Deidre
Skout was becoming accustomed to the sensation of being adrift, of being lost in the world without claims, without ties. He had made his way across the continent, on foot, by wagon, by ship, and by portal. Always the feeling persisted: he was not needed, he was not bound to anything or anyone he came into contact with. Even in the transition between entering a portal in Aismir and stepping out into a place on the other side of the continent in this place, Wai Oromarde, the wash of nothing in the abyss between worlds was more akin to him than anyone or anything in the real world. 

He knew this was not normal. He was not without his history, and all the relationships in it. The names and faces of old friends flitted as memories in his mind, and he could smile in remembrance, but none of them *Needed* Him. None of them were bound to him, just as he was not bound to them. Stitches in a pattern, but the pattern was complete. 

Since his transition to Balance, this was the first *New* Place that he had found. In truth, Skout had never spent all that much time in the elven lands in general, outside of a handful of visits to Sihirisium and Islefield for Hull business. 

The portals for this new place were located on the mainland, above and quite some distance from the actual settlement known as Wai Oromarde that was strewn across the island that could be seen below, across the narrow bay of water which was spanned by ferries that shuttled visitors back and forth as needed. The two round portals of polished stone were nestled into a grotto beside a small, humble hut that provided a home for the portal mage who supported them, though there was no evidence of them as the evening sun lowered toward the horizon on the west behind Skout.

He was not hurried as he made his way down the sloping path to the docks where ships could harbor and the ferries waited, and by the time he reached the small harbor nestled along the coast, a small content smile had found purchase on his lips. Coins passed from his hand to that of the first ferryman who entreated him, and moments later their tiny cradle of an elven ferry glided over the calm waters toward the island beyond.

There was a peace here that could be felt within. Did he carry it in within himself, or was it something found here that penetrated into him, his body or soul eagerly receptive. There were a great number of elves here, of course, and he was surprised not to see any false pretense behind the welcoming smiles that greeted him as he climbed the steps up into the heart of this place.

He did not seek lodging immediately, but drifted with the flow around him, not following any people or purpose. His dark eyes scanned over a pair practicing forms in an open dojo as he passed by, but he did not stop or think to participate. The pair of knives in the harness across his chest, black against the supple black leather of the armor he wore so habitually were not what he had come seeking to put to use here.

At last he found his way to a ringed amphitheater, three simple levels of carved, polished stone where a small group of people sat in quiet but open discussion. He drifted toward them, his dark leathers a stark contrast to the more comfortable, colorful cloth and silk garments the scholars and philosophers collected there wore. 

There were eyes on him, of course, but not of judgment, only that uncertainty as though to question if he had lost his way. He met those looks with a patient, silent smile, then found his way to a spot near them, lowering to sit on the polished stone step to listen. The awkward pause could not continue eternal, and eventually the conversation continued.

***"Where there is light, there is darkness,"*** An elf male old enough to have gained worry lines across his forehead and crow's feet around his eyes said in polite argument to a human nearby. ***"Even the brightest candle leaves shadows."***

The human he delivered this to was grinning and shaking his head, an older man with white hair and a neatly-trimmed beard to match it. ***"I never said there wasn't, my old friend,"*** He countered, then gestured to Skout who had apparently arrived in serendipitous alignment with the topic at hand. ***"As our newest visitor quickly attests with his mere presence."*** This elicited a few chuckles from those in the group; even Skout chuckled quietly, his smile unabated. ***"You cannot deny that the cause is just, though, can you? We should seek to bring the light wherever possible, no?"***

Another spoke up, a young elven woman with pale hair and smooth, pale skin. ***"You would not see the stars if not for the night,"*** She countered with a small, polite smile, but her argument was met by nodding agreement by many around her. 

***"Balance,"*** Skout found himself speaking out loud, and perhaps since he had only just joined them, this was taken by some surprise by the group. Virtually everyone turned to look at him, and he shrugged one shoulder effortlessly, leaning back onto one elbow on the step behind him. ***"No light without darkness, no shadow without light. The harder you try to change, the harder the opposite will resist."***

His words convinced some, but there were others who argued against him, but that simple interjection enveloped him into the group, and he was accepted and welcomed as one of them.

