Scars Unseen

The Memorial Gardens are one of the first things that travelers entering Alexandria by the north gate see, its warm confines particularly inviting on this cold, clear winter's evening. Two such travelers, one a blue-scaled sith-makar, the other a hooded and cloaked human wrapped in midnight blue and with sturdy boots on his feet, walk the leaf-shaded pathways of the gardens, and the human is talking quietly. "I am perhaps most troubled by the idea that any would ask me to lay aside a grievance, ere they even ask what the grievance is," he laments quietly. "None have asked, none have spoken of it. It resembles far too closely Salina's wiles."

Zeke hefts his own sigh, but seems uncertain what to say on the matter. "Thisss one doess not underssstand thisss kin. Why would sssome-one asssk you to do sssuch a thing in the firsst plassce? Iss not any sssuch grievance between you and the perssson with whom it isss held againsst?"

"It might be part of keeping Enness but I'm telling you, paladina, there will always be a child-or-the-like who's willing to shovel the droppings for a few copper. So we don't need practice that." Jinks is laughing as he walks with Paenitia, most of his shape hidden under a layered wool riding cloak. It's green with orange stitching and little glittering emeralds sewn into edge of the cowl. There are spots of damp and mud on the cloak to indicate they've been out with the animals though Neighsayers the Pony is not currently on hand.

The gnome wears a circlet of red steel set with a single dark onyx above and between his black-on-black eyes. Other jewelry glitters about his face and his lips are painted a faint green color, too. A few of his shock-white hairs are out of place after their work and he hasn't taken the time to wrangle them yet. The scandal.

"Ha! This is true, and it is the good experience. I have shovel a lot of the manure as a squire." The paladina, Dame Paenitia, laughs. She is, much like the gnome, covered in spots from riding, and Ramirez is not on hand. He is happily ensconced in a heated stable, brushed and under a blanket and dreaming of hot winds and warm hooves.

The Red Knight is rarely without her armour, today is no exception, though she has a large feathered cloak that makes her look a bit like a large chickadee. She has her wide-brimmed hat, her mask of a visor, and is armed. A shield, a sword and a warhammer. Practically naked.

"It is a job you do not want to do, but it show the animal, the mount, that have the interest in their care. More time is together, it make a bond, of familiarity and trust." She sounds especially cheerful, "Ramirez take me into the rough things. I value that he is comfortable when not charging the monsters."

"It would seem not," Seldan answers Zeke, then looks up at the sound of voices entering. For his part, he appears to be much more simply dressed, his usual warm shirt, trousers, and robe under a thick woolen's traveler's cloak, and immediately falls into silence, watching carefully.

The sword at his hip, however, is not so circumspect, and the voice of a crotchety old man sings forth from it. "Boy, nobody cares what you think. That's why you should listen to your elders."

Zeke settles a firm look at Seldan's sword. "Thisss one caress what Sseldan thinksss." His voice is firm to the weapon and almost dismissive though he respects the weapon enough to try and control that last aspect. "Thisss one doess not admittedly... undersstand sssoft-sskinsss ssome-timess."

"And I've almost forgiven Ramirez for dropping me off of his back at Maridran," Jinks grins, looking askance at Paenitia and giving a wink to indicate he's only teasing. He notices the two holymen coming from the other direction and quirks a whisper-thin eyebrow. "Speaking of..."

"Coyote laughs, tallmen." The greeting is offered with a hand snaking out from inside his heavy cloak and raising up to shoulder-level. It's a wonder his fingers can bend for all the rings. His palm is raw from too much honest work (which, frankly, is any) today. "It seems hoping for another night of free drunken revels is too much to ask for," he jokes.

"Hola the Siverguard and the Sunguard!" Paenitia say cheerfully, raising an arm high and tilting her head to look up at the pair, "We are out for the walk too, but as hard as we try, our legs do not stretch."

She looks at Jinks with a grinning mask. One must presume she has a mirthful one behind it, her eyes look so, but the truth is hidden, even to true sight.

Her head shakes, "No, we try the disciplining again. The pony will be better behave with the regular schedule, you have to be better behave too. The drinks, maybe the next night." She's not joking. No drinks for Jinks...

