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xxxIo let out a small sigh, he had no way of telling if this man was telling the truth at all. The 'tin man' at first tried to deceive them by acting weak, which is a bad way to start off when not trying to be attacked. Now that both he and Ashlynn were sure this creature had tried to mislead them once, he wondered how Ashlynn would handle it. She seemed more rash then he, and it would not surprise him if she were to attack. Yet Io, true to his title, wanted to learn as much as he can before anything happened that would prevent him from doing so. At the same time, he must show that they had the advantage, and not this new traveller.

xxx"Yes," he began, "we are far too smart for such a folly attempt to deceive us... I am willing to let it slide, though I cannot speak for my companion here, but only after a few of my questions are answered." Io still hadn't figured out a way to discern this man's truths from his lies, but he was sure that something would give way if this man was to do so. "First, where have you come from? There are only Barthulian camps within twenty miles of this location."

xxxSome would consider it rude, but Io had the habit of bombarding people with questions when many were left to be answered. "You say you're from Rastabre, many kingdoms away, what brings you this far?" He almost wanted to pace, but found the strength against the action. "You wish to learn as much as a Sage? If so, what have you learned so far?" Then he gave this new man one more look, as if he got ready to open him up just to see what made him tick. "We left one set of tracks, from a small confrontation, and the only group nearby were being assualted by undead... What was you role in that play?" This last question was his determining factor, the one that would either trigger his own aggression, or if he would sustain himself long enough to learn more.




"True bravery is shown not through actions, it is shown through cause."

Ashlynn stood straight abruptly, leaving her axes hanging loosely at her sides. If this 'Tin Man' was to pose a threat she could take him out at a moments notice. She appeared relaxed but in reality, she was never relaxed. Her muscles were ever so slightly tensed for action. Perhaps they could tell she was tensed, though perhaps not, it was very subtle.

She only glanced at the movements of the insects, she had been in far worse places that had carried thousands of the things and they were much bigger and very much in sight. She spoke harshly, cold and untrusting. Whatever part of her had softened before towards Io was now hard as iron again. "Speak then. I may refrain from killing you until I have heard all your tale."

Let him make of that what he would. Ashlynn glanced at Io and sighed quietly when she saw he was fully ready to trust this man.

'If injury is to be done to a man it should be so great that his vengeance need not be feared.'

xxxThis man was infuriating, in Io's eyes at least. His answers were open ended, and not to mention lacking detail. It only made Io want to ask much more questions than he ever had before. "I think you would find that very hard indeed my dear lady." Was a bold statement seeing how he has no idea as to Ashlynn's skill, not to mention that if she didn't know how to deal with rotting flesh and machinery, Io certainly did. Why intimidate opponents that little is known about? It was the only thing that kept Io's hand still. The the necromancer talked about seeing Barthul before it rose in power, so this man was ancient, but was Rastabre really that rich in Cybers before? He wasn't sure quite yet, as he himself never started into history until after he had left Rastabre.

xxxThen the man had notes, which did interest Io, but the man's last set of statements that followed declined all notions of peace within the conversation. It did so in such a way, that Io had to speak against it. "You say you wish for peace, yet you have feelings of revenge so great that you would slaughter an entire camp with it's own men? Revenge is one of the greatest reasons for war to start, never has it been a way to end." Io then looked at the bugs, making sure none were to stay within twenty feet by shifting the sand around him, pusing them away. He even did so for Ashlynn, hoping she didn't think of it as an agressive attack. Io didn't know how deep the bugs may be in the sand, but he at least covered five feet under with the shifting sand as well. He had to take cautions before his next action.

xxx"You are hiding far too much, and you talk of a false peace." Io stared at the man intently, "You have threatened us with these insects, you have provoked attacks from us with insults. You desire nothing more than battle. You speak of peace, but first you must find peace within yourself." This time, he spoke aloud how he was able to detect the man's split personalities. "Until you have done so, I wish to partake no more knowledge from your half truths and secrets." The next thing Io did was something that he also had a habit of doing. Knowledge was a powerful thing, and often difficult to find some worthwhile. For as long as he had known, he always requested and had given knowledge in return. "I am Io Terra, travelling sage. I too come from Rastabre, my years are few, and my skills are vast. You said that it would be difficult to kill you, I beg to differ. I have been fighting for peace, which may be contradictory, yet it is the easiest way to achieve it." He finished his talk with his own challenge, "I suggest you leave, or I shall give example as to why I feel I can end you."





"True bravery is shown not through actions, it is shown through cause."

@->->---- Ashlynn Fervine ----<-<-@

Through all of the interaction, Ashlynn remained still, her axes held ready in her hands. She made small sounds in the back of her throat, snorting when this 'Tin Man' proclaimed he had been insulted more then they. She shook her head as he said she'd seen too many deaths; no, she hadn't seen enough. She would not have seen enough until every Barthul soldier was slain. He started walking off and she almost relaxed, watching him go with cold eyes.

He stopped a few paces away and called over his shoulder. "Before I forget, young girl, your Father is proud. His soul wouldn't find peace until you were told. I'm surprised you never heard him."

Ash reacted as one who had just received the death sentence. She stood stock-still, unblinking, perhaps not even breathing. She just watched him leave, slowly fading into the distance.

'If injury is to be done to a man, it should be so great that his vengeance need not be feared.'

@->->---- Ashlynn Fervine ----<-<-@

She shook her head minutely, in reaction to both Io's question and the stranger's words. She slowly sunk to the ground, letting her axes fall to the sand beside her. Ash wrapped her arms around her knees and stared blankly. The action put her in a very vulnerable position, but at the moment, she didn't seem to care. It was odd, for any that knew her no matter how long, to see Ashlynn sink to this level.

Her mouth moved but no sound came out. Her father had been dead for nearly a decade, killed by the very soldiers she planned to hunt to extinction. Yet this... this necromancer? What had he seen? Had her father's spirit really lingered so long after his death? Was that even possible? So many questions bounced inside her skull, yet she knew none of the answers. She looked up at Io, a look of utter helplessness replacing the mask of anger and hatred she normally wore.

'If injury is to be done to a man, it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared.'

Ashlynn looked at Io as he sat down beside her. She listened to him speak without saying a word, staring at him blankly. He stood up and held and hand toward her. "Come on, the world awaits." She looked at him a moment before hesitantly placing her hand in his. That single, simple gesture, meant more for Ashlynn then any could understand. Trusting him, trusting Io, this man she barely knew.

@->->---- Ashlynn Fervine ----<-<-@

XXX Ashlynn followed him closely as they resumed their journey to the Cave. She stepped inside and felt instantly at peace, as if no harm could come to her as long as she were here. Io sent a small flare into the cave and lit a campfire, lightly the cave so that they could see into all corners of the cave. It was simple, and not at all the cold or damp she had come to associate with caves. Plain stone benches decorated the walls on either side of the cave, carved right into the stone itself.

XXX She started slightly when he asked her were she wanted to go. She stuttered slightly as she answered, no one had ever asked her opinion before, "Oh, uhm... I don't know. I wasn't really heading anywhere after that group of soldiers was dispatched." She dug her toe into the dirt that served as the floor in the cave; looking down at her feet.