Swordsong rang through the forest, there was a fight going on. The combatants were a few brigands and a well armed individual with a massive warhammer. though the Man was quite outnumbered at four to one, he held his ground.
"Tell me you rogues, what made you decide to attack a blind man?" The man asked, trying to start a friendly conversation in a not so friendly fight, parrying one blow and retaliating with another.
"Twas that coin purse you carry." one stated, sidestepping the head of the hammer, he was weary of the massive head but the man seemed to be more or less non-aggressive, for now, "Are you sure you're blind? Your too good at this."
"Yes, I am very blind, but you four make a large bit of noise in your armor so I know where you are." He lied, he then thrust the hammer butt into the stomach of one of the brigands, following through with a high swing aimed at the temple, the rogue died instantly. "Whose next?"
"What the hell? You killed him!" the pause that was associated with that brigand's exclaim got him a blow to the knee, shattering it, and a swift blow to the temple, snuffing out his light/
"What, you attack me then expect me to let you live? Life doesn't work like that. You attack a Guildfist you die, that is a fact of life."
The two remaining brigands looked at each other, this man was a Guildfist? Deciding not to test if what the man said was true, they ran.
"So bothersome" baldur sighed as he returned his hammer to it's hold on it's back. "How long are you intending to stand there Elf?" he said to the newcomer.
Tass, let lose two arrows, on the two men fleeing. " Never turn your back on your enemy" She said more to her self, as she walked over and retrieved her arrows. She reluctantly looked at the man standing there, He fought well for a blind man. " Blind huh?" She said returning her bow to her back. She walked a bit eyeing the man as if taking his measure. " You see well for a blind man, I would say your either not blind or you see in some other way. "
Tass toyed with her hair as she stood there staring at the man. She had decided he wasn't a threat but that didn't mean he wasn't. She had never heard of a Guildfist, but these men seemed to fear him once he said it. and how he handled himself showed the man knew how to fight. Tass, just hoped she didn't have to fight the hulk of a man.
"I can rule out one of your theories." Baldur moved his hands to the back of his head, removing the black blindfold and looking in the woman's direction. His eyes were highly unfocused and clouded over, pigmentation devoid from his retina. "Still believe that I am not blind?" he returned the blindfold over his eyes and started to circle the girl.
"Tis rather an odd occurrence to be attack by brigands, tis very queer to have those routed brigands shot down. Nonetheless you saved me the trouble of hunting them down so I thank you, my name is Baldur Guildfist, might I ask you yours?"
She was surprised, he was blind. " Most call me Tass" She said looking at him as he started to circle him, keeping an eye at her. He was right, it was odd, but it was purely luck. " I think its good luck that I happened to approach when I heard your swordsong, and someone needed to put down fools" Tass, shook her head. Her curiosity was getting the best of her. She had to ask, so she did. " So what is so special about an Guildfist that it inspires two men fighting a blind man to run away so suddenly? " She was truly interested, as she had never heard of a Guildfist and this man was part of their family or something with his last name.
Tass just smiled and waited warily following the man with her eyes, only turning if she needed to. She would not let him have her back. She would not let him leave her sight, she didn't want to risk anything. This was one of those moments where the wrong move can get you killed.
"Well Tass," Baldur began, still circling and beginning to talk with his hands, "If you have never heard the name Guildfist then I can only assume that you know not of Guildfist Castle. A beautiful Mont carved from a mountain in the Thunderbacks, near impossible to get to in one piece if you know not the way. I was headed there actually, before I was attacked. Anyway, Guildfist castle is home to a very elite group of warriors, named the Guildfist. Their attacking force rivals that of the roaming religion Cleara Verdad. If you come to the castle capable to fight, they take you in. If and when you leave you are a force to be reckoned with. That would be why they ran. Enter a boy and he will leave a man. I was born as a Guildfist, my mother being a descendent of the original clan."
" Impressive, May I accompany you and see this place if it is as impressive as you say it is, perhaps I could learn a thing or two. " Tass said wondering if she really meant it or not. A group the size of the verdad.... That was impressive. and he was a descendant, that explained it. She went through her options at the moment and it seemed leave or follow as her only ones.
