[IC] The Mage and the Knight (Omnial and Haruki)

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Beatrey smiled sardonically and she started to answer his questions, "To begin with, we'll be traveling far and wide. There are twelve destinations we need to go to, one for each element: Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Ice, Lightning, Flora, Sound, Celestial, Darkness, Light, and Mind. To answer your second question, when we reach our destination, I would say the danger that you should be most concerned is the temptation for more power. At each destination is an overflow of magic energy for each element, and that magic energy is capable of giving someone great power. You will be tempted to take that power, but you must not heed it. If you do, you can kiss your sanity and your moral codes goodbye! As for phobias, I wouldn't be much of a mage if I have any controlling phobias, like you seem to have,"
She continued "The head mage is a male. But I'm glad to see that you seem to have learned from last time. I will guide you to him once this pilgrimage is done,".

She looked at him when he seemed to swell with pride when he said that he would help her, and she pointed with a humored and sarcastic huff, "Says the one who is willing to run away from what he fears! Isn't a knight supposed to be able to confront his fears better than the average human?"

[Omnial]

Fin's face turned red as he turned away from Beatry, "S-some times things happen, and then you don't like things involved with that happening." Awkwardly he gave a pretty pathetic attempt at covering up why he had a fear of fire. It was embarrassing to say the least for him, a knight with a phobia, he had tried to conquer it, but it never went well for him. Even the thought of a magical area of fire sent shivers down his spine. Was he really unable to run away from this one? Fin started to laugh loudly, he knew it was frankly pathetic, but it was a hard thing to do, facing such a traumatic fear.

He turned back to her, his face's colour returning to its norm, "Well, it's not like the fire one comes first right? I mean the other eleven clearly do, as fire is such a strong and dominating element, it must be last, or one of the last ones." He spoke aloud trying to comfort himself, but a feeling in his gut wouldn't let it sit, he knew he wouldn't be that lucky.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Beatrey could see through his pathetic attempt at covering up his reason, but she knew better than to question it. No matter how much she disliked knights, it was no reason to make one recall a traumatic event. She sighed and she said "Fine. I won't question further," When he asked about the fire region, she gave an ominous chuckle and she said "Oh how mistaken you are, knight. Fire is one of the first four elements we will encounter. The final element we encounter will be celestial,"
She then informed "Don't worry. The first element we'll be dealing with is water,"

[Omnial]

"One of the first four? Dang the natural order of things! why must it mock me!" Fin raised his fist to the heavens and gave it a mighty shake. "But I digress, I shall conquer my fear," he then muttered the next part, "If it is necessary" then continued in his zealous way of speaking, "And we shall have you conquer your quest, and all shall well." He nooned to himself, as simple as this plan was, it was his plan.

They barely managed to travel a few more meters when they came across a man in black leaning on a signpost on the wayside, he stood upright as they approached, "Such a beautiful day for a stroll, such good timing to pay the toll, for today only, and for such a lovely couple such as yourselves, I shall only charge ten silver pieces." He did not appear to be hostile, but it would be easily noticeable to both Fin and Beatry that this man was not working legally.

"Well, Madame, how do you wish to pay the gentlemen, With my left or right hand," Fin was leaving the choice up to Beatry, revealing a bag of coins with his left, and his sword's handle with his right.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Beatrey couldn't help but chuckle at how Fin cursed the heavens with a might shake of his fist. She rolled her eyes at his plan. It was so simplistic, but there would always be people who would make it much more complicated than it needed to be. She commented as they reached the signpost "Don't count on the quest to be easy. Especially since someone is about to make it much more complicated,"

She listened to the man as he spoke, her brows furrowed. After Fin spoke, the wind blew around them. From the wind around her, she could sense that the man wasn't alone. His companions were with him, hidden and ready in case they refused. She knew that ten silver pieces wasn't a huge loss compared to being overwhelmed by the bandits and having everything taken from them. The Academy had provided them with enough money for what they would need along the way. She told Fin "Give him ten silver pieces," She then looked at the man seriously, and she warned him, "If you or your friends try anything, you will regret it,"

[Omnial]

Fin took ten silver pieces out from his coin bag and placed them in the shady man's hand, "Here is the payment as you required for your toll, shall we now pass without further complications?" Fin wasn't too happy about having to pay some knave who essentially is robbing people on the street and acting as if it was a legitimate business. It lacked honour, it lack skill, and truly was a work of darkness, but if the lady whom he was under orders from didn't wish to do so, he would follow her command.

"Ah yes, no further problems shall be had from me, and my associates shall all lower their...taxes" He gave a signal as he spoke the last word, "It was a pleasure working with you two, and we look forward to seeing you again." The man bowed, then walked off into the bush, and it was as if he and his group disappeared from existence.

