Zapdos
RevekaRed
Teyao
Izurich
Dark Cloud
Lewascan2It's always a pleasure to hear more about MacKensie and her personality. She has a lot of depth.
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The man introduced himself as Harold, he stood to attention before Mother Anne and the workers. This was the soldier who would let them know that it was time to evacuate up the hill. Tyrion and the other children, especially some of the older ones, gave their full attention to this man. This was a crucial moment. The man’s instructions were announced to everyone and projected with a loud but calm boom to his voice.
The younger kids knew that there would be a battle soon and nearby, but they were unaware of the true gravity of the situation. Their smiles were met with a solemn response from the orphanage workers but behind the brave faces of the adults, Tyrion could tell that they were scared. The eyes never lied. He wanted to reach out to the other older kids and let everyone know that he felt vulnerable and sick just as they must, but he did not dare to blurt out all to see. Tyrion remained strong with an inner voice saying one thing.
What would Barracker do?
The kids must come first. He looked at them and wondered what to say. He imagined that Mother Anne would say something playful to distract them as they did not understand. They would just miss the orphanage, and their wonderland of a playground to play on, even the skateboard, his own little constructed project he had made for the kids to play on. To be honest, even he wanted to just go back to the temple and try out the skateboard. Sixteen years old and responsible with a job but he was still a kid too. His stomach did somersaults, a nauseated feeling overcame him. His mind went on the horrors of war, and not just war but what would happen if they lost the battle for Valhiem. It was unthinkable. His mind tried to stay on the now, in the moment he thought back on doing his paper round, his side job where he could be part of the community. He felt like he could escape any worry by daydreaming about mythic warriors of history, saving all of Mytheria from any threat. Now was the realisation, that the threat was knocking on the door of Valhiem, for real this time. He had heard mutters of the likes of Eredge and Dantuin being taken over and lost to the witchQueen, from the gossip he got on his paper round. This notion of thoughts that came after were riddled with bits of fear, but naivety that the war would not reach where he was living. This was the thinking from the young mind of someone whose life was focused purely on Valhiem and not beyond these walls. Maybe there was the rare thought of seeing the big city one day, Capitol City, the stuff made by legends. The residence of the ‘Council Of Heroes’ and the likes of Dante Valeron, Rufus Fletcher and other Diamond Tier legends.
He wished to fade into the background like a shadow just so he could compose himself, as his breathing was becoming erratic. He felt his heart beating as loud as the church's bells.
What Barracker would do?
He would not fear this moment, help Mother Anne and anyone struggling. Of course the young ones and even the workers needed attending too, he thought. Life was not standing still for him on this one. Barracker always told him that in a dangerous situation, if you lose your head then you lose your life and it was always important to stop yourself from holding your breath. Breath, breath, in and out, slowly so no one can see.
Tyrion was the first to stand and salute, “Sir it will be done, I will make sure everyone is alright heading up the mountain.”
Harold smiled and gave a salute of his own, with his arms hitting his sides with a clap, his chest pushing out.
“Very well young master,” Harold turned to Mother Anne and the rest of the workers. “I can see you are in capable hands, I will let you all be off, I have others I need to direct my orders too. I will be back later to see if help is needed, after.”
Tyrion saluted him and bid the man farewell, his body now running on autopilot, mirroring Barracker Kassel’s movements and even the words he would say. Every person is faced with challenges, every person has to act, sometimes that is the only answer in overcoming the challenge. Sometimes making a bad decision is better than freezing up and doing nothing. You must have the courage to act. Tyrion inhaled a sharp breath this time, he felt his words less quivering with every word spoken, an illusion of composure, his posture became stable and calm. He went to one knee and spoke to the kids as one, his words marked for everyone to hear. “Everyone go and get your favourite thing. You have five quick minutes before we all have to leave.” Once again he thought that Mother Anne would make it a fun distraction. “Kids, I need you all to help pack up for this adventure, this time we all will go to the top of Citadel mountain and we will participate in a sleepover with the Mayor and the whole city, telling of stories, a big game but I cannot say anymore, we must take what we will need for the adventure.” He was paranoid that he slipped up with his words or body language and brought on confusion and panic, but Eren and Isabella rose up, battling for the first words.
“I’m taking the skateboard!”
“I’ve not had a turn yet, the skateboard’s my pick. Eren you pick something else.”
Then Tyrion raised his hand, grateful for their arguing for once. “Everyone can have the skateboard, I made it for everyone,” he smiled at this moment, it was a warm one, the first of the day under the pressing circumstances. “Kids, help each other. Whoever is last smells as foul as Barrackers feet.” It was a risky call hanging around for any minute longer but the workers went off, making sure no kid was lost among the chaos and they all worked in harmony so that no one would be last. This was the selfless plan of Isabella too as she went to help others, Eren on the other hand ran to get the skateboard and was first to stand to attention in front of Tyrion. Tyrion gave a friendly wink. After just fifteen minutes all kids were counted and workers stood before Mother Anne.
