Take Back the Crown

"Oh it's a sibling thing for sure." He chuckled before going on "I've seen worse situations between a couple of brothers I once knew. They literally beat the snot out of each other one night, over something stupid too. Next morning they got along just fine. I mean, they woke up in the infirmary together, and they laughed about how swollen each other's faces were. But still got along."


@Danika
 
"That happened with Alo and my sister, Yona, once." Valeiah nodded. "I watched them have a fistfight and then I healed both of them so our parents wouldn't find out. If they knew they'd fought like that they would've gotten roasted over the fire and served for dinner–" Valeiah cut herself off. She hadn't meant to say that. Her skin paled a bit. "I mean, they would've gotten in trouble. That's what I meant."


@GalacticRam
 
Bo was only paying attention to about 40% of the reactionary confusion that was unfolding in the room. He had enough confidence in the group to pull it together if it really mattered, and to sort it out in due time. Although he could not say where this confidence in their recently formed group came from though, besides that they'd gotten through everything else thrown their way thus far. It was impressive, really, especially considering that often, things felt like a bit of a mess. That was likely due to, at least in part, the mission wasn't set in stone (they were winging it), and that Kvacht was trying to stop them.


As everyone began to finally settle down and sit around the fire, his mind was racing. Contrary to what might've been expected, however, he'd managed to push the memories that were coming back to him aside (leaving them now, pounding at the door of his thoughts). He was actually thinking more and more about what Nameen meant by pointing to her eyes and saying it was the reason she came.


What could be so special about her eye? Does it somehow impair more than her sight? Is it like a bowman losing their arm, or a fairy losing it's wings? Is her eye special? Is it magical... like, my blood? Is it a human eye? How does she plan on fixing her eye? Can magic give her back her sight? What would she have to do to make that happen? Why does she think this journey would help her? Is there something about the crown and its magical properties that could heal her? Is the cure something money or riches could buy?





It was a welcome distraction for his mind to become obsessed with at the time, but it seemed that the clamour among thw geoup was beginning to die down. It seemed that Sverrir was going to address them all, or something. So he stepping in closer, sitting down near the outer edge of the group - on the floor, but facing the fire. He furrowed his brows, still pondering the mystery of Nameen's eye for a bit before finally determining to ask her about it later, when the time seemed right. He would try to share more as well... if he could.


He then set his attention on Sverrir, briefly looking around at the faces of their company. It seemed many of them were more relaxed, even among strangers and newcomers. It was nice - since he himself felt at peace with strangers. As long as those strangers weren't out to kill him, that is.


@/Rydellius
 
"I knew what you meant." He stated quietly, or at least he thought he had, until she corrected herself. He didn't find it out of the norm for her to say things that others usually would not. But for her to actually shy away after saying such a thing? Now that was something to worry about. He noticed how uneasy she became, wanting to understand why but not wanting to push too far. Instead, he simply stated "you can speak your mind to me anytime you like, if you like." That way she knew he would listen if the time came she wanted to talk to someone.


@Danika
 
Valeiah could still remember her sister's screams. It was what woke her up. And then she had been yanked out of bed by her father. At first she thought he was the reason her sister was screaming, that he'd tried to kill her and failed, or something of the sort. That he was dragging her away to do the same, but where it would be much more hush.


"Valeiah, stay here. I'm going to go after your mother and Alo. Do not follow me, you understand?"





Then he had run off again. But when he came back, he only brought Alo, who looked like he was about to throw up and cry at the same time.


"Where's mom?"





Valeiah blinked away a fog in her eyes. "I-I'm sorry, did you say something? I didn't hear."


@GalacticRam
 
He frowned in the slightest, the usual spunk had momentarily vanished from the girl's eyes, replaced with some sort of anguish. It was more than enough to break hisbown usual carefree demeanor. "We've all lost something. Different ways and different reasons." He spoke softly, patted her shoulder for a brief second before repeating himself "I was letting you know you can speak freely to me. You're not alone, and if you ever need an ear, I'll lend you mine."


@Danika
 
Valeiah sniffled a little bit. "Thank you..." It was easy to tell if something was wrong with her. Of course, lately, she always looked a little pained, because the screams she heard wouldn't just go away. It felt like someone stuffed the noise into her ears every time she had a moment to think by herself, and when she closed her eyes she saw bodies.


