20th Trial of Ashan, 716 Arc
Kydrel had no plan.It had been over two hundred trials since the Avriel had left Rhakros at the “request” of the Plague Lord. It had taken him roughly forty five trials to get from Rhakros to Eztos, flying as hard and as fast as he could. It had been suggested that he go southeast towards Ne’haer first before changing course and heading towards his actual destination. There was calculated wisdom in the advice and he heeded it. The last thing he needed was to be shot out of the sky for no other reason than by being associated with “the enemy” before having even arrived.
On one hand, he regretted not jumping head first into the task at hand, snooping around for information on the “group that used to work for Lisirra, rumored to be in Eztos” as she had put it, as soon as he arrived in the city. It really wasn’t a whole out of information to go on. He would make it work, though. Getting his hands on that permanent ring would make the entire headache worth it.
Upon further contemplation however, he realized he might have lucked out by taking it slow. Better to act “normal”, get housing, find work and make some nel, essentially blend in, in case hidden eyes were watching his movements. No doubt they were, him being one of the most disliked races in all of Idalos, he was bound to catch someone's attention. Hopefully the work he had kept himself busy with over the last forty trials had been enough to make them lose interest.
Having returned from his quest with Alex, he was rested up and finally ready to begin the task he was sent here to accomplish. The problem was- he had no idea where to start.
Kydrel stood inside the wooden structure some would call a “home” in the outer perimeter of the city and stared out through the window that overlooked the forest. The season had turned and the sun was once again lighting up the day. Cylus had been a cold, dark, miserable existence, most of it having been spent hunting in the most dangerous jungle he had ever stepped foot into- all for a Death Worm. He hoped the new season would bring good fortune with it.
He rubbed the back of his neck, deep in thought.
‘Where do I even begin? Who do I talk to? No one is going to tell me anything. Excuse me maam, hi can you tell me where the nearest secret Lisirra worship center is, please and thank you? I’m trying to expose them and earn the favor of an immortal.’
A low growl emanated from his throat.
‘Okay, okay. That isn’t helping. FOCUS. You need information, any information you can get your hands on. Where do large groups of people form? They form everywhere you idiot. NO, THINK. Commoners aren’t going to know anything useful, more than likely, but it's a start. You sure aren’t about to overhear a general talking to a senator about top secret information. Okay, so where can I find a bunch of commoners who gossip about their day and things they hear?’
He could feel the frustration rising in his chest and begin to cloud his thinking like a red mist. He squeezed his eyes shut, gritting his teeth, trying to concentrate and force the mist to dissipate. Suddenly it struck him. He felt a little foolish for not thinking of it first thing.
‘A tavern. Of course. Alcohol tends to loosen the tongue. A bit cliché, but it’s better than sitting here finding NO information.’
Kydrel spun on his heels and took the next few bits to strap on his armor and gather his weapons and nel. He considered leaving his equipment behind so as not to draw attention to himself but he dismissed it just as quickly. He was an Avriel. He was going to draw attention. Why make his life more difficult by not being ready for whatever came his way? He was not naïve enough to think that just because he wasn’t armored people wouldn’t be nervous around him. Jumpy people made for jumpy trigger fingers. And a crossbow bolt between the eyes was not something he was eager to receive. Better safe than sorry.
Pausing a moment, he reached a hand over to his other and felt to make sure his ring he acquired from the immortal was still in place. It had become a habit over the last few seasons, constantly checking to make sure it was secure.
Confident everything was in it's proper place, the exiled Avriel strode through his door, slamming it shut behind him, ready to prove to 'Her Radiance' that he was the right man for the job.