The conversations continued into the evening and then into warm night. Water was brought by smiling, gracious elves in soft linens, and as some people left, others would join. The size of the group would ebb and flow, the topics would change as the participants came and went, fluid but eternal.

Skout remained the oddity of the group in his black leather, his long, dark hair worn lose around his pale white skin, but when he chose to enter a discussion, his points were taken just as those of any other. No one came here to ridicule or belittle; this was the place to bring free thinking, and it seemed to be readily accepted that even the most rudimentary thoughts could be shared here without worry of chastisement. 

It was precisely what Skout needed.
Charles
"I do hope you've enjoyed your tour of the settlement thus far Master Elenfaer, I am most glad you were able to find time to travel out this way" *Remarked Svilena, wearing her better robes to best host and welcome one of the helping patrons of the town itself.*

*She'd catch notice of the small group mingling about the nearby amphitheater. She caught some of their conversations, and it brought a smile to her lips.*

"Truly seeing various folks coming together and just talking, one of my greatest joys really. Would ye like to join in their discussion?" *She'd ask her elven acquaintance.*

*Sher herself was always happy to join in and speak or just listen to various conversations when possible.*
Nicole
"You honour me, Svilena. Ah, but do keep that particular name to oneself."
*Elidyr spoke in a hushed voice, raising a finger to his lips and smiling coyly.* "Today I am head of House Iauath, nothing else. Your Elenfaer benefactor appreciates your gratitude deeply, of course. Did the name change? For this place, I mean."
*The elf warrior's attire had not changed since their first meeting, adorned in his leathers and cloths; his house crest emblazoned across his tabard. His long-handled spear rested against his back, the blade sheathed in leather. He had been pleasantly surprised by the clear success of Svilena's project, even hearing from his peers in Islefield and amongst the Taur-en-Atar of the warrior-monks' island sanctuary.*

"Hm? What seems to be the discussion?"
*His interest was piqued quickly enough, the discussions between elders and monks often bearing great intellectual fruit. But there were topics that even he was limited on, and would rather not engage if it were one of those. Listening and learning was a skill every individual should maintain, even through their advanced years.*
Hank
By now, the little rogue had embedded himself firmly into the core of the group, and while not always needing to be part of the conversation, he was always attentive, listening with that peaceful smile on his face, offering counters of his own. 

The topics continued to shift, but particularly to Skout's perspective, all things seemed to tilt to balance. By the time Elidyr and Svilena had joined, welcomed by the leatherclad rogue with a smiling nod of greeting, the discussion was on duality itself. An elder elf was speaking, a grey-haired male with long grey hair pulled up into a large spiraling bun behind his head. 

***"The seasons balance, the elements balance. It is found everywhere in the world around us. When there is imbalance, that is where the oddities stand out."*** The old man was speaking more to a younger elven attendee than the rest of the audience, and even before his elder had finished speaking, he was shaking his head in disagreement.

***"That doesn't mean that imbalance is always wrong, Uncle,"*** The younger elf retorted, grinning as though he had already scored a victory. ***"Without imbalance, the kings of old might never have been overthrown. Where would the world be if that form of balance had been left intact?"***

Skout studied the two newcomers with some interest silently while the debate continued on, breaking off into side discussions and smaller groups here and there as it so often did. He inclined his head slightly toward the pair of them. ***"You're just in time,"*** He suggested with only a hint of mirth in a lower voice than the current broader discussion. ***"You can help us all determine if balance must maintained at all costs.."***
Charles
*Svilena would nod her head to Elidyr* "Many pardons, for that - its been rather long since we last spoke." *At his mention of the name change, she'd nod her head* "Aye, after some discussion with other elves and gaining better insight to the language - Wai Oromarde, or Hall of the Windweaver was chosen. Yet those that dwell and live here, we still call it Akhara Vata, at least the Dojo it referred to as such."

