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Post by Beriadan on Apr 18, 2024 11:16:13 GMT
The sharp light of the morning sun cut through the retreating night, as a rider and their horse thrust onwards. Before them, the familiar sight of Värgen greeted them, and already scouts and sentries had called ahead of their arrival. Word was spreading within, word of mouth dancing from Page to Page, despite the raised eyebrows of their mentors and Inquisitors.
Sir Clive had returned.
He slowed as the great iron gates began to swing back. The cruel grey stone of Värgen looked strangely beautiful, bathed in the golden light of the sun's morning warmth. Sir Clive smiled to himself. There was certainly a comfort in the harsh sight of this place.
He drew up in the courtyard, ignoring the inquisitive eyes of the Pages that had snuck out to see him. Sir Clive was well-known for his friendly nature, especially compared to other Inquisitors. Yet there was one he doted on more than others... and as he leapt down from his steed, the Inquisitor was already looking around for Arthur. The boy was usually one of the first to greet him on his return, and Sir Clive had plenty to tell him. A weight in his tunic also promised some near contraband present for the lad as well. Sir Clive stretched his arms high to the morning sky, the stiffness of the ride making itself apparent after hours on the road. He was ready for the comparative comfort of Värgen. Even the brutal walls of this fortress beat sleeping rough in the road.
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Post by DornKoon on Apr 18, 2024 21:40:15 GMT
Arthur had been up early; the boy had always been an early riser, even before coming to Värgen. His years at the orphanage did not give much time to snoozing in the mornings, and it was ingrained into him that one had to accomplish something useful before breakfast! So, as he left his bed, he spent the morning doing his chores, cleaning, sweeping, returning some tomes to their shelves, and putting the water to boil for the morning tea before preparing his Master's breakfast. It had become routine, and he found comfort in knowing what to expect and what to do. It was as he was out collecting wood to restock the fireplace in his Master's study that some of the other young Pages told him that scouts had sighted Sir Clive and would be returning to the fortress shortly.
It was welcome news! It was not like he had to hurry back with the wood. He had time to say hello to Sir Clive.
And, much as expected, Sir Clive found Arthur's familiar blonde hair waving at him from one of the stairs. The young Page Apprentice was holding a basket filled with logs of wood. He carefully came down the stairs to meet the Inquisitor, who had dismounted his horse. Arthur also stood out because he had forgotten to put on his cloak, unborthed by the chill air as he was, even if it had given him some... weird looks from other people at the fortress.
"You're back," was the first word that came out of the boy's mouth once they were close enough to speak. "I mean... greetings, Sir Clive." He quickly added, remembering that proper etiquette was important—or so he had been reminded repeatedly. "I trust your travels went well?" Sir Clive seemed unharmed, indicating that things went well.
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Post by Beriadan on Apr 22, 2024 11:05:07 GMT
[Perception, minor success]
Grinning, Sir Clive stepped forward to greet Arthur properly, standing before him with a hand on his hip, grey eyes glinting in the mounting sunshine. Perhaps he did seem unharmed at first, but Arthur's keen eyes would pick up on a slight limp that saw the Inquisitor favouring his left leg. It was obvious the man was trying to conceal it, but whether it was for Arthur's sake was unclear. "Arthur, lad! You've grown since I've been away. Someday I'll return and you'll be a man!"Sir Clive seemed unaware of the eyes on them, or perhaps he just didn't care. He and Arthur had a strange relationship compared to most Inquisitors and Pages. The man indicated for them to walk and talk, aware that Arthur was in the midst of chores for the Master. A thing they had both been scolded about before. "My travels went... perfectly well. The usual adventure, daring escapes and heroic battles, damsels in distress and all that! Hah! But one day, Arthur, and not too long now, you can come with me for your first one."Sir Clive grinned at this, hand ruffling the Page's hair. Something danced behind his grey eyes, an expression of something that Arthur couldn't quite make out, but his devilish glint returned as the Inquisitor walked beside him as they walked together. "And how about you? How has life in Värgen been in my absence?" |
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Post by DornKoon on Apr 22, 2024 12:04:02 GMT
Arthur straightened himself a little more when Sir Clive mentioned how much he had grown; it was not something he was taking note of himself... but the inquisitor was a professional so that he would know these things surely. Still, the faint limp he was seeing caught the boy's eyes, but he also noticed he worked to conceal it... Arthur was not so selfish as to think Clive did it for his sake; as an Inquisitor, it was important to give a certain impression... so that had to be it.