“The children's clothes are packed and we are all ready to go, Tyrion,” Mother Anne said, playing into Tyrion being the leader. “We will follow you to the Mountain.” She gave a smile of her own, all workers followed in suit even the caretaker of the Temple gave a thumbs up with a tear in his eye, the first one to show any watery eyes, he was sure it wasn't due to the war brewing but maybe some respect growing for the kid. Tyrion would normally rub the back of his head with slight embarrassment, a habit he got from Barracker, but there was no embarrassment. This was his duty right now. Everyone needed him at his best, and they needed caring for as usual and directed to the top of Citadel Mountain.
He realised in advance that the journey would be a nightmare for mother Anne to get to the top of the mountain road. He stopped everyone as they were ready to go and ran off to get his hands on a wheelchair. He gave himself the task of pushing the old elf lady, who had lived twenty times his life and four or five times the average age of any non-elf senior living in Valhiem. Pushing the wheelchair up the steep road would be a tough, physical task, but he thought of the much tougher task that the soldiers, conscripts and adventurers would have to do. With a determined look on his face, he wheeled Mother Anne out, leading everyone to the mountain.
“...But before that, he was your age,” Mother finished her story about Barracker. There was a pause amongst them until out of nowhere she reached over her shoulder and grabbed his hand. Warm and loving hands, he thought, mother to the community of Valhiem, he thought. Our Mother. “You show signs of a Paladin, Tyrion, and I am sure you have made Barracker proud today.”
The second tear of today, now shed by himself, one of adrenaline, stress, but joy and also sorrow, for many more would be shed by the end of all this.
Room 103 at ‘The Academy’. The room was a lecture hall, used for studies and the learning of magic uses. The room layout consisted of a stage at the front with seats curving round like an auditorium. The rows went higher and higher up as they got closer to the back of the room. The place was decorated with pots of greenery, vases stood on stools potted about, marking the end of each row. There were even paintings of students who had reached the level of mastery and fame among their fields, also marking the start of each row on the wall. The windows were tall but narrow, beautifully decorated with a fine art of stained glass.
Barracker and Neebs were sat on the centre of the stage, Barracker in a state of concentration, his eyes closed. With one palm placed over the ceramic bowl of water, he let his thoughts drown away and the source flow through his body. “Well look at you, you're doing it,” Neebs lit up with excitement, the mage leaned up over the table, rising from his seat. Barracker let his eyes open, his muscles started to twist as if he was straining to lift the water. His face going from a calm state of steadiness to scrunched up as if the pain was too much to bear. “You’ve got this,” the friendly teacher insisted.
The water rises, droplets begin to spit out, more formed then the water starts to try and take shape. The water began to vibrate underneath but then the surface began toppling over the sides of the bowl, swaying before beginning to fade into nothing. The Paladin’s face began to screw not with pain but frustration, this was not working. Barracker looked to his teacher as if words would bring a new found lesson, a nugget of information he had not been using throughout the lesson. But the words were not what Barracker had expected. “I am thoroughly impressed, that was some sweet tricks there. I told you when we started just stay calm, concentrate and do what you can with the water. I just needed to see what sort of stage you were at.”
Barracker’s face did not seem totally convinced by the words, and he didn’t mean to show such a lack of faith in Neeb’s teaching methods. “Barracker, look, any level of an average water domain user does not have a talent or can bring down whole bodies of water down upon their foes. Forget mastery for a moment, to do expert level things like raising water or creating shapes, these are expert level things, you do understand that right.” He looked at Barracker and then pointed to the bowl. “This right here, isn’t beginner level. Beginner level takes many lessons to overcome and you told me you gave up on your studies to control your domain. You must try and try again, that is the only answer. Failing is only part of achieving something, so now I know where you are at, try parting the water, and if you find that manageable try to create a little whirlpool in the bowl.”
Barracker sighed heavily, he nodded in understanding and agreed with what was said. He would try this. First relax.
@AvaP Goodluck with the test. I hope you get the result you are looking for.
@Dark Cloud Great last post, very intriguing stuff.
@Dark Cloud Great last post, very intriguing stuff.
@TeyaoYou knocked it out of the park lmao.
Barracker gave a pat to James and thanked his captain for the patch up. After spending some more time with everyone, Barracker felt it was good time to depart from them, to tend to matters. He gave them all his goodbyes and Alison his usual salute, a fist to his chest. “Farewell Alison, it was a pleasure to meet a new friend to the cause”.