A group of elite warriors.. She wondered if they would show her something or perhaps she was too seasoned.. or maybe they didn't take woman.. or elves. She had come up with a million reasons why he would say no. Yet not a single reason why he would say yes. She just waited, wondering what his next move would be. Not wanting to break the silence as it was better than saying something foolish.
"That is a very good question." Baldur paused, pondering over what to do, "Guildfist normalites require one to find their own way to the Mont. But you did help me." He was silent for a moment. Be was thinking. Finally after a moment, he spoke up. "I can guild you to the Castle, but I cannot help you with any of the obstacle that await us on the path."
Tass shrugged " That is no problem I am more than capable of taking care of my self. " She wondered what the worse that could show its face anyways, a well armed party such as them would surely deter most. Tass looked him over. "Well shall we go? unless you wish to loot these fools. " She didn't like lingering in one spot on the roads, it was a bad idea unless you were with a large group or absolutely sure that all was fine.
Tass smiled as she waited wondering where this castle was, surely it couldn't be that hard to find and get into. I mean she had gotten this far.
"It's still a three day journey to the Thunderbacks from here. I would like to get to the Mont posthaste. So I shan't loot them. Besides I have little use for money and I love my armor so all is well. if you want to loot them then go ahead. I won't wait for you though." With that he walked onward.
Tass laughed as she followed him with no delay, There wasn't a chance she was going to risk losing the man. Also she had no need for their loot, She had all she needed at the moment. " So what brought you away from your castle? " She was sort of curious why the man had left.
It was a funny thing how one could just start traveling with someone after a short encounter. Tass just kept walking, keeping up with the man wondering how he knew where they were going. It was going to be interesting following an blind man to some grand location such as they were. It was no wonder the man was attacked, maybe he was aimlessly wondering due to his blindness or something.
Baldur kept up a brisk pace, obviously avoiding any gnarled roots on the path. "Simple and Selfish reasons. Life in Guildfist castle is fairly isolated. I wanted to see the world, but as I quickly learned. The world is very pretty but filled with ugly people, like those that would attack a blind man making his way home. But I wouldn't let that deter me. The reason I'm heading back is I miss my home, I'm eager to see it again."
Tass nodded and kept up, having no problem keeping up with the human's pace. " I agree, that is an apt description of the world. " She smiled and looked around, keeping an eye out, She hoped that they weren't going to be a target again. The disadvantage of traveling with company, is that she couldn't as stealthily walk among the woods. She liked to sneak up on her foe, so she could use her bow. She was good with it. Better than with her whip.
Tass, knew what he meant, home was a wonderful place, and she sometime wished she could go home. That was neither now or there, so she kept up with Baldur. It was going to be a long trip she felt.
The two walked in silence for a while, not really must to say, and a vast number of reasons to be listening. Finally, as the sun started to set, did Baldur slow down, still yet to stop. "If you are intent on joining the Guildfist then you should know, people have died trying to make a claim to our name. Guildfist training is brutal, even more so to outsiders. Also we base most things on symbolism, such as the name Guildfist. It's a reference to our origins. We were once a Mighty guild of warriors, so much so that the dwarves decided to build us a permanent home. Carving it out of the the mountain and build the castle city under the ground. Our emblem became an international symbol for aggression, which at the time it was a fist. Somewhere along the line we took the name Guild of Fists which was later shortened to Guildfist. Another form of Symbolism is our weapons, in Guildfist custom, if you can trust you weapon to save your life, you give it a name. My Hammer has the name Animos, which is two references, Animos is Asgardian for Courage, but it is short for Animosity. The symbolism is the balance between bravery, fear, aggression, temperament, and cruelty." He stopped his speech but kept walking.
Tass listened, she could tell the man was very serious about the Guildfists. " Such a history and I have never heard of them, I feel ignorant. " She was afraid, she could take anything they could throw at her, she felt confident of her bow, and a bit of her work with her whip. " I am in awe, you make me doubt my ability, to be honest. The sound of your group of warriors is great, and their history sounds amazing. "
Tass had never named her weapons, both of elven make, they were elegantly made yet strong and deadly. She would not take anything less then them. It was a present from her family when she left, they wished they would serve her well. She had never found weapons that had equaled them as most craft of men left her wondering how they called them weapons , but as she looked at his hammer, she knew that it was a great weapon.