*She had been quite happy with the final selection of the name for the settlement, it sounded and felt right.*

*As the pair approached the group, a few of those in attendance would nod their heads to Svilena, and she returned the same - a number of them were visitors to the Dojo - turning her head to the fellow speaking to them, she'd click her tongue.*

"Determining if balance must be maintained at all costs... My a very broad subject for discussion indeed; most interesting indeed - shall we partake Elidyr?" *She'd ask the elf, though clearly she herself was glad to join in.*
Nicole
"I believe we shall..."
*He hummed, sporting a glimmer in his eye as he settled between a few of the older elves. They quickly turned their attentions away, clearing their throats and becoming far more interested in the surrounding conversations. Elidyr frowned, leaning over one of them to get a better look at their face.*

"...So this is where you fools ran off to! Of course, this should have been the first place we looked... A matter for another time, I suppose."
*His glower was quickly retracted, the pressure on the older elves lessening with a collective sigh. The elven warrior met Skout's gaze, quietly gauging just what sort of person had invited him to the conversation.*
"Balance at all costs, hm? I am old enough to recall the world arisen from the ashes of that old tyranny. There was much imbalance at that time, and much grumbling from our elders on how much there was to be done. I expect many of them secretly yearned for that old stability. But was that balance? Were those tyrants maintaining an order that was upset, or were they pushing this realm to its limits - only for a rebound to bring it all crumbling down?"
Hank
Skout sat forward from his leaning back position, interested in this new elf's perspective. There was a twinkle of mischief in his eye as he nodded slowly even before Elidyr finished speaking. ***"Well that iron rule surely wasn't Chaos,"*** He argued soon after Elidyr had finished, then gestured around them with one hand as he leaned forward, one elbow on knee. ***"Any more than this is Chaos."***

The little rogue tilted his eyes, seeming to consider for a moment, leaving the murmur of other conversations to buzz around him, but it did not last long. ***"Is there perhaps a Balance to be found, even within Order and Chaos? And as such.. Also an imbalance?"*** The prospect seemed to intrigue and confuse him all at once.
Charles
*Svilena settled herself among the group, listening in to the discussion at hand - at first she seemed just content to listen in but as the group carried on; she pondered on a turning moment in her past.*

*While it had been a handful a years since the attack on Port Iriyen, the events leading up and after that battle still echoed in her mind. Svilena cleared her throat before speaking.*

"While what I share here relates somewhat to the topic at hand, my own personal experience with Order and Chaos can best be reflected in the time when Ostia had established Port Iriyen in Hikitaw..." *Those present were likely old enough to recall the tales of that location, now only left in ruins.* "In the beginning the Port caught both the interest and worry of countless jungle tribes, some did manage to have fair trading with the Humans and other races that worked and lived at the port... But such order only lasted for so long."

*Svilena would sigh, deciding not to dive so deep into a tale that had likely been told many time over* "Order was broken and Chaos came to fill the void, yet in that chaos the tribes found a rare sense of unity that was near impossible to have. In a sense we found balance in the common cause against the Port itself. We had come together and brought down the Port and chased Ostia out... Yet soon chaos creeped its way back in, and the tribes began to break apart and return to what they had been before uniting. Even now the tribes are still caught in this, but I have heard that efforts to weave the tribes together has had growing success."

"Goodness, look how I've rambled on... But that is my own taste of Balance, Order, and Chaos - I consider them akin to a web, sometimes they'll overlap or overwhelm the other."
Nicole
"Ah, but perhaps it was Chaos - from a perspective outside ours. Our people often speak of 'the balance of nature' - how the world's aspects all meet in a certain 'harmony' that requies maintaining. As far as nature was concerned, the great tyrannies they commanded leeched from the land and held it hostage. That is an imbalance of a sort."
*Elidyr was quick to rebut, noticing his rogueish glimmer and smiling knowingly. He seemed to be... Human? His manner of speech was beyond what he expected of a wandering human, unless he was more of a monastic sort... The thought was discarded for now, the conversation was more interesting. He considered Skout's statement with a similar murmur, seeing the truth in it.*
"You speak of the world's cycles, I believe... All times of peace lead to war, and war must always end," *He hummed, tapping at his chin and nodding. 

Svilena's story caught his attention quickly, subduing his judgement of the Ostian crown to even attempt such a folly. There were some in elven nobility who referred to the Ostians as the 'infant kingdom', something he found distasteful in most cases. But stories of their repeated follies would meet his ears, and the insult would surface in his mind more and more.*
"Indeed so. One's unraveling chaos is another's forged order... Great tragedies are great triumphs, with only a change of the mind."
*He agreed wholeheartedly, tilting his head towards her and smiling warmly.*
Hank
That Svilena had potentially played a part in the uprising in Hikitaw caught the rogue by surprise, and his head tilted as he considered the woman with interest. Did she actually *Know* Atharya? This of course spurred thoughts of their own: where was Atharya now? The last he had seen her was outside the mansion in Tidehaven, years passed now. Little did he realize she had worked to elevate herself to a position of authority for the region and was even then working to involve them in the unification of Ecca under orcish leadership.

