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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 3, 2011 13:32:50 GMT -5
I sat on the edge of the raised fountain, soaking up the sunshine and watching the passersby even as they eyed me warily. It was nice, in a way, to have that power over others. To be somewhat in control of what they said about me.
I am, after all, half-Skaldi. What else would they talk about during their droll activities?
At my back the water splashes slightly, cooling my skin in the spray brought to me by the breeze. Despite the looks and whispers I am at ease. Why not be?
I had been mulling over the problem of how to speak to the Courcels in my mind. Getting an audience was not something which was granted to just anyone under the best of circumstances. In my particular circumstance? Likely impossible.
But I had to try.
The Skaldi were my people as much as the D'Angeline, and in truth it pains me to see them on an apparent collision course. Blood and death were a way of life, for both cultures. Still, through my own parents, I had learned that such things were not always a certain doom. I am ever an optimist. How could I not be? I am the product of such a thing. Optimism. Hope.
I quirk an eyebrow at a commotion to my left, gaze swiveling that way. I could not tell just what was happening, just that it involved a young woman and some man. With a groan I stand and head that way. Despite the din of the crowd, they part easily for me, evidently not willing to try and halt my progress.
It is then that I spy a rather fetching young woman. Being... berated? accosted? I was not sure, yet a man spoke loudly to her in a language I did not understand. All I could see for sure was that she appeared frightened and very unhappy.
Which was enough for me.
Moving swiftly now, muscles shifting under skin, I interpose myself between them, facing the man.
"I think you'd best leave." I intone, voice deadly calm, threatening.
The man looks at me and I am unable to tell if he understands. That's when I see the blade in his hand. He understands perfectly well. I had no idea who this woman was, nor this man, but to draw steel on a Skaldi? The fool would learn.
Before he can bring the knife to bear my hand covers his face, muscles tensing as I push him back. Hard. He stumbles and falls, the knife skittering from his hand across the cobblestones. He reaches for it and I step that way, kicking it away. Reaching down I grab him by his shirt, hoisting him up.
I look back at the young woman, my expression questioning. What happened to the man was entirely up to her.
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Post by Amelie de Trevalion on Jun 3, 2011 15:04:14 GMT -5
The City was sprawling and immense compared to our estates, which were some of the largest and most elegant in the country. Yet here, I felt as out of place as a peasant. It wasn’t just the sheer size of the place, but the amount of people. It seemed like no matter where you were, or what time of day, there were people about. Even the Palace teemed with life, and while it was in some ways daunting, I also found it quite exhilarating.
I knew that Sophie and Ghislain did not want me to leave the townhouse on my own until my bodyguard was in place, but it was such a beautiful day out that I decided it couldn’t hurt to do a little exploring. Of course, Rochelle had been murdered on the Palace grounds, and what could be safer than that? I decided to put that out of my mind and keep to more open areas.
I found myself at the center of the City, gazing at the beautiful fountain there. The day was warm and the sun danced across the water causing it to sparkle as if imbedded with a thousand tiny gemstones. I was just wishing that I could swim in it, when there was a bit of a commotion right next to me.
“Thief! That is my purse that you’ve stolen, and I’ll expect it back or I’ll call the guard!” It was a woman with a young child, and a man that looked nothing like a brigand, except for perhaps in his eyes, and he did indeed hold a purse. I suppose I shouldn’t have gotten involved, but I was a Princess of the realm, accustomed to having my voice heard, and heeded.
“Sir, if that is indeed this woman’s purse, I’ll thank you to return it to her and we can forget this nastiness.”
“And I’ll thank you to mind your own business,” he snarled, and I must have lost my head completely, because as my ire rose, so did my hand, as if to pluck the purse from his. He couldn’t believe it any more than I could, and I thought for certain that I had just gotten myself injured or worse, when a shadow fell between us. The woman who the purse belonged to had scuttled off at some point, and when the newcomer stood up for me, steel was drawn in the Square, and I had to wonder if this was a common occurrence. The gasps around me said otherwise, but before blood could be shed, the newcomer was hoisting the man up as if he were a mere child.
