The orcs look at each other for a moment and then the quiet one gives one quick nod. "We don't like to spend too much time in the elf village," Kellik answers, "but we will drink your drinks and listen to what kind of alliance you hope to foster, as long as you'll speak plainly and quickly."
With that, the two orcs follow Gavin and his companions over to the Temple. From his booth down the hall, Humgrin Helmhammer stares sternly at the orcs.
Lyra will serve as serving person, since she doesn't have a lot to say to the orcs about alliances and all.
"The alliance I propose is a simple one. If we find ourselves in need of help, we will call on you. If you are willing and able to provide aid, we will offer Just compensation. And if you are in need, the same applies to us. We take no oaths, and swear no alliegence. We merely respect each other as men of action, and deal as allies." Gavin concludes, sipping the ale Lyra brings.
Kellik looks to his quiet companion and the other orc shakes his head dismissively. "We have no interest in pledging aid to others," the flamboyantly dressed orc answers as he returns his attention to Gavin, "but we'll offer you different terms. We will agree to not trespass in your territory if or when you claim any, and to come down here and use your communication system to alert you if or when we have any tasks we are willing to compensate others for; and, in exchange, you must agree to not trespass in our territory and to not pry in our activities. How does that alliance sound?"
"The promise not to pry into your affairs is easily given, so long as those affairs do not oppress or harm others. As to trespass, I am seldom seen where I am unwelcome. But I am not aware of what territory is yours and what is not. Furthermore, I cannot say where my life in the Tower will lead. I don't think I could, in good conscience, promise what you ask." Gavin answers, trying to find a counter offer that might suit them.
"Flame of Kundir, I would like to make use of a "telepathic bond" - a discrete arcane network of inter-cerebral conduits allowing us to communicate mentally with much greater discretion. It allows those within the network to send and receive messages with each other, nothing more - a much more versatile version of the spell we used to ask for your audience. I can include you, your associate, Gavin, and myself. I believe it would facilitate more open and honest discussion.
"May I cast it on the four of us?"
The two orcs, who seemed just about ready to leave, look at each other, both seeming a bit skeptical. Kellik shrugs and then the other orc gives a quick nod. “Alright,” the spokesorc answers, “you can cast your spell, but know this- if we detect any trickery you’ll be dead long before the elves get here to help.”
The Witness nods his understanding to the orcs. He turns to Lyra before casting his spell. "Apologies, Pigeon, but I'm only able to connect four minds." With that, he creates the telepathic bond.
++Excellent. Gavin and I have different goals in conversing with you. I certainly understand your desire for privacy, though the opportunity to learn more about Kundir would be welcome. In our time of origin the nation survives mostly as a footnote in rarely-read history books. Fresh insight into this largely forgotten sovereign orcish nation would undoubtedly better inform my perspective on many aspects of the region and the orcish peoples as a whole.
++However, what I truly seek is assistance in achieving my goal of deducing the intended purpose of The Tower and the mechanisms by which it functions. Much to my regret it's an undertaking I seem unlikely to complete on my own, yet so far the established residents are proving either too bureaucratic or too indolent to be more help than harm.
++You appear to be a small, autonomous family unit. As such I thought you might be more open to mutually beneficial arrangements for the exchange of information and services than the elven military company and 'research institute' we've encountered thus far. The fact you appear to continue to pursue personal goals beyond filling your time gives me greater faith in your abilities than the independent vendors and craftsfolk who populate this market.
++I serve no nation, organization, or deity. Five days ago I was possibly the most knowledgeable polymath in the world. If you ever desire assistance with the esoteric or the arcane, I'm willing to provide it in exchange for useful information regarding The Tower.++
++Yes,++ Kellik's voice rings in the Witness and Gavin's minds.
++How do I do that?++ he asks a moment later. Then silence (mental as well as physical) falls for a longer moment. The two orcs look at each other again, only where before it seemed as though Kellik were looking to the other orc for guidance now it appears as though they are silently holding a real conversation.
"I regret that we could not come to a mutually beneficial relationship. My offer still stands, and I will continue to consider you a future ally. Thank you for being both clear and direct, it is a trait that serves your people well, and I admire it." Gavin says out loud to include Lyra in at least half of the conversation.