Serene emerges upon a path from the northern part of the gardens, accompanied by a small group of women and men of mixed ages. Most wear the trappings of acolytes of a select few of the faiths; Eluna, Daeus, Vardama.. even one of Navos. A pair of others wear unremarkable travel wear. Upon seeing the four, big and small, Serene studies them for a moment, then turns and converses briefly with those with her. Nods and small bows are exchanged, then she diverges from them, approaching Seldan and the others while the others depart down another path.

"Her light upon your path," Seldan replies politely to all involved, straightening, an open and thoughtful expression closing into impassivity, or something close to it. "It is not in my mind that you shall find often such as a feast as was laid."

Zeke nods politely to Jinks as the two groups meet up, and then again as Serene approaches. Yet his comment about the drinks make Zeke tilt his head in confusion even as he offers a customary greeting. "Peasssce on your nessstss." He offers, his own expression smoothing out though sith faces are notoriously difficult to read.

Jinks' grin spreads to idiot proportions as Serene approaches from side path. "Mulria's sideways smile. Lady Tigriil... I am suddenly eight-years younger and less a trip to the torturous Hells." The gnome licks at his teeth and smothers splitfaced smile down to an easy smirk. "How is that squire of yours? What was it? Quit? No..." he sucks at his teeth, "Squint?"

Black eyes dart from Serene to Seldan and Zeke to Paenitia at his side. His cloak bounces a bit as he crosses his arms beneath it. "This might actually be the safest place in the whole city."

With a shrug he turns back to Seldan. "Goddess Dreaming wouldn't deny me my hopes for it regardless, eh?" Another wink before he returns Zeke greeting in an increasingly-practiced draconic.

He didn't hear Paenitia speak. Something about drinking slightly less, probably. Maybe just a suggestion to spread out the drinking more throughout the day.

The Red Knight waves, and makes a formal bow. "Lady Tigriil, I am Sister Paenitia Snapdragon del Haranna, Knight of the Pillar and Paladina of Tarien. I have read of the many things you do. Much thanks. I have the hope to stand as resolute."

But never as tall.

"It was the grand feast, but I have seen the many larger. The lucht family gatherings, it seem they stretch to the where the sun kiss the ground'." Paenitia says, after straightening from her bow, and looking in Seldan and Zeke's direction. "Silverguard Seldan, is it the time for questions and stories, or is the walk the serious walk? I slow you down we can talk the next time."

"Her light illume," Serene offers, her share of the grettings going around. Seldan gets a short, approving nod in addition to this before she looks to the others. Another nod for Zeke, and then a long, studying look for Paenitia. Curious would never be the right word to describe Serene. Inquiring, perhaps. Of course, upon Paenitia's use of her surname, the gaze turns into a glower which she drops on the other smallkin. "Jinks." Her voice isn't flat. Not really. But the single syllable carries more weight than a word generally ought. "When Sir Quint's tutelage was complete, he sought a destiny of his own. The last word I had with him had him hunting pirates along the Veyshan coast."

"And you also," Seldan answers, inclining his head politely to Serene. "It is well to see you well." He looks back and forth between the bejeweled gnome and his fellow Silver Guard, clearly curiously, and just as clearly keeping his curiosity to himself. "It is not for me to say what She might offer you, although wisdom is among my wishes for you," he replies politely and evenly.

It is Paenitia, though, who gets his fullest attention. "Ask me what you will. I depart soon enough."

Zeke tilts his head at Paenitia, her introduction getting curiosity from the blue-scale sith-makar. "What isss a Paladina?" He inquires, looking at her and then the two paladins whom might know the answer

"Ah," Jinks agrees when Serene shares her old squire's new path. "When I found myself back in Alexandria a great deal had changed. To hear you were still in the city and as formidable as ever... well, it was pleasant to find there were some familiar constants." The generally-flippant bard offers a surprisingly genuine sentiment, smiling, and nods his head in a simple bow. "Lady Serene," he adds with a quick wink.

"Wisdom enough to know when I've stepped in it." He nods, turning back to Seldan. "I was drunk and out of line trying to fix a problem I don't properly understand. Sincerest apologies." He taps the third-eye of his circlet with two fingers and lowers them forward and out in an odd little salute.