I turned to my savior with wide eyes, looking up at him, and the man he held, the question in his eyes clearly for me.
“If he turns over the purse he stole, then let him go … without his weapons,” I said faintly, wondering if I was doing the right thing. I didn’t like the idea of calling the Watch, or waiting for them to show, and word of this getting back to Ghislain or Sophie.
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 3, 2011 19:49:29 GMT -5
Her words bring a smile to my face. A thief then.
Turning back to the man in my grasp, who is recovering from his initial shock and beginning to struggle, I smile coldly.
"Surely some small bit of coin is not worth say, a broken arm? Perhaps a broken nose?"
The smile on my face grows as I ask, my blood boiling to inflict violence. I barely contained it. I could still see the drawn steel in my mind's eye. My hand clenched more tightly in the fabric of his shirt and I give a small shake.
He gets the hint.
Reaching into his shirt he produces the purse from where he had stashed it. With a small growl I snatch it from him and push him away. He lands on his feet stumbling, his eyes narrowing as he glances towards his blade.
"Second thoughts might get you killed. Best just be on your way."
He seems to take the hint and moves off swiftly to the crowd. As he goes it is like the collective breath of the people is released. Turning, I approach the young woman, holding out the purse. I try to bring a smile to my face but I will need a moment to calm. The thief was unaware just how lucky he was. I should have broken both arms and sheathed his blade in his arse.
"This is yours, m'Lady?" I ask. Her beauty was captivating and I found I had to keep myself from staring.
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Post by Amelie de Trevalion on Jun 3, 2011 21:16:32 GMT -5
The tension in the air fairly crackled, and we had gathered quite the crowd. I was beginning to worry that I had started something that was going to snowball out of control, nevermind that I was just trying to help. The man made the wise choice, however, and left, scattering the crowd, who returned to whatever it was they were doing before.
I shook my head slightly, my dark hair unbound and tickling my shoulders at the motion. "Actually, he stole it from a woman and her child..." I peered around the crowd and then sighed. "But I don't see her now." I was small, though, and even craning my neck it wasn't likely I would see her unless she was standing right here.
"Well, regardless of if we can find her, I'd rather anyone have the money than the thief who stole it." Now that the danger had passed, I found myself feeling a bit shy. "But thank you so much for helping, I'm sure I wouldn't have known what to do if the situation had gone further." I realized suddenly that I hadn't even bothered to introduce myself.
"Oh, pardon my rudeness, I seem to be quite flustered... I'm Amelie de Trevalion," I said, dropping a little curtsy of greeting. Not much of one, since as royalty there were not many people that I was accustomed to bending knee too, but enough for politeness' sake, and besides, I was extremely grateful for his help, whatever his rank.
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 3, 2011 22:04:35 GMT -5
I looked about as well, but did not see a woman with a child. Or if they were about they seemed unwilling to step forward. I moved towards the young woman and handed the purse to her.
"Perhaps you'd best hold onto it. I have a feeling this story might get somehow twisted."
For whatever reason I had decided to wear a shirt today. Not much of one, but at least it covered my bare chest. As she introduced herself I was glad that I had done so. A highborn noble. It figured.
I knew protocols, but I never liked them. It warred with all I had been taught as a boy. But I was no longer in Skaldia.
With a tight smile I bowed deeply. As I did so it occurred to me that bowing to a beautiful woman was not so bad. Perhaps that was true, or perhaps it was simply a way to justify it to myself. Either way, I felt better as I straightened and gave her a true smile.
"Hjalmar de Valliers, Lady Trevalion. It it my deepest pleasure to make your acquaintance." It was not a lie. In addition to her beauty, which was easy on the eyes, here was a possible avenue to the Courcels.