"I shall do my best not to interfere with your work and territory, though I have little way of knowing where I might encounter either."
++My associate has a small wooden box at the Cailean bar in which written missives may be deposited; it's stocked with writing implements and paper. If you lack the ability to contact me directly via magical means, requesting me to contact you via Gavin's box is likely the most efficient method. If this changes I can send you a magical message to inform you of a better procedure.
++Do let me know if you'd like assistance; knowledge of a phenomenon and the opportunity to study it may be sufficient reward in and of itself.++
Lyra was contemplating the thought that four people staring silently but intently at each other for long periods of time is oddly creepy. Then jumps at the sound of Gavin suddenly talking. A sheepish smile follows.
The quiet orc’s hand reflexively moves to his battle axe when Lyra flinches, but he doesn’t draw it at all. Both orcs quickly finish their drinks and rise. ”It’s not our desire to collect enemies,” Kellik replies. “We will consider ourselves to be at peace with all of you until you act to violate that peace.”
With that, they turn and head back to the empty area where they first arrived and Kellik dimension doors them away.
After the orcs have made their exit, The Witness provides some information to his companions.
"They claim dominion over the floors seven and eight levels above Redwatch - or-seven and or-eight in the local parlance. For the time being, it's probably best if we don't intrude there without invitation.
"You'd mentioned something about an audience with a prince. Are there preparations to be made before this meeting?"
After their guests depart, Gavin finishes his ale and fills Lyra in on his mental conversation with Kellik.
"As first encounters with orcs go, I think that went quite well." he concludes with a warm smile.
"Yes,yes. We should see about contacting the princess to finalize arrangements."
Using a mythic point to cast sending again, Gavin contacts their breakfast friend.
++Your Highness, we are back in Redwatch and able to meet your brother at your convenience, regards, Gavin.++
++I'm so sorry I forgot to leave you a note! My brother's eating but you can come in an hour. We're to the right of...++ Princess Kalia answers, either unaware of the limitations on her reply or terrible at counting her words.
Gavin chuckles out loud at the princess's abrupt end. perhaps royalty has a more voluminous and lengthy version
Reaching back into his bag of daily resources, he casts again.
++ I'm sorry princess, I didn't catch where we should meet.++
++You can meet us at our place on the upper level. It’s the only door in the hallway to the right of the big Lombardi...++
Gavin relaxes at the Temple for about another 30 minutes, then the trio heads to the residential area and follows the limited clues they have.
Having quietly passed half an hour keeping to themselves in the Temple, Gavin leads Lyra and the Witness up to the residential level to begin knocking on random doors. Equipped with the knowledge that it is to the right of something, and the only door in its hallway, he heads right at the top of the spiral staircase, down the hallway where they've been staying. The hallway ends at a perpendicular hall which contains three doorways; two of them, however, are on the other side of an intersection, so the priest determines the lone doorway is a potential candidate and knocks on it.
The door is answered by a Tengwar woman in her 40s whom Gavin recognizes from the House of Healing, but whose name he doesn't know. Behind her in a humble common room with two other doors are Stanna and a graying Tengwar man whom he's pretty sure he has seen there also. The first moments of the interaction are somewhat awkward but Gavin's charm is more than enough to set the woman at ease. "I'm Claudette LeGuin," she informs the three visitors, "one of the founding members of the Benevolent Order of Healers. I believe you've all met Stanna, and that's Jean-Paul, they're both members as well. How can we help you this evening?"
"Greetings Claudette. I am Gavin Soleques, my companions and I are searching for the home of Princess Kalia and her brother. Would you be able to point us in the right direction?" Gavin replies.
Claudette smiles warmly and answers, "I'm afraid you headed just about the exact wrong direction."
Stepping halfway into the hallway, she points to the nearby intersection and the large structure kitty-corner to the one she's in. "That huge place there, on the other side of the intersection , belongs to the archbanker and the other members of the Mercantile Exchange, and they share it with their partners. What do they call themselves? The Verstadt Exploration League... or Company, perhaps. At any rate, head right at the intersection, past the whole width of their place, and then turn left on the other side. The prince lives in the only place with a door in that hallway."
