The skies that were clear in the morning had begun to gather in ominous clouds, but tufts of rebellious sunlight still pierced through the canopy above. Kasrjin breathed in the cool air as Karadwyr chirped happily at getting to stretch his legs. The chocobos settled easily onto the dirt path that marked the trail leading out of Tailfeather. The forelands were home to many sights; more than once, he and Roen passed by a set of ruins, their stones crumbling still, having been set by the hands of a previous era. In the distance, a faint and ominous emerald smoke emitted a foreboding glow from atop massive insectoid spires.
"Anyx Trine is a location. The Ishgardians claim that heretics constructed it to provide a roost for their dragon masters," Kasrjin responded to his companion's query. From within one of Karadwyr's saddlebags, the Au Ra gingerly undid one of the buckles holding the satchel shut and withdrew a thin, leather-bound volume with one hand.
He carefully manoeuvred the volume to open with one hand, while his other hand held tightly onto Karadwyr's reins. "Perhaps you may understand it more. I had been given this information by one who had purchased my services. Its veracity is unknown, but it is a lead. This book describes the history of Ishgard’s conflict with the heretics. Our destination, Anyx Trine, is described as a fortification used by the heretics. The structure was built in collaboration between man and wyrm; wyrm contributed their strength, and man their magics. There lay a description of something...similar to what I am looking for."
The road stretched out to the end of the horizon. Perhaps now was an apt time to explain. A glance at the paladin's face revealed a curious gaze, which Kasrjin interpreted as permission to continue.
"This land contains a great deal of energy," the Au Ra began. "You refer to this energy as 'aether'. It is a resource that is drawn from the environment, or from within oneself. Othard, too, possesses aether, but..." Kasrjin paused and frowned. This would take a considerably great deal of explaining, on reflection, and he was not fully equipped to do so. Tsanai would be far better at explaining the circumstances...but given her abrasive nature, perhaps her absence was the preferable option.
Kasrjin’s frown deepened. He did have Tsuven’s knowledge base, but would that be appropriate to utilize? Again, Tsanai would know, were she here.
“In the area where my people roam, we utilize aether in a different form. Within a small area, aether does not...hm, disperse.†It was a force of habit that compelled Kasrjin to leave out details as to where his tribe resided, or where Karaad-El was. A part of him in the back of his mind insisted that such omissions were unnecessary, though that part of him was not sufficient to bring forth such details.
Still, describing what he had found and why they were approaching Anyx Trine without directly describing Karaad-El was getting increasingly difficult.
“In antiquity, my people worshipped this location as holy ground. Once we outgrew that superstition, we realized how aether was used. Heavy concentrations of aether become crystals here in Eorzea.†As if to demonstrate, Kasrjin waved an idle hand at the top of Tailfeather’s azure aetheryte, its presence just barely detectable above the cliffs that surrounded the settlement. “Where we reside, aether is transformed by our location into an...alphabet?†He was unsure of his description thus far. “This alphabet communicates information to us. We may inscribe the information this alphabet conveys onto stone, and give that information to others. It is a method of communication. This volume of heretics describes certain individuals doing the same.â€
Gingerly, Kasrjin withdrew his hand from the reins and used it to flip some of the pages of the volume, careful to keep his balance. It would be less than optimal to fall off Karadwyr now. “The heretics used this in order to ease communication between themselves and the dragons, so it claims. If it is indeed the same method that my people use for the Correspondence--aether--then it is possible that what I seek is there. The aether in our location was growing erratic, and unable to be formed into comprehensible information. Our survival depends on our ability to utilize aether.â€
Kasrjin suddenly ceased speaking: that was one important note of information he should not have revealed. A frown crossed his lips as he fell silent.
Roen held quiet for his explanation, presumably contemplating his information before making her query. “So… your people can somehow… communicate with the aether? As if it is a sentient being?†She canted her head. “Is this aether something more than just a form of energy from where you are?â€
“It is a method of communication,†Kasrjin said somewhat solemnly. “It is not a two-way conversation. We may only receive information; whatever delivers it to us cannot perceive us. Members of the Tsenkhai are selected based on their ability to receive and interpret this information. Without aether, we are unable to receive this information. We are also unable to efficiently transmit this information to other members of the tribe. It is, ultimately, the basis of our organisational structure.â€
“Just exactly what kind of information do you receive from the aether?â€
Kasrjin shrugged. “The Tsenkhai receive much, though a great deal of the information is unusable without proper interpretation. It tells us when life is detected around our location; the Tsenkhai interpret this to tell where is good to hunt, or when enemies encroach upon our territories. It can reveal information about our environment; the Tsenkhai can interpret this to predict the seasons. It is with the aether’s information and the Tsenkhai’s interpretation that we survive. We remain one step ahead of all our adversities: the black ones cannot conquer us, the beasts cannot starve us, and the snows cannot overwhelm us.â€
Roen nodded, her expression thoughtful as the paladin turned her gaze rising towards the road. “So you hope to find some hints as to how the heretics are able to communicate with the dragons, using the aether?†She shook her head, her expression growing more intent. “Even if what is written in that book is true… how do you figure we will gain such secrets from the likes of heretics? They are not known to take outsiders in… unless you are one of their cause.