But then her story led to the elf's own iteration. While Skout realized that much of the surrounding discussions had ended and many were retiring to their beds, there were still a handful of elves lingering there with them, listening to the ongoing debate. That Elidyr— or the elves, as he claimed— considered Nature to be a form of balance was quite confusing to him, and Skout had to stifle a chuckle at the supposition and not actually interrupt with argument. 

He managed to wait; it wasn't hard to understand that his views would differ from that of other races, and in particular elves, especially after his prolonged role in serving Chaos. He no longer had the eternal whisperings of the sword in his mind, but he had been bound to that essence for so long that it was easy for him to know how Chaos would respond to such statements. "There is a form of balance in all things," He agreed with a slow nod of his head. "Even the Chaos that is Nature. But is it a thing unto Itself?" He waved his hand out before him, and while he did not understand the mechanics of what he did, he caused a curling wave of tiny white pinpoints of light to appear, streaming along, individual points brightening and then fading away as they transitioned along the waved that flowed out behind his hand. He watched the effect with genuine interest himself, then let his hand fall away to his lap, and the tiny stars faded into non-existence once more. "Is Balance a power

Unto Itself, to be manipulated, to be... Measured? Or is it simply the measurement of Chaos, of Order... Or the lack thereof?"

This, of course, was the core of what he struggled with. How was he to represent Balance, if he did not even understand it conceptually. While those he was speaking with now would likely hardly be aware of Chaos being a representative force unto Itself, he knew it as a tangible essence, with which virtually anything was possible. Was the same true of Order? It hardly seemed possible. How could something mired in structure be anything compared to such a force? 

Of course, he spoke none of that internal debate yet. He did not wish to scare anyone, or give them cause to judge him as insane or unstable. This was all helpful: introspective into a new side of himself.

He sighed, chuckling quietly at his own query. "I have seen the structure of Order. I have seen it utilized for Good, as well as Evil. If Balance is its own force, then It, too, could be applied to Good and to Evil, aye? I wonder what that would look like."
Charles
*The fellow's reply was rather esoteric if one had to put a word to it, as though Svilena could follow some of what he said - she wouldn't claim to be able to know everything, let alone understand it fully.*

"A complex question and idea in itself Balance itself often is... I can recall a few words I once learned from a former mentor of mine, akin to the topic we are trying to discuss" *She began, glancing up for a moment at the night sky, spotting a few stars.*

"One can consider Balance like one walking upon a tightrope, one side is Good and the other is Evil - to not lean too much to one side or the other is a task all folk face. And yet though one might say one is better or more foul than the other, Good and Evil, Order and Chaos, and even Light and Dark... Share a common trait."

*She would pause a moment as her words lingered* "Each has the power to blind us to what they might truly be; for if one should stare too long into the sunlight they might be robbed of their sight; and when one stumbles blindly into the darkness... I find that Balance itself is one's say of seeing both sides. It might not always be perfectly clear per say, but one is likely to have a better footing. Leasts thats the best way I think I can answer myself."
Nicole
"Now- Are we talking of Order and Chaos? Or Balance? I would say those are very different subjects... One can have a balance in chaotic times, great poverty contrasted by opulence, or a violent equalising of it all. Balance is almost the standard for what we call 'order' - for things to be in their place, the scales must not tip."
*The warrior elf furrowed his brow, peering closer into Skout. The way he spoke of these topics... It was as if they were not simple concepts, but entities to be reasoned with. What exactly had this man seen? There were great and terrible spirits that embodied things like entropy and love, but they themselves were not those forces... Perhaps the gods? But how would any mortal speak with the gods, especially if no elf had done it for generations?*
"To control such forces would be to command entire civilisations, or the realm itself! Surely none have that power...?"