Following her directions, the three quickly arrive at the Princess' dwelling and Gavin knocks on the door. Kalia opens it and smiles. Behind her, seated on mats on the floor, are: Taika (the man in the blue robe who smells of salt water); a muscular curly haired man in leather and shell armor and a simple coral crown; a beautiful woman in a skirt and a shirt that leaves much of her slender belly exposed who is leaning on the prince; and, surprisingly, two Vitolian men in the traditional armor of Vinland, both of whom are muscular and reclining against large shields. ”Please, come in,” Kalia greets them.
As the new arrivals enter the quickly filling common room, the Princess offers, "Prince, allow me to introduce Gavin Soleques and... guests. I'm sorry, I don't think I got everyone's names at breakfast. Gavin, and friends, this is my brother, Prince Mateo, his wife, Maia, Taika, my consort, and our guests Sir Maximus and Sir Gaius of Estria." She turns to face the two knights and, gesturing towards the tall middle-aged man adds, "Gaius, Maximus, this is Gavin and a couple of his friends."
"Thank you for the introductions, Princess. I am indeed Gavin Soleques, servant of Sarenrae and friend of those in need. This lovely young lady is Lyra Posfurore, Keeper of Secrets and Defender of Kin. Our mage friend prefers to be called 'The Witness' Gavin says with a bow.
"We are so pleased to meet all of you, and honored by your invitation, Prince. Humble travelers like us seldom find ourselves in the presence of Knights and Royals."
Lyra gave a kindly amused smile to Gavin "And enjoyer of new titles, I am." the lithe woman on the border of pretty but no farther slipped in a graceful bow, hand on her rapier to steady it but not near the hilt. "Of all the wonders I imagined in this tower of ours, I never once pictured meeting a Prince and Princess." she rose "I am truly honored, your graces. And quite delighted to meet you. All of you." her smile takes in the rest of the room.
Lyra is a typical Atlaean with grayish black hair, dark blue eyes, and a splattering of freckles on her pale skin. Dressed as an adventurer should in chain, sword, and a nice hat.
Gavin is a tall, grey bearded human. His height is accentuated by his posture, but he is not quite thin. Years of semi retirement have left him with a bit of extra waistline.
He wears a breastplate, but it is covered by a bright yellow tunic with Sarenrae's holy symbol emblazoned across its center in red. His cheeks are rosy (from this afternoon's glass of ale), and his eyes are a soft red-orange.
He carries a short sword in a scabbard, but few can remember seeing its blade (including him).
Now fully greyed, he seems to be between 50 and 60 years old.
Quickly rising as the newcomers enter, Maximus nods in greeting. A fairly tall, well built Vitolian bearing brown hair and eyes to match. He is rather young to be sure - about low to mid twenties one would gather - but you wouldn't know it by the way he carries himself. He stands proper and with purpose which might lead one to believe he is/was militia.
He is wearing the finest armor one could possibly possess - as far as he's concerned anyway - and behind him lies a REALLY big shield. Smiling, "Well met! To all of you. As the lovely lady mentioned, I am Maximus. It is a pleasure to meet you, Gavin, Lyra, and 'The Witness'," he gives a slight nod again, keeping his eyes fixed upon 'The Witness' for a moment or two before altering his focus. 'The Witness', huh? Interesting title. I wonder how that name was derived? Going to have to ask about that one at some point.
Gaius rises with Maximus before bowing deeply and uttering the same "Well met!" as his brother-in-arms before chuckling lightly at their similar tendencies. Between their common upbringing and months of travel together, they had become near mirrors of each other, in both appearance and demeanor.
