Timestamp: 12th of Winter
The Gates were more imposing then he remembered. Well, in truth, the last time he had seen the Gates they were in a state of active repair. All the cities best craftsmen had been tirelessly working to repair it in the wake of a devastating magical attack. The Gates were larger, seemingly stronger and infinitely more elaborate; a shrine or memorial to the lost souls of that dire day and a defiant 'never again' all at the same time. Shane was impressed. He had never seen it's like within the Citadel. The Knights were usually very sparse and efficient with their constructions. That wasn't to say Shane didn't believe the Gates were now more efficient than ever. They were efficient and impressive.
It was what the City needed, Shane reflected. The Gates had never just been stone. For many Sylirans the Gates were the last bastion of defence seperating the dangerous wilds from the order and safety of civilisation. They were a symbol and some intelligent Knight, maybe even the Grandmaster, had understood this when redesigning them. Shane had never before complimented a Knight. He hadn't even thought a compliment before. He was either growing old or gaining perspective.
The light of dawn was a gentle glow all around in the chill. Syna's summer grace had left and Morwen was coming but, for know, the weather wasn't entirely terrible. In light of that and the fact Avira still hadn't gotten back to Shane about the job he had decided to take a walk. He had decided for the the first time in his life, technically, to leave the Gates of Syliras. Why? Well as part of the sudden motivation that had gripped him to return home he was also compelled to put new talents to use. He needed somewhere quiet to practice his Reimancy.
Shane had brought a pack that he had found in his old chest of belongings. He'd never needed to use it before and hadn't really remembered that he'd owned it. The pack was now filled with essentials like soap and a comb. Also rations, a waterskin and actually useful stuff. Over one shoulder Shane had also slung a watertight scrollcase, recently purchased, containing one of his most prized possessions. The Scroll that contained the basics of Glyphing as outlined by Aoren some time ago. Shane had barely looked upon it for one reason or another entirely contrary to himself. He'd bring it along and force himself to really think about it. He'd brought ink and a few brushes too in case he wanted to try painting on himself or rocks. He wondered if he would be able to reproduce the focus-enhancing Glyphs that Aoren had drawn on him that first time to aid in summoning his first ball of res.
The other thing in the scrollcase was a map. Something he had picked up at the Great Bazaar for fifteen gold Mizas. It was a map of the surrounding wilderness. It had been drawn up by the Knight's cartographers and marked out known landmarks. A useful thing to have if he could trust the information. It was a lot of gold so it very well better have trustworthy information. The vendor had wanted more even but Shane was an average haggler and had managed to talk the man down a little. He had probably still paid way too much for the item.
Shane had bought a black cloak and a warm cowl made of wool from something called a 'llama'. It was remarkably light and warming so Shane had gladly spent the mizas on it. It might not yet be snowing in Sylira but the cold was surely biting. He'd left his trademark coat at home though. Overheating was just as dangerous a past time as freezing.
So with all this and slightly more Shane stood before the Gates looking out on to the road leading away from the Citadel. The first thing that struck him was that it wasn't very wild. Not at all. Shane could see traffic all the way long and out of sight. The area directly around the Citadel was open and highly patrolled. The real wildlands, Shane guessed, did not start for a wee while after and, even then, Shane knew that Knights were meant to patrol all along the Kabrin Road. Shane would have to get 'off-track' at some point if he hoped to find a quiet place to practice. He would also have to keep a good eye on the sky. It was dawn now but it was also winter. That meant shorter days most definitely and Shane did not want to be stranded out in the wilderness overnight. He did have some torches with him though. If he needed he would at least have light. Unless it rained.
With all that in mind Shane took a staggering step forward and almost fell. He had to take a moment to prevent himself from toppling after the fact as well. Shane's new boots were a lot heavier than he was used to. That was, in part, due to the spring loaded blades in the toe. Another special purchase from the Great Bazaar. Shane was starting to wonder if all these purchases were really good for someone as unemployed as he. He would probably suffer in the eating department. Rations and stale bread for Shane.
Taking another deep breath Shane stepped forward applying a bit more force to the movement than usual. Eventually walking in them would be subconscious but until then he would expend focus on the task. Especially as he did not want to be walking past a Knight when a weapon sprung out of his toe. He didn't imagine they'd take too kindly too that. They were probably already going to give him the mage rigmarole just because he was wearing what some might consider to be an extravagant cowl and cloak combo.
Sure enough as he approached the Gates a man in shining plate armour waved him over. Was it even necessary to question people who were leaving the city?
