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Tangled Puppet Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2014 4:57 pm
Vallarah sat on a stool behind her work desk. Her fingers moved over a pot full of soil as she pulled at her magic. Almost instantly, bright green leaves sprouted up from the soil, eliciting a smile from her lips. She loved her work and took great pride in the fact that she was able to offer something to the whole of Eowyn that not many others could. Most that came into her small shop, though, just assumed she was good at what she did. Little did they know she was a hybrid. Dovaa and oblivionite blood ran through her veins and she belonged to the ysali clan. Adept at manipulating plants, it had ended up being a no brainer on how she would make her living on the desert continent of Eowyn.
She jerked upright as the small bell at her door signaled a customer had entered. Smoothing her hands over her hair, Vella made sure that her small horns weren’t showing. Clearing her throat to welcome the customer, she paused as she glanced up. An even bigger smile than before spreading across her face as Kilian stepped into view. “Kilian. This is unexpected.” Her smile fell a fraction of an inch as she took in the pinched look on the man’s face. “Is something wrong?”
Kilian blinked before his brows knitted together. “Have you seen Casseth lately?”
Vella started to shake her head but stopped, face going thoughtful. “Now that you mention it, I think I saw him really early yesterday.” She thought back on it. Where had she seen him? “He was a with a dovaa boy. Looked to be around the same age as Casseth. They were at the docks.” She paused, glancing to Kilian and noting the strange look on his face.
“The docks?” he asked quietly as he stared at Vella. “You’re sure? Did you see which boat they got onto?”
“Yes, very positive. It’s hard to miss those horns and hair of your kid’s.” Vella gave a small smile at the mention of Kilian’s son. She had grown to know both over time and would be glad to have Kilian and Casseth around more often now that they were moving to Eowyn. She adored them both and enjoyed Kilian’s company more than she was willing to let herself admit to anyone. “It looked like they were headed towards the one that carries passengers to Soudul.” She looked up, eyes widening. “Kilian, you’re worrying me. What’s wrong?”
He grit his teeth, muttering to quietly. “That stupid boy. He’s going to get himself killed.” Glancing up to Vella his shoulders sagged. “I’m sure you’re right about where he went. Casseth’s been asking about his grandparents lately. I should have just told him about them. Now he’s gone off to Soudul in search of them and apparently has dragged Lithian along with him.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. “My last encounter with my father was not a good one. He hates hybrids. Vella...I’ve gotta go.”
As Kilian turned to leave, Vella’s hand reached out, gripping Kilian’s wrist. “Kilian…” She trailed off, gaze darting away from him and cheeks reddening slightly. “Please be careful and bring Casseth and his friend home safely.” She let her fingers slip from around his wrist and looked up. “You’d best come back. You’re my best customer.” She gave a wan smile, trying to lighten the mood by teasing him a little.
Kilian returned the smile. “I’ll try Vella.” He left then, heading back to the inn they were staying at and gathered up his things. He was only a day behind the two boys. With any luck he’d be able to catch a boat to Soudul quickly and be on his way. Hopefully he wouldn’t be too late.
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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 3:12 pm
“Fedele? Itzal Fedele?” The speaker was an older man — a fruit dealer with a good bit of extra weight on him — and he squinted at Lithian and Cas from behind his stall. “The, eh…smithie, eh? Mated to the lady, oh…wha’s her name, Nali…Naira, Nah…mmm. Stubborn dolt who didn’ want t’ quit his war job? Had a runt that grew up and left us…”
“That’s him,” Lithian said immediately, though he glanced sidelong to Cas for confirmation even as he said it. At Casseth’s nod, he relaxed a fraction, hopeful excitement bubbling up in his chest despite his efforts to keep practical and calm. They’d been searching for hours. The day was late and waning fast, and every potential that they’d spoken to so far had either said they didn’t recognize the name, or refused to speak with them outright. This was the first cooperating person with useful advice they’d run into all day. “We—”
“An’ what do a couple of nosey boys want with him?” the fruit seller cut in. “Last I heard he doesn’t take terribly kindly to uncalled for visitors. You lookin’ for a job done…?” He squinted at Lith and Cas as he said it, dubios. “Y’ don’t look like the warrior type to me, mm?” His shadowed, empty eyes squinted a bit at Cas. “‘Cept maybe you…”
“We have an important message for him. A message from family,” Lithian said. “We’d very much like just to speak with him.”
