A Type of Armor

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Among the gardens, scents mingle: green, loam and subtle sweetness, wafting from the meticulously groomed grounds. The lawns are richly green, dense and close-cropped, bordered with polished pale marble stones the size of a human man's fist. The pathways are smoothly cobbled in muted tones that subtly echo and contrast with the surrounding greenery, shaded by the lush canopies of tall, straight trees whose branches arch over the walkways to form open, airy tunnels. Elegantly ornate, tall mana-lamps of wrought black iron keep the paths softly lit in the evenings; they are often situated near benches of matching material and style. It is peaceful, here. Somber. It is also curiously warm and green no matter the time of year; leaves do change color in fall but remain on the trees until spring comes again.

At the heart of the park where the paths converge are large marble pedestals supporting bronze or marble statuary, chiseled letters upon the heavy bases naming the subject of each piece. The previous sculpture celebrating the union of Alexandros with Myrddion has been removed from the center of the garden and replaced with a gorgeous statue of the Crown Princess Lianna Rena and a marble walkway that leads to the Monument of Heroes - a newly-raised edifice celebrating those who fought and died on behalf of others. Tribute is still given to the friendship between Myrddion and Alexandros in the form of the paired standards mounted above the entrance to the Monument of Heroes: one from each nation. The flagstaffs are crossed and held by a Myrrish Knight and an Old-Alexandros Miner.

EXTRAS: +view

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Kerbasy A young priest, cheerful despite his somber garb. 0s 1d

Aenyn A somewhat short man with vivid green eyes and, maybe 1m 34m

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North <N> South <S> East <E>

Bridge <W>

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=- It's Korday, Quintoos 29 10:12:17 1014. The full moon isn't up. The tide is high and rising.

Fair weather clouds drift through the blue sky from the west. The wind is gusty.

Aenyn pauses as he enters the gardens. Despite having grown up, and presumably born, in the city, this is the first time he's ever set foot in them. There's just something eerie about the serenity of the place in his mind. Nevertheless, he finds himself here for a purpose. He begins moving again, meandering his way towards the center of the gardens.

"Heh. Y'think so?" A Mourner sits next to one of the statues, a grave of some kind. A broad-shouldered man is depicted there, a soldier of Alexandria: Medius Carver. Kerbasy spreads his hands, palms up to either side. "I gather you're right. I've just never thought of it that way b'fore...oh. Well, evenin'," he says. He looks up with a grin as Aenyn enters. The grin splits his face and seems to fit naturally there, as someone who smiles often, and enjoys doing it. "Is it that time already?" And he makes to get up from where he's been sitting. He wears the robes of his order, though there's mud along the edges, a loose thread or three; a working man's outfit.

Aenyn stops in his tracks once more, his brow furrowing as he looks at Kerbasy then looks around the otherwise empty gardens, "Who were you talking to?" He then shakes his head as if he doesn't really want to know the answer to that and continues, "Time? Uh, I don't really know. I just came here because I heard there was a Mourner here who could enchant armor for adventurers."

Kerbasy glances over at the graves and then back again. He stands, and dusts off his palms--they make a dry shiff-shiff sound as he does. Callouses and dirt. "Heh. I'm willin to speak with th' Lady on their behalf, yeah. Our temple is smaller than most, though. We're uh, understaffed so all I ask for in exchange is labor and some hard work. If you're okay with that, I'm glad t'talk with y'." The Mourner's eyes are an honest brown, though he seems serious on that point. There's a bit of mud on his sleeve, and on closer look his boots aren't the shiny sort--they look a few years old, scuffed and used.

Aenyn nods and considers this for a moment before he shrugs, "Yeah, I can help out with things. I help the Luckbringers a lot, too, so it's nothing I haven't done before. What would you need me to do?"

The Mourner blinks a few times and rubs a hand through his hair. Clears his throat. "Well, tendin' to the grave sites and keepin' them clean for the families. There's also transportation of guests and the preparation of graves, or if you preach, even the ability to do a small, family-based service. ...most of th' city's Passed are th' children. We do some work with th' Altheans an Angoron to help with that, but it's human nature we're fightin against...it's all what you think you could do." He coughs once and dredges up a smile from somewhere. Claps his hands together. "Well uh, I mean. We can use th' help. How about I see that weapon of yours?"

"Armor, actually. And I'm wearing it, but I can take it off," Aenyn replies as he starts to do just that. He is, of course, wearing clothing underneath. As he removes his studded leather, he says, "Cleaning things sounds like the best option. I can start today, if you like."

Kerbasy grins, and his shoulders relax a bit. Discussing prices seems to leave him a bit nervous, and he's glad to leave that behind. "Well, heh. I'm glad to hear it. Most everyone's praying over their weapons these days. ...and I'll get one of the acolytes t' give you a tour. The Memorials aren't a bad start. We're working on gettin' them spruced up for Yule, in case people visit. ...how old is it?" he asks of the armor, then.

Aenyn nods as he finishes removing the armor, laying it out on the ground. "I've had it a little less than a year, I think. It's served me well, but I think it could be a little...more."

"It looks well-made...may I?" the Mourner asks. He's crouched near the armor now, and pauses where he'd begun to reach out his hands.

"Be my guest," Aenyn says, gesturing to the armor with open hands. "It is well-made. I paid a bit extra for the quality when I had it made for me." He smiles, becoming a bit more at ease with the Mourner as time passes.

"It's just startin' life, then. ...well, hello." Kerbasy picks up the armor and draws it across his knee. His hands move quickly over the surface--just quick of gesture, as though the man were full of Life, despite his somber robes. "Seen some use, but new. The two of you have a long life ahead of y'. What would you like me to ask the Lady for...er. Don't think I caught your name, an' we did all this talkin'. Name's d'Bahjat. Mourner Kerbasy d'Bahjat."

Color actually appears on Aenyn's cheeks as he realizes he never introduced himself. "I'm Aenyn. Just...Aenyn. It's nice to meet you." He clears his throat and looks down at the armor, "I was hoping for the armor to be stronger and, if possible, to also help me blend into the shadows better." He blinks and quickly adds, "Not for nefarious purposes, of course. There're a lot of shadows in places adventurers frequent."

Kerbasy gives Aenyn a long look, his eyes gray for just a moment. "Well, heh. I suppose you're right." His grin quirks just a bit. "I used t' work with them, myself. ..." he straightens, folding the armor over his arm. "Let's get somethin' to drink and discuss the details, and then y'can tell me about what the Guild's up to these days..."