As he approached the massive stone structure of Justice Hall, Camulous played the various possible scenarios out in his head. With a lapse of concentration not befitting of the Captain of the Marn City Guard, his mind strayed from thoughts of Dennison the assassin, Orion, and the two they were hunting. Camulous was more concerned with who he was going to for help, and whether or not turning to the battlemages so soon constituted cowardice or good foresight.
It was not unheard of for the guard to work with the battlemages. Indeed, that was standard protocol for so called 'dirty situations' when an enemy with sufficient magical powers had to be taken care of. The implication was that the Guard couldn't handle it themselves, making them look weak or impotent in the light of greater powers. Camulous hated that feeling.
He also hated the battlemages. Working with them was a choice to work with the lesser of two evils, and there was no doubt in his mind that they were evil. None of the laws set forth in the tomes applied to them, and that made them dangerous, corrupted... The devils walking among the righteous, for as sure as they were evil the guardsmen were righteous. Camulous would die to prove it.
He never knew exactly what to expect once he passed the doors into Justice Hall and entered their domain. It was a spider's web of lies and deceit and everyone inside was sticky with guilt. Everything they said and did was two-faced and his rare visits there were never received the same way. Sometimes they would look down on him, a sort of "what are you doing here?" kind of look which he suspected was the most honest position they projected. Other times they would ravish him with fake praise, touting him as their honourable warrior. Usually, it was a complicated mixture of both.
He had to put his pride aside to come to them. He left it in a heap by the large wooden doors as he went in, which, unlike the Guard's headquarters, were suspiciously unguarded at all times. They didn't have enough men in their ranks to fill the position.
The Justice Hall was quite appropriately named. Inside it consisted mainly of empty space, floored with some kind of black stone and walled with bright white marble. White, doric columns supported a barren white ceiling two dozen feet overhead. It was like someone took the antechamber from the headquarters, tripled it in size, scrubbed off the murals, ripped down the tapestries and sterilized everything with bleach. In its center was a granite altar large enough to hold a man with his limbs splayed apart. What they used it for when the doors were sealed was a poorly kept secret. Open torture, by the judges.
At the rear of the hall were another set of doors leading to... Camulous speculated there were offices and weird magical rooms back there, but he'd never seen them. This was as far as he went.
The Porter appeared from somewhere to Camulous' side, greeting him with convincing pleasantness and goodwill. A friendly face for the public. Too friendly, clean, and unblemished to be natural.
"Good Captain, what brings you here?"
"I need to speak to a battlemage." The captain's standard rough tone was like sandpaper to the porter's gentle demeanor.
"Of course, one moment please."
Camulous knew that The Porter had a mental link with the battlemages and the judges. He could summon and organize them without having to seek them out. Camulous wanted to throttle him for it.
Help From an Enemy
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Camulous Smithson
- Guardsman
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 12:59 am
- Name: Camulous Smithson
- Race: Human
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Lucas Hild
- Battlemage
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:34 am
Lucas Hild was in his office. When compared to his home, the office was sparse, organized, very professional. He preferred not to spend a lot of time there but there were documents to file, names to write down, things that he would have rather left to someone else. Didn't other people use administrative assistants? That's what he needed, a secretary, someone to deal with the paper work. He pondered how much extra effort would go into creating such a construct. It wasn't the first time and probably would not be the last. Unfortunately his sort of magic was not the kind that set pen to paper. One of these days he might just have to buckle and offer a favor to someone who could do it for him, that or retire.
The Porter with its annoyingly pleasant demeanor plinked his temples as if ringing a doorbell. Whoever created that construct was going to have to die a slow, painful death. Lucas found it even more annoying because it seemed capable of getting around his mental defenses no matter where he was or what he was doing. He wondered if that was because of his contract with the battlemages rather than any particularly impressive power on the part of the Porter. He found it particularly irritating that the Porter did not seem to feel pain. This was probably a valuable asset when dealing with his colleagues, but Lucas found it to be a huge detractor.
"Leave me alone." He mentally informed the Porter.
"You are not busy." The Porter replied with its uniformly gentle tone directly in his head.
"I am doing paperwork." Lucas retorted with his thoughts.
"You are procrastinating."
"Fine! yes! What?" Lucas snapped. Lucas's anger was quick even though there was not much he could do. The last thing he needed was for the Porter to go inform the judges that Lucas was procrastinating and refusing to respond to a summons.