She tried to brighten up a bit, since she could tell he was a little worried. "Hoo-boy, am I excited for this feast or whatever they have planned." She smiled.


Though, she felt horribly sick to her stomach, and probably wouldn't eat much.


@GalacticRam
 
He dropped the subject, seeing as she clearly wanted to change it. He had gotten his point across, and offered a sympathetic smile before nodding his agreement "actually, I can't recall exactly how long it's been since our last real meal. Before the ship ride I think?"


@Danika
 
Valeiah was thankful for that.


"Yeah, I think so. How many days ago was that? Two?" She squinted. "The desert messed up my head even worse. That's the only explanation to why I can't remember." A tragedy.


@GalacticRam
 
"The scenery was so dull. Sun. Sand. Repeat. It was nice at first, but after the eighth tumbleweed, I thing I'd seen everything there was to see." He then grinned "well, until we got here that is. And I bet it's a lot livelier at night. When everything comes scurrying out of their home." He chuckled before perking up "have you heard of the big spiders that walk in people's shadows in desert areas?!"


@Danika
 
Now that the commotion had died down a bit, Thora turned her attention back to all of the dwarven mechanisms. Her nose twitched a bit at the smell of the cooking food. She hadn't had a good dwarven meal with good dwarven mead in decades. Her mouth watered at the thought. She kept herself distracted by the little gears and metals.


The stranger's arrival had interrupted her conversation with Phaedra. She had many great stories about her mountain and her dwarfs. But maybe it would have brought back a lot of sad memories. She didn't know for sure. Maybe it would be cathartic. She still wasn't sure.


@/TeeKay
 
The room was calming down once again, and its inhabitants slowly but surely found spots arranged around the now crackling fire. Unfortunately, with the calm emerged Nameen's previous headache in all of its glory. With the distraction that the bizarre stranger's entrance had provided now dwindling, she became much more away of her relentlessly pounding head.


Cloak abandoned and skin tingling despite all of her efforts to keep the sun off, Nameen set herself down near the edge of the room, while still sitting in her circle of companions. She fell against the wall, depending on it to keep her in a sitting position while she struggled to keep her one eye open. Eventually, she gave in to temptation and let it shut, while she focused on taking deep breaths to keep herself awake.


Inhale, exhale.


The thoughts flying against the walls of her mind also provided the assurance that she wouldn't doze off. Mostly they were centred around her vague yet impacting confession to Bo, about her eye.


He probably thinks I'm selfish now, only here for my own benefit, she pondered bitterly. She quickly drew assurance from herself. He doesn't know a thing. He doesn't know the help it might be able to give-


Nameen opened her eye. Might was certainly the word of emphasis in that sentence. Truth be told, in recent days she'd been thinking much less about regaining her eye's gift, (if it was one) and much more about how it would benefit the quest if she had it. There was always a looming shadow over the possibility however. The Eye could be a dangerous gamble, if she didn't play it right.


Turning her attention away from her own inner conflict, Nameen focused back on the situation at hand. Even though she was aware of how dreadful she probably looked, she remained silent and slumped against the wall, waiting for someone to speak.
 
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When everyone that had jumped into action returned to their seats, Sverrir cleared his throat. He muttered to himself for a moment, trying to remember where he had been before being interrupted.


"Ah! Yes!" He finally blurted out as it came back to his memory, everyone in the room went quiet, "As I was saying, I think I know where one of these missing pieces is located!" He leaned closer to the group, "Would the areas around it have concentrated power by any chance?" The dwarf asked aloud, but directed it more at Svetlana since she knew more about it then the rest.


"Yes." Svetlana stated, "After ten years, I would assume the area around the stone would be thriving with magic energy, perhaps even causing strange happenstances since its power is no longer tethered. It was once harnessed by the crown after all."


The dwarf nodded, "That's what I thought..." He paused before continuing, "I believe this stone you're looking for is in a place we call the Trinid. It's a pyramid located northwest of here, farther up the passing. It sits atop the canyons, a relic of an ancient past. My fellow scavengers and I tried to enter it once, but we were attacked by a beast! It drove us away. No treasure was worth facing that thing!"


