Trial and Error

[Vincent D'Ordyn]

Timestamp: About Midday 119th of Ashan
Location: Command Building, Sky Quarter.

Vincent sat patiently, staring at the door that the woman had disappeared behind bits ago. He had entered the Command Building of the Lightning Knights and sought an audience with an old acquaintance without an appointment scheduled. At first the woman who sat outside the office had tried to turn him away without trying to hear anything he had to say. Eventually he was able to convince her to at least enter the office with the information that he was outside and wanting to talk.

The bits passed one after another, and another. Eventually the door opened and a man glad in the armor of the Lightning Knights stepped out. He passed a cool look over Vincent before walking out the door that lead to the main hallway of the Command Building.

"He will see you now." The woman called to Vincent from the open door, a small frown of displeasure pulling down at the corners of her mouth. As Vincent stood and entered the room she closed the door behind him and proceed to stand next to the large wood desk that sat on the opposite side of the room.

"Like a bolt from the blue, he appears." Said the larger dark-skinned man that lounged in a chair behind the desk. His eyes studying Vincent above a grin that split his dark face. "To what do I owe the honor of this visit Vincent?" Vig'tyrn asked his eyes dancing in the light from the candles lit around the room.

"I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me, even for but a bit." Vincent began. "I wish I could say that this visit was simply to catch up and talk, but I'm afraid it's a bit more formal than that. I've come to ask about enlisting in the Lightning Knights." Vincent finished.

At that Vig'tryn's eyebrows rose slightly. "Oh, and why's that?" Vig'tyrn asked, leaning forward with his arms on his desk, and his chin on his fist.

"Rharne has become a new home for me, and there are things I want to protect here." Vincent answered in reply.

Vigs stared at Vincent for a moment before sighing and leaning back once again. "Unfortunately it's not so simple Vincent. You're too old to be a squire at this point. Though your deeds have proved you more than worthy to join us your past, or lack thereof makes you application a... tricky detail." Vig'tryn finished, turning his eyes to the ceiling in thought.

"Sir, if I may?" His assistant chime in.

Vigs eyes turned to the woman. "Speak freely Cyril." he responded.

Bending down the woman began whispering softly into Vig'tyrn's ear. As she did the small frown on his face slowly shifted until it had become a larger grin. "Aye, I think that will do." Vigs spoke as Cyril straightened and stepped away from him, the same level gaze on her face that had been there since Vincent had first met her at the desk.

Standing Vig'tyrn walked around the desk and stepped up to Vincent. "Vincent Gray. If you wish to join the Lightning Knights you will have to pass a trial of might, endurance and resolve. I, Vig'tyrn Urien, Commander of the Lightning Knight hereby challenge you with the Trial of Ten. If you pass, you will be accepted into the Lightning Knight as a full Knight with all the rights and privileges. To complete the trial, you will be exiled to the Dust Quarter, where you must win two tavern coins before the guards at the gate will allow you to enter the Earth. Then you must win three from the Earth, before moving on to the Glass. Win four in the Glass then you will be allowed to challenge the Sky. Where you will face off with a Knight for your final coin. Win all ten and pass the trial. Will you accept the task?" With that Vigs held out his hand to Vincent.

Vincent thought for little more than a trill before he grasped Vig'tyrn's hand. "I'll bring those ten coins back to you. Just watch."

Vigs' grin returned. "I can't wait." With that he turned to Cyril. "Send for two knights to escort Vincent to the dust. His trial starts now."

"Wait, now?" Vincent asked. At the look Vincent got, he understood, it was now or never. "Can I have a moment on my way out to stop by my residence and leave a note to be sure my affairs are taken care of?"

"That shouldn't be a problem." With that, Cyril left the room and Vincent was left alone with Vig'tyrn. "What changed your mind?" Vigs asked as he walked back behind his desk. "Last we spoke, you were set not to join a group like ours. Why now."

Vincent looked at Vigs and then glanced away. "It's probably the worst reason, but a woman. She loves this city, and showed me what makes it great. She's made it home for me, and I want to protect that home." Vincent answered.

Vigs frowned slight for a moment. "I hope that will be enough to steel you through this trial."

Shortly after there was a knock on the door, and Cyril entered with two other knights. After receiving their orders from Vig'tyrn, they left with Vincent leading the way back to his residence.

[Vincent D'Ordyn]

A few bits later Vincent and his escort found themselves outside his home. "We'll wait for you here. You've got five bits, after that we'll assume you've given up on the trial, and return to the commander with the news." Said one of the Knights, a small smirk on his face.

Vincent looked back at the two. "I won't be long." With that he walked up the stairs and into his home. A quick glance around showed him that he was alone now. A small frown creased his brow. He had hoped that Sabine would have been there, he would have rather told her about his plan in person. Walking into his bedroom his stripped out of his nicer tunic and put on one of his older one, along with a sturdy pair of pants, and his leather boots. After another quick trill, he dropped his coin purse into his chest, and fished out a single glossy black coin, a few dozen gold, and then stashed the rest of it at the bottom of the chest.

As he withdrew from the chest he grabbed the journal and quill that Sabine had given him back in Zi'da. Walking out to the kitchen he began to write out a note.


Bine

I went to see a friend in the Lightning Knights today to ask about join their ranks. Though at first it seemed I wouldn't be able, he has set me on something called the Trial of Ten. I'm not sure how long I will be gone, but I will make it as quick as possible. I know this is probably the worst way to tell you, but I was given no time to come and tell you. I'm being exiled to the Dust until I can complete the first phase of this Trial.

During my absence, you are more than welcome to make yourself at home here. If you could also look after Cloud during that time I would owe you a debt.

