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Taking place fully within the same world as The Hoard, the Barlif Mannor was a more focused look into the deeper aspects of their world, following suit of a a particular young man who found realization in something far more darkly than they let on to be.

I would love to hear of your thoughts on such as it has been a year since I last wrote something. xvx

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To grandly gesture the sum of our hostings prior to what We've about to share, there has always been a grand measure of stories far and bold amongst the tides of both time and imagination. The roots of discovery and temptations of the unknown have always played upon the minds of those that would concern themselves if only for a variable they would generalize as time. We've delved places dark and deep within the mind and soared even further above the realms of conception if we allowed it. So yes, to express to you, this is a story no different in it's origins of craft. Though perhaps you might consider it the door to something more, so much more.

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The early morning gleam of the distant sun trailed from the distant depths of the snow worn valley though in it's wake it were only the birth of the day anew. It's warmth though shrouded beneath the blanket of the cool morning mist was still as much welcomed upon the land. It had been winter, more so the peak of it. The storms and howling trails of the season were at a confine amongst the valleyt and distanced mountain peaks. This had been good. Though perhaps to illuminate as to why , the Gorunh Salmon had finally returned from the southern providences of Ishnatar. Fish meant a good sum of things; one might say fish meant the entirety even within the hold of the Balbadia Kingdom. Though certainly the fishermen wouldn't tell you that, no, nor the trade merchants and district contacts. Though fish weren't the only thing that were on the market. They were the herald however for the awakening land and it's splendor of nature once more. Sincter rabbits strode the blanketing snow of The Tamera winter; they always found a way above all others to do so, but bigger game knew far more than any other that spring was soon to blossom.

Though shroud in the intimidations of their black fur and reddened eyes, the northern stern back bear could fetch a good sum of gold, or rather it's fur in particular. The meat also went well with travelers afar, certainly more than the fish. It was a good time more than any to begin foot work though we're getting somewhat ahead of ourselves. To be frank,it would be of certain granduer to follow the tales of the Balbadian Sternback hunters, or more directly it's head runner, Tamerah Ging. His life was of a harsh descent cloaked without true understanding but what was known about him had been his homeland once belonged to the marshlands of devolru towards the mainland dark pitch forests. Though as to what became of it, seemingly mattered none to Tamerah. His left eye had lost it's sight, a long passed scar intricatly drawn through it as if a story and reminder of it's set fate.

Perhaps an animal, perhaps bandits, perhaps even far worse had befallen him. His body was forged as if from a life of physical pursuit and more so hardship; it reflected in his abilities for when Tamerah came to Balbadia, it was certain come the hint of spring, there was to be blood in the air and coin amongst the trade. He was good at what he did and his profession was done well. Though my apologies to dissapoint you, referring upon earlier mentionings of this gentleman you see, for this story was not of them. No actually, it was rather of a differing accord so vastly absolute in it's opposition of granduer. It was of a young man, rivaling within the youth of his responsibilities and accounts of the every day run within the life of a thriving town. For all points and purposes it may not sound much...and perhaps it was not indeed, but one thing was for certain, it would change the moment Sephry Talmar awoke that morning. Perhaps for the better, more so for the worse.

Though the sun had certainly risen, it was far from a clear morning; the sky seemingly a portrait of a darkened manner. It made it all the more rather off set as the hints of the sun's rays glistened along the films of morning dew which remained upon the inns and corners of the Balbadia market. It was upon the darkened seemingly polished steps of the Talro Inn that air seemed to stifle altogether. Though to any unweary traveler one might say that morning it seemed far more cold inside than out. Not to say the interior had not been pleasant. If anything it were certainly more hospitable than the outer boards carved it to be. Though perhaps it did not display itself as the most friendly starting among the iron boar head which rested upon the front doors.

Taking a step inside brought upon the gaze of the inn owner, Mavrin. The quiet sort who was quick to accomodate but he certainly didn't throw you out on the street....without a proper reason. Just a hallway down one could find a commons room that often times culminated of mischief drunken cheer and talk. A bright warm fire kept upon a stone mount, housing the wamrth the mead did not bring, so brilliant ablaze at night but then just a quiet pile of ash and charred wood in the emptiness of the room then. One might have called it eerie but to the bar tender, Fenish who had been already set upon clearing the mead glass it was no different than any other day.