Gaius is the same height as Maximus, a little over six feet tall, in excellent physical condition. If Maximus looks like a strongman who could wrench a tree out from its roots with his bare hands, Gaius looks more like he could outrun him with a somewhat more lithe, but still well-muscled build. His thick chestnut hair has grown longer and a bit unwieldy without a proper barber in the last few months, spilling in curls that occasionally escape from his attempt at pulling them back. His eyes, however, are a vibrant hazel to Maximus' brown. Above the left eye is a small scar that looks distinctly like a blade wound. He also looks to be in his mid twenties. His breastplate and wooden shield (not quite as large as Maximus' shield) are both emblazoned with a crest showing a lute crossed with a sword and flanked by olive branches. The armor is a silvery material with red and gold pauldrons. A longsword leans sheathed against the shield, there are slight but telltale signs of wear at the locket of the scabbard indicating that it has been unsheathed many times. A religious sort would likely recognize the sun motif decorating the sheath as the holy symbol of Iomedae.
"Talofa, Beannachtaí, and Agurra.* I am Gaius Ignatius V. My father entered the Tower two Tran ago, and I have come to follow in his footsteps."
Gaius is happy to volunteer this information. He studies the three new entrants with curiosity. A Sarenite priest, a Atlaean woman, and this curious hooded man.
The Knight shifts around for a moment before looking down, as though wondering whether he should sit first or remain standing and wait for these newcomers to find their places in the room.
"How have you come to know our gracious hosts?" he offers by way of further introduction.
The Witness gives a single nod to the Prince and his court once Gavin's introduction is complete. He's a young man dressed in light grey attire, of average height and build, and possessed of middling features and complexion - possibly a dark-skinned northerner, a light-skinned southerner, or a mix of the two. He carries a haversack slung over one shoulder and little else. Even with his hood up, the Seeker's Seal is visible on his forehead.
A fellow linguist, perhaps? Hmm.. Gaius Ignatius V of Estria...
"Matou te iloa na o le igoa le perenise; ua matou omai e faʻailoa mai matou i lona maota," the wizard responds to Gaius. He then addresses the prince. "Faʻafetai mo le talimalo ia matou, aliʻi."
"Thank you for hosting us, Prince."
*
*
*
Since Lyra has no idea what the Witness said, she answers how they know the hosts as well, "We had breakfast. This morning, the Princess was kind enough to join us." a simple answer, but the truth.
She looks back to the Prince "How do you find the tower to your liking so far, your grace?"
Prince Mateo, who remains seated, grins as his guests introduce themselves to each other, and at the sound of his native tongue being spoken by such diverse visitors. Sensing that not all of them understand he uses the common tongue to say, "You are all very welcome, please sit and make yourselves comfortable."
As Gaius and Maximus return to where they were sitting and Gavin, Lyra, and the Witness find places to seat themselves, he continues, "there is no need for formalities here. We hardly have a court in Tokelau, much less in here. You can call me 'Prince' and my sister 'Princess' but there's no need for bowing or using titles like 'your highness'. It is my pleasure to meet and welcome new arrivals to Redwatch."
The prince smirks a little as he considers Lyra's question. After a moment's thought he diplomatically replies, "Our time here has been surprising. When we first arrived, nine years ago, everything was so new and so exciting. We did some exploring and got settled in here, which actually was more challenging than you might think: the Earl of Evenglade required that I register as an ambassador in order to settle in his holding. I was tasked with making allies with whatever other people I found in the Tower, so Redwatch proved an excellent location for us. But after a year or so we had done all the diplomacy we could and things slowed down considerably, until four days ago when you and the other new arrivals entered the Tower. We still go exploring once in a while but with our purpose mostly fulfilled here in Redwatch we have largely settled into a fairly mundane life."
He seems almost wistful for a moment and his sister shoots him a rather demanding look. Then his smile returns and he adds, "That doesn't make for good conversation, though; why don't you all share how you are finding the Tower so far after only a few days?"
You do recall some record of a Sir Gaius Ignatius of Estria, but the dating was inconsistent, ranging from the early 5th to mid 6th century. This may, perhaps, be because multiple men with the same name and title were conflated into one. You have a vague recollection of some heroic involvement in a minor military campaign Estria waged against some forgettable neighbor, but the most memorable tale was of him traveling all the way to Eastwatch to kill a centipede the size of an ancient dragon that had been eating whole caravans on the Great Eastern Road.
