Chapter 1 part 2

(Arrun)
Skarn gods?

A- Well, not exactly. The Ill is the Skarrn 'deity', though not in the sense that the overworld races' conceptions of God is. The Ill is disease, plague, pestilence. We believe that sickness will weed out the weak and strengthen the rest. The places where people worship The Ill are not quite that. They do not go there to pray, nor to beg forgiveness or aid. They go there to get sick.

=They neared the end of the road, and a wooden gateway similar to the one at the entrance that Araedyr stood at the previous day=

(Arrun)
That sounds...interesting.

=i honestly had no idea how to interpret that type of worship. That seemed to be the kind of thing reserved for cults and psychopaths=

I turn and look at the hammer, sizing it up.

I cannot lift that.

=The Cubi looked down at the stranger, perplexed=

What Cubi can't lift a handhammer? How old are you, son?

=He walks over to the wall and picks up the hammer, holding it with one hand with seemingly no effort. He goes back over to the forge and sets it down. He puts his gloves back on, takes the next peice of hot metal from the forge, and sets it over the Anvil. With his opposite hand, he raises the hammer high, and brings it down with a loud CLANK. A few sparks come off the metal as it is struck=

I watch him through the thin cloth wrapped around my eyes. I could probably take it off now, as my eyes were a lot more accustomed to the sun but I decided that, considering the colour of my eyes, it was best not to.

Quite young.

I couldn't really attempt to pass for a N'va anymore. Let's face it, now I was in the presence of one, I was barely similar.

Hmm. You sound old enough to swing a blade, yet you cant lift a light Hammer? What's a kid like you doing all the way out on Irth anyway?

=He brought the hammer down a few more times before putting this metal into the water as well. He set the hammer down, the heavy end on the floor, and rested his hand on it like a cane=

War.

I place my hand behind my back, keeping it on the hilt of one of my swords there. I didn't want him asking too many questions, and well. I couldn't be sure what would bring more punishment: Being the most hated race in the world, or murder.

=The Cubi nods with a sympathetic expression=

The War's got us all, doesn't it? Hmm. So what tribe ya from, kid? Your accent sounds familiar.




=They reached the gate, and Araedyr spoke to one of the Guards. The metal door was opened, and the group passed through into the exit tunnel. Now began the long walk to the surface=

Not one I think you're familiar with.

I watch him with a careful expression.

=He smirks slightly, and speaks in a jesting tone=

Hh, unlikely. I got ties to most ev'ry tribe in the plains somehow 'er another.

=He wipes a bit of soot away from his face and blinked his solid-dark eyes=

Exactly my point.

I step a few paces back from him and my voice hardens.

I don't think I'll be taking that job.

=He looked slightly confused=

What's yer point?

=He steps away from the Forge, towards the stranger, the hammer still in his hand perhaps out of habit=

Wait, kid. I think I got a job for ya.

I give a little sigh then leap forward, pulling out one of my blades from it's back sheathe and taking a slash low at his legs.

Stupid N'va.

=He sees the glint of a blade and takes a quick jump back, his large body allowing for a rather large distance. He gripped the Hammer tightly and raised it to his shoulder, taking a combative stance=

The hell 'ya doin, kid!?

I drop into a ready stance, my legs spread apart and pull out my second blade from it's sheathe.

You ask too many questions.

=He looks confused, but ready. He knew he would be able to defeat the stranger, but he also knew he did not want to. In his day, he had done so much killing, he didnt want to do it anymore, but he was still fully capable. He did not lower the Hammer, but spoke=

Look kid, just drop the blades an' no-one has to get hurt, seen?

=It was neither arrogance nor pride that drove his words. He knew that neither of them would escape unscathed, but he really didnt want to hurt this stranger. He seemed like a nice kid, or at least he did=

I tense my legs up slightly as I search the area around me with me eyes quickly. Mentally, I see options of movement only available from my days jumping through the trees. I would be much faster than this N'va, and a lot more agile. His height and strength made a direct attack reckless.

I am not a kid.

=He again looked confused=

Oh? Then what are ya, stranger?

=He stiffled a chuckle, speaking in jest=

Deepwooder? Ya don't fool me, lad. I can tell by yer eyes just what ya are.

My hands instinctively tighten on the handles of my swords and my legs slowly tense even more. This was now a stand off. First one to move.

Everyone knows the Rohgedyn are extinct.

=He laughs slightly=

Yeah, if they ever existed at all.

=He lowered his hammer a bit=

(Arrun)
Well, Aeris, law of nature. Strong survive, weak die off. Way of the universe.

My stance relaxes, as does the grip on my weapons.

You...don't believe the legends?

=He laughs hartily=

'Course not. Who beleives that crap anyway? 'Umans, maybe, but they ain't so bright.