A Dagger and Three Vysstichi (Faust-Serion)

[Areka D'Rinishad]

The Month of Ioannes, in the Season of Summer, Era II, Era XIV Post Fractum

The wood, Areka enjoyed all wood. She could hid herself away from the world. The wood never talked back, accepted in some rare cases, and the wood was peaceful. Areka could attended to her thoughts without bother. Areka did have a gentle side to her blackened heart but most would never get to see the softer, lonelier, lost side of her.

Areka had made it to the meeting spot in the wood apparently early. Faust had sent word for her to meet up with him in this wood. He also said that Serion, who she was told had disappeared a little over two eras ago, would be joining him. It would an interesting meeting to say the least. Either way the plan remained the same, learn how to use this dagger and then it was off to Acumim.

Areka looked around for a source of water near the meeting spot. Luckily there was not to far away and if she wondered off to the stream she could still be spotted by Faust and Serion when they arrived. Making her way over to the stream Areka left her hood up as she bent over to cup some water in her hands before filling her water skin. All that was left to do was sit and wait for her fellow Vysstichi to join her.

[Faust D'Rinishad]

Watching Areka through the field of trees, the dark elf chuckled to himself as he patted the rump of his raven-haired steed, “Almost there.” He reassured the animal, resting his forehead against the magnificent beast’s own before removing the traveling bags and saddle from its strong backside. It was then that he glimpsed his adamantite sword, casually propped against a nearby tree and within easy reach in the event that he required its glistening edge.

He retrieved it and attached it to his hip.

“Anything of interest down there?” He asked Areka, slowly appearing and kneeling down beside her. Reaching into the pool of water, the Prince of Har’oloth submerged his left hand, plucking a stone from its bottom and skipping it lightheartedly along the stream’s surface; the pebble disappeared in a rippling splash. He looked back to the little girl.

“How are you enjoying the trip so far?” Waiting for her response, the Vysstichi Lord could not help but smile faintly. It had not been too long since either Kalenel or Areka had joined House D’Rinishad, yet all of them had, somehow, already been united by a common bond of fellowship. But how would the trials that were Herozzal challenge those bonds? Faust wondered. It would be different when they descended to the dark elven homeland. Some things might change, but hopefully not…

[Areka D'Rinishad]

Areka looked over at Faust as he took his place next to her. "Just getting a drink of water." She watched the rock skip across the water and splash. The ripples caught her eye, they seemed to have in a trance as she watched them until the faded away. "The trip was fine, I like the silentness of the wood. Prime and Vortex were full of people running around like chicken without heads."

Looking around were Faust had come from she did not see Serion. "I heard something about Serion while I was in Prime, someone said he was alive and well and now you say he is to be with you yet I see him not. Has he gotten lost along the way?" Areka asked with a smirk. "I would very much like to see him and to show him what I received from his sister." She added holding out her right hand which held the house ring on her ring finger.

[Faust D'Rinishad]

“They’re much too loud for my tastes too, and yet I find myself at those places quite often.” Laughing lightly, the Prince of Har’oloth continued to kneel beside the girl, staring absentmindedly at the swirling waters. He occasionally stole a peek at Areka, though, studying her as she poured out her thoughts.

“Oh? Who told you that?” the dark elf wondered, though his curiosity disappeared as he saw the ring encircling the little girl’s finger: the ring of House D’Rinishad. “He’ll be along shortly. Tell me, though, his sister gave that to you? Where and when?” Blinking a few times, it was evident that the Vysstichi Prince was quite interested.

[Serion D'Rinishad]

Serion had seen the horses before anything else. He had recognized one of the beautiful beasts as Faust's, having seen it not too long ago, and slowed his own ebony-hued mare to a walk. It was a strong horse that Serion had gotten from Prime, but he truely did miss his old horse, Shadow. The dark elf silently told himself that a trip to his castle on Kaldres Isle was a most needed journey. Surely Snurple and the other goblins had managed themselves well at Castle D'Rinishad. Serion had given them a better life after slaying the wizard that had enslaved and created the mutations. Hopefully the goblins were still loyal to his cause, as he never asked much of them in the first place.

Bringing his horse to a stop next to the others, Serion lightly dismounts as well, his ardentium gear making barely the smallest of noises. The swordsman had seemed to have gotten back in the swing of things, for the most part, and the way he moved and carried himself was proof. Unsaddling his own horse, and rubbing it's long nose affectionately, Serion makes his way towards where he could hear some running water. Surely the other two had been waiting for him there, as opposed to standing about amongst the trees.

