Men who play games of war and soldiers born from circumstance...
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Scroll 01 : 04
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Kso’ppghiel spends the days they travel in bound silence. He does not acknowledge any who come before him and refuses food when it is offered. His only focus seems to be that of his weapons and he spends every waking moment staring at them, ever-aware of their location. This day they’d come to rest just along the upper borders of their Queen’s territories, one final camp set before they would begin the long journey through the desert sands that will lead them back to their home. As it had been each day during travel, their commanding officer sits alone save the silent presence of their catch bound and gagged nearby while the rest of his men spend what time they have drunk, mourning the losses of their fallen friends. Just when dusk splashes across the horizons, the small bird like creature lands somewhere in-between the separated groups, returning from his affairs of gathering various information from various sources that he knows might end up useful to his Queen in one form or another. Quickly spotting crowns of both white-blonde and snow, Sav’real skitters towards the pair and moves swiftly by the bound man; afraid to stop anywhere near him at all. He continues on to Bal’thial’s other side and settles down, speaking to the Captain in his native language in order to keep their conversation from being listened upon by either the blonde or any other solider that might happen to come near. “I was unable to discover the meaning of his attachment to those weapons, but he will kill to protect them. They are not enchanted, as far as I can tell they are only simple swords.” He looks up towards the twin longswords before shifting his gaze to Kso’ppghiel as he continues. “What is your assessment of him?” “He has an admirable amount of skill for someone who’s had no formal training…” Bal’thial answers quietly without pulling his gaze free of the white eyes trained on dual swords. “And were his audience not requested as it is by our Mistress, I think I would enjoy greatly a rematch on fairer terms.” A soft sigh slips free of the white haired man’s lips, mismatched eyes flicking down for a moment to rest on the healing skin of a previously burned palm before his gaze rises back towards the swords before him. “I am finding myself intrigued as to why he cares little for his own body, and yet allows those swords to weaken him…” though he has little doubts that regardless of the reason, Io’fayl will find the weakness rather quickly as he did and use it against him. “I can only hope you get your rematch. I would like to see how you fare against him, or him you. My only guess when it comes to his swords is sentimental value.” Sav’real shrugs. “They look like the sword his father fought wi-” The feathered creature catches himself instantly, slapping his hands across his mouth at the slip. He doesn’t need to look up to know the expression on Bal’thial’s face and so Sav’real sighs as he lowers his hand, keeping his serpentine gaze locked to the ground. “There is more to this man than you know. Much more. But I am forbidden by our Queen to speak of it. I actually fear for what she may have planned for him because of it.” White eyebrows remain arched for only a moment longer as he stares at his companion and contemplates the near slip he’d had only seconds previous before Bal’thial slides a leg up and leans forward to drape his arm casually across his knee. “If these plans are for that one to become our Queen’s next Harbinger as I have come to suspect…” sliding his free hand up, the tall Captain slips clawed fingers into long, adorned plaits to push them behind a broad shoulder as he continues “Then the fear should most likely be extended to her current instead.” He smirks in the slightest before his gaze shifts back to the bound man at their sides and the smile begins to drain from his face right after. He won’t ask Sav’real to risk himself by revealing information their Mistress has forbidden, but with that slip, he’s finding himself more curious than he had been before. Sav’real scoffs. “Tir’snin has never held her interest; she only keeps him around out of boredom to torment him. He’s grown lazy and complacent, two things she hates, especially in her Harbingers. The one before him, you know he wasn't much better. You came under her service at the beginning of his. The one before that one… that was bad. She did not last very long but it couldn’t have been avoided. Any she could have chosen would have ended that way.” He may not be able to tell Bal’thial specifics, but he can certainly leave some gigantic clues he knew the Captain will be smart enough to figure out. “It’s within the last forty years or so she started keeping them with her. They used to lead her strongest armies.” Sav’real finally meets the white haired man’s gaze with a knowing smirk. “You never liked Tir’snin anyway, why do you care if she offs him?” “The man is pathetic enough that I cannot help but feel sorry for him.” The laughter that spills from Bal’thial's mouth pulls white pupiless eyes momentarily away from the weapons between them, the shift in Kso’ppghiel’s gaze immediately caught from the corners of his eyes but the recognition of it never once showing in pale features as the Captain’s mismatched gaze remains on his companion. “Though I suppose I have enjoyed the times her torment of him extends to my company so in truth I might very well end up missing his presence when all is said and done…” a smirk forms on full lips and he shakes his head just a little, sending metal adornments chiming. “I do not foresee this one becoming lazy or complacent though should he agree to accept the offer I am sure she will extend… which may well become his blessing or his curse… depending on the point of view. Unlike many within the ranks, I have never once envied the position those selected have held.” “Of course not.” Sav’real snorts. “She kills them all, and it’s not like she ever truly cares for them beyond a pet, nowadays anyway.” He shakes his head. “I don’t see this one accepting though, which I’m sure she’ll enjoy. She likes breaking them, the more they give in the quicker she grows bored. Most of them don’t put up this much of a fight though, more reluctant than anything but not outright belligerent. He may end up killing himself to get away if she doesn’t work out some way to subdue him.” His father couldn’t be tamed, he doesn’t know what makes her think the son can. Sav’real flicks his head in Kso’ppghiel’s direction. “He’s got wings; he can just fly his way off her terrace if she’s not careful.” “Ah… but should he do it, I have no doubt she will simply send me to fetch him again.