When Corealanos thought back to what had happened earlier that day, he was still horrified with the turn of events. The young Xacha, Alken, had seemed so normal with his green baggy pants tucked into his boots; his jolly crimson tunic that seemed to mirror his happy face and the large unwieldy falchion fixed at his hip, that could have been a parting gift from the young lads parents, their attempt at keep their boy safe. Why then was Alken now dead?
Alken smiles, "Hello there!"
Corealanos walks up to Alken as he greets him, "Hello Sir, come far?" he says in his warm and friendly manner.
Alken smiles again, "Aye, from Hydlaa, and my journey is far from over. `Tis a long hike to the Fort is it not?" he says as he scratches his mop of red hair.
Corealanos laughs out loud, "How right you are, just come back from there myself. I'm really looking forward to a hot bath an a rest." he says rubbing the back of his neck.
Alken's smile falters and he blinks a couple of times, "That sounds nice. I must be tired already....I hear there's a camp on the way, no?"
Corealanos looks Alken up and down, acknowledging the the young Xacha's fatigue and smiling in sympathy as he turns to face the portal. He replies pointing his arm ahead of him, "Okay, you go through the portal, then past the lake and the camp is on your right" he says bending his hand to the right.
Alken rubs his head with the palm of his hand, ”Ah, thank you kindly, sir. I think I`ll need that rest." He then slaps his sheathed falchion, "Glad I`ve got this with me. I`ve heard there are a lot of beasts in the wilderness between the city and the fort....though perhaps my boots will....urgh" he slurs.
Corealanos turns his head, a small frown appearing on his open face, “Oh I say, are you all right?” he says taking a small step towards the Xacha.
Alken nods, his eyes half closed, and he turns to Corealanos, his eyes searching the Ynnwn.
Corealanos continues to regard Alken with a look of concern, thought he begins to look a little uncomfortable under Xacha's silent stare, “Perhaps, a drink of water?” he suggests.
Alken mutters something under his breath, "She...she ca-" though the rest is lost as his voice drops in volume...and his right hand strays to the handle of his falchion at his left hip.
Corealanos begins to take off his backpack saying to himself, “I've got a flask in here, somewhere” he chuckles before he catches sight of Alken's hand making for the hilt of his sword. He freezes and glares at him, “What are you doing?” he demands, his voice raising in pitch.
Alken draws his falchion, his lips also peeling back as he grimaces, his eyes almost closed, only the black pupils focused on the Ynnwn as he raises his blade.
Corealanos throws his backpack at Alkens face and he jumps back and reaches for his sword, “What in the blue blazes *are* you doing?” he yells, the cheeks of his young face flushing an angry red.
(http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/6992/corealanosalken.png)
Alken stumbles as the backpack hits him and his swing goes wide, still mumbling under his breath, though his attention is momentarily divided between the Ynnwn and the backpack, his pale brow creased.
Corealanos swings his sword in an arc in front of himself to impress upon Alken not to advance, “Now, you calm down, right now!” he barks.
Alken crouches over the backpack, but the sound of the Ynnwn`s sword cutting the air draws his attention and he hefts his falchion, head down, advancing rapidly toward Corealanos.
Corealanos tries to take in what is happening. He is about to further rebuke Alken when he has to leap to the side to avoid the falchion as it is lunged at his chest. Alken's body is another matter though and it careers headlong into his knocking him back, ”You swine!” he calls out, slightly winded.
Alken shoves Corealanos with a grunt of exertion, and raises his falchion high with both hands, his eyes fixed on the Ynnwn`s.
Corealanos's training kicks in, and he decides to act. As Alken's falchion is lifted he steps forward with his short sword and drives it towards the Xacha's sternum, “Take that!” he growls.
Alken's attack is immediately halted as the blade is buried in his chest, though he seems to take a moment to realise. As blood flows down his tunic his falchion drops from his limp hands and his eyes roll back, half a word escaping with his dying breath, "-ady."
Corealanos looks down at the scene before him, “The world has gone simply mad!” he exclaims, looking about as if to find someone, a witness, anyone who could acknowledge his claim.
As the light of the crystal began to fade he shouldered his backpack and quickly hurried in the direction of Hydlaa. Walking now along the darkening road, his mind repeatedly returned to that bloody and awful event, and he wondered again and again, why him?
"She demands it! She hungers for it!"
