Chapter 2
Sarah walked about the castle of Braiken, where the Incar school is located. She didn't see much of the outside world, only when the cloister had field training with the guards, even then her sight seeing was limited.
"Formidable Allies..." Sarah thought on the words of Alicia. She wondered where these warriors of might AND reason would exist.
Her journey around Braiken, which seemed to have so much potential would be soon cut short, however...
"GET HER!" Yelled a guard.
As the Incar turned to look what was the commotion about, a slim, mysterious figure shot across her from the corner of her eye.
It was only a blink from the Incar's beautiful eye lashes, and that was more than enough time for the shadowy being to evade her frontal vision. This also was more than enough time for a hand that moved so quickly, it flashed as if a ray of light entering into a dark room. This said hand swooped across like a hungry hawk, and snatched the Incar's satchel.
"Hey-" was all the words the Incar could mutter as she stumbled
backward from the speedily movement of the female that sped past her. The Incar's stumbling brought about a short adventure to the teleportation pad found in this city, which can bring any personnel to another location, granted that the desired place also had a teleportation pad, along with an Augur to use the device. Another person was also in the middle of using the pad. She fell onto him and heard the Augur who was in charge of that pad shout, "HEY! You gotta pay..." but it began to blur, as well as her sight of him, for the teleportation process already began, and she would travel with this stranger to Loa, whether she liked it or not.
A strange beginning for an Incar Mage, seeking to befriend other like minded warriors, but the teleportation itself was what worried her. The Incar mage knew not of what to make of the bright stars and lights that seemed to ebb and wave as time passed. She was scared, she never used this method of travel before, and now she feared penalty for teleporting without fares paid. She clung to something, someone. She did not know if it was the stranger who she bumped into in Braiken, or if it was the female that took her satchel. Her satchel! She wanted to look to see if it was really gone or not, but in this space of here to there, she did not want to risk doing anything.
It wasn't too long, until she saw something, someone, far away, and in the blink of an eye he seemed close enough to be touched. A black flame added to contrast the being from the bright stars and lights that surrounded the Incar Mage. The being turned to her, his eyes with a ruby red glow.
"Did I summon you? If so what thing are you? Have you come from Abaddon's pit or the womb of Trieste?" She then realized that the thing she was clinging to was the man engulfed in those dark flames. The man recognized this as well, and pushed her away in disgust. However, that disgust soon turned to a cautious amazement and wonder.
"You are not harmed by my dark magic?" The mage looked down for the first time and saw no injury to herself that would result from burns. She shook her head.
"I do not know why you are here, or how you got here, but I am a summoner, and I am waiting for a minion of mine to arrive. Please be gone." The mage wished to respond, but no voice came out. It was as if she lost that ability here in this place. The summoner was angered by this.
"I will tell you once more, begone, or I shall destroy you where you stand!" This however, gave no fear to rise out of the mage. For the Incar, a strange peace and serenity came over her, as if to say here is where she belonged at this present time.
"GET OUT OF HERE!" The summoner yelled as he raised his voice and lifted his hands to cast a spell, but to his surprise, no spell resolved.
"What have you done witch?! If you shall not heed my magic, then you will adhere to my physical prowess!" He lunged forward to assault her, and as she responded to this action, the summoner's seemingly punishing attack began to slow, and any force that would have harmed the mage, seemed to drain from the summoner. Little by little, his movements were slowed to a halt, and as his fist made contact, it looked like a friendly tap against the mage's shoulder. This enraged the man, and he began a flurry of blows, all to which had the same result as the first. Whatever magically effect that caused this, his attacks began to slow, and what bellowed as war cries from his air filled lungs, slowly turned into the sounds of a whimpering child. As the summoner stopped, he began to sob
"...Please...leave...there is no other place I have that is safe...please"
And from that moment, it felt as if this safety the summoner spoke of was the one thing that the mage could give. She knelt down with the summoner, who had collapsed, and as she placed her hand on his shoulder, the black fire that seemed to consume his very existence suddenly subsided. In an instant, the once dark and star filled void the two were in became a place of light and shadow, perfect co-existence, a spectacular balance between day and night, like a tree placed in the perfect spot on a warm sunny day, casting the most amazing shade any couple could ever dream of having a picnic under. It was in this shade that the summoner stopped his sobbing, looked up with child like eyes, and softly spoke:
"who are you?" Without a moment to respond, the Incar and mage felt this dream like place would end, as they both closed there eyes, only to open them in another place we call the physical realm, reality.
As the eyelids of the mage opened, the image she saw was hazy. She saw a hand extended to her, and without seeing who it was, she reached for it and felt the strength of a hundred men pull her up from the ground. Blinking for a bit and shaking her head, she heard a man speak.
Man: Greetings noble Incar! Was your travel here pleasant?
Sarah:...Yes... for the most part...
(The man stays close to her, making sure she is able to keep her own balance)
As the eyelids of the mage opened, the image she saw was hazy. She saw a hand extended to her, and without seeing who it was, she reached for it and felt the strength of a hundred men pull her up from the ground. Blinking for a bit and shaking her head, she heard a man speak.
