A Wayward Journey

[Rig 17580]

A Wayward Journey

 

 

The Fleeper Pontiff “Fleepius VI” having his signet kissed.

 

It was midnoon and the sun was high-up in the sky, its brilliant radiance apparent to all. A lone figure with tan skin and red tattoos adorning his hands and face stepped along the path which led from Helena to the other many cities of the Empire. He wheeled along a small cart of fine yarn he had been carrying for the better part of an hour and a half now. He came to a stop before a small congregation on the way from Helena to Haense, and he appeared quite mystified by the encounter. The red-tattooed man watched now as a clown in make-up and fine attire stood before a tall and lumbering Wood Elf making conversation now in an attempt to solicit something from him. What it was, the red man could not fathom; but nonetheless he bore witness to this not-quite-so-mundane behavior. Another silver-haired elf greeted him and in quiet they shared introductions. “I am Lumithil,” the taller one said to him, his posture straight and his regal features regarding the Red Man’s with a vague semblance of curiosity. “And you Irrinite?” 

 

“I am Avas,” the Red Man introduced himself. “Of Vanethelan. I am no Irrinite, I am of the Alder Lineage.” Lumithil’s eyes betrayed no small amount of surprise, though he hid it well. “I assumed it because of your complexion,” he admitted candidly. “Either way, as you see… The two are held up in conversation. Perhaps I might hurry this along.” So from the whispers between both Elves shared in secret the wizened Lumithil uttered simply to the passerby Wood Elf, “You ought to kiss his ring.” The Wood Elf traveler looked bewildered and confused, but nonetheless complied and bent to smooch the Clown Pontiff’s ring. This proved to be a bit of a bend because of the small human clown’s immensely short stature that was almost dwarf-like in comparison to that of the Elder race. “Good!” squealed the little man, who posed as a High Pontiff of the faith. “Delightful! We shall go now.” And so he and his companion quickly departed and the crowd did as well. What it was that went on there made no sense to the Vanethelan shepherd, but nonetheless he continued on his wayward journey. 

 

As the sun began to fall low in the sky and stars blanketed the night sky, Avas reached a bizarre old rebel keep near the roads. He had heard recently it was again under Imperial occupation and thought to himself that it might be a way to garner some quick minas for his wares. After all, what crop up settlement doesn’t need some wool or yarn for essential things like blankets, banners, and all manners of string for their bows, crossbows, fishing rods, and other knick-knacks.

 

The Red Man, or Avas, encounters the Hanseti-Ruskan soldiers. He anticipates them as bandits and regards them with unease.

 

Avas found nothing but an empty city behind a looming metal gate. Deathly silence befell Rubern, and he knew he would find nothing there, or rather nobody. The mid-sized Elf had begun to turn now as some voices echoed out in the dark and spooked him in the chilly night-time air. “Oi, what are you doing here?” At first as the horsemen’s sight befell him, Avas feared the worst. He had been discovered by bandits, or worse, brigands left over from the war against the Alliance of Independent States. Then he noticed their garb. Yes, he thought to himself, maybe they’re friendly. No need to run and get cut down for his haste by fellow Imperials if he proved to be wrong about their allegiances. “Trying to sell my wool,” Avas answered politely. He knew any bit of brusqueness would not curry favor even with fellow Imperials. Talking to humans in his experience was a double-edged sword. “You’re standin’ in rebel territory, you know.” Another soldier observed with irritation. His compatriot who addressed Avas appeared less annoyed however, “We’re gonna search your goods.” 

 

Avas nodded and stepped aside to allow the leader to rummage through his cart and prove he wasn’t carrying any illegal substances, or worse any kinds of weapons he might sell to the rebels. Appearing satisfied, the soldier leader jumped up and sat astride his horse once again. He held the reins in his hand and looked towards the Alder Elf expectantly. Avas asked,  “I am trying to get to Haense, if you guys are going that way I might tag along?”  The soldier nodded, “You’re free to come with us.” And so the party set out for the better part of two hours travel on the road from Rubern to Haense. Once he arrived, Avas offered each of the three men twenty minas for their efforts. All in all, that was sixty he thought to himself. Sixty out of one-hundred-and-forty would be eighty minas left in his purse. Quietly he worried to himself that he had spent too much, but he did not let such a crafty and ingenuine thought plague him much longer. In his mind, he had narrowly avoided disaster.

 

“Ahernan,” he said to them. “I’m so glad you were fellow Imperials and not some other rabble. Thanks for all the help.” The men did not smile or nod, but they weren’t rude either. They echoed out together one after one, “One Empire.” Avas entered the city and sold his wares now. He was disappointed with the frugal nature of the Carrington Co. Sales Associate he met. Less than a mina per ball of yarn annoyed him but he had nowhere better to sell. Still, leaving the city with two-hundred and forty whereas he entered with eighty was still not bad. And so the Herdsman returned to the road, his chore done. He had seen a Fleeper crowned and kissed while bathing in the sunlight, and potentially almost lost his life to an accident. All in all, just another rough day for the Elf as he made his return to the Pale. Yet, he could not evade that smile that crept to his lips during his journey home. Just as he thought he’d seen it all, he’d really outdone himself. 

(OOC)
I had a lot of fun tonight while doing my Herdsman rp and would like to thank KingJohnFleeper, Milenkhov, EddyWilson, GGT, Grnappa, and many others for the interesting role-play. This is my first time in awhile playing a character like this and I had lots of fun. I’ll likely be posting more as I try to focus on my writing some more and describe these mini-adventures in vivid detail. 👍

[helldiving 5793]

I love this brother, always enjoyable to see your work on documents or the forums! 

[North 995]

Dope.

[Riftblade 856]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

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