RP:Ties That Bind
Part of the A Test of Faith Arc
Eastern Bridge
Satoshi is drawing a considerable amount of attention to herself presently. For one, she paces along the bridge, quartet of tails lashing in a peeved tempo while a cloak seemingly made of fog writhes in her wake. Couple that with the smallish kit frequently pressing a finger to the rainbow-colored feather in her hair and muttering various demands, and you've got what looks like an escapee of the nearest asylum. Yet the magus' pacing, grumbling, and dark mood are quite what's grabbing the attention of the stray passer-by. Rather, it's the large gryphon lounging in the center of the bridge, golden eyes watching the foxkin's every movement with keen interest. The creature, a Frost Gryphon, seems uneasy himself, tufted ears frequently folding back against the stark white feathers of his eagle's head, while a snow leopard's tail thrashes back and forth against his haunches. The frosty pair seem impatient as they wait upon the bridge, and it's beginning to make Cenril's guards nervous--only Satoshi's station preventing them from having said anything. Yet.
Valiana offered a sigh of relief as the miniature frost gryphon messenger finally set its path on a descent towards the ground. While the draco elf loved to fly she was far from a great flyer and somehow despite that gryphon's minute size it managed to zip through the air effortlessly. As they drew closer Val recognized the woman standing upon the bridge to Cenril to be Satoshi. Measured thrusts of draconic wings brought her to the ground several paces from Frostmaw's Queen--a consideration made not only for the woman but for Val as well, as her landings were sometimes a bit erratic. Fortunately, this time she'd managed to touch down gracefully enough. Once upon solid ground the scaled wings seemed to fold magically into the shoulder blades they had been extensions of, disappearing entirely. "M'lady, I do hope you were not waiting long. I came as soon as I received your message." The statement was honest enough, considering the Templar had only taken enough time to finish her meal and fetch her armor before beginning the voyage. As Val took a few steps forward to close the distance between herself and Satoshi a clasped hand was raised to her armor-clad chest in a Knight's salute. A sign of respect for the position the Queen held.
Satoshi's pacing comes to an abrupt end as whiskers flick. One of her creations is approaching, she can feel it upon her core like a Winter's breeze in the dead of Summer. Turning on a heel, the kit faces Valiana as she comes in for a landing, wordlessly watching the draconian's movements like the dedicated observer that she is. All marks of frustration are wiped from Satoshi's face upon greeting the paladin with a deep bow and smile, the mistwoven cloak settling about her frame in a shimmering curtain, once more quelled. "Evening to you~. I haven't been waiting long, and what time I have, I've spent attempting to unearth a bit more information for us. I don't know much of what's happened, to be honest, but I trust Frostmaw's gryphons. When Redovian's returned frantic and angry, I knew something must be wrong." A hand gestures toward the gryphon as he rises and approaches, talons and claws clattering against the stonework. When he draws even with Satoshi, the creature bows his head to Valiana and shuffles his wings, anxious to be off and hunting. "Unfortunately, gryphons aren't gifted with speech, so I'm limited in how much I can gather from him. Finding a way to access his bond with his partner has been... tricky." Again her hand strays upward to stroke the colorful feather woven into her hair, claws skating over the sheathe of ice upon it.
Valiana shifted uneasily as the Queen returned the salute with a bow. The paladin had always been one to abide by the formalities of displayed respect yet never truly desired to receive them in return, especially from somebody such as Satoshi. As the kit spoke Val's eyes came to rest upon the gryphon. Another source of unease for the woman. Tensions between saurian bloodlines and the gryphons dated back further than Val herself could ever hope to cite in history, and as such she was unsure how the creature would respond to her presence. Yet the bow that is given from the majestic beast serves as a signal of its opinions and is immediately reciprocated by the Draco Elf. The gesture complete Val returned her attention to the woman who she was in company of. "I too grew worried for Redovian, m'lady. I cannot reach him via any divine communication. Often times those that have studied our art long enough can pick out the aura of those that share in divine servitude regardless of where they are in the world. Unfortunately, I cannot find Frostmaw's Justice despite the strength of his aura. I fear…" A sharp swallow stopped Valiana from admitting the possibility she had been in denial of.. No, she would have felt his death. He was alive. "I do hope you can find a way to break down the communication barrier, for I fear I am of little help. While the Dragonkind have communicated telepathically for millennia my abilities in such are contained to the Saurian tongue, much different than that of the gryphons." She left the explanation at that, considering the urgency of the situation.
