Welcome

[Gale Shičl]

OOC: The events here are a result of Freedom from Banishment

How long had it been? Questions flooded his mind. As the Northern Wind, he had been wealthy, infamous, and almost heartless. But he had given that up long ago. But how long had it been since he last had seen the other Guardians? They were still around, although scattered. He sat at the counter of a tavern in a town outside of the forest and pondered over the landmarks of his life. There were almost too many to count, what with his highly advanced years. However, he didn't appear to have more than 20 years under his belt, despite the white hair.. He grew somewhat oblivious to the people around him as his mind drifted off into nostalgia. However, it would not stay that way. Things would be different this night.

From outside, a strange man slunk into the tavern. People shied away from him, and even the candles seemed to shrink in his wake. He very slowly approached the white haired man sitting at the counter.
Well, hello again. Fancy meeting you here. How long has it been?
Chills ran down his spine as the man spoke. He recognized that voice. Oh, how he loathed that voice. The memory of their first encounter rushed back to his memory. It was a bitter struggle, but eventually due to the help of three of the ancient mages and founders of the Guardians, this man, who had been out to destroy the Guardians, was banished to some unknown place. How had he managed to escape? How had he found him?

You.... but how? the white haired man questioned.

The ominous man whispered in reply You don’t think that I couldn’t eventually find a way back did you? I swore I’d have my revenge.
He didn’t wait a second longer. He jumped up and flipped over the man and ran out of the tavern. The man followed close at his heels. Outside however, he had the advantage. He was far more agile than the man. The man’s voiced echoed out after him Chaos will reign and I will find you Leothin!

He didn’t stop to look back, he ran as fast as he could into the forest. He couldn’t quit running. If that man caught up with him, it would surely mean trouble. He wasn’t hardly a match to him when he could see, but now that he was blind, there would be almost no chance. Why he wasn’t already dead was beyond him. The wind kicked up behind him and sent him hurtling into the trees. He glided effortlessly through the trees. However he started to grow tired. He had to search for a way to get his sight back, or a way to gain enough power to stop the man.

Soon the exhaustion from his sudden sprint took over. He picked a spot on the ground to land on and quickly went down to it. The wind stopped and he fell from a foot above the ground. However, it was not ground as he thought. He fell down into the middle of a deep pool of water. Gale surfaced quickly, and tried to find his bearings, but with most of his body underwater, he couldn't sense a thing. Suddenly, his tired legs cramped up on him, and he started to sink. He took a deep breath and shouted for help, before he floundered and sank beneath the surface.

[Syrus]

Stranger things happened in less stranger places, he kept telling himself. Over and over again he kept seeing things. Tracks everwhere but nothing at all to kill. He looked in every bush and up every tree around the area he was in. Nothing, not even a useless squirrel to kill. He was growing ever so annoyed with the misfortune of his hunt. One a normal day he could have had at least five or six by this time, but for some reason he was cursed today. He was about to give up when he spotted one climbing up a tree. He could tell he himself had been spotted by the speed of the little creature. Syrus smiled to himself, letting his skills take shape. He began stalking and following the poor little critter. Taking to the trees himself, never more than eyes view away from it. Now that he had a target he was not going to lose it.

It ran up trees and around trunks. He could have shot it several times, but he wanted to make sure he had the perfect clean shot, that would bring the being to its end. Then and only then would he take the time to take aim and kill it. It was a few moments later when he had that so called shot. His mind was fully focused on the shot, the wind, the distance. Every factor was taken into account. Well almost every one.

He took the arrow slowly from his quiver, making it look like the movement of the tree in the soft gentle wind. His bow safely in hand was full heartedly happy to see its friend the arrow. The connected like they had every time in the past, quickly and quietly. He let the noc of the arrow rest between his index and middle finger, getting a silent feel for the arrow. With out to much speed but the right amount of strength he drew his bow back to full draw taking aim on the squirrel.

The creature had stopped by now and was stationed on a branch turned with his left side to him. It apparently forgot about the dangers of earlyer and became more careless and left itself open for the attack. Syrus was ready for this carelessness and the poor squirrel would surly pay for its ignorance with its life.

