BattleMaster > Roleplaying
Turin's return
pcw27:
Turin gazes over his letters puzzled. The Emperor had announced his return mere hours after Turin had made his announcement, yet in that time he'd still received several condemnations and accusations of usurpation and lust for power.
"What was the point of this?" he asked aloud, "I've no chance of winning this election and may have even made a few enemies. Scribe, begin a new letter on official bureaucratic parchment, 'After my name and titles message reads I herby withdraw-"
"Do not close your heart to the Maddening," Illyria interrupted, "the prophet shall lead you clear to the other side."
Turin took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
"Scribe discard that parchment and begin a new,"
pcw27:
Turin arrived in Nimh late the at night, he needed to investigate the battle for himself. Much to is disappointment there was little to learn except that Artorias had been wounded. He called upon the estate of Light Katrina Dragul one of his oldest friends. The staff admitted him and his entourage giving them the ancient right of hospitality.
He slept but briefly before being awakened by the cry of Ravens. Letters poured in from the church, and inevitably he would need to send letters back.
Now many sleepless hours later his wrist ached and his head throbbed. Penning one last letter he put down his quil, shut his eyes, and rubbed his temples.
Then without warning a joyous sound interrupted his moment's respite.
Her voice was clear as a bell, cheerful as a sparrow song, and warm as a spring breeze, "Uncle TURIN!" she cried.
Turin opened his eyes and at once forgot his wrist and his temple. The girl leaped into his arms and he could not help but laugh as he caught her. After a firm hug he held her back a moment to look at her better. It was hard to believe that four years had passed already. She really did look like her mother with her ebon black hair, and crystal grey eyes, but she had something her mother did not, an aura of pure white light, perceptible only to Turin.
"Stars be praised Severina how you've grown. You're springing up like a dandelion. I remember when I could hold you in one arm. How tall are you now?"
"Two and a half cubits," She replied with pride.
Turin's joy and surprise faded a bit and concern set in.
"Where is your mother? He asked? How did you get here?"
"She is in the courtyard. We rode here. Don't be afraid for us. The temple guards came too," she assured him.
Turin hugged her again.
"You are unhappy," she said.
"Yes, there is much trouble in the church," Turin said, "I don't know if you're able to understand it yet."
"I understand it," she said, "I don't have the words for it yet, but I feel it."
She placed her hand on Turin's forehead, right over the divot where there was a hole in his skull, his third eye as it were. Turin felt the curiously cool touch of Severina's palm. His headache subsided, his eyes closed and he felt at peace.
"It is alright Uncle Turin, soon you will be starlight," She said.
"Starlight?" Turin asked, confused.
"Yes, you will be starlight and shine on me and everyone else for ever. Very soon it will happen and there will be no more pain."
Turin stared mesmerized at Severina's smiling face as he realized the meaning of her words. His eyes welled up with tears and overflowed.
"The world does not deserve you," Turin said.
"No one deserves the Blood Stars, yet there they are," she replied.
pcw27:
Faithful,
In the midst of so many other happenings I have something astounding to report.
I sail now on the Channel of Gelene. I arose at dawn when the Blood Stars were still visible and made my way above deck. There I saw Severina meditating at the bow her dutiful guards at her side as always. The pleasant sight made me smile, but then something seemed amiss. The prophetess' shoulders began to shake, first faintly then in violent convulsions. I ran to the bow and knelt beside her. Her eyes rolled back in her head as she thrashed back and forth. I seized her in my hands, cried her name. Then her eyes snapped back, but pupils were as pinpricks. She leaned to my ear and whispered:
"The withered vine must grow green again,
and from it will sprout many fruits,
of different shapes,
but all red as blood.
The children will come, eat of them and grow strong"
She said this and collapsed into my arms. She slept for some time but is well now. I believe this was her first prophecy.
pcw27:
Turin prepared another scathing rebuttal to Adam and as he did he coughed so violently it made him clench his eyes shut. When he opened them again he saw his parchment page splattered with blood.
He sighed and gazed out the window, reflecting on happier times. From the office of his manor he could his favorite hill, and atop it a pavilion with three peaked roofs sheltering three cushioned seats.
He remembered when Katrina had come to visit him so many months ago. He’d been sitting in the shade of the pavilion with Severina and Illyria. He heard Katrina’s footsteps on the cobblestone steps which wound their way up the hill. The sound roused him from his meditation upon the Maddening star
He turned to see Katrina’s smiling face creased with age though it was, her eyes still shown brightly, or at least to Turin they did. He could see an aura about her, as he could for all people, and hers was a warm red but somewhat more faint and wispy than others.