With subconsciously measured steps, Serion strides into the clearing of the stream, catching the end of Faust and Areka's conversation. "Indeed. What is Zy'noir up to these days. We didn't have too much conversation with each other, and apparently it has been even longer with my absence." Almost as an afterthought, Serion gives a slight bow to Areka, smiling. "I am Serion. Faust has told me your name is Areka. I am happy to see the House of D'Rinishad grow once more." With introductions over, Serion truely was curious as to what Zy'noir had planned. She was older than Serion, so perhaps she was getting too old...and with the lack of cooperation amongst her daughters, perhaps they had all managed to kill themselves. This trip to Acumin may turn out to be a trip to Herrozal as well.

[Areka D'Rinishad]

Areka was just about to answer Faust question when Serion made his appearance. Areka titled her head up and stared at Serion as he spoke. Yet again she was meeting another Vysstichi. From what she was told Serion was the true leader of the D'Rinishad house. He had worked it from the ground up recruiting Faust along the way. Then one day Serion had disappeared leaving the D'Rinishad's business to Faust.

Areka looked at Serion for the longest. It was if she was trying to study him with her eyes. She of course did not even think of it rude to stare at him for so long. She had simply been lost in thought once again.

"It is nice to finally meet you after being told you were alive. Fidelis first told me of Serion in Aelyria Prime, the you sent word he would be joining us here. As for the ring"
Speaking now to both Serion and Faust "She sent a letter inviting me to be her apprentice. This is the letter she sent, allow with the ring." She said as she spun the big ring around her tiny finger and handed the letter over.

Mistress Areka D'Rinishad,

Greetings to you from Herozzal. May this letter find you in health and happiness.

I fear I am not much for pleasantries or small talk, so I will get to the point. Recent events in Herozzal have forced me to realize that, should I perish now, I would leave the house without an heir, my own children being either dead or disowned. I have no suitable immediate family, and so am looking to my extended family for potentials. Being female and of a young age, I would like to extend an invitation to you. Come to Herozzal, and I will train you and care for you as if you were my own daughter.

Enclosed is the house ring and a letter of passage, should you need it.

May Haya Bless Your Steps,
Zynoir D'Rinishad
Matron of House Vhileraen

"Herozzal is just under Acumin right, maybe once we stop the other vysstichi we can go see your sister Serion...but I would like to know how to use this dagger before going to Acumin, I was not match for the drunken men in Vortex and I know my own kind will not pity me." Areka said with a slight lowering of her eyes when she spoke of the drunken men.

[Faust D'Rinishad]

The Vysstichi’s silver brows rose at the reference to Fidelis Meridius, a long-time comrade-in-arms and friend. It hadn’t been long since both he and Serion had met with the Dark Knight on the streets of Aelyria Prime, an encounter that, unsurprisingly, had included much tension. The Prince of Har’oloth had not seen Fidelis since that occasion, but it was good to know that the Knight was still in faring well, especially considering that last debacle.

Turning as Serion approached, the younger swordsman nodded accordingly and stood idly while the pair acquainted with one another. The exchange reminded the Prince all too well of the first time that he had met Serion, an event that had inevitably changed the dark elven prince’s life forever. Like all of the other D’Rinishads assimilated in the aftermath of Serion’s plight to the surface, Areka would, perhaps, find solace in her life at last.

“Interesting that she would find her…” Faust said after glancing over the letter. Concern flecked his red eyes as he looked to Serion then, wondering what the Vysstichi Lord thought of it. “…and so quickly too. From the looks of it, things might not be boding so well for her, or the entire House for that matter as well.” Shrugging at the possibility, Faust looked to the ring cradled in Areka’s small hands.

The sight of the dagger in her other hand elicited a grin along the dark elf’s lips, “There were four of them…what could you have done?” He rhetorically asked, ruffling her hair lightly as to remind her of those previously horrendous odds against her back in Vortex.

[Serion D'Rinishad]

Serion chuckles. It was good seeing young blood in the House again, even if it was as young as Areka. "It is very convenient indeed. I'd like to speak with Zy'noir anyway, so we'd make perfect escorts. After we see how things are moving in Acumin, we'll head relatively straight there."

Leaning against a tree as Faust ruffles Areka's hair, somewhat recanting the incident, Serion could only agree that any D'Rinishad should have at least the most basics of training in some form of arms. A dagger seemed a nice choice for the young female, but of course with two well reknowned dualwielders at her disposal dual wielding would be what she got. Drawing a dagger from one of his many hidden sheaths within his vest, the swordsman flicks it idly at Areka's feet. The blade would strike true at such an easy target, falling short of even being considered close to hitting.