The fruit seller frowned, tilting his head. “Not all bad, that man…but he has a nasty temper and don’t invite much kindness towards hybrids. I wouldn’t be snoopin’ if I was—”
“Tarmin? Tarmin, where are—oohhh, who are these boys, then?” An older woman, similar in age and stature to the man gave them a toothy grin. “Come now, if you’re going to buy don’t loiter too much — but do try the gharbalas! They’re in season—”
“Gertril,” the man said with a huff, “these aren’t customers.”
“No?”
“Nah, they’re askin’ about that smithie, Fedele.”
“Itzal? Little Kilian’s pap, down in the west quarter?”
“Gertril.”
“Where in the west quarter?” Lithian cut in.
“Oh,” the woman responded, “I’m not sure now, but a good bit out of the way, near the outer rim. Not a terribly sociable couple, though the girl is friendly enough. But I think she moved out? Average place, perhaps a bit beaten, but carryin’ on steady, y’know?”
After a brief glance to Casseth, Lithian smiled with a quick nod. “Thank you very much, ma’am.”
“Oh, don’t mention it! But—”
“I’ll have a bundle of the gharbalas, please?” Lith asked, and in a wink, the woman’s concern was gone, replaced with genuine enthusiasm. Cas and Lith made it away from the stall several coppers the poorer with a bundle of rich purple fruit and, far more importantly, enough information to finally track down Casseth’s blood family.
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Tangled Puppet Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 6:01 pm
Casseth frowned as they left the old man and woman behind. He plucked one of the fruits from the bag but didn’t eat it. Instead, he just stared at it, juggling it around in his hands for something to do. They had been looking all day. Cas had began to think that they were never going to find someone who knew his grandfather and would cooperate. The fruit seller had been one of their last stops that day. Now Cas wasn’t so sure it was a good thing they’d found someone who knew something. He bit into the fruit as he mulled it over.
“Lithian...that man said my grandfather didn’t take kindly to hybrids. What if…” He looked away, eyebrows knitting together. He shook his head, stopping in mid stride. “Do you think it’s the truth...or...do you think because I’m family he’ll be alright?” Cas bit his lower lip, not knowing what he really wanted to do anymore. On the one hand he had made this trip specifically to meet his grandparents. On the other hand it could be dangerous. Not only for him but Lith as well. Could he chance both his friend’s life and his life?
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 9:01 am
Lithian frowned, pausing as Casseth did and debating how to word his response. The couple’s words had made him uneasy. They’d had no reason to lie, and combined with the attitudes he and Cas had faced all morning, it seemed all the more plausible that Cas’ grandfather harbored strong racial prejudices. But Casseth was family, and Lithian found himself — despite all — hard pressed to believe that the man would do anything more damaging than turn them away at worst.
Surely, no matter how deeply a prejudice ran, a person wouldn’t shun their own blood?
In addition, this was not anyone’s family — it was Casseth’s — and while a bit gruff, Cas’ father seemed very reasonable, protective, and loving. Casseth bore those traits as well, and the same genes ran in this man, so perhaps his bitterness was borne of a lifetime at war, and would make consolations for a face from his own bloodline.