“First, we will verify if the information is true. If the heretics still reside in Anyx Trine, then--â€
Kasrjin's explanation was interrupted by a booming shriek echoing across the sky. Karadwyr squawked in fear, and a hand instinctively went to the greatsword mounted upon his back, his eyes skyward to look for the threat. A sweep of the horizon revealed nothing....until bursting from the gathering cloud cover came a streak of mottled green. "Karadwyr, vakh!" The Au Ra kicked his heels against the destrier's flank, causing the bird to break out into a fearsome gallop. Another streak of green emerged from the clouds to follow the first.
Mouths filled with formidable fangs and flickering flames snapped and hissed, as two wyverns descended from the skies in a fearsome divebomb. Another shriek, one audible in its hatred, resounded from the mouth of the lead. "Sah djahs afah an!" The second wyvern, slightly smaller than the one preceding it, unleashed a potent torrent of fire from its maw, scorching the roads. Kasrjin pulled the sword from its harness. Was the wyvern shouting? Was it speaking a language? He neither knew nor cared.
"Scatter!" is all he managed to shout to Roen before Karadwyr burst into a run. The terrain was unfavourable; it was mostly open ground. Several rocky spires pockmarked the horizon, but the wyverns had the advantage in speed and range. They could fly, but if the Au Ra's instincts were correct, the wyverns had attacked with an agenda. This wasn't a hunt borne from hunger, but from animosity. That was good. If that was true, then they could be goaded, tricked, and taunted. The wyverns could be spurred to make mistakes.
If his instincts were right.
Kasrjin was going to stake his life on that "if".
He grunted as he hefted the sword over his shoulder, standing up in the chocobo's stirrups in order to better keep his balance. The saddlebags and harnesses jingled as Karadwyr sprinted forward, and the roar of the wyverns could be heard resounding in the sky.
"Anyx Trine is a location. The Ishgardians claim that heretics constructed it to provide a roost for their dragon masters," Kasrjin responded to his companion's query. From within one of Karadwyr's saddlebags, the Au Ra gingerly undid one of the buckles holding the satchel shut and withdrew a thin, leather-bound volume with one hand.
He carefully manoeuvred the volume to open with one hand, while his other hand held tightly onto Karadwyr's reins. "Perhaps you may understand it more. I had been given this information by one who had purchased my services. Its veracity is unknown, but it is a lead. This book describes the history of Ishgard’s conflict with the heretics. Our destination, Anyx Trine, is described as a fortification used by the heretics. The structure was built in collaboration between man and wyrm; wyrm contributed their strength, and man their magics. There lay a description of something...similar to what I am looking for."
The road stretched out to the end of the horizon. Perhaps now was an apt time to explain. A glance at the paladin's face revealed a curious gaze, which Kasrjin interpreted as permission to continue.
"This land contains a great deal of energy," the Au Ra began. "You refer to this energy as 'aether'. It is a resource that is drawn from the environment, or from within oneself. Othard, too, possesses aether, but..." Kasrjin paused and frowned. This would take a considerably great deal of explaining, on reflection, and he was not fully equipped to do so. Tsanai would be far better at explaining the circumstances...but given her abrasive nature, perhaps her absence was the preferable option.
Kasrjin’s frown deepened. He did have Tsuven’s knowledge base, but would that be appropriate to utilize? Again, Tsanai would know, were she here.
“In the area where my people roam, we utilize aether in a different form. Within a small area, aether does not...hm, disperse.†It was a force of habit that compelled Kasrjin to leave out details as to where his tribe resided, or where Karaad-El was. A part of him in the back of his mind insisted that such omissions were unnecessary, though that part of him was not sufficient to bring forth such details.
Still, describing what he had found and why they were approaching Anyx Trine without directly describing Karaad-El was getting increasingly difficult.