"A paladina is a stalwart and noble animal, a patient tutor, and a surprisingly comfortable armored rock against which one might nap on long roads." Jinks is happy to explain for Zeke, extending both arms fully from his quote to make a grand and sweeping gesture indicating Paenitia. "(whowouldneverthinktodepriveasadpersononeofhisfewjoysinlife)" he mutters under his breath rapidly.

And by appearances, a paladina is also someone clad in adamantine full plate, all in a bright scarlet, with a hat that is part of her helm, holes, somehow that let hair and fetlocks out despite her being fully enclosed top to toe. A style of armour that looks better mounted than walking around. There's also a feather cloak, made of giant white peacock feathers, weapons too.

"The joys are stronger, when they are delays." It seems like she winks at him, she tilts her head in a wink-ish way, but with an ever grinning mask, who can really tell. Sounding somewhat more serious, Paenitia looks up at Seldan, "You say you have the found lost memory of someone that know Hotoru. This is of course, the Quest I announce at the party. I am curious too, of the story you make to tell before the interruptions."

She does point a gauntletted finger at Serene, with a tap-tap motion, "I have been to Veyshan. The pirates not as bad as the Navosians."

Serene considers Jinks again, and if her eyes widen just a little bit, can't she really be blamed? A moment later she nods her head to him, perhaps a token, unspoken apology. Of sorts. If one is inclined to read that much into gestures. "Perhaps, when our paths cross, we can speak of Alexandria of old, Minstrel," she offers him, before looking Paenitia's way again. "Perhaps. There is a corruptive darkness in Veyshan. But one thing being 'not as bad' as another does not mean the former should be let to roam free." Her smile, if it can be called that, is tight.

Serene looks back at Seldan and Zeke, then, eyes lingering on the former. "It is good to see you about. I will have to find you when you are free so that we can discuss your Trial." Then she steps back. "I must be off." Sensing a discussion-to-be between the four, perhaps, Serene turns away from them, putting fingers to her lips to emit a sharp whistle. A moment later it is answered by an avian cry in the distance to which she nods. "Light keep you all safe." And then she heads off down another path.

GAME: Seldan rolls will: (18)+32: 50

_Trial? What does she mean?_ For a moment, Seldan's expression freezes, watching Serene, and again as she turns away, but he only raises a hand. "As you will it, Lady Tigriil." So he had picked that up. Instead, he inclines his head to Jinks, a courteous acceptance of the apology, and clearly content to let the matter lie. "I am grateful, then, for the gift She has offered you."

Paenitia gets a longer look. "Yes, the boy Hotaru." He falls silent, eyes lowering as he clearly thinks long and deeply, some confusion registering on the even features.

Suddenly, his hand goes to Reunion at his hip, and his features twist entirely, into something almost leering, an expression completely at odds with everything he has ever shown anyone present. A smile, evil and pleased. It widens, and still further, glee and delight wreathing them in a way that is so very, very wrong, the ice-blue eyes seeing something that is not present.

The sword at his hip speaks again, this time a nasally old woman. "Seldan. Seldan, what is-"

And, as quickly as it had come, it is gone, the leer twisting into abrupt denial, anguish, anger, almost a silent scream. "NO!!!" he cries, turning away, dropping to one knee and jerking the hand away from the blade, breathing hard.

As Seldan falls to the ground, Zeke falls with him, worry creasing the sith-makar's brow. "Kin?" His voice is a gentle reminder of safety. He can find no wound, no reason for this. Yet... Out of instinct and preservation he casts a spell, praying to the Dragonfather for protection from the evil that might be trying to reach out to Seldan in this moment. "What isss wrong?"

GAME: Zeke casts Magic Circle Against Evil. Caster Level: 14 DC: 17
GAME: Jinks rolls Spellcraft: (6)+8: 14
GAME: Jinks rolls Perform/Sing: (18)+22: 40
GAME: Paenitia used a Healer's Kit.
GAME: Paenitia rolls heal+4+2: (15)+13+4+2: 34

When Seldan goes for his sword, Jinks begins to hum and busies his hands. For the briefest moment the bard is pulling apart into multiple, layered copies of himself but he abandons casting the spell when the crisis is averted. He is, however, standing entirely behind the paladina. Bravely standing behind her. The word 'hiding' would not be correct in this instance. It's called 'being sensible.'