"Captain Camulous is in The Justice Hall. He has requested to speak with a battlemage." The Porter continued in its light, yet oh-so-serious voice.
Lucas could not help but reflect on an incident back when he was still in training. Two battlemages had plotted to dismantle The Porter and see what it was made of. Needless to say the two were arrested for attempted destruction of Justice Hall property and Lucas was still in the dark as to what had ultimately become of them. One of them had been a friend during training. But time had shown him it wasn't so wonderful to have friends who were battlemages.
Lucas's grabbed up his usual equipment, a metal cap he wore over his head, a satchel he slung over his shoulder which contained a few other items he found useful, such as a pen and paper because the judges probably knew how far behind he was with the bureaucratic scribbling. Lastly he picked up his battlestaff which seemed to have obtained a reputation for itself in the time since he had acquired it.
He started out to the main hall at a brisk pace. He was in good shape and his gait carried him fast along the smooth black floors. Unlike some, he favored the stark decorations of the Justice Hall. The lack of frills had grown on him over the years and he had taken to dressing with a similar lack of color even when he had a rare bit of free time. The overall effect was that he looked like he belonged there.
Then again, Lucas was not a towering man and while he was very strong, he tended to look more the part of the mage than the brute. He managed a pleasant expression when he spotted the Captain Camulous in the hall.
"Greetings Captain. Lucas Hild." He offered a hand in greeting to the young Captain. "The Porter informed me that you would like to speak with a battlemage?" He was known for having a good public face and not simply because he could manipulate other peoples' reactions to him.
The Porter with its annoyingly pleasant demeanor plinked his temples as if ringing a doorbell. Whoever created that construct was going to have to die a slow, painful death. Lucas found it even more annoying because it seemed capable of getting around his mental defenses no matter where he was or what he was doing. He wondered if that was because of his contract with the battlemages rather than any particularly impressive power on the part of the Porter. He found it particularly irritating that the Porter did not seem to feel pain. This was probably a valuable asset when dealing with his colleagues, but Lucas found it to be a huge detractor.
"Leave me alone." He mentally informed the Porter.
"You are not busy." The Porter replied with its uniformly gentle tone directly in his head.
"I am doing paperwork." Lucas retorted with his thoughts.
"You are procrastinating."
"Fine! yes! What?" Lucas snapped. Lucas's anger was quick even though there was not much he could do. The last thing he needed was for the Porter to go inform the judges that Lucas was procrastinating and refusing to respond to a summons.
"Captain Camulous is in The Justice Hall. He has requested to speak with a battlemage." The Porter continued in its light, yet oh-so-serious voice.
Lucas could not help but reflect on an incident back when he was still in training. Two battlemages had plotted to dismantle The Porter and see what it was made of. Needless to say the two were arrested for attempted destruction of Justice Hall property and Lucas was still in the dark as to what had ultimately become of them. One of them had been a friend during training. But time had shown him it wasn't so wonderful to have friends who were battlemages.
Lucas's grabbed up his usual equipment, a metal cap he wore over his head, a satchel he slung over his shoulder which contained a few other items he found useful, such as a pen and paper because the judges probably knew how far behind he was with the bureaucratic scribbling. Lastly he picked up his battlestaff which seemed to have obtained a reputation for itself in the time since he had acquired it.
He started out to the main hall at a brisk pace. He was in good shape and his gait carried him fast along the smooth black floors. Unlike some, he favored the stark decorations of the Justice Hall. The lack of frills had grown on him over the years and he had taken to dressing with a similar lack of color even when he had a rare bit of free time. The overall effect was that he looked like he belonged there.
Then again, Lucas was not a towering man and while he was very strong, he tended to look more the part of the mage than the brute. He managed a pleasant expression when he spotted the Captain Camulous in the hall.
"Greetings Captain. Lucas Hild." He offered a hand in greeting to the young Captain. "The Porter informed me that you would like to speak with a battlemage?" He was known for having a good public face and not simply because he could manipulate other peoples' reactions to him.
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Camulous Smithson
- Guardsman
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 12:59 am
- Name: Camulous Smithson
- Race: Human
Though the battlemage's display was convincing, Camulous' hard learned prejudice was impossible to get through. There was nothing on Pal Tahrenor or any other world that could convince him to change his views.