Man: Greetings noble Incar! Was your travel here pleasant?
Sarah:...Yes... for the most part...
(The man stays close to her, making sure she is able to keep her own balance)
Man: Haha, I see. I can tell you don't usually travel using teleportation. Say, what had you rush onto the platform with me? Had an appointment you were rushing for? Perhaps a date with a dashing man?
He laughed out loud at his own joke, or what he thought was one, but as he saw the mage was still getting her bearings, he toned it down.
Man: I apologize, but I would like to know why you jumped onto that platform with me in such a hurry? The Augur at Braiken won't be pleased you got a free ride.
As the mage looked up, she noticed that it was the man who she bumped into on the teleportation platform after she stumbled from the female thief's speed. Thief, the Incar thought in her mind, because she noticed her satchel missing.
Man: I apologize, but I would like to know why you jumped onto that platform with me in such a hurry? The Augur at Braiken won't be pleased you got a free ride.
As the mage looked up, she noticed that it was the man who she bumped into on the teleportation platform after she stumbled from the female thief's speed. Thief, the Incar thought in her mind, because she noticed her satchel missing.
Sarah: Yes... I was pushed onto the platform by someone...a woman.
Man: ...Was she pretty?
Sarah: Yes...wait what?! She took my belongings! I don't have any dil now, because of it!
Man: Oh! I am so sorry about that. I was just looking for a date to treat tonight, I thought that woman would be a candidate...Perhaps I'll stop now.
Sarah: ...Its alright
The Incar gave a strange look at the man, then slowly chuckled at the man's humorous nature, for better or worse.
Man: Where are my manners? I am an Azure Knight, of the Azure Order. You are an Incar, we both know each others goals and purposes. I have sworn my aid to the Incar, and thus will offer you my hand...
Sarah: Thank you, I will be needing-
Azure Knight: In marriage haha!
Sarah: ...You said you would stop
Azure Knight: Oh, there I go again, I apologize
Sarah: ...I think I will enjoy your company, Azure Knight
Azure Knight: ...Really?! Do you enjoy my humor?
Sarah: Yes, or the lack thereof
Both of them chuckle
Sarah: Sir knight, what town is this?
Azure Knight: I wouldn't call this place a town, rather a city. Loa is the name. The guards here aren't just made up of Braiken recruits, but also the local militia.
Sarah: Loa? I see...would you be willing to travel with me back to Braiken to search for the woman who took my belongings? I will pay you handsomely for this endeavor.
Azure Knight: Of course! I also wish to discover who this female thief is that took your belongings...and possibly ask her on a date haha!
The knight expected the Incar to roll her eyes and show disgust for his lack of taste in jokes, but the Incar smiled and appreciated his friendly nature. She knew this would be a person to fight along side her when the time came.
Sarah: Thank you. My name is Sarah, and what is your name Azure Knight?
Albert: Oh, my name is Albert, its a pleasure to meet you, I have to check in with the other knights here first before I go with you, but perhaps I can pay for your fare back to Braiken, and meet you at a certain location afterwards.
Albert goes to pay the Augur at the teleportation pad, but as he does, a whish was heard, and a piercing arrow struck the Augur before Albert's hand could extend to pay any fare.
Sarah gasped, and looked to where the projectile had come from. A group of people clothed in dark were running full sprint at Albert and herself with spears, swords, and bow & arrows in hand.
Albert: Abbadon cultists!
Albert unsheathes his sword and takes off the shield that was on his back. He charges forward to meet a cultist's sword with his shield, then cuts him into two from the hips.
Sarah prepares a spell of hers, which befalls the cultist running foolishly at her. The man combusts into flames, and screams, until impaled by Albert's blade.
After the battle...
Albert: Are you alright Sarah?
Sarah: Yes, I am (panting a bit)...I see you have great skill with your sword. I'm glad to have you as a companion
Albert: (becomes a bit bashful) Oh, thank you, thank you.
A man enters onto the scene, with 2 knights in armor accompanying him
Albert: Sir Alistear! Where were the guards? We had to take care of them ourselves!
Alistear: My apologies, they were on the other side of Loa. The warriors that inhabit this place also were not present at the time. I am impressed that...
Alistear takes notice of our mage Sarah
Alistear: ...You both have faired well. And what privilege do I have in meeting such a powerful and beautiful mage as yourself?
Alistear bows before the mage. Sarah takes a bow as well.
Sarah: Thank you sir Knight, my name is Sarah. I was sent by the head mistress in Braiken's Incar order, to acquire allies in the battle against Abbadon.
Alistear: From Braiken? Head mistress Alicia? Usually she has mages recruited right away into the Braiken Garrison. She must have a special purpose for you leaving the castle without alerting the army I'm sure.
Sarah: Yes...She had her reasons, for which I am unsure of why, but I honor her and will do as she asks me.
Alistear: I trust her judgement as well. Come now, let us take our conversation else where. I do not wish to discuss... private matters out in the open.
