RP:Two Weary Recruits

From HollowWiki

Part of the Souls Out of Time Arc


Location: Training Field

Synopsis: Eirik watches the guards in Chartsend train at the training field, hoping to be able to spot a few who he might recruit to help finish of a troublesome coven. Instead he is spotted by Pilar who joins him in conversation. Both Yozenra and Pilar agree to help cleanse the Venturil coven!


Two Weary Recruits

An area has been cleared for the Chartsend Guard and the Desert Legion to practice their skills. Warriors attack mannequins with knives, swords and staffs, while others test different bows on an archery range. One section is roped off, a small arena surrounded by wooden benches, where friendly duels can take place. A wooden enclosure houses an area where the soldiers can hone their bodies with weights.


Eirik is a creature of habit and despite the curse which wracked his mind, body and soul, he still clung to the ways of war. To the chaos of battle. He is no longer a Rosfjorian native, but carries all of their pride and passion for a good fight - as such he stands with eyes upon those around this well equipped field of battle. Dressed without a shred of armor, in only his black jerkin, black woolen pants and boots. It’s an unusual thing for the Lycan, to stand without some form of protection, but the great sword he carried so long ago is now strapped to his back. Some of these troops might be useful, Eirik nearly exclaimed. Though he still had not even approached a single guard, warrior, knight or otherwise. Truthfully he is looking to recruit a few more people to help with an ongoing problem that has probably made their way here. The coven of Venturil. The witches who gave all others a terrible name. Cursing children and slaying traveling caravans as they happen upon them. However, the presence of tight strung hatred smearing his visage is long gone. A mild sort of smile is on display instead - another effect of Valrae no doubt. Things were different in his eyes. So very different.


The training fields were nowhere near as crowded as they should have been. Every person working as a guard was volunteer, ever since the town treasury was ransacked. And the ranks were shrinking by the day, as the pressure grew too much for some, and others fell in the line of duty. Pilar was just getting off her shift at the clinic above the nearby garrison when she spotted Eirik. She was tired, with bags under her eyes, and her scrubs were wrinkled and faded. Her job at the clinic had turned into volunteer work when the money ran out. What used to be a 30-hour work week had become a 50-hour week with no days off, at best. And one of her fellow volunteers had become ill, so she had to handle her shift alone. Pilar was in no mood for games. She approached Eirik sluggishly, looking as dead as she actually was, and gazed up at the lycan. “...” She didn't know how to feel about him, now, nor how to greet him. So she just kind of blinked slowly.


Eirik is not here for any sort of game. Though he was finding a form of entertainment just watching those few who trained before him and Pilar. A slow nod is given to the illusionist at her lack of words. He knew she hated him, and with good reason at that too. Any other interaction betwixt the duo would be on Eirik. She looked exhausted and he notes the bags beneath her eyes and that tired expression she wields before him. “Pilar,” his voice is soft and riddled with a calm tone. It’s so different for the man that it might actually irritate her further - though that isn’t what’s going on. “You look tired.” he states the obvious. “Anything I can do to help?” Those silver eyes twist to meet her gaze. Eirik is being serious? Absolutely. Like the she-elf Gilwen, Pilar had fought in battle with the Lycan, and helped bring an artifact back to the elves of Kelay. Despite their standing there is a respect for her, which is apparent in his tone. He has yet to speak on behalf of his purpose.


Pilar rubbed her eye, mumbling, “I don't know... There's not enough healers at the clinic... Nothing to pay them with, so we're all volunteer... there's only six of us... Well, five now that Shawna's sick...” Pilar's arm dropped to her side and she swayed slightly. “I don't know if there's anything you CAN do. Thanks though.” She looked at the guards, and her eyes locked on a certain tall, muscular, beautiful woman with long purple dreads. She was fighting with a staff against three men with wooden swords, and doing a good job of kicking their asses while she shouted at them to git gud. Pilar smiled softly for a brief moment before she looked back at Eirik. “What brings you here?”


Eirik thought upon Pilars words. “If you had some more funding would you be able to hire more?” Who knows if he had intended to help out in that department or not, but is rather curious to know. He knew nothing of chartsend, save for when he and Raphaline saved Rachel from that group of witches. They had spent time at the clinic ensuring she was healthy and okay. However, that was some time ago. Eyes close for a moment, remembering that situation. Times have changed indeed. The norhtman reopens those silver hues and takes a look at the commotion, watching one take on three. She could be exactly what he needed. Pilars last question is a troublesome topic for him to speak upon, but she must have known about that coven. “To the north of here, in the Great Plains of Venturil, sits a coven of witches and mages.” His words are dry, without any emotion to them, though his features reveal something of frustration. More inner turmoil. “Who are responsible for attacking caravans, traveling merchants and anyone wandering through the area.” Chartsend itself has probably lost a few supplies to this group. “We’ve been plotting a way to stop them for good. Well, for months now.” Attention moves to Pilar. “I know the topic of witches isn’t a favourable one with you. Especially coming from me. But these ones are not like.” He gives a sigh and moves his sights to the ground. “Not like the ones in Larket. I’ve planned on finishing this task, before devoting my time to those in Larket that still remain.” Eirik still just had too much work to remain there. “So I’ve placed Henry in Larket until I can return there myself. I’m here, looking for warriors and casters who might help me put an end to this wicked coven.”


