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Post by Golurkcanfly on Aug 11, 2015 20:19:45 GMT -6
"Is that a pun?" Cairbre asked. "You know, her own, Heron...?"
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Post by GX1997 on Aug 11, 2015 20:22:57 GMT -6
"No," the sage said, his faced drained of all humor.
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Aug 11, 2015 20:25:34 GMT -6
"Another time I've been let down today." Cairbre sighed once more as he sat down. "Anyways, we've received apparent word of a new rebellion that's been making some heavy movements in this area. It's a concern of my lady and her superiors that your village may be targeted and attacked."
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Post by Neo on Aug 11, 2015 20:45:44 GMT -6
"Thank you," Rena breathed, sighing. "If you could speak to the Sage on our behalf, that would be wonderful. I'd like for him to have something better to do than fly around all day... But not if it means losing him again, or him losing his freedom. A dragon's freedom is his most important treasure. Every dragon that becomes a guardian... Makes the ultimate sacrifice for our people, Hal. Never forget that."
"That's not entirely true," Caderyn corrects, walking out of the bedroom to join them, now wearing a black button down shirt and sandals. He moves to stand behind Rena's chair and leans down to kiss the top of her head. "You are my greatest treasure, little bird."
She beams happily up at him, while he turns to look at his guest. "Hal, is it? I have no objections to unofficially becoming your tribe's guardian, at least until you can find someone more suitable. But I may have to leave the mountain in the future. Would your Sage truly be willing to bend your people's age-old traditions that far?"
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Post by GX1997 on Aug 12, 2015 16:33:40 GMT -6
"We do appreciate your concern," the sage told Caribre calmly, "The rebels have not made any movements in order direction, and have sworn not to take up arms against our settlement. And even should they renege on their oaths, they would have to deal with the Keeper's-..., and the Guardian's, wrath. You have already met Halcyon. You cannot imagine what the level of destruction she is capable of when enraged."
---
"I do not know if a sage would, but that is because none have ever asked. I know him quite well. I believe he would agree to the terms you set. However, I would recommend that you make these requests in front of the sage yourselves. He would have a much harder time turning them down if he could see the two royal laguz behind the request right in front of him and know that your offer of aid is genuine."
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Post by Neo on Aug 12, 2015 16:38:03 GMT -6
After sharing a brief look with Rena, Caderyn inclined his head in agreement. "I understand. That should be fine. Rena and I will accompany you to visit the Sage."
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Aug 12, 2015 16:40:01 GMT -6
"Though I would like to see it myself." Cairbre replied to the sage. "Could I stay in the village for some time, maybe a week or so, just to survey everything to make sure everything's okay. And who's the Guardian, by the way? Sellen never told me about any Guardian. I assume he or she does what the Keeper does, but maybe a little less other things that aren't safeguarding?"
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Post by GX1997 on Aug 12, 2015 16:52:43 GMT -6
"Be careful that you do not overstay your welcome. As for the Guardian, he should be arriving very soon, in the company of Halcyon and Lady Rena, a royal heron," he said.
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This may be the shortest search for a new Guardian in our tribe's history. And here I was, prepared to spend hours away from the village.
Halcyon rose to her feet and put her pack back around her shoulders. "Well then, shall we be going? Lady Rena? Sir Caedryn?"
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Post by Neo on Aug 12, 2015 16:58:47 GMT -6
Caderyn quickly retrieved his long black coat and slipped it on, and exchanged his sandals for a pair of black boots. He helped Rena into a custom brown leather waistcoat that had slits cut into the back for her wings, and once she slipped into a pair of white traveling shoes, they both joined Halcyon back in the living room.
"We're ready now," Rena said, smiling. "After you, Hal."
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Aug 12, 2015 17:10:03 GMT -6
"I hope my presence here doesn't disturb anything, that way, I can't overstay at all." Cairbre nodded at the sage. "I have another question about Halcyon..."
Cairbre blushed a little bit as he poked his fingers together.
"Do you, um, do you know if she likes any kind of flower? Any tea? A kind of fabric?"
