A Squire's Test
[19:09]Rheya Tayuun: "Once upon a time of old, there was a Knight of Ishgard. This noble knight was renowned for his courage and his faith and his skill at arms, but alas... not quite for his brains."
[19:12]Rheya Tayuun: "So when word reached him of a fair princess kidnapped by an evil sorcerer and guarded by a fierce dragon? He did what any self-respecting knight of Ishgard would. Make the Perilous Journey up the sea-swept cliffs in a raging storm, with his squire clinging to his back. He dropped the squire off at the gates and burst in, roaring his mighty challenge! He found himself struck by lightning four times, and tossed off the cliff by the mighty sea dragon's wrath!"
[19:14]Rheya Tayuun: "Thus, the lone squire found herself staring up at the BIGGEST dragon she'd ever seen, as it looked to her and spoke in a distinctly girlish voice. "Your master was bold, child... But for all his strength, he was nothing before my might and the sorcerer in the tower behind me is mightier still. What hope do YOU have of challenging him and winning the freedom of your maiden fair?"
[19:17]Syranelle Ironleaf: "Faced with the fearsome visage of the dragon, her master all but pitched off the side of the cliff, the squire bent her will and wit against the aged wyrm. Â 'I'm sure that the maiden you have in that tower is getting a bit dated. Â Couldn't you use a new one? Â /I/ happen to be the purest of maidens and a champion lancer, to boot! Â Surely I'd make a finer prize than what you have in that tower at present.' Â The dragon stared at her for several long, tense moments...."
[19:20]Syranelle Ironleaf: " 'Hrm. Â I /suppose/...' The dragon mused. Â 'We've had that girl up there for Gods only know how long.' " Â The squire only beamed at her scaly opponent, doing her best to bat her eyes coquettishly. Â 'You see? Â I'd make a much more tempting prize for any Knight that comes along. Â Isn't that sort of the point?' Â The dragon squinted an eye, peering down at the squire with something akin to suspicion. Â 'How do I know you're really worth all that?' "
[19:23]Kada'to Jakkya: The squire matched her gaze with the dragon, keeping her smile sweet and her determination strong. A moment passed in silence before she spoke once more. "If you doubt me so much, great wyrm, then why not give me a test?" She then grinned with confidence. The dragon blinked slowly, then let out a slow, rumbling laugh.
[19:27]Kada'to Jakkya: "You've actually managed to amuse me, tiny one. Very well, I shall give you once chance to prove yourself to me." His great head then lowered to her height, and the wyrm's mouth opened slightly, revealing razor sharp fangs. "But know that if you fail me, your fate shall be worse than your knight's." The squire nodded, "Name your trial." She spoke.
[19:33]Nanamo Ul'namo: The great wyrm required only a moment's hesitation as she considered the possibilities, and after what seemed to be an eternity, growled her reply. "I but long for a treasure who can defend herself, and my master as well. Therefore shall my trial be one of combat." And though the young squire did not wince at this, rest assured her heart skipped several beats.
[19:39]Nanamo Ul'namo: Still, she dared not falter, and spoke evenly. "I assume you mean to say I am to face you?" But an idea sprung to her mind. "If I may, might I suggest a different opponent? I should like to face your master instead - to show I can slay more foes than even he!" As I am sure you might imagine, twas a far-fetched idea, but perhaps one with some merit…
[19:43]Iskander Farander: Slowly did the lezen man ascend the stairs. But when he stood he spoke in a raspy voice. Soft and scratchy like sand paper. He pushed it out, but it did not quite carry as well as he wished. "No." He uttered the dragon's line. "I would not sully my master with your presence. For if such skill be true, than you will surely be able to defeat myself and him." The dragon reared up, a deep seated chuckle boomed from his scaley chest. "Or art thou scared, little mouse?" A hefty flap of his wings
[19:45]Iskander Farander: struck any hope of another trial from the squire's mind. She would have to face this dragon for her Knight, the maiden and herself. She stayed resilient though, atleast in visage. She would not balk, though the softest prayer to Halone was uttered from her lips. "Fine!" She called out watching the dragon ascend. "Hail fury... Mother of mercy..." Her words trailed out into the wind and crashing waves. She'd ready her spear and spirit.
[19:49]K'weh Featherstroud: "Mercy be upon me, as all twelve winds are at my feet," she declared vehemently. So she would do battle with the lord that would proclaim himself master above all others. All the while his sire watched. The plight of mortals and their virtue, it was such a paltry thing, you see." K'weh flared his hands, the aether flowing from his grip to ignite a show of what it would be like to be just a humble squire at the mercy of such scales.