Barracker thought to himself. Very nice woman, I do hope Alison does join Second Chance, as having someone of that skill set would be a massive help to party tactics and the war on Mytheria as a whole. He went to his room to grab the books he had borrowed from The Academy Library, then headed out. First on the list of things to do is to return these books back to the library and have a chat with the water mage, Neebs.
------------------------------
Once he entered the library, Neebs met him, friendly greeting as usual on the front desk. “Well friend, you got through them books at quite the speed.” he smiled but there was a look of concern. Barracker guessed it was because of the nature of the books he so urgently needed. “I hope there is nothing wrong Paladin.”
“Too long of a story to explain, just a friends quarrel but everything is great now I assure you.” the Vampire presented the three books he was given permission to take. Neebs took the three off him a scanned them back into the library’s system before sorting them back where they came from.
“Man of your word, that’ll get a person far-”.
Neebs was interrupted by the Paladin. “Neebs I could really use your help.”
The water mage stopped and turned to him. The information Neebs had, Barracker needed. His water domain had not kicked in fully yet but he could feel the potential strength behind, coursing through, unable to fully acess it. Maybe with this man’s help, it could be controlled, with the right teacher, this is worth another shot.
“I am a Paladin, but my domain is water. I have always had an ineptitude at controlling my domain. But in my last fight, something happened. It was as if I could feel the opponent through our mutual domain. It was like I had awakened. My control over water is minimal but I really believe that I should give magical study another shot.” Barracker looks at his fist, as he clenched it. “Then I could be of more use to everyone.”
In his mind, he imagined his power as a water beast what had awakened that day, a silent yawn, sitting up, head turning slowly to look right at the Barracker.
Now it was just stood there, behind a prison barrier, pacing back and forth, watching patiently, silently projecting it’s desire to be free.
Neebs shared a look, Barracker could not tell what he would reply with…
Barracker was impressed by Alison’s invisibility cloak. It was quite the spectacle and would definitely come in handy. Especially in the hands of Alison, who was super light footed, even by Rogue standards. With a significant edge on human ears, the vampire could barely pick up on the faint footsteps of Alison, but could not place her exact location. He made sure to compliment the newcomer, after Zell had finished his humorous rhyming couplet, which strangely had a familiar tune to the playtime songs of Valhiems children.
Like Adam, Barracker had also noticed James’ strange choice of words. Current leader. The Paladin bristled at the word ‘current’. After Adam praised the Clerics leadership, Barracker added. "A better captain, I could not ask for”.
As for whether Alison would be allowed to have access to an adventurer’s source comm. Barracker said it was worth a shot and left the others to talk it out.
After Frederick had gone off to start cooking, Barracker enjoyed the light hearted conversation around the table and the relaxed atmosphere. He was eager to hear more about Clive's ghostly steed. He didn’t recall anything like that in Mytheria before, it was definitely something special. Barracker was glad Zell prompted the question.
“You seem a more than capable rider,” Barracker said to Clive, recalling how Clive appeared onto the battlefield with Daisy, rearing up on the horse in a glorious spectacle. “When you rid off to find help at Cherrad, you got there and back to us in a flash.”
After listening to Clive, Barracker remembered somethings that he wanted to mention, so he directed it to everyone at the table about the new inventions he had witnessed at the Temple of the Quinity. “Fenna, can you believe Tyrion has actually made that skateboard you told him about. All the kids from the orphanage are fighting over it and falling off it. Mother Anne is pulling her hair out.” Barracker laughed. “It is an interesting toy your son has, now that I have seen it, I am surprised Tyrion could visualize the contraption after hearing about it just the one time.”
He also went on to mention Adam's gift to the orphans. “And Adam has given yet another toy for them to occupy themselves with. He grew them a whole climbing frame in the Temple garden’s. It was quite the sight to see. It definitely took their minds off the war, and will bring much joy to them.” He leaned over to give his friend a pat of admiration and also added to Fenna, “Mother Anne asked after you, she hopes you are well.”
When his food came, the aroma had him intrigued, as he was smelling different ingredients, yet it looked just like the same stew Frederick had served him before. He was not here for James’ cooking, so he did not know what to expect. The first bite was more marvellous than he had expected. It gave him a heat, which set his mouth on fire, his eyes watered a little. He turned to Frederick, then James mid-sentence. “I never knew heat could be used as a flavour, it does not overpower the other flavours. It only enhances them.” he gave a thumbs up to the two of them.
@LoksfjoerI hope you have a good time, see you when you get back.
@TeyaoThat is absolutely hilarious.
@ZapdosCannot wait to see what that leaf orb does.
@TeyaoThat is absolutely hilarious.
@ZapdosCannot wait to see what that leaf orb does.
