Dangerous Lessons: Arrival At The Ruins

[Ileemi Ravrinav]

Ileemi and the others in his carriage played cards a good deal of the way to their destination and just sat and spoke the rest of the way, mostly telling stories of things they'd heard that had come out of or had happened in the old ruins of Ashlika. The ruins are full of traps that still work and many secrets, as Ashilika was and still is a very magical place.

Now as the carriages slow to a stop Ileemi stands and moves to the door before the carriage has stopped fully. He doesn't wait for the foot step to be put back in place, but just hops to the ground and looks around mildly studying the area. He doubts they'll leave the ruins once they get down there though so this outside area where the horses and carriages will wait with the carriage drivers doesn't really interest him that much. After taking a second to look around he turns back to the carriage and pulls the foot step into place for the others.

The sun has just set and night is moving in. The air is quite a bit more chilled than it was this afternoon when they left the city. Ileemi doesn't wait for permission, but takes a lantern from a storage box on the carriage and lights it using magic. He then turns back to the carriage door and holds the lantern before himself as he waits for the others to come out, while illuminating their step.

[Avera Yenis]

The ride had been interesting. Or so Avera had thought. They played cards. Or at least she tried to play cards. The rules were simple enough to follow; it didn’t mean that she was still any good at playing. The rest of the way there she fell into old habits. Pulling out a book until there was no light to read by. She had not realized just how long they had been in the carriages for. She glanced out the window looking to Siwel. She would smile to him, the odd time she would ask him how he was fairing. Up to the point that she thought that she was pestering him with her questions, or question.

Once they reached their destination Ileemi was the first to practically leap out of the carriage before it stopped. She was growing ever curious as to his urgency. But the curiosity seemed to quickly fade as she moved to get her things. She would turn and look for Siwel, this time to ask if he could get her bag for her.

The ruins were going to be interesting to discover. She didn’t really know much about them. The others had spoken a little of it on the way here. Avera had tried her best to add to conversation.

“Siwel, can you help me?”

[Siwel]

Siwel almost thinks to get offended when he hears someone asking him to help. He's so used to being told to act the pact mule just for being a centaur that he can't help the natural reaction. But he sees the soft and sincere smile on Avera's face and knows she's asking a friend and not a servant. He hasn't had many human friends, but finds the idea almost rebellious, like he's somehow getting back at all those who have repressed him just for what he is by befriending a human noble. There is also a part of him that thinks it could get him killed, but Avera is so nice he can't help but like her. That she is reaching for her bag rather than standing idly by waiting for him to get it and carry it for her also says a lot to him about her character. He smiles back at her as he gets her bag down for her and hands it to her or sets it on the ground next to her, depending on how quickly she takes it. He then gets his own bags down. His are tied together with long straps that might seem odd at first, until he tosses them over his lower back and they sit there like saddle bags, leaving his hands free.

All this they did under the light of Ileemi's lantern -and the fading light of twilight. Siwel almost thinks to thank Ileemi, but decides against it. Ileemi grew up in the city and probably hates centaurs anyway, and Siwel knows the lantern is meant for the duke's son, not anyone else. Siwel instead reaches back for his staff he wears along his side and taps the butt of the staff on the ground three times in a perfect rhythm, speaking the magical command on the third tap. The head of the staff lights up in a soft glow that provides enough light for Avera and Siwel to see where they are going. He assumes she'll stick close to him and stay in the radius of his light.

[Avera Yenis]

She thanked Siwel for his help. Taking her pack from him once he retrieved it from the back of the wagon. She had enjoyed his company. She smiled, as she brushed a strand of loose red hair from her face. She would turn to make her way toward the spot they were to set their camp. She slipped a little of the trail. A soft muffled sound came from her as she quickly righted herself, before hurting her ankle. She looked down at the ground as if it had reached up and grabbed her ankle. Hoping her make her trip. When Siwel came over with a staff that had a glow at one end she was glad. She would get an earful from her parents when a note was sent home explaining her carelessness on a fieldtrip.

Well she wasn’t sure if they sent notes home. But she was certain that if they did, she did not want to have one sent. Her mother was a worrier. Her bags would be packed and her mother waiting, pacing back and forth, tapping her fingers against her cheek. Avera knew her mother’s mannerisms rather well. She was always worrying about her youngest daughter that felt that she had to take after her brothers and play with swords. She was against Avera coming to the school.

“Is that a glowing staff?” she asked, her head turned to look up at Siwel’s staff. “I have seen ones that glow according to the mood of the holder. Or so I have read. I mean, if its possible. I am sure that it is…possible that someone would make one that changed colour…I guess its kind of useless…and….”

