Closed [Sanctuary Beach] Hearts of the Horsemen (Ronan)

Ronan and Vanator have Drykas Mantime

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Built into the cliffs overlooking the Suvan Sea, Riverfall resides on the edge of grasslands of Cyphrus where the Bluevein River plunges off the plain and cascades down to the inland sea below. Home of the Akalak, Riverfall is a self-supporting city populated by devoted warriors. [Riverfall Codex]

[Sanctuary Beach] Hearts of the Horsemen (Ronan)

Postby Vanator on November 28th, 2012, 1:12 am

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Vanator nodded as Ronan complimented his sister's cooking. "Imagine how good her cooking tastes after eating what the Zith feed their slaves for a year. I actually got sick the first time I had one of her meals when I got here, my stomach could not handle real food! Now..." He patted his stomach, "I have no problem enjoying her cooking!"

Once the Drykas had the fire built, Vanator crouched low next to it. He cupped his hand, summoning his djed to ooze into his hand, where he formed it into a small sphere of res. Willing to hover over his palm, Vanator ignited the small ball and pushed it into a space between the stick until it spread over the tinder tucked underneath. The dry grass and bandages ingited, the small flames beginning to spread. The novice reimancer created more res, using it to gently tug on the small flames, directing them to spread through the collection of tinder and kindling until the fire began to lick at the larger pieces of wood. Holding his hands higher, Van eased more res into his palms, green gas hovering against them. Then he drew the fire towards his hands, flames reaching towards them. He snatched a tongue of fire in each hand, folding them into one, and turned to toss it towards the surf, where it dissipated into the air.

He turned to Ronan with a grin. "I'll get the meat pies." Van jogged over to Sirocco, who seemed quite interested in Tairell at the moment. The Denusk retrieved the meat pies bundled in a cloth, and a flat piece of iron. He returned to the fire, laying the iron on the fire and taking several of the pies and placing them on it. Vanator then turned back to the younger Drykas. "Ronan, what were you doing in Taldera?" His absence may have saved Ronan's life, just as the Zith colony saved his own. But a part of the older Drykas wondered why he was not with his people at a time they needed help the most.
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[Sanctuary Beach] Hearts of the Horsemen (Ronan)

Postby Ronan on November 29th, 2012, 4:16 pm

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"That must have been... difficult," he wasn't sure what to say. The Zith had taken enough from Ronan to leave their mark. "I look forward to the day the scourge of our lands hunt the grasses no longer."

Emotion rising again, Ronan watched in wonder. He had heard from Kavala that Vanator had been initiated in reimancy, but she had not spoke of his element. Fire. It seemed fitting for the Ankal with a lion's mane of golden hair. He clapped lightly as the man set the dry grass and driftwood alight, and he watched carefully as he heightened and twisted it. He had a good measure of control over his element.

The pies were set to cook next, and Ronan looked at them, stomach growling. They were sure to taste good, especially out here in the open air. He looked to Vanator's question and dipped his head slightly. Of course, he had not explained that. He wondered if the Ankal was thinking on why Ronan hadn't been in Endrykas during the storm.

"It was Sama'el's journey, to be true. There was a ghost who came to Riverfall, and Kavala alerted my brother to the fact he needed help to save his family. Leto and I followed of our own accord to aid Sam. But we were unfortunate, the storm hit while we were in the open. Luck was on our side... we found a cave just in time. I think... I think I wanted to travel a little too. I wanted to see some things outside of the grass. It was an eventful journey, of course. Semele - our Mother of the Earth - marked me as her own."
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[Sanctuary Beach] Hearts of the Horsemen (Ronan)

Postby Vanator on November 30th, 2012, 1:52 pm

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Vanator drew his dagger and slid it under each of the meat pies, making sure they were not burning or sticking to the iron. The Suvan breeze was brisk, keeping the fire lively, requiring no more assistance from him. He listened to Ronan's explanation about the ghost and Sam's 'family' in Taldera without looking at the man. The older Drykas simply nodded and gave a soft "hmph", a disconcerted sound. As far as Vanator was concerned, the Drykas belonged in the grassland, they belong to the grassland. It was when they left the plains that things went wrong. The Denusk knew what had happened to Sam. If the ankal of Sama'el's childhood pavilion had never left the Sea of Grass to make a miza, his family would not have been decimated and the boy left to suffer at the hands of the northerners. Then Sam would not have had to leave Cyphrus to save a city family he should have never had in the first place. And the same went for the notion to 'see the world'. A Drykas wandering the world was no longer a Drykas. Separated from his land, his family, he was just a wanderer.