Watching as he releases the dagger, Serion wanted to see the young girls reaction. It would be from this that he judged what he chose to speak with Faust about concerning her training--a pretest of sorts. "A good practitioner of any art should have at least one good tool to work with. Take that dagger, and keep it as your own. I don't use it often enough anyway, so it probably needs a more loving wielder."

Should Areka go to pull the dagger from the ground, the first thing she'll notice is the emerald built into the pommel of the dagger. The ardentium was actually formed around the jewel, so as to keep the correct balance by eliminating any mounting materials required to house it. Pulling it from the dirt, the lightweight metal would seem half that of the cheaper dagger she already had. This would work well in the dual wielding style the older dark elf had in mind--using a main hand approach. Asside from that, though, nothing else seemed all that great about the dagger. It was meticulously sharpened and oiled, as all of Serion's blades, and Serion woudl of course pass that down to the younger dark elf soon enough.

Looking at Faust, Serion will smile. "So, tell me what you think she already knows, and let's see how well she holds up to your thinking, eh?" Serion was pretty sure Areka hadn't fought, but surely the girl witnessed enough to have seen some ideas. Whether or not she could act on those ideas would be seen later, but this was what Serion liked to refer to as the theory portion of teaching.

[Faust D'Rinishad]

Faust grinned as he visually followed the line of the dagger burrowing into the dirt, its ardentium edge gleaming like a thousand diamond rings. He looked to Areka then, wondering if the young girl would recognize the priceless honor that had been awarded to her. Ardentium was of the stuff of legends, and the King of House D’Rinishad had apparently deemed her worthy enough to bestow the weapon to. It was a great privilege indeed.

He waited for Areka to examine the weapon, crossing his arms amusedly as he looked back to Serion. “Not much I’m afraid, milord,” Faust said with a light chuckle. “But she has heart no doubt. She won’t be defeated easily…” He theorized, and he nodded subtly to indicate his sincerity. Of course Areka wouldn’t stand even a hair of a chance against the formidable King, but Faust was confident that she would do everything within her power to stay on her feet –even if the result of which was not very long. But he knew that his Lord would not go all out on her as doing so would be counterproductive for her learning.

Thus the Prince of Har’oloth leaned against the base of a tree, smiling softly as he waited for the ‘lesson’ to begin, or rather, whatever format of teaching Serion had in store for her. There was no better teacher, Faust knew.

[Areka D'Rinishad]

Areka took back the letter and twirled the ring around her finger once again absentmindedly as she listened to the words of the D'Rinishad lord. She took out the dagger she had taken from her father when she left. It wasn't anything special but she would learn to use it. As she examined the piece of weaponry, running her hands over the metal and the handle. The blade was sharp but could be sharpened to bring some more life to it. She would make this dagger hers and have it forget its former owner.

As she examined the dagger she saw a gleam of light catch the dagger Serion had decided to fling in her direction. She looked up to follow the beautiful dagger fall at her feet. She stared at the dagger as she heard the words of Serion. She didn't even budge. She didn't flinch. She showed no emotion to the weapon coming in her direction. She didn't to much seem to care. It was if the dagger could have pierced her through the heart, causing her to fall to the ground dieing a slow death, and not even a smile or a look of fear would cross the young girls face. It now showed to the Vysstichi lord and prince more than ever that she had not escaped the typical harsh life of a young vyisstichi. She too had been scared and would have to learn to over come her lack of feeling if she was to succeed and move farther in the new life she had chosen to partake in.

Shifting to one foot she stepped forward to pull the ardentium dagger out of the dirt and examined it. The beauty of the dagger amazed her, she had only heard of such weapons. She ran her fingers delicately over the blade turning it over and over taking in its wondrous sight. She then turned to the vysstichi lord, holding her fathers blade in her dominate left hand and one the lord gave her in her right... "Thank you." Areka said the the Serion, "I will cherish. When do we begin?"

[Serion D'Rinishad]

Serion grins, "Excellent. We'll begin now by learning how to hold the weapons correctly." Instead of walking over to Areka, however, Serion closes his eyes for a moment as he quickly begins to Meditate, to begin the process of casting a spell. After a few moments pass, a glowing light appears in both of Serion's hands, each glowing ball slowly elongating into the shape of daggers similar to the one that Serion had tossed to the young vysstichi child. Letting his hands close upon them, Serion opens his eyes, and inspects his casting.

"While you are learning daggers, I shall be improving upon my thaumaturgy." Just because Serion had managed to get his ability back with magic, did not mean he still had the same amount of endurance as before. Like anything else, he needed to practice and build it back up. This spell was perfect for that, as it forced him to maintain his vis upon the spell, to keep it from weakening and fading.