“In antiquity, my people worshipped this location as holy ground. Once we outgrew that superstition, we realized how aether was used. Heavy concentrations of aether become crystals here in Eorzea.†As if to demonstrate, Kasrjin waved an idle hand at the top of Tailfeather’s azure aetheryte, its presence just barely detectable above the cliffs that surrounded the settlement. “Where we reside, aether is transformed by our location into an...alphabet?†He was unsure of his description thus far. “This alphabet communicates information to us. We may inscribe the information this alphabet conveys onto stone, and give that information to others. It is a method of communication. This volume of heretics describes certain individuals doing the same.â€
Gingerly, Kasrjin withdrew his hand from the reins and used it to flip some of the pages of the volume, careful to keep his balance. It would be less than optimal to fall off Karadwyr now. “The heretics used this in order to ease communication between themselves and the dragons, so it claims. If it is indeed the same method that my people use for the Correspondence--aether--then it is possible that what I seek is there. The aether in our location was growing erratic, and unable to be formed into comprehensible information. Our survival depends on our ability to utilize aether.â€
Kasrjin suddenly ceased speaking: that was one important note of information he should not have revealed. A frown crossed his lips as he fell silent.
Roen held quiet for his explanation, presumably contemplating his information before making her query. “So… your people can somehow… communicate with the aether? As if it is a sentient being?†She canted her head. “Is this aether something more than just a form of energy from where you are?â€
“It is a method of communication,†Kasrjin said somewhat solemnly. “It is not a two-way conversation. We may only receive information; whatever delivers it to us cannot perceive us. Members of the Tsenkhai are selected based on their ability to receive and interpret this information. Without aether, we are unable to receive this information. We are also unable to efficiently transmit this information to other members of the tribe. It is, ultimately, the basis of our organisational structure.â€
“Just exactly what kind of information do you receive from the aether?â€
Kasrjin shrugged. “The Tsenkhai receive much, though a great deal of the information is unusable without proper interpretation. It tells us when life is detected around our location; the Tsenkhai interpret this to tell where is good to hunt, or when enemies encroach upon our territories. It can reveal information about our environment; the Tsenkhai can interpret this to predict the seasons. It is with the aether’s information and the Tsenkhai’s interpretation that we survive. We remain one step ahead of all our adversities: the black ones cannot conquer us, the beasts cannot starve us, and the snows cannot overwhelm us.â€
Roen nodded, her expression thoughtful as the paladin turned her gaze rising towards the road. “So you hope to find some hints as to how the heretics are able to communicate with the dragons, using the aether?†She shook her head, her expression growing more intent. “Even if what is written in that book is true… how do you figure we will gain such secrets from the likes of heretics? They are not known to take outsiders in… unless you are one of their cause.
“First, we will verify if the information is true. If the heretics still reside in Anyx Trine, then--â€
Kasrjin's explanation was interrupted by a booming shriek echoing across the sky. Karadwyr squawked in fear, and a hand instinctively went to the greatsword mounted upon his back, his eyes skyward to look for the threat. A sweep of the horizon revealed nothing....until bursting from the gathering cloud cover came a streak of mottled green. "Karadwyr, vakh!" The Au Ra kicked his heels against the destrier's flank, causing the bird to break out into a fearsome gallop. Another streak of green emerged from the clouds to follow the first.
Mouths filled with formidable fangs and flickering flames snapped and hissed, as two wyverns descended from the skies in a fearsome divebomb. Another shriek, one audible in its hatred, resounded from the mouth of the lead. "Sah djahs afah an!" The second wyvern, slightly smaller than the one preceding it, unleashed a potent torrent of fire from its maw, scorching the roads. Kasrjin pulled the sword from its harness. Was the wyvern shouting? Was it speaking a language? He neither knew nor cared.
"Scatter!" is all he managed to shout to Roen before Karadwyr burst into a run. The terrain was unfavourable; it was mostly open ground. Several rocky spires pockmarked the horizon, but the wyverns had the advantage in speed and range. They could fly, but if the Au Ra's instincts were correct, the wyverns had attacked with an agenda. This wasn't a hunt borne from hunger, but from animosity. That was good. If that was true, then they could be goaded, tricked, and taunted. The wyverns could be spurred to make mistakes.
If his instincts were right.
Kasrjin was going to stake his life on that "if".
He grunted as he hefted the sword over his shoulder, standing up in the chocobo's stirrups in order to better keep his balance. The saddlebags and harnesses jingled as Karadwyr sprinted forward, and the roar of the wyverns could be heard resounding in the sky.
