[Mage Tower of the Citadel] Portents and Plans, Raliric

[Duncan Sythe]

Timestamp: Last cycle of Winter, first brightening.

He was dressed in gray and brown. Admittedly well tailored, but then there was nothing but functionality about his clothing as Duncan Sythe appeared on one of the balconies to the Citadel of the Argent Knights, absently rubbing at the ring around his finger and smiling softly.

The wind caught his cloak a moment and the mage took a few seconds to turn, placing his hand on the cold metal of the railings and staring out at whence he had come, rubbing the icy iron with his fingertips thoughtfully. This place, after all, was a powerful, safe entity. At least about as powerful and safe as you could get when mages weren't involved. But then even when they were, if he himself were involved then it evened the odds somewhat.

Yes, the Citadel would be perfect if everything did fall down about his ears, but that was just a contingency and he wasn't just here to remind Raliric of what he owed Duncan come that situation.

None the less Duncan didn't stand long looking out, there would be time for that before he left and Raliric was most likely wondering who had just used Sorcery on his balcony. Therefore with a whip of cloak and coat the mage turned away from the scenery and pushed open the door, a wraith in a grey cloak and a dark brown leather coat. Beneath a simple cream tunic with a grey cravat tied about his neck, tucked into the collar.

Black boots with tan leggings tucked into them, bound at the waist by his swordbelt, echoed through the room as Duncan made his way to the desk and its occupant, stopping a good couple of meters from the Dracon.

“Serale Raliric, we need to talk.”

He said simply, hands behind his back, calm as you like.

[Raliric Ered`Gard]

The dracon took a sip from the metal goblet before setting it back down and lifting up one of the sheets of parchment upon his orderly desk. He had been mulling over the squad allocations, and before that the potential enchantments and imbuements they would be using upon the weapons of the Knights. He was quite tired but was stubborn and would not quit his ponderings until something more concrete had been done. He leant back on his chair, putting his booted feet up upon the desk and began to scan the two pieces of parchments he had picked up; one containing the squad list and another a roster of magi in the knighthood.

He was so completely absorbed in the work he was doing that he did not sense the appearance of the once Archmage upon his balcony, nor even the opening of one of the wooden doors in front of him. It took a few moments for the chilly air to reach him, but that was no before the completely unexpected words surprised him. He grunted and jerked backward instinctively; a bad idea when already leaning back on ones chair. He was motionless balanced upon two of the chair's legs for a few moments before he slowly fell backward and rolled into a crouching position. His cavernous orbs looked to Duncan, recognized him, and then he stood up.

Duncan was the last person Raliric expected to see at that point time, ”You are the last person I expected to see, Duncan.” The Knight also wore leathers, something a bit warmer at this altitude and in this particular season... though the seasons never changed much this high into the Great Mountains, it was always cold and most of the time it was snowy. He motioned toward one of the two chairs in front of his desk. ”Take a seat, Duncan. It has been entirely too long. I had thought you had gotten yourself into some trouble that you hadn't yet figured a way out of. It is good to see that you are alive and well.” A moment was taken to look upon the visage of the Human and realise that the man was not here for small talk as such. There was business in those eyes, or at least a matter of some importance. ”What would you like to talk about?”

The dracon picked up the pieces of parchment and returned them to his desk before righting his chair and sitting in it once again.

[Duncan Sythe]

Duncan twitched a smile as the man fell over but it didnt last as he moved forward to take the seat, draping his cloak over the one next to him as he did so and facing Raliric, all game. The irony of course was he looked no different from when Raliric had last seen him except for the lack of official dress that he'd affected during his time as Imperial Mage. No, this was a man who no longer wanted to be in the limelight, that change at least was evident in him, although his attitude was the same as before; cold, businesslike, mysterious.

“About the Empire, about this place, about the future Raliric.”

Duncan said simply.

“As for my disappearance...it was I assure you not the result of any particular problem or trouble, so allay your worries that I may at any moment be assailed by the Gods.” A mirthless smile. “No less likely than usual anyway.”

He shifted backwards, getting comfortable and opening his coat fully.

“You could also do me a favour in filling me in on recent history, more specifically the...details of Avanthar's latest Orcish invasion, the loss of several legions and Sheng Kaldres's subsequent demotion, or at least what you know of it. The Empire is closer than ever to going to Aeternia Raliric and I just spoke to Milo a few cycles past, he seems to agree...the question even I don't have the answer to is what happens next.”