“Katrina,†he greeted, “it’s been too long. This is Illyria and of course the young Prophetess Severinaâ€
The two made an imposing pair. They had the same dark hair and piercing crystal blue eyes. Severina was not quite five years of age yet she sat still and patient her face placid. It gave her an air of serenity, wisdom and dignity few adults can project.
Katrina curtseyed, “My lady, your holiness,â€
“Indeed it has been too long brother,†replied Katrina, “What is this you’ve built here?â€
Turin smiled with pride as he answered.
“I call it an Astro-oculus. It is my preferred space for meditating upon the stars. I think they will become quite common in the future,â€
“Turin has been contemplating the Maddening, it is his patron,†Severina interjected, “mother is attuned to the Austere. I am balanced with all so I chose the Auspicious.â€
“Would you like to mediate with Holy Severina,†Illyria offered as she rose from her cushion.
“It would be a privilege of course,†Katrina replied.
Katrina took her place beside Severina and she whispered something to Katrina, something Turin could not hear. Then the three sat for a brief time in perfect peace.
There was no peace now, not for the church and not for Turin. Yet one might know peace soon enough.
pcw27:
They say a proper duel should be fought at dawn, but I could be dead by dawn, Turin thought as he gazed at the Western sky. The sun dipped beneath the horizon and at last the great zealot could see his beloved Holy Blood Stars. He breathed deep as he gazed upon them. One last look, the thought, then I will be with you. I’m coming Boreal, Rowan all you heroes and martyrs of old.
Out of the corner of Turin’s eye a glare disturbed his reflection, there could be no doubt in his mind what he saw. This was aura of a living legend. He’d seen it in years past shining across the battlefield like a beacon. This was the victor of innumerable tournaments. How many mighty knights had been slain by his hand in duels such as this? The name of this ancient warrior struck fear in the hearts of foes and admirers alike, Karibash ka Habb.
Behind the great swordsmen marched a troupe of warriors eager to see their master in action. Karibash sneered at Turin upon approach.
“Well if it isn’t the sniveling whelp Turin, seems your fear of ignominy has finally overcome your fear of death,†he mocked.
“Lord Karibash, your hatred is as constant as the light of the Blood Stars, it warms my heart,†Turin replied.
He drew his sword. He thought he’d abandoned its ways years ago when he took up the cloth, he’d even broken if off at the hilt to signify his dedication to the church, but circumstances had changed. The smiths of Astrum forged it anew and now he was ready to do battle. One last time, Turin thought. Karibash drew his sword as well.
“Well then, shall we have at it or do you need someone to drop a mace,†Karibash taunted.
“I think that’s proper,†Turin replied
“Captain bring forth a mace!†Karibash bellowed.
His man strode forward. He held the weapon aloft and let if fall. Turin’s foe seemed to be upon him the same instant he heard sound of the mace hitting the ground. Turin staggered backwards, his sword flailing wildly to deflect Karibash’s many deadly blows. In the course of the melee he lost his balance and dropped to one knee, his blade still held aloft.
“Get up weakling!†Karibash demanded.
Turin rose, he had scarcely a moment to gain his footing before Karibash was upon him again. This time he side stepped. Karibash deftly pivoted. Now Turin could see the Bloodstars over his foe’s shoulder. He breathed deep again and a great calm washed over him.
Karibash lunged again and their blades clashed, but this time both found flesh. Karibash’s sword grazed Turin’s thigh, and as it did Turin brought his own blade down on Karibash’s wrist, severing it in twain. Hand and sword clattered to the ground in a spray of blood. Without a cry, without even a wince Karibash reached for his sword with his left hand, but Turin stomped on the weapon so it could not be recovered. He hesitated a moment, the tip of his sword aimed at Karibash’s throat.
“Do it you coward!†Karibash shouted, “you are only killing a man!â€
Turin clenched the hillt of his sword ever tighter until his hand shook, then with a cry of rage he plunged the blade into Karibash’s heart. The blood spatter mixed with his crimson robes. He panted unable to believe what had just happened. Turin looked to the Torens, fearing they might slay him in turn.
“No matter,†their captain said.
Turin stared back, puzzled
“do you not understand his last words?â€
Turin shook his head.
“You have only slayed Karibash the man, Karibash the legend, the god, lives on,†the Captain explained.
And with that the troupe gathered up the body of their fallen leader, leaving Turin to watch, bewildered and lost.
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