Upon witnessing this act, and feeling the difference as if the man and his group were gone, Fin stood in disbelief, "I am starting to think that he wasn't a simple bandit," he stared into the bush where he walked off to, "Is it safe to leave that man alone?"

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Beatrey glared at the shady man as he walked towards the bush and disappeared, along with his friends. She could recognize that they used magic to disappear. She answered Fin, "No. It isn't. But I have a feeling that we'll be seeing him and his group again," She then put her fingers on her chin and she said "What bothers me the most is that they just used magic. How?! Legitimate mages are only trained at the Academy, and rogues such as them are usually either too impatient, greedy, or stupid to learn magic! So how did they use magic? Unless..."
She could come up with an answer: They had been to one of the areas that they needed to go and they got the ability to use the elemental magic from the energy. From what it looks like, it appeared they were using wind magic. She swore under her breath "Damn! If they found that place...then we may need to change our plans and go to the wind area first,"

[Omnial]

"Sounds like a good plan, shall we get some horses then to speed up our travels or would prefer to walk?" Fin pointed at the stables just outside village that they had been heading towards, "Also, shall we rest up for the night, or just continue on the journey?" rotating his left arm at the shoulder and rubbing it with his right hand, "I could do with a rest, but I am able to travel for a few days consistently if needed, it is up to you Madame Mage." Something was on Fin's mind, and he wanted some time to sit down and think it through. The fact that he was informed earlier of how the magic could corrupt one's mind due to its power, yet those bandits used it with ease, and, although wretched knaves using such things for a vile purpose, it did seem like they had everything still in place in their heads. How could this be?

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Beatrey answered him "I would prefer to walk. Steeds tend to get easily spooked when it comes to magic,"
When he asked about resting for the night, she answered "It would be wise to get some rest. I know I'll need as much energy as I can get in order to successfully wield magic," She led the way into the village and looked for the inn. She noticed his facial expression and she could easily guess what he was thinking. As they walked she told him, as though she had just read his mind, "Corruption by magic is not always an instantaneous phenomenon. Sometimes it takes time for corruption to take effect and show symptoms. It really depends on the person how soon corruption takes effect,"

After she spoke, she spotted the inn and said "Ah. Here's the inn," She walked into the inn and spoke with the innkeeper, getting herself and Fin separate rooms.

[Omnial]

Stopping in place for a moment, Fin couldn't help but worry about the comment that Beatry had made, almost as if she had read his mind, Could she read his mind? Oh dear, if she could, He would have to watch his thoughts...but how can one watch their thoughts? and the more you try not to think of certain things the more often they come to mind, like if Fin looked down for a second, or thought something was cute or attractive, his cover would be blown! sweat started to run down his face as it slowly turned red, but he continued to follow all the way till the inn. It was a good things that Beatry suggested that they get some rest, hopefully, Fin's mind would be put to ease with a good rest. "See you in the morning, if you need me, I am not far away." the tone of his voice suggesting that he was nervous, he bowed to the mage, still red faced, then with great haste, went to his room. "This could become the most awkward job I have ever taken." He started to regain his composure, as he tried to fixate his mind on that on his mental chain, job, work, honour, knightly pride. He let out a sigh then closed his eyes, his sword within easy reach.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Beatrey noticed how Fin suddenly became nervous from how his face was red, how he was sweating, and from the tone of his voice. As soon as he had bid her a good night, and hurried into his room, she couldn't help but chuckle in amusement. He was scared of her!
...He was scared of her.
Of course...this was going to mean that he would soon accuse her of misdeeds out of that fear. Just like Shakey and Troddon. Her smile had disappeared at the thought, and she entered her own room.

Once she entered her own room, she made sure to cast a spell on the door and window so only Fin could enter, and any uninvited guests wouldn't be able to come in. Once that was done, she lied down on the bed, with her had on the nightstand, and her gloves, boots, and cape off. She sighed through her nose as she tried to close her eyes and get some much needed sleep. Of course, she also kept herself alert just in case.

[Omnial]

Waking up to a beam of light creeping through the window, Fin stretched and got himself ready, it was really early, but this was the time he would normally be getting up to begin his daily training, though, he would be putting off the usual routine as he now had a long and perilous journey to attend to.

He went to the door of Beatry's room and gave a light knock, he wasn't certain when she was hoping to head out, or if she would even be awake, he knocked gently encase she was still trying to sleep, then whispered to the door, "Are you awake yet madam?" He had a question he needed to ask her before they set out again. It would clear his conscience and put himself at ease. Based on the events from the night prior, he made a simple test to see if she truly could read his mind or not.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Beatrey had been sitting at the desk that was in the room, writing in a small book with a feather quill by the time Fin came and knocked on the door. She answered him as she closed the book and put it in her coat pocket, "Yes. I'm awake,"
She went over to the door, placing her hat on her head as she did, and she opened the door to see the knight. She raised an eyebrow at the knight and she asked "Was there something you needed?"