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Post by Amelie de Trevalion on Jun 3, 2011 22:29:52 GMT -5
I accepted the purse, although I felt badly that the woman had disappeared. This coin was nothing to me, but perhaps a lot more to someone else. People from all walks of life visited the fountain, perhaps she could not afford to lose that money, perhaps it was food from her child's mouth. Well, I supposed I could hold onto it and hope to find her again, though what were the odds of that?
"Twisted...?" I began, but then I could see what he meant, and I colored slightly, glossing over the word and seizing on the introduction instead.
"The pleasure is mine, Hjalmar." I stumbled a bit over the name, which was certainly not D'angeline in origin. The man had the look of the foreign about him, and yet the beauty and grace of the my countrymen. A half-breed, I thought, then felt ashamed of it. The man had stepped in where others had merely watched, and here I was thinking unkind thoughts.
"I'm sorry to have caused you any trouble," I said, smiling slightly and canting my head to one side, "although, you don't seem to be any the worse for wear."
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 3, 2011 22:47:59 GMT -5
I watched her face color slightly and could not keep the smirk from my face. It was obvious she was much more refined than myself. Which meant I might have to tread lightly. Watch my tongue. Mind my hands. It was a challenge.
When she stumbled over my name I bowed my head deferentially. "Please Lady Trevalion, just call me Hal. I do not stand on formalities. With anyone." The last was added to ensure in her mind that she was not receiving special treatment.
"You caused no trouble at all. And I am no worse for wear, as you say." I smile. Looking about I see no guards for her, no retinue or entourage. My brow furrows in confusion and concern. They would certainly have intervened if they were present.
"I d not mean to overstep my bounds, but would you perhaps require escort? I see that it appears you have none. I would be honored to see to your safety." I paused and could not deny my next words. "I would appreciate the company as well."
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Post by Amelie de Trevalion on Jun 4, 2011 15:22:55 GMT -5
"All right then, Hal, but then you must call me Amie. All of my friends do." Perhaps it was too soon to call us 'friends' but I was of a mind that a person was a friend until they proved otherwise.
"That would be lovely," I agreed, actually relieved, because I knew that I should not be out in the City by myself, not without angering Sophie and Ghislain. This way, I could not say that I was unprotected. "I'm new to the City, so I was just exploring. Have you been here long enough to show me around, or shall we explore together?"
Perhaps this was reckless, after all, this man was as much a stranger as anyone here, but it felt good to be out and to be living, not behind high walls and closed doors, cowering in fear.
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 4, 2011 21:40:46 GMT -5
I smile softly. Calling a Trevalion by their first name. Oh, the wonders that never ceased. "Amie it is then." I agree. How could I not?
When she agreed to let me escort her I could not help but smile. I bowed again and answer her query. "I am newly arrived to the city myself, Amie. Though exploring and site-seeing with another is surely better than doing the same alone."
I straighten and look at her for a moment. She is a beauty. Not in the same way as Mine... more dignified perhaps. A woman used to the niceties of life. Pampered and spoiled perhaps, but sheltered as well.
Normally I might offer my arm, but if I am to be a proper guard then I shall have to remain alert. Besides, the rumors that might follow us could sully her reputation. I frown at the thought, both of the rumors which would likely already be starting, and of being one to bring dishonor to young Amie.
So instead I simply smile and gesture for her to continue on her way. "Wherever you lead I shall follow." I say.
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Post by Amelie de Trevalion on Jun 4, 2011 22:58:36 GMT -5
"I agree," I said, pleased that he had decided not to be tiresome about using my name. We did not always stand on ceremony back home, and I was merely the middle child who would likely never do anything important in her life besides make a good marriage. The thought was depressing and I quickly suppressed it.
"So, where should we go next... have you seen the Temples yet? I hear they're quite beautiful." I was not particularly devout, but I did say a prayer now and again to Azzalle, or to Elua, but that was the extent of it. Still, temples generally were pretty to look at, full of gardens and statuary. "It's too nice of a day to be somewhere indoors, don't you think?"