These where the words screamed at Corealanos as he defended himself from the dwarf, Mesika. Once again a seemly harmless encounter with a total stranger lead to a solemn conclusion as Corealanos calls upon the aide of his god, Laanx.
Corealanos installs himself in the lower section of Kada El's tavern. He takes a large mouthful of beer before he opens a slim volume of poetry and begins to read, occasionally running his fingers through his long red hair.
Mesika takes a seat with a deep sigh and sips her beer.
Corealanos glances at Mesika and gives a small smile before returning to his book.
Mesika nods to the ynnwn, then peers over at his book, unable to read it from this distance.
Corealanos looks up again and answers Mesika's gaze, "Poetry" he says raising the book a little, "frees the mind" he chuckles.
Mesika stands and wanders over to the ynnwn`s table then nods to the bench, "Mind if I..?"
Corealanos extends his hand to the opposite bench, "Please do"
Mesika raises her glass in toast to the ynnwn.
Corealanos beams, "Cheers" and raises his mug.
Mesika takes a large mouthful before nodding toward the book, "If you don't mind me saying, sir, you don't look much like a poet."
Corealanos smiles and tilts his head to one side as he runs his fingers through his hair , Oh, I think we all have a little bit of a poet in us, but you are quite correct, I'm a Sempetor initiate of Laanx" he says before reaching over the table and offering his hand, "Corealanos Verdus"
Mesika raises her eyebrows, "Indeed? Mesika Eadavar, Stonebreaker cook," and she reaches, with some difficulty, across the table to shake the others` hand.
Corealanos's smile broadens, "Pleasure, to make your acquaintance Mesika" he says. He then glances over at the others in the tavern and smiles at them too.
Mesika smiles, but shivers involuntarily as she withdraws her hand, "Ah...yes. Erm...what kind of poetry is that then?"
Corealanos's face reddens a little and his voice lowers, "erm just some love poetry, it's not very good... I mean, not fit for others" he says muttering into his mug.
Mesika laughs, "Fair enough, I won't embarrass you then. Good job you brought that book, anyway....this place is so dead your sword won't be of much use, eh?"
Corealanos looks at Heleckie, Glaacies and Simeoni, three silent figures sitting behind Mesika and nods, "So it would appear". He then leans in and whispers, "Perhaps someone just died?"
Mesika clicks her tongue, "You never know, do you?" and she casts a glance over at the other table, "The Lady - praise her- can come at any time." Mesika then frowns at herself.
Corealanos attempts to change the subject, coughing first, he asks, "So, Mesika, what brings you to Hydlaa?"
Mesika puts her beer down, "Shouldn't drink on an empty stomach, that's what my pa always used to say....what? Oh, cooking. I came from Delving...heard about Jomed`s famous recipes and thought I'd learn from the....the master..." She blinks and rubs her eyes.
Corealanos looks at the dwarf his brow furrowing with concern, "I say, are you all right?"
The dwarf replies, "Yes, I think so...just...just a killer headache all of a sudden." and she puts her hands on the table to steady herself, one by her beer, the other by a candlestick, and she closes her eyes, taking deep breaths.
Corealanos's face empties for a moment as he seems to be thinking, "Hmm nothing on me for headaches" then he looks over at Heleckie "Excuse me Miss?" he says with a smile and is about to open his mouth when he is interupted by Mesika.
She closes her eyes tight, screwing them shut and moaning....then her eyes snap open wide, staring at Corealanos, pupils dilated. Mesika's hand closes around the candlestick as she stands on the bench, her mouth muttering and a cord of drool hanging from one side.
Corealanos sits back a little, somewhat startled by Mesika's penetrating stare, "E-everything okay?" he stammers putting down his mug.
(http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/9193/coremesika.png)
Mesika raises the candlestick over her head with both her hands, flicking wax everywhere.
Corealanos raises his hands in front of his face too stunned to move, "I say - oh no, not again!" he exclaims.
Mesika screeches, "DIE! DIE!" and swings at Corealanos.
Corealanos tries to get out of his seat as Mesika hits his arm with the candlestick, "Ahh! - Bally heck" he curses loudly.
She then stumbles across the table, flailing wildly with the candlestick and missing.
Corealanos stands and makes a prayer to Laanx as he tries to evade the dwarf, "Laanx, give me the strength.." he begins as Mesika hits the cupboard of crockery, breaking some. He steps away from Mesika, "Just what do you think you are doing? Who sent you?" he demands.
