Upon arrival to Rimor, Darius walked off the ship and onto the docks with a heavy heart. Waller had said his goodbyes and waved him off, giving him twenty gold coin with it. As Darius made his way down the docks, he felt the need to stop, turning around to take one last look at the ship. Emblazoned across the ship's hull was its name, a name he never quite bothered to look at. Reading it now, he could only feel discontent.
"FATEFUL"
Darius left the dock then, his boots crunching into the sand as he made land, all the while, he knew that the man he'd met and his loyal crew would be dead the day he returned to this beach. If he ever did.. despite Waller's words, Darius just couldn't shake the guilt he felt. But as he always did, he had to move on. The world would continue to spin, and thus, he had to continue on despite any weight that pulled at his ankles. That was this world, and it wouldn't change. Even if the Nameless were to disappear, the world would continue to move forward.
Darius walked across the beach and as he did he couldnt help but smell the fresh scent of cooked fish. Seasoned fish. Something he never usually had a luxury of. He looked around, his eyes peering from beneath his hood. Tapping his satchel nervously, he suddenly had a realization. There were no guards posted here-none to be seen at all. The sun blazed down on the sand and cast its glow over the little trading port. He stopped tapping. He didn't need to be nervous. Sure there was still the Black Rose, but, there really wasn't anywhere for them to hide here, and he doubted they'd be attacking him again any time soon.
Hesitantly, he lowered his hood. No one stared at him. There were no guards to question him. There were no Inguarn crests to be seen. He was safe, if only for now. He looked over his shoulder, taking one last glance at the FATEFUL as it's crew hauled a fresh load onto its deck. He let himself smile, if only slightly.
Darius strode up to the little cabin in which three fishermen sat around a little fire, seasoned fish cooking on some rods hung over the flames. The men looked up at Darius as he approached.
"Ho, traveler!" One of the men spoke. He was larger than the others, reminding Darius of a burly bear. "Anything you need, friend?"
"Ah," Darius fumbled with words for a moment. He felt.. odd. It had been so long since he'd felt no need to look over his shoulder. "If you don't mind, I'd like to buy some fish off you."
The man raised a huge hand, then reached to a little table behind him with plates stacked up with fish. "No need. We get plenty here."
"Gyro, you don't think we could use some coin?" Said another man. His voice was high pitched and oddly annoying. He was pale and thin, a frown scarred onto his lips and rings about his eyes.
"Can it, Delis. He's a newcomer, fresh from Seimeir I presume, eh?" The burly man, Gyra said.
"Yeah." Darius said. "Brand new."
"Well, if you came from that hell hole, I'd say you are deserving of some tasty fish." He quickly grabbed some thick paper and wrapped three fish, tying of each end before passing it to the third man, who then passed it onto Darius with a smile.
Darius took the food gratefully, nodding to them. "Thank you. It's.. odd to find such kind company."
"I'm sure it is, where your from. But here in Rimor, I can assure it's much better. Just stay clear of the crazies." He said.
"Crazies?"
"Yeah," the thin man spoke, his lips curling into a smile-much as they could anyway-"they say there's a cult out there. That they summoned some demons that skitter around in the dark. They come at night and they slit ya throat."
Darius's eyes went dark. "I think I'll be fine." He said blankly. The burly man took note of this and gave the boy a curious look.
"I'm sure the kid's seen his own demons. He's got the eyes, don't he, Akka?" The third man nodded, studying Darius as he studied him.
"Pah!" The thin man tossed his hands and leaned back in his chair.
"Well, thank you." Darius said, nodding.
"Don't mention it. Say, any idea where your headed?" Gyro asked.
"Ah.. I'm not sure." Darius's voice trailed as he scratched the back of his head. But he knew where he was going. He needed to find Alabaun. Then he could learn to better control his magic. Then.. He thought back to the words that Waller had said to him after the event with the Black Rose. His fist clenched.
Gyro gave a soft grunt. "Well, the empire of Warshden is just a two days' walk from here to North. Take the roads and you'll be there in no time. The king there, Ranul, he might be able to help you if you are looking for something. He's a kind King."
Darius nodded. That's exactly what he needed to know. What was with these sailors and somehow seeming to be able to read minds? They are all just good judges of character, suppose. "Thanks again." Darius said, then waved. "I'll be on my way then."
Gyro waved, "Right. Be safe, kid."
"Will do." As Darius made his way around the little shack, he stopped next to a small box. He pulled out his satchel and placed ten gold coin on the box. It may have been a bit much to pay for fish, but for their kindness, it was still not enough.
"That's rather kind of you, boy." Came a voice. Darius shivered, looking up. Leaning against the shack was a pale man dressed in dark, stained garbs. He had long black hair that hung to his shoulder and wore a torn cap, which he grabbed with two fingers and tilted off his head as he stared at Darius with emerald eyes.
Darius could hear the men in the shack talking still. "Well, kindness must be repayed. I don't like being in debt."
"Ah, but when kindness is gifted it can be an insult to return it in kind. Just as it is an insult to return any gift." The man said, crossing his arms.