"That's the point." he still continued to walk, the darkness becoming onset. "You come to us doubting, or longing, or weary. all of which can lead to demise. The Guildfist will iron it out of your, make you courageous, wise, powerful. With out help you can turn a handicap into an advantage. But be warned, Doubtful, longing, and intrusting will lead to death, if you show any sign one of those, we will use it to break you. A broken man has can do one of two things, fix themselves, or give up. The former is near impossible an the latter is lethal. We will try to break you, but that is because mended steel is stronger then tempered steel. Very few of those that have been broken have fixed themselves, but they are the strongest of us all, normally marked with the title of Princ-" Something was following them, fifteen paces to the right. Baldur grabbed Animos off his back. "We have company, friends of the brigands I would assume. Proceed with caution but don't stop walking."
Tass grabbed her whip, and kept walking, she had to show her strength to this man. Something about him demanded the best of you. She waited and wondered what might be creeping up on her, and was ready to snap her whip at whatever may creep up towards her. She wanted to make an impression on the man, and feigned a limp as she kept walking, as if she had stepped on something. Wondering if it would goad the men to man up and show themselves. They had slowed compared to their old speed but she wondered if her decision was a good on or not, its what she would do had she been alone.
Baldur walked on, Animos ready in his hand. "If they are only stalking us, then we will push on through the night, stopping to rest would be resigning ourselves to death. If they are waiting to attack, get ready for a fight, We will find out which it is up here, there is a clearing about five minutes ahead of us, if there are archers, stay behind me and pick them off, leave any close combatants to me. Do you understand?" He wasn't asking, he was ordering. They would live or die by his decision. the Former was more attractive an option.
Tass listened and let her whip rest on her hip, It was his order, so she would follow it. She pulled out her bow and kept walking, Her bow out, she prayed silently and hoped they would survive. She kept up their pace and stopped the limp. Tass then held her breath as they entered the clearing, She looked around wondering if there were anyone, but no one was near by, It was errie. She shook her head and prepared her self for a long night. The perks of stalking is if they didn't rest, the hunters became just as tired as the prey.
Once through the clearing, Baldur sped up. "They are stalking us, the farther out we get, the safer we are. I have a plan but we will have to wait till the darkest hours of the night, we shall act when the moon sets." Baldur did not relax his hammer though. Nor would he.
Tass nodded and kept up the pace, She was fine, and only a little tired, elves seemed to handle these sort of situations better. Tass just kept up her hands on her bow, with an arrow half notched. She wondered what his plan was, surely it was mad, but then again as long as the moon was out a little, she could see. She could see now just as well as any other time but she knew that wasn't the same for humans. She spoke a little. " Just know if its too dark, elves can't see either, " Knowing he had some sort of blind sense.
Tass wondered if he knew if she was an elf. She didn't know the extent of his sight. She did know that he had a good ear, Baldur had detected the followers before she had. It was sort of embarassing to her, as she took pride in such skills usually.
"this path continues to go straight, once the moon sets, stay on the path. I'm counting on the fact that once the moon sets they won't be able to see. Remember when I said a handicap can become an advantage? Well my handicap was my sight, but it is now it is my advantage if you can understand that." The moon set and they were plunged into darkness, Baldur stopped walking, not that anyone would notice, least of all the stalkers. After a moment's wait he took off, stealthily stalking the stalkers.
A few moments later and there was a loud, resounding impact followed by another then a third.
"No. no no nononononono! Stop! STOP! GET AWAY FROM MEEEEEEEE-" the fourth and final impact cut off the brigands screams from the night.
Baldur made his way back to Tass, placing his hands on her shoulders and pressing her forward silently. "There are others nearby." he whispered, steering her forward on the path, "Stay quite and for god's sake don't trip."
Tass was impressed, while not being able to see a thing is new, He was able to use his weakness as an advantage, where we were all blind, he was able to see. " Impressive" She stayed close to him, and kept walking forward taking care not to trip, She didn't want to have to explain that to him.