“We came all this way,” Lithian said at last with what he hoped was an encouraging smile, “and now we finally know where your family is. What’s the worst that could happen? You’re his grandson…surely, even if what they say is true, the most harm he’ll do is turn us away without speaking to you. But…you are family. I can’t imagine him not harboring some love for his son’s child. And you came so far to meet him…”
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Tangled Puppet Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 2:09 pm
Cas let a sigh escape his lips at Lith’s words. “You’re right. My grandfather can’t be all that bad when you consider my dad.” His attention went from Lith to the path in front of them, to the various oblivionites that walked past them. Some not looking at them, some staring and some muttering curses about hybrids in their cities. All that didn’t matter at the moment. They had found the information they had come here seeking. To turn back now would mean that their whole trip had been a waste of time. Cas had to see his grandfather. Had to take that chance just so he could know for sure. Surely his grandfather wouldn’t harm him. After all, he had his dad’s blood running through his veins.
He started walking again, only to quickly stop before taking more than five steps forward. He grasped Lith’s wrist, pulling him to a stop as well. “Lithian...thank you.” Cas smiled as he let his friend’s wrist drop. “I’d probably not have gotten this far without you. Maybe not even to Soudul. I just...thank you.”
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 3:26 pm
Flushing at the words, Lithian shook his head. “I’m glad I had the opportunity to come. Things…could have gone far worse, had you been alone. But we’re making it alright, aren’t we?”
After making the brief walk back to where they’d tethered their hastars, Lith and Cas remounted, and started off down the city’s main road towards the section the couple had pointed them towards. Mounted it didn’t take them long despite the busy late evening roads, and soon they were tying up the beasts again just to the side of the path leading down to the smithie. The place was certainly obvious enough, even from a distance, with the open overhang of roof above an unattended anvil and sizeable furnace, along with a scattered array of tools hung along the walls.
As they approached, a woman came around from the far side of the house, perhaps Kilian’s age and dressed for work with dark hair hanging long past her waist and gathered in several sections. Lithian started forward.
“Miss — miss! Could you spare a moment? Do you happen to know where we could find Itzal Fedele?”
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Tangled Puppet Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 5:00 pm
Nekane blinked as she glanced over the two new comers. Customers, maybe? Her eyebrows rose as they flicked from one to another. Both looked to be hybrids and rather young ones at that. Did they not know of her uncle's reputation. "Itzal? My uncle's out at the moment. Is there anything I can do for you?"
Casseth's breath caught in his throat. If Itzal was her uncle that meant she was his cousin. He stared at her, gaze locked onto the woman that his father had grown up with. Her view on hybrids must not be that bad either. They were still standing there, unharmed. Even an offer to help them if they were in need of something. Cas found his mouth opening of its own accord, the words dropping out without much thought. "You're...my cousin."
Nekane blinked, her gaze narrowing in on Cas. "What in the world are you talking about? I only have one cousin..." Her eyes widened as it dawned on her. "No, it can't be." She moved closer, eyes narrowing in on Casseth. "What is your father's name?"
"Kilian." Cas' voice was quiet. Hopeful.
Nekane's eyes widened, her breath leaving her on an exhale. "Now that's a name I haven't heard in a while." A smile smile crossed her lips at the mention of Kilian. The last time she'd seen her cousin, Itzal and him had ended up in a huge fight over a hybrid girl. It seemed that Kilian had made a life with that hybrid after all. She tilted her head. "My name's Nekane." Her smile turned to a frown soon, however, when her thoughts went back to Itzal. "You really shouldn't be here. It's not safe."
"Casseth. This is Lithian," he said as he gestured to Lith. "I can't just leave. Not without seeing my grandfather. He's the whole reason we're here. The whole reason we've traveled this far." A frown crossed his face at the mention of danger. "Why? Why are we in danger? Surely my own grandfather won't..."
"Don't be foolish." Nekane cut in. "Itzal does not have soft spots for hybrids. Even if they are his family." She shook her head, again, trying to usher the two boys away from the shop. "You must go and quick. He'll be back any time now." At Casseth's hesitation, she sighed, knowing she'd have to explain just a bit of what had happened. "Your father threatened to kill Itzal last time they were breathing the same air. That...was just because he attacked your mother. Imagine what Kilian would do if he hurt you. Please, you must go. Now." She placed her hand on Cas' back, gently moving him out and away from Itzal's shop. Too late. She topped in her tracks as the familiar form of Kilian's father came into view. "Oh no." She choked on the words as her uncle stopped to stare at his new visitors.
