Requiem of a Poe [Aiz][Open]

[Nex]

▲

The night had fallen faster than the merchant would have liked. He could see the sun quickly dipping under the horizon as the shadows on the trees became longer. His left hand began to shake as he gripped the lead of his horse. The old cart, pulled by an even older horse, was much lighter than it had been, but it never felt light enough when making haste became imperative for survival. He had left too late from his last stop. The lurking remnants of a band of highwaymen had caused Sinnie to hesitate in heading out first thing, come the morning. He was quite tempted to leave despite. Kakariko Village oft had many of the Lake Zora visiting and they were much too social for Sinnie's own sanity. They stood too close when they spoke and did so with an overabundant level of energy that he could not match. He was exhausted just after waking, finding supplements of the local brew to be lacking. It hardly had the strength to carry him from the depths of his ostracizations. Once the bandits departed, dissatisfied with being unable to find themselves a target, the Zora would pack up and head out from Kakariko Village and into Hyrule Field. His covered wagon had seen some repair. One of the spokes had been damaged in an incident prior and he would barely arrive at the village with time to spare.

But now was the trouble of making it into Hyrule Town proper. He was hardly unfamiliar with the journey. It required preparation and experience to ride it alone. In truth this would be only the second time he's ridden to Castle Town on his own, so he lacked experience.

The night was falling and traveling at these hours served a death sentence for any fool enough to wander with naught but a knife in his possession. Nex was finding out he was the fool. Even bandits knew not to brave the darkness under-armed. He needed to find reprieve from the darkness that quickly swallowed the fields because while Nex was disheartened by people and their general existence: nothing sent him into absolute terror like the rattling bones of those dearly departed or the haunting wails of the disillusioned ghosts that wanted yet still to live their former selves. While the living were not his favorite the dead sent him into fits of manic denial. He would absolutely refuse.

He could hear the sifting movements as the ground was disturbed. This was the curse of the Hylian lands. As soon as the sun set the spirits of the damned became restless. Sinnie placed his right hand over his ear, trying desperately to will away the sensation of crawling over his flesh. Soon the Zora was able to find shelter in a cave that was carved into a hillside along the roads. The aging gelding was tied up outside, a stake run into the ground hastily as the fiends drew too close for comfort. The cart emptied of what few goods he had, leaving the wagon’s bed scattered with a few worthless items of scrap such as old driftwood and some seashells. What he sought to protect from curious bandits was tucked away into a burlap sack, and carried with him into the shelter so he could rest upon it in the stead of the stony ground. A fire was started with some of the dry wood he had carried with him. It took a bit of finangling and memory, but he would manage to catch a spark on the dried grasses he tucked between the wood. The flames faintly crackled, painting the cavern walls a faint hue of yellow. There he would attempt to wait out the night, wait out the wailing Poes and rattling Stalfos, of which the pallid pony he made use of was named for. After all the horse needn’t be a target to the doomed victims of war wandering the fields. They were only after the flesh and spirits of man.

Aiz ● 671 ● The light of a Poe's Lantern mimics the light their soul once carried, a traveling bard once told me.

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Aiz]

the soul yearns for honor



and the flesh the hereafter



look to those who walked before



to lead those who walk after

It was quite unorthodox for the King to send the hand in his favor; normally it was the other way around, and yet Asthar proved time and time again that he was anything but orthodox. She didn't mind it--much. But she would have preferred if he had sent her in his stead for any other place than Hyrule. It was still etched in her mind of the animosity she and the kingdom had toward each other.

It was nearing nightfall; day after day of travel which Aiz had made alone. Under better circumstance, perhaps she would have been escorted with a battalion, but the less attention she brought to herself, the better. The closer she was to the castle, the more tired she became, and with still quite a bit of journeying left, she had decided it was best to rest for the night. 


Dismounting her horse, she pulled her bags from the saddle as she searched for a dry area for a fire, but suddenly a glimmer of light in the distance caught her attention. Another traveler? Or someone dangerous? If she were to make a fire, she would need to be sure that they would not attack in her sleep. Perhaps it was time to investigate. 

Grabbing the reigns of her horse, she made way for the fire, seeing a lone man come into view as she approached."Sir, may I ask where it is you are headed?" she called out, her voice monotone, androgynous and somewhat tired. 

