Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The hospitality in the village has been excellent, they have even managed to wrangle a pair of chocobo for you off the caravan trader for you to ride. Just plain yellow ones, nothing special but they are now yours along with the supplies you need as well as the Stelazzio coin safely stowed in Raziel's belongings now.

Raziel eyes one of the birds for a moment then when it noses his cheek he sighs and offers up some greens that he purchased. There's actually a /faint/ smirk about his lips. Things are going well after all. Really well. And as soon as he thinks that the man scowls, because he know it can't last. The previous night he'd sat down with a man and Vazkor to plan out the route they would take and now he sets about making sure everything is packed away and ready before turning to whoever was sent to see them off. "Please give my thanks to everyone.. I will bring back the coin when all this is finished."

Vazkor, having already mounted his Chocobo, idly steers it towards Raziel. The man looking pretty comfortable upon the beast, having learned to ride early on as part of his boyhood schooling. Smiling down at everyone for a moment, he nods in agreement with Raziel, speaking up as well, "Wish us luck... Though we hopefully won't need it."

The Aegyl nods and finishes loading the last of your supplies "We shall prey for you all my friends, take care and safe journey across the steps! The great storms are less at this time of year but Ramuh's temple is not easy to reach."

Raziel reatches the chocobo on the cheek lightly before taking the reins and mounting up. He's not that bad of a rider either actually. Nodding in responce then the man murmurs, "then the sooner started, the sooner done." He inclines his head to the Aegyl and then turns the bird around and nudges her forward into a trot while glancing back at Vazkor over one shoulder with a faint smirk.

Vazkor raises his hand in a final goodbye, before steering his Chocobo around and urging her forward to catch up with Raziel, soon ending up alongside. Grinning over at the Aegyl, he quirks his brow a bit and comments, "I half expected you to hate Chocobo and fall off as soon as you tried to climb on one... I'm impressed, though. Though of course you still have alot to learn." He winks playfully, "Anywhere, how far away was this temple again?"

Raziel looks at Vaz for a moment before he snorts a little bit. "We can't fly everywhere. Of course I can ride.." He mutters something else then smirks briefly while looking off in the direction that they're riding. "With Archades behind us it'll be south east through the tip of the Tchita Uplands and down into the Cerobi Steppes.. We'll be looking at at least a two weeks if we're lucky. Possibly longer if monsters and weather decide to make the trip more of a crawl.Vazkor grins at Raziel again, at least for the first comment and perhaps even for the muttering, but then lets that expression fade in exchange for a more thoughtful one as he's given a time table, nodding some followed by a shrug, "Been a while since I've traveled over land for that long a period, but it should be alright. I'll be glad once we can catch another caravan or airship once we have to go somewhere else, though. Cuts down on rawhide." He grins again.

The journey through the Tchita Uplands takes about a week, they stop each night under the glorious stars of the sky above, camping out with their tent, their birds and supplies. It is peaceful at this time of the year but the odd rain storm blows in but nothing too deadly and nothing that lasts for more then a few hours. On the dawn of the 8th day they are above the Cerobi Steos, the endless plain of grass spread out below them, wind howling through the grasses as dark storm clouds gather.....

Raziel motions ahead while he sighs, "this is to be expected.. thunderstorms a plenty as we get closer to the Library Temple." He considers and then dismounts from the chocobo before checking through the packs for rain cloaks while sending a quick glance towards Vazkor, "We'll stop in there and see what information they might have and are willing to part with concerning the Stelazzio Coin, from there we can continue south down the river and follow the coast to the port.

Vazkor, at the end of the week, has started to grow a pretty impressive amount of stubble! The normally fairly fastidious man not having bothered to shave while travelling. Sitting upon his Chocobo, he looks out over the plains below, and then up at the darkening sky... Nodding some as he glances at Raziel, "Aye... And we could probably use a decent dinner as well... Are there holy men at the temple?" He asks.