Though the morning light had been pale, it's gleam had wandered past the shades of the window seal, far more than enough to clearly detail every inch of the room and even greater to awaken it's single inhabitant. A young man who's gaze were so distinctly weary it's apparency were more direct than, say, being told a cherry is red. The air had a chill to it not even the sheets seemed to quell. His determination to best it through the odds and ends of various positons and tucks proved little of additional yieldment but it did prove better to waken him further. Though that wasn't exactly a good thing in his mind.

A rapping upon his door further disillusioned the morning haze as before he could even draw a breath as to answer, already had the door been opened to a hooded figure taking immediate entrance upon him. " Up. Get up now. call for your standing had already been given twice. So help me by the goddess a third will not be given, Sephry." The stern and stiff form, the impatient tone. Even before the drawing of the hood, it had been more than apparent as to who the intruder had been. Though their long drawn out hair seemingly dispersed at the newly found freedom, it did nothing to guise the frown upon the woman's face. Nor did it conceal the gleam upon her darkened eyes.

Yes, Sephry had been his name although he often times did not follow under such. It was a rare form to be called it let alone from an individual. She was different though; albeit this had little affect as to blanket the minor disorientation and his furthered annoyment as he vainly drew the sheets over himself. Sure he'd recieved the notices, several of them by post that week even, but Sephry was tired of not getting a break. He hadn't been in town any longer than the third quarter of winter and already obligation was riding down his back. He just wanted a morning again where he didn't need to think about the next notice coming his way.

A final tired sigh had been his only warning before the sheets were yanked from him; it hadn't occured to Sephry in all honesty how truly cold the morning air had been until he had fully found himself without any cover from it, nothing of wear upon him save for his under garment. Though he'd had little time as to further a reaction before the woman's hand were upon him and yanking him upright. " I'm not going to ask again. The Beltrum has requested of you to take audience. Have you any idea of how much an insult you've displayed to them?" her words were fierce but well reserved, though there was nothing as to be said back. " You have not been trained as to waste your abilities nor our knowledge and you will not keep them any further." the gaze in her seemingly almost black eyes crept seriously upon him but deeper into them only he could see the intricacy of good intention and concern. Like a mother progressivly teaching her child through a means of intimidation.

He had understood though he didn't want to; as his tired gaze gave into her own past his sigh, he nodded " Alright Tem...my apologies." already her grasp had relinquished upon him. For a moment her form seemed to lesson in it's stiff manner though perhaps it was his eyes playing tricks upon him. Her back had been to him as her hands delved upon a satchel having been hidden amongst her cloak " You are to bathe quickly. Our schedule is already off as it is and I've little more time to spare regarding it. Food will be in the carriage, as for attire-" she was seemingly cut off as he got from bed " A carriage? Why so low profile this time?" her back remained to his. There had been a moment of silence between the two " As for attire, this will more than suffice."

Sephry's eyes had trailed toward her hands, now holding a set of folded clothes. They were somewhat bright which was uncommon especially under a commoner. It looked like such a smooth fabric, red with bounding hints of silver amongst the edging. The colors of Balbadia's flag ironicly enough, or perhaps it was intended " Well, go on. I told you, we've a schedule to keep." though her words spoke of urgency they were rather detained now. There was a softness in them though this was supposing that she had him now. He knew without a word that he would do as she commanded or otherwise face upon the consequences. It had not been fear however that retired him from the bed; there was history behind him and Tem. Not the typical associations or social conductives he shared with another but if it were to be expressed in the most direct of examples: He would not have gotten up for any other soul if it were the king himself of those parts.