“ Bal’thial laughs softly, finding himself rather amused by the idea of the bound man simply flying away after the lengths their Queen has gone to just to procure him. “It would be a shame though,” He continues moments later, the smile fading from his lips and blue and green eyes sliding over to lock with white. “If he were to end up finding the same fate that is soon to befall Tir’snin, especially if it were to happen before I managed that rematch of mine…and it makes me wonder why Sav’real… why he’s so willing to fight yet so unwilling to fight under any service…” his words momentarily trail, Bal’thial falling silent for the space of a few seconds as both men continue to stare unflinching at one another before the white haired man decides to continue on. “Fighting is fighting, no matter who or what it is done for. The act is still the same…” “Perhaps it’s what he fights for.” Sav’real doesn’t truly know the truth of the matter, but he can only assume it has to do with the death of his family since that’s what caused him to start fighting in the first place. Mithghiiel was passionate in war, but he had limits, lines that could not be crossed, which he’s sure was no different when it came to the son… “I’ve seen soldiers fight and die for so many reasons and refuse to fight for just as many more. You kind of pick these things up when you’re not one of the ones ever actually doing the fighting.” He chuckles before falling quiet. Blue, serpentine eyes flick back and forth between the two men staring each other down. He’s never seen anyone completely intrigue Bal’thial before like this man has, which is not good at all. “It is dangerous, Bal’thial, to take interest in this one for whatever reason.” His words cause mismatched eyes to break from pupiless white, the Captain turning his attention to the creature at his side. “Our Queen’s intentions go well beyond just him. Search for information regarding the last Harbinger to be allowed to lead her armies if you are that curious, but do not get caught under any circumstances. It will be hard to find, but it should reveal much. Once you’ve figured it out, come find me and I will tell you why this one is so important and so dangerous.” Bal’thial remains silent for many long moments, simply staring into serpentine blue eyes as the words he’s said only work to intrigue him further before a sly sort of smile finally forms on the white haired man’s lips and he nods his head just a little. “You are a good friend Sav’real, to warn me as such and I will not forget it or the words you have spoken…” pulling his injured hand free of his knee, he reaches over and pats the creature’s head, a gesture of camaraderie that he’s only ever shared with this one before he pulls away and slides himself up to his feet. “We will talk on this again… once I have learned more of these mysteries that surround us…” Braided snow colored hair falls forwards as he leans down enough to scoop up a small leather skin filled with his own rations from the ground before he straightens and turns to move towards the blonde, speaking as he goes. “Do not concern yourself too much as far as the other matter is concerned… the interest I have in this one is minimal and would never foreshadow that of our Queen’s.” White pupiless eyes narrow as the other man stops at his front, dust ridden robes spilling around him as the tall Captain squats down to his front and blocks the view Kso’ppghiel has of his swords. Slipping clawed fingers into the bag, he slides a small dried strip of meat free and holds it up. “It has been days… it is time to eat” Kso’ppghiel’s gaze narrows up at the Captain, still gagged and unable to speak let alone eat or move in his binds. He has no interest in complying with anything this or any other man wants but Bal’thial reaches forward anyway, untying the leather strap that covers his mouth and finally allowing him to communicate. Kso’ppghiel’s voice is obviously weak from many days of not sleeping or eating, though his stubborn defiance holds. “Give me my swords, set me free, or I will kill you all.” “You would mostly likely attempt to kill me should I do as you ask, regardless...” Bal’thial smirks. “Now eat. On your own or forced, it does not matter to me much in all truth. I have been asked to deliver you living and one way or the other, I will.” Blonde locks shift to cover his face as Kso’ppghiel’s head drops, his voice falling rather low. “Just leave me be. I would rather die.” Sav’real looks over at the two as they ‘converse’ and even from the distance in which he sits apart from them, he can tell something is going on. Bal’thial’s lying if he says he’s not intrigued. The Captain never goes through this much trouble for a simple claim, ever. It is Mithghiiel’s son, however, and Mithghiiel had a presence about him that this one shares so he guesses it can’t be helped. He only hopes Bal’thial follows the clues he’s given him and figures it all out before his curiosity takes him down the wrong path and upsets their Queen in a way that will be detrimental to them all. The white haired man frowns and shakes his head with a soft resigned sort of sigh. “I, on the other hand, wish to remain living” sliding the dried meat swiftly up to his mouth, sharp fangs tear off a small strip, the rest dropped immediately after. Reaching quickly out, the Captain grabs onto Kso’ppghiel’s face, clenching tight to force his mouth open and in the space of a heartbeat he’s pulled the meat free of his lips to stuff it forcibly inside. Before the blonde even has time to react to it, the leather strap has been secured tightly once again. “Now eat.” he says as blue and green eyes lock with white. “Or you will never be able to reclaim those swords you seem to hold so dear.” Serpentine eyes watch as Kso’ppghiel simply pulls his gaze free of the Captain’s and slides it back over to resume staring at his swords once Bal’thial has begun to move away. Reaching down to reclaim the dropped food as he’s straightening completely, the white haired man soon returns to his side in order and sits down. “Stubborn one, that.” He points to the bound man who makes no motion to eat the meat that rests within his mouth. “I also think he’s smart enough to know you’re never going to give him his swords back.” He shakes his head. “This one’s going to die from stubborn, I can see it.” “You might be right.” Bal’thial laughs softly as he slides the dried food in his hands to his lips and tears another piece off for himself. “He will swallow it eventually… it has nowhere else to go …” |
