Alehkzan, the kindnapped boy, makes a friend.

[Volgathras]

Athiel rides in.

You smile at her.

Alehkzan smiles warmly and says ' Hello.

A young human female stands proudly before you, her movements graceful

her features beautiful and elegant. She wears a set of ceremonial armor

with the breastplate made of a darkened metal with the markings of House

Caruron of Miruvhor stamped into the steel. She wears her strawberry

blond hair short, stopping with a curl just below the shoulders. Her

cheeks are splotched with a pattern of freckles that blend slightly with

her tanned skin, and draw attention to her ocean blue eyes. The young

woman cradles a large black steel helm within her left arm that has two

triangle slits for view and two sharp spiraled horns attached to the top,

her right hand resting on the pommel of her sheathed sword. A coin sized

golden ring is worn on the ring finger of her right hand and bears the

insignia of House Caruron.

Upon her legs are a pair of greaves that match the dark color of her

armor as well as the set of vambraces upon her shoulders. Shiny plated

boots cover her feet and extend to the greaves on her legs. Slung over

the left shoulder by a leather strap is a bright silver buckler bearing

the same markings as her armor. The sword she carries when not sheathed

appears to be of foreign design being curved slightly with the blade an

odd blue in color, and a pommel made of some type of polished coral.

She has just opened up her eyes to the world.

Athiel is in excellent condition.

Athiel curtseys gracefully for you.

Athiel says 'Greetings.'

Athiel looks at you.

You are hungry.

The pain gets you to your feet.

Your hunger hits you.

The cheerful notes of the temple of light bell announce sunrise.

The Golden Banner of Val Miran flaps triumphantly in the city's glorious winds.

Alehkzan smiles warmly and says ' How do you do?

Athiel gives you a magic berry.

You eat a magic berry.

You are no longer hungry.

You bow before her.

A well-off citizen walks in.

Athiel says 'I am well and yourself?'

Athiel coughs loudly.

A well-off citizen nods at Athiel.

The sun rises in the east.

Athiel drinks water from a granite fountain.

Athiel nods at a well-off citizen.

Alehkzan smiles a bit wider than normal. 'I am well.

A resident of Val Miran walks up.

Alehkzan shrugs briefly, 'Still trying to find out how to get my locket back, but that is no matter.

Alehkzan rubs his swollen temple, being delicate around the bruise.

Athiel says 'Last we met you told me nothing of a locket.'

Tiny bubbles of air stream from the sides of Athiel's helmet.

Alehkzan nods once or twice while talking. 'Aye, it has been stolen from me.

A well-off citizen walks up.

Athiel says 'Do you know who stole it from you?'

A Storm Giant guard walks in.

Alehkzan taps his chin thoughtfully, 'Yet another part of the puzzle. He was a demonic creature,

referred to himself only as the General.

Ringing with holy fervor the temple of light bell announces high noon.

Alehkzan peers are Athiel intently, 'Do you know this being?

Athiel says 'Interesting, I have not met any Generals.'

You nod.

A resident of Val Miran walks south.

A Storm Giant guard walks west.

Alehkzan sighs, 'In order to gain it back he told me I must bring him something to trade. Something

that would interest him.

Alehkzan pats his dragon lovingly, 'He didn't want ol' Bernath.

The Golden Banner of Val Miran flaps triumphantly in the city's glorious winds.

Athiel says 'A trade then, and how would you contact this General when you think you have something

worthwhile?'

You put 'Forgotten', a note written by Rygsne in a sturdy backpack.

Alehkzan sighs audibly, 'Yet again, another part of the puzzle. I do not know.

Alehkzan closes his eyes momentarily, 'He summoned me through some sort of portal last time.

Athiel nods.

A Storm Giant guard walks in.

The sun slowly disappears in the west.

Athiel says 'Sounds like something dark and vile.'

Athiel grins evilly.

Athiel says 'All the things my Mistress enjoys.'

Alehkzan shivers uncontrollably. 'Yes, quite. I wish no business with those manner of things. My

Uncle is quite firm against it.

You frown disapprovingly.

The night has begun.

A well-off citizen walks in.

Athiel says 'Your Uncle?'

A Storm Giant guard walks east.

Alehkzan perks up a bit. 'Aye, a kind and gentle spirit. He has raised me ever since the accident.

The clouds disappear.

Athiel says 'I see, what type of accident?'

Alehkzan tries to recall the words he was told. 'My Uncle told me it was a sudden fire in my

hometown. I do not remember any of it.

Alehkzan smiles warmly and says ' I awoke in a strange home surrounded by foreign faces. I came to

know them as family, my Uncle and his.

Athiel says 'You do not look burned to me, unless you hide the scars.'

A well-off citizen walks west.

You say 'Aye, I was not injured, just knocked unconscious.'

Athiel says 'I see.'

Alehkzan sighs, 'My Uncle tells me that my parents were not so lucky.

Athiel says 'Who is this Uncle you speak of?'

Alehkzan smiles, 'You would not know him, he keeps to himself mostly. He and his family live to the

north of Miruvhor in the Volcano.