"I would guess that is the guardian of the stone." Svetlana thought out loud, the dwarf nodded.


"At least it's doing it's job well." He said with a shrug, "It had the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle, but the face of a woman!"


Svetlana raised an eyebrow, "A sphinx?... I thought they died out long ago."


"Well, whatever it was, it was alive and kicking... or should I say swiping- at us!" He huffed, "So that's where I think you should look. If some extinct creature is guarding the entrance to a giant magical temple, it's bound to hold something mystical."


"But for now, you should focus on replenishing your hunger and sleeping comfortably for the night." He added, brushing his beard, "I want to fix those caravans of yours before you go, and that might take me a day or two."


Svetlana nodded, though her mind wandered. If a sphinx was guarding the temple, gaining the stone would probably require a game of riddles with fatal consequences. But their company was large and had many brilliant minds that could work together if they really tried. They could do this, she knew it. Yaroslav put his hand on her shoulder which brought her attention back to the group, "Alright... For tonight, we will eat a good meal, rest well, gather our strength. Since we will not be moving out for awhile, I would suggest you all take the time to clean up, your body, your clothes. In fact, do that after we have filled out bellies. The dwarves do have bath houses that are powered by water... even though they never use them..." She smirked at Sverrir who merely glared in return, "Tend to your armor and your weaponry, we will not often get chances such as these. So savor it while it lasts!" She dismissed the group. Oh, how lovely it would be to get a bath and smell clean again. They had been traveling for a couple weeks now, and none of them had bathed within that time, "Oh, I do have soap somewhere in the supplies. I'll get you all sorted after we've eaten. I am sure you are all just itching to get a warm bath." No pun intended.


@ everyone because I'm guessing all the characters are gathered round the fire
​
 
Thora's pointed ears perked at the sound of a bath. Oh how she had missed dipping her body into warm water. It wasn't that she minded bathing in rivers for she didn't mind the cold, but there was something calming about the heat. She hadn't had a warm bath, well as could be guessed, when there were still dwarfs on her mountain. She wasn't sure if she was more excited for the food or the bath now
 
Foxrun had been about to make another joke about the spider when the others finally spoke up. Apparently everybody had gathered while he was too distracted with the conversation. He did cut off however, giving his full attention to those speaking. A riddle? Oh great. He had heard many riddles sure, maybe even out riddled some fairies in their little games. But a sphinx? They were said to be some of the hardest riddles possible. Which made sense because they guarded very precious temples or tombs, and of course this stone was very precious. He actually sighed, and then getting pass the sphinx, who knew if the old pyramid had any hidden traps? At least they had skilled thieves among them, and those light on their feet, who would be a great help if it came to those sort of things.


Upon hearing the rest? He glanced down at his own sand caked clothing, grimacing. And he could only imagine what sort of nightmare his hair was. After the shipwreck he hadn't had a chance to maintain it. Merely threw it up in its usually half ponytail. He would probably have to hunt for that band now, or even cut it loose from his hair. At this, his frown only deepened. Since when did he even care about this stuff anyways?? Even after the news they just received, about the challenge that awaited, he was worried about being dirty? He had never given thought about being a mess before, which only made it bother him even worse that he was now. He huffed with his growing irritation before pushing it from his mind. At least their smell seemed to fit in around here, according to the jibe Svetlana had made towards sverrir. Even he couldn't hide a grin at that thought. "So, my knowledge on sphinx, sphinx-es?" He paused, baffled for a moment "whatever the plural form is! Im not sire how much I've heard about them, is actually real? Fairies are sort of hard to learn from. I know I've heard about a serpents head as their tail? So is that real, or not? And this riddle, if we answer it right, it lets us pass, and wrong, it will try to kill us, right?" He directed the questions to both of the elders before them. He knew he must sound strange with all the questions, but he really just wanted to know what to expect. Seeing such a beast actually seemed like an honor in a twisted way for him. Sure it was troublesome...But it must be a wonderous sight! Of course, his questions also came from the curiosity he never seemed to be able to hide.