"There are plenty of places to travel in Cyphrus, there is no need to go beyond." He state flatly. As soon as the words left his mouth, Vanator check himself. Hypocrite. Words from an Ankal's son who now slept in stone warrens. That was the old Van talking, the one who had not seen the things he has seen, heard the things he had heard, since Kavala brought him to the Sanctuary. Oh, he would always be Drykas, but his eyes had been opened. Once, he thought Kavala had abandoned her Drykas heritage to live within walls. But in all she had become, healer, fighter, mage...and more, the brother had learned his sister had never stopped being Drykas. Vanator, too, was becoming more than just Drykas.

"I suppose that is no longer true." He offered in a lighter tone. "We may even have to accept help from outsiders if things are as dire as they appear." Turning again from the soberness of the topic, Van looked up at Ronan. "I must hear how you attracted the attention of the Mother, even beyond the Sea." Again employing the dagger, Van flipped the meat pies, stirring the delicious aroma into the air.
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[Sanctuary Beach] Hearts of the Horsemen (Ronan)

Postby Ronan on December 3rd, 2012, 12:53 pm

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Ronan's fears were confirmed when Vanator seemed somewhat annoyed by his words. He turned away to sort the pies, and Ronan felt an immense sense of guilt consume him. He knew the storm wasn't his fault. He knew that, and yet still he felt guilty.

He spoke again, but then paused as if unsure of his words. Ronan watched him. He knew the importance of Cyphrus, and he did not deny the region as his home. But there were places beyond this... there were wonders in wider Mizahar. It did not make them less Drykas to leave the grasses.

Vanator's turn of opinion led to another, gentler smile from Ronan. He was glad the man had came round to the idea a little more. This was no time to isolate themselves from the rest of the world - they would have to take what they could get.

The scent of meat pies swirled in the air, hunger rising.

"I am not so sure on that," he said carefully, "I have always held faith in her, but it was more than that. She said earth ran through me. She said my qualities aided direct communion with the ground. I suppose, we are all suited to a deity one way or another."

He swallowed.

"But she marked me as a warrior, Vanator. She said the storm was the beginning. There are more storms coming. Darker. More destructive. The whole of Mizahar faces danger."
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[Sanctuary Beach] Hearts of the Horsemen (Ronan)

Postby Vanator on December 4th, 2012, 5:16 pm

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Vanator nudged the meat pies again to avoid sticking, the pastries now turning a golden brown. The Denusk looked over at the Sunsinger as he spoke about the great goddess. He had spoken with her? Ronan, the pensive young man who, just a year ago, stumbled over himself to apologize for kissing Khiara, and quietly accepted a fist to the jaw from Vanator. Now, he is the agent of the divine.

"I suppose, we are all suited to a deity one way or another."


Vanator looked down into the fire. Many surely were suited to serve the gods. Kavala wielded the power of several deities whom favored her. The healers have all been touched by a goddess to care for others in her name. Vanator had begun to worship the pantheon of the Ukalas more ardently after the Ritual in Sanctuary's sacred circle. But none called to Vanator, no divinity saw fit to raise him above other mortals like so many around him. But The Drykas did not care. He had been given something else. Kavala had given him power of his own. Vanator rolled up his sleeve and thrust his hand into the fire, urging djed into his hand as he did, the forming res drawing flames into his palm. He withdrew his unscathed arm, the fire burning in his hand. More djed pooled into his other had, transforming into airy green res. Then, like a fiery tongue, Vanator juggled the fire from one hand to another, until he brought his hands together to smother the flames.

