Private Update for the Weik

[Sola Wessiri]

The Spine Mountains were cold and harsh for the better part of the year. Even in the summer months, pockets of glaciers could still be found. The sun might be warm, but the ice and crystalized snow was still there.

It was a three day journey for Sola and Shadow to make their trek to the home of fellow Paladin Calder Calistarius . Instead of living at the Adamite Tower like most, he chose to keep to the Spine. There were several advantages to this that the Head Paladins took note of, so it was allowed. There was also his skills as a blacksmith that were greatly encouraged. Born into an already skilled line of the trade, a bloodline that was among the best on Weik, it was better to give them the proper allowances needed to further their art of making weapons and armour.

Yet being so far away from the Tower and Vossport meant that Calder was also far away from any news in regards to the Feudal Lords, Trades Guild Masters and Lucites. And that was where Sola's journey to his home came in.

Breaking through the treeline and covered in a thick fur coat, the Paladin and her vask-wolf companion spotted the wooden house. Thick plumes of black smoke rose from the chimneys, a clear indication that the forge was currently in use. "Well it looks like he's home. You know what to do."

Shadow bounded off ahead of her with a howl. When he was halfway to the home, he stopped, keeping his head lowered and his red eyes keen. He was on the lookout for Tain, determined to not get pounced on this time.

 

[Calder Calistarius]

Sola Wessiri

It was a typical morning at the homestead for Cal, wake up before the sun came over the mountain ridges, and begin his work load. Abigail was already up, preparing a meal for his day as she normally did. He came in from the Master room, which was below the loft were his beautiful Iris slept. He sauntered across the main room and greeted Abigail in his normal manner. “Fair morning — if this be but a dream, may I never wake up. Let me always be in this moment.” They both smiled as his hands caressed through her hair and they kissed, Abigail now speaking. “The land may have deemed you worthy my love, but — the day I was given you, and blessed with our daughter, I was the one that was given the gift.” They never spoke harshly, this was not the way of Weikiens, this was not how one ought to love. They loved and lived as if today would be the last. Cal sat down, and enjoyed his meal, it wasn’t elaborate — fresh oats, milk which was a delicacy, and fresh eggs. He felt like a King. You see, Cal had been chosen at a young age to replace the Eldar Paladin Toruń, Praetor to the Spine Mountains — the land was close to Skyholme, meeting grounds of the Lucites... it was his job to ensure peace and that no dark rituals took place in this region, and if they did, he ended it. Cal had a unique ability that worked perfectly for the mountain region. He also if needed had assistance from the brothers and sisters that currently resided in the Adamite Tower. His duties were many, but they were worthwhile and gave purpose.

The sun came out and the landscape lit up like a field of diamonds as the light reflected off the snowy landscape. The sound of Cal working his way around the longhouse in the snow was rhythmic much like the sound of his hammer. The snow drift had been fair during the dark-hours, this was good, it meant the forge would be easier to reheat. He came to the opening of the furnace that supplied heat to the hole forge. Removing his upper layer of clothing, he grabbed and shovel and began to push coal into the forge. Shovel, after shovel of the black mineral, the forge began to awaken as Cal coaxed it to life once again. Black smoke began billowing from the smoke stacks as the red, orange and white light that was the forge poured out and around the area. About that time as Cal put the shovel down, he heard crunching in the snow, Tain rounded the corner and greeted him which is normal chuffed of affection. Cal was thankful for his furry friend, he was guardian of the homestead when Cal had to be elsewhere. A howl broke the morning silence as Cal’s eyes narrowed, Tain growling as Cal stepped forth from the covered Forge as he put his hand up towards Tain, the large sabertooth crouching low. Cal knew this howl, it was his sister Paladin Sola and her wolf companion Shadow; the only animal that Tain seemed to tolerate. He walked in the direction as Tain took off at full speed towards Shadow, making no effort to hide his approach. Cal stopped at the top of the hill as he watched his companion barrel at Shadow, mock like a cub again. He spoke, his voice sharp against the crisp air, his body glistening, and steam rolling off his bare upper torso from his own body heat against the cold air as he called out to Sola. “Safe travels sister Sola — I bid you fair morn, and welcome you in my rest. Warmth for your bones, food for your belly, and company for your soul.” The man rarely smiled, but for Sola, they had a bond, one forged over time, blood and sweat. He trusted the woman, he knew her strength her grit — she was gifted, she was worthy. For Cal to say he loved someone, it wasn’t just a word — with his wife, daughter, his family, he loved them, for Sola, he loved her as a sister in arms and would lay his life down for her. He stood at the hilltop just by the house and awaited his Paladin-Sister to approach. They had much to talk about, it seems work would need to wait for the day.

 

[Sola Wessiri]

Shadow's tail wagged from side to side as he watched Tain head right towards him. Ears moving to the sides, he awaited until the last moment and when Tain was airborn for the pounce that always came, the vask-wolf pressed forward quickly, keeping his body low so that the cat cleared him. Then he quickly turned around and snapped at Tain's heels with his powerful jaws.

Sola meanwhile didn't watch the play between the two companions as it started. Instead her eyes were on Calder Calistarius . Despite the harshness of the Spine Mountains, it had not given him a cold demeanor to go along with it. At least as not as far as she was concerned. They trained together in their early years, bonded by their shared gift of communicating with the animal life on Weik. It helped to make them both excellent hunters and trackers which was sorely needed on a world like Weik.

