When Eddard met Sh'khin
 

Rule:This is a private roleplay between me and a good friend. Only we will be participating in this thread at this time, so please do not interfere.

Notes: Sizzla & Squishface are one and the same, but then again, you probably caught that.

Eddard crouched low in the bush, trying to keep his cover. He peered out, looking all about the area trying to locate the beast. He couldn't hear anything though, aside from his own beating heart, the links of his chain shirt as they quietly chimed with each expansion of his chest, and the screaming. How he had come to hate the sounds of the birds in this accursed forest, their calls similar to that of a suffering child. But it was not these that had Eddard hiding in the bush, for though these birds sounded horrifying, they were generally not a threat providing one maintained a safe distance from the bulk of the roosting flock.

He ran his hand through his hair, only now taking note of his condition. His normally thick, long, and unnaturally gray hair was now matted uncomfortably to his head. He began to ponder cutting it off, but then noticed his hands. There was dirt tightly packed under each fingernail, and both hands were so terribly soiled that they dulled his normally blue undertoned skin to a pasty, dingy gray. How long had he been out here, been out traveling? He remembered his reasons for entering the fae realm, how he had sworn to talk to his kin folk on behalf of the humans back in the hamlet somewhere in the British countryside. He couldn't put his finger on exactly where the hamlet was unfortunately, Eddard being all to anxious to help the mundane folk of that area put aside there hatred for the vengeful fae kin of the forest and their growing reverence for this new religion known as Christianity. It was his true goal to return the people to the old ways, reminding men of the pacts they once held with the fae kin, his blood.

Eddard, or Ned as his few friends had come to call him, was not truly fae, not even truly from the period in earth's history known as the Early Renaissance. No, he was from the Twentieth Century where mankind was so far plunged into its own mundane sciences that the fae kin of all the world were growing extinct and humans even had turned a blind eye to those of their own kind who practiced various forms of magic. Only a handful of fae compared to their original numbers survived by binding themselves to humans, the corporeal body housing both the spirit of the fae and the human. Eddard was descended from these "changelings," an odd bastardisation resulting in what was known as the fae marked. He was human in all biological respects, but for the marks he possessed. Not only was his hair and skin a sign of his heritage, but so to was his size and eyes. Being descended from the noble Troll Kith, not only did his skin gain a tinge of blue and his hair turn to an unnatural solid gray during puberty, but he grew larger and stronger than the common man and continued to do so as the years passed even though he had come of age more than a decade ago. And then their were his eyes. Two orbs with irises so blue that the pigment seemed to overflow their natural limits and spill out into the whites of his eyes. He had hated his eyes up until puberty, they being the only apparent mark from birth and caused him much trouble among his peers during childhood. Now however, he was proud of who he was and where and when he came from.

Eddard's mind continued to drift. He remembered how High King David of Concordia, the remaining remnant of the surviving changeling kingdom in North America, had appointed him and his compatriot, Evelynn, an old human woman who practiced magic, to be sent to the past by human mage and changeling magic alike inorder to stave off the encroaching technological advances of mankind and rebuild the dwindling relationships of man and fae kin in the face of the growing Christian religion. He and Evelynn had long parted ways some time after their arrival in the past deciding that she would focus on dealing with hindering the advancement of technology while he dealt with fae and human relationships.

His mind stumbled further back into the events of his life. He saw the image of Barlo, the changeling Troll blacksmith who not only taught him the arts of medieval blacksmithing and swordsplay, skills Eddard had perfected, but who had also been a father to him. He silently reminisced how he and Barlo used to spend their evenings in the shop gathered around the heat of the forge, Barlo telling him stories of valor, honor, and courage, many of which are responsible for the ideals that Eddard came to hold so dearly. Lastly, his oldest friends, Ely and Ren, two changeling Knockers who he had apprenticed beside and who taught him so much about changeling life, society, and magic.

The loud sounds of branches a good deal up in the forest's canopy bending and breaking brought Eddard's mind back to the present, his right hand unconsciously reaching back over his shoulder to rest on the handle of his blade. Was this it? Had the beast finally caught up with him? Eddard closed his eyes briefly allowing his ears to do the searching, full knowing that relying on multiple senses in this accursed forest would be his undoing. He waited.
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Golgi was cranky. He had not hunted anyone across his territory in the vastness of the Umbra in some time. Generally speaking, such activities provided a degree of pleasure, but this hunt was wearing on his patience. Never before had he, the Great Maw, been evaded for so long. He could sense the presence of his quarry in his realm still, the different magical energy of the prey operating like a scent, one powerful enough to leave an easily discerned trail.

