Eddard took his seat at the table, feeling wonderful after his shower. "Thank you, Lord Sh'Khin, Aeneas," he nodded to them, making sure his hosts' plates were made before making his own. When Aeneas finally resigned herself to make her plate prior to he making his own, Eddard encouraged her saying, "Men of my stature and appetite ought to make sure that those with smaller stomachs get a proper portion on their plates before taking the liberties bestowed upon them as guests." With that, Eddard set about making his plate, doing his best to leave seconds but failing on some dishes while succeeding at others.

Thoroughly enjoying his breakfast, especially the bacon, Eddard inquired shortly after the meal was underway, "What will you have of me today?"

"I am merely a servant Sir Eddard, and you are a guest. Guests should always take their food first," Aeneas said with a nod, making an attempt to get him to fill his plate before she. But seeing as how he wouldn't give in, she sighed and went ahead and filled her plate, making sure there was plenty left for the two men. "I shall be in the kitchen, if you need me," she said, bowing to Eddard, and then to Sh'khin. As she stood, she winked at her master, and headed back to the kitchen where she would eat at a small table.

"You are too kind Eddard," Sh'khin said as he watched Aeneas go. "Usually Aeneas gets anything left over. I'm sure she will appreciate your presence while you remain in my quarters," he said with a nod, smiling at his guest. He took a bite of his eggs, sopping up the yolk with a piece of buttered toast, and chomping it down happily. Today would be a good day, he couldn't help but think.

There was a twinkle in his eye when Eddard asked about his task for the day. Plague smiled. "Today, you will take this urn," he said, pointing to the urn on the table. "... to a shop in the next town over. The shopkeeper will trade it for something else, and you will need to return to me with the item she gives you. This is very important Eddard, and you might say my life depends on it somewhat. If you truly are devoted, you will complete the trade with both items intact. If you do not arrive with the urn just as it is now, I'm afraid there will be consequences to pay..." He looked to Eddard's face, trying to discern his feelings about the mission. Sh'khin thought it was a good test of Eddard's loyalty, and hopefully, Harmodius would feel the same way. Sh'khin would hate for Destruction to punish him for giving Eddard an inappropriate mission.

"Aeneas will be coming with you, to watch over you. But please remember that she is my aoide...My first follower. She is very important to me, and if she is hurt in any way....I just...don't know what I would do." The look he gave Eddard was one of pure malice. If Aeneas came back hurt or dead, there would be hell to pay. "If she returns with anything more than a scratch, I will have to take you back out to the woods..."

He was implying several things, but he didn't want to say them. He just wanted Eddard to return to him, everything (including Aeneas) intact.

Eddard nodded, hearing Sh'Khin's task for him. When Sh'Khin offered him the warning of what may occur should he fail or the Aoide find herself injured, Eddard turned to the busy girl and then shot Sh'Khin a side ways glance as his blue orbs rolled around to focus on Sh'Khin again. "Are you expecting dangers to be about on our journey? I ask because perhaps it may be best if she stay here, out of harms way. Those of importance shouldn't be haphazardly assigned a task that doesn't fit their skills lest they find themselves in too deep over their heads." He looked back to the Aoide who was busily working as she listened to the two men speak. If she was that important, Eddard would take care to always allow her to eat before him regardless of her "servant" status, and take extra steps so that she better understood her own significance.

"If its your intention that she be my guide to the city of destination, I add that I have a practiced sense of direction and once I acquire a map, will have no trouble traversing the surrounding land." Eddard knew he could protect the aoide in most situations, but he didn't know what kind of enemies Sh'Khin could have and how many for surely one associated with plague would naturally create foes just by existing. Eddard had little concern for any punishment that Sh'Khin could muster, fearing more the guilt and personal anguish he would inflict upon himself than any physical repercussions. Still, he was already concocting 2 separate plans of action depending on whether or not the Aoide ended up coming or not.

"Very well," Eddard said wondering where the border separating rational from irrational lay in this situation. Hopefully he wouldn't find it, preferring to execute this task with perfection. "I will prepare my things while Aeneas readies herself and if I have time, care for my sword. It seems my blade yearns for a sharpening."