Tass then cursed a bit as she almost tripped on a root. " what can you see? " She was curious.. what was the limit of his apparent sight.
"Anything that is close enough to matter." Baldur pulled her to a stop as a group of Brigands crossed the path in front of them, Pushing he forward once they were gone. "I have what's call Omnipathism, it can only be achieved via blindness, basically it's a perfect sight, I can see anything within thirty feet." He kept pushing her forward, they were losing the brigands, at least it seemed that way.
" When you say see, what do you mean, do you see as I do? or just know their there.. or something else?" she said glad he was there to guide her. This would be a different fight had he not been there, she might even be dead. She hoped they could get out of here soon. Tass had no desire to keep being chased, but the fact remained they could be forced to run the whole three days.
"To put it more accurately, I am omniscient of what happens within a thirty foot radius. We are almost out of this forest, I doubt that they will follow us farther then it's border." Baldur lead her out of the forest and into a more rocky terrain, he then guided them to a rather large boulder and ducked down behind it. "We should be safe here."
Tass was so glad to be in a safe spot, though she was unsure what they would do here, rest? for the night? a while? She sort of stood there not sure what he wanted to do, if he rested she would, as an elf's reverie left them able to be aware of their surrondings. " So you know whats going on, and where people are in a thirty foot radius. " She was impressed and realized she still clung to her bow.
"We should rest here, the next two days should be fairly uneventful." And they were. After that night they didn't see another Brigand and they spent most of their time walking on high ledges next to cliffs with a sheer drop, falling would mean death. The entire time they were atop the mountains Baldur ran his hand along the wall of the mountain, until finally, they came to a crevice in the rock.
"And this would be why the Guildfist castle is near impossible to find. This crevice is the opening to the path to it." He took Animos off his back and slid into the breach in the rock, "take off your bow before you enter here, or it will most surely break." and with that he was gone into dark void of the opening.
Tass judged the man mad, but took off her bow and followed him, She had spent the last two days studying the man, and following him. He was interesting to say the least. Tass had a mind to wonder if she was insane for going to this place as they headed up the mountain. Well she would learn soon, and here she was going through a tight crevice wondering what she had gotten herself into.
After a few moments squeeze, them found themselves in a room lit with glowing crystals. On the other side of the room was a hole in the wall, large enough for someone to stick their arm in. "To continue on this path, you have to reach you hand in there and pull one of the two latches, one opens the way, to other drops a heavy weight on your hand, crushing it if not severing it off completely. The obstacle was designed to help you make tough choices and teach fearlessness." That of course was not the case, both latches opened the way forward, this obstacle was actually about resolve.
Tass, put her bow back on her back and approached the hole. " hmm crush my hand huh... I came this far" She put her arm in and felt the two latches. She held her breath and pulled the latch. She winched expecting a weight to crush her hand.. but it didn't come. She let go of her breath and looked at Baldur. " I can't believe my luck..." She thanked the gods, and then waited for Baldur to motion them into the next room, it seemed that this was all a giant test. Oh joy she thought.
Baldur led them into the next room, there was a chasm that went down so far the bottom could not be seem, and flowing into the chasm was a grand and powerful waterfall. "The obstacle is a test of mind and body, seven feet out and four feet down is a cave behind the waterfall, you miss that cave, you're done." He took two steps back then ran up to the ledge, planting both feet on the very edge before shooting off into the waterfall.
Tass shook her head and looked at the waterfall. " Well now or never" Tass, backed up and ran and got a good jump, and most likely crashing into whatever might be past the water fall as her body seemed to keep running a few feet as she landed in the cave entrance. " No wonder no one tries to besiege you." She couldn't wait to find out what the next task was. She was sure it was most likely just as crazy.
"This isn't the only path in, it's just the most obvious, ergo why we set up the obstacles here." They walked onward through the tunnel, coming to another large room with a torch of white flame inn the middle and unlit torches to the side. Baldur picked up one of the unlit torches and passed it over the white flame. "This is Vita Flamma, the life flame." He produced a knife and slit his finger, allowing a drop to fall into the flame on his torch, the flame turned to a radiant royal blue. He then wiped the blade off and passed it to her. "You should do the same."