The young Page joined Sir Clive as the two began to walk.
"Really?!" Arthur asked, surprised to hear that. He was not even a fully recognized Page yet. And what would Master say? Helping the Inquisition, yeah, he could do that for sure. They had saved him from the life he had before, and if he could be useful for Galt, and if it could give him a better position. "I mean, once I'm sufficiently trained."
He reflected on the question for a moment, glancing at the fortress. How had he been? Most of the things here were better than they used to be; he did not have to share a room with several other kids or listen to the nuns scolding him. Sure, he was scolded by his Master occasionally, but it did not feel the same... it was different because he was scolded when he did something wrong, not because of... "just because I feel like scolding you."
"It's good," Arthur replied slowly, adjusting his grip on the basket. "I've got my room and a bed, and I get to eat... the food is much better than at the orphanage. I keep myself busy, and someone has to ensure Master remembers to eat, "My work is vital; I can't keep track of such unimportant details; just put the bowl on that table"." He made his best impression of his Master before grinning slightly. "Master is good to me, and I'm learning many things."
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Post by Beriadan on Apr 29, 2024 17:44:53 GMT
"Yes... of course."
Sir Clive gave a half shrug at the mention of the Master, an expression that Arthur would miss if he wasn't paying attention darting across his face. Then he was back, nudging Arthur with his folded arms, chuckling as they strode the grounds. With a swift movement, he plucked the basket from the boy's hand, laughing, holding it above his head.
"Sufficiently trained? Hah, perhaps you're right! To be bested by someone like me means you're far from ready!"
Sir Clive stepped ahead a few paces, turning to face Arthur and walking backwards, balancing the basket on his head. The limp wasn't so noticeable; perhaps he saw he had been noticed, and was covering it up. Or perhaps it wasn't as bad as it seemed before.
"Well, lad, as long as you look after yourself too. That man... he often looks past personal needs. So preoccupied with whatever future lies before him, he forgets about what is happening in the now."
Sir Clive stopped, cocking his head to one side.
"What's the most important thing you've learnt from this place so far?"
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Post by DornKoon on Apr 30, 2024 9:54:55 GMT
"Hey!" Arthur exclaimed as Sir Clive nabbed the basket, keeping it well out of reach before balancing it on his head. He made a few attempts to retrieve it, but that was a fool's errand, and he quickly gave up, rolling his eyes. "Well, I'm doing my best-" he paused, brushing some snow out of his hair. " Besides, I'm better than you at getting through small places; you're so big you'd get stuck." He did note how Clive's face changed at the mention of his Master, but... he had no idea what that expression meant. Not that Sir Clive and his Master interacted much, at least not that Arthur had seen.
Still, it was not Arthur's business...
"I know-" Arthur said in agreement, his brow furrowing slightly. He did like his Master, and it was not that he disliked helping out. "He's not the most personable man; I get it. Some say he is driven... even if I don't know exactly what that means."
At the question, Arthur momentarily stopped but quickly continued walking... looking at Sir Clive. What is the most important thing he has learned from this place so far? There were many things he had learned... but what was important? That felt very... personal. Arthur raised a hand to his chin, brow furrowing even more into an expression of intense thinking.
"I think-" he looked up at the grey clouds... "Reading, yes, so far reading is the most important thing I've learned here." Reading might be the most obvious thing for some people, but for Arthur, the skill had opened up a new world, a skill normally reserved for those with the money to pay for an education or with a family to learn from. Arthur had been born with neither.
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Post by Beriadan on May 7, 2024 7:33:28 GMT
"Hey, I've not put on that much weight! In fact, I daresay I've slimmed down since you last saw me!"
