<span class="bbc_u"><strong>Nirael (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=854578)</strong></span>walked with his group feeling glad that Lunari was going to see home, worried that he might lose her for a while, but at the same time feeling reasonably sure that they'd stand together at the end of this. He thought much of her, she had come to deliver to him a key that set him on the way, a combination of a task he had to fulfill, and a feeling of great fortune looming in the horizon. He felt good to be at her side but at the same time he felt a worry in his heart her mother wouldn't approve of him sniffing around near her. Yet there was little that could be done on the spot. Their fortunes lay in the future right now, they had best succeed and he knew it.<br/><br/>Gazing at his other companions, Mara and Sirana, Nirael wondered briefly of what lay ahead. He had drawn Mara along for the ride from a life of a mercenary, but hopefully would lead her to a better life in the end, if she chose to leave him at some point. Yet he hoped in silence she would stay in his company, and be travelling with him and Lunari. He considered her a friend, a convert from her rough path to a hopefully more pleasant one in their company. As for Sirana, he could not tell much about her yet but he knew how magic that was different could label people. Her brand of magic might draw more suspicious eyes at times, but he was not going to hold that against her. He wanted to help her, perhaps teach her a little, and he hoped to learn from her as well. One of the best ways to learn about the arts was by teaching, and coming across clever students with new ideas.<br/><br/>His thoughts were interrupted at the arrival of a newcomer after Lunari's words, making Nirael blink and watch this figure curiously but holding his tongue quietly for a moment. There was a short moment as he nod his head at the exchanged words, ready to follow after the other woman that was their guide to Nameer's location. Best not be rude to them after all, though he smiled to Mara's comment, but before he could reply Anju's words had him jump slightly and then chuckle.<strong>"Damn, almost jumped out of my pants at that surprise."</strong>He smiled jokingly and shrugged a little, smiling calmly and heading forth at the time.<strong>"Let us not keep a Lady waiting, I think?"</strong>He hummed slightly while carrying on his stride towards their destination, casting a curious look at Anju at the comment about mother and daughter.<strong>"Huh. I guess I have no idea of an elf maiden's age by looks alone, I would've thought her closer to a big sister."</strong>He shrugged casually. It was a hint of a flirt yet at the same time, it was an honest thought from his mind. At least he had mentioned it to Anju rather than said it directly to Nilari.<br/><br/><hr/><hr/><br/>The sight of the homes of the elves was entrancing. Nirael found there was beauty in the way their homes were formed, and wondered passingly on the way that it had formed. Yet the people tha were watching them, seeming to share their whispers with one another of their arrival caught his interest as well. There was definitely a charm to this place, yet he worried what the people thought of them, intruders on what was honestly their land, their homes and a sanctuary that his kindred may have well offended in the past. There was a definitely different feel in the air, a different ambience than there had been outside the village. While this was part of the nature in its own way, the presence of the elves made him all the more conscious about his own looks for the moment, and how they might appear. He hoped they'd make a good first impression on the lady, because he didn't know if they'd get to make more of them if they failed from the beginning.<br/><br/>The number of women compared to men made him briefly wonder if his arrival was an oddity in itself, and if being male would work against him among this many women. If they'd see his motives in a darker light because he sought them out besides Lunari and his other companions. He could not tell, he had no way to gaze right into their minds, but at the same time the thought did occur to him. Nonetheless as he proceeded to meet with the lady, he steeled himself for a possibly difficult situation.<br/><br/>Lunari's advise had him listen quietly and nod his head in agreement, considering what she told him very seriously.<em>“This is the matriarch, address her as such or as Raihna Nameer, and explain why we had to come into elven lands.  Speak honestly and openly and I’m sure she will see the wisdom in our intrusion.”</em>Considering her words seriously at the time, Nirael bowed his head respectfully to the beautiful woman who was the matriarch, not worrying too much about being disarmed at the time, feeling well at ease. He knew innately that a weapon at his side would not have made a difference. He was coming before her open and surrendered to her mercy, at the heart of her community, asking for her aid after all.<br/><br/>Least he could do was be polite and humble.<em>“Raihna, these are the outsiders I spoke of.  My daughter Lunari has brought them before you so that you may hear their tale and decide if they trespass or should be welcomed.”