"As you improve, you will find your own way of wielding your weapons, but for now, this is more suited to the style I will show you." Saying that, Serion holds out his left hand, and flips the dagger, so that he's holding it blade-down. This also helps him focus on keeping the spell in tact while not holding it. For the right hand he does the same. "Many people I see holding daggers try to hold them like swords. Unfortuantely, they are an intimate weapon that should be kept close. By holding them like this, the daggers guard the forearms. While I won't show you all of the purposes of this style just yet, it is a perfect way to deflect attacks, instead of simply taking them. A child of your size cannot take a heavy hit head on, but can easily deflect the direction of one."

Allowing Areka to mimic his handling of the blade, Serion will turn his attention to Faust. "If you don't mind Faust, I'll have you make sure her grips and stances are correct as we move along. It shouldn't take all that long for basic handling of the dagger." This way, Faust could check on Areka while Serion continues focusing on his vis. It was this spell that Serion had made so as to make it easier to infiltrate and conquer, as he would be completely unarmed. If the spell couldn't last him, it would be no good in battle.

"Before we move on to the stances, what hand is your most dominant one Areka? This will determine which weapon you hold in what hand, as well as the stance I give you." Awaiting her response, Serion will continue based on that. Meanwhile, he was monitoring the link between his blades and his vis. Hopefully the spell would become second nature in time, and the vis drain would be almost nonexistant. Serion, of course, had plans in the future to speed that up, but for now this trainng would have to do.

[Faust D'Rinishad]

Enjoying the session from the side, the Prince of Har’oloth nodded and then proceeded to join Areka across from Serion. He examined the grips that she used for each dagger, adjusting her fingers accordingly and explaining the purpose for his tweaks. Although it was important to maintain a strong hold on one’s weapon, it was similarly important to be able to adapt as well, something that could be done while leaving a sparse amount of slack between one’s palm and the weapon handle. When and if Areka understood, the Vysstichi Prince returned to his original position, striking a pensive posture as he waited for the introductory lesson to continue.

[Areka D'Rinishad]

Areka watched on as the the daggers emitted from Serion's hands. It was interesting but not what she would choose to learn. She rather deal with the dark arts. Necromancy, that is what she had overheard her father talking about one brightening outside with his friends. The things Areka heard from that conversation bound with her mind and heart and ever since she wished to learn the art. Maybe she would get the chance to ask Serion or Faust about the magic before she left for Herozzal.

Areka took her two daggers, holding her own in her left hand and the one Serion gave her in the right. She watched and took in the details of how Serion was holding the magical daggers and she listened carefully to the words he spoke. She then allowed for Faust to fix her faults trying to retain the information he gave about the small changes.

"My left." She replied as she twisted her hands around seeing where each finger had fallen on the daggers and allowing herself, for the time being, to commit the feeling of awkwardness to memory.

[Serion D'Rinishad]

Serion nods as Areka responds. "Your main hand needs to hold the heavier weapon. The lighter weapon allows your off hand to react much more swiftly."

Shifting his legs, Serion maneuvers his feet into a front stance, his right foot forward. Both glowing daggers shine in the older vysstichi's hands as he holds his arms in a defensive stance. His left hand is held about an inch from his chest, while his right arm is held out, pointing slightly towards the ground. "Standing so that one side faces your opponent gives them less of a target. With your left hand, keep the dagger ready to defend your vital areas, such as your torso and head."

Letting his outstretched right arm move up and down, showing the range of motion for the stance, Serion continues. "Your right arm is meant to keep people at arms reach, and to redirect attacks from longer reaching weapons. Take the position up, and I'll show you how to react when attacked during different scenarios and with different weapons. Nothing too hard, just enough to give you a feel of your stance."

Giving Areka a chance to take up the position, and ask any questions, Serion will let Faust, once again, correct her. Meanwhile, the dark elf lord will begin to Meditate, tapping into the holy essence plane once more. Altering his Sabre of Light spell, the blades begin to elongate, creating short swords from the daggers, while maintaining his original stance. This exercise was simply meant to help Serion build up his vis stamina, but it would help him train Areka as well. What better spell than this to train a person for different scenarios--it sure beat running around with eighty pounds worth of weaponry.

[Areka D'Rinishad]

Areka switched her daggers and replaced them in the proper hands. Of course she committed how to hold her daggers the other way so she disposed of what she knew to stat anew. Allowing Faust to fix her faults once more she listened as as Serion spoke.

Areke studied Serion's stance before she copied it. This was something she was good at...studying. Though actually preforming the movements and the positions were hard to enact she would never forget the way it was done. There was one thing that Areka was wondering about though. "If this is supposed to keep them at arms length...How will that work with someone who is smaller faced with someone who is taller?" She asked.