Tass shrugged and took a unlit torch lighting it quickly. "hmm.." She cut her finger and dropped it on the flame which turned the same radient blue as Baldurs She wiped the blade off on her armor, and looked at him wondering what it was suppose to mean. So the flame changed color... It didn't tell her much.
Her flame turning the same color as his was, unexpected to say the least. "The Vita Flamma is a representation of life. Your flame represents your life, and won't go out unless you die. Usually, the color of the flame is unique to each person, tis very uncommon for two people to share the same color. Anyway, Once we get to the castle, you will go to the hall of flames and set you your torch. That is the first step to being a Guildfist. Come on, we're almost to the castle." He lead them out of the room and into the open air. They were overlooking the castle and what a sight it was, the high walls of the mountain surrounded the castle making a wide basin by which it stood. the entire castle was carved our of the mountain by the dwarves then an entire city carve beneath it. "Welcome the Guildfist Castle Tass." then he started down the trail to the gate.
Tass. smiled and beheld the sights in wonder. it was beautiful and she couldn't.believe it. she followed him carrying her torch and wondering if anything was meant by having the same color torch. it was odd for sure bit surely it didn't mean anything
As the two the two of them approached the gates a voice called our the them, "Halt! Who goes there?"
Baldur raised his torch. "A Brother in Arms and a newcomer."
The owner of the voice came down from the gate. "M'lord I deeply apologize." He turned to face the gate. "Raise the Gate! All Hail the return of Prince Baldur!" A loud horn was sounded followed by another and another. Soon horns could be heard all throughout the basin. The guard then turn to Tass. "you miss, why do you bear the flame of our eldest prince?"
Baldur placed a hand on the man's shoulder. "Peace be with ye, that is her own flame." The guard looked stunned. "Now tell me, what news do you have of the other princes and how is my mother?"
The guard looked very sullen all of a sudden. "The flames of Prince Izen, Prince Hod, and Prince Axenel have all gone out. And Queen Radia has grown ill, her flame weakens M'lord." The other princes have died and the queen has grown sick, it seems that Baldur returned in the nick of time.
"Take us to her."
"Yes M'lord." the guard began to lead the way to the Queen's quarters.
Tass didn't know what to think... Why did she bear the flame of their.... wait prince, He was a prince and she had the same color as him? What did that mean, her mind was filled with such questions. Then she heard about his family... How aweful to know your family was in such dire straights, Her heart went out to the man she hadn't known for long but Tass knew he was a brave and wise one.
She only wished she could not disappoint him, as something about him, made it so you wanted to try you best. She didn't know what it was. Tass, hoped that queen was ok, and followed unsure of what else to do. "These flames are that special? " She managed to squeak out as she followed the guard feeling as if they were all staring at her and her blue torch.
"The flames are the basis for everything in Guildfist Custom. remember how I said our attacking force marvels that of Cleara Verdad? Well that is just for those that have train here and can fight in our name, in all actuality a few thousand people live here, either in the lower sections of he castle or in the ever expanding city beneath the castle. While cities in other nations build out, we build down. But anyway, every person that lives here. Each has a flame, most people keep them in their homes, but none of them have a color that matches another. Mine is a royal blue, there have been some that are white with a black source, or vise versa. Not even parent and child will have the same color. But when it does happen, people say their fates are intertwined. It's also a symbol that references the first king and queen of this castle, their colors were the same, it has only happened twice since, one with two commoners that lived in the city, and my mother and father. People with either be shocked and respect you, perhaps push you to try harder, or they will not believe you, especially since your flame is the same color as mine." Baldur explained.
As they walked, people followed with their eyes in a stunned silence, to think that some newcomer has the same flame as the prince, it was nigh unbelievable for some.
Tass took it in, fate intertwined? Did that mean she was suppose to marry him or something because.. She didn't think of the man before her like that... She put that to rest know it just meant they would fight together and maybe Baldur would train her, she thought, he seemed nice perhaps he would.
