by C S » Sat Feb 26, 2011 4:39 am
"Im telling you, he isnt to be trusted! In time who knows what horrible things will start happening. People might start disappearing! Water might run bad! Maybe more of his kind will show up and turn Daaven into some horrid hole of the arcane and occult!" Tzerv continued, trying to convince the others still at the table. He was out of his seat and leaning over the table, now looking directly at the others. There was genuine concern in his gaze. He was so loud that the armored being returned to the stairs, book in hand. His right thumb was over the sentence he was reading.
"Fear is terror. Terror is darkness. Virtue is light. The virtuous never fear for their path is forever illuminated by their morality. Without terror there is no virtue. This is how a balance is formed. For every group of mere mortals there are individuals who rise above, those imbued with virtue, and they counteract the oppression we impose on ourselves"
What did this mean? Desrium's crimson gaze was fixed on the man, puzzled. He was fearful, terrified. Was he himself the agent of darkness he feared so much? Or was the book wrong? Was he just someone trying to protect their way of life from something they didnt understand? He closed the book, confused. The measure of virtue couldnt be that simple. The good are not good just because they are good. Just as the bad are not bad because they are bad. One cannot just be good or evil. So was Tzerv good because of his concern for his fellow man? " Am I...evil despite my intentions?" Desrium thought. He slipped his thumb out from inbetween the covers, slamming the book shut, making a decent thump that caught the attention of those at the table. Heads turned to the source of the noise and Desrium went down the steps as if he didnt notice. Some of those seated started to talk amongst themselves, trying to pretend that they werent just talking about him. Others sat back in their seats with nervous dispositions, wondering if he had heard. Desrium stepped into the library, returning the book to its shelf and stepping back out shortly after. Instead of heading up the stairs, he headed over to the lobby, slipping the key off of his shoulder spike. He put it down on Syria's desk as he passed it and then opened the door. As he stepped out, he saw Syria sitting on the porch. She was speaking to her Frondfoot in hushed tones before she turned her head back to look at the person in the door way. Before she could ask why Desrium was downstairs, Perioul had gotten to his feet and swung himself about so that he was standing infront of the inn keeper, rearing onto his hind legs and putting his talons on full display. He locked gazes with Desrium and a deep throaty growl escaped the lizard and the frill flaps on his neck started to shudder before extending wide, the ends fluttering wildly as the growl turned into a rattling hiss. Desrium only stared at the lizard, silent and unmoving. Perioul started forwards, but by then Syria stood up and called him off. "Perioul! Down!" She yelled. The lizard only looked away from Desrium when he heard her voice, and after giving her a look as if to ask her if she was sure, Perioul lowered himself back onto all fours and folded his frills. "The key is on the table" Desrium said now that the lizard had settled down- or seemed to settle down. A scowl was etched onto its scaly face. "What?" Syria replied, eye brows furrowed. "My stay here has come to its...end" Desrium said simply. "Now? In the rain...? Why" She asked, though she had an idea...
"My pressence isnt...appreciated..." Desrium answered, hoping he didnt have to explain further. "Dont listen to Tserv, he's just a bit eccentric and-"
"Its not the first time its happened. I'd rather leave before the issue escalates to something more than just story telling" Desrium interjected. "Ill be seeing you then" He added as he stepped onto the porch. As he headed for the stairs, Syria put a hand on his shoulder, just by the spike he had hung the key on. She tensed up when she felt a sudden cold just as her hand touched the armor. She quickly removed her hand, but by then Desrium had stopped and turned his head a bit. "Look, you cant just wander off with just your bare hands!" She said. "Wait here, Ill be back shortly"
She made good on her promise, returning with the bag Desrium had taken into the forest earlier. From one of the pockets was the long brass chain of the compass, hanging out. "If you really must leave, then at least you have something to carry what ever you may come across. Trinkets, money, what ever. I give it to you to do as you please, but I only ask you this: take care of the compass. Its my father's from when he was an explorer. He told me that it would help me find my way in life but... I think you need it more"
"That explains why you travel, gathering books." Desrium replied as he took the bag, nodding in thanks. "My father discovered new lands. I wish to learn about them" Syria replied simply as she stepped back. Desrium was about to walk away, the bag's strap around him and the compass hanging from his neck, when he looked back once more. "Tell me, why is one of your books in such bad condition?" He asked. "Which book?" Syria replied. "The book about a place called...Zuppoland. The latter parts of the book are completely incoherant, along with torn out pages"
"Zuppoland is...well... almost mythical now. Not much records of it exist as far as I know. The book I have may be one of few written scriptures that actually support that, at one point in time, Zuppoland was a real place. Its unfortunate that it isnt intact" Syria said. "I dont have any personal knowledge about it either, so I cant really say much"
"I see" Desrium said simply. "Then Im off. I will remember you, Syria, and this kindness" He added as he started down the porch steps and into the rain. He headed down the cobblestone path that lead to Daaven's entrance, rain dancing on his shoulders and back as he went.
Perioul watched the armored being go, letting out a snort. He felt a lot better now that he was gone, his more alert senses agitated by the being's pressence. They picked up on a strange vibe that he hadnt picked up on before in his life, which unsettled him deeply...
