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Post by Devixer on May 9, 2018 1:35:32 GMT -4
Perhaps, if this land were warmer, this vast plain would be a verdant grassland, teeming with life. Instead, it is a vast expanse of snow, and little else. Snowfall is near constant, going from a light fall to a blizzard and back again with little warning.Ambience
Only one set of footsteps could be found among the plain - they belonged to a solitary figure, dressed in robes that didn't match any known peoples of Hyrule. The figure marched forward, at least a little protected by the robes that covered her body, top to bottom.
This figure was Sunan - the last of the Garo. It wouldn't be hard for her to travel amongst the shadows of this place - light barely seemed to reach here. But she felt that she needed to travel on foot instead. She hoped she would find something this way - something away from Hyrule, away from the Disciples, away from her last missions.
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Post by Meta on May 12, 2018 11:13:44 GMT -4
Sunan would be able to see a congregation of people in the distance. Gathered by a big firepit, under the cover of a tree. Closer inspection would show several soldiers in crimson tabards, a crest embroidered upon them that was not the Royal Crest, but likely one of one of the realm's noble houses.
There were pelts stretched in a makeshift wooden structure, and large chunks of meat slowly cooking over the firepit. The soldiers were talking, and rather enthusiastically so.
Sitting on a tree stump was a man of larger stature that stood out from the rest of the soldiers. His armor looked heavier, but still carried the same colors as their tabards. He rested his arm on a barrel by the stump and held a mug of ale in his hand. He seemed to be listening intently to the others, and sometimes saying a thing or two, some of which caused the others to laugh.
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Post by Devixer on May 12, 2018 14:47:12 GMT -4
Sunan pulled her hood farther over her face. She used shadow magic to further conceal herself, only allowing two points of light representing her eyes - a tradition of the Garo. She slowly approached the firepit, and felt the warmth approaching her. "Are you hunters, or soldiers? Who lays claim on this land?" Sunan was never one for greetings or pleasantries. Better to get straight to the point for her.
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Post by Meta on May 12, 2018 19:41:55 GMT -4
As Sunan drew closer, the soldiers began to draw their weapons, until the man in the larger armor raised his hand, signaling for them to halt. He offered Sunan a smile, leaning back. "Soldiers hunting. And if I had to hazard a guess, maybe the Rito. But this is a frontier, you don't see patrols this far north."
He took a sip from his mug. "So, I figured this was a good hunting spot, and it was. We were just about to reap some of the rewards. If you're here for the warmth, take a seat. Plenty of food for all, too." Aethelnoth gestured to an open spot. The soldiers seemed amicable enough, once he gave her clearance.
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Post by Devixer on May 12, 2018 21:59:01 GMT -4
Sunan remained standing for a moment. She didn't know these people, and just a moment ago their weapons were trained on her. But then again, it wasn't like she had the most friendly appearance. "Perhaps a moment of rest will do me good. This has been a long journey for me." She took a seat at the open spot and closed her eyes for a moment.
"What lord do you serve? Your crest is unfamiliar to me." Sunan knew of quite a few noble crests, but they were from far in the past, and near meaningless now.
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Post by Meta on May 12, 2018 23:09:00 GMT -4
Aethelnoth smiled. "The duke of Akkala, that handsome devil." He jested, and a few of the soldiers shared a chuckle at his comment.
He gestured towards the soldiers. "These are my people. We've explored the frontier together for years, and the crown figured they ought to make the whole thing official. So you're seeing the crest of my people. In the past, I used to refer to us as a Crusade. But that was long ago. Now we're the people of Akkala."
"And though that land has provided for us...it sure is fun to hunt in someone else's grounds for a change." He lifted his mug in celebration. "To having a little fun." Aethelnoth chuckled. Some lifted their mugs in agreement.
"So that just about tells you who we are. How about you? You mentioned a long journey. How has that gone for you?" He asked, taking another gulp from his mug of ale.
One of the pieces of meat seemed about done, so they began to cut it in pieces and pass it around for the soldiers. Sunan was offered a slice as well.
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Post by Devixer on May 13, 2018 2:50:18 GMT -4
Sunan considered, then accepted the slice of meat. It seemed to just disappear into the shadows of her hood as she ate it. She looked at each of the soldiers, with their merriment and ale. She must look so strange to them. "...Poorly. I find myself in a land that I do not know, with few options but to continue forward."
She gazed into the fire, considering her next words. "I don't know that you would believe me if I said more.
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Post by Meta on May 13, 2018 10:35:55 GMT -4
"Well, believe me or not, I have some experience in that area." Aethelnoth told Sunan. "Being on your own, what you do is in fact keep going forward. If not for others, for yourself. I've been pretty headstrong, I've had my share of getting pushed back, but here I am. Good company, a safe home and a title to my name."
He smiled. "So, do try me. I've seen plenty of outlandish things in my life."
By now, things had settled down and some of the soldiers were talking with one another, others paid attention to Aethelnoth and Sunan. The steppe was quiet, at the very least in their little corner of it.
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Post by Devixer on May 13, 2018 22:03:59 GMT -4
Sunan didn't look back at Aethelnoth. She sighed, feeling that he wasn't going to let this go. "Very well. You have provided me with warmth and food, it is only fair that I be more truthful."
"I have traveled across time. Twice now, I find myself far into the future. At least this time I chose this path." Though Sunan's strange gaze remained fixed on the fire, the falling in her voice was clear. "I have nothing left, save the blades and robes of a people no one will remember."
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Post by Meta on May 13, 2018 22:17:44 GMT -4
"This is a fateful encounter then. Because I too am no stranger to the whims of time." Aethelnoth sighed. "I would hazard a guess that the time witch Regnicia had something to do with your predicament. Or any other of her "Disciples of Hylia"." He chuckled.
"But that's unimportant." He leaned more on the barrel of ale next to him. "If you feel you're adrift, maybe I can give you some direction, some ground to stand on. My land's a bit far to the east..." He reached into his armor and pulled out a map, showing it to Sunan. "Akkala. A decade or two ago, nothing but wild land. But now, the kingdom is growing, and we're exploring that frontier. There's work out there, space for any kind of person."
He sat the map down on top of the barrel. "Just a polite invitation. From one traveler to another. I know how it feels to be one of a kind. If you want, there's a place for you there. If not, we at least are having an enjoyable meal with good conversation."
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