He didn't smile, but he did take the man's hand to shake it with a firm grip while looking into his eyes with purpose. Not with disdain nor with aggression, but with a bland dutiful acknowledgement of their situation.
He recognized the man vaguely but didn't know him in person. A face he had probably seen a while ago on some errand or other. He made a mental note to remember the man's name and face from now on. Camulous himself had just walked away from a fight, and his armor was scuffed here and there. A sword dangled from his side but he wasn't wearing his helmet.
"I need your help." Not even a hello. "There is an assassin hunting his game in our city and I think he must be a mage."
The captain paused, giving it a second to sink in, and the answered the next question before it had to be asked.
"I haven't seen any proof, but he reeks of it. He's chasing after a wolfman and some witch, and he's going to be trouble."
He didn't smile, but he did take the man's hand to shake it with a firm grip while looking into his eyes with purpose. Not with disdain nor with aggression, but with a bland dutiful acknowledgement of their situation.
He recognized the man vaguely but didn't know him in person. A face he had probably seen a while ago on some errand or other. He made a mental note to remember the man's name and face from now on. Camulous himself had just walked away from a fight, and his armor was scuffed here and there. A sword dangled from his side but he wasn't wearing his helmet.
"I need your help." Not even a hello. "There is an assassin hunting his game in our city and I think he must be a mage."
The captain paused, giving it a second to sink in, and the answered the next question before it had to be asked.
"I haven't seen any proof, but he reeks of it. He's chasing after a wolfman and some witch, and he's going to be trouble."
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Lucas Hild
- Battlemage
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:34 am
Lucas had to hold back a smile. He held a mixture of pleasure at the thought of pursuing what might be a worthy quarry and an excuse to put off his paperwork a little longer.
He knew Captain Camulous by reputation and had little reason to think the man would provide false information or lead him on a wild goose chase.
"Very well." He said gesturing back the way the Captain had entered. "Let us not be stationary. Clearly there is an assassin on the streets who is breaking the law and we can't have that. I expect the wolfman and the witch will also need to be dealt with? Sometimes I wonder how the guards let these things slip by."
He could tell the Captain was uncomfortable and couldn't help but be amused by this fact. After all it wasn't as if he'd asked the guard captain to stand aside while someone else handled the situation. Lucas had plenty of credits behind him that he didn't need to keep all the glory for himself. The Captain was welcome to come watch and maybe offer some minor assistance as long as he didn't get in the way.
He knew Captain Camulous by reputation and had little reason to think the man would provide false information or lead him on a wild goose chase.
"Very well." He said gesturing back the way the Captain had entered. "Let us not be stationary. Clearly there is an assassin on the streets who is breaking the law and we can't have that. I expect the wolfman and the witch will also need to be dealt with? Sometimes I wonder how the guards let these things slip by."
He could tell the Captain was uncomfortable and couldn't help but be amused by this fact. After all it wasn't as if he'd asked the guard captain to stand aside while someone else handled the situation. Lucas had plenty of credits behind him that he didn't need to keep all the glory for himself. The Captain was welcome to come watch and maybe offer some minor assistance as long as he didn't get in the way.
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Camulous Smithson
- Guardsman
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 12:59 am
- Name: Camulous Smithson
- Race: Human
Camulous bit his tongue. How could the guards miss such a thing indeed! He knew that coming to the battlemages for help would be trouble, and there it was. One innocuous little line that said it all, poked a jab at the City Guard as a whole and his ability to lead them. He knew it was coming and it still made him mad, though he didn't show it.
"We'll handle them. It's the assassin I'm asking for help with. He hasn't done anything yet and I can't arrest him for nothing."
He turned and walked outside again, pushing the heavy door aside with one hand. A cool breeze hit him in the face, carrying the scents of the city with it. It was late in the evening and would be dark in a few hours. The cloudless sky glowed its usual hues of purple, deep reds and orange. Off to the north the light hoofbeats of horses along Main Street pattered through the air. He turned towards them and kept walking.
"I need someone who isn't held back by things like laws and honor to get him out of the way."
It made him feel better to take a jab in return.
"He goes by the name Dennison and he claims to be willing to work within the law, but he also insists on taking the witch with him when he leaves. She has to be turned over to the judges for using magic right in front of me. I think Dennison is just as guilty as she is. I don't know about the wolfman, he'll probably end up dead."