He wasn't aware what time the morning rode but he was well aware the sun to be out, even if it were none the bright that day. The hallways were still quiet, the occasional creaking steps that were not his own upon the wood flooring would occasionaly arise. It took Sephry a moment's clearing to realize he did not have to light foot it here. He was so used to being on-guard and uptight that it came secondary with his nature, the same sort like breathing or blinking. Though amongst the reassurances of this ability it wielded no form of comfort. None anyway that could match the warm waters of the bathing room. For a moment everything felt alright as he leaned into the wall, allowing the trails of glistened drops fall from his body. The vast assortment of aroma salts though of common variety were still quite strong. His mind kept wandering though throughout the emptiness of the steam cloaked room.

Although it looked light in it's weight the finely woven red cloth proved itself a bit more in it's hefty nature. Not by all that much but it certainly surpressed the shrug of Sephry's shoulders. It was quite uniform in it's appearance, bold and balanced, so striking to the eyes. He hadn't been used to it either; if anything he was much more used to something a bit...less profile. He admired his reflection upon one of the various mirrors; the front seemed to go no further than his upper hips but the back trailed off in two as if in a dual pointed tail. It surprised him actually how well it fit but then again under his and Tem's line of work it shouldn't have been so surprising how she could get information from just about any alternate source than his own. Both were well equipped in their trade, more tem than him, but he knew how the game ran all the same.

He hadn't been that long but as he returned down the hall there was certainly more activity. The day had finally been catching up or perhaps it were mearly just his mind accepting the fact now entirely that perhaps it were only him. Tem hadn't moved from her spot that she stood as he entered the room once more. He could see her eyes about him with speculation. The nod of her head was far more than approval " Good. The tailors did fine work. I've already seen to your things and the Inn keeper has seen their payment. Come now Sephry." Tem had drawn her hood once more as she strode past him. She carried herself that way at all times which had a habit of drawing his curiosity if she were different any other way. If she had been then he never saw it but his mind adjourned from such thoughts at the time.

Though she had been older than him it was quite certain he never could quite keep up with her trail. He had barely managed a glance upon her drawn hood as she drew the corner of the stairs past two murmuring merchants. They paid her little more than a glance as they did he in his pursuit. Downstairs things were already more lively; the candles of the halls lit, their flames casting shadows upon the walls. If one had known little of the time they might have concluded it as nightfall that very moment. His glance shifted towards the Inn counter at Mavrin. Though they were in the midst of their book keeping, a smooth yet distanct drawing of his eyes upon Sephry drew his guard if only a moment. The man nodded, the furrow of his brow releasing as his distinctions of payment were already met. He nodded back and quickly drew out the front doors.

The sun had nearly been extinguished as Sephry drew down the steps of the inn; the skies were darkened now far more deeply than their initial grey. The air was brittle as he took in a deep breath, could feel the icy twinge upon his throat as his eyes adjusted once more to his settings. He had been here before, many a times the entirety of his life. This was his home but it never did feel that way when he returned. Duty had it that he served it well and obligation assesed he burn it from his mind upon his travels. All it's people were out upon the streets carrying on in their every day lives but for some reason he could not bring himself as to truly look upon them. To Sephry they were silhouettes and nothing more, farmers and lords, merchants and tradesman from near and far who all seemed to distinctly vanish before his eyes. " Sir?" The carriageman's words had broken his distraction. His eyes met with their own as he gave a nod " My apologies." were his only words as he drew into the open doors of it.

The inside had been a bit more warm, not by a good sum but it certainly didn't nip upon Sephry's cheeks as it did out. The doors had closed as he took seating along the leather cusion opposite of Tem. The curtain had been drawn from the window as to allow them the sanctity of their privacy and already the woman's hood had once more been pulled back. He wasn't used to carriages. Had more of a time upon his travels on foot or by horse, so it wasn't so surprising he was shaken as the Carriage began with a sharp lurch. The seemingly plush interior with it's hues of gold and green were pleasant to look upon but Sephry's eyes would occasionaly return back to Tem who's eyes never once strayed from him. The silence did little to aid in the extinguishing of the awkward air about them. " It certainly has been awhile." Her words softly came.