"Hybrids." He muttered as he pushed past the trio. "Nekane, you know we don't cater to ones like that," Itzal snarled as he dropped the bag of supplies on one of his work tables. When Cas and Lith didn't move, he turned, a sneer on his face. "I said leave."
"But.." Casseth started but snapped his mouth shut when Itzal gave a low growl. Nekane had moved back, looking away worriedly. Cas' lips thinned, a determination igniting inside of him. He had come all this way for this. To meet this man. The least he could do was tell him who he was. "I'm your grandson."
Nakane's breath caught in her throat. "Stupid. So stupid." She muttered. "Exactly like your father."
Itzal froze. "That's impossible. I have no children."
Casseth frowned, knowing that couldn't be possible. There had been no one else known by the name Fedele. "My father's name is Kilian. I am your grandson. I know it."
"Filthy hybrid. My son died to me the instant he took that hybrid slut's side. Get out. Get out now!" Itzal's voice broke, growing louder as he spoke. When Casseth didn't move, only glared at his grandfather, Itzal moved to grab a nearby ax. "If you won't leave on your own then I'll make sure you leave myself."
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 6:21 pm
Anxiety built in Lithian’s gut as the oblivionite woman spoke, warning them — again — of Itzal’s attitudes. Worse, she seemed even more concerned about it than the couple at the fruit stall, as though she genuinely feared for them in the man’s presence, and Lithian’s growing sense of foreboding quickly began to win out over his optimism for Casseth’s reunion with family. Moments before he got the chance to begin encouraging Casseth to listen to the woman’s warnings, however, his change of heart became too late, and Lithian felt his pulse stutter at the dark look on the man’s face.
When he first spat at them to leave, Lithian reached out for Casseth’s wrist, intending to draw him back — but the motion came, again, too late, because Cas was already moving forward, challenging his grandfather’s attitude and insisting that he recognize him. It all felt too fast, too sudden, and too tense. How had they come all this way only to go from greeting family to facing a rapidly increasing threat?
It wasn’t until the oblivionite reached for his ax, though, that Lithian’s panic truly broke out, and he darted forward without a second thought. “Wait, no — stop! Don’t hurt him, please. We’ll leave, just—”
Before Lithian could react, the older man snarled, lifting his ax hand. “Out of my way, ill bred brat,” he spat, slamming the hilt of it hard enough into the side of Lithian’s head to send him toppling sidelong. “This has nothing to do with you.”
World spinning and words echoing between his temples as his knees gave out, Lithian struggled, but failed to right himself. The last thing he heard properly before the edges of his vision crawled inwards to full blackness was:
“I’ll see to you next.”
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Tangled Puppet Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 7:15 pm
"Lithian...no..." Casseth tensed as his grandfather slammed the hilt into the side of Lith's head. He growled, gripping the hilt of his own ax and pulling at his magic, ready to defend both himself and Lith if need be. Cas eyed his grandfather, moving closer to Lith and bending to check on him. "C'mon Lith...wake up."
Itzal chose that moment to lunge, ax at the ready. Casseth had just enough time to throw a barrier or earth up in front of them both. He grunted at the force with witch the ax hit his barrier, gasping when a crack formed and the ax's blade peeked through. He pushed at the barrier, causing his grandfather to stumble backwards. Things had gone from bad to worse and rather quickly. He should never have come here. Should have listened to his dad.
"Filthy hybrid." Itzal grunted as he swung with his ax again. This time, Cas was ready, bringing his own ax up and clashing with Itzal's. He grit his teeth, the strength of the older man seeming to be almost more than Cas could handle, despite Itzal's age.
"Casseth!" A familiar voice sounded over the clash of their axes but Cas didn't dare look. "Damn it." Kilian cursed as he saw Lith lying on the ground and his only son defending himself against his father. Kilian feet carried him over the distance fast, only giving a brief look towards his cousin as he ran past her. "Don't touch him." Kilian growled as he barreled into his own father, knocking him away from Cas. "I will kill you. That was a promise," he said, gripping the hilts of his swords and pulling them out.
