Assailant
“Well, something we can agree on already.” He could elaborate further, but the plainness of his tone is touched with just enough emotion to convey that Assailant also feels undeserving of the many years he’s been given. They are far more similar than either realizes, with their regrets of the past and silent laments of unfulfilled or unexceptional lives.
He watches the other carefully, still looking for the subtle changes in expression that might unveil recognition, for the unspoken thoughts that might linger at the tip of his tongue. The grey is well-schooled in maintaining his composure, but Assailant can’t help but notice a swallow that comes after mention of the Chamber, one that seems just a touch more difficult than the rest. Interesting.
He nods in recognition as Everclear offers some of his past in return; he is not surprised that the Chamber goes unmentioned, so he finds himself wondering what the other’s connection to it might be. But he leaves that for another day and addresses the subject of Everclear’s family instead.
A glint of amusement lights his eyes at Everclear’s feelings on being raised outside of the jungle and he nods again. “Yes, foolish indeed. Looking back though, many of our ideals and tenets were a bit harebrained. I really only know of the Amazons as any bystander might, but your mother’s name does sound familiar.. what of your father?” Ordinarily, he might not pry so deeply into another’s pedigree, but he cannot resist the urge to uncover whatever tenuous association they might share.
But for now, they turn their attentions to the present day, an era so disparate, not only in physicality, but also in philosophy, from the ones that birthed these two. Everclear asks for his opinion on the revival of several of the older kingdoms and he does not hesitate, for his feelings have not changed in the slightest.
“I don’t feel strongly one way or the other about the kingdoms. I never gave them much heed before and I don’t see that changing any time soon.” His thoughts drift briefly to the venture to resurrect Tephra; there is little doubt in his mind that his feelings would change if they succeeded in their quest.
But that is a matter for another day, so he continues, “I briefly considered aligning myself with the Forsaken Chamber when the kingdoms merged.. the Chamber was a familiar name, and I once had a daughter, Concessa, that ruled the Valley for a time. Of course, Beqanna had her own ideas of where I belonged..”
His gaze darkens as he recalls the decades spent within the bowels of the land, trapped and, without any magics of his own, unable to free himself. Only by the unintended grace of his cousin’s magic had he finally escaped his prison. However, his time since gaining his freedom has been somewhat well spent (or at least far more productive than ever before), so the darkness clears rather quickly and he presses on again, “Perhaps for the best, though, I don’t believe they would have found me up to standard, either morally or physically.”
He considers the possibilities for the future at the other’s prompting. Indeed, what might the kingdoms become next? For now, he does not see them as more than what the herd lands, or even the common lands, used to be.. quiet homes for families or individuals. But then, Beqanna is still recovering from the addition of Baltia and Stratos and the effects of their own personal war; it would be unwise to believe that the lands will rest in tranquility forever.
“I haven’t visited most of them, so I can’t really speak on the other kingdoms, but I did spend some time in the Dale and it’s peaceful. For now, anyway. I’m sure you know better than I, that history will eventually repeat itself. But I certainly wouldn’t mind if this period lasted for quite a long time.”
All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware
--Martin Buber
@
Everclear