She called out to Calder as she made her own approach to his homestead, mindful of keeping out of the way of Tain and Shadow while she passed them. "Many thanks Brother Calder! I bring greetings and tidings from the Tower!" She smiled as she neared, bowing her head with her left fist clentched at her heart in greeting before looking up at him. "I trust you and your family are doing well?" There weren't many that Sola would open up to. She kept herself quite guarded, especially after Varlo 's betrayal. But with Calder she felt no need to be overly cautious.

 

[Adilya Solveig]

Ignore — posted on wrong account.

 

[Calder Calistarius]

Sola Wessiri

Cal nodded as he spoke. “Aye, I would assume Iris to be up by now — an’ Abigail is tending to the prep work. I fear we may be in for a harsh winter Sola... many a families in the valley be needing help if it turns that way.” He let out a small sight as he turned towards the forge and motioned for Sola to follow. Calder watched our for the people of the Spine region — they were definitely his people, his joy, and his family, blood or not. Calder cared for the all — big and small, old and young, everyone mattered.



The forge was significantly warmer than the outside air, which would explain the topless form of Cal majority part of the time, however, in respect for his wife, and being alone in the company of another female, Cal grabbed a animal blanket and draped it over his form. Cal proceeded to then letting out a sharp whistle that Tain knew instinctively and at his Masters beckoning began a patrol sweep around the house. Cal let out a heavy sigh as he grabbed a medallion and a dagger and stabbed it into the work bench by Sola — it was a Lucite sacrificial dagger. The air in the forge became tense as Cal spoke. “Praise the land I found this before Abigail and the lass did, I didn’t want to worry them. I found this on the door Sola, it was a warning — a warning for the investigations I’ve been doing around the old Skyholme Tower. They are few in numbers, but something is different this time — they are... more bold. I swore to uphold my oath as Paladin — but I swear to you now Sola; if I catch one around here, near my wife and children....” He paused as his hand gripped the hilt of the dagger tightly, his jawline clenching. They were not easily provoked into violence, that is Paladins — but to be Paladins meant to not seek out justice in anger or vengeance, this lead to a wrong and blurred line of justice. It was difficult to walk this road, lonely, and I’d course Cal would never, but the prospect that they were trying to target him through his family was Calder was definitely seeking solace in his shield sister as he laid it out.

 

[Sola Wessiri]

"A harsh winter? Again? I'll be sure to have supplies brought out before it hits so that you'll all have enough. It'll take some time, as you know, but you all won't be abandoned." Just as Calder Calistarius took care of the people there, Sola's interest was in Weik as a whole. It was why Valknor was training her to one day be his successor. Her desires were never personal. They encompassed all. Her dedication to her work was the primary reason of why she never settled down and had a family like Calder and some of the others had. There was too much work for her to do to take a break. She even hardly ever had a day off.

Shadow took off along with Tain, patrolling the area and padding along beside the great cat.

The warmth of the forge was a welcomed one. Sola removed her fur cloak and hung it on a hook to dry. Her brows furrowed in concern as Calder produced the dagger and medallion. She listened to his story, her hazel eyes studying him and the emotions he set forth. She didn't need to be psychic to be able to imagine just what had happened. "I hope that such a thing never happens, both for the sake of your family's as well as theirs. I would certainly not want to be your enemy." Sola took hold of the medallion and turned it over in her fingers, the tips tracing the engraving. "May I take these to Valknor? He'll be interested in knowing that the Lucites are growing bold here too. I sense a war is coming, but unlike anything that we've ever seen before. I can't explain it, can't imagine it. But it will be different. I just wish that I'd be gifted in glimpsing the future so that I could see and prepare us. Valknor says that there's a way, written in sacred texts deep within the Adamite Tower. Perhaps with this news, I'll be granted access to those texts and study them. Preparation is key."

 

[Calder Calistarius]

Sola Wessiri

Cal nodded as he released his grip on the dagger and held his hand out openly, motioning that it was alright and that he wanted her to take the dagger. “Take the accursed thing with you. I’ll report to you if i should find more.” He paused and his eyes narrowed as he looked down at the forge, the embers smoldering as he nodded. “ I fear ye may be right Sola; but we’ll be ready.”



Cal was no stranger to the prospect of war. Raised in the bloodline he had been, Hiram — his father had started the young man early in his training — truth be told, Cal had been bred for a purpose, for defending the land... and Sola would know this from training. Never having taken one practice lightly, Cal’s serious side became stripped away when in battle or “on the job”... and when and if the time would arise, Cal would not hesitate to use all the magic in his body to stop them. Cal let off a sigh as he unfolded his arms and lifted his hands up in apology. “A thousand pardons, this is not the joyful visit you should be receiving. Tell me, sister, you said you brought news from the tower. Please, speak.” Cal moved the attention off from him, always one trying to avoid spotlight moments, awaited Solas news.

 

[Sola Wessiri]

Sola nodded in thanks and slipped the dagger and medallion into a small pouch that hung from her belt. How many other Paladins were the Lucites warning by going to their homes? The fact that the identities of the Lucites remained secret, all but one, was unnerving. It meant that they all had to be on edge, ever watchful for the sake of innocent Weikians.

The subject matter was changed once Calder Calistarius apologized and brought her mind back to her reasons for the visit. She tried to keep her visits semi-regular, for Calder was quite isolated. He was still her Paladin brother however and needed to be kept up to date with what was going on in Vossport and at the Adamite Tower. "Market Week is coming. Valknor had a vision and he says that you are to attend it, working your forge. I asked him if there was danger and he replied that there wasn't. But he said that it'd be very important for you to be there."