"Well, when Olifin and I founded the Riders, the first to join us where a dwarf named Korin and his Companion Cloventail. When they retired about thirty years ago, they went to work on diplomati missions with the Dwarven Citadel. One of those brought them to your continent, but when the ship went missing the Riders were hired to find them. We landed in Ksigyeim and gained the favor of Marquess Harfor, who then took us with him to meet with the other southern fiefdoms in Alsene. Not long afterwards, we learned of the alliance between Yuksetach and Sumuik, so while some of us went to search for Korin and Cloventail a few stayed behind to help the southern fiefdoms. Your father and I were part of a group that went to the Mountains, hoping to make an alliance with the Wildmen. During the voyage, we were attacked, and while we fought an avalanche broke out on the slopes above. I was knocked off the edge, but your father managed to catch me just in time. He saved my life. Later, we fought together against Yuksetach and Sumuik."
"Wow. . ." Azril breathes, eyes wide with wonder. He adds more to himself than anyone else, "So he really hadn't been exaggerating, when he told me those stories. . ."
Hithrol smiles. "No, I doubt he was. It was a chaotic time for all of us back then."
"Wow. . ." Azril breathes, eyes wide with wonder. He adds more to himself than anyone else, "So he really hadn't been exaggerating, when he told me those stories. . ."
Hithrol smiles. "No, I doubt he was. It was a chaotic time for all of us back then."
Azril smiles back. "Did you two ever meet again after fighting Yuksetach and Sumuik?"
They finish the meal and Dernis begins walking with Azril back to his house.
Azril is quieter than before. His gaze drifts here and there over their surroundings as they walk, while Robin trots happily from behind and snaps his jaws at the occasional insect.
They finish the meal and Dernis begins walking with Azril back to his house.
Azril is quieter than before. His gaze drifts here and there over their surroundings as they walk, while Robin trots happily from behind and snaps his jaws at the occasional insect.
Sensing his mood, Dernis does not stay at the house too long, only just enough to maintain the illusion that he is helping Azril move in. As the sun sets, he bids Azril good night and reminds him that his training begins first thing in the morning.
Not long after, with the last bit of light fading above the horizon, Azril sees through his window something moving in the distance. Taking a closer look, he recognizes Maicyn emerging from the forest.
Azril is quieter than before. His gaze drifts here and there over their surroundings as they walk, while Robin trots happily from behind and snaps his jaws at the occasional insect.
Sensing his mood, Dernis does not stay at the house too long, only just enough to maintain the illusion that he is helping Azril move in. As the sun sets, he bids Azril good night and reminds him that his training begins first thing in the morning.
Not long after, with the last bit of light fading above the horizon, Azril sees through his window something moving in the distance. Taking a closer look, he recognizes Maicyn emerging from the forest.
Without thinking, he turns to the door and starts to open it. Then he hesitates. Maybe she just needs some alone time... I'm not sure she'd be glad to see me--
Unfortunately, Robin, seeing that Azril had the front door partially open, shoves past him with a joyful bark. To Azril's horror, the dog bounds eagerly toward Maicyn coming out of the forest.
Sensing his mood, Dernis does not stay at the house too long, only just enough to maintain the illusion that he is helping Azril move in. As the sun sets, he bids Azril good night and reminds him that his training begins first thing in the morning.
Not long after, with the last bit of light fading above the horizon, Azril sees through his window something moving in the distance. Taking a closer look, he recognizes Maicyn emerging from the forest.
Without thinking, he turns to the door and starts to open it. Then he hesitates. Maybe she just needs some alone time... I'm not sure she'd be glad to see me--
Unfortunately, Robin, seeing that Azril had the front door partially open, shoves past him with a joyful bark. To Azril's horror, the dog bounds eagerly toward Maicyn coming out of the forest.
Azril can see Maicyn tense as she hears Robin approach, but she relaxes as she recognizes the dog. "Hello. I wonder: did Azril lose you, or is he afraid to talk to me?"
Without thinking, he turns to the door and starts to open it. Then he hesitates. Maybe she just needs some alone time... I'm not sure she'd be glad to see me--
Unfortunately, Robin, seeing that Azril had the front door partially open, shoves past him with a joyful bark. To Azril's horror, the dog bounds eagerly toward Maicyn coming out of the forest.
Azril can see Maicyn tense as she hears Robin approach, but she relaxes as she recognizes the dog. "Hello. I wonder: did Azril lose you, or is he afraid to talk to me?"
"No, I--" Azril steps out the door and tries to say smoothly, "I mean-- heeyyyyyy, you found Robin! Darn dog. Keeps getting away from me." Robin shoots Azril a baleful look.
Azril can see Maicyn tense as she hears Robin approach, but she relaxes as she recognizes the dog. "Hello. I wonder: did Azril lose you, or is he afraid to talk to me?"
"No, I--" Azril steps out the door and tries to say smoothly, "I mean-- heeyyyyyy, you found Robin! Darn dog. Keeps getting away from me." Robin shoots Azril a baleful look.
"No, I--" Azril steps out the door and tries to say smoothly, "I mean-- heeyyyyyy, you found Robin! Darn dog. Keeps getting away from me." Robin shoots Azril a baleful look.
"What do you want, Azril?" Maicyn asks softly.
He hesitates. "Ahh... are you all right? I heard you'd gone missing today..."