And thus it was said, he waited, many many cards laid out on the invisible table between them. The past, the future, the many possibilities and of course he knew Raliric would have every very good reason in the universe to think Duncan wasn't being entirely truthful...but then equally Duncan knew the man couldn't afford to dismiss him either.

[Raliric Ered`Gard]

Raliric was not a man who looked too far into the future, he was very reactionary, though that was only due to the fact he seemed to be in positions that required a reactionary tactic rather than anything more forward. He was, as a matter of fact, getting quite sick of being reactionary, that was one of the reasons why he would not be taking an official position within the empire for some time to come; he wanted to be free to do what he wished to do.

He smiled at the comment about the gods, it was indeed amusing given the fact that Duncan was speaking to a reasonably religious person; one who had yet to bring the Gods attention down upon himself... or rather his patron god was so happy with what Raliric was doing that he chose not to visit him. Either way, the Gods were amusing; so he allowed a quiet laugh also. Though that laugh and smile did fade away with the gravity of the situation and with the words that followed from Duncan. He could only assume that this fellow whom Duncan had mentioned, Avanthar, was the leader of the Zerdargian Attack and subsequently the Paxian and Narim attacks. So the enemy finally had a name. This brought his tactical mind slowly into play, he now wondered what else the Archmage Mystic knew regarding those attacks, and the fellow who led them.

”A bit of history? Well, I will admit to only knowing what I have heard in the usual indirect ways; rumours and tales. Apparently the same fellow who attacked Zerdargia, this Avanthar person, also attacked Paxia and Narim with the remnants of his army. At Paxia he simply destroyed the city; at Narim he assisted the orc of Ire in capturing the port city. And yes, in both instances the Imperial Legions sent to defend, or counter-attack, were decimated. Completely ineffective against the power of the Archmage Necromancer. I believe that is to do with their tactics, allerian warfare has evolved and it no longer consists of large scale Legionary battles.” He paused there, not willing to say more on the matter just yet. Instead he continued with an answer to the rest of what Duncan had said.

”Of Sheng's demotion I know nothing. I am not within the Imperial Military circle and have no... informants placed within that field yet.” And then he nodded, ”Though I do agree with you Duncan, as much as it pains me to admit it. The empire is indeed loosing a battle to Aeternia. Milo is a very capable leader, perhaps more so than any to come before him, however I believe the fate of the empire was decided long before Milo, or anyone else, has had a chance to rescue it. What that sealed fate is...?” He left that hanging, offering a shrug but little else, he would not presume to think on where the empire might go. He was, after all, sworn to the empire; and also to Law, Order and Justice. If the empire fell apart then the only course open to the Knight was to rebuild it.

”I for one am not a quitter. I will fight as I always do. But quite frankly Duncan, I am sick of reacting to these attacks. Sick of waiting for something to happen that I can assist in. Between you and I, for now... I think it is about time we had a little pay pack.”

[Duncan Sythe]

Duncan nodded but didn't smile, it wasn't an amusing matter and as much as he was pleased Raliric was thinking along the right lines, it wasn't so pleasing as to warrant a reaction. Thus he lent forward, forearms on thighs and began to explain a little history, his eyes meeting Raliric fully, knowing that some of this, was going to be very interesting for him who had now made Avanthar a mortal enemy.

“The man you now know as Avanthar Dra'Aran formerly went by the name Darksoul and was a known associate of a now dead Jorelite named Derek.”

Duncan continued, now looking at the floor for some reason as the memories returned, an ancient past and a young man who had become the person who now told of his memories, who spoke of the history of someone who in his own way was entwined in Duncan's own story.

“I met him in Imperia and Nexus Prime, then lost track of him for....a long time. Until a party in Alleria Prime with a man by the name of Rincewin. He'd grown by then, a Master Necromancer – no longer an apprentice, competent enough to fight with Rincewin who at the time I believe was the right hand of Jorel.” A smirk. “Well, i'm not entirely sure of the Godly family tree of servants but Jorel was involved that night and Avanthar...died.”

A shrug.

“Next time I run across him he's trying to tear up Zerdargia, let's just say I don't think we'd be talking next time we meet.”

Duncan commented as he looked up again.

“I have no idea where Rincewin has gone but given my last conversation with Avanthar he is most likely now following Jalat. Although exactly what he intends escapes me.”