He release the arrow, and like the wind if closed in on its target. Just as it was about to hit home, a gust of strong wind blew it out of the way. It collided into the tree with a thud, destroying the tip and sending it down the shaft itself. The squirrel saw the danger it was in and flee'd. Syrus had missed.

Words could not be said for how pissed Syrus was. He looked around, unsure where the wind had even come from. Apparently it was karma out to get him or was some cruel manner of getting back at him. " What did i do to diserve this!! HU!, did i sell my father in a past life!!." He screamed out letting the world hear his anger. This day was turning out to be extremely irritating to him. " I guess ill just go back and buy dinner to nig...." But his focus was brought to a rather large splashing sound in the distance. It was not normal to hear such things, but what he heard next chilled him to the bone. It was faint but he knew he heard someones low and distant call for help.

He took no time, and bursted from the tree branch he was on taking a full sprint to the area in which he had heard the sound. He made his way dodging trees and undergrowth. Then as if it came out of no where a pond appeared into view. It was misplaced and he had never seen it before or run across it before. He saw the remains of ripples and bubbles making there way to the surface of the algea covered pond. It looked to be deeper than most bodies of water in the area, and he had to be careful.

He looked around to see for a vine but found none, but what he did saw, just put him in a even worse mood. For there right in front of him frozen in place from fear was a squirrel... He glared and gave a yell to him.
" You're lucky i got pressing matters you little feind!" He knew time was running out, and he was either going to let this mysterous person drown or jump in and try to save him, potentially drown himself. But his path as a ranger chose his path already. He made quick work tieing a small rope to an arrow and shot it into a tree. He took the ropes end in hand and then quickly removing his weapons and cloak, dived into the pond making his way to the middle where he had seen the bubbles only moments earlyer.

He could not imediatly feel the person so he dove down and finally connected with a hand. He grabed it pulling with all his might to bring him to the surface. He did not look so well under the water and if he did not have hold of his wrist and felt a pulse he would of asumed he was dead. He pulled him up and used the roped to pull them to shore.
It was a little strange that someone like this would be in the middle of the pond and came to a conclusion he was being chased. He had to hurry even faster knowing someone might be after this person.

The man was not breathing the best he could have been Syrus turned him his stomach, letting the water out of his lungs the best he could. He gathered his gear and covered the man with his mottled cloak, if there was someone tracking him it would make him harder to be seen from afar.

" Come on dude, don't be dead." He said over the top of him, he had to give him his space. Hell he needed his own. He turned and looked at the tree, and not to surprizing the squirrel was no where to be found...
" Figures..."

[Gale Shičl]

Gale had been holding his breath trying to figure out which way he had to go. He couldn't tell up from down in
water. It was one thing he needed to work on, but he needed someone around to do so. It was too easy for him to
lose himself in deep water. He was so used to being able to feel absolutely everything around him.Finally though,
he ran out of breath and started to pass out. He could hear someone diving in after him, though and tried to hold
on longer, but he couldn't and his mind blacked out.

Gale woke up coughing, and rolled onto his hands and knees. He couldn't clearly feel anything at the moment, that
is until he realized that he was under a cloak. He quickly removed it and stood up slowly, still coughing a little
bit. He took a moment to assess the man he was rescued by. He wasn't all that tall, and seemed to be fairly young,
but other than that, there wasn't too much about it. Gale did make special note of the odd item around his neck
though.

Thank you very much. A poor blind man like me has a horrible time trying to figure out what's what out
here. Gale explained slowly, trying to sound as if it wasn't such an unual thing for someone to just fall
into a pond.

Gale was a light man. It looked as if he would be ripped apart if he was hit hard enough, but the trick with him
was actually hitting him. Although even though he was certainly a light weight, he had a very good muscle tone,
really only apparent in his forearms, being his clothes covered the rest of him. He wouldn't ever be able to be
really muscular, after all, he was a Tyrael, but Gale had long and hard to build the endurance that Tyrael needed
to be completely proficient in their abilities.

Gale moved his hand up and brushed his white hair off his face. Even though it didn't make a difference since he
was blind, it was so much of a reflex that he couldn't help but do it. He had only been blind but a year and a
half.