You also recognize the names of Prince Mateo and Princess Kalia. In your time, King Kalakaua of Tokelau had twelve sons by his four wives, and nearly as many daughters. His eldest, Hiapo, the first born son of his first wife, was a mighty warrior and popular among the people, an excellent crown prince. Mateo, the second born of his third wife (the eighth son overall), grew to be even more powerful and was liked by the people nearly as much. Fearing that this could complicate his succession and perhaps even spark a civil war after his death, about a decade before you became a Seeker, the king charged Mateo and his (full) sister Kalia to enter the Tower of Ages on behalf of their kingdom and their people. They did so at the New Tran Festival of 1323.
Receiving a slight chuckle from the prince's question, "To be honest with you, I believe I've spent more time sleeping on stairs than anything else. But outside of that," he shrugs, "I must say I find this place... overwhelming, yet, fascinating at the same time. It's almost like it's its own world. Which I can't help but ask: Do you all live here? In the Tower I mean?"
Thinking back to the night spent on the stairs, Gavin is only too happy to find a comfortable place to sit.
"It is indeed as Lyra said, we were blessed to have a breakfast far too big for just us, so we invited passersby and the princess found us. We share a desire for fellowship and allies, Prince. We also have a desire to explore, can you tell us about what we might expect if we were to select a spot in the stairway at random and move ourselves into the interior? Is that how most exploration is done?"
"I think we all live here until we find a way up." Lyra answered Maximus's question with a sinking feeling swelling inside her.
Nine Years!
of doing what? I think I would go insane.
"I... I expected more, really." Lyra admitted, preferring to stand since it allows her to shift about, movement settling her some.
Turning his attention to Lyra, "Up? You mean with the elven guards and that construct bookkeeper? Well I gotta say, finding a way up is not a problem, getting past that bunch will most definitely be a problem. Gaius here posed them a challenge - only verbally, mind you, with no show of real force - and they put us on the ground in mere seconds. And I mean that literally. Next thing we know, we're surrounded by all six of those elf guards. Although, a part of me thinks they only looked like elves. I'm not so sure they actually are elves but I really don't know."
Gaius shrugs at Maximus' declaration, almost wishing he hadn't brought it up. But now that it was spoken, ah well.
"That was not my proudest moment," he sighs. "But as for finding a way up: I discovered that my father apparently did make it through some years back. It was after living in Redwatch for a couple of years. No one has seen him since, so it may be a one way trip through the uppermost portal. As it is one-way at the bottom."
The Vitolian knight pauses and considers everyone else's statements. A true community had grown up here within the Tower, full of people taking on different roles. Some seemed keen on progressing, whether to escape or to prove themselves worthy--whatever that meant--but others seemed content with this new life here.
Then Gaius lets the Prince respond to Gavin's question first, as it was addressed to him, but follows up after their exchange is complete. He is similarly curious about Gavin, Lyra, and the Witness' exploration so far. Until then, he offers his own.
"Maximus and I found ourselves briefly in the Ironspine Mountains after exiting from one of the portals on the stairs. It was certainly uncomfortable returning. Gavin: where have you and your fellows been so far?"
After disclosing his major trip thus far, Gaius furrows his brow. Had anyone, perhaps the sages in the Research Institute, thought to map the Tower? He hoped to return to Regna again at some point, but was uncertain (given the tedium of trudging the stairs without clear waypoints) how easy it would be to find her cave again.
Edit:
The eyes of the Kono’ana all drift to Lyra and they awkwardly pause to wait for her to accept the prince’s invitation to sit.
Once she does (or it becomes painfully obvious to everyone that she is purposefully refusing him), he joins in answering Maximus, “we do live here, at least for the time being, yes.” Maia and Kalia exchange tense glances with him and with each other before he adds, “as I said, Redwatch is, at least at the moment, the best place for me to fulfill my duty to honor my father’s command...although, there has been some discussion among us over for how long that will be the case and what other options we might have.”