Eddard had his things near the door already and the only piece of armor he replaced on his body was his chain shirt which he wore comfortably dawned over his smithy shirt, placing the rest neatly folded on the floor. As he went to sharpen his blade he asked, "Might I leave the remainder of my armor here, in your care Lord Sh'Khin? I have the desire to travel lighter on this trek. That and it seems that I've out grown the suit. I'll have to visit a forge sometime in the near future." The map would have to wait for another time, maybe he could persuade Aeneas to help him pick one up on the return trip to the city.

As Eddard awaited Aeneas, he began to moisten the stone and run it along the edges of his blade. Anyone witnessing this activity can recognize his practiced motions as that of a master regardless of their personal experiences.

"Of course you may leave your armor here," Sh'khin said, pleased that Eddard had agreed to take Aeneas with him. He was much more loyal to Plague's instructions than he had imagined. "I doubt you'll need it. The journey should be rather simple, I'd imagine, even if I made it sound a bit ominous. Really, it shouldn't be bad."

He looked to the chainmail that Eddard had slipped back over his head, and then spoke again. "It is too bad Forge has not yet morphed," he said, indicating to the armor Eddard had placed by the door. "I'm sure she would have done a wonderful job with your armor. Her soul is still mostly inside her stone though, and unable to provide much of her power to her host. Perhaps one day, you could meet her as well."

It was then that Aeneas emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dishtowel and then placing it back on the oven handle. She then smiled at them both, her eyes moving to Eddard as he ran his blade along the whetstone. "Preparing for the worst, Sir Eddard?" she asked, a twinkle in her eye as her gaze moved to her Lord. "I am prepared to leave master," she said, moving toward the table and the urn, picking it up. "Shall we go?"

"I suppose you shall leave when Sir Eddard has readied himself for the journey," Sh'khin said, standing and pulling a small leather pouch from his pocket. It had a long drawstring on it, meant to be worn around the neck. "Take this," he said to Aeneas, placing it over her head where it rested around her neck. " You will know if it calls to him," he said softly, with a nod. "Good luck on your journey."

Aeneas accepted the pouch, knowing full well that the stone rested inside it. If Eddard passed the test, the stone would react to him, willing him to it, or it to him. "Yes Lord Sh'khin. We shall return without too much trouble, I am sure." She bowed deeply, and then turned to Eddard. "Shall we?"


((END JOINT 2))
((BEGIN JOINT 3))

"For the worst? No, I don't think you want to see my preparation for the worst." He smiled, "No, just one of my habits, proper daily weapon care is a pet peeve of mine. I find myself seriously vexed when I see soldiers and the like neglect their most important tools." He quickly and deftly applied a minor amount of oil to the length of the blade and tight areas around the hilt and handle where moisture had a tendency to stick and be the most likely place to start rusting. He noted the leather he had wrapped around the handle had worn thin and a few small holes were starting to form where his thumb, index, and middle fingers clenched the tightest. He would have to replace that soon too, one more thing he needed to repair once he had a chance.

He came to his feet after replacing his supplies in his pack and scooping it up onto his back. "Yes, I am ready now. Good-bye Lord Sh'Khin, I will return Aeneas to you in the condition she is in now." He went for the door and held it open for the Aoide, "After you," he said indicating to her and then the passageway. As the two made their way down the stairs, Eddard couldn't help but be allured by the prospect of exploring the shop but something in the back of his mind compelled him to postpone this compulsion in light of the task at hand. They exited the shop, Eddard getting the door once again for the Aoide.

As they made their way through the city, Eddard turned to Aeneas, "So how many days out will we have to travel to reach the next city? Will we need any provisions?"

Sh'khin gave Eddard a slight bow as the allowed Aeneas to exit first, carrying the urn tightly in her hands. "I shall see you both again soon I'd imagine," he said. "Good luck." With that, he closed the door behind them and moved back into his room, a sly grin on his face. He couldn't wait to hear all about the pitfalls that they might happen to encounter.