"I would disagree." Darius spoke, walking past the man, "But beliefs differ. You have a right to your own."
Darius didn't like this stranger. He couldn't sense them.. there just wasn't something right about them. They gave Darius an off feeling.
Darius hoped that the man would simply let him be and they'd go their separate ways, of course, that didn't happen. The man began to trail behind him.
"You're off to Warshden, yeah?" He spoke.
"I am." Darius said simply, pulling up his hood.
"As am I. Think we could pair up? One should not travel alone, you know." He spoke.
"I've been doing it long enough, I'll be alright. Thank you though." Darius said. No matter how obvious he made it, the stranger didn't seem to take the hint.
They had now made it a ways up the road and had now began to walk up to the tree line when the stranger suddenly ran ahead of Darius and stood in his path, halting him.
"Look, your a mage, right? Can't hide it from me, kid. But you can trust me. If you let me tag along, I can help you get a better grip on your magic." He offered, holding out his hand for Darius to shake.
Darius didn't take their hand. His heart had stopped. It felt as though the world just spun on it's head. What did they just say? They said he was a mage.. but how would they even know that? Darius turned wary eyes to the stranger. He felt glass begin to spread across his skin from his chest as his eyes became silver.
"Whoa, whoa, no need for that." The stranger put up their hands and backed away. But there was no fear in their tone. "I apologize. Perhaps I should have come to that topic more gently, I admit, but I just spat it out, alright?"
"That isn't my concern." Darius said, his tone cold. First he couldn't detect the man, and now there. This person couldn't be trusted. "How do you know I'm a mage?"
"Well, it's simple. I too am a mage." The man said, his eyes flashing with green. "I know, awe inspiring, is it not?"
"The eighth mage I presume then." Darius asked.
"Correct. The Nameless made me to ensure the immortality of the mages and to rid them of the curse of age. But he cast me out, as I'm sure you know." He shook his head, placing a hand on his hip. "Said I didn't serve the purpose he desired." He shrugged, "nothing is good enough for that tyrant, I swear."
"You weren't cast out. You went out to prove yourself by killing Alabaun yourself. I'm not an idiot, Cryon." Darius said, eyes narrowing as glass now encased his arm.
The mage, Cryon, grinned, and spoke in a hushed tone, "Oh? Then why would you challenge me? Here of all places." He drew in a breath, stepping close to Darius and whispering in his ear, "If you are so smart, then what makes you honestly believe you could defeat a mage as old as I?"
Cryon then spun on his heel, raising his hands like some kind of performer as he lifted his legs higher than they needed, stepping away. "Anyhow, I don't seek a fight with you. There's a lot you don't know, kid. True, I wished to prove my worth after Nameless sent to work for Etto, but when I came here to Rimor, I realized that everything about Seimeir was wrong, turned on its head I say! And the cause," he turned about, bowing, "The Nameless Lord. So, I thought, what to do? Well, kill him of course!"
"You make it sound so simple." Darius tilted his head as he glared at Cryon. "If you seek the Nameless's death, then why are you here? Why are you not in Warshden with Alabaun forming some kind of grand plan? After all, from what you've said, it sounds as though you've been in Rimor for some time now. Your story doesn't quite add up."
Cryon stood straight, wagging his finger. "I'm a time mage, remember? I knew you would be here, kid. I also know that you'll be the one to take the throne of the Nameless. And I wish to aid you in that. Also, Alabaun is no fool. Why would he trust me, that is, without a voice to speak for my truthfulness."
"So I'm to be your fool." Darius said.
"Eh?"
"You want to use me to gain Alabaun's trust in order to kill him. Good plan, I imagine Alabaun is far too strong for you to take on without some kind of edge over him."
Cryon sighed, bowing his head as he tapped the rim of his cap. "You say you are not a fool, and maybe you are not, but you sure are paranoid for one so young." He lifted his cap, a green eye peering up at Darius. "Can't say I blame you though. But caution has its limits, it may be a virtue, but at some point, it can become a curse."
Darius glared. Was there any way he could shake this guy? What if he ran into the woods? No.. this isn't some simple Black Rose assassin. It's a mage. An old one. He couldn't outrun him, and, though he hated to admit it, he couldn't beat him either. Though he despised the fact, Darius was no match for a mage like Cryon. Not yet at least. So what to do?
"You gotta believe me kid, I'm honest. I have no intention to kill Alabaun. My only wish is to return home, to free this world of the Nameless's palm."
Darius sighed, the glass fading. "Fine." He said. "You can travel with me. But, when we get to Warshden I will not convince Alabaun of your innocence. You will do that yourself."
Darius knew this wouldn't work. But he didn't have any choice. So he devised a plan. He would travel with Cryon until they made camp, and when the mage fell asleep, he'd make an escape, and he'd keep going through the night. He'd take the woods, keeping hidden, and he would make his way to Warshden without stopping, that way he could find and warn Alabaun before Cryon could make any move.
Cryon grinned. "I am glad we could come to an agreement!" He struck out his hand, and, reluctantly, Darius shook it.