"You." Itzal spat at the ground in front of Kilian. "You disgraced me for that last time you little brat." As the two collided, Casseth moved his attention back to Lithian, grabbing hold of his arms and pulling him out of the way of the fight, over towards Nekane.
"Lithian, c'mon...wake up. Please." He shook his friend, worry edging into his voice as he watched Itzal slam Kilian into a nearby table, sending the items on it scattering to the ground. There was nothing Cas could do. Any boulder he might send flying into the fight had just as much of a chance of hitting Kilian as it did Itzal. He grit his teeth as all he could do was watch the fight.
"You b*****d. You could have killed him. Your grandson!" Kilian growled out as they moved apart, his left arm now bleeding profusely from the ax his father was wielding.
"Good. One last halfbreed to clutter up this world with." Kilian saw red and lunged. His rage more of a hindrance than a help. Itzal grunted, laughing a little as he easily avoided Kilian's attempt at an attack, slamming the hilt of his ax onto the back of his neck as he sidestepped his son. "Sorry excuse for a warrior." Kilian crumbled to the ground and Itzal spat. "I'll deal with you later." His attention was back on Cas. "Oh look, isn't that sweet? He's worried about his friend. Don't worry, you'll be joining each other soon enough." He stood above Cas, raising his ax in readiness. "Or maybe not. How do souls work with hybrid oblivionites, I wonder."
Casseth winced at that remark, covering his friend with his own body and bringing up a shield to protect from the coming blow of the ax. He tensed, waiting for the impact of Itzal's blade but it never came. He looked up at the gasp that escaped Nekane's lips, noticing her widened eyes His head jerked back towards the shield of rock as he heard his dad's worn voice. "I told you...I'd kill you," Kilian said as Casseth let the shield crumble. The sight before him, leaving him speechless as Kilian pulled one of his swords out of Itzal's back, letting the older oblivionite crumble to the ground, dead.
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 12:52 pm
Lithian’s head pounded as he struggled back towards consciousness. As his mind flit into and out of awareness, he felt his magic rippling around him, seeping through his skin, in it, beneath it. Most of its energy focussed on his head, easing the thud, thud, thud there and perhaps even weaving some of the tissue there back into its proper place. At several points, he wondered if this was what it would feel like to die: senses fading out, erratic, loss of control as the world blackened and fell away, and his magic circling him, struggling to repair him even as he crumpled out of existence.
When he came to, Casseth was over him, as well as the oblivionite woman, and Lithian’s immediate instinct was that things had gone down for the worse. “Casseth…? Are you al…?” Lithian winced, blinking and trying to lift a hand. “What’s wrong? What happened? Did he hurt you? When…”
Lithian’s words trailed off, though, when he spotted Kilian, and then the slumped shape just behind Casseth. Pulse knotting in his throat, his dread rapidly built up.
“Casseth…”
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Tangled Puppet Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 1:34 pm
"I'm fine Lithian. Are you alright? How's your head? That was a pretty hard blow you took." Casseth leaned back, giving his friend some room to breath. He had been worried when Lith hadn't responded at first. Had worried that his grandfather had done something to Lith that couldn't be fixed. He let a breath out and closed his eyes when LIthian said his name a second time. Moving to block his view, Cas shook his head. "It's...nothing...don't worry about it Lith." He gave a small smile. "Dad found us." Casseth would be forever grateful that his dad had shown up, despite the amount of trouble he was bound to get into when things died down. It had been a mistake coming here, plain and simple and they had both been very lucky Kilian had shown up when he did.