Golgi, jumping through the tree tops of his Umbral home, came to a sudden stop, his large claws and gibbering maw covered body digging into the trees, keeping him steady. The trespasser was below him, he could feel the foreign magic as it coalesced in a bush. Golgi dropped to the forest floor, the grass immediately under and around his feet quickly rotting, turning into a sludge mixture of mold and plant material.

Golgi's sour mood quickly turned to surprise and then excitement as his prey stood up straight in the bush and walked out, one of its funny little hands resting on what had to be a weapon strapped to its back. How futile, Golgi thought, never had any prey turned to face him openly in this fashion. However, Golgi doubted his opponent's skill, completely aware of the fact that in this area, he was as strong as any god in its home. He would make quick work of this one, and for its insolence, make sure its soul remained trapped here in his area of the Umbra long enough to endure due punishment.

Golgi advanced his charge. Oddly enough, his foe just stood there, hand clasping the weapon at its back. Golgi was so close now that the magic energy inherent in this being was trapped in his many mouths enough so that he could taste the essence. He would soon taste the flesh, blood, and magic of this one more strongly. The hunt, though long, would now be worth all his efforts.

As Golgi's mouth came to close on his soon to be meal, he noticed out of the corner of his eye the prey pluck one of its own little hairs from the flesh that constantly covered an uncovered its eyes. With a quick exhale, his foe blew it off the edge of its fingers. A couple mouths caught a bit of tattered cloth that had hung over the prey's back, but that was all. Golgi continued to gnash his mouths together but managed to bite only nothingness. Golgi let out a series of angry roars, resonating in such a way that even the strongest beings in the Umbra would have felt a shiver up their spines had any been within earshot.

Golgi spun, attempting to located his prey. It took a moment, but Golgi locked on to the presence of his wily meal. His quarry had gained more ground than it had had the entire hunt. Golgi again allowed roars to escape his many mouths, this time, a bellow of disappointment. He continued his hunt, slipping into a berserking frenzy. He rushed after his lost meal, hot on its trail, disregarding the fact that his intended target was already exiting his territory.

He came to a grinding halt, temporarily shaking away his anger. The trail had suddenly gone cold and Golgi was perplexed. This did not last long as Golgi's rage welled up once more. He lashed out at the trees in his vicinity, tearing them asunder and destroying the ground at his feet. As he did so, the Umbral terrain of his home territory bent and shifted from a lush forest to a gnarled wood, the effects of his extreme emotion.
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Eddard's heart was in his throat as he ran. He had just barely managed to perform the casting bunk that activated his changeling teleportation spell as the beast's several sets of teeth closed in on his body. Coming to his senses, he realized that he had put a good distance between he and the monster but couldn't take anymore chances. Performing another bunk, Eddard plucked a feathered dandelion from the ground and blew into it, sending its seeds drifting on currents of his breath. Eddard felt the changeling magic take hold of him again, this time increasing the speed at which he ran.

As he ran, he could feel the expenditure of his changeling magic taking effect, making him feel tired and drab. He had to carry on though for he heard the beasts resonating roars of anger and disappointment and knew that it wouldn't make the same mistake again. He closed his eyes briefly, this time summoning the small bit of human magic he had acquired on his travels. His eyes flashed open, casting forth a subtle, blue glow. Eddard could now see his own magical energies, prismatic as was the custom with fae energies, contrasting with the black, blue, and gray undulation of the Umbral energies. In his haste, he knew he wouldn't have time to pick an appropriate thinning, just knew that he had to get to one and quick.

As the terrain began to shift from green forest to haunted wood, no doubt a product of the beasts mood, he found a place in the hollowed trunk of a dead tree where the Umbral energies were thinner, allowing the white energies of a material plane to seep in. This was his escape he thought in relief, yet somehow maintained a degree of apprehension knowing that thinnings were almost always one way. Would this thinning take him home, and if so would it be the same timeline. If he returned to the 20th century, how would his actions in the past change the future? He hadn't the time to ponder this further as the spell that granted him the ability to see the magical energies also allowed him to sense strong concentrations as well. The beast was closing, the time to escape now. He plunged into the hollow tree.