The Mystic turned his hands over, palms up, sword callouses showing.

“And there you have it, that is the man you face...at least most obviously. There are many other forces at work in the empire that are a little more subtle than Avanthar, he just happens to be the headline news at the moment.”

[Raliric Ered`Gard]

He narrowed his eyes when Jorel was mentioned, he was obviously the enemy of the god who represented Chaos and he was thus, immediately, an enemy of this Dra'Aran fellow. He did not speak yet, listening and absorbing the information he was being given. Noting the name Rincewin as a Jorelite also. It was information that did put things into perspective. Plans would need to be pushed forward and their recruiting would need to be doubled... tripled. Though they would need to find more than the average combatants for the fight that would come eventually. They needed specialists...

”So when Avanthar died something obviously happened with Jalat and Jorel, thus allowing Avanthar to be... returned to Telath, though now worshiping Jalat.” He brought his hands up to his face to rub his eyes and clear his thoughts. ”So you have told me to Avanthar and Rincewin. Surely a mage as powerful as Avanthar has allies. He did, after all, summon a massive army of undead to destroy Zerdargia.”

Raliric leant back in the chair so that he rested on the back; his hands coming together and resting in his lap. ”Avanthar Dra'Aran.” He said, allowing the word to form in his mouth, its deem resonance sounding quite menacing when uttering that name, a name that sounded quite menacing when not spoken with a dracon's vocal cords. He allowed the name to be burnt into his memory, whilst also analysing it. Again he said the name. ”Avanthar Dra'Aran.” But then he sat forward and with a raised brow in question he said, ”That name is Dracon. But Barthanes told me the leader of the attack on Zerdargia was a human.”

[Duncan Sythe]

“Possibly his new body? As bizzare as that sounds.”

Duncan suggested simply, taking the comment to mean given what little he knew of Dracons that he knew the man was purely human, not a Dracon impersonating one.

“He has many allies I would imagine although given i've been out of the loop a while I can't begin to say who.” Duncan shrugged. “I just know I dented his Necromancer stock considerably in Zerdargia, as to who else might be supporting him I'm at a loss. However.”

Duncan held up a hand.

“He does have a base here in Centripax that I know of, a tower near Acumin, I've been in the area before, does that help?”

He inquired, leaving things to Raliric for now since the man seemed intensely interested in Avanthar and he couldnt particularly blame him given how much Raliric seemed to have been involved with the man who had in fact caused his mind injury at Zerdargia. In the end setting Raliric on Avanthar was probably unfair somewhere along the line but it was just one more card among the many Duncan could play...and for now he could do it safely enough to interfere with Avanthar without in any way revealing his involvement.

Granted he didn't think Avanthar would take kindly to his presence any time soon, but that could be changed if need be.

[Raliric Ered`Gard]

A new body? So Jalat must have gifted him one. So in truth Avanthar shared something with Raliric; both were dracons and both put their faith in the gods. And they both had their supporters, though it seemed that the necromancer had a great deal more than he. Supporters. That was something they would need more of to combat an enemy that powerful. He could think of a few select names, though he was unaware of how he was to find them and approach them about this matter; Venn Drega, Yaevin Ralahir, Cerius... Perhaps he would leave that for a time though.

Then Duncan informed him that Avanthar had a base in Centripax, near Acumin. His cavernous orbs widened in surprise. How was it that he had not been informed of a fortress within the province. He had been Provincial Commander and Lieutenant Governor and he knew nothing of such a place. ”You know of its location?” He paused, thought for a few moments and then looked directly into Duncan's eyes. ”Perhaps we should consider taking a look at this fortress... seeing what we are up against. And if it has any weaknesses that we might be able to exploit.”

[Duncan Sythe]

Duncan rolled his shoulders, watching Raliric carefully. So he wanted to go after the fortress? Not really wise or possible at present....and Duncan wasn't even sure if it would be worthwhile. None the less there was no need telling Raliric this, yet, so instead he said.

“Possibly.”

And then stood from his chair, turning to walk around, waving a hand at the tower around him.

“You certainly have done well for the Knights here though Raliric for your own part. A fortress, the town around it, you could live here comfortably for quite some time, come what may.”

Duncan came back, one hand on the back of his chair, fingertips rapping on wood.

“Of course we both know that isn't decided just yet. The Athercrown, the rite of succession, the Imperial Guard, there are still currently plenty of factors at play that will decide the final outcome. It's just fairly inevitable that it will not be what it is now, isn't it?”