Mesika turns back, spittle flying from her mouth, "She demands it! She hungers for it!"
Corealanos stammers, "W-who demands it? A-and w-what is it?" he stammers.
Finally, his prayer is heard and his goddess, vengeful and protective of her own, strikes down the nuisance known as Mesika.
Corealanos blinks as the dwarf disappears in a terrifying flash. He drops to one knee and immediately gives thanks to Laanx for protecting him.
Finally, he stands to leave, briefly glancing over at the three still silent figures "what a strange world we live in" he sighs as he departs the tavern, a sad look on his handsome but troubled face.
After Giroum's stiring sermon at the start of the second day of the Unodin festival, Corealanos is introduced to Ingcha, the Xacha academic with whom the priest had instructed his young Sempetor to seek out and obtain further information with regard to the mysterious platinum dagger. In the background, another sinister figure lurks, watching, waiting and no doubt plotting his next evil misdeed.
(http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/7108/coratt3.png)
“Ingcha, there is someone here I would have you meet.” Giroum says through a cloud of pipe smoke.
Corealanos stands and slowly makes his way to Giroum, smiling brightly as he does, "A rousing sermon, Master Duphra."
“Corealanos here.” the priest continues before responding with a friendly smile, “Thank you, Corealanos.”
Ingcha Indarica makes a bow to Corealanos Verdus.
“Allow me to introduce Ingcha. Ingcha, this is Corealanos. He needs your aid.”
Corealanos looks over at Ingcha and bows formally, "M'lady, pleasure to make your acquaintance"
Ingcha smiles, somewhat uncomfortably, "A- and yours, sir. How can I -ah- be of assistance?"
Jacula approaches the trio of Laanx devotee's with heavy steps. His hands clasping behind his back. He wears a long flowing robe, coloured in the deepest of red. The exquisite fabric has been embroidered with a serpent which has been highlighted with golden and emerald stitches. A commonly known insignia of the Laanx temple. The hood of the robe rests over his head, hiding his masked face in darkness.
Corealanos looks around a little uneasily, "Well, I need someone of your vast knowledge to take a look at something for me" he says acknowledging Jacula's presence with a small incline of his head.
Ingcha gives Jacula a brief nod before turning back to Corealanos.
Giroum watches Jacula approach, "Another of the faithful? I am pleased to see you here, sir."
Jacula looks to Giroum, making a small gesture towards him, “An interesting sermon. My thanks.”
“I am pleased you appreciated it. I must admit...there are too few of us in Hydlaa. Woefully too few.”
Jacula adjusts his hood as he glances over at Corealanos, as if taking note of his build and traits. He looks back at Giroum as he exclaims, “Maybe this cesspool is beyond Laanx forgiveness.”
Giroum casts a gaze toward the doors, "No...no, but they have been weakened by worship of that Tree."
Jacula lets his hands sink into the depths of his sleeves, “One should expose those heretics for what they really are.. I hear there is a sermon in the garden later.”
Giroum clicks his tongue, "Is that so? I should not care...yet I fear it will be better attended....by sycophants praying for miracles."
Corealanos seems hesitant to continue but nods and says, "Y-yes, I have a dagger and a drawing I'd like you to take a look at, when you have a moment free" he says moving to her side.
Ingcha seems more interested as the conversation moves from the subject of people to things. "How about right now? The upper room?"
Corealanos briefly glances over at the two men then back to Ingcha with a smile, "Y-yes, that would be perfect." He then pauses for a moment and looks over to Giroum, "Erm, with your permission of course Master Giroum" he asks reverently
Giroum nods to Corealanos and Ingcha.
Ingcha says, “We will be upstairs, master. Just call should you need us.” She gives a brief nod to Jacula, muttering, "May Laanx frighten the shadows from thy path."
Corealanos bows to Giroum then nods to Jacula before extending his arm towards the doorway, "Lead on dear lady" he says courteously.
The two make their way to the Upper room
Ingcha says, “You said you had something to show me?”
Corealanos smiles and seems a little more relaxed. He opens his backpack and begins to fish around. Eventually he takes out the dagger, the gems and the drawing, “Take a look at these and see if they make any sense to you. I found this chest with an engraved lid which I copied onto this drawing” - he hands the drawing to Ingcha - “Embedded into the chest where these three gems” and he hands over the gems. Then adopting a more sombre voice he says finally, “And inside, the dagger.”
