In Tarsis and after it

This is not how he thought it would end. To leave the city like this…

When Seros came to Tarsis with Aisha, he was ready to be disappointed. The library had been lost for years and there was a slim chance to find anything of use. But luck was on their side and they met Evey and Arwany. Who would have guessed them to run into people who were also looking for the library?

Together they searched the ruins, wandered under the city to find clues. And they succeeded. They were granted an entrance to the library of Khrystann.

Seros does not remember how long he spent time there, roaming between the bookshelves in dim light and dust, with Arwany. He just wanted so badly to find some answers about old gods. Who they are and what they represent? And finally he found the right books. They did not tell as much as he would have liked, but cleared some questions from his mind, while creating many more in their place. ‘What now’, seemed to be the biggest one.

Not sure of the next step Seros decided to stay in the city for a little longer. Not to mention he had to find Aisha before even thinking of going anywhere. And say goodbye to Evey. But once they recieved a warning to leave Tarsis before midnight or die… finding the two became much more important. He did not know what sort of danger they might be facing, but it did not matter. After reuniting with Aisha, but with no sight of Evey, they went back into the city. And were surrounded by the Blue Dragon Army…

Now they are leaving Tarsis behind them. It is a miracle they were allowed to leave, but it does not make Seros relieved. Anger is boiling in his veins and it takes all his willpower to not turn back. The conversation with Gravestone keeps repeating in his head. Seros meant what he said; he hopes not to be the first to draw the sword, but if… when that happens, he won’t hold back. They are on opposite sides after all.

Arwany is struggling, demanding Seros to let her go and help the people in the city. But the young man keeps riding forward, making sure not to drop the woman from the saddle. Aisha is correct; there is nothing they can do here anymore. Except die. Three of them against an army? It would be suicidal.

Yet it does not make leaving any easier…

Now you all other happy campers involved!  

She didn't come Tarsis to feel this helpless again, to walk away when these people needed their aid!

Arwany came looking for knowledge, something that would give her strenght and certainty. Means to help people and find peace from her heart. She did find little piece of it with the help of Evey, Seros and that woman Aisha – Library, with old books and old lores. Gods of light, darkness and twilight.. clerics and dragons...  

Soon after the half-elf was forced to flee from the city of Tarsis when Blue Dragon Army appeared, and neither Seros or Aisha listened woman's pleads to turn back. She didn't want to leave all those people behind, not even being able to give them a warning. Besides, Evey was still somewhere, maybe even inside the city walls! Arwany should find her...

Now, they are in Rigitt and even when Arwany is calmed down and made sure the pointy ears are hidden under the hair, her heart is heavy and all she can think about is all those innocent people in the hands of an army. Seros and Aisha speak of getting help from the North – or at least get the message in there of what is happening in Tarsis.

Arwany glances around them, knowing that Rigitt's people should be warned also and she will warn them.

But all this has also given her confirmation of something else... Old gods. They really existed if there is an army of men enslaving cities in their names. And that brings even some certainty she had yearned for so long.

Aisha came to Tarsis mostly becouse she was bored. And there was a slight chance that kid would actually find something useful, although Aisha didn't really think old books could be any help when finding out about a war that was just starting.

She was more than little surprised when they actually found the library, but she had never really liked reading, so she left that to kid and miss Arwany. Funny how kid always managet to surround him self with people.

Dragon Army was an unpleasant surprise. But atleast they did find something about the war. Even more unpleasant was finding that the army belonged to Gravestone, although maybe it was luckiest thing that could have happened to them. Gods (new and old) bless that kid and his appility to get people to like him.
For a moment Aisha feared that she could not get kid and miss Arwany out of Tarsis. That woman was suicidal, if she thought she could be any help there. But fortunately kid was more practical, even though Aisha could see he didn't want to leave those people either. But Evey seemed like she could take care of herself, where ever she was, and they could not be any help for anyone if they got themselves killed. And Aisha was not going to get killed in a suicide mission when there were still people she knew and who might (and would) be in danger if no one warned them. If they really wanted to help Tarsis, they would need an army to do it.

Lily Derinus rode to Tarsis to see how the conquest went.
Everything seemed to be alright, but the bandits and gypsies were holding the old city, and Lily thought it was a problem.

She was fighting with the gypsies, when a surprising blow got through her guard. It could have ended badly, but a man in an armor came to help her. Gratefully she handed the man a ring that she didn't need, and was ready to leave the old city.

But the gypsies attacked once more, with greater power, and as the spells of the gypsy mages hit her and the man, she was sure she saw the armored man casting spells of his own. Then she lost her consciousness.

After waking up Lily found her horse Conquest ironically dead. Lily pointed the man with her blade, and she was sure the man was the reason why her horse was dead and the gypsies got her knocked out. She demanded compensation, and after a while she decided, that the man's hand would pay for her horse.

Obviously the man wasn't willing to give his hand, and managed to trick Lily and escape. Lily did not lose her temper. She went to the Dragonarmy officer and reported the man in armor as a wanted person. She gave a description and said, that the man should be brought in front of her - alive, rather than dead.

Word of the " horse murderer " passed quickly through the ranks of the army, getting to the ears of Gravestone pretty quickly. Not long after that incident a man matching the description was unlucky enough to meet Grave on the outskirts of Solace. Grave was not in a good mood and the man didn't seem to understand the mortal danger he was in. After the storm hit Solace, blasting many areas and some people with lightning the man still hadn't walked away from Grave which left only one possible outcome. With a deft swish, Grave swept up his sword and severed the mans left hand clean off. wrapped it in some old cloth and kept it for his General.

Arwany decided to stay behind. While not quite agreeing to it, Seros could not stop her doing what she felt was right. Not this time. And they would meet again, he knew they would, or at least hoped so.

Now it was just him and Aisha, just like when they had first started this journey. After staying in Rigitt and warning the people there, the two headed for Caergoth. This brought anxiety and worry to Seros’ heart. He knew they had to pass the word about the Dragon Army and the coming war. It was important, but even more so for him. As this city was his home… This was where his family lived.

But after running away without a word of warning some time back (it was not even that long ago, but felt like years to him), Seros didn’t want anyone recognizing him. He couldn’t face his family, not yet. This was not the time for it. So he wandered around the city, telling the news as many people as he could and dared. Most merely waved him off.

As if he wasn’t feeling down already, Aisha had bumped into Gravestone again. Though somehow, Seros was grateful for this small chance of conversation. He wasn’t sure how many times he could still meet the man without battle and bloodshed. He hoped it would never need to come to that, but at the same time knew it could not be avoided forever.

They didn’t stay long in Caergoth and soon were already sailing to Crossing. And from there to Solace. Alerting everyone they met of what had happened to Tarsis, what was likely happening elsewhere and heading this direction also. All the while searching for the person they needed to find.