A resident of Val Miran walks in.

Alehkzan sighs audibly again, 'I wish I knew more of my past and my real family. Who I am, where I

came from.

Athiel says 'Perhaps not then but I have traveled there on a few occasions hunting werewolves.'

Alehkzan almost breaks down in tears. 'That locket was the only thing I had left from my parents.

That and ol' Bernath here.

Alehkzan hugs his dragon.

Athiel peers at the dragon suspicously.

The dragon on Alehkzan's shoulder peers back at you, his skin crackling with lightning.

Athiel says 'Sorry if I seem indifferent toward Bernath I just find it hard to trust creatures with

their own minds.'

Alehkzan looks at Athiel, 'You seem to trust in one.

A resident of Val Miran walks east.

Athiel says 'Now a Dracolich are much more trusting as they follow my Mistress.'

Athiel says 'This Miastra has been trained and broken by my Mistress she has learned to take orders

and knows its master.'

Athiel eats a magic apple.

Alehkzan shrugs, 'Sounds more like slavery than friendship.

Athiel says 'Can be one in the same at times.'

Athiel looks at you.

Alehkzan shakes his head, 'I do not see how. Maybe the illusion of friendship. True friendship

requires free will, something slavery would not allow.

Athiel sighs.

Athiel says 'Yes that is correct, but once they are broken they are bound to those the mistress

offers them to. Either way we both need and rely on another no matter how it occured.'

Alehkzan shrugs, 'No disputing that.

Athiel says 'I have not seen this true friendship that you speak of.'

Alehkzan raises his eyebrows in surprise. 'Ever?

Sighing Athiel says ' Never.'

Alehkzan stills seems to be in shock. 'Forever never?

Athiel says 'I am of noble birth and those who wander speaking of friendship are only in it for

themselves seeking gain in stature or anything else they desire.'

Alehkzan chuckles, 'Ahh, politicians.

Athiel says 'Oh yes many will imply it and speak it but when you are noble they do not mean it, they

are only interested in what I can do for them.'

Alehkzan dismisses the thought with a wave of his hand. 'Well, I am not one of them. I live a life

of selflessness and purity, just as my Uncle taught me.

You drink water from a granite fountain.

Your thirst is quenched.

Athiel says 'As well many men swoon to have me for they know it will raise their stature, I will

have no man because of this.'

Athiel says 'I am not to be used by anyone aside my Mistress.'

Alehkzan takes a step back. 'Madam, I assure you. I want and desire nothing from you that you would

not freely give.

Athiel says 'I am not accusing you Sir, I simply state what it has been like wandering Miruvhor

these days.'

Alehkzan nods solemnly. 'I can understand that.

Athiel says 'I awake to find bushels of flowers at my doorstep and just yesterday I found a

sacrificed cow in the name of my Mistress.'

Alehkzan chuckles, 'I have an idea. How about we be friends, but without the title. That way I can

prove to you that not all who seek friendship have alterior motives.

Athiel peers into your eyes as though seeking motive.

Alehkzan peers back at Athiel, his expression never changing.

Athiel says 'Perhaps something can be arranged, but I would suggest slowly as I am very untrusting

these days.'

Alehkzan nods solemnly, 'Of course.

The sun rises in the east.

You are hungry.

Your hunger scratches you.

Athiel searches her pockets for food and comes up empty handed.

Alehkzan rubs his stomach. 'Excuse me a moment? Feels like it has been days since I've eaten.

Athiel walks west.

Fayette's Butchery

You are in a large white shop. At least, it used to be white. Now it's

mostly covered with blood, dried and fresh. Slabs of beef and pork hang

from various spikes in the ceiling. A butcher is busy slicing more meat on

a thick wooden block. But that is nothing compared to the abundance of

ducks here. Some boxes are piled in the corner; they are labelled "Halon

Duck Co."

[Exits: north up]

Athiel the Lady of Legion is here.

Fayette the meat cutter is here gracefully chopping ducks.

Athiel intimidates Fayette the meat queen with her threats.

Athiel extorts a roasted duck from Fayette the meat queen.

You buy a roasted duck.

You eat a roasted duck.

You are no longer hungry.

Athiel walks north.

You stand amid the central square of Val Miran. All around you colossal

buildings rise up. The smell of commerce is in the air and the citizens of

Val Miran bustle with activity. Horse carts haul trade items for sale in

the Eastern and Western districts, and travelers and adventurers alike walk

the streets in search of new challenges.

[Exits: north east south west up]

The Golden Banner of Val Miran blows in the wind here.

The official Tribunal Roll Call has been posted here.

A granite fountain is here filled with water for the thirsty.

Athiel the Lady of Legion is here.

This citizen seems to be doing quite well.

You smile happily.

You rest on a granite fountain.

Athiel says 'Well Sir I think it is time for me to return to the barracks.'

Athiel looks up into the sky.

Alehkzan smiles warmly and says ' It was a pleasure meeting you.

Athiel says 'Yes it was once more.'

Athiel smiles happily.

Athiel waves happily.

You wave.

Athiel walks south.