"What price did you pay in defeating that archdevil, tallman?" wonders the blinking black-eyed gnome. There was a shadow at his shoulder for just a moment; a fiendish, winged woman of curves and teeth and claws whispering insights lascivious and damning into his ear. Then the memory crawls back into the Weave from whence it came.

"How was he killed?"

The little Red Knight bows, then waves cheerfully at Serene as she departs, turning her attention towards Seldan as he starts to answer. She stands casually, legs braced and hands on hips, nodding.

A posture that breaks as the Silverguard's face contorts into a grim, sneering expression. She braces, ready to resist a charge, a bulwark for the bard, until she realizes it is not necessary. She moves to his side, doesn't have to kneel to examine him. No wounds, not injured.

The face-mask turns towards Zeke, a man's face, with a stretched grin, "Is this the small statues that take over the mind again?"

"The head injury, with the explosive tap, can make the mad mind, but this is rare, only where there no magic. Not the injury here." Paenitia looks from him to the silverguard, "what you are struggle with?"

"Nay," Seldan has a fist driven into the cobblestones of the path, supporting him as he stares at them unblinking, a mask of pain that wishes it had a swimming pool full of brain bleach to dive into, in this moment. "He had laid for me a soul trap, and I took the bait, knowing that for him to consume my soul, he must expose his." He does not look at anyone as he explains this.

"I was able to fight back, turn it back upon him, and with the aid of others present, together our spirits did battle with his. We were victorious, but - my soul touched his. Locked with it." A shudder ripples through him. "I just accessed his memories." The haunted, pained note that sings through the words speaks of an act unexpected and unintentional. "Eclavdran's minions have the boy you seek. He was taken from his temple as an infant, and was important to..." He swallows. "Eclavdran's plans. He must be rescued."

Zeke can not pale, can not show his shock and horror on behalf of Seldan in any of the ways that these others might recognize. Were another sith here... But there is not. He places a hand uncertainly on Seldan's shoulder and encourages him to rise with a gentle murmur. "Come. Let usss get you sssome-plasce..." Where? Where will Seldan be safe from the dangers inside himself? From the scars of a battle that they had thought fought and won?

"Taking odds like that... you might want to stay away from the Golem tables." Jinks observes with the ghost of a smirk. He's unsettled but he does a decent job of hiding that behind his joke. The paladina can still feel his hand at her back-- until, at least, he realizes it's there and drops it.

"Maybe best to not access those memories..." The gnome ventures, quirking an eyebrow stepping out from behind the Lucht and making neat his cloak. "... choppy waters to go swimming in."

The gnome sucks at his teeth and sighs. "To deny a man a drink after that? You may find me at the stables tomorrow with bags to match the color of my darkened eyes, dame Paenitia." He sighs, dramatically and puts on a smile. "But you'll find me, I'm sure."

"Tallmen," he nods one last time. "A friend at the temples thought you might be interested in a story of Charn." He glances at Seldan kneeling there. "... but it can wait for another day."

Jinks drops a loose fist gently onto the paladina's pauldron and then continues on the way they'd been walking before the conversation was joined.

"Coyote laughs," he hopes aloud.

"Okay." Paenitia says, suddenly serious. For a moment the little knight doesn't move, she's like a statue, fixed. "I do not know the thing I ask would cause this. To touch a demon mind, I would not ask of anyone." She holds out her arm, for Seldan to use to stand. "You make the brave choice to face the dangers, I give much thanks. Know I will find the other way if you need to give the refusal and not the answers. It is my Quest to take the path it does."

So it might be a while. Has she ever had a short quest, has she ever finished a quest? Or is it an unending string of tilting at windmills only to realize the next one along is an even bigger, four armed giant.

"The minions, the where, they why of the plans, I am in need of," Paenitia continues, asking with reservation, "but the resting, the go with the friend, the repair of will, I think you in more need of. Tomorrow, tomorrow. I can ask again." She pats at his side.

Although the departing gnome drags a glance his way before she looks back.

"It is in my mind to seek Her face, kin." With the help of the others, an arm, a hand on the shoulder, Seldan gets slowly to his feet, eyes still haunted and resting on the pavement. "I ... shall seek what I can to aid you, for my war against him and his accursed kind ends not with his death, and I would see his works thwarted. For now, though, I would seek Her face." A phrasing that Zeke will know to mean that he wants to go to the Temple of Eluna.

-End