Pilar hummed. “More funding... That would help, yeah, but... We'd need a lot of gold.” She made a face at the mention of witches, but nodded. “I... I've heard of them. I didn't know there were witches in their ranks. But if that's true, then... maybe Umeko and the others can help.” The warrior woman had knocked all three of her attackers to the ground, and she went to the bench to take a swig of water. One of the men, in frustration, threw his sword at her. She spun around and knocked it from the air with her staff. She gave him a disapproving look, then had her drink. She spotted Pilar, then, and her stoic expression melted into a soft smile. She walked over to Pilar and embraced her. “We're almost done for the day,” the warrior said. She looked to Eirik. “Who's your friend?” Pilar winced, then coughed awkwardly. “Um, Eirik.” The warrior blinked. “Oh. Pilar's told me about you. Good and bad.” She looked him up and down, face neutral. “Name's Yozenra. I'm one of the folks heading up the volunteer militia right now. You here to join, or...?” Pilar said, “He's looking for people to fight that group of mages that's been troubling Venturil.” Yozenra hummed. “Don't know what we can spare right now. How many you need?”


Eirik lofts his brows at her mention of copious amounts of funding. That’s not something he would help with. A little is one thing, but her words and manners spoke as if she needed much more than he had in ability to give. “I see.” And yes, there is a few particularly nasty witches among that group. Yozenras introduction is taken in and he gives her a nod too. “She has no doubt, discussed more of the terrible things I’ve done.” Eiriks arms shift slightly, and both hands clasp behind his back. Its apparent that he isn’t fond of recalling those things. “Good to meet you.” The web of emotional empathy is a scar upon his thoughts. A weapon plunged into the depths of his conscious and subconscious mind. Valrae’s power has already begun to reshape and mold his interaction with people daily. More so involving witches. When these things are brought up, he has often fallen silent. There is much to reconcile from his past. But this, here and now is a start. Recognizing where his own failings have been. Protecting those in Larket would be another step on his path to redemption - if such a thing ever came. “Without a doubt, I assure they are true.” Eirik openly confessed to them, with a sorrow filled tone; displayed upon his features too. “I’ve been recruiting across the lands, to answer your question. And I could use one or two more. If you can spare such things.” He nods to Yozenra.


Yozenra didn't seem perturbed by Eirik's admission of wrongdoing. To her, that admission is a sign that he is not truly lost. “She also said you were trying to make amends. That counts for something,” she said. She placed her free hand on his shoulder. “I'll be happy to tag along, but I can't promise anyone else.” “I'll help, too,” Pilar said. Yozenra frowned. “Pilar, you're exhausted.” “So are you,” Pilar replied. And it was true, though Yozenra, as a trained warrior, was better at hiding it. The vampire continued, “I'm sure Diana and Silvia would be able to cover for me for one or two days.” Diana and Silvia being two witches of Larket who'd relocated to Chartsend. Yozenra didn't look convinced. “That's not what I'm worried about. If you're not at 100% and things get hairy--” “And what about you? What if YOU'RE not at 100%?” “...” “Look, it'll be okay. We'll have each other's backs.” Pilar took Yozenra's hand and smiled. “We can spare a potion for you, and your blood will keep me going. It'll be fine.”


Eirik finds Yozenra’s words odd. It’s both a relief from recent interactions and well accepted. He was growing tired of all the names he had been called. Tired of receiving hostile responses. He guesses however, that it’s part of life. The only way he can change the opinion of others is to show them the difference. He gives a nod and falls silent watching the mild argument between the duo with enthusiasm. Pilar and Yozenra? Eirik would wait until they both finished and then finally interject once more. “Thank you both.” That smile returning to his features. “The group I’ve gathered plans to meet next week.” His eyes shift to the horizon, “We intend to meet at the Steel Collectives headquarters in Xalious and discuss the tactics we will use, before we move out the following day to enact them.” He thinks further, “If you can’t meet us at the barracks, we can meet you in Venturil on the way and explain the plan. That should help with your time here as well.”


Pilar and Yozenra, as Eirik likely suspected, were in fact a couple. “I think we can get to the barracks,” Pilar said. “We'll see you then.” Yozenra nodded in confirmation.


Eirik thanked them both again, before twisting and marching north, before disappearing from sight around a corner.