The terrain shifted and changed again, but this time not by the will of a magical entity. As Eddard's sight spell wore off, he could see that white energies of the material plain all about him. He found himself in what had to be a mundane forest for he could now here the common sounds of such a place. The birds chirped songs of both allure and warning and Eddard was all too familiar with the common scents in the area. He wearily walked now, trying to keep on the alert. He had to find some sort of civilization, some sign as to where he was. He came to the foot of the forest finally, how tired he was. He could see in the distance a modern city. He was curious as to where he was, but the confirmation of a civilization was all he desired right now. He slumped his back against a tree as he pushed his heels from beneath him, his back sliding down the trunk till his rear came to rest on the forest floor. As he did so, he drew his sword and rested it over his lap. Slumber rushed up and took him.

Eddard woke, unsure of how long he had been asleep, and saw the city before him. The sun was on its descent into the western horizon he noted, and decided now would be a fine time to rustle up some grub and do a little hunting of his own. Unfortunately, Eddard had never been great with a bow, even good, preferring his attacks from a distance to be propelled by the strength and skill of his throwing arm and not the sureness of his sight and the steadiness of his breath and hand. Such things took a stillness that Eddard could not always muster, and so it was, Eddard fairing better with throwing a spear or hatchet.

He traipsed through the forest, gathering appropriately sized sticks. Within a short amount of time, he was sitting against another tree, a dagger procured from his boot eagerly whittling spear points at the tips of the five branches he had acquired. Soon, he was on the hunt for small game, his stomach rumbling hungrily.

The sun continued moving closer to the horizon, yet Eddard still remained as hungry as when he had awoken. The daylight was beginning to fade and he knew he had to get something before it grew to dark. Before the sun could touch the land, he happened upon a clear, shallow creek. He noticed that the creek didn't flow from the city so much as towards it, a fact he took comfort in, knowing that water flowing away from any city during any period in time was seldom potable. Eddard went about the banks of the creek quickly double checking the environment for evidence of contamination. He found the creek to be free of pollutants as far as he could tell and commenced to spearing fish. Eddard found luck there, spearing 2 fair sized crappie and an undersized bass.

Eddard hoped he wasn't breaking any game laws as he made his way back to the edge of the forest. He built a small fire doing his best to conceal the flames from eyes that may be watching from the city that was now well lit in the distance. As he ate his fish, Eddard began to wonder what the inhabitants of this area were like. Are they human? Likely, but he had seen many strange things and didn't feel it was his place to assume the local inhabitants' race of any location he had visited yet and didn't want to start now for he was barely human himself. His thoughts turned toward what the evening and morning may have in store for him.

Eddard didn't notice the stranger right away, but as Sh'khin drew closer, the snapping of twigs alerted Eddard to the new presence. He cursed himself for not having his metamorphosis spell active in order to hide his fae traits, but it was too late. Not wanting to present himself as a threat when making first contact with anyone or thing, Eddard merely raised his head to look in the direction of the sound. His gaze fell upon the countenance of Sh'Khin lit by the light of the fire. He inhaled sharply, yet quietly in surprise by what he assumed to be a woman and at that moment, a look of pity was evident upon his face. He had shared camps with a variety of people on his travels, but none stuck in his heart quite as much as when shared with lepers or other similarly afflicted people.

As the sad memories of past encounters washed over him, Eddard's eyes fell upon the two remaining fish he had caught and had yet to eat. His eyes came back to rest on Sh'khin in sad acceptance for surely this woman had little time remaining in this world. "Are you hungry, Miss?" he asked. He would give her both fish if she wanted, anything to ease anyone's passage, even the unspeakable act of euthanasia, mercy killing. "I have extra fish and there is plenty of light and warmth to go around," he said as he indicated to the fish and then to the fire. "I am Eddard."