Tass didn't know what she would do if left to her own devices in this place. She felt the eyes, and tried to hold her head up like she didn't care. She was just an elf here to learn how to fight like Baldur. She forced a smile and kept up with him and the guard. " I am sorry for your losses, It must be hard to learn the fate of your family. "
Tass took a deep breath and took another step. She just had to keep up and not let the stares get to her. Not think about what the color might mean. She regretted ever coming here, it was too much, she was just a simple elf who wanted to better herself.
"Do not apologize. Death is not the end, just the required means to a new beginning, I will see my brothers again. My only prayer is that they were given a proper funeral." As they walked four other guard came to their sides, forming a perimeter around Baldur and Tass. They came up to the main road leading up to the castle, a small river running through the town with bridges running over it in various places.
"The river is fed by a spring on the edge of the mountain, the river feeds an underground lake at about a mile underground, that lake has recently been used to give running water to the castle, our three smith lords really are brilliant." Baldur said, pointing out the river. The entourage came into the castle, the two rear guard staying at the castle gate. Baldur dismissed the other guard, he knew the way he just didn't want to be swamped by citizens after just having returned. Outside the Queen's Chamber, Baldur turned to Tass, "Wait here."
He was inside the room for a long while, before he came out, another man came out, his face sullen and looked like he was about to cry. "The Queen has died." The man turned and left as Baldur came out. "I'm going to train you myself, but you will have to wait. There are more important matters to deal with now."
Tass was overwhelmed again.. She took in the sights of the town. The river, the idea of how massive this city was. That was when they arrived at a room, She figured as much and entered reverie as she waited. Not wanting to waste her time waiting, she was fine with however long the man needed with his mother.
Tass got up quickly as the men came out and looked to Baldur. " Of course Baldur, I will do whatever is required of me. " She was glad, to know that at least there would be some form of stability, She didn't want to be thrown amongst strangers just yet. She wondered if there were any other elves among the people here . She then looked to Baldur and wondered if he was going to send her off with a guard, or keep her with him. She was new to this whole castle business, having live mostly in the wilderness, this whole idea of royalty and such was overwhelming her to think she was in a castle with the Prince/king where the queen just died. It was a lot to take in and she only hoped she could keep it together. She was just a wanderer the day before.
"Bring your torch and come with me, we are going to the smith lords." On the way out of the hall, Baldur approached one of the guard, "Prepare a nautical pyre for tomorrow." The guard nodded and went off to do is duty. Baldur walked in silence for a while, leading to the Smith's Den at the center of the castle. "We have three smith lords, an Elven smith, a dwarven smith, and a human smith. Each a master in their own respect. My hammer is a combined effort of all three."
Once in the Smith's Den, Baldur knocked on the counter. "Musica! I know your back there, come on out."
After a moment, a man that looked to be in their late twenties came around to the counter, he had three piercings over his right eyebrow and a silver necklace with what looked to be a sword for a pendent. "Well hello Baldur, nice of you to return alive."
Baldur raised an eyebrow, "You never doubted me for a moment."
"Of course not, not in this lifetime at least." The two men clasp hands and grinned at each other.
"Tass, this is Musica, the Human Smith Lord. Also my best friend." Musica eloquently bowed.
"Any friend of Baldur is a friend of mine. Might I see your flame, lass?"
Tass shrugged and held out her flame its blue light was something she had learned to accept. " Sure, I am Tass, It is a pleasure to meet you. " She looked around at the smith's den. " I will have to get to know your elven smith, and find out where he learned his craft! " She hoped he was an elf, which was probably likely, seeing how most humans didn't have the time to learn the elven arts.
Tass looked to Baldur and Musica wondering how they had met, and why she was here. She wanted to know that most of all, why was she at the human smith lords place, just to meet his best friend?
Musica took a small twig and held it to the flame for a moment. "The Elven smith lord is crafting at the moment and asked not to be distrubed, But I can assure you that she knows her craft like no other, better then her father ever was I promise you that. Your flame is very unique, not much heat and not very bright, we don't see that often. Baldur's is bright and very hot as well as my own." He looked over Tass for a moment, "A bow and a whip huh? Seems to me you need a stealth weapon. Alright I accept. The other lords and myself will craft you a weapon. One worthy of your flame. Come back in, three days time." And with that he was gone.