The hot meal is had, the night passes and the humid wind up off the steps battles with the cold air up thios high! Come morning the rain is sleeting down, thunder is crashing over head but there is nos ign of lightning yet. The ride down onto the steps goes flawlessly and soon enough you are heading South West over rolling grass, heading deeper onto the plains.

"Of course.. some of these outlying temples almost have small villages surrounding them. At least the more popular ones," Raziel answers the night before. The next day as they make their way over the plains he keeps a eye on the sky while bundled within the rain cloak, a small frown playing over his lips as he calls over the wind and water, "It will get worse.. c'mon.." And he presses forward, knowing they've nearly reached their goal.

Vazkor simply nods from within the hood of his own raincoat, his expression- whether it's good or bad- hidden from view! He simply spurs on his bird, and follows after Raziel, wanting to get out of this blasted weather as soon as possible and find some respite inside someplace with a roof.

Vazkor sees the first crack of lightning across the skies as the rain turns hard, sheeting down bubt the whirling rain and bright flashes mean the man misses what else happens. Raziel however spots it, OH how he spots it! Off to their left lightning shoots down, about a mile away and suddenly cracks out into a sparkling grid..... about 7 feet from the ground... very peculiar. Then another lightning bolt and again it seems to leap from something to some in a grid. Thunder crashing, rain blowing, wind howling, the storm is here..... and something else. Stretching for over a mile and cantering through the storm right toward you! Lightning is hitting the blades on their heads and leaping from mesmerise to mesmerise! You HAVE to turn into them and ride with them and avoid being struck by lightning or be trampled!" to you.

Raziel reins in the bird for a moment and then he lets out a long curse in his native language. Which sounds quite pretty really, unless you know what it means. He looks towards Vazkor then before muttering, "Mesmerize.. a whole heard of them.. we're not going to be able to avoid them. Best bet is to ride with them to avoid being tramped and.. pray we don't get hit by the lightning hitting striking their blade horns."

Vazkor headtilts at the pretty sounding curse, looking over at Raziel... Then he blinks once at the mention of Mesmerize, promptly starting to look around to try and spot them as well, mean while calling back, "That's just great... But if you say we must ride with them, I take it they're not particulary hostile?" Turning south they race along, their chocobo's racing the storm! Rain sleets out of the sky, lashing the ground and the Mesmerize leap past them, racing the planes... lightning cracks down from over head, catching sveral of their blade horns, leaping and arching from one to another..... a shattering lightning bar of white light! So close and deadly.....

"They can be.. but they're herd animals," Raz answers while he turns his chocobo and spurs it into a dead out run. The mage keeps low on the bird while sending wary glances around and attempting to nudge his bird towards the other side of the monster herd while at the same time trying to dodge the deadly lightning all the while praying that Vazkor is able to do the same.

Vazkor has to almost tap into the very limit of his riding skill, ducking low on his bird as well like some jockey, and following after Raziel at breakneck speed. And maybe his famous luck is lending a helping hand as well... As he seems to manage to avoid horrible injury or death for the moment, staying one step infront of those deadly lightning strikes each time.

KROOM! Krack-KOOOOM, Boom-KraKoooooooooooom! Thunder roars, lightning flies, the storm rages and the Mesmerise leap and run, the world is a flashing array of black, then white, then black, then white........

Raziel's eyes are little more than a squint as he does his best to keep from being blinded. His chocobo, bless her, is quick on her feet and he's clinging to her her back while nudging her this way and that. His brows go up as he watches lightning arc through the horns and then suddenly barells her towards the side while ducking as it shoots over his head. "It's getting worse, Try to break out on the side!" He yells through the storm and pounding hooves, not even knowing if Vazkor can hear him.

Vazkor tries his best to avoid those lightening strikes... But perhaps Lady Luck was looking the other way just then. The man cries out in panic and pain as he's zapped by an arc of lighting as he gets caught between two Mesmerize, only his riding skill allowing him to hold onto the equally startled bird as it barrels along, Vazkor himself blinded by rain, pain and the lingering effects of that bright flash... And even his pack and part of his rain cloak were caught on fire! Though luckily for him, it's soon extinguised by the pouring rain, leaving them just smoking and scorched.

