The waves crashed down on deck no harder than they did any other day, but the sailors were on guard. Muscled and ragged they climbed their way through the rigging and adjusted the gaff to the wind, gaunt expressions across each of their faces. The mood wasn't set by the weather, not for these sea veterans, but for the incoming waiting as premature negotiations started across the Ibaron and Sumernan nations. They were heading directly into the Lia Isles of the Straight, the meeting place agreed upon by both emissary parties.
The sun lay just past overhead, the rays still searing down upon the passengers of the ship that chose to remain in the heat directly, rather than bake in the brine tank that was the hold of the ship. Arius lifted his head momentarily to look over across the waves, the sea rolling back and forth endless, despite their decreasing distance from land. Using one hand over some rigging to secure himself, he watched the waters for a moment longer before lowering his head back into his thoughts.
Only 22, he was still a measure into his adult life, but his journey to his position had been far, and he still had what seemed to be an endless dusty road before him. Many could settle with his position, that of a lower newly-appointed knight, but he had grand ideals and dreams of valour still left before him, though always kept to himself. He had entered into the select task force of the queen, given a mentor to watch his progress and guide him accordingly, though his authority was still some of the lowest in the knighthood.
His mentor, Ezreal, along with his shield-brother Neal, remained close by. Neal, not much older than Arius, and not much more experienced was Ezreal's first apprentice, taking on Arius shortly after. Arius had no reason to complain about the arrangement, and accepted Neal's superiority over him, though Neal was very rare to use it and treated their relationship closer to that of twin brothers than an elder. In truth, they were very similar, armed with sword and much more fluently in sarcasm at this point in their life.
Ezreal remain staring past the Mast over to the islands they rapidly approached for docking. He had a short trimmed beard that covered his face and mouth, just starting to lose the bright brown color from the edges to reveal his age. He was monstrous in size, standing over 6 feet tall with a heavyset weight even for his height, his enormous trained body hidden beneath his armor. His sword rest in its scabbard, hidden beneath his shield that also rest from his waist, the grand twin phoenix emblazoned over its surface. His stay with Arius and Neal over the last three years had turned him into more of a father figure, which both of the younger men knew was a gift to be treasured after hearing some of the other relationships with knightly mentors.
Early in life, Arius was trained as a blacksmith by his family on the western ridge of the land. One day his junior smithing and attempt to use his newly crafted and crude instrument caught the sight of an imperial agent. Shortly after he was asked to join the squires, though it took him over a year to do so. Now he had grown, steel sharp pauldrons over his shoulders, a hooded cloak with the royal phoenix on the back and secured to his neckguard. The cloak was a pure white, the phoenix a dark blood red. His pauldrons, a dusky metal gray. His armor beneath it was similarly fashioned bracers and boots over a white and blood red garb secured at his waist by his swordbelt. A thin mesh of chainmail rest under his garb, protecting his arms and legs, and a light steel plate was secured over his chest and back by a harness. It was not a full suit of armor, which were heavy and normally only stationed to high ranking knights, such as Ezreal.
Arius had deep blue eyes, which seemed to rest on his large jawline, capable of extending to a large smile; though normally concealed in a neutral grim expression. His short dark brown hair was hidden by his hood, and his 5'11 frame was nearly growing up to compare near Ezreal's stature.
The hustle of the sailors broke the monotony of the sea, as the ship jumped to life. The rowing oars were placed out into their chambers, and the crew started the final docking procedure. After several minutes the ship crashed into the white sands of the Lia Isles, departure beginning immediately.
At the foremost of the exiting travelers, the three of them departed quickly down the planks, rushing off to gather the remainder of their gear and supplies for the brief negotiations, being held quietly with some of the individual tribes of Sumerna. "It would take years to get those tribes to amass together", Ezreal had simply stated one day. Many might find the act devious to the unity of Sumerna, and only a handful of nations had agreed to even entertain them. Under persistence from the queen, only one nation was needed to begin talk.