I started to walk, tucking the stolen purse into my belt, hoping that I would spy the woman to whom it belonged. If not, well, perhaps I could use the money to do something for the less fortunate.
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 4, 2011 23:21:28 GMT -5
I fall into step beside her, easily keeping pace and catching just a scent of her perfume. I shake my head at her question. "I've yet to visit the temples. Upon my arrival I met a young woman. An adept yet to make her debut. We ate some lunch together and I made my way to the square."
I was not yet sure if she had placed my heritage. If I mentioned my worship of Ohdinn it would certainly give it away. I wondered how she might react.
With a smile I agree with her statement about the indoors. "Yes Amie, it is far too pretty outside to be indoors. " I pause and then say, "the weather is very nice as well." I wondered if she might catch my compliment.
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Post by Amelie de Trevalion on Jun 4, 2011 23:26:49 GMT -5
"An adept? How exciting! Although I imagine that I would be a nervous wreck waiting for my debut ... it seems like a lot of pressure for a young women, doesn't it?" Although, I supposed a future adept had a lot more training than a noblewoman for that sort of thing, now that I was thinking about it. I decided to keep that part to myself as we walked in the direction that I thought the Temples were in.
I felt a blush crawl over my cheeks when I caught the gist of his words. "Oh, well, yes, it is..." I murmured, wondering when my courtesies had deserted me. I attempted to rally by changing the subject. "You said you were new to the City, where do you hail from?" I hoped the question wasn't rude, but I had often been accused of being too curious by half, and this was no exception.
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 5, 2011 0:56:25 GMT -5
I cannot help but laugh softly at her excitement. She seemed rather boisterous. I nod. "It is pressure of a sort, I am sure, but she also seemed rather excited."
I pause for a moment when she asks from where I hail. There really was no denying it, nor hiding it, and the truth was simple.
"Skaldia, though now Camlach."
I waited for what would likely be a plethora of questions.
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Post by Amelie de Trevalion on Jun 5, 2011 1:15:58 GMT -5
"Skaldia?" The word fell out of my mouth before I could stop it, and I might have cursed except that I had been raised a lady. It seemed obvious, now that he said it, though I only had pictures in books to go by, or written descriptions. I supposed it would have been even more rude to say that I found that oddly thrilling, as he was a person and not something to be amused or intrigued by.
"That must have been an adjustment," I said, "Coming to Camlach, I mean." There was always talk of raids on the borders, what must it have been like to be on both sides of that? "I hope you have enjoyed Terre d'Ange's hospitality," I said, smiling and hoping that I was being diplomatic enough. I had to imagine that it was likely he hadn't, because relations with Skaldia were strained at the moment. Talk in the City spread like wildfire and it was said that the Skaldi were behind the Queen's death ... and possibly my own sister's murder.
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 5, 2011 1:41:12 GMT -5
"Aye." I reply, nodding. I saw no reason to hide myself from the young woman. "My father was Frederik de Valliers, my mother a Skaldic woman named Skiirja Fellstone. They fell madly in love you see, and I am the result."
Her reactions caused an easy smile to come to my face. She was surely more curious than this.
"Yes, it was quite an adjustment. Though more easily done than one might think. A far as hospitality, there has been no outright aggression, if that is what you mean. Mostly whispers and wide eyes." I fight the urge to point out even the few d'Angeline around us at the moment that look at the pair of use, wide-eyed and whispering.
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Post by Amelie de Trevalion on Jun 5, 2011 16:11:41 GMT -5
He was right about stares and whispers, though I had in my conceit assumed they were directed at me, a Princess intervening in a mugging of sorts. It occurred to me at that moment that it was much easier to see that he was part Skaldi than it was for people to know that I was a Princess, and the thought was rather embarrassing. And humbling. I decided to address the first part of his answer instead.