Raziel breaks free from the herd and he lets out a woop, glad to be alive. Then his head snaps off towards something in the distance and he squints for a moment, trying to make it out before motioning, "C'mon... need to get up high and orient ourselves.. and they're something standing out up there." And he proceeds to ride towards it... it would've helped if he'd looked back and seen his boyfriend isn't there though.

Vazkor still manages to cling to the bird... Not really steering, but just letting its own instincts drive it, letting the Chocobo decide how to best avoid danger. Biting through the pain, Vazkor's vision slowly starts to clear though, and he raises his head a bit to stare ahead, trying to decude Raziel's location, or even his current fate. Calling out soon after, "RAZIEL!"

Raziel turns on his chocobo rather quickly and he blinks, "wait.. VAZ? ACK!" And off he slips, having turned far too fast and sent his center of gravity shifting. He slides off of the bird and lands in the mud with a squish, but it doesn't keep him down as he starts pushing himself up rather quickly while shouting again, "Vazkor! Get out of the heard.. come towards my voice," while at the same time making a grab for the chocobo's reins.

Vazkor lets out a deep, relieved breath as the herd finally leaves him behind... And he pulls on his bird's reins to slow it down to a trot, watching the Mesmerize thunder on away from him, and taking the time to catch his breath and check where all he's hurt, wincing a few times. Soon however, he steers the bird towards where he figures Raziel went off to, and spurs it on again, perking his ears to hopefully hear Raziel call for him... But only being greeted by the sound of the storm.

Raziel is pulled off his feet as the Chocobo rears, panicked by the storm and the loss of its rider, Raz goes over, the Chocobo bolts as lightning SLAMS over head, a bolt about tree trunk thick slamming into a hilltop..... VAzkor can see Raziel and in the distance atop a large hill the glowing warm lkights of a mighty building.......

Raziel makes a mad scrabble for the chocobo.. any bit of it as it starts to race off and he lets out another curse before pushing himself up while glaring in the direction that the bird ran. Then he blinks and pales before pushing himself up and starting to run after it. "Vazkor wherever you are.. get the damned bird... the coin.. It's got the COIN!"

Vazkor looks relieved as he finally sports Raziel up ahead... Though then blinks as he notices the Aegyl being currently on the ground, and making a mad lunge at his bird as it runs away! With a "HYAAAH!" Vazkor spurs on his own bird as he hears the cry for help, slapping it briefly on the rear and causing it to simply ROCKET forward, its talons churning up the rain soaked grass as it goes. Riding it like an expert Jockey, Vazkor doesn't stop to greet Raziel... Simply charging past the mud-covered man to go after his run away bird instead. His own infact moving at such speed as to easily catch up, ending up running alongside... And with that, Vazkor does something just a bit crazy. Hopping himself up to stand with his feet on the saddle, crouching and aiming for the other Chocobo... And then leaping RIGHT onto it! Smoothly swinging himself into its saddle and pulling hard on its reins to stop it, letting it skid to a halt. His own bird running on for a couple dozen more yards, before it starts to slow down as it finds itself riderless.

The rain slashing out of the sky is washing away the mud on Raziel but he has lost his rain cloak at somepoint and the storm seems to be passing onward, that last mighty bolt of lightning jhaving passed now, plunging the world back into darkness. The large buyilding with its warm glowing lights can be seen in the distance, a good hours ride away now but Vazkor has both birds secure and well he still has his rain cloak and is clearly just "Awesome!"

Raziel lets go a breath when he sees that Vaz has gotten the birds, the deep sigh followed by a grumble as he realizes that while he may not be muddy anymore he /is/ quite wet. The man looks around for the raincoat for a few moments, but gives up and walks towards Vazkor and the birds. "Sorry, I lost track of you. Thought you were right behind me in the heard when I broke free." He nods off towards the well lit building, "lets get there and get dry.. these guys need some nice greens and warm hay."