Nex

[Nex]

▲

It was a dream he couldn't wake from. The haunting melodies of the Stalfos pacing across the open fields as their blades tapped against their shields and rusting metal armor clicked against exposed, knobby knees, tore asunder any remnant of sleep that Sinnie had clung to. The man often had waking nightmares of the terrors he's seen. The bellowing voices of his past often drowned out the silence of slumber. It made it difficult to focus and impossible to see. His eyes were hazy, but it was enough to pick up the indiscernible lights from the distant lanterns. At least he feared. He could only hope they were lights from fire bugs. His head rest in his hands as he slumped from the exhaustion. The cavern could hide only so much from view, but it made it harder for the Stalfos or Poe to spot the dim flame of life left in him.

His horse continued to graze just outside. The approach of another horse caused the equine to call out in excitement. Unable to find peace in slumber Sinnie's head shot up, gloved hands having nearly slipped from his face. He pushed to his feet, arms tucking to his side, nearly vanishing as the loose cloak gave him no discernible outline. It was as he preferred because it made it easier for people to dismiss him and let him reach for his blade more discreetly. The glow of the flames danced in his cerulean eyes, giving them a seemingly unnatural glow. Shifting his weight the tall figure would make sure the sole of his boots tread even ground. He need not fall heads over heels in front of a stranger.

Every inch of this person was examined, every detail taken in before he turned his gaze to the fires. "Hyrule." He breathed out as his arm shifted, showing he had a piece of driftwood in hand in order to feed the fire. The wood hit the smoldering flames, breathing into them new life. "Maybe." He added before turning to look to the shapeless figure again. He could not discern them man nor woman, but he could never tell with Human nor Hylian just what they were until it was too late. "Dangerous out at night, sure you wanna stay out there?" While the invitation into the cave was floating on the edge of his question, there was the worry of being in a small space with a stranger.

He remained standing behind the fire. Behind him was a crumbled sack he was like using as a seat. All he owned. The bag was burlap and was torn in some places, giving a light peek as to what he carried. It looked like junk, as did his cart. A drifter perhaps? The ends of his cloak were worn, tattered, and he wore a loose blouse, underneath a skin-tight shirt that had a collar going up to his neck. He did not seem to be wearing any armor, but with boots so worn it was hard to say if the man could even afford a sharp blade.

Aiz ● 516 ● When the lights are off outside...

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Aiz]

the soul yearns for honor



and the flesh the hereafter



look to those who walked before



to lead those who walk after

Although the man's figure was hard to make out, as the sheikah stepped within the vicinity of the cave, the glowing embers gave light to reveal the man and his wares. As her vermilion eyes scanned over him carefully, she nodded as he confirmed where she thought he might be heading next. 

"As am I," she responded plainly. "Although its not common to find travelers this far from the main road. Lots of monsters around these parts." Perhaps he was a trader? He must know the area well enough to confidently travel in a discreet fashion. Or maybe he was lost. 

He had mentioned the dangers of the outsides, to which she turned to look back, the sounds of crickets and nocturnal beasts which hummed in the moonlight. "Perhaps it is, although I wouldn't say it would be a danger for me... I've been alive far to long to be afraid of creatures of the night."

Loosening herself into a relaxed stance, she let go of her intimidating persona as she examined the man carefully. A trader perhaps? He seemed to have quite a bit of inventory on him. "Although I must say I'm surprised to see someone travel alone with so much equipment on hand. I suppose it is irresponsible of me to travel alone as well though."

Stepping into the light, a shimmering uniform of red, black, and gold glistened into the fire. A Holodran seal which wove into her chest, she let her hand raise to her cheek, pushing her snowy hair from her eyes. "If you are heading into town, allow me to accompany you. It's safer to travel in pairs." 

Nex

[Nex]

▲

His gaze drifted as the traveler spoke. He did not like watching people as they spoke. Looking to their faces, staring into their eyes. It unsettled his nerves. Anywhere but there. A wayward stone, a distant stalagmite, a curious stalactite... He reached his left hand up, the sleeve of the cloak falling silently, revealing a pink bracelet of coral bound to his wrist, but this dark leather gloves concealed any length of skin, arms covered by the dark sleeves of his bodysuit. He rubbed the back of his neck as they regarded the distance he strode. Their words were true.

"That is because most are stupid. They take the direct path, but bandits were brave today. Risking the main roads would have risked my goods." But what about them, being this far off? They could be one of them too.