Aeneas walked with a spring in her step, like a normal cat would, pleased to be going outside, even if it was among the snow-like ash falling from the dark, roiling sky. She allowed Eddard to open the door for her, and pointedly remarked as he did so. "You're quite polite, aren't you? I am a servant you know. I should probably be opening doors for you," she said with a nod, watching as he followed her out the door and onto the path that headed toward the road, which was now cracked in a state of horrid disrepair.

The city looked as run-down as ever, and buildings had been marred by graffiti. "Days?" she asked, curious why he thought it'd take so long. "Oh no, I should only be a matter of hours Sir Eddard. The next city is not far off. I suppose you could call it more of a suburb."

She walked quickly, with purpose, and soon, they were on the other side of the city, almost ready to cross into the outskirts. Only a little longer, and she could take care of her most important mission.

As they walked Eddard explained, "You may be Sh'Khin's servant but you are not mine. Also, your status as such is no reason for me to forget my manners, indeed I'd rather show the likes of you courtesy as opposed to those who expect it because at that point its no longer a courtesy but etiquette. Though etiquette is very important, its level of expectation often times was not earned and therefore heartless, even empty. But I suppose if you have a strong desire to serve me to some degree then serve me in the capacity of cook as my level of skill in that is utility at best." He laughed to himself internally thinking of the open fire cooked fish he had served her master. What would she have thought of him serving her master such a meal?

His train of thought was interrupted by a sudden loud cracking sound at his feet. The sidewalk panel he had just stepped on was one of the "nicer" panels prior to his passing. Under his weight though, the brittle cement was now riddled with spider web like cracks, the focal points being where the ball and heel of his left foot had come to stamp down. Aside from the ash falling from the sky, the dilapidated city reminded him of parts of Detroit, the city of his birth, childhood, and early adulthood. He wandered if there was something he could do to help the city, to contribute to it, and possibly help it along to bettering itself. Such notions would have to wait though for he had other more immediate tasks at hand.

He continued following the aoide, noting her excitement in having a task and being out and about. How often did Sh'Khin let her out to be on her own? Surely she was treated well enough, he had to hope for her demeanor did not seem to be stifled or broken in any way.

"Though I feel I haven't done anything to earn much in respect, at the very least he is returning the kindness that I have shown him. It is very appreciated since I myself am a stranger in this land." He indicated to their treacherous surroundings, "In a place like this, it seems few things are welcoming. And thank you, you have been more than accommodating and I look forward to our next meal." Eddard continued the small talk, taking the initiative in the conversation here and there, but largely allowing the aoide to guide the topics.

"So, then you have seen this Harmodius during the good times I take it? You must tell me more of him when the chance comes as I am very curious of his shifting demeanor and his control over this realm." Seeing that they were coming into the forest, Eddard instinctively lowered his voice as he spoke with her. This was a practice he had picked up in his many travels and although it could be construed as caution, Eddard actually felt more comfortable traversing the forests than the city, no matter how dark and gnarled the scenery may be.

As they continued an uneasiness grew in Eddard's stomach, one that he was all to familiar with. It was that feeling like someone or something had shifted their attention to him, like he was being watched by an unseen foe. He opened his ears as the fingers of his sword hand began to twitch w/ anxiety. Simultaneously he began to measure each breath with each step.

"I'm not sure," he mumbled. "All I have is this feeling in my.." A rustle in the bushes to the right of the two brought Eddard's sword out in a flash as the large man stepped between the Aoide and the source of the noise. Eddard did not know what could possibly be concealed within the foliage of the bushes, but he braced himself, ready for anything.

After a few moments of silence, Eddard determined that whatever it was must have fled. He was disappointed in himself a little. Whatever was out there was probably nothing more than a hungry animal likely scavenging for food in this horrible place. It would be best for himself and for his friend if he would keep his calm. Still, an uneasiness was about him that he couldn't explain. He resolved that for now it must be his being in a new realm that he didn't completely fathom just yet which triggered this hyper defensive episode. "It was nothing," he said at last, "lets continue. What were you saying?"