Vazkor ends up grabbing his own bird by the reins as he rides Raz's Chocobo, bringing both back towards the rain soaked Aegyl. Vazkor's cloak is visibly scorched, and as he sweeps back his hood to smile at Raziel, he clearly shows some evidence of light burns. He dismounts Raziel's bird then, to climb back on his own, looking over his shoulder at the building, "... No worries, dear... And I don't think the Chocobo are the only ones who need pampered. I could use some rest, definately." he rumbles.

Raziel's healing spell goes off flawlessly, it heals the man but well his damaged and melted equipment is no good, his blades are slag and so is anything metal and weapon like that was on his person. Cursed lightning bolts..... still the ride up to the large buiolding is easy enough despite the rain. A large marble building with four huge towers from which those lights are shining forth from, great beacons of light to illuminate the night on the plains. The causeway is wide and well lit and at the top the mighty wooden gates open to a hefty banging, a robed scholar bowing to them and welcoming them into the covered, dry courtyard. "Welcome to the Temple of the Sage"

Raziel accepts the reins from Vazkor and then frowns a little bit before reaching out and placing a hand on Vazkor's cheek. When he does it seems like the raindrops on him have a pearlescent light of their own and they run up him backwards, even mimicing wings as his magics are want to do. Only then does he mount up and start towards the city.. As they approach and slip into the covered courtyard the mage slips from his bird before bowing in return. "Thank you for your welcome.. we've come a long way to stop here and there is a long road still ahead of us. I would like to inquire about something with the priest scholars who dwell here, but first.." He looks at Vazkor and then back at the scholar, "could we beg of you a bed and stabling for our chocobo for the night?"

Vazkor blinks, then smiles at Raziel as he's healed... Closing his eyes for a moment as that magic courses through him and takes his wounds away. Afterwards, he speaks up, "Thank you, dear..." Before steering his Chocobo around to approach that building. Not thinking of checking his gear or weapons yet, simply focused for now on getting to somewhere warm, with food.

The priest pushes back her hood, cascades of long blonde hair tumbling down her shoulders, she adjusts her glittering, sequin covered top hat, "Why of course darlings! You are just in time, the master is having... one of his affairs!"

(Just Kidding!)

The priest pushes back her hood and nods "Of course travellers, come" servants flock around the two, taking away their chocibo's, unloading their gear. You are shown up through the halls of the mighty library to guest quarters in one of the towers. Baths are drawn, food is delivered and you are informed the Mortal Sage or one of the Librarians will see you in the morning.

Raziel thanks them, but makes sure to grab the pack with the coin in it. Not that he thinks anyone would steal from him, but he takes the trust put in him seriously.. that and it's a the only lead he truly has. He follows them through the halls and into the room. The baths and food are welcomed as well as the news. "Thank you for your hospitality and care." He looks towards Vazkor then before tilting his head some, "sorry about losing you in the herd."

Vazkor follows silently... Just wanting to get to a warm room. And once he gets there, he's quick to start to undress to jump in a bath... Only to pause as he finds his beloved weapons, mastercrafted from the finest damast steel, and having served him during countless adventures in the past decade... Have been ruined by the lightning. And he just stares at them, blankly, not even responding to Raziel.

Outside the storm rages, the wind howls, lightning dances in the clouds as the storm passes away into the far distance, only rain remaining, no act of the spirits this time, just nature.

Raziel tilts his head towards the storm and then to Vaz when he doesn't answer. The mage steps over to look over his shoulder and he frowns gently before wrapping his arms around the man and giving a squeeze, "I'll replace them.. I owe you after this.." Realizing how lame that sounds he then mutters quieter, "sorry love."

Vazkor finally ends up frowning down at his blades... Looking severely unhappy, as if the weapons weren't just that, but something worth far more to him... As Raziel comes up and hugs him though, he shakes his head some, taking a breath followed by a bit of a sad smile, "... They were one of a kind, but no worries... Thank you, though." He briefly dips in to smooch Raziel then, before getting up, and retrieving his previously discarded raincloak... Starting to roll the ruined swords up in them, obviously not planning to just throw them away just yet.

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