Water and Stone [Lindel Ward]

by **Aoren** on May 9th, 2013, 3:17 pm

70th Day of Spring, 513AV

Aoren finished delivering the last of the orders commissioned to Mistress Sahfri Blackleaf. He was happy to have been out of the shop today. As much as he enjoyed helping Mistress Blackleaf in Stormhold Salves day in and day out there were times when he just needed to get out of confined spaces. Today had been such a day. He had spent the majority of his time running back and forth around Syliras delivering orders placed by this person or that person.

It was these days when he truly appreciated the sheer size of the Fortress City of Peace. He'd run all the way from the Nettles District on the surface, to the Great Bazaar,down below to the apartments that housed the general populace of Syliras and Winthrop Alley near the docks to one of the workers there. He'd gotten quite the workout today and the soreness in his muscles spoke as much. Indeed, Aoren had been doing a great deal of getting up and out in recent weeks. He'd just recently returned from a short trip into the Bronze Wood. It had taken him a few days but he was altogether getting fed up with the constrained spaces of the city.

After delivering the last order he had on hand Mistress Blackleaf had told him to go home for the day. In the distance a bell began to ring. Seven bells in all he smiled. It wasn't too late in the evening. He could see the sky starting to dim and the beautiful kaleidoscope of colors that washed over the sky during twilight hours began to take hold of the clouds. This was always his favorite time of day. Without a second thought Aoren broke out into a run. He was currently in the Warehouse district so it wouldn't take him long to get to the docks. He leaped over a barrel and bounded off the wall of the nearby building to pick up momentum. With all the moving around he'd been doing lately Aoren had gotten a bit more acrobatic though he was still no master, small feats made him smile.

Before long he came upon the docks and slowed his pace. It was here that he could get the best view of the sun as it continued its journey into the realms of the gods. Aoren took in a deep breath enjoying the bitter smell of the sea air. It was clean, salty, and the breeze that welcomed him to the docks was very soothing indeed. Aoren walked further into the docks before hopping up onto a stack of barrels. He propped himself up on top of one where he could get a good view of the light as it struck the water.

"So this is what peace feels like..." He thought quietly to himself. Tomorrow would be another busy day at the shop. It would bring with it more learning. He would learn how to become a more adept apothecary, and he would likely get quite the running workout too. He would think about all of that later though. Today was a special day. A day he'd almost forgotten about. Part of him wanted to forget it but he couldn't allow himself to do so. He reached into his pocket and withdrew a smooth white stone that fit comfortably in the palm of his hand. He rubbed it between his thumb and the side of his index finger.

"Happy birthday Ileera." The Drykan man sat on that barrel for a few more minutes. He was lost in thought. It had been nearly a year since her disappearance. The world was colder without her. When the sunlight caressed the very tops of the waters Aoren took a deep breath and hopped down from the barrels. With that he turned on his heel with the intent to perhaps go home when he bumped directly into someone.

Aoren sighed inwardly. He really needed to be more careful when it came to getting lost in his own thoughts in the city. He ended up bumping into people far too often. He wasn't thrown back or anything. He hadn't been moving very fast. Aoren was only slightly jostled.

"Sorry. I didn't see you there."

by **Lindel Ward** on May 9th, 2013, 8:12 pm

I go around minding my own business and everyone seems to get into it. By Sylir, can a man not walk his streets without being prone to interference with the souls of others!? Inside voices, of course, even without a good look at him, Aoren's relative hulk was formidable. Slightly more than jostled, the shorter of the two was sent back a few steps, mildly shocked that such a squishy feeling bumping his chest might have such force. He caught himself though, and young Lindel finally looked up from the stone walk and bothered to notice anyone else there at all. He was quick to observe, quicker to judge, some big buffoon walking on barrels like a circus set, a dock worker who couldn't make it doing...courier work. Lindel was in no place to judge now, truly, and only by admission of it did he manage to forgo to the awkward hostilities and accept pardon.

"I'm sure you didn't," Lindel said, quite jokingly, the twilight rays glancing off his skin and eye to the right. He didn't feel need to smirk too wide, or act too forgiving, still why be bitter? "I suppose I should be used it it, big man in iron suits, on horses and all that. Luckily you're the more fortunate and stand out from the sea of the crowd, yes?"

He needed to be going, to find - what was it now? Giants were stepping on him and his thoughts it seemed. Maybe it had just been one of those days - no, it had been, and was quite certainly fed up with it.

"Have you any idea which way leads to the ironworks?" Lindel might have been lingering and searching an hour now after errands in search of the smith. He was hoping an order for materials might need to be placed now nearing the season's end. He could at least run that notice and some mizas in advance. He was rather shocked at the trust needed for courier business. "I've been looking, and might have sworn the old man back there said it was this way, by the docks, but I haven't seen so much as a trace of smoke. Bastard must be losing his mind." He was trailing off, losing his own mind surely. Lindel had to hold himself to his word to cut back on the drinking. It was no good for him, and he could certainly be doing more with his time and money.

