Finding A Place To Crash

[Drauchir]

A bright streak appeared from the sky, hurtling toward the surface. Hailing frequencies of any kind were met with silence as the object dropped out of the air. The ship skimming across the rocky terrain of Vjun, before coming to rest at the base of the castle.



Fire and smoke. Both filled Drauchir's world as he came back to consciousness. Parts of the walls and roof were missing or hung in the air. Suspended by the metallic veins that ran through the vessel he was within. "What happened..." He drew himself up then. Moving his hand to protect his face from the heat of a fire that was sparking to life not far from him. His gaze sweeping across the cabin, shifting from the bed to the door which lead out into a corridor. "I better get moving or else I'll be cooked alive..." He did a quick check then. Feeling for his two swords, miniature bowcaster, and the utility hook that he owned. All of which were where they should be. He stumbled out into the hallway then, the flames pressing him up towards the front of the ship. But as he got there, he took a hard left. Following another corridor that curved around the ship, coming to a stop at a door which was partly open. Sunlight streamed through the crack, causing Drauchir to panic as he yanked the door open enough to fit through.

He stumbled to a stop as his eyes adjusted to the bright light that spilled forth into the cargo bay. The massive door that should have enclosed the space and blocked the light was missing. Most likely having been removed during the crash. He ran to the edge of the bay then, grabbing hold of the wall as he almost swung out of the empty space. "Eryneth?!" He scanned the rocky outcropping, hoping to see where she landed. But saw only a crater of debris with a trail of destruction stretching out from behind the vessel. His voice lowering then as he spoke. "Where are you... Please be ok..." He leapt out of the vessel then, landing a couple feet later on the ground. As he climbed to the top of the crater's lip, he paused and surveyed the area once more. Trying to see if she was headed towards him or not.

But all he was confronted with, was the sight of a giant castle structure, and a strange acidic downpour beating against the rock surface. Thankfully the vessel had come to rest beneath the shadow of the castle, offering him protecting from the harsh environment. But how long he would be safe for, he had no idea. However, his concern right now, was for his apprentice, who was most likely stranded somewhere on the surface. Hopefully beneath some cover...

 

[Riamah]

Her automated defenses were offline for some routine work. Which was a good thing for the incoming pilot. He might already be crashing, but at least it wasn't because he was shot down out of the sky.

The woman in the castle was thinking it would be nice to actually have a day where it wasn't raining. On this forsaken world though, that rarely happened. Vjun was her home though and the castle was where she lived. After so many years here, she wasn't about to leave just because of the grey days.

Sitting in the kitchen, Ra was enjoying her breakfast when Vincent came running in as fast as his old legs could carry him. For many people it was a little more than a walk, but Vincent was an old man and moved slow.

"Mistress, a ship has crashed outside. Some troops have been sent to investigate, offer assistance and if there are survivors they will be brought here."

​Looking up at him she nodded and finished off the few bites she had left of her food.

"If they are not harmed, bring them to the library. I will meet them there."

The small group of soldiers approached the area where the ship had crashed openly. These men were lightly armed, but it was clear they moved with a purpose. They weren't threatening in manner and hailed Drauchir when they saw him among the rocks.

"Do you need assistance?"
​
[member="Drauchir"]

 

[Drauchir]

Drauchir had heard the soldiers on their approach. Despite the crash landing, his heightened senses were coming back to him quickly. Allowing him to time his turn around precisely as the soldiers came over the rise. His hand ready to move for one of his swords. But he quickly enough realized their weapons were not raised. He relaxed a moment as he sized up his hosts, before raising his hands to show he wasn't hostile either. "I'm sorry about the intrusion... I appear to have..." Drauchir paused a moment, trying to think of the word he was looking for. He knew quite a lot of words, but sometimes their usage was not all that common on his homeworld. "Landed much against my control... What is this place?"

 

[Riamah]

One of the guards lifted his hand to his head and spoke into a comms device. After putting it back into his pocket, he returned his attention to Drauchir.

"I'm Grolman and this is Vjun. That is Bast Castle. Lady Ra'a'mah is waiting for you if you would please follow us."

No word was provided for ​him, but they knew what he meant. They would move to surround him, but again not threaten. He had raised his hands indicating he wasn't hostile. Precautions needed to be taken though and an escort provided.

One of the troopers looked up and pointed at something in the grey sky.

"Storm is coming in. We need to move. Not far."

Provided the man did not​ resist, they would make it to the castle after only a few minutes walk and lead him to the library.