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 2:18 pm
“I’m fine, I…” Lithian frowned as Casseth moved and pushed himself up, ignoring the slight dizzy sway to his own motions. When his eyes locked again on the body, his stomach dropped. Dead. The realization hit him like a glacial blast and his fingers shook. Dead. Casseth’s grandfather was dead because of all this. Because he’d encouraged Casseth to come this far, been blind, been foolish, and—
Lithian’s eyes darted up to Kilian, taking in the slump of his shoulders, the hard pinch to his expression, and the way his weapons looked to weigh more in his grip than they possibly could. Eyes fixing on the blood on the man’s arm, and then the blood on his blade, Lithian’s stomach roiled, fingers starting to shake. He opened his mouth, his first instinct to offer healing — something, anything to help in whatever way he possibly could — but his throat felt dry. Parched beyond use, and useless.
Because of his naivety, a man was dead, and as the weight of that realization bore down upon him, the whole of Lithian’s body began to quiver, breath shaking on its way out with every exhale. He squeezed his eyes shut when they stung, jerking his head away from the sight of the man fallen. No matter how much he owed it to him to look, he couldn’t bare it, and nothing came from his lips but: “I’m sorry…I’m sorry, I’m sorry—I shouldn’t have—I didn’t, how could—? I’m so sorry, I—”
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Tangled Puppet Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 2:44 pm
"Lithian. Lith!" Cas' voice demanded attention. He let out a small sigh as he said his friend's name again, softer. "Please don't blame yourself. This is not your fault. It's all mine. If I had just listened to my dad and not come here, none of this would have happened." Cas glanced over as Kilian moved to kneel beside the two friends. "Dad...I'm so sorry." Cas glanced away, eyes squeezing shut.
Kilian shook his head, words unable to make their way out of his mouth as he wrapped his arms around his son and hugged him tight. "I am just glad that you're alive Casseth. This is as much my fault as anyone else's. I should have told you about him." He shook his head, glancing to Lithian as he released Cas. "I'm glad you're both alright." He winced as he went to rise.
"You, however, are not alright my dear cousin," Nekane said, making it known that she was still present. She moved quickly, acquiring some bandages and a washcloth from inside the house. "It's deep. You may need to see a healer once you're back on Eowyn." Nekane talked as she cleaned the wound and dressed it as best she could. "You must leave though and quick. I'm sure the fight made a commotion and others will be here soon." Nekane gave Kilian a brief hug before pulling away.
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 3:35 pm
“I c—” Lithian swallowed down his words, watching with quiet guilt as Nekane patched Kilian’s wounds. Who would give the man a burial? Mourn him? This was Kilian’s father, and they had to leave immediately? It felt so wrong, so rushed, and so confusing. How could a man attempt to murder his own grandson, fight his own son to the death?
Lithian couldn’t even begin to turn the circumstances on himself and imagine what it would be like were it him. His own father had wanted to be a healer, Abronaxus protect, and his parents were both peacemakers by their god’s will. As Casseth encouraged him upwards, Lithian followed, but dazedly. It felt too unreal, too brutal, too impossible, and the sight of the body only made his joints weak and his stomach weaker.
They made it fifty paces away or so, nearing in on their hastars, before Lithian managed to speak. “I can—” A swallow. “I can see to your arm, sir. When we—that is when—if it’s…whenever convenient, I—I’m not terribly skilled. But I can do a bit to help. It’ll…be better than nothing, I think—though of course you should still see a professional! I just…I’m…” Lithian trailed off, tongue failing him, and dropped his gaze to the ground as they made it up to their mounts.
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Tangled Puppet Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 3:43 pm
Kilian's gaze darted to Lithian, a frown creasing his brow. "Thank you Lithian, for the offer. If you don't think you're too weak, I may just take you up on that offer." He patted Lith gently on the shoulder. "And do not make little of your skill. I still remember when you patched Casseth's leg back up and you were younger then. Surely your skill has only gotten better." His gaze darted back to his son, reluctant to leave him for even a minute. "Casseth...we have a lot to talk about when we return home."
Casseth ducked his head, avoiding his father's glance as much as he could. "Yes sir." He quickly grabbed the reins to his and Lith's hastars. "Can you ride alright?" Cas asked as he returned to Lithian's side.
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