She bit her bottom lip when she realized that she was rambling. It was just something she did. Nervous perhaps, but what had she to be nervous about. Her first fieldtrip outdoors, sleeping amongst a bunch of ruins, it was exciting, perhaps that was it.

[Paris Shikara]

Paris made his way out of the carriage after Avera did, looking to Ileemi with a smile. He felt it was very thoughtful of him to get a lantern to be sure none of them lost their footing. “Thank you, Ileemi.” Paris expected the light truth be told, but he was not one of those high-strung nobles. He always thanked anyone who helped him, that’s why he was so popular in Serenity and Cliff Heights. Sure, some people did ridicule him for his naïveté but that did not mean they didn’t like him and have some, no matter how small, level of devotion to him. He did not venture too far off, standing near Ileemi whom he considered to be one of his best friends in the class, not to mention the fact that the noble had a bit of a crush on him. He sometimes wondered if Ileemi could tell, he knew Menora caught on to it, but she knew him so well that didn’t surprise him in the least.

“I’m excited,” he said conversationally, “Do you think we’ll find any artifacts?”

[Menora Takara]

Menora nodded to Ileemi, in a friendly matter thanking him silently for the light of the lantern. She was unsure of him, but then again she was now unsure of everyone in the class. After Azure had come to see her how could she not be? She turned, having forgotten her staff. She muttered a word of power and it flew to her hand where she clenched it. It was a somewhat shimmering white-silver staff, a perfect meld of wood, ivory, and silver. There were brocaded runes engraved into it, imbuing it with many charms. The beautiful staff was crowned with a dark royal blue focus crystal carved pleasingly into a cylindrical “diamond” shape.

The crystal twinkled faintly in the lantern-light, however as she walked away it became almost invisible in the coming twilight. Like Siwel’s staff however it had the ability to give her some light. She tapped it’s butt-end firmly on the ground and almost instantly a shimmering blue light snake up the brocaded runes until it reached the crystal. It was as if a tiny sun had been turned on within it for now it let off a supple, but not excessive, blue light.

“As you can see Avera, even we wizards are given to ostentation. I think Rhian has a staff that crystals and runes change colors to match whatever outfit he has on. So you see, even magi have use for essentially unimportant things.” Her voice was a bit matter of fact, but friendly.

[Ileemi Ravrinav]

"Anything is possible. I believe these ruins were only recently uncovered and so there is potential many secrets left inside, sealed by the vampires who left them." He doesn't feel the need to go on about how secretive vampires are and thus how much may truly be hidden inside, including traps. Vampires are both secretive and paranoid. "But let's not get too rash in there. Must keep level heads about ourselves."It'll be too easy to arrange an accident.

He pays little attention to the conversation between the centaur and the girls.

[Siwel]

"Expensive." Siwel finishes for Avera when she realizes she's rambling and stops. Then Menora comes over with her expensive and pretty staff that makes Siwel's roughly carved one look like something he picked up on the forest floor, and well it was. He tries not to frown, it's not her staff that bothers him, but the difference between their races and the coin among them.

He looks back to Avery, "I am only a centaur. I can not afford to be ostentatious. Allison is the only centaur I know that can spend that much money on a staff." His staff doesn't even light by itself, he had to use a spell to light it. Menora's seems enchanted with it's own light.

[Avera Yenis]

Avera stood next to Siwel. She liked the staff that he held. It was more natural. At least that was what she felt. She looked to Menora as she turned her attention to them. Telling them that someone had a staff that changed colour to match their attire. Avera could not help but let her facial features express her thoughts. ~Like I said useless.~

She was not one to speak out or correct someone’s behavior. But she could not help but feel Siwel demeanor shift. Avera raised her hand toward Siwel’’s arm. “It is a waste of resources. Magic is to be used properly. Not on trivial things. Just because a staff can change colour, does that mean one is better?” she stated, not thinking so.

[Paris Shikara]

“Of course,” said Paris, who if truth be told actually wasn’t always that cautious. “I think we’ve learned enough about them to know to be careful, if there is anything of value in there I’m sure it’s well protected. I can’t help but be excited. I really enjoy this sort of thing.”

Paris also wasn’t paying too much attention to the conversation between Siwel, Menora, and Avery. However he did happen to hear Avery’s last statement and he couldn’t help but frown before he caught himself. Paris wasn’t a racist, he was happy the centaurs were free. However he felt Avery was trying to overcompensate by insulting Menora and Rhian’s magical ability and comprehension. Paris felt Rhian was a bit of an arrogant ass, but he still knew he was a very skilled wizard. However Paris was too polite to point out Avery’s ignorance of magical abilities and the customs of wizards. The Duke’s son thought she meant well by trying to make Siwel, who seemed on edge as most centaurs were because of their past, feel better.