Ingcha examines the dagger, careful not to touch it, and squints at the sketch.
Corealanos sighs heavily, "Ever since I have touched the wretched thing, I have been attacked from seemingly normal people" - then looking into her eyes he implores – "But I did nothing to provoke them, I assure you."
“The sign of Vooreva?”
Corealanos nods, "Aye as Master Duphra indicated - Eternal vigilance.. almost like the chest was being watched over or protected, we thought."
She runs a finger across the lines of the sketch, "Yes...yes. And this platinum dagger was within the chest? Most curious...." Then looks up from the items to Corealanos again, "And they appear very old."
He looks closely at Ingcha as she examines the dagger, his face wordlessly attempting to read her thoughts, "Indeed - I took them to a smith who said the same"
Ingcha nods absently, her mind wandering.
Corealanos stands still, almost not daring to breath as he continues to observe the academic Xacha.
She looks up to Corealanos, as if forgetting he was there, "Oh, ah....I can check the archives. But, I'll need something in return."
Corealanos exhales, "Name it m'lady."
“I am researching the gobble race, sociologically, you see, and I require some form of evidence of their culture, specifically the difference betwixt their two main clans."
Corealanos's face looks a little bewildered, "erm?" he manages to say.
Aarnir Irety, priest and devotee of Laanx enters the room and greets everyone.
Ingcha looks at Corealanos as if he is slow, "The Eagle and the Serpent."
Corealanos looks round at Aarnir, somewhat gratefully, and nods a brief greeting.
Ingcha gives a small smile, "It has been too long, Aarnir."
“Yes, indeed, very long." he replies.
Corealanos looks back at Ingcha, "Eagle and serpant, right" - he thinks for a moment - "and you want me to get these for you?" he says guessing.
Ingcha says, “I want you to get me some evidence of their...culture. You understand?”
Corealanos smiles at Ingcha, "I-I think so" he replies, his face however betrays him.
Ingcha rolls her eyes, "Something distinctly gobble....pottery, jewelry, some form of art, perhaps."
Corealanos nods deeply, "Yes, yes – okay, with you now - pottery, art. No problem at all."
“Get me that...and I'll be checking the archives.” She then turns to Aarnir, "So, where have you been all this time?" Ingcha coughs, "Oh, Aarnir, this is Coreanaloz."
Corealanos stands to attention slightly, "Yes m'lady, I'll begin straight away. Thank you." Then turning to Aarnir he smiles and offers his hand "Pleasure to meet you sir" he beams.
Aarnir turns and bows to Coreanalos, "Pleasure to meet."
“Giroum asked me to, ah, assist Coreanaloz here.”
Corealanos nods, "Yes he did, lucky for me he did" he taps his head "Not too sharp in the old brain department, not like Ingcha here, it would seem" he says at an attempt at humour.
Ingcha misses the joke and nods, "Aarnir here is another of the Devotees." She then looks down, "Not that there are a lot of us left these days...what with Ayvlis...then Alce."
Corealanos shakes his head, "Sorry, I don't, I mean I didn't... who are they?" he ventures.
Ingcha lowers her voice, casting a glance at the two braziers, "Alce was Giroum`s student. A lovely young dwarf girl. Hair red like a forge. She-....I saw who did it. A diaboli." She takes a deep breath before continuing, "He threw her from the Windowless Tower."
Corealanos clenches his jaw at the mention of Alce's death, "A diaboli! The swine! Did you get a good look at him? Report him to the guards?"
Ingcha nods, "I believe he was arrested for some time. I do not know his name. I, ah, I usually spend my time surrounded by books rather than people....to be honest I do not know his fate." Ingcha describes the diaboli as best she can.
Corealanos attempts to gain control of his breathing, his chest rising and falling, his face flushed, "Murder! Cold blooded murder. Well I put one villian behind bars and I shall get this one, if Laanx wills it."
“If you avenge Alce, you will have my eternal thanks. I can never forgive myself.”
Corealanos drops to one knee, "I swear to do all in my power to avenge her - you have my word"
Ingcha bows her head to Corealanos, her teeth gritted.
Corealanos stands and glances over at Aarnir then back to Ingcha, "Well the sands of time to run thin, I should be away." - Then almost to himself - "I had hoped Emerane would have been here today..."