To Gavin’s question he replies, “There is a cost to exploration, that’s part of the reason we don’t do it more often. How did you explain it, my love?” The woman reclining against him smiles and says, “spells like dimension door will let you move five or ten feet in a given direction, so you can jump through a wall to the inside of the Tower. You can’t know if you’re going to hit a wall when you jump blindly, but you’re going to hit the floor, or ceiling, more often than not anyways since you can’t see that either. The magic will push you to the nearest open place—instead of having you appear halfway inside something—but it does do a little damage to your body in the process. As long as you accept the cost of that minor hurt though, you’re free to explore.”
Taika, who seems keenly aware of his status as a commoner at what is, at least to some extent, an official royal meeting, tentatively adds, “we have been fortunate enough to find a couple open archways as well, but those are fairly rare and sometimes only open very briefly.”
When the two knights speculate on the portal above, Kalia lowers her voice as if sharing a secret and offers, "I think you can come back through it... I've heard that Theldrassil's been through it and he came back to help his soldiers get ready. Maybe your father just didn't have anything he thought he needed to come back for?"
She smiles at Gaius' mention of the mountains and follow up question about the other newcomers' explorations and turns excitedly towards them to see what stories they have.
Lyra sighs, mentally figuring out No Need For Formalities is just to make themselves feel better about being 'Better', then sits. It certainly does sour her feelings toward them though.
Nothing to come back for. The words pierce Gaius, but he tries not to think of the implication of the words.
"Being a new Seeker, I don't think I know the name Theldrassil. Is this someone especially famous around here?"
Gaius mostly holds his tongue now to hear more from Gavin, Lyra, and the Witness.
"We found a fireplace. A portal to a grand dining room. Figures with skin of porcelain, like lifesized dolls, seemed to disagree with our presence, so rather than fight them... since it felt like we were invading their home... we left." Lyra recounts their own adventure outside the tower. "You went to the Mountains!" a little of her ire toward the royals washes off at the implication "Ours seems restrictive, A room. Yours, could you have wandered for years only to return once again through the portal?"
"Based on the stories of the one we met on the other side, I believe we could have wandered for years!" Gaius responds. "A dwarf there recounted problems that she was having with a dragon. As for you--dolls in a dining room. But perhaps yours was also another location in Cardriss."
”Really?” Kalia asks Gaius in wonder. “I’ve never heard of a portal that would last that long!”
Looking perplexed until hearing Kalia's response, Maximus breathes a sigh of relief. "Whew! That was almost concerning. I was afraid we could be in here for a few days and the next thing you know it's been years later outside of this place. Or maybe even inside this place. That would've been highly confusing."
"My hypothesis is that access to the Upper Tower is simply a matter of further attunement rather than a measure of subjective 'worth.' And the fireplace portal we traversed almost certainly opened to Cardriss.
"Prince, princess: I appreciate your willingness to share your experiences and knowledge of The Tower gained these past nine years. In return, rather than recount the events of our past few days, I can tell what's transpired over these nine years for your family and Tokelau if you wish."
Gaius likewise offers to fill in some details of anything he can recall, though he admits that his time in Tokelau was brief and otherwise focused.
Gaius gives a small smile to hear the Witness pontificate on the nature of the Tower, especially in a manner that seemed to cohere with his own observations. This one seemed to have even more specific arcane training than what Gaius possessed. Especially given the bird flapping around him: a familiar perhaps?
When Maximus mentions his relief that they don’t need to worry about years passing outside while only a few days do inside the Kono’ana all exchange a knowing look. They seem interested in the Witness’ offer but ignore it for the moment. “Maximus...” the princess says very diplomatically, “has it occurred to you at all that it’s strange that you arrived the same day as these others, and the two sisters but didn’t meet them, or hear of them before you entered? Perhaps you should ask them how that is?”
Gaius sees the look and notices the phrasing of the question. He offers something, as something begins to boil in the pit of his stomach.
"Now that you mention it, I have met several other Seekers that entered on the same day as us, but we did not hear of you. We entered on Pharastia 1." Almost as an afterthought, "The year 522."
"I may have heard of you, Gaius Ignatius, though my information is understandably vague. My companions and I entered The Tower from the year 1332."