“Well, I’ll just stay close to you,” he said blushing slightly, trying to flirt a bit bolder than usual.

[Menora Takara]

Menora narrowed her eyes slightly at Avera but didn’t reply, she knew the girl probably meant well. Aside from that Menora wanted to turn her attention to Paris and his safety, so she had to start really taking a look at everyone and had to be on top of her game. She didn’t have time to explain the fine art of crafting a staff, and aside from that she didn’t want to offend Siwel, whom she rather liked. Like Paris she didn’t have the old prejudice, her Master had taught her that wizards should always be above such petty things. So she moved on, edging toward Paris and Ileemi. Though she didn’t interrupt, and couldn’t help smiling at Paris, though she did keep herself from laughing.

Through her peripheral however, she saw Rhian step out of a carriage an annoyed look in his eye. He knew he and Loren had broken up recently and had only come on the trip because of his father.

Poor Avera, she thought.

[Rhian Stormshadow]

Rhian exited the carriage that he had shared with Tristal, Marialy, and Rineth. Before exiting he had taken an orb from his pouch which when tapped illuminated and floated in the air, following him around. On the way he had enjoyed in flirting with Tristal, Marialy, and Rineth. Though he had focused in on Tristal, Rhian was not necessarily focused in on a single gender all the time but he did seem to prefer those of the male persuasion. Since Loren had left him not two days before he felt that he had the right to. However he had had his fun so he stepped out content. He wore travel-friendly clothes, a dark shirt of black and blue, and black pants. His black travelling cloak was made of a fine material and did bare a nice silver-grey trim, not terribly expensive since Rhian didn’t want to mess his nicer clothes up in the ruins.

In his right hand was the staff he heard Menora mention which was made of a fine elderwood and mahogany, with a net of crystals at its head which were now a dark blue and slate grey color that glimmered prettily in the falling sunlight. The runes on the staff beneath the crystals also gave off a dim glow that matched his alert and somewhat dark bluish grey eyes. His eyes narrowed and his stance became hostile when he heard what Avery said in response to Menora’s comment. He was somewhat friendly with her but he could not help but be annoyed that this foreign noble thought she could insult them in such a matter just to assuage the feelings of an insecure centaur.

“A waste of resources?” His tone was haughty, yet still retained its natural suave, “What exactly would some noble laymen know of such things? What do you know of magic and the culture of Serenity’s wizards? A mage’s staff is a sign of their power and sometime station.” Rhian’s beautiful eyes, alight with indignation turned to Siwel and his pathetic looking staff for a moment. “These runes may be pretty, and so may the crystals but within them lies a power. Would you mock the sword of a King, Duke, Count, or Lord? They are often bedecked with jewels and various symbols of past victories. Much like the sword of a king, a staff defines the wizard and many times in history one can recognize a wizard solely by his chosen weapon. So do not talk of things you know nothing about, silly girl.”

[Ileemi Ravrinav]

Ileemi smiles to Paris when Paris says he's going to stick close. That will make things a lot easier on Ileemi. He only starts to notice the others when Rhian comes out of his carriage in the manner he does and storms over to Avery. He almost wants to laugh at the thought of a Stormshadow storming, but doesn't even crack a smile at the thought. Instead he remains silent and simply watches them all. One or more of them is in my way, but which one is it?

At that thought he looks up to the skies where the Winged Sentinels fly overhead.

[Siwel]

Siwel understands completely what Avera was trying to do, even if the others do not. The soul reason of her words was to give him comfort, not to display what she feels about magic. He thinks Rhian is completely out of line. He looks down toward Avera and leans toward her a bit. "Don't mind him. He's just mad because Loren left him and was seen hanging all over another duelist last night."

Siwel didn't see it himself, but the word on the street is Loren had a team duel and apparently went out to celebrate after winning the duel with with the guy that was on his team. It's said they made out in public. "Loren is is sheathing his bejeweled sword in another man's scabbard now."

[Calahrena Tanillis]

Calahrena and Egeria flew beside Kione and Lysander, originally only Kione was going to be on this case however the Duchess had been quite insistent and Jon and relented. The primary reason the Duke didn’t want to send two pairs of Sentinels on the mission was because it might alert the assassin that they were onto him or her. However in the end it would make sense to send another along since these ruins were so unexplored. On top of that the very presence of the Duke’s son would warrant extra protection assassin or no. So they had elected to send Calahrena with Kione, to stay outside and have the entrance secured. They were not sure if the assassin would strike while they were at the ruins, but they all had to concede it would be one of the more logical places to arrange an “accident” or some such.