So who do I owe my thanks to for finding me? he inquired, curious to see who he had saved him.

__________________

In a small city nearby

A dark figure walked through the streets. As lone men walked by him, and the occasional guard, he lashed out with a
black blade and cut them clean through. Almost as soon as the bodies hit the ground, did a black figure jump up
from the ground and fall in behind the dark man.

In the morning, people hurried around frantically trying to figure out who had terrorized the city the night
before. The answer came when a rumor started circulating that Darkness itself was the perpetrator. Few actually
knew who or what Darkness was, but many had heard whispers that it was back. Darkness had returned.

[Syrus]

The man was quicker to wake up then he though, he heard the coughing and then he saw his cloak come off of him. He was still scanning the area looking for something someone. There was no way this blind man walked into the woods alone, and fell to the middle of the pond. He didn't even have to think about that one to know the man was lieing about something.

" A blind old man should know better than to be wondering about the forest, swamp." He moved quickly gathering up his cloak from the old man, and put it back on. He had a sneaking suspison he could see anyway, maybe on another field. He was not pushing anything, for all questions would be answered if he would wait long enough.

" As for who save you, it is of little consern at the moment. "
But his mood changed dramticly as he spotted something climbing down a tree. This time he spun around grabing an arrow in the quiver on the ground. Then on the return spin he already had his bow fully drawn. He released with tremidous force and speed that the creature had no chance of escape this time. No wind saved the Squirrels life this time, as it stayed pinned for the tree.

syrus was completly happy now, so much so that he almost forgot he had a guest here. He turned around back to the man starting already his appology speach. " Ok names Syrus, and im the ranger of the Kingdom of Night province, the one you are standing in. I'm sorry i was so rude before, but yea, i hate swimming and i have been having the worse hunt in years..." he paused gathering his excitement at the dead squrrel on the tree. "But now i don't feel that bad anymore. I felt like everything was coming against me. Guess it was karma after all...I still have no idea how i missed that first shot, that freak wind i tell you saved the little critters life."

He still was weary of this person, and though he wouldn't show it he was felt he was being judged and messured somehow by this blind man. He was glad he had his cloak on it made him feel more secure. And it was very doubtful this man knew what a Ranger was, or it was quite the oppisite

[Gale Shičl]

This man was definately different. Or at least, he wasn't completely stupid. He seemed at once to notice Gale's fib. Although, for some reason he thought Gale was an old man, which was probably because of his white hair. Gale chuckled at himself though, because truth be told, although he didn't really look old was at least 608. He decided not to mention it, since it would only bring about more suspicion.

The stranger quickly spun around grabbing an arrow and his bow and stuck a squirrel into the tree in one fluid movement. Gale had to admit, it was pretty good considering the guy was probably human. Gale had never bothered with a bow and arrow. He used throwing knives to do the same job.He had always seen bows as an inconvience. You had to make sure that they weren't cracked, that the string was good, and that you had the arrows. There is a lot of time between grabbing and knocking an arrow after grabbing the bow, even as fast as the man did.

Finally a name came forward. Syrus. He was apparently a ranger. Gale had thought he'd recognized the leaf from somewhere else. Syrus explained that his hunting was horrible that day. Gale thought he had recognized the amulet that Syrus had. Gale found it somewhat silly though that he had to resort to hunting squirrels. Rangers shouldn't be hunting so hard just for squirrels, it just didn't make any sense, they were worthless as meat or any other thing for that matter.

Ranger eh? Been a while since I've seen any members of the Rangers guild. Gale commented. He had ran into many Rangers a long time ago, but not so many recently. Perhaps that was because of his more aloof wandering. You can call me Shiel

Gale looked in the direction of the town he had just fled. He hoped the man was not still trying to follow him. It really concerned him, because if he caught up, it wouldn't be good. Although, he didn't obsess over getting even. Gale took a deep breath, knowing that he would be fine for now. Gale turned his attention back towards the Ranger. Freak wind? Sounds like it just wasn't your day for hunting. he said innocently.

[Syrus]

Syrus looked solemlyt at the man, he didn't appear to be old at all but his face was filled with wizedom and his hair showed age, or maybe it was just his imagination. He let the bow fall to his side its strong wooden frame rubbing his leg. He let out a long painless sigh. Apprently Shiel was his name, all in all it was an alright name, but not one he would be naming his children anytime soon.