[member="Drauchir"]

 

[Drauchir]

Drauchir did his best to follow the soldiers response. Vjun, Bast Castle. Locations that the name of meant nothing to him right now, but perhaps whoever this Lady Ra'a'mah was, might be able to explain it to him. He made one final glance off into the distance. Saying a silent prayer to the Faer that Eryneth would be safe. He then followed the soldiers into... Bast Castle as Grolman called it. He did not resist as they surrounded him and lead him through to a room full of books. It was here, that he laid eyes on the red headed beauty he could only assume was Lady Ra'a'mah.

Once the guards came to a stop, before they could say anything, he gave a bow to the woman. His better manners coming through, before he straightened back up. "Thank you for your hospitality m'lady... The name's Drauchir... But if it suits you, Drau is just fine"



[member="ra'a'mah"]

 

[Riamah]

Once the men had taken Drauchir to the library, all but Grolman left the room. He took a spot up near the door. Ra could take care of herself, but it was always nice to have that extra support if needed. With everything that had happened to her, it was understood why the precaution was taken. However, she sensed Drauchir wasn't here with the purpose of harming her.

"Would you care for a drink?"

If he wanted anything, s​he would summon Vincent to get whatever he picked.

"Ra'a'mah Numare. Please just call me Ra."

Extending a hand to shake, she stepped out from behind her desk to sit in one of the chairs by the fireplace.
​
"Please have a seat. How did you crash?"

[member="Drauchir"]

 

[Drauchir]

"Something strong, if possible. It's been... quite a day..." He smiled and nodded in understanding "It's a pleasure to meet you Ra..." He raised his gloved hand and shook her offered hand, turning his hand to the side, so as to place a kiss upon the back of her hand. His fingers going flat to allow her to pull it away if she chose "A seat would be nice, thank you... And crash, is that what it's called... Hmmm... I'm not entirely sure... I don't exactly know how it all works if I'm honest..."



[member="ra'a'mah"]

 

[Riamah]

It was a sentiment Ra could understand. Then again for all she knew, Drau might not exactly be running on the same time that Vjun was and it could be the perfect time of day for him to have a drink.

An old man walked in and Ra asked him to Drau something to drink along with more caff for herself.

The kiss on the back of her hand was a surprise to the normally business minded woman. Thankfully that aspect of her life was becoming something less and Ra could again focus more on herself. She also found it a little odd the man didn't know the word crash.

"Where did you come from and any idea where you were heading? I can offer you a place to stay until you ship is repair...if that is possible."

[member="Drauchir"]

 

[Drauchir]

Drauchir gave the elderly man a nod as he came in, only to leave moments later to retrieve their drinks. Allowing him to dedicate his attention upon Ra then. Noting her surprise at the gesture of kissing her hand. Perhaps she was unused to a man with a sense of chivalry. Or perhaps in her culture, people did not perform such gestures of admiration "Where I come from, and where I... We were going, is a long story... I would be willing to recount the tale, so long as you are willing to hear it?" He bowed his head in gratitude then, as Ra offered him a place to stay until his vessel might be repaired "Thank you for your offer. Hosted by someone of your beauty, I'd be more than happy to wait it out, no matter how long it might take..."



[member=Ra'a'mah]

 

[Riamah]

"If I wasn't interested, I would not have asked."

It was something about R​a, while able to hold pleasant and polite conversation almost any time, she didn't often probe much below the surface of other people. She did have an interest in hearing his story. Not only would it pass time, but it would give her details about him and information was what she needed. A former head of intelligence and now leader of a small movement of her own, she wanted to know as much she could.

Taking the drink from Vincent when he returned, she thanked him and gave Drau a smile when he complimented her beauty. When he accepted her offer a room to stay, Vincent nodded and left the room again. That old man was one person Ra couldn't live without and was thankful for his loyalty to her.

"You are welcome to stay as long you want, even after the ship is repaired."

[member="Drauchir"]

 

[Drauchir]

He accepted the drink and took a sip "I'll happily keep you to that offer..." To be honest, Drauchir had no solid idea as to where the sorceress had intended his destination to be. So for Ra to offer him a potential new home... It meant quite a lot. He reigned his thoughts back in then, turning them toward answering the original questions that Ra had asked. "To begin to answer your question: I was sent from a dying land, to seek refuge among the stars, so that our legacy would not be entirely lost without hope..."



[member=ra'a'mah]

 

[Riamah]

"This location isn't exactly the best for promoting life. In fact no plants actually grow here. There are some settlements around though. This is my home though and I don't think I could easily give it up. Lived here for so long, I rather like it."

She was curious to where he came from, but it appeared he may have been reluctant to reveal what land it was. Still Ra would be true to her offer and if Drau wanted to stay on, a place would be provided.
​
Even though she was never alone in this castle, Ra was lonely. The chance for company wasn't going to be missed by her.