They did not speak as they flew beside their companions, Calahrena only began to survey the area so she might be there if the assassin struck, made a mistake to reveal him or herself and then try to flee. On top of that Kione was given a signal if he needed aide or was trapped. If that was the case someone needed to be able to go in as backup.

[Avera Yenis]

Avera looked at Rhian as he came to voice his opinion. She was a little taken back at the context that Rhian seemed to misunderstand what she was saying. She had not made any slight against magic or its users, but the reason for the misuse of it. She simply thought that it was a waste of resources. She was not the type to bellow back to make her point. But she did not wish to stand there and watched as Siwel was made light of because he had less coin to afford such lavish staff.

“Can you say that a wizard is made by the fact that his staff is the same colour as his robes, or his eyes. That he has several more crystals then the other wizards. As for power it is the wizard not the weapon, just like your swords. If a champion used his sword to dig a hole, would it be beneficially, I think not. It would take far too much time, and a Duke would see this as a waste.” She felt she stated it rather nicely. Therefore turning to Siwel, and her back to Rhian.

“We can make our camp somewhere over there I think?” She stated, just wanting away from Rhian.

[Ileemi Ravrinav]

"Was that even in common?" Rineth looks over at Marialy who just shrugs in response.

"I think she means it's not the size of the wand, but the way you wave it." Mari's eyes light up as she says this and she makes a little gestures. Both elves giggle.

"Well, Rhian can show me his rod all he wants so long as he intends to use it." Rineth replies and winks at Rhian.

---

"That's enough." Ileemi steps up toward the group that is bickering like little children fighting over candy. I thought we were all too old for petty squabbles? "Take it to the arena or get over it."

Damn it, that's just the type of distraction needed. He looks up to the skies and the Winged Sentinels flying above and then back down not only to the other students but the drivers and their instructor. Too many witnesses. Too high a risk here.

"I think now is a good time to tell us where we set up camp." He says looking squarely at the teacher.

"Yes. I. Uh. . . That is we're sleeping inside the ruins." The teacher recovers himself as he speaks, he's obviously afraid of Ileemi and that annoys Ileemi greatly. He wishes the man would put more effort into hiding it. He's going to blow his cover.

Rineth looks over at Marialy and makes a clawing motion and mouths like a cat is making angry sounds. Marilay tries not to giggle and quickly looks away from Ileemi after he casts her a bit of a glare. Rineth simply moves her little motion to act like she was just scratching her own neck and gives him a little shrug.

[Menora Takara]

Menora looked to the teacher and the way he spoke when Ileemi addressed him. She’d noticed that that had happened a few times before in class too. At the time she’d thought nothing of it, since Ileemi seemed to be one of those people that just carried an aura of power and was skilled at using that to get what he wanted. He’d never been that way with Paris though, and she didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing. He was one of her suspects, and she narrowed her eyes for a brief second. However she was not prepared to decide who the assassin was. After all Ileemi was only one, Tristal was another high on her list. It was too hard to pick, but she thought maybe something else might reveal itself. Either way, Menora had no intention of leaving Paris’ side throughout the venture, she would protect him. He was otherwise defenseless, he had no skills of battle, and though there was some charismatic innocence within him that would not dissuade an assassin.

“Sleeping in the ruins, sounds like that could prove interesting.” And convenient… maybe it’s the instructor too, there will not be any sleep for me.

[Rhian Stormshadow]

Rhian gave Ileemi a glare as he walked over to the Rineth and Marialy, he enjoyed flirting with them and so his visage changed as if he had suddenly become unbothered by Ileemi’s remark or Avery’s stupidity.

“Ooo, did you hear that ladies? We’re sleeping in the ruins. Maybe I can show both of you how useful and big my wand is.”

[Avera Yenis]

Avery took note of everyone and what they had to say. She had not meant to set anyone off into any type of argument. She had meant to defend Siwel and that was what she thought she managed to do. If Rhian thought her stupid for doing so that was his issue. She ignored the others and turned her full attention to the teacher.

“In the ruins?” she stated softly to herself. She curled her arms about her as she looked from the teacher to the others. They didn’t seem to care much about sleeping anywhere. But in the ruins, was it safe? She would turn her gaze to Siwel and offer a smile before she gathered her things.

She looked in Ileemi’s direction for a moment then back at her teacher. They seemed uneasy about one another. Well her teacher mostly. Ileemi just seemed to be lost in thought most the time, and a little quick to anger. She would turn to Siwel. “Shall we go find a place to set up camp before all the good spots are gone?”