</em>Hearing those words spoken, Nirael bowed his head down politely, and then considered briefly the words he chose to speak, though starting quickly so as to not be rude and appear to be stalling.<br/><br/><strong>"Your Grace, I humbly request a chance to explain our presence. If my words are not satisfactory, I will not resist any actions that this may lead to. I place myself at your mercy as I plead my case."</strong>He drew a short breath and then started.<strong>"My name is Nirael, and I am an Eros Mage. I have studied primal magic since my youth, and pursued the magic with interest from early on. I found myself delighted in its wonders, and when my mentor told me that the next lessons were mine to learn on the road, I did not hesitate to take on the trail. It was during this journey, when another person's journey found myself."</strong><br/><br/>He cast a brief look at Lunari, nodding his head politely at her and then gazing at the Matriarch, he continued with the tale.<strong>"She had followed the trail left by one she sought to honor, and seeking to finish what he began. In finding me, she set in motion the next stage of a project her father worked on. Finding myself approached so, I could have been sceptical but touching the object she presented to me, I knew there was more to it. The piece lead her to me, and another piece is leading a foe towards it, and myself. She came to find me, so the piece would not lay here in your home waiting for the fiend to come claim it. She sought me, because the piece lead the way. I believe though that her father knew more of the threat after this piece, and I believe in listening to the wisdom of the ones that came before, and seeking to build an understanding upon it. I hope that the fiend shall finally be vanquished, and thus her father's project finished."</strong><br/><br/>Drawing a breath, he considered his next words a little hesitant but continued to speak with conviction when he said them. Though he worried what he cold say, he did not second guess once he began. The path lay ahead of them after all.<strong>"Already it has been apparent we've been tracked. During our rest, a group of trackers was upon us. A short fight later those who attacked us were either dead, or willing to talk. It was not the only encounter however. Along the way, we came to find others trying to find us, and few warning dreams whispering of not being able to get away. I would say that the foe knows I hold the piece, and intends to come after it. It was during this time, that our dance began to close in on us, the shadows coming to life, the threat circling us and trying to entrap us that we were lead to a familiar face. A traveller from these lands, who possessed a scroll to send Lunari close to her home, along with her companions. Though such a journey came at a cost, sacrifice of a few items I had carried to protect myself were given to cover the price of passage. It is how we came to be near your grounds, and right in the middle of the ghouls."</strong>He drew a short breath, sighing.<br/><br/><strong>"We knew not how things had changed, and it was worrying seeking to flee, to remain one step ahead of the dead-men, one jump ahead of the mob. We found ourselves herded at the rivershore, finding foes behind and ahead, and a battle loomed in the horizon. A skirmish was fought, blade and spell rising to air, before a lady keeping guard on your border approached us for our motives. Once she learned of our situation, and seeing Lunari amongst us, she was willing to bring us this far, with the understanding that while Lunari is safe I would be taking a risk. I believe the matter is important enough to take this chance however, your grace, and hoped to have a chance to present our situation to you, and hopefully have a chance to speak of this."</strong><br/><br/>He felt a little more confident, even if he felt a bit of chill running through him. At one hand, he was a spellcaster in a friendly temple, at another he was a lone man in a strange land amidst many women who were quite capable.<strong>"I have come before you with a request that you allow us sanctuary long enough to find a way to rid the world of this fiend after the piece, and by doing so vanquishing a foe to not only myself but Lunari's father. I come before you as a servant of Shoni, finding her path having lead me here, and humbly request that you grant me a chance to stand against this foe. I am prepared to call upon the primal and dance with passion of my burning day, to face the end if need be, but I find doubt in my heart at my ability to do it alone, and thus I seek the wisdom of those that came before, and the knowledge of the one who walked this path before me. In exchange..."</strong>He cleared his throat.<strong>"... in exchange I swear to consider you my allies, to consider your enemies my enemies, and seek to prove myself so as to not dishonor my vow before Shoni and Eilistrae alike. I ask for your aid but am willing to work to prove my intensions honorable if given the chance. One that dances alone reaches a point where its hard to take the next step, while those that let the dance lead them together stand a far better chance to find strength in each other to carry the dance on where one might have fallen by themselves."</strong>