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Maximus stares blankly at The Witness for what feels like an eternity before eventually piping out with, "What? What did you just say?" Scratching the back of his head as his face contorts in a show of massive confusion, "Did you just say you entered in the year 1332? As in, EIGHT HUNDRED years ago?! Is this a joke? I mean, seriously, is it? I would have to say 'no' coming from you, Witness, because you strike me as a pretty much no nonsense type guy; but if it is, not really that funny. Just sayin'. Really should work on your delivery there, friend, because I don't get it," he holds up his hands, shaking his head. "You know what, this is insane. You mean to tell me that you've been in this Tower for 800 years?!" Maximus attempts to wrap his mind around that and just fails miserably.
Starting to feel fairly anxious, "Okay, okay, everyone just stay calm. No need to panic, we got this. We got this," he mutters mostly to himself as he takes a couple of deep breaths and works to calm himself before, "Okay, that doesn't even make sense! Are you kidding me?! How in the world can you have been in here for 800 years?! You should be dead! All of you should! Is everyone you know who is out there," he points in a random direction, "dead by now?! I mean, this is nuts! Absolutely nuts! I... you know, forget it. I DON'T want to know any more, I don't. But I will tell you what I do want to do. NO, better yet, I'll tell you what I AM going to do... I am going to win this thing. Do you understand? WIN. And when we do win this thing we are going to return to our family and our friends and we are NOT going to be 80 million years older or whatever it freaking is! THAT'S what we're going to do!" he vows with absolute conviction, collecting himself a moment as he takes a deep breath.
After collecting himself properly, he grins. "So, when do we get started? The sooner we get this ball rolling, the closer we are to winning this thing. I've got six elves and a mechanical bookkeeper that need their butts kicked and no way that's accomplished by just sitting around. We've got to get that proper attunement thing, or whatever it was one of you mentioned, so we can go face those guys and finish this thing."
Gaius similarly stares at the Witness, studying his face for some crack of a smile or joke. As Maximus goes into his tirade, Gaius' gaze drops down and he leans back against his shield.
"Maximus," he says after his steam runs out. A strange noise emerges from his chest: a half-sob, half-chuckle. "We're from 800 years in their past. But we have still been here in the Tower for the same amount of time. Somehow."
Maximus seems generally right about the rest, in his own way. Gaius shakes his head, not fully understanding the implications of this revelation. How were they able to coexist? Was there something timeless about the Tower, existing -- and progressing -- at its own time separate from each of their own? Had they been irrevocably removed from their own times, such that they would be unable to ever return? Did each portal transport not only through space, but also through time? And if so, was the temporal destination the same, or was each keyed to its own time as well.
Accepting that everyone he knew and loved was dead was something that Gaius was not prepared to accept. He existed now, and so did these people. They may not have been coterminous before, but they were now. Perhaps that could be undone. And if it could not, then there was nothing to be done about it but move forward. The Vitolian blinks slowly and then returns his focus to the rest of the group.
"While I appreciate the sentiment, 'winning' may not be the aim here, and butt-kicking may not be the order towards either attunement or winning. That might also not be the finish line. And while I am as eager as you to continue, these folks have been here longer and may have information. Let's at least continue to enjoy their hospitality, Maximus."
He smiles at the Kono'ana nobility, from some unknown era, along with these newcomers born hundreds of years after him. It was difficult to grapple with, but he would muster on.
"What have you learned in your near-decade of time here? And in what year did you come from?"
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Gavin smiles at the passion in the young knight. Clearing his throat while he composes his thoughts, he tries to console him.
"I used to see time as a straight path, upon which we all march forward. But now I believe it is a path like any other, upon which it is possible to go forward or back, or intersect with other paths. It is possible that you may never see those you left behind again, but it is not impossible that you might." the old priest says.
"The Tower has opened new paths to us. Some we will be fortunate enough to travel with the beautiful Souls of the world." he says with a warm smile at Lyra.
"And some we may be forced to walk alone." he almost whispers, thinking of his dream.
"How we live the years we have to live is more important than when we live them." he adds.
"As to 'winning' the Tower, I'm not sure if you can 'win' it any more than you could a door, or a hallway, but I am certainly willing to help you try." he concludes, with a bit of a mischievous grin.