A look of shock slid across his face followed by one of curiousity, but both dissipated very quickly. Eddard did not know what to think of his fellow traveler whose voice hinted at something beyond this corporeal domain, something obviously past his comprehension. Deciding not to make a mild jest, changing the "miss" to "misses" and inquiring about marriage, Eddard decided to apologize. "My apologies. Well met Mister Sh' Khin, I did not mean to be so presumptuous." With this statement, Eddard decided to save his pity for the ill another day, coming to believe that this visitor may not be as sick as he appears.

Eddard had many questions about the place he was in, laws of the land, and a variety of others focusing around history and other features this place had to offer. Was there magic here? He brushed the thought away deciding to refrain from asking about supernatural skills such as magic and the like for later. What kind of knowledge could he derive from this supposed man and how credible was he? Is he a worthy ally? And what of his condition? Eddard was sure he'd find out sooner rather than later.

Eddard watched Sh'Khin eat, deciding that he himself would eat the last fish and executed his conclusion in unison with Sh'khin. "I hope the fish is to your liking, I couldn't seem to find the kitchen, and, well, I've never been a strong cook." He smirked to himself a little, realizing that the joke wasn't all that funny, or even a joke for that matter. "So, from one traveler to another, what brings one such as yourself out here into the forest? Is this your home? Are you welcome in the city?"

Eddard nodded taking in the information Sh’khin presented him as he finished his meal. What could this city hold? He had to wonder in the possibilities. “Well Mister Sh’khin, is the city,” he gestured with his head, “are the inhabitants much like yourself in guise? I find myself far from home and know little of the lands I’m in.” Eddard’s travel worn mind began to prioritize his needs for the future. “Perhaps you may know where I might find a map or accessible literature on the history of the region?”

And who could this Sh’khin be looking for? Eddard shrugged Sh’khin’s appearance aside, noting his own. He was helpful in most respects, but something seemed alluring about this encounter and after hearing that this fellow traveler was in need of some aid, Eddard was resolved to offer what he could. Where would this decision take him?

Eddard gave Sh'khin a quick apologetic look, "No, not a costume, I'm just wondering if the features of your appearance are common traits among the rest of those in the city." He paused looking Sh'khin over once more, "I now see that you are a fellow traveler, one who shares a unique guise much the way that I do."

Eddard was glad to hear that the map and necessary information were likely in easy reach. He was curious about this "Lord of Knowledge." It was interesting that one would carry such a dignified title as lord, especially in regards to knowledge. Perhaps he was an important librarian or archiver. Eddard decided to let the notion slide, knowing that he would likely find his answer upon meeting the Lord of Knowledge.

"As for me, I've been many places during my travels, but I originally come from a small town near a metropolis known as Detroit. I was born there, and spent all of my youth and the earliest part of adulthood there. Once I started traveling, I never found an appropriate place to call home though there are several places that came close." A feeling of nostalgia began to grow in the back of his mind but was quickly dismissed.

Eddard saw that it was dark. Though he had no problems with camping outdoors again, the draw of the city and the hope of a warm bed moved him to his feet. He looked down to his new acquaintance and began to offer his hand, "Shall we make our way into the city? It has been long since I've slept in a bed and judging by your lack of equipment, don't seem to be prepared to comfortably spend the evening out here. You can tell me all about this One you are looking for on the walk back."

Eddard digested Sh'Khin's words, remaining emotionless all the while, allowing Sh'Khin to finish his explanation. When Sh'Khin finished his formal introduction, Eddard could only do one thing. He knelt on one knee and lowered his gaze. "Forgive me Lord Sh'Khin, had I known I was in the presence of one such as yourself, I would have shown a greater deal of respect."

He continued, his knee still firmly planted to the ground, "The land I come from has a similarity to your own. Humans of my world do not follow the old ways and as a result, the very beings they once worshipped as gods weakened over time. In the era in which I was born, these beings were forced into a similar situation as yours in that they are forced to share a human body. However, for the most part humans remain far too engulfed in their own mundane ways to take notice, thus the beings forced to take on a human host continue to weaken and die unnoticed by those who refuse to acknowledge them."

"I myself was born human, but my Grandfather was host to one of these beings and by some freak of nature, no, by destiny, I was blessed with most of the attributes of these beings in such a way that mankind shouldn't have continued to deny their existence. Yet they continued to do so and in increasing number deeming me some sort of mutation. These beings, Changelings or Fae as they had come to call themselves, held gatherings and courts in order to become organized and insure their survival, a failing ploy. The courts were divided into two major factions for the most part, the half leaning more to good leading in the spring and summer while the more evil of the two leading in the fall and winter. I myself was knighted, a rare occurrence seeing how I'm not actually a changeling, by both courts and swore an oath to protect them all."