His cerulean eyes drifted up to the stranger's face, his thin brows knitted tight as his expression remained solid, features darkened by the night, but face painted in light by the hearty fires. It was haunting how a visage seemed to dance before flame though the body remained still. He scoffed, brows raising as they would admit to their age and fearlessness. What a backwards notion. He leaned forward, shoulders slumping as his crooked grin would downturn.

"What a foolish notion. Fear them not do you? I would say that itself is something to be afraid of." He presented as he looked away, taking a few steps to the side. "Fear is what keeps us grounded and from acting beyond our capacity. Fear is what you need protect friends, family..." He pushed aside a few stones to give the warrior a place to sit before he walked back to his spot, dropping down onto his sack, which audibly jostled under the weight. "If you truly were fearless of the night creatures... you would not give them such a wide berth." They were dangerous, to anyone. He'd not believe it.

He leaned back on his gear, seemingly unafraid of a stranger himself, but it was obvious, was it not? He sized the guardian up. He took in their features, the way they move, what they wore. He was at an advantage because he was across the fire. He had space and he kept it. The man boiled like a predator, his lips curled over sharp fangs that fit more to a shark than man. But he was no man. He was a Zora, one of the river too by the looks of those teeth. He tucked his arms into the folds of cloth of his cloak, tilting his head to eye the soldier.

"I am. But the night did quick to unsettle my plans. I would not threaten the dead." The living were a whole other matter. "You? I would not allow such a thing." He stated sternly, gaze back upon the fire. "But I would be fool to deny it. You'd not work for free, would you? I have many things, but hardly a rupee on me." Maybe it was the truth, perhaps a boldfaced lie.

The night would continue to embolden the dead. A curious Poe would pass the cavern and while its shape may not have been visible its lantern was not hard to mistake. But it soon passed, unwilling to brave the light source and expose itself. The Zora seemed to have caught the motion and watched with bated breathe. He would only relax once it passed, eyes once again upon the Sheikah.

"I am called Nex." Though whether or not that was his name was a whole other matter to regard.

Aiz ● 605 ● Two souls for the price of one

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Aiz]

the soul yearns for honor



and the flesh the hereafter



look to those who walked before



to lead those who walk after

Raising a brow at his notion of having no fear of the beasts as foolish, her arms crossed over her chest as she sighed. "Ah, you're young. I did not say I wasn't afraid of anything. But beasts of the night? Absolutely not. But I'm not foolish. I don't go out of my way to provoke them. But if I were to be approached it would not feign my ability to protect myself."

But yes, it had gotten dark quite earlier than normal. A show of the season's change into autumn. A smirk pursed upon the young hand's lips as she motioned to her sword at her side. "Traveling in pairs is payment enough. I would not ask you to spend your earnings on my assistance when I was the one who approached you." 

Aiz looked out to the starry night, the cold breeze causing her skin to clam up as she stepped closer toward the fire. "Nex," she mused over his name. "I am called Aiz. Hand of King Asthar of Holodrum," she bowed politely before retreating to her knees near the fire.

Nex

[Nex]

▲

Young!?

He has never been called young before. More often than not he was declared old and worrisome, but that had its respects in some ways. He wasn't a day over forty, which was not much for a Zora. It was like looking back to a moment. In all respects, as a Zora, he has barely experienced the world. So in this, they were correct. His worries could be held as irrefutable proof of his youth and his time idling, hiding from ghosts. He would lean back as the traveler expressed their ability. It was not strange seeing others present their strength as a wholesale means of protection, but Nex was jaded. He had seem many abuse this power, the so-called strength to hold themselves on even placement to their enemies, even if that enemy had already been once defeated given their bony or incorporeal forms.

"Have you such an ability? Your confidence seems to dictate so." He did not refute their claim, but his belief was hard to win over. Is faith was tawdry, mismanaged by dishonorable louts, aplenty on these roads. "Fair enough." To their assertion that the companionship was pay enough. Strange fellow.

He moved to sit himself up, hand pushing back against his pack to assist in the motion. He head cocked, pointing out towards the dark fields. That Poe has passed the cave twice already, eyeing their riderless horses in suspect. The Zora narrowed his eyes and looked to Aiz as they settled. They would have long to wait, but if they were in a pair: making it across the field to Hyrule's gates would be far less tedious, but too the gates would be difficult to pass at such an hour without substantial proof of their reason for being there. Nex reached into his cloak and pulled out a journal that had a few parchments sticking out. Various permits, contracts and other documents he kept close for his travels. His head turned up, the shark coughing out as they would admit to their position.