"We'll handle them. It's the assassin I'm asking for help with. He hasn't done anything yet and I can't arrest him for nothing."
He turned and walked outside again, pushing the heavy door aside with one hand. A cool breeze hit him in the face, carrying the scents of the city with it. It was late in the evening and would be dark in a few hours. The cloudless sky glowed its usual hues of purple, deep reds and orange. Off to the north the light hoofbeats of horses along Main Street pattered through the air. He turned towards them and kept walking.
"I need someone who isn't held back by things like laws and honor to get him out of the way."
It made him feel better to take a jab in return.
"He goes by the name Dennison and he claims to be willing to work within the law, but he also insists on taking the witch with him when he leaves. She has to be turned over to the judges for using magic right in front of me. I think Dennison is just as guilty as she is. I don't know about the wolfman, he'll probably end up dead."
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Lucas Hild
- Battlemage
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:34 am
Lucas took to studying the Captain as he made his remarks. "If you are suggesting the assassin has not committed any crimes, then perhaps it would be better to watch him for a time. Do you even know what he is capable of?"
Lucas seemed to slip into deeper thought. "If he interferes with the proper handling of the witch then he is obstructing justice, aiding a felon to resist arrest and will need to be arrested anyway. Laws are words on paper, Captain. There are usually more than enough words that one can find the ones that work for any given situation. Honor, though a lofty sentiment, is still just a sentiment."
"So how did you leave them? Do you know where they are going? Was the assassin alone?"
He was allowing Camulous to lead the way. Lucas was not any sort of tracker and thus expected the Captain to point them in the proper direction, wherever that happened to be. When it came to finding people, Lucas often relied on his senses and the skills of people who were better trained for such tasks.
Lucas seemed to slip into deeper thought. "If he interferes with the proper handling of the witch then he is obstructing justice, aiding a felon to resist arrest and will need to be arrested anyway. Laws are words on paper, Captain. There are usually more than enough words that one can find the ones that work for any given situation. Honor, though a lofty sentiment, is still just a sentiment."
"So how did you leave them? Do you know where they are going? Was the assassin alone?"
He was allowing Camulous to lead the way. Lucas was not any sort of tracker and thus expected the Captain to point them in the proper direction, wherever that happened to be. When it came to finding people, Lucas often relied on his senses and the skills of people who were better trained for such tasks.
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Camulous Smithson
- Guardsman
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 12:59 am
- Name: Camulous Smithson
- Race: Human
"No, I don't know what he's capable of, but I would rather you just locked him up before he does anything stupid. I'm telling you, he's trouble."
Camulous was neither a tracker nor a detective, and also tended to leave such tasks to his men, to hired hands, or to the battlemages. They usually had something up their sleeve. Spies, spells or secret information. He didn't know how it worked though, they didn't tell him.
"I was hoping you would be able to at least help find him if he ends up hiding somewhere. I guess with Chrishton still slinking about, I should have known better."
He did of course mean the man who both the guard and the battlemages had been hunting for weeks now on charges of murder and magic use. It was well known that Chrishton had been previously arrested by the guard for assault, but managed to escape from the guardhouse along with all the other prisoners by somehow blowing a hole in the side of the building. The battlemage guarding their cell was found unconscious, and none of the guards positioned around the headquarters managed to stop the escapees. For some reason Chrishton was singled out as the most responsible.
It was also known to all the battlemages that the judges wanted Chrishton captured alive for interrogation. The bounty on his head was quite high, suggesting that someone in a position of power wanted him, but their best trackers never picked up a trail at all. Supposedly he had a magical way of hiding his presence.
"I left him with one of my men to pursue the witch and wolfman. Told him he could help us out until the two of them get arrested. He ran after them west on Main so we'll just look for my men and we'll find them, I'm sure. The wolfman is far from subtle."
He led Lucas to Main Street at a brisk pace. Horses would have been nice. He should have asked for horses. By the time they got there, maybe Dennison would already have used some magic in front of Orion.
Camulous was neither a tracker nor a detective, and also tended to leave such tasks to his men, to hired hands, or to the battlemages. They usually had something up their sleeve. Spies, spells or secret information. He didn't know how it worked though, they didn't tell him.
"I was hoping you would be able to at least help find him if he ends up hiding somewhere. I guess with Chrishton still slinking about, I should have known better."