Sir Clive laughed, a true soulful noise. Arthur could make his worries melt away. The Inquisitor continued in step with the boy, noting the pause that his question had created. He raised an eyebrow, but nodded with agreement.
"Words are weapons too. Most people can swing a sword or loose an arrow, but few remember that our tongues were the first blades we had against our enemies."
Sir Clive crossed his arms and nodded again, solemnly. He, better than most, understood Arthur's past. It wouldn't be lost on him. He had noticeably not spoken on the Master, leaving Arthur's words drifting like flakes of snow across the courtyard.
"Keep up those studies, keep your mind sharp and honed, and you'll be as formidable as any Knight, lad!"
Sir Clive grinned, gripping the hilt of his blade as if to highlight this. He was known to be a man of both strengths, but he had much in the way of speechcraft.
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Post by DornKoon on May 7, 2024 10:42:14 GMT
"Suppose that's true," said Arthur, watching Sir Clive as he walked. "Words are weapons, I can see that. "
Still, Sir Clive did it again, noticeably avoiding the subject of Arthur's master. The boy could not help but be curious. Why was Clive so keen not to talk about the old Page? He could be gruff, but he was not mean or cruel. He was maybe not the most kind-spoken person, but Arthur had come to admire him, and he had been good to him in many ways, so for the other person he admired to act this way seemed odd.
"Oh, I'm planning to, for sure." Arthur continued, "Master's been teaching me the basics of magic, too, so I can do some small tricks. He tells me that I'm making "adequate progress," which coming from him means I'm doing something right."
As they walked, Arthur tried to understand what feelings might be behind this, watching for reactions or anything that could give a clue of what Clive was feeling. Was it dislike? Or something else? Maybe Sir Clive was jealous that Arthur was talking about Master. It sounded a little silly when he thought about it, but maybe it was something else entirely.
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Post by Beriadan on May 9, 2024 11:26:17 GMT
[Success]
From what Arthur could glean from Sir Clive, it wasn't that there was a dislike for the Master. There was a bit of jealousy in his eyes as Arthur spoke fondly of the man, but Sir Clive didn't try and hide his fondness for the boy, so that was understandable. Indeed, even as Arthur spoke of learning the basics of magic, and how the Master said his progress was continuing, on Sir Clive's face flashed an emotion that might surprise the boy.
He was concerned, bordering on fearful. His brow creased together as he looked away, turning so his back was facing Arthur, folding his arms.
"Ah... well, that is good news. Being able to defend yourself in this world is the most important thing, that I can concur. One day, Page or Inquisitor, you'll learn that, lad."
Sir Clive let out a breath, then turned back to the boy. He was smiling again, a twinkle in his eye, emotions hidden again under a mask of warmth. He handed back the basket, arm outstretched towards Arthur.
"I feel like I'll cause you a scolding if I hold on any longer, eh? You should return to your chores, before the Master notices your absence. I'll be around for a few days, so perhaps we can catch up after your shift?"
Sir Clive smiled, shooting Arthur a quick wink as he did so.
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Post by DornKoon on May 9, 2024 16:00:25 GMT
"I'll be fine," Arthur said as he accepted the basket with firewood, giving Sir Clive what he hoped was a confident smile. "I've been able to care for myself so far. There is nothing new here; it's just the location that has changed. Besides, had you not found me, who knows what damage I might have caused to myself if my magic were left untrained?" He blew some snow, which had landed on his nose. "I'll make you proud of me and be a great Page, you'll see."
Arthur's eyes widened at the mention of being scolded.
"Yes, I should return before he starts wondering where his tea is. I'll see you later, Sir Clive," he said, giving a quick bow before turning on his heels and returning to the home he shared with his master. "Oh yes, I'll be sure to come looking for you after my lessons... and everything else." He said over his shoulder, almost walking into a wall... but catching himself at the last second. Feeling his cheeks heat up, Arthur said nothing else and hastened his steps...
"Well... that was embarrassing", Arthur muttered as he walked back inside, shaking the snow off before closing the door. He tried to do so silently before aiming to return the basket with firewood to its usual place in the kitchen. He could not stop thinking about the look of concern Sir Clive had given him, not just concern but fear.
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