Satoshi nods along to the paladin's words, understanding the concepts and practices through her own training in the arcane. It'd seem every branch of magic delved into similar arts, simply through different pathways. Unfortunately, telepathy and tracery are not skills she possesses unless it's through snows or aided by an artifact. "I have no such links with my Justice, divine or arcane, however... I may have a means of using the existing ones." In explanation, she plucks the feather from her hair and holds it out for examination. A sheen of light dances across its frosted surface, and the faint hint of an amiable presence emanates from it. "This is the feather of a couatl, a close friend of mine for some time now. They're natural psions, specializing in tracking through mental impressions. At present he, Emiur, is linked to Redovian's gryphon through myself and is digging through that tie in search of any impression of Redovian that he can find. So far, we've managed to determine it is somewhere upon the east coasts, most likely within Cenril itself, hence being on this bridge. He's having difficulty finding more than that, though, because of how many minds exist within the city's walls. He says it is similar to trying to find a single bird within a flock, or... a needle in a haystack, as it were." Returning the feather to its place, the kit peers closely at Valiana before continuing cautiously, "Do you have any objections to a psion's presence in your mind? Emiur won't intrude without your leave, of course, but he believes he might be able to get a firmer grasp upon the... ah, 'scent' with the help of -two- beings linked to Redovian."
Valiana listened on intently. The sheer brilliance of the Queen's idea bringing a glimmer of hope to the paladin's eyes. Even as she heard the kit's explanation her mind seemed to sort through a myriad of ideas, searching for something that might aid the search. "I have no objection. Though I am curious, will your thoughts be linked to mine?" As selfish as it was Val's mind immediately raised the concern that her feelings towards Redovian might be discovered by Satoshi. Having already agreed to the psionic bond Val allowed the defenses she had constructed within her mind to drop. In those next moments anyone seeking to enter her thoughts would have met no resistance. "I do wonder if perhaps the combination of my divine connection to Redo and the telepathic abilities of this…Emiur.. might allow me to find his aura?" Only time would tell the answer and as such, that thought was set aside for another. "Tell me, if you are searching through the minds of the people within Cenril perhaps there is something more prevalent in Redovian's mind than his own essence. A man like Redovian holds many things dearer than himself. Perhaps this selflessness has caused greater difficulty in locating Frostmaw's Justice and if we could search for something that gives Redovian his sense of self-identity -that- could be easier to locate?"
Satoshi shakes her head in response to the initial question. "I carry no abilities in psionics. I won't be joining you in this, thus won't know your thoughts." As soon as Satoshi finishes speaking, Valiana will feel a pressure upon her mind, not painful or forceful, more akin to the sensation one feels when slowly pressing their hand into water. Once the surface flows aside to allow passage, the pressure evaporates, leaving in its place an alien presence. Flickers of images and impressions are presented to Valiana's mind, painting across her inner sight the form of a seventy foot long serpent of emerald scales and rainbow-hued wings regarding her with polite amusement. Projections of reassurance and promises of safety follow the imagery, the couatl determined to make itself known as a well-intentioned being. So non-human, so unusual, and so complex is the mind that brushes against hers, that any stray or embarrassing thoughts the paladin might possess merely wash over its consciousness without remark or care. In a flash of thoughts, an explanation is delivered to the woman, how minds are like so many intricate knots, and how every mind that contacts another creates a thread between themselves. As interactions and understandings grow, the thread thickens, weaving the consciousnesses closer. A thousand threads can stem from a single mind, and it is a pair of these threads they seek now, one that traces from Valiana and the other from the gryphon, both connected to the mind they seek. 'Greetings, Lady Valiana. I am Emiur.' The couatl's mental voice is soft, almost sibilant, while exceedingly polite, not unlike an adult speaking to an unfamiliar, frightened child. The thought of a nod is passed between minds; an invisible nudge of encouragement greets the draco elf's other remarks. 'I do not know Redovian, only the tie that binds him to the gryphon. But the gryphon is young, his mind unorganized and prone to roaming. It makes the task of grasping that tether between them... difficult.' A twinge of frustration passes between them with the word. Continuing, he adds, 'You seem to have a stronger link to him, and your understanding of him is far more thorough. Focus upon what you feel makes him Redovian, what makes him the man you know, what ties the two of you together. If it is strong enough, I may be able to trace it to his location.'
Valiana opened her mouth in attempt to respond to Satoshi's answer. Yet it was in those next moments that everything happened. It was in those next moments that Valiana experienced the sensation she had felt only a few times before. This presence was unique for some reason, perhaps because of the manner in which the couatl established the bond. The result was an immediate stunt to the Draco Elf's speech. Instead, Valiana stood there, mouth agape, gaze trailing off into nothingness, as her entire mind became consumed with the tying of bonds within her. As the majestic creature spoke to her through her mind, Val was drawn back to the edge of reality. Realizing her jaw was frozen open she closed it quickly. Had there been less distraction she might have felt embarrassed, yet in that moment she was occupied with the psionic experience ~What makes Redovian the man I know?~ The question was answered simply enough-- "Faith." The word fell from the woman's lips in a hushed whisper despite the fact that Satoshi would likely have no idea why it had been spoken. In those next moments the Templar opened herself entirely to the Gods. She let her faith flow through her as it did through Redo in nearly every moment of his existence. The paladin called out to Cyris, allowing the integrity and honor that filled his followers to channel through her. The result was a bright pulsing of her aura. Any who had been connected to the divine would have struggled to see Valiana through the brilliant glow in those next few moments and even those untrained might recognize an ambient blue light shrouding the Paladin's form. Channeling the product through the mental channel with Emiur, she attempted to add that touch of selfless service that too identified Redovian. "I hope this is enough." The words were spoken aloud as clearly as they were to her mind's occupant.