He did of course mean the man who both the guard and the battlemages had been hunting for weeks now on charges of murder and magic use. It was well known that Chrishton had been previously arrested by the guard for assault, but managed to escape from the guardhouse along with all the other prisoners by somehow blowing a hole in the side of the building. The battlemage guarding their cell was found unconscious, and none of the guards positioned around the headquarters managed to stop the escapees. For some reason Chrishton was singled out as the most responsible.
It was also known to all the battlemages that the judges wanted Chrishton captured alive for interrogation. The bounty on his head was quite high, suggesting that someone in a position of power wanted him, but their best trackers never picked up a trail at all. Supposedly he had a magical way of hiding his presence.
"I left him with one of my men to pursue the witch and wolfman. Told him he could help us out until the two of them get arrested. He ran after them west on Main so we'll just look for my men and we'll find them, I'm sure. The wolfman is far from subtle."
He led Lucas to Main Street at a brisk pace. Horses would have been nice. He should have asked for horses. By the time they got there, maybe Dennison would already have used some magic in front of Orion.
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Lucas Hild
- Battlemage
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:34 am
Lucas hurried along with Camulous, his eyes surveying the street.
"You know there are faster ways to get around the city." Lucas said quietly. "But I understand you are eager to get back to your man who is still in pursuit. Should I send for horses?"
Lucas had arched an eyebrow at the mention of Chrishton Radu. He was as eager as any to see the man caught and dealt with. No one liked to think that a single man could make the city guard, the battlemages and the judges all look like fools. Radu was not likely to be dealt with lightly by whoever did ultimately find him.
"And as for your other comment, I may be able to assist somewhat in finding him should he go into hiding but tracking is not one of my specialties. I'm certain, however, that between the two of us we should be able to bring the necessary resources to bear. Tell me about your man that you left when you came for me. What is his name? Would it be of any use to get a message to him before we catch up?"
Lucas knew he needed a little more than a name to get a proper fix on the man should he want to send a message to him, but supposed it might be worth a try if there was any tactical benefit.
"You know there are faster ways to get around the city." Lucas said quietly. "But I understand you are eager to get back to your man who is still in pursuit. Should I send for horses?"
Lucas had arched an eyebrow at the mention of Chrishton Radu. He was as eager as any to see the man caught and dealt with. No one liked to think that a single man could make the city guard, the battlemages and the judges all look like fools. Radu was not likely to be dealt with lightly by whoever did ultimately find him.
"And as for your other comment, I may be able to assist somewhat in finding him should he go into hiding but tracking is not one of my specialties. I'm certain, however, that between the two of us we should be able to bring the necessary resources to bear. Tell me about your man that you left when you came for me. What is his name? Would it be of any use to get a message to him before we catch up?"
Lucas knew he needed a little more than a name to get a proper fix on the man should he want to send a message to him, but supposed it might be worth a try if there was any tactical benefit.
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Camulous Smithson
- Guardsman
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 12:59 am
- Name: Camulous Smithson
- Race: Human
Send for horses? How would he do that with nobody else around? Damn mages.
Oh right, the Porter. Of course.
Camulous slowed his pace a bit and gave in to the desire to take it easy for the next few minutes.
"Horses would be better."
Though the armor was light and left him agile, it was still heavy enough to be a burden. Especially when combined with his sword, which must have weighed at least as much as everything else.
"His name is Orion. He's a good man." Of course he was a good man. He was a guardsman, they were all good men. "But his actions today were out of line. He attacked the wolfman without provocation. He's experienced enough to know better. He also knows we're coming and if we're lucky he's got a half dozen men following him by now."
He looked up and down the lonely road they were on, both searching for something and thinking about the last question.
"I don't think Dennison knows anything about you or the battlemages, so if you're not going to arrest him on sight, we should hide the fact that we've got any magic at all. He can handle it until we get there."
Oh right, the Porter. Of course.
Camulous slowed his pace a bit and gave in to the desire to take it easy for the next few minutes.
"Horses would be better."
Though the armor was light and left him agile, it was still heavy enough to be a burden. Especially when combined with his sword, which must have weighed at least as much as everything else.
"His name is Orion. He's a good man." Of course he was a good man. He was a guardsman, they were all good men. "But his actions today were out of line. He attacked the wolfman without provocation. He's experienced enough to know better. He also knows we're coming and if we're lucky he's got a half dozen men following him by now."