" Yea we rangers now days... stay to the woodland areas..... Well at least i do. I have been hearing rumors assasinations just on the basis of being one a ranger. I don't wish to be one of those hunted at the moment, but i fear i might be next. " He paused looking up to where his arrow was. It was a nice shot, and he was pretty happy about how fluidly he completed the task. " Besides this area is my home, my retreat, and if anyones going to fight me. Id rather it be on my turf. "

It was a random statement, that he had been trying to get off his chest. " I was wondering if someone who is blind might of heard anything about the murders?"

The freak wind, was indead random. He had never felt one quite so strong in the forest before. It was if something hand produced it then left to be unnoticed. " Yea it was the weirdest thing!. I had the last little pest in my sight and then i let loose my arrow, but when it almost hit it was as if a blast of wind shot my arrow away. It had to be extremely powerful to devert my shot." Now that he began to think about it, the things didn't add up. "And then i heard the splash. And now here i am standing here talking to a blind guy. "

He walked around trying to think, it was to much to take in. Random things happening and most of all this mysterous Sheil figure...

[Gale Shičl]

Gale frowned a little bit. He was not aware that someone had been hunting down Rangers, otherwise, he would've intervened. Although technically speaking, it was not his responsibility, since the sky was his territory. He couldn't stand to see people suffering. That quality had gotten him in plenty situations that he should've probably stayed out of, but he had also saved many lives that way. No, can't say I've heard anything about any murders of Rangers. he stated sadly.

Gale smiled softly at the Syrus' explaination of the wind that had knocked his arrow out of the way. He could tell that the ranger hadn't quite pieced together that it was him that had caused the wind. Gale wasn't just yet going to pull back the veil. He really didn't like admitting anything as far as his background and abilities were concerned.

So being a ranger, I would assume you know how to make a fire. Perhaps we should make one to dry off?

[Syrus]

His spirits didn't change when he had no knowledge of the rangers dispearances. He was one of the few to know about it to begin with. It was a little dehearting that he could not figure out what was going on though and why Rangers scattered around the lands were being murdered.

It was starting to become chilly, and his cloths besides his cloak were soaked from the swimming act he pulled. He was just about to judgest they make a fire when the man said something about it.
Boy was that the highlight of his day, he was just thinking how a nice cozy fire would be nice to warm his cold chilled bones, and here this man basicly read his mind and said it first.

He reached into his cloak pulling out flint and a harder rock. He gathered some of the nearer twigs and gras setting to work on the mediocre fire. It was ablaze moments later. Syrus took off his cloak and then his shirt. For the first time in a while he had to wring the water out of it. Then placing it on a near buy log he made sure it was close enought to dry.

"There we are, good old trusty flame. The only problem is its unquincable appitatie for wood." He said giving a rare smile.

[Gale Shičl]

Gale watched the ranger make a fire as he slowly set his cloak on a stump next to him, along with his belt and short sword. When the fire was made, Gale took off his shirt, revealing his hard toned upper body, and set it next to his cloak. He then took off his headband and rung out his white hair.

Do we have enough kindling? Gale inquired, although he could already tell they would need more. Gale didn't want to have to gather it himself at the moment because it would certainly prove he wasn't blind, and would also reveal his prowess in wind manipulation. However even as he asked the question, Gale was pulling the hot air from the fire to quickly dry his clothes.

We'll probably need a good amount of firewood. he suggested. Gale then turned around and whistled loudly a strange little sequence of notes and sat down by the fire. He needed to let him know that he was back again.

[Syrus]

He hated fire wood, and he hated having to do this. The man acted like he was not blind, he placed the clothing right beside his own, and he could tell there was no fire wood. Though he did just make the blasted thing. But then again he could have prepaired it!...No he was talking crazy

" Are you really blind. I mean, can you see without your eyes?"

He looked for some firewood before wanting to hear what the man had to say. He was right it would not last long if there was no wood to let burn.
He came back looking at the man, he was defiently strange, and tone, and looked to be extremely dangerous. If he wasn't blind he was sure he would be a very dangerous adversary.