He came to his feet again his, his gaze locking with the much smaller man's before him. "Though you are not the same as they, the predicament is too similar. I'm now further obliged to offer you what aid you may need, this I swear on my house, my name, and my life." A twinge of hope grew in the back of his mind, though not his own. Eddard could only assume it to be the hope of success here in this world since he was destined to fail against the odds in the world he once knew.

Eddard nodded to his new friend, "Keep in mind that the oath I swear before you is applicable to all in your predicament.. I will not hurt others of your kind just on someone's will alone, and the same extends to those of innocence as I follow a code of chivalry to always be just and honorable. I will never, never be directed in an unjustifiable course of action lest I fall into folly."

"Run away in fear?" Eddard looked Sh'Khin over once more, "Perhaps when your transformation is complete you will seem far more intimidating, but I have both aided and opposed changelings that inspire the deepest nightmares of man. I have traveled the shifting lands of the Dreaming and in many cases, wondered far from the road that keeps many from losing themselves. I have traversed the chaotic Umbral realms that inspire madness in many who find themselves there. I've witnessed and participated in great battles that bring out the darkest depths of a man's soul. Lastly, I have seen my share of plagues and leprosy on the isle of Britain and sat with the dying." Eddard smiled, shaking his head a little, "No, you are not so intimidating in appearance as to turn me on my heels."

"As for books, no, I do not carry any with me for I am familiar with the history of my world, mundane and magical alike, and such things tend to take up valuable pack space on wilderness treks. I also had no intention of getting lost and finding my way here." Eddard could see the city better as they drew closer. My how cities could seem so small from a distance, but always managed to spread out as one drew closer. This was getting interesting. "And what of this honored use?"

Eddard's attention was focused on Sh'Khin until the pendant was brought forth, dangling in front of him. Only Eddard could hear the shriek of a falcon, "Vigilance?" he muttered. Eddard's arm began to swing up, half in a grab for the pendant and half to provide a perch for the friend he had not seen in years.

Vigilance was once thought to be Eddard's imaginary friend as a child, a great blue falcon that guided Eddard and kept him on the path of honor as a boy and from injuring those other children who taunted him for his strange blue eyes. During puberty, when more of Eddard's otherworldly physical traits began to manifest themselves in the corporeal world, so to did Vigilance. Believed to be a chimerical creature (a creature of the dreaming) by the changelings, Vigilance was applauded by the courts.

Later, human mages explained the falcon to be a manifestation of Eddard's avatar, his inner soul, made corporeal as a falcon largely due to a combination of Eddard's unique situation and his childhood perceptions. After this realization, Vigilance began to appear less and less as Eddard began to look within himself for moral guidance and not to an exterior example.

Eddard stopped himself, for he knew Vigilance wouldn't be coming. Somehow, this pendant was Vigilance or a force similar. He felt attuned to it, as he had felt attuned to Vigilance. Though intrigued, Eddard began to feel a growing emptiness within himself. Had this pendant taken Vigilance? Eddard dismissed the notion, choosing to accept Sh'Khin's explanation. "What must I do?" he asked without considering further implications.

Eddard followed Sh'Khin through the city. Though he was excited to enter the city, seeing it under the influence of Destruction did little to make him feel welcome. Still, he felt a driving force drawing him to the Pantheon as if he didn't need Sh'Khin's guidance.

As they entered the Pantheon, a strange familiarity blew through Eddard but was quickly set aside as his friend Sh'Khin quickly maneuvered him up the stairs and into some living quarters, preventing him from seeing much of the establishment. Even though Eddard caught Sh'Khin's warning glare, he couldn't help but be curious. Was this "Twin Crown" so foreboding?

Eddard looked around the room. It was sparse looking, as if Sh'Khin had been here for a short amount of time. Eddard made no mention, however, assuming he would learn more of Sh'Khin as time passed. With the suggestion of rest, and noting only one bed, Eddard went about unpacking and unrolling his bed roll. Seeing how dirty it was, Eddard, went to the window and shook it out best he could after asking permission. He himself would need to bathe soon after realizing how smelly he was once in an enclosed environment. It could wait for the morning, providing Sh'Khin wasn't bothered, when he could take the time to properly clean his bedroll or make living arrangements for himself.