I know your graduation from Noviate is quickly approaching and I promise I will be done with this by then. I wouldn't miss it for anything.

Forever yours,
~Vincent

With that Vincent blew gently across the neat yet simple script before tearing the page free, and folding it in half and scrawling an 'S' on the outside of the note and leaving it on the table. With that he shut the quill in the journal, and gave one last look around. With a quick nod of determination, he exited the room, and locked the door behind him.

Walking down the stairs of his apartment, he found the two knights right where he had left them. "Told you, no time at all."

"Hmph." Was all Vincent got as a reply from both the knights. "Follow us." With that, the three proceed away from Vincent's home, and towards the Earth Quarter.

[Vincent D'Ordyn]

Half a break later, Vincent found himself standing before one of the gates that lead out into the Dust Quarter. "Over here." One of the knights escorting him called out to him from near a squat little building off to the side of the gate. "If you are able to gain two trial coins, this is where you will bring them as proof." With that the man slammed his hand on the door. After a bit, the door opened.

"What is it?" Answered from the door way.

"We have one for the Trial of Ten." Replied Vincent's escort.

The man in the doorway eyed the three of them for a moment before turning and walking back into the building. "Aye, come along, I'll get the bracelet."

Vincent raised an eyebrow at the man's words but offered no comment as they entered. The other knight shutting the door behind him and dropping a bar into place. Vincent followed the other knight and the man who had answered the door.

Enter what looked like a mess hall, the man called back to the two of them. "Wait here, I'll be back in a bit." With that the Vincent and his escort stopped. Standing in silence, Vincent looked around. He guessed that this building must be some sort of guard station. Though he didn't have much time to let his eyes wander, as shortly after the other man returned carrying what looked like a single, slim, manacle with him. Vincent's eyebrows rose as he saw the item.

"This is the symbol of your trial. Take it off or get caught within a Quarter that you haven't earned a right to, and you fail and lose any right to join the Lightning Knights. When you have your two coins from the Dust, return here and we will mark it with proof of you right to enter the Earth. After that you can go to any guard station throughout the other quarters after you've gained your other coins to have them mark you progress. Now, let me have your right arm."

Vincent didn't argue and simply offered his wrist. With a swift and practiced motion, the man clapped the iron around Vincent's wrist. With that the man stepped back and looked Vincent up and down on more time. "A bit of other information. Every tavern, no matter the Quarter has a coin. Whether they'll accept a challenger or not is up to the tavern owner. You can also challenge others for their coins, if you do all tavern owner will act as intermediaries. Fights are winner takes all, and the fighters set the rules. As long as you don't kill anyone, we don't care how you get the coins, you'll find this trial isn't just about fighting. There's more to Rharne than a good brawl, the Trial of Ten is about learning that." With that the man turn around and began to walk from the room. "To the Dust with you."

With that the knight next to Vincent threw a salute to the other man. "Thank you Lieutenant." With that the other man was gone and the knight with Vincent turned and made his way back through the building to the front door, where the second knight still waited. As they approached, he unbarred the door and opened the door. "You heard him, to the Dust."

After Vincent stepped out the door shut behind him and he heard the bar drop in place on the other side. With a final look at the building, and then a last look at the Lightning Cathedral to remind him what he was doing this for, Vincent headed through the gate and out into the Dust, though one thing the lieutenant had said still whispered in the back of his head. 'you'll find this trial isn't just about fighting.' "What did that mean?" Vincent muttered to himself as he rubbed at the bracelet on his wrist.

[Vincent D'Ordyn]

As the door shut behind Vincent, the gray ball of fluff and fur stretched her body as she awoke from one of her naps. She lay their for a bit, enjoying the sunlight that filtered through the window and onto her comfy bed. Eventually, she grew curious about the noise that had awoken her from her most enjoyed of activities and padded out into the main area of her domain.

As she entered the living area, she noticed no one was there, but she could smell her servant still in the area. The man that brought her fish and milk, and whom she then graced with the pleasure of her affections. Slowly, Cloud padded around the little apartment, but could not find any gift that her servant had brought her today. That was, until she reached her perch in the center of the feasting area. There set atop it was something different. As she inspected the strange object, she accidentally knocked it over. Taking a tentative swipe at it, Cloud finally understood. Her servant had brought her a new toy. Eagerly she swatted at the object again and again, her joy taking over and her restraint losing out as with every swat her claws raked across the paper tearing small pieces from it.

Eventually Cloud grew bored with the new toy and walked back into her chambers, to find another sunbathed spot upon her thrown to nap. Though the damage was done, the letter Vincent had left for Sabine, explaining where he was going, and what he was trying to do now laid in a multitude of finely shredded pieces across the table and floor.

Vincent - NPC1 - NPC2 - Thoughts

[Zip]

Overview

HAHAHAHAHAHA Cloud is so the MVP for this. Bine think you've ghosted her for the whole frickin season hahahahahaha. "Gee, Sabine, I'm sorry I locked you in a room and ran off to Treid to wage a blood war. I swear It will never ever happen again-" Cloud: hold my beer.

Enjoy your points and stay nice and trim and very shirtless for the trial fights.

@Vincent

Points

XP: 10/10

Loot/Injuries/Overstepping

No

Knowledge

Persuasion: Determination
Persuasion: A woman isn’t the best reason
Etiquette: Waiting patiently for a meeting
Etiquette: Showing respect to a friend in office
Other Knowledge:
Location: Lightning Knights Command Building
Location: Vig’tyrn’s Office
Location: Earth Gate
Location: Gate Guard Station
Cyril: Vig’tyrn’s Assistant
Trial of Ten

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