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Hiraku Tatlin -> RE: (DF) The Power of Words (1/11/2013 9:38:07)
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Chapter 3.3: The Blessing of Lightning
Oaklore Keep: Lucas' Perspective
Lucas found himself enjoying the idea of traveling the world after being stuck in Swordshaven for what felt like ages. Even though he realized the reason they were adventuring in the first place was because they were trying to find a safe haven from the Maven's influence, he enjoyed the thought of seeing the world beyond the borders of society. He had missed the joy of traveling the farthest corners of Lore that he used to do with his parents…he let the thought end there. If he dwelled on it, he would never stop thinking about it.
Lucas was not sure how to approach the unusual events unfolding in front of him. Until the strange girl and her caped friends appeared, he was looking forward to making travel preparations. He wasn’t too familiar with what to bring, so he followed Clara to visit Sir Loin for some tips and assistance. He hated to admit it, but he respected the man and his life-long wisdom in having dealt in similar experiences in traveling the vast world of Lore. To his dismay, he was disappointed that the man did not have any steak available to purchase, but mentioning it brought a strange reaction from the knight himself. Wanting to keep the peace, and not wanting to sound ungrateful after all his help, he kept quiet on the subject. I’ll just have to find that savoury meat elsewhere. I’m sure to find it in the next town I visit.
Recent events washed those thoughts away as he tried to find a way to deal with the situation in front of him. In hindsight, Clara and Alessa were having a very heated debate with each other, but their words brimmed with a strange feeling of authority that bordered beyond the physical realm itself. He would let arcane-users marvel at the thought while he would find better things to bide his time.
He didn’t care about Clara’s mysterious past. She helped them when nobody else could, and did things no historian would normally do to keep them safe. Besides, there was something wrong in their demeanour, a intangible quality that made their intentions malevolent in hindsight, even if they did claim otherwise.
As Clara continued her discussion with Alessa, Lucas rummaged through their newly bought equipment that they got from Sir Loin for something... anything that could help. All he knew for sure was that if he let Alessa do as she pleased, there would be no remaining family Tekove could depend on to help him deal with the Maven. He would still help his friend, of course, but there was only so much he could do outside of making travel arrangements and minor security. His efforts rewarded him with a glint of silver embedded deep within bundles of leather that he flicked into his left hand with a swift flourish.
His determination to lend aid to Clara caught the attention of Alessa’s guards, whose eyes and immediately loss interest to a flying bird in the sky to focus on the interfering threat. Their violent intent was clear: they would not hesitate to kill if given the chance, but with the Knights lingering around the scene, they immediately blocked passage between the two girls with their bodies side by side. Their hands grasped something within their robes with clanked as they commenced with their confrontation with Lucas.
“Stand aside, boy, for trying to interfere with our lady’s honourable clash of word and wit, by the sanctity of the Hosea shield, know that any weapons you use will be useless against us,” said the left one in a tone that left no doubt as to his intent. His words brimmed with otherworldly power that resonated with the shield. At the end of his decree, his partner began to speak while revealing an ancient artefact. Lucas raised his hands in preparation for a possible magical strike, but no attempt for harm was made. What he got instead was the right guard’s warning invoked with power.
“Stand aside, boy, for interfering with the nobility of their clash, by the purity of the Hosea chalice, know that any magic you use will be useless against us.” Their self-righteous passion resonated with the tools in their possession to brighten the area between them and Lucas surge of raw elemental energy that caused him to unconsciously distance himself away from them. He made the attempt to walk towards them, but that caused a brief moment of shock on his left hand that caused him to jump back in surprise.
When he attempted to take another step forwards, seeing this, Clara shouted a warning to him. “Don’t approach them heedlessly! While I’m grateful for your help, your actions enabled their use of magic against you. If you don’t watch what you say or do carefully, they can have more leverage on the both of us!”
Sensing the confusion in his eyes, Clara elaborated further on their magic. He felt a mixture of relief and suspicion that the two guards and the girl took no action as she spoke. He tried to comprehend their intent, but pushed the thought aside as Clara made her explanation.
“The girl and her little cloaked soldiers are using more than just normal sorcery. What their using Lex Virium Magick, a special branch of magic given to those blessed by the Lightning Elemental Lord. Haeos, blessed the bloodline of heroes who preserved the integrity of Lore’s order in secrecy by fighting against evil behind a veil of light. It was long thought to be extinct according to the notes I gathered from a colleague on the topic.
They can make use of this magic to utilize items relevant to a dispute to make arguments that can bind or restrict a person if used properly. They could use a simple wheel barrel to argue on a person’s guilt or a door to show they entered a crime scene. And if we are not careful…,” she glanced quickly to the book in Alessa’s hands, “…that book will be more trouble than I realize.”
“We must both engage this battle of wits carefully. A simple mistake will put us under their power, and I don’t want to know what happens if they get the upper hand.”
The brave determination in Clara's words seemed to provoke a reaction to the strange girl, who bursted with mirthful laughter at Clara's instructions. “I hope you aren’t going to involve more people in your little schemes. We are only here for you. Our topic of discussion is simple: Convince me that your innocent from any wrongdoing related to the missing people in Oaklore Keep! Even with the proof I'll present before you now!"
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