" On forget my last question, of couse not, that make you some magician or something." He chuckled to himself, he had never seen on so who knew what they looked like.

[Gale Shičl]

Gale laughed right along with him. Syrus seemed somewhat uneasy about Gale being there. He could only imagine that he was worried that he was unfriendly. Gale sighed, the man had rescued him after all. Gale decided that it wasn't really worth the trouble hiding his identity right now. Rangers were good people, or at least, they always had been. Gale put his shirt back on. It was already dry, since he had been focusing the heat on it.

Well, to be honest, I am indeed blind, but you are right to assume that I can "see" Gale admitted. He didn't want to get straight down to the knitty-grittys, but he at least owed him that much. Gale grabbed his short sword from it's sheath and threw it up at a larger branch in one of the trees. The wind grabbed the sword and spun it, the wind actually forming an invisible blade around the spinning sword. The branch came crashing down as the blade went clean through the wood, instantly severing it from the tree. However, it landed softly on the ground.

Here's some extra firewood.

[Syrus]

It was amazing to see and to be honest he wasn't the least bit scared. It was so cool to him that he almost asked him to do it again. He smiled about the wood, he really was glad he didn't have to go gather some. But what he was most fasinated about was the fact that his cloths were dry...

He reached out for his to find that they were dry as well. He was so happy and he put them on. This wasn't turning out to be all bad after all. He had recused the quota for the day, killed one of the pests he liked hunting

All in all it was turning out great, he learned that blind men can see and apprently do cool tricks with swords. While all he could do is shoot a bow above average. If he could control wind or what ever he did with the sword his bow abilities would be vastly different. He could never miss and kill many many more squirrels.

He got to thinking about the strong wind gust and began to piece that this man might have done it. " Hey! wait a min, are you the one that made me miss that squirrel today!" He glared, but underneath it was a smile!

[Gale Shičl]

Well, yeah, I guess that was me, although it certainly wasn't intentional. Gale said, trying to decide if it was safe from to mention that he had been running from him. Nothing was really safe when he was involved.

I was in a hurry, but I got tired and landed in that pond. he explained, without getting to detailed. I'm not that great with magic. he admitted. Although it wasn't entirely the truth, he didn't know any magic other than that of his race the Tyrael, a race that has long been considered extinct. There were still many out there, but they didn't know it. After all, the discerning factor of the Tyrael is their magic and agility. Magic takes practice and knowledge of it, and agility takes development.

[Syrus]

" Well nether the less it was still cool. And if you hadn't have got tired i wouldn't have had to save you , then i would have never seen that neat trick. " He smiled it was amazing to see people different from him on vast levels.

" I wish i could do that, all i can do is shoot a bow, and sneak up on people. well and map, and track. BUT !! thats not the point!! your skills are cool! I bet if you were not blind you would make a crazy fighter, not saying you not but!! still."

He was ranting and ranting was annoying no matter who it was. He figured he was ranting and started to appoligise but desided not to admit his wrong just yet.

" Well what was the hurry?" he was really lax on explaining things, it had the impression that he was hiding something very important.

[Gale Shičl]

Gale slightly blushed. He was not used to people complimenting his skill. After all, most people didn't really pay that close of attention. Syrus continued ranting about it for a minute and Gale didn't really know how to respond. Gale was glad that he finally stopped. However then he asked a question that Gale had seen coming. He was being very vague about his answers and it was inevitable that he would be asked about it.

Well, simply put, I was confronted by a very dangerous individual. You might think that I'm strong or what not, but I'm not match for him. Gale started to explain. He didn't entirely want to get into a whole lot of back story, but he felt some of it was necessary. The man was extremely strong and Gale could only hope to take him on at his full potential and with his sight.

Well, before I answer anything further, you must answer me a few things. What do you know of the Tyrael and the Guardians?

[Syrus]

"Tyrael and the Guardians? " he looked at him puzzled, he had not heard of Tyrael and the Guardians, before in a long time. They were supose to be dead but he knew better. Nothing that strong and powerful died out with out batting an eye. His master had told him only hush hush words about them and how none were supost to be left. But there were, all the lower levels and lessers had died leaving only the higher blood familes. His master had told him very little, only that they were not to be trusted and avoided.

