What do you get when two ruthless assassins raise their daughter travelling through the wildest reaches of Caido? Take one look at Theea and you'll get a pretty good idea. Cheerful and tenacious in equal measure, and curious beyond all else, she began her journey on a mission to find those her mother once called family. And find them she did, soon rubbing elbows with demigods, leaders and even ghosts from the past. Her determination is resolute, her thirst for knowledge unmatched. We can't wait to see where her next adventure takes her!
Congratulations, Theea!
Credits
Court of the Fallen was created in October of 2018 by Odd, Honey, and Crooked.
OG Skinning provided by Kaons, with functionality and many custom plugins made by Neowulf!
Zavien stood slowly as Lena stepped forward to address the pair, watching as she fastened the satchel to Sol. The little dragon gave her a grumble of thanks, nuzzling his head into her hand to reassure her that he wouldn't delay in his return. Intermixed in the pride and responsibility was the core of dedication to his companion, the golden thread that connected them like a guiding light that would lead him home.
When she came to stand next to him, he leaned into her touch, hiding the slight tremble of his hands as he reached one around her waist to pull her closer. His voice was soft, aching as he said, "I don't really feel like it." Because, looking at Sol, it took everything in him not to plead - to beg - him to stay, to not leave him alone in the darkening city.
With everything decided, the griffin looked to Lena, demanding requesting the final blessing for their departure. He offered his injured limb for her to inspect, daring her to say otherwise as it flapped its wings in preparation for flight.
The secret of happiness is freedom, the secret of freedom is courage.
Mastered Item:
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
La Verbena | A personal skyboat (schooner) capable of travelling at 2x wagon speeds over most types of terrain. Can accommodate 2 people onboard during flight.
“Sometimes that’s how you know,” she murmured in return – bravery always came at some cost. Determination, steadfastness, loyalty, and stalwart interludes often played a part; but it was the sacrifice immersed within that really grated and churned. Usually, they were offering themselves up to danger, treachery, and deceit, knowing what the outcomes could be. These moments, here and now, were a little different – but no less burdensome, lonely, and terrifying.
She gave him another tight squeeze before leaning downwards, if only to give the stroke of finality away. Unfurling the bandage with her light touch and dexterous fingers almost felt like cutting lifelines apart; knowing what lurked underneath, about how this would set Zavien on another path – if only for a short time. Peeling the bandages away revealed exactly that; the injury only a slight blemish and scar. “Looks like you’re ready,” on a quiet, sad smile – she’d always been content to let them go, to release them back into the wild, to rejoice at their opportunity to go live again – just, this one came with an additional and painful caveat.
He took Lena's words to heart, quietly strengthening his resolve so that he wouldn't fold when the moment came. Nodding slowly, he took a shaky, deep breath as she stepped towards the griffin.
The griffin didn't need to be told twice, clucking its beak at Sol as it took to the skies. The dragon crouched, looking ready to launch before he hesitated, his golden eyes boring into Zavien like a flash of sunlight. He knew this was his last opportunity - the last chance he would get to ask him to say, to save himself the coming heartbreak.
Instead, the Dragoon gave his companion a forced smile that looked more pained than content as his voice came in a whisper. "Bye Sol. Be safe." Sol gave a low croon, mixing promise with pride and encouragement before he took flight. His wings caught the sunlight, a beacon lifting into the sky to guide the griffin home. He didn't hesitate or prolong the departure, only giving a final circle of acknowledgement before flying off into the distance.
Swallowing against the growing dread, Zavien whispered, hoped, prayed, "Come home soon... please." He watched the sky for a minute or maybe longer, watched as the small glint of gold faded out of view, watched the empty horizon for a moment longer. It was disorienting to lower his gaze again, to find Lena standing next to him. "I - I think I'm going to tend to the lavender." He didn't have the heart to use his pet name for the plant, too distracted by the thread slowly growing taught against his chest, constricting against his breaths and making his thoughts weightless in his mind. Maybe losing himself in the work would help ground him.
The secret of happiness is freedom, the secret of freedom is courage.
Mastered Item:
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
La Verbena | A personal skyboat (schooner) capable of travelling at 2x wagon speeds over most types of terrain. Can accommodate 2 people onboard during flight.
It seemed to all happen so quickly – and it hurt to see Zavien and Sol alike in so much pain. She couldn’t bear the burden for either of them though, and she only glanced upward, sliding towards the Dragoon again to fold her hand in his, a quiet line of support, as the companion bond stretched and grew taut. An agonizing lapse; and she watched too until they’d all disappeared out of sight, but never out of mind. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered again, incapable of mending anything.
Which, perhaps, was all in the lesson too.
She followed, mind scattered on multitudes to do but too harried and altered to seek them out. Maybe time, maybe lavender, maybe other things could and would repair, but the finest salve would simply be to have Sol back where he belonged.