Clearing his throat his face contorted slightly. "I'm sorry what?" He had to have misheard. "The King's Hand?!" He sunk a bit, the guppy visibly deflating. "You know that is something difficult to believe." But knowing kings were known to have rather eccentric company. Asthar was no exception. Nex would sigh, his hand coming up to brush back his dark-blue bangs. "R-right..." He mumbled. "Well if you're able to hold your own," Which he likely believed less than the fellow being the King's Hand, "There is a chance we could continue on, though we'd like have need to be extra cautious. I think that Poe is stalking us." But that was silly.

Poes just did their thing.

It wasn't as if the Poe was the spirit of a long departed at the hands of either Aiz or Nex. That seemed highly... concerning.

Aiz ● 482 ● Nevermore

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Aiz]

the soul yearns for honor



and the flesh the hereafter



look to those who walked before



to lead those who walk after

Aiz took a moment, smirking as the Zora expressed his surprise to her reveal and title. Shrugging as she turned back to the darkened skies, she looked around for anything that may have been out of the ordinary. "You can believe or not, it matters not to me." He was likely not from Holodrum himself, which would make it harder for him to have recognized her uniform or sword. 

"As for continuing on... we're still quite a bit away from the castle. We could continue on foot to lessen the noise of our horses, but it's up to you. I'm not sure of your ability to fight, but if you would feel overwhelmed should we come in contact with monsters, say it now, and we will rest until dawn," she said plainly, a hand resting over the hilt of her sword.

He spoke of the poe stalking them. Not just a poe, but the poe. Who was he referring to? She had only dealt with poe a number of times since she left Hyrule, but they all seemed the same; angry spirits that toyed with lost wanderers. "You say that as if you know what this creature is, or what it wants. I didn't see any poe on my arrival. Did you?"

Nex

[Nex]

▲

The Zora was no native to Holodrum, but he has lived within her borders from an early mark in his youth. He was not there as long as Aiz likely was, but he was there long enough to know the ins and outs of society. But Next also hated authority and was the least inclined to pay a measured attention to names of heir apprents or hands. While observant in his nature it was dark and he had only one eye in which to take in her figure. To him the most important note was that they was armed. With this title acknowledged he gave them a second look over. A third as well. It mattered not if she was speaking the truth or not though and her uniform was something that could have been plucked from the corpse of a soldier... But he did not dwell.

His dark, cerulean eyes turned away as his gloved hand rubbed against his chin. "Far be it for me to bother with such things. I don't think my validation of your position would make little difference here or now. Neither of us are in Holodrum." It was more the land of the enemy, of sorts, though that in and of itself was queer.

Hand of the King, why were they this far out?

He pushed to stand and looked to the fire before turning his gaze to Aiz. His posture was slouch, head tucked nearly at height with his shoulders. While Zora he did not appear to carry that pride most arrogantly wore as a badge of honor. He did whatever he could to hide his form, or at the very least not seem intimidating. With loose cloaks discerning his form proper was nigh impossible. His distant gaze and dismissive movements made looking at him long difficult. He was like a kicked puppy, at least he seemed to give off a helpless air about him. It was difficult to read him clearly, but that trauma was visible. He was quite good at hiding himself and his value, as all good traveling merchants should.

He knelt down, turning his back to Aiz in a calculated movement. Hoisting the heavy looking sack he would turn as he rose, boot kicking dirt and dust into the forest to douse them. After he crushed the sole of his boot into the ash and soil, grinding it to be sure of its suffocation. He scoffed slightly, moving to his cart to dump the sack into the bed of the wagon.

"I cannot speak for my skills in confrontation, but who knows if I know those spirit from the past. I have had many angry with me in their lifetime, angry enough to chase me even after death, but who is to say I am who he chases, or knows." It was relative.


Reaching up to take his horses lead, the old pallid furred gelding hardly looking it would survive the night. The Zora motioned for the Hand to take the lead. They would need to move across without drawing the undead's ire, which was difficult not to do once spotted. But they could get a good headstart, and so he would start off, keeping pace do the Hand could keep up, not that he would likely need to slow down for them.

Aiz ●554 ● A Poe in the Bush is Worthless

MADE BY VEL OF GS