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Post by GX1997 on Aug 12, 2015 18:25:29 GMT -6
"I sense that you have more questions than just that," he said in an unchanging tone. "Sit. You may as well ask them all now, instead of disturbing my meditation later."
This is going to be a while...
---
Sometime later...
Halcyon, Rena, and Caedryn had arrived in the village. Although it was normally quite sleepy the sight of a royal heron and a royal black dragon laguz brought the people out of their hideaways where most had been taking a midday nap. A new energy seemed to flow through the people, and they watched in awe. Deciding it was time to cut the spectacle short Halcyon lifted the flap and motioned for her new companions to enter the sage's dwelling.
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Aug 12, 2015 18:27:17 GMT -6
"Which questions?" Cairbre asked as he tried to hide his blush a bit.
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Post by Neo on Aug 12, 2015 18:59:39 GMT -6
"Pardon the intrusion," Rena called out as they entered the Sage's house. Her eyes briefly wandered to the Beorc in the room before she turned to the Sage. "It's good to see you again, Lord Sage. I apologize for not visiting more often."
She turned to look at the Beorc once more, then back at the Sage. "Are we interrupting? We can come back later, if you wish."
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Aug 12, 2015 20:35:44 GMT -6
"No, not really." Cairbre's blush vanished as he turned to speak with the new entrants.
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Post by GX1997 on Aug 13, 2015 16:57:44 GMT -6
"Welcome, Lady Rena and Lord Caedryn. It is a pleasure to have you as my guests," the sage said as Halcyon slipped into the room herself and waited patiently, while also ignoring Cairbre for the most part, as her focus needed to be on cementing Caedryn's position as the new Guardian for the time being.
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Aug 13, 2015 17:05:01 GMT -6
Cairbre say Halcyon and smiled a bit, waving very timidly.
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Post by Neo on Aug 13, 2015 17:26:25 GMT -6
Caderyn seemed mildly impressed, but only for a moment. "The honor is mine," he replied, giving a respectful half-bow.
Rena smiled, though she herself didn't seem surprised the Sage knew her husband's name. She sat down on the floor across from the Sage, tucking her knees in beneath her, and Caderyn sat down next to her. Rena reached over and took her husband's hand into hers, giving him an encouraging squeeze.
"You already know why I am here," Caderyn began, his quiet voice easily filling the room. "So I will not waste your valuable time, Lord Sage. I would be honored to serve as your tribe's Guardian... However. I have only found my wife again recently, after many years spent apart, wandering in search of her, and as I'm sure you can understand, I am not too eager to leave her again anytime soon. Of equal importance, are the duties I already have, which may require me leaving the mountain, for up to weeks at a time, if not longer. I cannot abandon either my mate or my other duties. But I am willing to work with you so we can come to a mutually beneficial compromise."
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Post by GX1997 on Aug 13, 2015 19:55:56 GMT -6
"Yes, I am well aware of your concerns already. But before I make my choice, I will ask the Keeper. Halcyon, would you choose to grant these concessions if yours was the final say?"
Having been called on Halcyon walked closer to the sage, where she stood straight and tall, unflinching and completely genuine in her reply. "Yes, I would, without any hesitation."
He seemed to reflect on her stance for a moment, though when he spoke again it was apparent he had already reached his decision prior to his inquiry. After a subtle nod of the head and the faintest twitch of a smile, he spoke again. "Very well. Your request for understanding and time is granted, Lord Caedryn and Lady Rena."
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Aug 13, 2015 20:00:09 GMT -6
Cairbre was confused as to what exactly was going on, but chimed in anyways.
"Couldn't they live in the village?"
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Post by Neo on Aug 13, 2015 20:09:41 GMT -6
Caderyn grunted in response to the Beorc, while Rena giggled. "My husband isn't exactly a... People person."
"Several lifetimes of solitude will do that to you," Caderyn answered, rising to his feet and very nearly bumping his head on the ceiling. A look of sorrow passed over Rena's face, but she didn't respond.
"Thank you for your understanding," Caderyn said, bowing his head in respect- and to avoid the ceiling. "Is there anything I need to do to make it official? I am still unfamiliar with many of your tribe's customs."
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