Eddard sheathed his sword, "On the contrary, circumstances dictate that anything pertaining to Harmodius is indeed important, even your own personal experiences. I find myself wondering what he'll be like. I have encountered those who have a similar cyclical nature though I doubt they held a candle to him in potency." He moved back to walk beside her as they continued their trek. "So how exactly does the rebirth work?" he asked, "I didn't want to press Sh'Khin too hard as I don't know how personal of a process it is. Well, the male personality in a female body is throwing me off just a little bit. I think I did a fine job of keeping it cordial, but truth be told, I was just a little uncomfortable." He paused for just a second, "I guess what I'm really getting at is how do the hosts take the trasnformation. Are there any who try to fight the rebirth or do they generally accept the lot?"

As they continued, he only began to half listen to the aoide's words. The weight of his situation was finally sinking in. Was this the path that he should take? His thoughts turned to Vigilance, his old companion. What was it about the pendant that reminded him of the bird? And what was it that compelled him to seek it? Perhaps the fates had meant for him to encounter the pendant, perhaps it really was meant for him. He turned toward darker scenarios for just a moment. Had he been a lesser man, he would have tried to taken the gem, but luckily for all parties involved he was not and had no problems doing this seemingly minor errand. He would have to be patient.

"A truthful answer as ever I could expect." He pondered her words with concern for his own well being. If he could indeed communicate with the King prior to complete fusion then he was sure that he could fight. But would he want too? Something inside of him resolved "No" but he shrugged it away. Forcefully changing the subject within himself, Eddard turned his thoughts toward the aoide. She was more helpful than he expected and he was glad she seemed honest. He hoped the confidence he placed in her and her master was not misplaced. This world was different to him and most importantly, could a place so hellish in nature produce good, honest beings. It had too, or at least he had to believe it could for he would be suspiscious of a world that appeared too perfect.

He tried to think of other questions to ask so that he might glean more information from her, but all he could come up with was conversational questions that didn't seem too important in light of the situation. "Well, if you find yourself tired, or needing a break, just let me know. We've been on this road for some time now."

Eddard saw her trip and fall, heard her words, and saw the shadowy incorporeal being slide out of the jar and take off. He would sprung into action, but he was nothing if not a knight. He extended his hand out and helped her to her feet, disregarding all objections. He checked to make sure she was alright before telling her to stay where whe was. "Do not worry, I have a myriad of skills that I have learned in my exploits."

He turned away from her, scooping up the jar beside her. He would have to try and be conservatice for he didn't know if he would ever come across quintessence or glamour again. His promise to see her to the village rang through his ears and as sudden as his desire to be conservative was upon him, it was gone. Eddard brought his hand too his eyes and concentrated, his back still to her. When he removed it, silvery white light shone forth. He was able to discern the ethmerical path the spirit left in its wake and could see what direction it was going. He crouched low and muttered to himself nearly inaudibly, "Where I was is where I want is where I should." At the conclusion of the spell Eddard lept into the air and disappeared from the aoide's sight.

He landed in the forest further away as the shadow came streaking past him. Eddard had used a bit of his changeling magic to teleport himself a some distance in the direction the soul had taken off in. "This will be interesting, Shade. Give me a chase unlike one I won't soon forget," he called out in challenge. He quickly reached down and adjusted his boots before enacting his favorite spell, Quicksilver, and sped off after the shade with unnatural speed.

Aeneas was rather surprised as Eddard extended a hand to help her up off of the dirty ground. She figured he'd take off after the precious spirit cargo first, but she'd misjudged him. He was a true knight at heart.

She took the hand quickly though and allowed herself to be pulled back upright. As soon as she was standing on two feet again, she thanked him and gave him a confident nod. "You seem quite fit to find it. Good luck Eddard! I'll wait here for you so we don't lose each other."

She watched as he turned from her and scooped up the urn, then muttered a few words to himself and in an instant, he was gone. He'd leapt into the hair, and left Aeneas with her mouth hanging open in awe. This Eddard character was more than she'd expected!

Meanwhile, the spirit streaked through the leafy canopy of trees, working to evade its captor. It had no desire to go back in the urn from which it had come. It had been trapped, and would next be sold.