"That must have been hard for them, being from two different worlds, as it were." It was so romantic, truly, and I could already imagine the star-crossed lovers trying to live in peace. "How did they happen to meet? There are not terribly many Skaldics in Terre d'Ange, as I'm sure you've noticed." Relations between the two countries were notoriously strained, but that was doubtless something he felt even more keenly than most.
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 5, 2011 17:03:56 GMT -5
As we walked I fought the urge to reach over and rest a hand softly on her lower back, or to offer her my arm. One simply did not paw at a Princess. Instead I walked at her side, with a small distance between us.
"My father is an adventuresome man, a lover of hiking and horseback riding. He would often do these things alone, you see, and one day, near the border, he ran into a woman picking berries. My mother. At the border as he hd been all his life, my father knew my mother's language, though the language of love is even more true, no? I suppose it was fate, if you believe in that sort of thing. They often snuck out to see one another, both from their people, keeping their tryst secret.
But when my mother came to be with child, with me, she could no longer hide it, and left my father. I was born among her people, looked down on in many ways, but made of stronger stuff than they thought. They never broke me and eventually, even at a young age, I earned a grudging respect from them. But then... my mother grew ill. On her deathbed she sent me to my father. With no wife, but no knowledge of how to raise a Skaldic boy, he opted for what many nobles do. I was sent to Tiberium for study. Upon my return I lived with my father and learned more about him and his ways.
It was just a year ago that he passed his title to me."
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Post by Amelie de Trevalion on Jun 6, 2011 13:43:22 GMT -5
His story was so terribly romantic, and tragic at the same time. Then again, it seemed in all the stories that the best romances were tragedies. I could only imagine what it would be like, to meet a man that I was not supposed to love, to bear his child without him, to look at that child every day and remember what I couldn’t have. I had the strangest feeling that I would have liked his mother.
“Oh, you’ve been to Tiberium to study?” I said, choosing to keep my nose out of the more personal business of his birth. “I’ve always wanted to go but my mother has a hard time letting us out of her sight.” I said it with a smile, but all I could think about was my murdered sister, and how much harder it must be for my mother to have us away from her now. Poor Cadice, I doubted she would ever get to leave Azzalle at this rate.
“You would make a perfect ambassador,” I said with a smile. “You have experienced three countries and here I am on my very first one.”
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 6, 2011 17:38:45 GMT -5
"Yes." I responded to her question about Tiberium. "I was sent there at the age of twelve and stayed for various studies until I was eighteen. Upon my return home my studies, especially in swordplay, continued. My father's best friend, Willem d'Aiglemort, is an Ally of Camlach, and has seen more battle than anyone I know."
With a smile I addressed her comment about her mother. "I suppose it is always different for daughters though. Parents seem more willing to let their boys fail."
When she mentioned being an ambassador I beamed. "That is actually a lot of the reason I came to the City Amie. I am hoping to catch the ear of the Courcels."
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Post by Amelie de Trevalion on Jun 6, 2011 21:32:31 GMT -5
"I suppose that is true, sons are expected to go out into the world and have adventures, and daughters are expected to have adventures of another sort." If one could call needlepoint and courtly graces 'adventures.'
"Oh, so are you interested in diplomacy, then?" I asked, wondering if I might be able to get him an audience. I didn't know the King and Queen at all, but I was a Trevalion, my word held some sway. "Truth be told, I think someone who could parlay with the Skaldics might be sorely needed in the near future, things are as tense as ever between our peoples." I hoped it wasn't too rude of a question, but I was honestly curious.
"Is it felt the same in Skaldia? Or are we D'angelines more sensitive to the tensions?"
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 7, 2011 6:07:02 GMT -5
I chuckled softly. I had caught her meaning all too well. "Indeed." I replied.
When asked about my wish for diplomacy I nodded. "I would like nothing more than to build some sort of peace between the Skaldi and the d'Angeline. I am not even sure such a peace would last, but an effort should be made. As I believe I understand both cultures well, I do also believe I might act as mediator."