Eddard settled down to sleep. Low, rhythmic snoring would ensue.

((END RP 1. BEGIN PART 2))

As the sun rose over the horizon, Aeneas woke, shuffling around the small room she called her own. It branched from her Lord's, and was almost as empty as his own, save for the futon that lay on the floor, and the ball of yarn that rested in one corner.

Today, she was to retreive something for Lord Sh'khin--something important. The simple thought of it was enough to excite her. She wanted to serve her master as effectively as she could, and thus far, he hadn't given her a task as important as this. She had been told that one would accompany her, and that this journey was a kind of test...

Lord Sh'khin had not been more specific, even though she had asked for more details. He had denied her the information with a twisted smile, and though it worried her slightly, she tried to push the thought to the back of her mind. Surely he wouldn't do something to put her in jeopardy...

Though she hadn't served him long, she thought she was a humble servant, and worthy of protection. Especially since her Lord didn't seem to have many followers. So far, she thought, she was the only one.

As she opened the door and headed into her master's chambers, ready to prepare breakfast, she noticed someone else in the room, lying on a bedroll on the floor. Perhaps this was the man that would be coming with her. She crept silently by, getting a better look at him. He was rather large, she noticed, and he looked old...much older than her Lord. If she only knew why he was coming along...

Shaking off the suspicion, she moved toward another room off of the main room. It was a small kitchen, with dark stone floors and walls. There was a refrigerator, stove and oven, and of course a sink and countertops that lined the walls. A few cupboards hung above Aeneas' head, and she opened them one after another, looking for proper food for Sh'khin and his guest.

Eventually, she decided upon eggs, bacon and toast, and she began getting pans and dishes out, trying her best to stay quiet. She was a clumsy sort though, and as she pulled out the frying pan, metallic banging ensued. She flinched, hoping it hadn't woken either man, and continued with her work.

Eddard didn't wake till the bacon's aroma had wafted through the room, filling his nostrils. He exhaled through his mouth, tasting the now salty air of the room lightly. He sat up, mildly excited by the hopes of having bacon again, a favorite of his in the morning. As he came to his feet he noticed Sh'Khin was still in bed. He wasn't sure if his host was awake or not, but didn't want to disturb him so he quietly rolled up his bed and then set about making sure his possessions were orderly and out of the way as to not be a sloppy house guest even though the room was sparse. He ended up placing his backpack against the wall near the door.

Before Eddard could turn back around and follow the aroma into the kitchen, he found his hand resting on the handle of the door. Curious he thought for he didn't have the intention of leaving Sh'Khin's quarters. What was this that kept driving him to take these subconscious actions? He had to wonder. Irked slightly, he pushed the questions aside and turned his back to the door, solidifying the notion of breakfast more clearly as a goal in his head. Eddard made his way to the portal opening into the kitchen.

He didn't enter right away, curious to see what kind of house keeper Sh'Khin boasted. He ducked a little, the portal being a little low for him as most had been throughout his adult life, and brought one eye into the room to peer in. He was surprised to see a cat girl cooking best she could. She reminded him of the mischievous Pooka kith he had seen at court and interacted with often. He wondered if the feline had a pension for trouble too. He came into the room fully, inspecting the cat girls cooking, "Excuse me miss, do you need any assistance? Or could you direct me to the lavatory or other suitable place that I might clean myself?"

As Aeneas heard Eddard speak, she jumped in surprise, almost flinging the strips of bacon from the frying pan. "Oh! You scared me!" she exclaimed, breathing sigh of relief and looking back down at the pan to ensure breakfast was still intact. " Welcome," she said, giving him a curtsey. "I am Aeneas, Sh'hkin's Aoide." She smiled and looked back at the pan ."I'm doing alright with the food for now, though I hope you don't mind dark toast," she said with a giggle, pointing to a plate of -almost- burned whole wheat toast. "My kitchen skills are still developing, but I'm good at other things, really!"