He looked up and down the lonely road they were on, both searching for something and thinking about the last question.
"I don't think Dennison knows anything about you or the battlemages, so if you're not going to arrest him on sight, we should hide the fact that we've got any magic at all. He can handle it until we get there."
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Lucas Hild
- Battlemage
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:34 am
"Hold back a moment then." Lucas suggested. He brought a hand to his right temple as if he had a headache.
"You should have said something before. No magic with us..." He snorted with amusement.
He made a focusing gesture with his left hand, bringing his hand up in alignment with his eye and then brushed his fingers down his front as if dusting off lint. His clothing shimmered and changed to look more like the attire of one of Camulous's guards. He had not bothered to change his face and the battlestaff was still on him.
"Better?" He asked. "The horses should arrive shortly. We won't lose much time if we wait for them."
"You should have said something before. No magic with us..." He snorted with amusement.
He made a focusing gesture with his left hand, bringing his hand up in alignment with his eye and then brushed his fingers down his front as if dusting off lint. His clothing shimmered and changed to look more like the attire of one of Camulous's guards. He had not bothered to change his face and the battlestaff was still on him.
"Better?" He asked. "The horses should arrive shortly. We won't lose much time if we wait for them."
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Camulous Smithson
- Guardsman
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 12:59 am
- Name: Camulous Smithson
- Race: Human
Camulous gladly took the hint and walked no further. He let out a barely perceptible sigh and folded his arms across his chest. Doing so made it look like he would bust out of his armor, which bulged where his arms met his chestplate.
The change in Lucas' wardrobe didn't make much of an impression on him. That was the sort of trick he had seen many times before and it was not out of the ordinary. For an instant, he let himself look tired and maybe even a little worried. If Camulous had ended up in any other line of work, he might have turned out to be a thoughtful man. He wasn't because there was no time or allowance to be. He forced himself not to think to much and just do what had to be done.
No thinking about how he might have just gotten Orion killed, or the embarrassment that would come from discovering that Dennison was just some thug and not the least bit magical.
He stared up the road at some movement he could see ahead, apparently not eager to get moving himself again, and said nothing.
The change in Lucas' wardrobe didn't make much of an impression on him. That was the sort of trick he had seen many times before and it was not out of the ordinary. For an instant, he let himself look tired and maybe even a little worried. If Camulous had ended up in any other line of work, he might have turned out to be a thoughtful man. He wasn't because there was no time or allowance to be. He forced himself not to think to much and just do what had to be done.
No thinking about how he might have just gotten Orion killed, or the embarrassment that would come from discovering that Dennison was just some thug and not the least bit magical.
He stared up the road at some movement he could see ahead, apparently not eager to get moving himself again, and said nothing.
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Lucas Hild
- Battlemage
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:34 am
Lucas smirked, wondering what could possibly be going on in the guard captain's mind. He had been in other peoples' thoughts and always found it to be an eye-opening experience. Now when he came to know people he started to speculate on what he might see if he did delve into their minds. What sorts of horrors would lurk there? What kind of dreams would they have? What lusts? Since his last such experience there was a strong temptation to do it again, but it was always like that, a silent urge whining in the back of his being.
There were always dangers to such things though. There was a danger to Lucas because he could not mind his own circumstance under those conditions, but there was also a danger to the other person because being in someone else's mind was inherently damaging. The human condition was limited to one sentience in one mind. It was less of an issue for elves. How was it that elves seemed so very alien to humans and yet lived beside them, even slept with them sometimes.
No matter how many times Lucas had this argument with himself it would come up again and again. Sometimes he won the argument, sometimes he lost. And then sometimes he wondered why he ever started arguing with himself in the first place. At least when one saw the inner workings of another's mind one knew for certain what was there. All this pretending and question asking was tiresome and wasted precious seconds of time.
The horses Lucas had requested were approaching, being ridden by two stable keepers.
"Ah, there are the horses." Lucas inadvertently spoke in Camulous's mind instead of verbally. It was an error he had begun to make more often than not. It was a sign of his weakness, his desire to look into the other man's mind and see what was really there even if it didn't tell him anything new.
It troubled Lucas when he made errors like that. It was not something he would have done in his youth. Why waste precious energy speaking to someone's head if it was unnecessary? Still, he retained a civilly pleasant demeanor so as to suggest that he meant to do that.