[member="Drauchir"]

 

[Drauchir]

Drauchir suspected that Ra had slightly miss-understood what he meant by dying land. Though yes, one might consider this place arid and devoid of life. The lands heart still beat strong, somewhere deep below. "It is a harsh land, there is no denying that... But yet you have made your home here. Conquering such obstacles with your strength..." He took a sip of his drink then. "Eregion had regions like this as well... but, like you, some of my people braved the dangers and made a home for themselves..." Drauchir placed his drink upon a nearby table, as he gazed upon Ra. "My people do not measure life and legacy based on how green the grass is... It is about the family and friends that stand by your side, and the impression you leave upon those whose lives you've touched..." He smiled at her then. "I suspect I have left you with questions still unanswered. So please... ask them..."




[member=ra'a'mah]

 

[Riamah]

He actually answered one of her questions. By telling her the name of his home, sadly it was not a location she had never heard of. Having travelled almost one end of the galaxy to the other, Ra knew of most planets or systems. This was one she didn't know.

As Drau spoke on though, another question came into her mind.

"I might be misunderstanding you again, so I will ask for clarifcation. From what I'm hearing...you are without a family or friends to stand by your side. Were you banished or just grew tired of being alone?"

If it was the former, sh​e would ask further down that line. However if he had grown tired of being alone, it was something Ra understood all too well.

[member="Drauchir"]

 

[Drauchir]

This time, it was not a misunderstanding on Ra's part. He understood her question, given how vague he had been about where he had come from. A sad look crossed his face as he thought about all that had been left behind. All the lives that had been lost, due to their inability to save them all. "You are somewhat close... I'm afraid though, that in this case, I have not exactly been clear... When I said a dying land, I meant it in a rather literal way. The place I come from... It no longer exists. My people called it the sundering. The world was torn apart... Me and my apprentice were all that remained... Now I fear I am the last of my kind..."




[member=ra'a'mah]

 

[Riamah]

When she made the assumption that maybe he had left because he was tired of being alone...she was close. Glad it wasn't because he had been banished, Drau might feel some sympathy came off her. However Ra was not a very expressive person. Unless she wanted a person to know, she rarely showed anything. Only her eyes belied anything and that sympathy carried to them.

"Did your apprentice arrive with you? I can send my men back out to search if you wish."

She took a sip of her drink while giving him the chance to answer the question.

"I am sorry to hear of your world and its destruction."

[member="Drauchir"]

 

[Drauchir]

He leaned forward a little, resting his elbows against his legs to stop himself from falling all the way forward. He stared into his drink a moment, before lifting his gaze back to meet Ra's. "As far as I know, she did... So long as it would not be too much of a bother, then it would help me rest a little easier..." He took another sip of his drink as Ra spoke again. It had been quite an eventful past couple days. Eventually it was going to all start catching up with him soon. "hmmm... Thank you..." He took another sip of his drink as he considered where things might go from here. He had no home and no people. But perhaps there might be something here for him. "I know nothing of you and your people, But I owe you a debt of gratitude... And while I don't know yet how to repay you, know that you have my blades, if ever you need them..."



[member=Riamah]

 

[Riamah]

Almost as soon as he answered, Ra motioned to the one guard that had remained in the room with them. He approached her and she requested he gather those men again to go searching for Drau's apprentice.

"What is her name?"

Any other information he ​wanted to provide would assist in their search. They knew where the crash was and would start there. When he mentioned he didn't know anything of her or the people around them, she nodded. Lifting her drink for a sip and setting her glass down again, she looked at him.

"What would you like to know? Anything you ask will be answered."

[member="Drauchir"]

 

[Drauchir]

"Eryn... She has white hair like mine... and a scar just below her left eye. She'll stand out..." He gave a nod to the guard, watching him leave before returning his attention to Ra. He moved his hand from his drink then, before undoing the clasps that kept his swords trapped across his back. He laid them on the ground next to his chair, before relaxing further into the chair as he considered Ra's question. There was a million and one things he could ask and want to know. But there was only one thing that he wanted to know first. "Anything huh? That's a dangerous statement... So, is there a Lord or another Lady Numare? Or just youself?"


[member=Riamah]

 

[Riamah]

Grolman nodded and left the room to gather up the men again to go in search for his companion. With the additonal information provided by Drau, they hoped to find her safe and in one piece. The rain probably wouldn't be an issue as that was something that actually took time to accumulate and do damage.

Watching his movements, Ra would not really react to them, but he might see her tense just slightly at first and then relax when he placed them on the floor. When he stated that what she said could be dangerous, she chuckled a little, but nodded her head. His question was quite forward, but it was something she liked. Instead of playing with words and messages that might be misunderstood, he asked it straight up.

"No there isn't. While I do not live here alone, I have no husband. Or wife for that matter."

Since he had asked, she ​provided an answer.

"Is there a Lady Drau?"

[member="Drauchir"]