[19:49]K'weh Featherstroud: "Mercy be upon me, as all twelve winds are at my feet," she declared vehemently. So she would do battle with the lord that would proclaim himself master above all others. All the while his sire watched. The plight of mortals and their virtue, it was such a paltry thing, you see." K'weh flared his hands, the aether flowing from his grip to ignite a show of what it would be like to be just a humble squire at the mercy of such scales.
[19:58]Rheya Tayuun: "The squire leapt forwards with a valiant yell, her oaken spear flashing. In response, the Dragon snarled out a command to the stormclouds above, and lightning slashed down. But! In her fury, the dragon made one simple mistake. It's much, much easier to strike a tall Elezen riding a chocobo wearing metal armor than it is to strike a small purple-haired girl who's wearing only a tunic and pants!"
[20:02]Rheya Tayuun: "The thunder slammed into the squire with painful force, but she shrugged it off and continued her charge right up to between the Dragon's front legs. The Tower, on the other hand... The stones of the top balcony burst asunder and rained down, giving the Dragon a rather nasty headache!
[20:04]Syranelle Ironleaf: "Reeling from the clout to the head, the dragon fell to its side trying to shake off the dizziness. Â As it lay there, the squire circled 'round toward its soft, thinly-scaled underbelly. Â Yet, as the squire prepared herself to strike, the unbelievable happened...!
[20:05]Syranelle Ironleaf: " 'N-not dead yet...' came the raspy voice of her mentor and master, the aged Knight the dragon had knocked from the cliff. Â The old man struggled to climb the last bit of cliffside, yet it was clear he could not do so alone. Â The squire had a choice: defeat her foe... or save the mentor who had taught her all."
[20:09]Kada'to Jakkya: "The squire gripped her spear tightly, and for a moment she was torn between duty and loyalty. She had only seconds to choose. She took a steady breath, then turned from her mentor, the man she had followed loyally all these years, and faced the dragon…
[20:12]Kada'to Jakkya: "The squire raised her spear high, and threw it at the great wyrm. Her aim was true, and the point pierced deep into its belly. As the beast roared in pain, more stones crashed from above. With her opponent distracted, the squire turned towards the old knight and ran to help him up. She leaned over the edge of the cliff, offering the man her hand. "Take my hand!" She yelled out to him. The wyrm roared in fury this time as he began to regain his bearings. There was not much time left…
[20:16]Iskander Farander: Once more the scratchy voiced Elezen ascended the stairs. Breathing a deep, grit filled sigh out. He began speaking once more. The knight had reached for his squire's hand. A grim smile on his face, for he knew that his time would likely come soon. In the chaos did he ascend the cliff face in full. Blood spattering upon his lips. "Thank you." He uttered. Generic words to fill the air as the beast finally readied itself a new. (Ike boomed his voice here, likely in a pained manner.)
[20:19]Iskander Farander: "YOU WILL BE SMITTED." (Coughing ensues.) The beast roared, rearing up to stand on its hind legs. It's dark twisted aether willed the sea to its control, creating the sable price to begin conjuring about the pair's feet. But here the Knight did push the squire out allowing her to continue on. But as the walls of dark tainted water ascended, would she see the Knight's blade in the weathered, wilted grass. Bore of Halone's grace, the Knight's last parting gift. Â A blade of fury. A blade of light.
[20:22]K'weh Featherstroud: Do not squander the gifts of those that lay before you. Make them your own. Achieve the brightest day that could be cast from this darkest night. "I do not yield!" She reminded this dragon of his challenge. The rite of which he had squandered all of his loot and glory. His presige and the grace of deaths he had claimed. "I will not yield!" Tenacious, even in the wake of her master's vigil. Noble. But trite.
[20:24]K'weh Featherstroud: All great tales come to an end, those whom would be gathered here. The glory of a woman that would seek to dig her mettle against the masters. All things must end. All things return to whence they came. ...Not this story. You see it was. She was imbued with Halone herself. A Fury that could not be matched. A rite that only a sire can bequeath their inherit. Her master dreamt of only the world for her, and she dreamt only of the world for her lady. All the world fell in to place.
[20:29]Rheya Tayuun: "The Dragon shook off the daze caused by the collapsing balcony as the evil sorcerer threw open the doors that led to his balcony in astonishment at the noise. The Squire grasped the blade that shone with Halone's Grace, and was granted a vision of the sorcerous chains that bound the Dragon to her evil master."
[20:33]Rheya Tayuun: "The Dragon beat her powerful wings, causing the Squire to drop low and cling to the scrubby grass to not be blown off the cliff. As the Dragon dropped down and struck like a snake, the Squire leapt forwards! But instead of striking at the weak spot in the Dragon's scaly chest, the Squire pulled her humble spear free and cast it upwards at the evil Sorcerer instead!"