The horses had arrived promptly. "We should put in a good word for the stable keepers." Lucas remarked as he strode forward to take one of the mounts a brown mare with a braided mane. They were good, strong horses, trained to cope with battle and some of the alarming effects of spellcasting as well as the mundane needs of a pair of riders traveling from point A to point B.
There were always dangers to such things though. There was a danger to Lucas because he could not mind his own circumstance under those conditions, but there was also a danger to the other person because being in someone else's mind was inherently damaging. The human condition was limited to one sentience in one mind. It was less of an issue for elves. How was it that elves seemed so very alien to humans and yet lived beside them, even slept with them sometimes.
No matter how many times Lucas had this argument with himself it would come up again and again. Sometimes he won the argument, sometimes he lost. And then sometimes he wondered why he ever started arguing with himself in the first place. At least when one saw the inner workings of another's mind one knew for certain what was there. All this pretending and question asking was tiresome and wasted precious seconds of time.
The horses Lucas had requested were approaching, being ridden by two stable keepers.
"Ah, there are the horses." Lucas inadvertently spoke in Camulous's mind instead of verbally. It was an error he had begun to make more often than not. It was a sign of his weakness, his desire to look into the other man's mind and see what was really there even if it didn't tell him anything new.
It troubled Lucas when he made errors like that. It was not something he would have done in his youth. Why waste precious energy speaking to someone's head if it was unnecessary? Still, he retained a civilly pleasant demeanor so as to suggest that he meant to do that.
The horses had arrived promptly. "We should put in a good word for the stable keepers." Lucas remarked as he strode forward to take one of the mounts a brown mare with a braided mane. They were good, strong horses, trained to cope with battle and some of the alarming effects of spellcasting as well as the mundane needs of a pair of riders traveling from point A to point B.
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Camulous Smithson
- Guardsman
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 12:59 am
- Name: Camulous Smithson
- Race: Human
A voice sounded in Camulous' head, not coming from any particular direction but generated inside his mind. Unlike the wardrobe change and the horse summoning, this trick threw him off guard. He knew it could be done, they called it telepathy, but having it done to him so abruptly, out of nowhere, without any warning, was an invasion of his most personal space that he really didn't like.
His face, which had looked thoughtful but tired, with gazing eyes and a furrowed brow, straightened itself out immediately. He wasn't searching down the road anymore, he was looking into his own mind, trying to sort out what had just happened and what damage might have been done.
Camulous kept the contents of his mind locked away so tightly, buried so deep, even he couldn't get in anymore. It wasn't just for convenience or for duty that he kept them hidden away. There were things in his mind that could destroy him. Ideas like self loneliness, self doubt, fears and nightmares. Many sights he had seen in person without flinching remained buried like maggots in his brain. He knew they were there. Nobody else was allowed to.
Lucas was almost spared by the arrival of the horses, but Camulous' protective wrath would not be distracted so easily. He approached Lucas swiftly and shoved his shoulder when he reached for the horse so that they were facing. It was not a friendly shove, so forceful it could be called an open handed punch.
The captain was no longer himself. Assaulting a battlemage was something he would never do for any number of reasons, but he looked like he was going to. His hands were balled into fists and he made no move for his sword. There was fire in his eyes that belonged to a man who'd killed many. A glimpse of the real reason his men obeyed him.
"Stay out of my thoughts, mage."
His face, which had looked thoughtful but tired, with gazing eyes and a furrowed brow, straightened itself out immediately. He wasn't searching down the road anymore, he was looking into his own mind, trying to sort out what had just happened and what damage might have been done.
Camulous kept the contents of his mind locked away so tightly, buried so deep, even he couldn't get in anymore. It wasn't just for convenience or for duty that he kept them hidden away. There were things in his mind that could destroy him. Ideas like self loneliness, self doubt, fears and nightmares. Many sights he had seen in person without flinching remained buried like maggots in his brain. He knew they were there. Nobody else was allowed to.
Lucas was almost spared by the arrival of the horses, but Camulous' protective wrath would not be distracted so easily. He approached Lucas swiftly and shoved his shoulder when he reached for the horse so that they were facing. It was not a friendly shove, so forceful it could be called an open handed punch.