She turned the bacon strips over in the pan, taking care to stay away from the burning fat, and as she finished, she looked over to Eddard again. "There's a bathroom right off the main room of my Lord's quarters, just opposite the door to this very kitchen," she said, moving to the door and pointing across the main room to another door with a bronze handle. "Feel free to make use of it."

((OOC Note: It looks much like the kitchen, with stone floors and walls, but there is a bath mat on the floor, and all the plumbing is modern. There's a claw-foot bathtub with a shower, a sink and a toilet. Still, nothing on the walls.)

Sh'khin awoke not long after Eddard, and the smell of bacon cooking made his stomach growl. He got up and threw on his clothes, padding toward the kitchen with bare feet. It was there that he came across Eddard, who seemed to be chatting with Aeneas.

"Good morning Eddard, Aeneas," he said. "Feel free to clean up a bit before breakfast Eddard. After we eat, I shall explain your task for the day."

"Morning Sh'Khin," Eddard said as a look of excitement began to wash over his face but was easily contained. "Don't wait for me," he threw over his shoulder as he snagged up his pack and made his way into the bathroom, a little bounce in his step.

As he came into the lavatory, Eddard's gaze was drawn to the mirror. He hadn't seen himself in a long time. There was grime packed into every crevice of his exposed skin, and Eddard hesitated at the notion of what lie beneath his clothing. Speaking of clothing, Eddard realized his clothes and armor were nearly too small for his perpetual growth. He sighed, realizing that he may have to retire his beloved armor soon, in favor of making a new suit. As he peeled the rest of his clothing away, discarding them in the corner, Eddard turned the water on, allowing it to get nearly unbearably hot before getting into the claw-foot tub. The stinging sensation of the shower was wonderfully pleasant for he had been bathing in streams and lakes for sometime now and the temptation of the hot water was irresistible.

After cleaning himself, Eddard stood there for sometime, letting the water wash over him. He lost track of time, and by the time he was done, his normally blue skin had shifted to a bluish purple color as a result of the heat. Still, he felt good. Eddard went to his pack. He only had one change of clothes and they would have to do. Eddard put on his blacksmith's leather breaches and a long sleeved shirt, taking care to roll up the sleeves and adjusting the collar's lacing so that it didn't choke to tight around his neck.

When he had exited the bathroom, he made his way to where Sh'Khin and Aeneas were. Before he had even entered the room, Eddard said apologetically, "I'm sorry for taking so long, I hope you didn't wait for me." The big man entered the kitchen looking to see what had come of breakfast.

"Morning Sir Eddard," Sh'khin said with a nod of his head as Eddard headed for the bathroom. As he closed the door behind him, Sh'khin's attention turned toward the scent of food. His stomach grumbled, and he sniffed the air, giving Aeneas an approving grin. "Looks as if you're improving," he said complimentary, snagging a piece of bacon from the serving plate.

"Thank you my Lord," Aeneas said, her cheeks heating slightly under her fur. If her face had been covered with skin instead of fur, one could see her blushing. "I will do my best," she nodded, sliding fried eggs onto individual plates and then she proceeded to move everything to the sparse table in the main room, readying everything for the meal.

"I need you to go with Eddard to pick something up for me today," he said to Aeneas, taking a seat at the end of the rectangular wooden table and helpinig himself to breakfast. "He needs to prove himself to me, and I think I have an excellent task for him. All I ask is that you open this urn when he isn't looking," he said, a twinkle in his eye as he reached down beside his chair and picked up an urn that seemed to have wispy smoke coming out of it. "... and let out the creature inside it," he said, tapping the side of the crystalline urn. "It will need to be intact and inside this urn when you arrive at the location. The shopowner will not trade you unless it is fully intact."

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...UrnofSouls.jpg

Aeneas looked at the urn, eyes wide. It creeped her out a bit, as she had a feeling what was inside it, but she nodded to Sh'khin, understanding that she would need to stay out of whatever would happen this day. Though it was her job to start the chaos, she could not be the one to cease it. "Yes sir," she said, pouring him a glass of orange juice, and also filling up Eddard's glass, just as he was emerging from the bathroom.

"You're right on time," Sh'khin said, picking up another piece of bacon and taking a bite. "Aeneas here has created quite a wonderful feast for us. Come, sit. We need to talk about what you're going to be doing today..."