[center][h2]Fresh Blood[/h2][/center]
[center][i]Tracyarmav[/i][/center]
[center]Day 1, Morning[/center] 
[center]Christian, Calder[/center]

[color=8882be][i]     Calder was slightly confused, though he didn't let it show. He hadn't said "Winter Court." None of his words had been a season of earth, much less the name of particular court of fae. True he had considered two courts in particular in his active thoughts, but unless Stormlord could read surface thoughts, he couldn't have picked up the term "Winter Court" from Calder... Perhaps he had implied it somehow, though how was lost to Calder Dylan. Though, Stormlord's statement about the Erlking being addressed as the Autumn Lord, brought a slight upturn to the right side of Calder's mouth briefly before he erased the trespassing emotion from his face. He knew a being with the stones to do exactly that, though Calder would never dream of it, not since he'd finished paying his debts to that court. 

     Christian was a wise man settling with the fae as rapidly as possible. They hated being rushed, but were not unreasonable when it came to the sale and purchase of debts. Calder was not perturbed or offended in the least that other fae might not view him as family. Fae aren't like humans, always trying to find or make some kind of familial relation with those around them. With the fae, family meant nothing, everything was dependent upon whom held your debt, or the greatest share there of. He would not consider any fae he met here as family, though he would have no difficulty respecting them as fellow knights of the Tower of Stars. 

     Calder was curious as to why outstanding offers were on Stormlord's list of things that needed to be laid bare, but then he considered his own master of a few centuries ago, and granted that any offers from him would be of great importance to Stormlord. Hmm, this would mean dropping the act, still better that than to needlessly offend the Avatar of Storms. Ahh, he did know, very well the mask had served it's purpose then and was no longer of any use between the two of them. And Calder Dylan instantly shifted into a being of intense focus and high alertness. His gaze sharpened, without narrowing to a glare or squint, he shifted forward in his seat slightly, and rested both his large hands, palm down on the arms of the chair. Both demonstrating their emptiness and placing them where he gained the most leverage from them. His feet slid back slightly so that only his toes touched the floor, though his heels weren't far off the ground. This Calder Dylan was clearly a fighter, nay a slayer and he was completely comfortable with himself and his surroundings. A slight grin touched his scaled lips, before he responded to Stormlord's queries.[/i][/color]

     [color=8dc73f]"In reverse order Stormlord: First, knowledge is power. The less you have the less you can lose. Knowledge, like all other forms of power, can be lost. Thus, as precaution, primarily for myself, though also secondarily for those around me, I don a mask that gives as little knowledge as possible. 

     Second, I have one outstanding offer. I am told it shall exist as long as I live. The offer is a trade of knowledge in exchange for my service as a bodyguard to the Winter Lady. I have politely refused the offer, but it still stands. Do with it what you will, I have no interest in pursuing it at this time. 

     Third, I expect no less from the other fae here and offer no more in return to them.

     Fourth, I'm not sure where you picked up the term Winter court, as I never identified any particular court verbally since I've entered this room. If you must know, I last served the Erlking, through an intermediary. Incidentally, that fae has the stones you described. However, as I said before, my debts are paid and they have no hold or sway upon me at this time.

     Finally, you are not wrong in your conclusions, ambition does drive me. As a son of a reputedly powerful water elemental I have an eye on the vacant position of Avatar of Water, though I do not currently consider myself worthy of making any claim on that title. I also nurse a few minor grudges that I intend to let simmer while I am in your employ, the better to lull my foes into complacency. Eventually, I will leave this place, for a time or for good I cannot say, but I will leave. And on that day, those grudges will be satisfied. Until then, Christian Highfell, Avatar of Storms, I am yours to command. What would you have Calder Dylan do for you today?"[/color]

[color=f7941d][i]My voice is the sound crashing surf on a distant rocky shore, fluctuating with each wave as well as with the tide itself. It is neither to quiet nor to loud, to low nor to high, though it does favor the bass scale. Still, for all it's inconsistencies there is some quality that never fades, like the sea it is undaunted by the rocks before it, knowing that time is on it's side, so my voice conveys a timeless confidence and certainty. I sit quietly awaiting Stormlord's response, eager to prove my worth and feel the tides flowing through my veins again. Today was the first page, of a new chapter, of a new volume of my life, and I could hardly wait to see what lay hidden in the pages to come.[/i][/color]