The Gates were more imposing then he remembered. Well, in truth, the last time he had seen the Gates they were in a state of active repair. All the cities best craftsmen had been tirelessly working to repair it in the wake of a devastating magical attack. The Gates were larger, seemingly stronger and infinitely more elaborate; a shrine or memorial to the lost souls of that dire day and a defiant 'never again' all at the same time. Shane was impressed. He had never seen it's like within the Citadel. The Knights were usually very sparse and efficient with their constructions. That wasn't to say Shane didn't believe the Gates were now more efficient than ever. They were efficient and impressive.
It was what the City needed, Shane reflected. The Gates had never just been stone. For many Sylirans the Gates were the last bastion of defence seperating the dangerous wilds from the order and safety of civilisation. They were a symbol and some intelligent Knight, maybe even the Grandmaster, had understood this when redesigning them. Shane had never before complimented a Knight. He hadn't even thought a compliment before. He was either growing old or gaining perspective.
The light of dawn was a gentle glow all around in the chill. Syna's summer grace had left and Morwen was coming but, for know, the weather wasn't entirely terrible. In light of that and the fact Avira still hadn't gotten back to Shane about the job he had decided to take a walk. He had decided for the the first time in his life, technically, to leave the Gates of Syliras. Why? Well as part of the sudden motivation that had gripped him to return home he was also compelled to put new talents to use. He needed somewhere quiet to practice his Reimancy.
Shane had brought a pack that he had found in his old chest of belongings. He'd never needed to use it before and hadn't really remembered that he'd owned it. The pack was now filled with essentials like soap and a comb. Also rations, a waterskin and actually useful stuff. Over one shoulder Shane had also slung a watertight scrollcase, recently purchased, containing one of his most prized possessions. The Scroll that contained the basics of Glyphing as outlined by Aoren some time ago. Shane had barely looked upon it for one reason or another entirely contrary to himself. He'd bring it along and force himself to really think about it. He'd brought ink and a few brushes too in case he wanted to try painting on himself or rocks. He wondered if he would be able to reproduce the focus-enhancing Glyphs that Aoren had drawn on him that first time to aid in summoning his first ball of res.
The other thing in the scrollcase was a map. Something he had picked up at the Great Bazaar for fifteen gold Mizas. It was a map of the surrounding wilderness. It had been drawn up by the Knight's cartographers and marked out known landmarks. A useful thing to have if he could trust the information. It was a lot of gold so it very well better have trustworthy information. The vendor had wanted more even but Shane was an average haggler and had managed to talk the man down a little. He had probably still paid way too much for the item.
Shane had bought a black cloak and a warm cowl made of wool from something called a 'llama'. It was remarkably light and warming so Shane had gladly spent the mizas on it. It might not yet be snowing in Sylira but the cold was surely biting. He'd left his trademark coat at home though. Overheating was just as dangerous a past time as freezing.
So with all this and slightly more Shane stood before the Gates looking out on to the road leading away from the Citadel. The first thing that struck him was that it wasn't very wild. Not at all. Shane could see traffic all the way long and out of sight. The area directly around the Citadel was open and highly patrolled. The real wildlands, Shane guessed, did not start for a wee while after and, even then, Shane knew that Knights were meant to patrol all along the Kabrin Road. Shane would have to get 'off-track' at some point if he hoped to find a quiet place to practice. He would also have to keep a good eye on the sky. It was dawn now but it was also winter. That meant shorter days most definitely and Shane did not want to be stranded out in the wilderness overnight. He did have some torches with him though. If he needed he would at least have light. Unless it rained.
With all that in mind Shane took a staggering step forward and almost fell. He had to take a moment to prevent himself from toppling after the fact as well. Shane's new boots were a lot heavier than he was used to. That was, in part, due to the spring loaded blades in the toe. Another special purchase from the Great Bazaar. Shane was starting to wonder if all these purchases were really good for someone as unemployed as he. He would probably suffer in the eating department. Rations and stale bread for Shane.
Taking another deep breath Shane stepped forward applying a bit more force to the movement than usual. Eventually walking in them would be subconscious but until then he would expend focus on the task. Especially as he did not want to be walking past a Knight when a weapon sprung out of his toe. He didn't imagine they'd take too kindly too that. They were probably already going to give him the mage rigmarole just because he was wearing what some might consider to be an extravagant cowl and cloak combo.
Sure enough as he approached the Gates a man in shining plate armour waved him over. Was it even necessary to question people who were leaving the city?