@Lo Alyssa
 
Svetlana brightened up at the questions, "No, I believe it's the chimera that has a snake for a tail. And yes! Yes, it will probably end up being a fatal game of riddles we'll need to solve. I am not sure how many she will actually ask us though." The old woman mused, "I suppose there's only one way to find out." She glanced at the fae with a side smile and a chuckle, "How good are your puzzle solving skills?"

​



 
The realization sank in as soon as she said it. The sphinx could easily ask a riddle for each person to pass! Which undoubtedly, if only one were to fail with providing a valid answer, they would all feel it's wrath. Because none of them would stand idle as their comrade would be under attack. "I would like to think I'm fairly alright at it. Not the best, but certainly better than average. But that's all thanks to the little brats that would make you answer riddles just to get in your own pockets!" He chuckled, unfortunately he wasn't joking either. "And I s'pose you're right. We will have to wait to see." He then quickly asked "speaking of seeing. Is it odd that I'm in awe about seeing such a creature? I mean, I feel like I should probably be worried. maybe scared? But I seem to only feel respect for it?"


@Lo Alyssa
 

Phaedra closed her eyes, listening carefully to every word spoken, allowing them to fill her head and push out the more obtrusive thoughts that occupied her mind. The thought of a battle of wits against a fabled Sphinx was tantalizing for a thrill seeker such as herself, but to be with others who may not possess as keen of a mind - or simply cannot perform intellectually under immense pressure - it may end poorly for their group. Hopefully, they would not be met with violence upon their approach as Sverrir had mentioned his encounter had gone. Perhaps with the princess - the inheritor of the Crown of Algoran - they would avoid violence. Maybe. She gave a side glance to a few within their group, noting their more aggressive natures. Hopefully, they would approach the Sphinx with reverence. From the stories she had heard and what little she had read of them, the creatures demanded respect and did not take otherwise very kindly.

At the sound of a warm bath, her eyes shot open and an involuntary sigh of relief escaped her lips. It had been weeks since she had a proper bath and she would relish this moment. Phaedra had already decided she would soak for a nice long while in the bathhouse after eating, though she was tempted to just leave the meal behind and do just that for the rest of the night until she was a prune (or a wrinkled blueberry, really). Perhaps then she could actually speak to Thora about her time with the dwarves and her home in the mountains. But, if only to be polite to their hosts and, more likely, because her stomach growled very loudly in protest to her thoughts, she decided she would wait to bathe.

Hearing Foxrun's questions about the Sphinx, she regarded him more warmly. It indicated to her that, because of his interest, he must hold at least an inkling of respect for the creature and his own words confirmed that thought for her. Phaedra nodded.

"You should feel scared. They aren't creatures to be trifled with and, from what I've read, are fairly no nonsense." She spoke with some measure of confidence, remembering what she had read about the beasts. "But I relate with feeling only respect and awe for them. They have a commanding presence and can make the most valuable of allies. I have never heard of one that has gone back on its word. It will be an honor to see one in the flesh."

Phaedra gave a small smile to the fae, enjoying having a kindred spirit within the group. He did stand beside her during a conflict that, perhaps, she should have let slide and never started, but she deeply appreciated it nonetheless.

@GalacticRam
​
 
Having retained his composure since the offering of beef jerky (which was gone in a matter of seconds, not a trace of it evident on his gloves), Hans was quietly sitting, letting all of the information around him sink in, with a heavily focused glance on everyone that brought up something that was remotely important sounding. His eyebrows quivered with intrigue at all of the vast topics that he's never heard of before. All these different kinds of 'people' fascinated him. Not being able to tell if they were different species or races of people, he just dismissed everyone in the room as 'human'- for that's all he knew, and most of all, understood.


Entwining his fingers together in thought, sitting cross-legged on the floor from where he originally plowed into the room, he raised his hands up to his lips and stared contemplatively at the ground. His brow tensed as he audibly mumbled to himself, "what does zhis all mean..." "zurely, zhis doesn't..." "magik doesn't exist..." "humanz are zhe only race..." "... muzt be a trick..."


