the Traveler's Row. *** A few minutes later, Crypt stopped abruptly and turned to face Elzifar. “Shall we... make a deal of sorts? Tell me more of your race, and in exchange I shall do the same for mine.”

[Elzifar]

Elzifar pushed past him and continued walking

"What does it matter?!" His tone was harsh, but deep down he hoped Crypt understood that he was only angry at himself. After a few feet he stopped, hung his head slightly, and let out a hissing sigh. He turned and pulled back his hood.

"My people are vicious, hunters. Many of us find cruelty to fun, and torture a game at best." His tone had softened considerably. "I was no different once upon a time. But that is a different story."

"We are a matriarch. Unlike many other societies, its the women of our Nests who have power. The men are but labor, and tools for women to use at their disposal. Or at least that is how it seems many times."

"I spent most of my life within the Nest in Taldera. Once i was able to shift into this form," He spread his arms out, "I left the Nest and never looked back. I wanted to see the world. So I put my skills to good work and traveled at the same time. And then i found you. Happy?"

He let his arms drop and leaned his back on a nearby wall. "Im sorry, Im just...aggravated..."

[Crypt]

Crypt sat down on the pavement and listened to Elzifar's rant, watching silently as the Dhani worked himself up and then relented, resting against the wall. “Have a seat here,” Crypt said as he patted the ground next to him. Crypt lay down, his hands crossed behind his head, staring at the star-lit night sky. “It isn't fair for many. I myself am considered human, for the Drykas are human horsemen. Yet we are named the Drykas, though humans we are. We have bonded with our Striders like none ever have, we are one with the Web of Cyphrus. Our spirits return always to the Sea of Grass, reincarnating there, even as a Strider. Humans fear that which they do not understand, that which is hidden in the shadows. One cannot blame them; the Valterrian has made everything immensely dangerous such that paranoia is now an integral part of life. True, they have had bad experiences with your race, and for that they assume all of your race to be the same. Yet they forget that any one individual is unique, different from every person in this world of Mizahar. One can appear to be gentle and demure, then the next instant a psychotic killer. This assumption that all Dhani - or rather, all non-human races - are cruel beyond measure is incorrect. I myself have seen two Zith behave well enough. They did not act as savages, they did not attack me on sight.” Crypt heaved a sigh. “With time one may change their mindsets. But I foresee that it will take centuries of peace and understanding before all this bias comes to an end. The humans are the elder race, but in the end we are all equal.”

[Elzifar]

"Remember, storyteller, that this assumption about my people was once true for me. I know quite well the prejudice your kind have towards usss." Elzifar sat down near Crypt, crossing his legs. He reached out and placed his palm on the other mans forehead. The cold skin of the Dhani leaking ice into the Drykas' skull.

"Do you feel that?" he said pulling his hand back under his cloak. "I live a simple touch away from everyone knowing what I am. But what can I do? I cannot outlive this barbaric bias. Aside from you I have met only one other who has not turned tail and run from my presence." He began to shift as he spoke this last sentence. By the word presence he sat coiled, letting his cloak fall to the ground, revealing his toned, human torso and slender serpentine head. "Look at me! I am built for deattthhhh! I do not blame them for their distrust. And I admit my own employment does not leave me much room to deny my nature. But its the mistrust that society has that breathes life into our culture! You are proud of your Strider are you not? If your people let everyone just waltz into your homes and learn the secrets you have of your land and your mounts then what would happen to your pride?"

"You say we are equal. No. Far from it. I will never wield a sword like the Akalak, nor could i ever shoot like the Inarta. You will never swim like the Charodae, or be one with nature like the Kelvic. But it is these differences that make us who we are. None will ever ride a horse like you, Drykas, or be able to devour like the Dhani. In no way are we equal. But that does not mean one, is better than another."

"You and i for example storyteller." A cruel smile appeared on the Dhanis face. "If we were to fight, and you began to lose, you could simply ride off on your Strider to safety. You and your Strider are faster than I. But think for a moment, if i decided first to eat your Strider, and inject you with my venom. Then tell me who has the advantage?" His wicked smile stayed. The idea of eating a horse rather appealed to him. I only promised not to kill the innocent.

"I believe that in order for peace to come to Mizahar, the wicked must first fall." He drew his dagger, mesmerized by the way the moon and firelight glinted off the blade. "That is why I asked you of the people who are evil in this city. I wish to see their heads roll. And it would seem their is a great blight on this city, for the most wicked of them all are also their protectors."

He thought deeply as he spoke. The Knights must learn that not all who are different are evil..

[Crypt]

Crypt watched Elzifar speak until he fell silent. And then he laughed long and hard, the sound reverberating throughout the streets. “You cannot kill me or Maras without dying yourself, Elzifar. To consume Maras would slow you down, render you incapable of swift movement. I have methods to travel as fast as you do, to taste your scent as you did mine. My blade will be in your head. Racial pride? Even if we Drykas reveal all our secrets, we will remain as Drykas, fierce and proud. None but us can bond with the creations of the Gods, the Striders of Cyphrus, and no intruders can connect to the Web that binds us all. Even if Maras and I were to die, we will return. And that's how it ends and begins. I know that all of us can do things others cannot, and all of us cannot do things others can. And that is where we are equal. We cannot do everything, but we can do something. And that is equality in differences.” Crypt paused for a while, delighting in the cool breeze that ruffled his wild black hair. “But then, why conform to such restrictions? Why not define who we are by ourselves? I am insane, but I am free. I create myself everyday. To trouble ourselves with this would not be... good. Built for death? Hah! Why not built for survival? We are born as who we are, no matter what. We shape ourselves whenever we can, and not allowing others to manipulate us. Evil is a relative term. There is no true Evil nor Good, there is no black and white; there is only grey eternal. I am good! I am wicked! I am the friend, I am the nemesis! All what I choose to be to others. So what if you are a Dhani? Even a Dhani, with time, can become a healer of Rakkeli. Change yourself. Transform yourself to what you want to be. I am already doing so. Mad some call me, paradox others call me, but I am Crypt Insatem and I am unconquerable. I am the Master of my fate, I am the Captain of my soul. I will carve out my own path, Elzifar, and be it with blood or ink I shall be triumphant in the end.” Crypt paused a while, staring at Elzifar. “Think what you wish to think, Elzifar, but remember, Evil is relative. To be wicked to someone may be the same as being a paragon of virtue to another. Delight in what you will, whether it is torture or drinking the nectar of the flowers. But remain sure of your purpose - that which you have devoted your life to. Even if it becomes impossible, adapt. Change. Flow with the events. And survive.”

[Elzifar]

Elzifar turned away, but took in what the man was saying. Define who we are by ourselves, he said. Hmm...I cannot deny my nature as a killer. But I will kill for the good of everyone else.

"Evil is not relative. Do you pity the governor who raises taxes on the poor, simply to fill his own wallet? Or the man who kidnaps innocent children and sells them as slaves? No. These are the men who this world could do without. And as an Assassin I will put an end to them."

He froze. Cursing under his breath he realized what he had just said out loud. Then he sighed and his shoulders fell.

"It seems I have made a mistake...And now you know exactly what I am."