His attention returned to Ronan. "A warrior? Perhaps that is fitting. It seems as if our very world is changing Ronan, the djed storm just the beginning. This plague, Semele's promise of more storms, and calling you to fight for her. I have to say, what more noble calling is there for a Drykas?"

Satisfied that their meal was ready, Van scooped up a meat pie, balanced on the blade of his dagger, and offered it to his companion, before taking one for himself. He pierced the the pocket with the point of the dagger, allowing steam and heat to exit and the contents tobegin to cool a bit.

"What now, when are you leaving again, and where will you go?"
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[Sanctuary Beach] Hearts of the Horsemen (Ronan)

Postby Ronan on December 6th, 2012, 2:36 pm

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The pies looked nearly done. Flecks of gold and brown began to form as the pastry crusted. The scent of the meaty innards began to waft from the fire.

He watched Vanator's control with the fire once again. Any magic came with its own initial excitements. And Ronan could not deny he still felt the exhilaration of gathering res. Sometimes, so much, that it frightened him, as if he could not stop it and would lose control. There was a line mages walked, and it seemed frighteningly easy to cross it.

He smiled again, nodding, finger tracing the dreamstone, eyes gazing into its swirling, earthen depths.

"I think we will all be warriors when the time comes."

The statement was perfunctory, and he didn't follow it up with anything else. It came from nowhere, and yet said so much. He had taken Semele's words deeply to heart. Her warning spurring him to become stronger.

Ronan took the pie and thanked Vanator, before copying the Ankal and breaching its tasty interior with his dagger. Warm, rich steam buffeted his face, as he pinched a corner of pastry and chewed on it thoughtfully.

"I'm leaving tomorrow at first light. Endrykas-bound. I have my Pavilion there, and there is so much to be done with the Web. I... I'm glad you're here Vanator," he ate another piece of pastry awkwardly, the meat still cooling. The horses had turned to see where the smell was coming from, though they were not usually partial to meat lest times of desperate hunger. "It is nice to know there is a Drykas man here in Sanctuary. I hope to come back some time next season, but with the pox, I'm not sure what will happen."

He looked back to Vanator who was digging into his own pie.

"Do you have plans? I heard you have been shoring up the Sanctuary's defences."
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[Sanctuary Beach] Hearts of the Horsemen (Ronan)

Postby Vanator on December 7th, 2012, 4:57 pm

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Carefully, Vanator set his teeth the edge of the steaming meat pocket and bit off a small bite. It was hot, but not burning, and the savory flavors danced across his tongue. Thank you Kavala, he thought to himself as he reveled in the warm food. Van nodded when Ronan confirmed his departure, and the older Drykas found himself thankful that he returned in time to catch the Sunsinger before he returned to Endrykas. There was work to be done, and there was just a tinge of discomfort when he thought of all that needed done for the Drykas in the grasslands.

Somber eyes met the young man. "At first, I was torn, I felt I should be in Endrykas, helping my people. But I am not the man I was when we met in Endrykas, Ronan. The Zith had taken me from my family and our people. I was a Drykas alone for a year. When Kavala bought me out of slavery, and I learned our family were gone, I was truly a Drykas without a people. Did I return to Endrykas, try to pick up my life? The Denusk Pavilion was no more. At least as it was."

Van took another bite of his pastry. "Kavala helped me to realize that I could be Drykas right here. Already, we had a new family, with she and I, and Larik and Cadra, and even Aweston. Its not a traditional pavilion, but if we horsemen are anything, we are adaptable. Its how we have survived. So I am at peace with being here, to starting a new Denusk pavilion, to protect and care for these people. And if any man dares to challenge me as a Drykas because I live behind stone walls, I would gladly beat him in the Sanctuary courtyard." He laughed, giving Ronan a wink. "I will stay here, as long as Kavala needs me...and I need her."

Vanator's gaze lowered to Ronan's hand, and the colored stone embedded in it. He was curious, to learn more about what power Semele had given the Watchman. He knew Ronan well enough, and he was very close to his siser, so the Denusk felt at ease asking.