"Come on, I'll take you to the Hall of Flames now, set up your flame then show you to where you will be staying." He led her our of the Smith's Den and up a few flights of stairs and into a large circular room. Flames of a plethora of colors stood erect all around the room, encompassing a large pedestal where a large version of Baldur's flame rested. He tossed the torch he was holding on to it and brought her over to the outer ring of torches. "See the hole in the ground? Set the butt of your torch there."
Tass, nodded and wondered what that meant, She shrugged. " Thank you very much Musica. " She wondered what that meant.. not much heat, and not very bright? was she dying? Tass looked at baldur, and was glad that he was here at least. Now she knew two people here, it was a start.
Then the hall of flames, She was astounded by the number of torches, and the large version of Baldur's flame which looked just like hers. She place the torch into the hole, and looked around. It was impressive. " Thank you for everything Baldur, I am sort of surprised you have let me in. I did just meet you 4 days ago. "
"Who would I be to deny you, certainly not someone who is about ascend to kinghood. This mont has always been open to those who seek it, it's like the first king said, 'A closed border makes a fruitless nation.'. Most of all who live here agree with that, though there are those who don't. But still, if you wished, you could take up residence here without going through our training." He looked deeply into his flame. "Oh and about what Musica stated, the lack of heat and brightness, don't worry your fine. the flames are very similar to actual flames, how a cooking flame is high heat but not very bright and a campfire is bright but not that hot, Well a person's Vita Flamma is the same way, the heat and light production are representations of yourself, Musica as well as the other smith lords can read the flames and learn about you, and how to craft the proper weapon for you. If anything was wrong with the flame it would get very small and flicker, so you're healthy."
Tass gave a sigh of relief. " I wonder what sort of weapon it will be, and I would like to congratulate you on your ascension. Despite the sadness associated with it. " She toyed with her hair a bit absently. "So where shall I stay, I would hate to be a burden on you in a time you are obviously very busy."
Tass looked at Baldur and wondered what must be going through his mind right now. She was sure he must be full of thoughts with all that was going on in the castle. It would seem that she was here at a bad time. She hoped that she wasn't keeping from doing anything important.
"Death is not a sad thing, as such it should not be mourned. Death should be celebrated, as it marks a being's ascension into something bigger." Though that's not what was going on in his head, he was devastated at the loss of his entire family, the crushing loneliness that marked him as the last descendent of the first king. But he would never let these feelings out, not until he rejoined his family.
Baldur led Tass out of the Hall of Flames and through the halls of the castle until he came to her room, he opened the door to a single bedroom with an adjoining bathroom. "The good news is that the castle has running hot and cold water, no place else in the world has that. The bad news is we start training at dawn, I will knock once before entering so please make sure you're decent." It was speech like that, that often made people forget that he was indeed blind. "Sunrise is in eight hours, best get some rest." Then he left the room, off to prepare for his mother's funeral the following day.
Tass nodded and went into her room. It was a simple yet nice thing. It was good to have a room. and a place to rest. Tass, went and filled the tub with hot water, and soaked in it before going to bed. It had been a crazy week. She was now training to be a guildfist. It was crazy to think she was going to be doing all this on a whim. She wondered if she had made the right choice, but then put that thought away.
She laid down, and went into reverie. It was good to be in reverie. She woke up with some time to spare and quickly got ready, making sure to have her weapons and gear all in order, she pondered what he meant make sure your decent. but shrugged as she waited.
True to his word, Baldur knocked exactly once before entering the room. He had on his back the trusted hammer, Animos, and a quiver stocked full of javelins. "Glad to see that you are ready, for the morning we will work on marksmanship. At high noon is the funeral, then afterwards we will work on hand to hand combat. Are you ready for your first day of training?"
Tass smiled " Of course I am ready, it sounds good to me. " She wondered what it was going to be like. She was sure it was going to be hard work. But she was pretty sure she could handle it. it was always good to train as it paid off in the end. She prepared to follow him where ever he might lead them. She wondered if she would ever get use to the layout of this place. It was an legitimate question. She looked to Baldur and waited for him to lead the way.