“Thank you. I will busy myself with my search too.”
Corealanos bows to them both, then he turns and leaves.
Corealanos discovers the gobble village and eventually gets his hands on something that looks like jewellery. Packing it away carefully, he returns to Hydlaa and seeks out Ingcha Indarica, the Xacha academic who has agreed to help him with the pieces of the puzzle.
(http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/1352/coratt3c.png)
Ingcha Indarica greets Corealanos Verdus and smiles awkwardly, "Ah, *Corealanos*!"
Corealanos enters the library , "Hello Ingcha" he beams as he walks over to her.
Jayose says, “Welcome to Jayose's Librams and Codexes. I hope your visit is an enlightening one.”
Corealanos turns to Jayose, “Well, thanks very much Jayose. So do I.”
Ingcha points to the apple on the floor, "Watch where you're stepping, some fool must've left that there."
Corealanos runs his fingers through his hair as he steps to the side to avoid the apple, "Oh right, sure." Then dropping his backpack he begins looking through it, "Had a dashed difficult time with those Gobbles"
“An easier time than I would, I assure you!” Ingcha says rubbing her temples.
Corealanos stops and glances up as she begins to touch at her temples, "Erm you feeling okay" he says nervously.
Ingcha pinches the bridge of her nose, closes her eyes and nods, "Just been burning the midnight falka a little too much, perhaps."
Corealanos stares at her for a moment longer then exhales in relief, "Well, they really did give me the run around. Especially the erm Eagle tribe, I guess you'd call them. However, I managed to get this." He pulls out a small object wrapped in cloth and hands it to Ingcha.
Ingcha accepts the bracelet, holding it up to the lantern light to examine it and squinting closely at it. “Exquisite...in a primitive way!”
Hibaray walks past, stepping on the apple and pasting it.
Corealanos tilts his head and runs his fingers through his hair again, peering closely as she examines the bracelet, "Is it okay?" he ventures.
Ingcha nods enthusiastically, "And the serpent one?" not taking her eyes from the jewelry.
Corealanos's face drops, "Oh, bugger!" - he sighs heavily - "I thought.. that is I figured you just wanted the one piece" and he pats the palm of his hand against his forehead.
Ingcha blinks at the curse, "Well...ah....I guess this one will keep me busy for the time being...you could always bring me the other another time."
Hibaray checks Jayose`s price list and sighs, kra`s shoulders sagging and kra shakes kra`s head.
Corealanos's face goes red, "Erm yes.. sorry, I'll get on it right away" He looks at Ingcha imploringly, "I don't suppose you found anything out though, while I was away. Something, that may keep me alive long enough to find another piece?" he says then holds his breath as he waits for her response.
Ingcha smiles and she raises a slender finger, "Actually, I think I might have!" she draws an old book from her satchel, "How about we step into the side room?"
Hibaray mutters, "Back to the mines I guess."
Corealanos exhales and nods as he follows her into the room, "Great!"
Ingcha crouches and carefully sets the old book on the ground, "You mentioned an old platinum dagger and random attacks, yes?" she says as Corealanos enters the room and positions himself so he is facing the door, glancing round the room nervously before answering, "Yes, I came across the dagger and since then. Almost immediately, I have been attacked by total strangers."
Hibaray takes out his rock pick.
Ingcha says, “Well, you might not be the first it`s happened to....” She taps the book with a white finger, "Temple Archives, dated 317AY. Take a look."
Corealanos takes off his axe and places it by his side, "Oh?" he says, his eyes flickering to the doorway before he glances down at the book, "What am I looking at?"
Ingcha says, “The work of a junior scribe by the name of Heon Thianen. It appears an Ogan priest named Heustel, was attacked in a similar way to you....as far as I can tell."
Hibaray sighs, "Aaah. `Talad. Our Benefactor and Guide`."
Corealanos takes a seat next to Ingcha. His hand reaches out to touch the axe almost to check it is still there, "Oh blimey, what have I gotten myself into" he sighs.
Ingcha motions to the book, "See for yourself."
Hibaray scratches kra`s stony scalp with a large hand.
Corealanos's face begins to look a little confused as he runs his finger randomly down the pages. Finally, he sighs, "Look Ingcha, I just don't have your brain power I'm afraid, do you mind it I take this for a while and read it quietly on my own?"