"Tell me about it, Ronan." Van nodded towards the Mele mark.
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[Sanctuary Beach] Hearts of the Horsemen (Ronan)

Postby Ronan on December 13th, 2012, 12:51 pm

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"I cannot claim to have been a slave of the Zith - and Gods do I know of their murderous ways - but I know what it is like to return and find everything lost. My pavilion collapsed, except for an aunty or two, and so I lived alone for a long while." Ronan felt liberated by his words. There had been a time when just speaking them had cast shadows upon his body, but now... now, he felt all the stronger through the legacy of experience.

Ronan caught the man's wink and smiled sheepishly.

"I would not challenge you Vanator. I know the feel of your fist, remember?" he laughed lightly, taking another bite of the meat pie. It was truly delicious. "And besides, I agree. You cannot take the Drykas from a Drykas man. Grassland or not. Those views will be long gone when our Elders pass to the Web, I assure you of that. As we just said, it's a New World. The storm ensured that."

He followed the Ankal's eyes, bound to the stone once again. It was a mark hard to miss, swirling brown and mauve stone embedded into flesh. It was a sign of the earth itself.

"It's called a dreamstone," he said softly, fingers plying the surface. "I can sense the gemstones beneath our feet, hiding within the earth, and when I hold them in this hand," he flexed his fingers, "I know what they are... and what they can do."

He blinked, looking back up at Vanator who had nearly finished his pie. The horses were watching on quietely.

"The dreamstone itself... it can sense the deepest dreams. The needs people have, ones that perhaps they don't even realise themselves."

Turning away, he nearly laughed. If only the dreamstone worked on himself.
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[Sanctuary Beach] Hearts of the Horsemen (Ronan)

Postby Vanator on December 17th, 2012, 2:37 pm

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Vanator tucked the last of the meat pie into his mouth, laughing around it as Ronan joked about the altercation that had occurred between them... a lifetime ago it seemed. Brushing his hands together to remove some crumbs, then wiping them on his pant legs to remove the grease, Vanator turned his attention to the Sunsinger as he explained Semele's gift. His eyes studied the young man, gaze darting down to the dreamstone a time or two. The power to sense others dreams, their deep desires or needs, was an intrusive one. Such abilities were not to be taken lightly, not that Vanator believed Ronan would misuse them. The Denusk was unsure how it worked, but he would not want the Sunsinger to search him so intimately. Only Kavala would know him that well. Vanator hoped Ronan did not attempt such divinations upon his sister either, unless she requested it.

The Denusk cupped his palm again, focusing just enough djed to form a small amount res, then curled his fingers anf thumb until the tips dipped into the green essence. Extending them again, he willed flames to ignite upon each fingertip. He rotated his hand back to front and back again, watching the tongues of fire dance on the ends of his digits. Then Vanator clenched his fist and extinquished the flames.

"That is a great gift indeed, Ronan, though I am not sure what purpose it fulfills in the roles you have now." Vanator certainly was not questioning the wisdom of the Goddess, but it stirred a suspicion that there may be more to Ronan than was apparent. "How do you see yourself using this ability?"
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[Sanctuary Beach] Hearts of the Horsemen (Ronan)

Postby Ronan on December 20th, 2012, 3:50 pm

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Ronan watched the fire play between Vanator's fingers before flickering out. A transitory, dying light. Without even realising it, he too gathered djed, expelled it, and shaped the oozing res into fine grains of sand that fluttered from his fingertips.

"People are unaware of the power of the earth. We walk upon it all our lives, but we give it little credit. The gemstones I speak of, the ones this stone helps me to find, they have many uses. They hold power that could be harnessed to fight, to defend and protect. They would trump any blade you could muster."

He smiled, calming his breath. He surprised himself with how fervently he defended his mark, when it wasn't even under attack. It was hard to explain the reverence he held in the earth's wonder, but his words were true. It held power beyond power.

"As a Drykas too, they have many uses for our lives. Survival techniques that will help indefinitely in the wilderness."

He folded his arms, looking out to sea again.

"I'm not sure what it is, but I just have this... feeling. The storm was nothing compared to what we will face soon. Don't ask me how I know that. I can't explain. Semele intimated I suppose."

His face grew grave again.

"Be ready Vanator, be ready always."
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