Satoshi squints against the glow that surrounds Valiana in those moments. For while the kit is far from a paladin, nor is she even a casual worshiper of any god, she is an agent of a Triarch of divine beings as well as acutely attuned to the fluctuation of magics in an area. It is a curious sight, no doubt, and the foxkin is made all the more curious by the wave of eagerness that comes from the couatl feather she carries. Emiur's delight is all the more apparent to Valiana, as are his words, 'Yes, exactly, those thoughts. Maintain them. Fortify them!' Further such encouragement follows as vague mutterings while the couatl sets his mind to the task at hand. The flood of divinity is coaxed into focus, drawing the wave of purified light toward the threads that bind themselves to Valiana's mind. Each string is picked out in a different color, and were he to explore them, he would no doubt find that each color identified with a different person, a signature of their unique auras bound to Valiana through the countless encounters of life. But there is a single thread Emiur seeks, one that must match the few entwined with the gryphon, one that gives off feelings of selflessness, sacrifice, and determination. ...And there it is. A matching pair of threads that stems from them both, brilliant and afire in golden flames. The burning gold practically sings with holy energy as it races southeast, stretching away from them and far into the distance. Emiur sends his own consciousness into the string, chasing the gold with flecks of emerald, and following it as far as his abilities will allow. But with distance comes strain, with strain a rapid depletion of energy until, reluctantly, the couatl's mind returns to those present, speaking to all three in a voice heavy with exhaustion. 'He is in southern Cenril. The distance is too far for me to locate exactly, but I felt thoughts of pain, heat, and depth. I believe I sensed others around him as well. Darker minds. Of beasts perhaps, or foul-minded men. I cannot say which. I'm sorry.' A parting mental nudge is offered before the couatl withdraws, weariness already clouding his mind and drawing in the dark curtains of sleep. But before he goes, he adds, 'Get near enough, quickly, and I believe Lady Valiana and the gryphon both will be able to detect him. Their links are awakened at present, they'll be more aware of his presence until the fires die down.'
Valiana found joy in the couatl's words of encouragement. Having never done this before the Paladin was unsure of what exactly to 'give' the psion to work with. Sensing Emiur's satisfaction with the likeness of Redovian that Valiana had presented, she did exactly as was requested, fastening the thought in her mind. The technique she used to hold that projection was something similar to the meditations she had been forced to do in the early stages of her paladin training, some years ago. She struggle to keep the channel clear of other thoughts as the excitement pressed down upon her. It was a well-known fact that emotion clouded thought, and the concept proved no different in a mental bonding, thus there were several moments when Val was forced to fight back the concern for Redovian that attempted to consume her mind. Finally, after what seemed minutes of internal struggle, Emiur's presence returned bearing the good news. Turning to Satoshi the Templar spoke in words pressed forward with a sense of urgency. "Let us hurry, m'lady, I would not waste another moment with Redovian's life in danger. The gods willing, he will be back with us this day." Turning as though to sprint through the city's gates, the motion was cut short as Val's neck craned back towards Satoshi, remembering that there might be some thought required before rushing forth hastily. "Can you think of anywhere that matches the description: heat and depth?" Almost rudely the Draco Elf's body language seemed to suggest they could continue the discussion as they made there way to South-Eastern Cenril.
Satoshi is a creature of action, not planning, and thus she's hurrying past the paladin even as the woman pauses to ask about the description. "I know of only one place that fits those words. Let's hope Emiur sensed correctly." An unspoken note of gratitude is sent to Emiur, although whether her couatl companion receives it or not, she doesn't know. Instead, Satoshi focuses on heading toward Cenril, her pace a distance-devouring prowl. The guards, upon spotting the cryomancer approaching, wraithen wisps of half-frozen fog enshrouding her, a screeching gryphon hot on her heels and accompanied by an armored woman, rush for their weapons. Satoshi's pace doesn't falter in the least when a pair of halberds are leveled at her chest, however. Her only response is to pull back lips into a snarl filled with fangs and hiss, "Get out of our way." The air's temperature plummets with the words, frost creeping like ivy over the points of the weapons, up the guards' arms, and across their armor, the sudden, extreme chill causing fissures to course across the various metals they wear while the heads of their halberds crumble into iron dust. It's a gross abuse of the magister templi's abilities, but Satoshi is not in a patient mood, her considerable wrath brewing a blizzard beneath her cool surface, a blizzard that has no intentions of being stopped before it reaches its target.
(Continued in The Frosted Cavalry.)