A rhetorical question and it seemed Duncan for his part did not believe that the Empire would last in its current state.

“There can be no more senate, no more committees, power will change in its form even if it is still an Empire, the question all lays in how and what, the cities all rely on each other so they cannot all break contact...but what will happen? Ah, to have the answer to that question.”

Duncan did smile now, then shrugged.

“Still, like minded people should keep in contact Raliric and I assure you I will be...around from now on.”

[Raliric Ered`Gard]

The Knight stood when Duncan did, moving around the table as he listened. The knight, sworn to the empire, oath bound to serve and protect, could not help but agree with the Mage before him. The empire would change, how it would do so was another question entirely. Their reactions to that change? Once more another question, though one left until the changes were more apparent. The mage was right that the Citadel was in a good position and could see to itself for some time should the worst come to the worst. Though inevitably, if the Empire were to fail there would be rogue elements that would seek to claim the Fortress, a fortress that could stand up to massive armies with a small amount of men; that was of course if that massive army did not have powerful magi within it. But even so it would be able to stand for a great deal longer than other fortresses within the province and empire.

”Aye, this place could stand for a time in relative comfort should the worst occur. Though I can only hope that the worst does not occur; the empire has a great many strong willed individuals whom are dedicated to keeping that Empire alive and running. I am one of those people.” A pause before he continued, ”However, as you say, should worst come to worst, we will need more allies than we currently have in order to ensure the safety of this location and those who live in and around it. We will need... like minded individuals such as you and I who can come together to reforge Law, Order and Justice.” On that matter he had said all he would, it would be obvious to Duncan where the Knight stood should the Empire fall into Chaos.

”You are most welcome here Duncan.” A pause as he half turned to return to his desk, but then he stopped and looked back at the mystic. ”Is there a way that we might be able to contact each other over long distances should the need for either you or I to leave this place? A method by which we might still be able to communicate?”

[Duncan Sythe]

“Letters to Paxia too slow for you?”

Duncan offered, then waved the comment away in a rarely seen attack of humour.

“Perhaps, if you would be willing to give me two small objects that I could Enchant? I'm not exactly a material person so I have a shortage of rings and pendants and similar?”

He wouldn't have done it a few Eras back but with the state things were in having someone with a Sorcerer on hand who could come visit him if need be was not a big problem and to Duncan's knowledge Raliric didn't have a Mystic, so there would be no issue of him reversing the link to cause problems for Duncan. With that in mind he was perfectly happy to stay here till the end of Winter and a little past it to see that enchantment done and maybe a few more besides, he was only a Master now after all and needed a few things he hadn't as an Archmage, like that Absorb amulet he'd always meant to make.

“In fact.” Duncan said, considering the point. “Would you be willing to provide me quarters for a cycle or two? There are a few things I need to do and in return i'll Enchant you one thing.”

Duncan held up a solitary finger and smiled. “Well, one to start with, I don't do this often.” He shrugged and put his hands behind his back, walking back towards Raliric. “I never found Enchantments particularly useful... is there anything else you can think of that we should be discussing?”

He then asked, turning the discussion over to the Knight.

[Raliric Ered`Gard]

He did chuckle, knowing that Paxia was currently a ruin and he would be surprised if any mail system even existed in that region currently, or whether it would exist for sometime to come. To his knowledge the city had been abandoned and few had returned. They were standing in the mage tower and if this was not the place to house his potentially magical objects then where should he? He moved over to one of the book shelves and opened a small wooden case which had been painted black. He picked this case up and moved over to his desk, motioning for Duncan to come closer before he opened it up to reveal a nice little collection of gems and stones.

There were thirteen gems in number and varying in size and colour. There were the two onyx stones, one larger than the other; the large one was diamond shaped whilst the smaller was circular. Another was a semi-transparent, light amber, hexagonally shaped Topaz stone that was roughly an inch long, the same wide and about half an inch thick. Another was a similarly shaped and sized semi-transparent Amethyst Crystal. There were two opaque, light blue Zircon, both of which were circular and relatively small in size. There was another Zircon though it was colourless and whilst it appeared to be opaque, there was a tiny bit of transparency to it that allowed its colour to change subtly when placed over a stronger colour. There were two moonstones of opaque whiteness; one had a singular bright blue line down the middle which was, the jeweler told him, a reflection from tiny parallel inclusions. There was a hexagonal blood red ruby of moderate size, between half an inch and an inch long and wide. There were two small diamonds that could be center pieces in nice rings. And finally there was a large dark green, semi-transparent Garnet.