"Now, that is far more traditional - and I do not mean to condescend. The true path is a narrow one, and easily strayed from. As for Good and Evil being part of this balance, I do not think one would disagree that a world with only Good is ideal? It is a fantasy, of course. But our goal in the world is to mitigate Evils, not allow them to meet a balance."
Hank
Skout stabbed a pointing finger at Svilena's quote. "There is Balance in everything, indeed," He agreed readily, that linger half-grin fading somewhat. "Good and evil perhaps most of all." He sighed, nodding slowly, dark eyes lowering as though weighing some great, weighted issue. It likely was becoming clearer to those involved around him that this was more than general philosophy. Indeed, the conversations had ebbed and flowed between topics, but with him involved, it *Always* Returned to Balance. He was seeking understanding of the highest levels of the concept. 

With his eyes intently upon the masoned stonework of the floor of the amphitheater, he began to speak in a more limited voice, but his words were not merely... Words, not just language. As before with the wave of his fingers, Skout drew upon this new form of power that was now at his disposal. It was unfamiliar, not unlike a new form of blood coursing through his veins, but as he spoke, he extended his right hand out before him as he sat there on the lowest step, knees parted, palm upright. In the center of that palm, a tiny ball of blue-white light began to form, coaxed into visible existence at his calling. What he spoke was not Common, nor Elvish, but words of power of a religion he barely knew, yet bore within himself, and by whatever means, it was not hard to understand. ***"Nine eternal paths, three each to the orders of Order, Balance, and Chaos, and those bound by six devotions."***

As he spoke, the ball of light spun, and from it came three smaller globes, and just as he described, three lights smaller still for each of those. With the mention of devotions, however, it took a titanic leap in size, and the central hub swelled to accommodate the new additions until what he held was akin to a miniature galaxy, and the glow of it radiated up, casting a pale blue-white brightness on Skout, who leaned over the machination. 

Several of the last people outside of Svilena and Elidyr who lingered ther

E gasped at the sight, and one of them took a step back, making some sort of religious gesture over her chest.

***"There is one aspect that combines the Three and half of the Six, and one for the Three and the other half... And one that combines all of the Three and none of the Six. And all of the Three and all of the Six can never be."*** Again, his alien words seemed to imbue change upon the light display in his open hand, and the core spurs lit up in representationj of the Three, and then half of the smaller spurs for the Six, and then the other half, leaving the first half to dim. And then, as he finished, he leaned forward and blew out a breath toward the display, and all of it extinguished, that which could never be.

Shoulders now slumped, Skout leaned back, and blinked before looking up at Elidyr. "Even a world with only Good could never be Ideal; Balance must be maintained." He referenced the elf's final argument as though everything else he had just displayed hadn't actually happened.
Charles
*To say that the subject at hand was becoming esoteric before, well now it felt beyond esoteric - thus Svilena was rather unsure what she could say fully to add or take from the discussion at hand. At best she felt she maybe understood what the fellow was trying to say, but even she would admit she couldn't grasp all of it.*

"I do believe there is nothing more I can offer on the subject, admit I shall that things have become rather esoteric least for my own line of thinking..." *She remarked with a shrug of her shoulders, better to be honest and upfront then keep trying to understand a subject that just didn't click for the moment.*

*His use of the lights did provided a tad bit of understanding, she always did prefer learning by visuals.*
Hank
Glancing up around him, the rogue could see the puzzled, or in some cases wary or alarmed expressions of those around him, but he didn't seem to understand why. It was not an altogether new experience for him, unfortunately. He sighed quietly, then lowered his hand to his belt to where a flask of whiskey would normally rest, but that spot on his belt was empty, a component of a life he no longer seemed to live. A small, disappointed smile crossed his lips, and he nodded before climbing to his feet. "I suppose it grows late," He commented in the now nearly silent group, though a glance of his eyes to the eastern horizon that had been behind him confirmed it was actually quite early: the sun was threatening to rise over the Serpentine Sea.

He gave a few different members of the surrounding group respectful nods as he stepped away, making his departure. He did not seek a room there in Wai Oromarde, but instead came just the way he had entered, making his way back down to the shore where the ferrymen were starting their days and crossed the narrow channel after paying his fare. When the portal mage found him outside the portal, a few more words along with another exchange of coins, and he stepped through a portal to wherever his next destination might be.

Balance seemed to be an eternal education.
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