Unfolding his hands and leaning on his fist, the other hand falling to his boot to pick out some debris he'd gotten from his journey in the desert, he thought even harder, recalling his studies and again, audibly mumbling to himself about how nothing he'd read ever talked about other beings. But then again, what he never realized were that all the books he'd ever read were by humans, about humans, to humans, for reference on their own outdated development and culture... To this day, he'd read all about only this, and it seemed that he would only believe to what the borders of this world let him believe. Anything beyond that was "completely illogical", he'd mumble to himself over and over, dismissing magic for smoke-and-mirrors acts, and different species as humans in costume for whatever odd reasoning. He stopped mumbling and looked up to the crowd in the room again, remaining silent for more information on this weird society he fell into.
 
He perked up, turning to the sylph as she spoke up. It felt a bit nice to finally redeem himself after his poor joke from moments ago. He offered a smile in return "well, it's reassuring to know I give it it's due respect despite not even being near it yet. As well as that I am not alone in doing so." He stated before chuckling "I've seen a variety of creatures and species. And then heard of even more. But as said, it can be a bit difficult to discern what is truth and what is a trick from some of the other fae beings I grew up around. But I found it easier to hold such creatures with a certain respect. I can actually say it's gotten me out of some tight situations."


@TeeKay
 
"I once met a sphinx. We had quite a nice conversation." Kacel'la piped up. "They are truly magnificent beings. But she did end up almost eating me once I stepped on her tail..."
 

"To be honest with you, I haven't encountered very many fae or magical creatures in person." Phaedra tilted her head slightly, turning her body slightly to let Kacal'la know she had acknowledged her input. "I would be very excited to meet one despite the very real possibility of death."

Though the sentence may be perceived as grim to others, she found no reason to sugar coat the reality of it. They weren't known to be forgiving creatures, after all. Still, her nonchalant way of saying it may have been slightly disconcerting. Either she wasn't fully aware of her fear of death or she had made her peace with it. Which ever it was, it wasn't fully apparent. In truth, Phaedra wasn't bothered at all by it. Perhaps that would change when she was face-to-face with death once more.

She inhaled deeply as she picked up the scent of fresh homemade food wafting in through the doors and her stomach grumbled loudly once more. A hand subconsciously moved to rest on her empty stomach and she sighed, continuing seamlessly where she had left off, semi-successfully ignoring her hunger.

"I haven't even met an air elemental, oddly enough."

@L1d1ja @GalacticRam
​
 
"Stepped on its tail?" He actually laughed a bit "you must be extremely light on your feet or have high luck, to be here today." He motioned to the elf. Then seemed a bit shocked at Phaedra's words. "Really? That seems odd seeing as you're one yourself." He then frowned a bit, recalling how defensive she had gotten about being called a half-breed before. "I only have had such opportunities to meet remarkable beings and creatures through either my mother and this nice fae village she took me to. Or from some unfortunate events, though grim, they did allow me to learn unforgettable things." He admitted the last part hesitantly, obviously choosing his words carefully, as it was clear it was a touchy subject for himself to speak of.


@L1d1ja @TeeKay
 

Phaedra merely shrugged in response. It didn't seem to test her patience at all as far as Foxrun could tell. She seemed unusually indifferent, if anything at all.

"Only half." She gave a small, amused smile, noticing the small amount of hesitation Foxrun had in reference to it. "But I never knew my mother. Or my father, for that matter. I believe whoever he was, he was just a fleeting night of curiosity for her. Sylphs are famously reclusive and they choose not to reveal themselves to me."

It did hurt her to admit this, but it was a simple truth. She almost felt it was more desirable to hold no attachment to parents or a loving family. At least she didn't have to deal with the pain of losing them. That's what she kept telling herself to keep herself from hurting, at least.

Phaedra listened to Foxrun, nodding and taking note of his reluctance to share more of the latter. Choosing to tip-toe around it, she still wanted to sate her curiosity and went a slightly different route.

"Oh? A fae village? Is this the one you spoke of with the children you cared for? Is that where you grew up?"

She silently hoped that this wasn't a touchy subject as she seemed to be prone to touching on subjects that people weren't keen on speaking about. Phaedra couldn't help but want to get to know these people though. She felt alone. She was surrounded by strangers and it was becoming decidedly more difficult to cope with that fact, despite her refusal to realize that this was truly how she felt.

@GalacticRam
​
 
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