At her last question I paused. It had been many years since I had lived among the Skaldi. But I did remember many things. It is hard t forget how one is raised, after all. "I believe that the Skaldi are just as sensitive about the tensions, though perhaps in a different manner. They often fight among themselves, the tribes, and getting all to agree on one thing is often difficult."
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Post by Amelie de Trevalion on Jun 7, 2011 13:58:51 GMT -5
I thought over what I knew of the Skaldi. Not terribly much, and all of it from other D’angelines, so who knew how accurate it was? Still, it was known that they fought amongst each other as well as with us, it was one of the things that kept them from doing much more than harry our borders. But rumors were rising of a leader that people were flocking too, something that hadn’t been seen since Waldemar Selig’s day, and that had gone badly enough for us.
“Is it true,” I asked him, wondering if he knew anything about it, “That there is someone who is trying to unite the Skaldi? I’ve heard talk all over the City, after the recent increase in raids and … other things.” The murder of our Queen was being laid at their feet as well, or so it was whispered. I wondered what he thought about all of that.
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 7, 2011 14:08:13 GMT -5
I paused, looking sideways at her a moment. "I honestly do not know Amie, and if I did I am unsure what I might say. It has been a long time since I lived among the Skaldi. A decade. I am not even sure I could return to my tribe, and my mother evidently felt the same as she sent me away." I felt I could not, should not, hide the truth from her.
"Though it may seem a paradox, you must understand. My loyalties lie with both of my people's. I wish no more death, no more blood, on either side. Were I to know of a leader, and reveal them, what do you think might happen? Negotiations? The d'Angeline are not as passive as one might think. They'd certainly seek to strike down this person. It would only be prudent."
I sighed. This was my dilemma. To want peace for both of my peoples. I wonder what Amie might think about my dual perspective.
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Post by Amelie de Trevalion on Jun 7, 2011 15:36:34 GMT -5
He was right, especially now. With the whispers that the Skaldi were to blame for all of our troubles, would peace be something the people or the crown would be amenable to? Would I? Part of me wanted some kind of justice for my sister’s death, but part of me could scarcely credit it as an act of war. Nothing made sense anymore.
“I understand,” I said, softly. “Or, at least I think I do… I have never had to think of anyone but my own people, but I can at least imagine how that must feel. “I often wonder at those who don’t desire peace,” I said, thinking about everything I’d read of war and the devastation that came with it. “It seems like peace would be easier, more prosperous.” I made a little face and then laughed a bit mockingly at myself.
“Of course, what do I know of war and governance, I have only just come to the City and already I fancy myself to know about politics.”
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 7, 2011 16:25:04 GMT -5
"It is a difficult position for everyone. For some it only takes the slightest thing to spark a conflict. And I do believe peace would be easier and more prosperous. But in seeing both Skaldi and d'Angeline, I have come to think that such things simply are not in the nature of men. Well, not all men." I smiled gently to her and wonder if she gets my meaning.
In truth I was no paper tiger. Anger me and woe be unto you. But I was also a peace-living man. Sometimes people are just walking contradictions.
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Post by Amelie de Trevalion on Jun 7, 2011 21:06:15 GMT -5
"No, not all men," I said, smiling at him and thinking that if there were more Skaldi like him, why were we so afraid of them? They were people just like us, who loved and lost. For every death we dealt them, they also grieved, just as we did for our dead. It saddened me to think that war might be coming, so I tried to think of a way to change the subject to something lighter.
"Oh look, there is the Temple of Elua," I said, pointing it out as we came up the path that lead toward it. "Would you like to go inside?"
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 8, 2011 7:42:03 GMT -5
I had never been into a temple of Elua. Ohdinn was my god and though I knew D'Angeline religion I had never been able to tear myself from that habit of my youth. But I was never opposed to seeing and learning. I nodded enthusiastically and gestured for her to lead the way.
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