Ingcha chews her lip for a moment before smiling and nodding, "Um, alright. If it'll help keep you alive," she smiles, "Corealanos. I`'m, ah, sorry...I think I mispronounced your name last time." she says blushing.
Corealanos looks relieved, "Thanks" he says smiling gratefully, "Oh don't worry about my name, I'm just happy to have someone looking out for me"
Hibaray studies the map closely, rubbing kra`s jaw.
Ingcha smiles again, "Well, if it`s book-related, I`ve got your, erm...back." Then she picks up the book and carefully hands it to Corealanos.
Hibaray looks about, as if dizzy
Corealanos takes the book, weighing it in his hands, "It's rather a big book isn't it? Going to take a lot of reading" he says, as if about to march into battle.
Ingcha chuckles, "Well, you'll be well armed...if the enemy are wielding questions. Not so good against cold hard steel, sadly."
Hibaray slowly begins to walk toward the door to the small room.
Corealanos puts the book in his backpack and gets to his feet, "Thank you Ingcha, I'll read it during the night while I camp out for those Gobble artifacts. Serpent wasn't it?"
Ingcha nods and smiles.
Hibaray's eyes roll, finally setting on Corealanos, but seeming to search his body.
Corealanos reaches down for his axe and is about to sheath it when he sees the Kran in the doorway. He raises an eyebrow, "Yes?" he asks cautiously looking the kran up and down, trying to get the measure of him.
Ingcha notices the kran, "Ah, we`ve finished in here, gemma, if you, erm, need the room..?"
Hibaray take a shaky step into the room, one kra`s left hand outstretched for Corealanos, the other raising his rockpick high.
Corealanos steps in front of Ingcha and attempts to barge her to safety.
Ingcha steps back, hugging the wall, "Corealanos! What`s happening!?"
Corealanos shouts, "Take hold of your self Kran, fight it damn you, fight it."
Hibaray swings his rockpick in a large arc aimed for the ynnwn`s head.
Ingcha shouts, “Ah!”
Corealanos ducks and drops to his knees then as the axe passes over head he stands and steps forward swinging his axe up towards the Kran's groin.
Hibaray's rockpick buries itself in the wall...Corealanos` axe cleaving deep into the kran`s featureless crotch a split second later.
Corealanos demands, ”Who sent you?" as he steps forward and drives his knee at the kran in an attempt to send him to the floor.
Hibaray groans deeply and staggers backward, kra`s huge hands still questing for the ynnwn though.
Ingcha watches the struggle, frozen in shock.
Corealanos rushes towards Hibaray and swings a punch towards his temple, trying to subdue him.
Hibaray takes the blow hard, kra`s head slamming back against the stone wall, chipping it...and kra slumps to the ground, unconscious.
(http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/4476/coratt3a.png)
Ingcha runs over to Corealanos` side, hugging his arm.
He turns to Ingcha, "You're safe m'lady. He's down, but be careful. We should try and question the blaggard and find out just what or who is behind this." He turns back to the Kran giving him a hard stare.
Ingcha looks at the unconscious kran squeamishly, but nods.
Hibaray continues to bleed from his groin, but is otherwise unresponsive.
Corealanos looks over Hibaray's wounds. He kneels down, reaching out a hand to lightly touch Kra as he takes hold of his energy glyph. Muttering a few words to intone the heal spell which if successful would send a weak crystal energy into the Kran's body.
Hibaray's bleeding is staunched
Ingcha moves to the door and peeks out.
Corealanos tries to pat the kran's leg, "Hey, wake up!" he demands.
Ingcha makes an incomprehensible hand signal behind her back before heading over to Jayose. “Just, ah...some books fell over, erm...sorry. My friend is picking them up now.” she lies.
Corealanos's hand clenches his axe handle as he stares cautiously at the Kran, "Hey!" he calls out again.
Hibaray's bodies seems to become slack, kra`s head lolling to one side.
Ingcha coughs, embarrassed, "He`s not much one for heavy...erm...books.” - then attempting guile - “So, erm...why do you choose falka again, Jayose? I find it most fascinating.”
Corealanos's eyes narrow and he mutters, "Don't die on me you blasted lump of rock" and he pats the Kran more insistently, this time with the edge of his axe blade.
Hibaray's eyes open suddenly and surprisingly wide, kra`s big hands reaching to grasp Corealanos` head.