She waited for the knight to answer as she crossed her arms, and studied his facial expression once again. She could see that he wanted to ask her something. She figured that his question may just be a simple one that she could easily answer.

[Omnial]

His face started to go red again, but he had confidence in his planning, he met his eyes with hers, and then popped the question. "What colour am I thinking of." He knew it sounded silly, he knew there would be an off chance she could guess it but not read his mind, but still! this would be needed to set his mind at ease! How could you ever travel with someone of the opposite sex and have them read your thoughts whenever they wanted? it would drive you mad! so this test was well needed. "I know it sounds silly, but please give your best answer." His eyes wide and full of determination, Fin was being serious...seriously silly, but nonetheless serious.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Beatrey raised her eyebrows at the question, and after thinking about why he was asking such a question for a bit, she sighed at him. She had realized his line of thinking. He was trying to test and see if she could read his mind. She had to admit, none of the knights she faced even thought of giving such a test. It clearly showed that this knight at least has a bit of brain in that skull of his. She smirked at him and answered not caring if she was right or not (even though she did answer the question as best as she could), "Hmph. Red,"
She then crossed her arms and said "I only have one piece of advice for you. Work on your poker face. You will be in a world of hurt if any enemies you faced could easily guess what you're thinking,"

She then asked "Now then, are you prepared to leave?"

[Omnial]

Relief coursed throughout Fin's body, She was wrong, it was purple. He wiped his hand across his forehead, "phheww, that saves me a lot of trouble and helps set my mind at ease." He started to leave as he heard her other comments, "My dear lady, unless one uses magic of sorts to see the truth, it isn't hard to pull the wool over someone else's eyes. The body doesn't always give the secrets of the mind away." He turned back with a big earnest smile on his face, "That being said, Why would anyone hurt me from wondering where I will be tomorrow?" He gave out laugh, but cut it short after hearing Beatrey's last comment. "I am ready to go when you are." He started stretching in the hallway.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Beatrey stared at Fin with a deadpan irritated look when he replied to her comment. She retorted in response to his questions, "It does when we face people who can read your body movements in body. They'll be able to tell what your next attack will be, and they'll be able to defeat you easily"
After he said that he was ready, she led the way, walking through the halls and out of the inn they had stayed in. As they left she said "Alright. The wind location should be at the nearby mountain, Mt. Aster. We'll head there," She had no doubt that there was the possibility that the thieves may have established headquarters in that mountain, for easy access to great power.

[Omnial]

"Alright then Milady, let us set forth." Placing his sword neatly on his back Fin waked out of the inn. Taking a crude map from his rucksack, he looked at it with a slightly puzzled look on his face. "So if we are heading to Mt. Aster, which approach are we going to take? I see that there should be a forest which could be easier to avoid unwanted attention, but could be where those men from earlier are hiding out, or there is the more in the open route which would be just following the road then cutting off the path and doing a bit of climbing up and down cliffs to get to the mountain." He looked at Beatrey, trying to judge what he arm strength could be, Could she climb if needed? or as a mage, could she fly?, "Pardon this question, but are you able to fly?"

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Beatrey answered as she watched him look at his very crude map, "It would be a better idea to go through the forest. But, the thieves will most likely be hiding in the mountains anyway," She stopped as she looked at his map a bit more. She couldn't help but wonder if he tried to draw the map himself. She took out her own map, a properly chartered map that she was allowed to take from the Academy library, and compared it with his. She looked to Fin when he asked his question about flight. She answered him "No, I am not capable of complete flight. I can manage levitation spells, but that does not allow flight," She then commented "And I can climb if necessary, if that's what you're concerned about,"

[Omnial]

"You certainly are keen Madame. I was concerned about you climbing, you don't look to have much on the upper arm strength, but if you are able to, than I wont bring it up further. He made a few slight changes to his map based on the area that they currently were in, it was true, he made and charted his map all on his own, it stuck better with him this way, and he also had a page of notes attached to the back with various pieces of information from travels, "So by my notes and information I have gathered, natural wild life grows in the half of the forest away from the mountain, and there has been sightings and rumours of elves in the parts closer to the mountains...I have never met an elf before, and I have heard many things about them, certainly some tails are false, as a mage, certainly you know more of these magical folk?" Fin placed his map back into his bag as they continued on there journey, they had a big distance to cover, so talking would hopefully make the quest a bit easier.