Raliric took the two light blue Zircon and the two diamonds from the case and set them on the table. ”Either one of these sets would work well enough for your enchantments I'm sure. I can get these easily enough so you may help yourself.”

He paused to allow Duncan to examine the gems and pick which ones he would enchant before he spoke again, looking around the room. ”I had a discussion with the rest of my magi a few brightenings ago about creating a set of enchantments to place upon a single weapon of each of my knights. To create something similar to a Sunblade, I believe you have experience with those, but obviously not a replica of that weapon. The suggestions went down to Nimbility, Empower, Righteous Aura and Holy Armour. Righteous Aura would be the only enchantment, whilst the others would be imbuements.” He paused and looked sideways at the Mystic before continuing.

”You are of course welcome to stay here as long as you wish, a residence, food and additional clothing will be supplied to you for your stay. I am not a man to bargain about that sort of thing, especially with one whom I consider to be an ally. However, if you feel that you still wish to enchant something for me in exchange for board and food then I shall have to think on how best the enchantment could be served and exactly what the enchantment should do. Leave it with me and I will get back to you.” He motioned toward the box of gems. ”I simply ask that you do not use the Amethyst, Garnet, Ruby and the large Onyx stone.” He pointed them out. ”I have plans for those ones.”

He watched the mage to gauge his reaction to Raliric's generosity. One thing the mage would realize about Raliric was that he was not hungry for power or influence. He was a man dedicated to a path in life that may or may not have been chosen by him and he was making the best of it. Whether Duncan cared about those facts was another question entirely.

[Duncan Sythe]

“Think on what you'd like.”

The mage commented as he looked down at the stones. Then, leaning forward quickly, he separated the two diamonds towards Raliric with a push of a fingertip. Examining them in Meditation he found the neat diamond structure he was looking for that made gems so much easier to enchant than things like tables and cloaks tapping the table next to them.

“You'll need to have these fitted into rings or amulets, either will do.”

He said quietly, then stood and walked over to the cabinet and the box, thinking of the things he really ought to have done as an Archmage but would now have to be comfortable with as a Master, he had several potential cycles here to work though and could always come back, there was no rush.

Dipping a finger into the box he tipped the Topaz to its side then removed it and tossed it in his palm, also picking out the small Onyx. Tipping both into a palm he closed the box and walked back over, sitting down and studying the stones in Meditation as he spoke, his eyes downcast to the stones in his hand.

“Sunblades are tricky things and created by some strange cave that I never really bothered to examine.” Duncan said with a shrug. “In terms of creating blades its perfectly possible, just time consuming and its a matter of whether you'd want to enchant them after the fact or during the forging process, although given historical fact I think the latter is probably the more comprehensive of the two options.”

Meanwhile he was considering the Onyx, the smaller one – not the one Raliric had asked him to leave – and the Topaz in his hand. Absorb was essential. As for the other one? Well, he could think on that, perhaps some kind of Awareness or something else.

“And thank you. Your help is appreciated.” He said finally, glancing up and nodding. And that was the extent of his reaction, an unpassionate, unemotional thank you. Although as he looked up at Raliric he then began to frown as another thought struck him.

“Raliric, you are a religious man.” It wasn't a question as he put the two stones next to the two diamonds, apparently indicating a desire to use them. “Do you believe in the Gods or just their principles?”

There was more to this line of questioning but it seemed Duncan, as he put his hands to his knees and stood level with the Dracon, was not in the mood to elaborate until he got his reply, his gaze very sure and intent, some deeper meaning in consideration.

[Raliric Ered`Gard]

Raliric simply nodded with regards to fitting the gems into rings, he would be able to have that done easily enough here in Siona or in one of the other cities close by. This province was the pre-eminent forging province of the empire after all. With regards to imbuing or enchanting during the forging process, Raliric had his first moment of disagreement with the mage. ”Unfortunately, imbuing or enchanting during the forging process is not a possibility. The essences are not being fed into a stable item, it is still changing and being shaped, thus they would simply fizzle with each hammer blow or roll of steel. No, I'd have to enchant the weapons when they had been completed.”


With regards to his h