Corealanos jumps back ,"Whoa, you rascal!" he says getting to his feet, lifting his axe defensively, "Look I've go an axe trained at your head, I advise you to stop this, this instant!"
Hibaray rises sluggishly, his eyes wide and unblinking as he staggers forward, his wound reopening.
Corealanos steps back, "Look, who are you? Who sent you? D-did she send you?" he stammers readying to deliver a blow to the kran's neck.
Ingcha chuckles, casting a worried gaze toward the door, "Must be a difficult pile of books to get straight."
Hibaray takes a steady step forward, kra`s hands questing for the ynnwn`s neck, kra`s mouth open and slack.
Corealanos twists the blade so the flat side faces the kran before he swings it at the kra's head, in an attempt to knock him out.
(http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/9394/coratt3b.png)
Hibaray is struck hard by the flat of the axe, sending kra spinning into the wall... Kra lets out a dull groan as kra hits the wall.
Corealanos points his hand at the Kran, "Now, you just listen. Who ever sent you, whatever they are doing to you... Just... just fight it Kra!" he insists raising his axe again, "Don't make me finish you!"
Hibaray slumps forward, revealing where the back of the rockpick had pierced kra`s back.
Ingcha continues to try and distract Jayose with small talk.
Corealanos looks down dumbly at the fallen Kran. As Kra's body fades he slowly lowers his axe shaking his head, "I tried.. I really tried" he says in a small voice. He then glances over at Ingcha as she tries to keep Jayose occupied. He binks a few times before sheathing his blade and gingerly makes his way to the doorway.
Ingcha nods, stifling a yawn, "Yes, yes, that Arion...really?!"
Corealanos clears his throat, looking Ingcha in the eyes whist shaking his head a little, "Well, I guess I better get going Ingcha, thanks for your help. Best if I don't see you again for a while. Can't put you.. I mean.. it would be wrong of me to get you involved in anything like *that* again" he says in a subdued tone.
Ingcha can`t help but look with worry from Corealanos to the door and back, but daren`t peer inside, "Erm...right, well...remember, I need that book back..erm..sometime. Shall we...go now?" she asks, but doesn't stop for an answer she just turns and starts to leave.
Corealanos nods to Jayose and he follows Ingcha out of the Library.
Ingcha shakes visibly.
Paragon, Corealanos' rivnak whineys at Corealanos as he approaches.
Corealanos puts out a hand to comfort Ingcha, "Best if I keep away for a while, that sort of thing seems to be happening a lot round me."
Ingcha swallows, perhaps to keep down bile, and nods, taking Corealanos` hand in her own and squeezing it.
Paragon turns and glares at Corealanos as he takes Ingcha's hand, his eyes flashing green as he shifts backwards towards the Xacha with malign intent.
Ingcha is nudged by the rivnak, breaking the moment, "Ah! Um...well, I..ah, I guess I'd best be off."
Corealanos smiles grimly before stepping to the side and slapping Paragon's rump, "easy boy" he says soothingly. Turning back to Ingcha, "Sorry about him, guess he's a bit on edge too" he says glaring at the rivnak.
Paragon snorts.
Ingcha shakes her head, "A-aren`t we all? Listen, you take care. I'll be either at the Temple or the Scar, if you need me."
Corealanos bows deeply, keeping a hand on Paragon, "Thank you Ingcha, I'm sorry to have gotten you into all this."
Ingcha shakes her head again, "A little different from my usual, ah, pursuits, let me tell you!"
Paragon stamps his hooves and exhales sharply.
Corealanos smiles wryly, "Yes, well take good care. I'm usually round the Temple, if you need me for anything." he says attempting a smile.
Ingcha bows her head, "May Laanx frighten the shadows from thy path, Corealanos."
Corealanos replies automatically, "And may Laanx frighten the shadows from *your* path, Ingcha."
Paragon snorts again.
As the academic Xacha walks off in to the distance, Corealanos looks over at Paragon and sighs, “You really know how to pick your moments don't you?”
Corealanos enters his room of lodging and closes the door. He removes his backpack and opens it up to take out the large tomb entitled, 'Temple Archives, dated 317AY' which Ingcha Indarica had lent him. He places the book on the writing desk and lights a candle before opening the book to the page which the Xacha had told him he should read. Giving a prayer to Laanx before he begins, he asks that his endeavour be blessed with Laanx's favour. Then happy that he has his god's blessing, he takes a seat and begins to read.
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