Meanwhile, at the bar, Frederick was pouring the drinks for everyone and he asked what Barracker’s thoughts were on the new person. Barracker leaned up against the bar, “Her handshake was firm and true. She has the grip of a soldier and the eyes of one too.” Barracker strokes his chin, “It is strange that the source saw fit to make her a rogue though.” Barracker finished, thinking out loud. He shook his head, I do not know this woman, this is all just a feeling… Strange. He looked at Frederick putting the drinks onto the bar one at a time. The old man raised a bushy eyebrow at him.
Barracker started putting the drinks onto the two trays. “Don’t mind me, just a dumb soldier's intuition getting carried away”. He looked over at the table, watching Alison manhandle the sweet MacKensie in comical fashion. “She seems nice and MacKensie clearly likes her.” he smiled.
MacKensie was a good judge of character. Barracker thought back on the mission at the Temple of Hades. That day… He could remember clearly the shame he felt when MacKensie caught him taking his lamb’s blood vial. My exterior will now and always be a monster, but she showed me that in case my interior matches that exterior, it matters not. I am no monster. And so this was true for Hardul, the dwarf MacKensie had captured but stood up for, who had been forced to work for the cult. Sometimes people show hard exteriors or have hard circumstances surrounding their actions, but even this does not always show what their true heart is. MacKensie has taught this to me, and I trust her judgement. Whatever she had noticed about Alison, the Paladin had a good feeling about the Rogue.
“Frederick, all done, the drinks are all put on the trays and ready to go.” He said to Frederick and was answered back with a nod.
“Come lets go,” with a tilt of the head, the two picked up a tray each and made their way back to the table.
"Cheers bruv," Zell said as Barracker put the final drink down with a nod and took his seat.
Alison and Adam were talking, with Adam explaining what was going on, as it related to them specifically. Barracker did not know what to relay but left his party to fill in the gaps as he was not one of the ‘Earth people’. Barracker thought it was so strange how they all called their entire world ‘Earth’. To him Earth was just rock and soil and was just one of the six elements. But this was probably one the smaller things on the peculiar list of differences which split the two worlds apart.
Barracker enjoyed his drink, remaining attentive to the conversation. At a random point in the conversation, he made eye contact with James, who must have noticed, both Zell’s and Barracker’s facial injuries. His leader would have been smart enough to figure out what had happened, considering how angry Barracker had reacted to James’ information. While James was watching, Barracker patted Zell on the shoulder to show all was well and gave a slight nod to James. He would get the memo.
"Is everything alright? I heard... banging..."
Before either swordsmen could reply, another could be heard approaching fast.
"Whoa there, fellas!" "Why were ya'll fighting? What happened?"
Clive was honest and straightforward and MacKensie was so caring, they both meant well but Barracker held back as he felt it wasn’t his place to spill the details. MacKensie knelt in front of him and he smiled, as she tilted his face up to the light.
"It's nothing guys. Barracker and I are just screwing around and it got a bit out of hand."
Barracker was not a big fan of lying so he restrained himself from saying anything at all. When MacKensie went over to Zell to check on him, Barracker gave a smile and a nod to Clive to reassure him that everything was ok.
"We're fine. Go on," he told them. "We'll be down in a sec."
Once they were gone, Zell took a breath and got to his feet. Barracker followed suit, then walked over and clasped forearms in a warrior's handshake, giving eachother a pat on the back for good measure. "Thanks for going along with that, mate," Zell said.
“No problem, friend. You can pay me back by letting me and James help rid you of this curse”.
"Everyone has enough on their plate, right now. After the battle, if everyone needs to know then, then fine. But let's just see about saving Valhiem before we go about tackling my problems, eh."
“Sounds good. As long as you know Second Chance needs you. Don’t let Baphomet tell you otherwise.” Barracker put his hand out towards the door. “Shall we”.
The two swordsmen joined the rest of the group in the bar-room. Barracker greeted those he had not seen yet this morning. When Alison arrived and MacKensie introduced her to the group, Barracker was cordial, but knew a rogue when he saw one. Interesting. He pondered to himself. I wonder how someone like MacKensie would have struck up a conversation and acquaintanceship with such a person. Not that rogues were necessarily bad people, it was simply an adventurer class like any other, they just seemed like an odd pair.
When she said where the woman was from, it took Barracker until he had seen the reactions of his party to realise that Alison was from their world. Something that astonished the Paladin. This is incredible, another that is not bound by the source.
He waited to introduce himself, he gave a warrior’s handshake, clasping her forearm. “Barracker Kassel, it is good to meet you Alison.” he smiled warmly. “I am not as special as the rest of you all,” he joked in a jolly spirit. He was feeling in a much better mood since all that tension with Zell had been resolved and the weight had been lifted off his shoulders. “I am a simple Valheim boy. But I’m here to help, and I can start by getting you a drink. What are you having?”
He smiled and nodded after getting her drink of choice, then proceeded to go around asking everyone else which beverage they favoured. Then went with Frederick back to the bar to collect the tray of drinks.
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