And just what of that smirk that he had given Aoren? Well, it was lost now, behind a twisted lip and furrowed brows, some sign of frustration in having come this far, opposite his apartment, and being bumped into, lost in his own home. By no means was he mistaken, this was the docks and his room was that way, but the details could sometimes get shuffled around with all the businesses, stands, corridors, and what have you in the castle.

by **Aoren** on May 9th, 2013, 11:21 pm

Aoren gave the young man he bumped into a once over. He extended a hand to him offering to help the guy to his feet. Once he was properly situated Aoren folded his arms over his chest and listened to him ramble on for a moment. He arched his eyebrow as he listened to the young man speak. "Maybe I wasn't the one not paying attention. This guy seems...distracted."

"Uh...right." He blinked at the young man before shaking his head. Aoren hadn't quite understood his question about iron suits and horses. He guessed it must have been a rhetorical question as no answer came to mind. He ran a hand through his hair. A nervous habit that helped to soothe his frayed nerves.

"The Ironworks?" He again arched an eyebrow. His cobalt blue eyes studied the young man for a moment before he pointed toward Winthrop Alley. "The entire Ironworks complex is located on the far side on Winthrop Alley. It's not actually part of Stormhold Citadel so you'll have to go through the dock gates here and make your way along the walkway toward Master Ros Vizerian's shop." When it looked like the young man might stumble again as he trailed off in his sentence, Aoren reached out to steady him.

"Are you going to be alright? Maybe I should take you to Stormhold Salves where I work. See if I can't make something to help steady you. Actually, I insist. Master Vizerian's shop is always open. I'll make sure you're okay then I can escort you to the Ironworks once you're a little more steady on your feet." Aoren felt bad for the guy. He really hoped that he hadn't injured himself being knocked on the cobblestones. He extended a hand, his right hand to be exact. It was the hand bearing the mark of Avalis. The gift bestowed upon him by the White Goddess of Seers. The Lily shimmered beautifully as it caught the rays of Syna's light that reflected off the water.

"I promise it won't take long. After all, I did knock you over. It's only fair I make sure you're okay. " Aoren remembered a similar situation not so long ago. He briefly wondered how that person was doing but let that train of thought fade. He gestured in the direction he intended to walk awaiting the young mans reply.

by **Lindel Ward** on May 10th, 2013, 9:06 pm

"But I - "But what? But nothing, quite honestly. The insistence from Aoren was distracting, though Lindel had no reason to truly pass up the offer. He seemed strange to the young man, a giant man, not too awful looking, but stamped with a lily. Maybe he was from the - oh gods he wasn't interested in that, no. No again, he's a salve man. Lindel very well may have been losing his mind, and was caught off guard with all the touching.

His brow furrowed just a moment longer in Aoren's direction before snapping straight and accepting it a call of fate. There wasn't much harm in taking time off, not that he was starving just yet. His head rocked lightly from side to side and he started soon after in his own gait behind.

"Do me a favor, and try to not be so handsy? I mean well by it, you're not dirty or anything, but I'd just prefer you not. I'm Lindel, by the way, so at least you have a name to use," he offered in extension with his hand. "I can't say I'm familiar with the name Vizerian. Is he looking for a messenger or errand boy by chance? That's what I was off to the - I seem to be forgetting myself. I appreciate the offer; perhaps it is needed. What shall I call you, if you don't mind my asking?"

by **Aoren** on May 11th, 2013, 2:24 am

" If you don't want my help you're free to go about your business. I was just trying to make sure you weren't hurt. You seem a little...disoriented." Aoren shrugged and proceeded to walk in the direction away from the docks. His posture was straight backed. He walked with his hands clasped behind his back as if he were in deep thought. His demeanor however bespoke extreme awareness. His movements were fluid and although not silent he was not heavy footed in the least. In fact it almost looked as if he were about to break out into a full sprint or somersault over the next obstacle in his path.

"I'm sorry if I offended you." He glanced over his shoulder to see if the young man was following him. When he saw that he was a little dazed Aoren's concern for the guy increased but he kept his thoughts to himself. "Sorry for touching you. You just looked unsteady on your feet. Are you alright?"

Aoren turned down a walkway passing by a small squad of knights. He nodded to them being sure to give them a wide berth. They ignored both Aoren and the young man following him.

"You asked for the Ironworks, yes? Master Vizerian is the owner of that entire complex. I suppose he always needs couriers. He is probably the busiest blacksmith in Sylira." He turned down another road that lead back to Stormhold Salves they were still a little ways away but they were nearing the shop.

"Lindel? Nice to meet you. You may call me Aoren." He reached out and shook the extended hand.

"So you're a courier then? How long have you done that?"

by **Radiant** on July 20th, 2013, 5:34 pm

Aoren :

Lindel :

Notes :

My radiance is not bright enough?

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, beam me a PM and we can work it out.

Skill	XP Earned
Observation	+1 XP
Socialization	+1 XP
Running	+1 XP
Acrobatcs	+1 XP

Completed Water and Stone [Lindel Ward]