" Well I know nothing really minus the fact they are supose to be nearly unstoppable my mortal man. I remember stories from my master telling how rangers were dispatched to kill a Tyrael that was supose to be extinct. Normal people were not alowed to know they were alive is what he said. Fear or something like that was the reason i do believe. He paused getting his story straight. " He always said they were the most fearsome man like creatures on the whole planet. As for the guardians, he never told me a thing about them, only that they could not be trusted."

"As for the one they killed, it took twenty Rangers to take him down is what i heard. Amazing if you ask me, being as my master was the one who took the final shot. And he never spoke of her like a tyrant like others did. I wonderd why. " He looked at the man quetionably. " why do you ask?"

[Gale Shičl]

Gale cocked an eyebrow at the Ranger's knowledge of the Tyrael and the Guardians. It didn't seem to match up. Specifically the part about the Guardian's. It was true that a master Tyrael was virtually unstoppable, except by another master Tyrael. Although the reason behind why they were thought to be extinct didn't match up at all. It's because of what happened when he turned on the rest of them. Most of the Tyrael that had learned Tyraelian magic were killed. The Guardians were the ones that kept him from completely killing off the race. The Tyrael were then "gone" because they are nearly identical to humans. Although Gale wasn't any help at that point. Unfortunately, he had gotten to him already.

I don't know why he said the Guardians were not to be trusted. I was always under the impression that the Rangers and the Guardians were basically trying to accomplish the same thing. Gale commented, not wanting to say anything about his involvement. But yes, you're kind of on the right track with the Tyrael, although I'm not sure that there's much to your theory on why thought to be extinct. They were an ancient race that basically disappeared about 200 years ago. There are a few scattered here and there, and many more that don't know their ancestry. The man I was running from is one of the most powerful Tyrael to have ever lived. he explained. He had wanted to see what the man knew before he tried to explain everything, but based on his response, he wasn't sure it was a good idea to involve himself just yet with the Tyrael or the Guardians.

[Syrus]

Well there were somethings that master said that were a little off the wall, as if he had experinced things first hand. " Why would someone like that be chasing you? I mean what involment could you have with such a teriable person?" If he had thought about what he said he would have gained his answer himself, without having to ask.

" and how on the earth do you know so much.?" he just shook his head, he did seem to know alot more about this, but then again syrus didn't really care, there was no need involving himself in the subject, how was it involving him anyway.

" Ahh forget it, its none of my concern, its not like hes after me or anything." it was not his buisness at all , and to be honest he didn't care about it at all, minus the fact he had vertually only his masters wisedom to go by.

[Gale Shičl]

True, he's not after you. Luckily, he's never bothered chasing anyone down. Gale commented. He was worried though, he really didn't know how he would try to handle carrying out his revenge. He could only think of two different things. Neither of them seemed more desirable, naturally, but he hoped that he just kept it completely personal.

I don't know where I come into the picture exactly, but he blames me for what happened to him. I have no idea why, I wasn't involved, it was three Guardians that banished him. he lied again. If this guy thought that the Guardians were not to be trusted, then it was best to leave out the fact that he was the leader of the Guardians. He was not actually one of the three, mainly because he did not know any banishment spells. He tried to stay back from him because he was vulnerable to the man's dark magic.

I think the town is safe for now, but I'm sure you wouldn't want to accompany me at all.

[Syrus]

"Well, im not sure it would be the best thing to accomplany you, im sure your great and all but still you give me the creeps to an level of which makes me feel very, um... up nerveing." he looked around he still had this feeling at the back of his neck that something was watching him. It had been bugging him all day, it was strange and made him so touchy. He looked around trying to find the source of his uneasyness but failed... What he did know was he could not stay here anylonger, it was driving him craazy.

" On second thought, would you mind if i tagged along? I can surely feind for myself. I'll even let you ride my mare, so you don't have to walk" he tried to bargin, but then it dawned on him, he had left Ash in the woods, and she was proably still waiting for his whistle. He let out a loud one and a few minutes later, Ash showed up standing right beside Syrus, its head down accepting the attention Syrus was sure to give her.