[20:36]Syranelle Ironleaf: "Glittering with the holy light of Halone, the spear lanced the distance between the Squire and the Sorcerer, but even as it did the jaws of the beast threatened to close around the Squire as she fell. Â Her eyes closed and she prepared herself to be transcended to the arms of her Goddess. Â The dragon's breath was fetid and foul upon her face as she felt its mouth draw nearer, the rumble of its voice as it echoed in her ears..."
[20:38]Syranelle Ironleaf: "Only to be silenced as her mentor came crashing down from overhead, smiting the dragon's head sideways. Â The old Knight and the dragon tumbled off into the snow on one side of the cliff, the Squire tumbled off to the other. Â Yet, she scrambled to her feet, looking heavensward to see her spear nearing its vulnerable target. Â Silently she prayed."
[20:44]Kada'to Jakkya: "She closed her eyes for a moment in her prayer, exhaling slowly before she opened them again. Time seemed to slow down. The sorcerer raised his hands as he began to cast some sort of magic to protect himself. A dark light began to slowly coat his form as the spear crashed into him. For a moment, nothing happened. The point of the spear was but centimeters away from his flesh, but it would not move.â€
[20:47]Kada'to Jakkya: "The sorcerer's expression twisted into a cruel grin, and moved his hand to toss the weapon away. The squire looked down from below in shock from her opponent's display in magic. But as the sorcerer's fingers touched the shaft of her weapon, the spear began to glow a brilliant white, and with a burst of pure light, the shield of magic around him shattered, and her weapon finally found its mark.
[20:51]K'weh Featherstroud: Godbert Hildebrand was the strongest and most elegant crafter in all the land. Always was and always will be, you see. In all his splendor and wisdom he had found the soul that could ignore the spark in a spear which had thus lain dormant until now. Now, as it throbbed loose the ichre of a scaleborn worship, he knew its place in the world. Not all things are given their design when the world was ripe for them. And not all purpose is fulfilled simply because duty calls.
[20:54]K'weh Featherstroud: Folley had no place here. Failure would not yeidl them. For he had never smelted the metal in such a way. So proud was he, of the rose that had slain the thorn, that she was allowed to keep her... trophy. Let it bear the weight of eighty tonze of pride and blood. She had no will for it. No patience for the splendor that came with the smite. It was not in the way of her world. In the last fell cry of a great beast she waded, lost in the lust of her Fury and rightly so.
[20:59]Rheya Tayuun: "The Sorcerer's evil magics were no match for the Fury's Light! Upon grasping the spear, the spells he so cunningly wove broke and lashed back upon him. The powers that were protecting him fled, and the Sorcerer took a staggering step forwards. Only to find that the ruined stones crumbled under his feet and he pitched forwards!"
[21:06]Rheya Tayuun: "The Sorcerer plummeted to his doom, impaling himself on the spear. Upon his death, the spells binding the Dragon broke! Revealing that the Dragon was actually the fair Princess of the Sea!"
[21:08]Syranelle Ironleaf: "The battle was ended. Â Snow fell and silence reigned for what seemed like aeons. Â The dragon -- no, the maiden now -- lay in the snow with the aged Knight. Â The two of them struggled to their feet and the Knight gallantly threw his cloak around her shoulders. Â 'It is done,' he said comfortingly. 'It is over.' Â Â Yet, the Princess of the Sea shook her head. Â 'Not yet...' "
[21:11]Syranelle Ironleaf: The Princess approached the Squire, both of the girls looking at each other for a long moment. Â Finally, the Squire smiled, giving a shrug. Â 'Did I pass your test?' Â The Princess smiled in return. 'So many gallants would have slain the dragon without a second thought, but you chose instead to attack her captor. Â For that, I owe you my life. Â What reward can I offer you? Â Riches? Â Titles? Â Land? Â Tell me, my savior, what I can offer you."
[21:20]Kada'to Jakkya: "The knight looked to the princess, and then the squire, and then began to laugh. Seeing this, the squire relaxed and turned her attention towards the princess, who awaited her reply patiently. "I- My lady. All I ask is but a simple kiss for luck. I have so much more to learn and many more adventures to take, so I do not wish to be tied down by lands or titles." At this, the princess smiled once more, then leaned in and pressed a single kiss to her cheek. ||
[21:20]Kada'to Jakkya: “I wish you all the luck in the world, hero. But when you have had your fill of adventures, know that I will welcome your return with open arms.†With that, the princess was taken back safe and sound to her home, and the squire and her knight set out to adventure once again.
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