The captain was no longer himself. Assaulting a battlemage was something he would never do for any number of reasons, but he looked like he was going to. His hands were balled into fists and he made no move for his sword. There was fire in his eyes that belonged to a man who'd killed many. A glimpse of the real reason his men obeyed him.
"Stay out of my thoughts, mage."
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Lucas Hild
- Battlemage
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:34 am
Lucas stumbled back slightly at the shove. In that moment of contact Camulous was likely to realize he was not a weakling under his robes which had been camouflaged to look like a guard's uniform.
"Were I to look in your mind you would not be forgetting it easily." Lucas said blandly. "The spoken word is harmless, a simple trick, one of the simpler ones I know in fact. You would not be the first to find it disconcerting. Such a reaction is common in those who are not very experienced with magic."
He could see the captain was not impressed or pleased by his company. It was unfortunate too. He preferred to make a good first impression. "But I will take your words to heart. I will not do such a terrible thing again unless absolutely necessary. I hope you will find that I am a reasonable man."
His more malicious side would have laughed and spoken in Camulous's head for the rest of the day but that would have been extraordinarily rude and probably resulted in a fight. As fit as he was, Lucas was not convinced he could defeat Camulous in a fair, non-magical fight. He sort of admired a man who could retain a reputation like Camulous's. He was honest, and honorable. And though Lucas had belittled honor, he did respect a person who upheld it.
"We should not be fighting with each other anyway." Lucas remarked in an off-hand way. "I am not your enemy."
"Were I to look in your mind you would not be forgetting it easily." Lucas said blandly. "The spoken word is harmless, a simple trick, one of the simpler ones I know in fact. You would not be the first to find it disconcerting. Such a reaction is common in those who are not very experienced with magic."
He could see the captain was not impressed or pleased by his company. It was unfortunate too. He preferred to make a good first impression. "But I will take your words to heart. I will not do such a terrible thing again unless absolutely necessary. I hope you will find that I am a reasonable man."
His more malicious side would have laughed and spoken in Camulous's head for the rest of the day but that would have been extraordinarily rude and probably resulted in a fight. As fit as he was, Lucas was not convinced he could defeat Camulous in a fair, non-magical fight. He sort of admired a man who could retain a reputation like Camulous's. He was honest, and honorable. And though Lucas had belittled honor, he did respect a person who upheld it.
"We should not be fighting with each other anyway." Lucas remarked in an off-hand way. "I am not your enemy."
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Camulous Smithson
- Guardsman
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 12:59 am
- Name: Camulous Smithson
- Race: Human
The fury in his eyes snuffed itself out as the reasonable, rational part of his mind regained control over his defensive mechanisms. He really didn't want to fight a battlemage, and not just because he might lose such a fight. Even if he won, things would be bad.
He took a step back while Lucas continued to explain himself, doing a good job of saying what needed to be said. The mage was right of course, they should not be fighting eachother. Outsiders were the enemy, not the established warriors of Marn. What had he been so afraid of anyway? He reminded himself that there was nothing in his own mind that he couldn't handle. It was a lie, but a lie he had to believe.
I am not your enemy. Concluded Lucas.
Camulous looked away as though he knew he was out of line, but retained a hardened, upset demeanor about him. He was too proud to full out apologize or even officially acknowledge that he'd done anything wrong.
"See that you don't do it again. Use your spells on them, not me. Next time I won't hold back."
He turned and grabbed the reigns of the horse that had been sent for him and mounted quickly without another word about the incident.
"Come on." He said, and kicked the horse's sides with his boots. It must have been a hard kick because the beast whinnied and took off in a hurry.
He took a step back while Lucas continued to explain himself, doing a good job of saying what needed to be said. The mage was right of course, they should not be fighting eachother. Outsiders were the enemy, not the established warriors of Marn. What had he been so afraid of anyway? He reminded himself that there was nothing in his own mind that he couldn't handle. It was a lie, but a lie he had to believe.
I am not your enemy. Concluded Lucas.
Camulous looked away as though he knew he was out of line, but retained a hardened, upset demeanor about him. He was too proud to full out apologize or even officially acknowledge that he'd done anything wrong.
"See that you don't do it again. Use your spells on them, not me. Next time I won't hold back."
He turned and grabbed the reigns of the horse that had been sent for him and mounted quickly without another word about the incident.
"Come on." He said, and kicked the horse's sides with his boots. It must have been a hard kick because the beast whinnied and took off in a hurry.