The queen's emissary departed within two minutes to the meeting, along with Ezreal and several other stationed officers, leaving behind many soldiers to set up camp and occupy the beaches. Arius and Neal among them, found a grove atop a small hill and set up a watch from a log, continuing to watch the waves roll onto shore. Covering a large yawn, Arius finished setting up a campsite for them, and Neal departed to the ships for several games with the sailors. Often Arius joined them, but he was anxious to catch a glimpse of any of the tribal elves that wandered close to camp.";
The sun lay just past overhead, the rays still searing down upon the passengers of the ship that chose to remain in the heat directly, rather than bake in the brine tank that was the hold of the ship. Arius lifted his head momentarily to look over across the waves, the sea rolling back and forth endless, despite their decreasing distance from land. Using one hand over some rigging to secure himself, he watched the waters for a moment longer before lowering his head back into his thoughts.
Only 22, he was still a measure into his adult life, but his journey to his position had been far, and he still had what seemed to be an endless dusty road before him. Many could settle with his position, that of a lower newly-appointed knight, but he had grand ideals and dreams of valour still left before him, though always kept to himself. He had entered into the select task force of the queen, given a mentor to watch his progress and guide him accordingly, though his authority was still some of the lowest in the knighthood.
His mentor, Ezreal, along with his shield-brother Neal, remained close by. Neal, not much older than Arius, and not much more experienced was Ezreal's first apprentice, taking on Arius shortly after. Arius had no reason to complain about the arrangement, and accepted Neal's superiority over him, though Neal was very rare to use it and treated their relationship closer to that of twin brothers than an elder. In truth, they were very similar, armed with sword and much more fluently in sarcasm at this point in their life.
Ezreal remain staring past the Mast over to the islands they rapidly approached for docking. He had a short trimmed beard that covered his face and mouth, just starting to lose the bright brown color from the edges to reveal his age. He was monstrous in size, standing over 6 feet tall with a heavyset weight even for his height, his enormous trained body hidden beneath his armor. His sword rest in its scabbard, hidden beneath his shield that also rest from his waist, the grand twin phoenix emblazoned over its surface. His stay with Arius and Neal over the last three years had turned him into more of a father figure, which both of the younger men knew was a gift to be treasured after hearing some of the other relationships with knightly mentors.
Early in life, Arius was trained as a blacksmith by his family on the western ridge of the land. One day his junior smithing and attempt to use his newly crafted and crude instrument caught the sight of an imperial agent. Shortly after he was asked to join the squires, though it took him over a year to do so. Now he had grown, steel sharp pauldrons over his shoulders, a hooded cloak with the royal phoenix on the back and secured to his neckguard. The cloak was a pure white, the phoenix a dark blood red. His pauldrons, a dusky metal gray. His armor beneath it was similarly fashioned bracers and boots over a white and blood red garb secured at his waist by his swordbelt. A thin mesh of chainmail rest under his garb, protecting his arms and legs, and a light steel plate was secured over his chest and back by a harness. It was not a full suit of armor, which were heavy and normally only stationed to high ranking knights, such as Ezreal.
Arius had deep blue eyes, which seemed to rest on his large jawline, capable of extending to a large smile; though normally concealed in a neutral grim expression. His short dark brown hair was hidden by his hood, and his 5'11 frame was nearly growing up to compare near Ezreal's stature.
The hustle of the sailors broke the monotony of the sea, as the ship jumped to life. The rowing oars were placed out into their chambers, and the crew started the final docking procedure. After several minutes the ship crashed into the white sands of the Lia Isles, departure beginning immediately.
At the foremost of the exiting travelers, the three of them departed quickly down the planks, rushing off to gather the remainder of their gear and supplies for the brief negotiations, being held quietly with some of the individual tribes of Sumerna. "It would take years to get those tribes to amass together", Ezreal had simply stated one day. Many might find the act devious to the unity of Sumerna, and only a handful of nations had agreed to even entertain them. Under persistence from the queen, only one nation was needed to begin talk.
The queen's emissary departed within two minutes to the meeting, along with Ezreal and several other stationed officers, leaving behind many soldiers to set up camp and occupy the beaches. Arius and Neal among them, found a grove atop a small hill and set up a watch from a log, continuing to watch the waves roll onto shore. Covering a large yawn, Arius finished setting up a campsite for them, and Neal departed to the ships for several games with the sailors. Often Arius joined them, but he was anxious to catch a glimpse of any of the tribal elves that wandered close to camp.";
Moderators: Gwenyn (played anonymously)