Eddard gave chase to the spirit. He was ducking branches, jumping logs, and weaving through the tree trunks. The silvery ethmerical trail the spirit left was the beacon of its passing allowing Eddard to follow the spirit even at times when he lost track of the spirit visually. In time he began to close on it but doubted he would be lucky enough to capture it in this terrain. The spirit, being incoporporeal, could pass through unhindered while Eddard had to make the necessary evasive maneuvers to keep up on it. He had to hope for a clearing or a river, anything that would give way to a broad expanse of space in which he could burst full.

He entertained ideas of teleporting before the spirit again, but ruled them out noting that the spirit could change its direction in a heartbeat without loosing speed. Surely it could evade around him unless he were to teleport directly ontop of it. He would be better off saving his magic for an emergency in case he was unable to find a clearing. For now, he would focus on running it down like a predator running down its prey.

The spirit darted through the scenery, unable to feel the aura of its captor, but knowing that he would be after it soon enough. Though it had the capability of phasing directly through objects, it preferred to move around objects in its way, swirling through tree branches and gliding down the trunks of trees as it made haste through the forest.

Where would it be safe?

Nowhere in this world was safe for a soul... People tended to shy away from souls, avoiding them at all costs -- for in this world, they inhabited homes and objects, haunting these places until they were settled and satisfied that they'd accomplished their goals.

But what was this soul's goal?

It flew up through the trees and into the dark, open sky, hoping to somewhat blend in as it evaluated its situation. It was faster than its captor, this was certain, but if it didn't continue on, the strange man would certainly catch up. It took notice of it's surroundings, noticing a river off to it's east. Perfect.

Suddenly, the spirit quivered, catching a feeling of its captor's aura. He was close. Gaining.

Darting back into the canopy of trees, it flew toward the river under the cover of leaves. The river was where it could hide.

Entering the water with little more than the splash of a restless fish, it curled around a rock and stopped. And waited.

Eddard came out onto the banks of the river. Though he had hoped for this terrain, he hadn't expected it to stop and hide in the water. Instead he wanted it to move over the water in order that he might burst to full speed and finish the chase. Alas no, his prey was more wily than he thought.

The silver trail still lead directly to it. surely it would keep its supposed hiding place, maybe things would work out for the better this way if only he could pull it off.

"Gods be damned!" he cursed loudly and turned to walk back into the forest in an attempt to bluff the spirit. As he strode back into the tree line, he quickly performed his teleporting cantrip once more, positioning himself right on top of the motionless spirit. He reached down quickly as he materialized in the river, scooping down with the urn in one hand and the lid in the other in an attempt to imprison the soul once more. Now if only luck were with him.

((Check the Gaia thread, p. 333 for the die roll. If you want to roll to catch it next time, feel free. We can trade off. :lol:
1-10 you don't get it
11-20 you catch it))

The spirit heard the man shout, seemingly frustrated with his search. But somehow, it seemed to know the frustration was feigned. If a spirit could have giggled, it would have at that very moment.

Just as Eddard teleported over it and scooped the urn down into the water, the spirit darted downriver. Only trails of it's ethereal tail managed to get caught inside the urn, and the spirit continued to dart downstream curling around rocks as it went.

It had managed to outsmart the man thus far, but it seemed the spirit would have to be more tricky.

Back in the forest, Aeneas stalked back and forth down the dirt path, growing more and more nervous while waiting for Eddard to return. Her nervousness was obvious, as she was down on all fours, her inner cat coming out as her tail twitched wildly. Her ears perked upon any crack of a twig or rustle in the underbrush.

Eddard took up the chase already reevaluating how he would handle the next opportunity to capture it in the jar. He would need to lay off the magic though. He could only pull that maneuver two more times and that seemed to be his best bet currently. As long as he kept the sight spell on he would be able to track the spirit.

He continued chasing the spirit, following it as it slid across the banks of the river. His speed spell had worn off by this time. Lucky for him the shad remained along the back where he could keep up at his own speed without having to duck and jump as many obstacles.