Yes, it had been. Years even actually that he had little to no contact with his former master Though it had been a great sum more that he was once an apprentice to her, it was more than that though. Tem had been the one who had found him so long ago among the streets. He was a child then, knowledgless and filled with spite at circumstances that otherwise would have taken him had she not. He had been angry, she had been intrigued; being a run away orphan however did little to best a child's attitude. He was alone in the world and starving though it was not pity she gave him, at least, he believed it not to be. Tem had never been the kind to directly express her emotions, like a blank cover of a book and none had any the idea what truly was going on beneath it's pages. That may have helped his confusion as he glanced a grin upon her lips.

Then In an instant it were gone as silence befell the carriage once more. " Word has it..." his words came slowly " ...that you had last been within Zaphen Hall. " the nodding of her head concluded such " Aye. Though it were of small term procedure." Her words trailed away as her glance directed towards the doors. The winds had picked up, gently rattling them a small sum as if in vain to exceed entry to their conversation. The murmurs of winter winds were not all passed yet, though it was certain no one predicted the circumstance of the weather to turn as it had at that time. It might have worried Sephry listening to the distant droves of thunder but both his eyes and mind remained upon Tem. He'd been through far much worse without the luxuries of shelter anyway.

He took more note of her now. Before all that time he had been so caught up, it were all only coming to him now of her true appearance. Her long once black how were curled into her hood, strands of grey about them. Her face wore an expression of neutrility but subtle wear had been more apparent looking closely now. She wasn't a young woman anymore and the longer he thought upon such the more complex the idea of time long passed seemed to creep upon his thoughts. Had it really been that long that now he were of a fine standing age a man were to look to, and her, a woman soon to relinquish her youth? Time carried like a harsh stone: it ground against all others that bore into it's path. It only seemed to occur now to Sephry just how much weight it truly carried.

Though he believed his idle discomforts to be well hidden it was seemingly more apparent to Tem. Enough anyway to raise her brow as she examined upon him. He managed to out-speak her, surely before she could question anyway " It must be important...The Beltrum and all officialy requesting of my presense. Though I can't say I'm rather enthusiastic going so soon." a sigh escaped beneath his breath as he shifted in his seat. The carriage had came to a hault though he knew it had been too sudden and certainly too short a trip. His ears adjusted as he listened to the snippets of the outside winds. The carriageman had been talking to someone, someone with a rather disinterested and withdrawn voice though bold and deep. Didn't take long to realize it had been the gate guards towards the palace.

" In full honesty it quite concerned me at first myself." Tem had spoken once more " Talkorus as you know has been in their notice as of late..." Talkorus, that boot polisher of an excuse. The shine of the eye to their operations; quick to determine advancement and more than capable at what he did regarding scout work. Sephry despised the man for his evident eagerness and absolute falsehood of socialment. It didn't surprise Sephry either that the Beltrum had taken interest upon them however, after all, they were doing as they wanted and surely the elders took note of that. They all had their agendas and duties but to be fully realistic, Sephry amongst the rest of them was the least to be thrilled regarding it.

The Beltrum were rather an enigma at times however. The basis of their existance rested upon the kingdom of Balbadia yes but they weren't charged by advisers in duality with the kingsman or royals. They were run by whom Sephry and many others had come to regard as " The Elders " though to be quite frank they were far from old in their appearance. Once travelers themselves apart from the kingdom. They counciled in the form of seven though often times it would be only one when it came to notice work. Though some might account their line of work as espionage, they otherwise reffered to it as informative scouteral tactics. It had never really been a large term thing, at least in Sephry's eyes. He'd had his training under their academy since he were the age of ten , a child; as he grew so did his aptitude under Tem.

Tem had been a a harsh master to him; she wielded the skills that some deemed uncommon while others cruel in the arts of physical defense. He was more than greatful she did not unleash them to the utmost upon him but it certainly did not disclude him from the strict training regime she crafted. It had not been strength in arms however that the Academy boasted their abilities on. They were societal shifters of sorts all with the full intent and purpose of blending in. They relied upon false acts and stealth in the day light. It was their full job after all to determine the validity of tradesman and their homeland. If something seemed a bit off, it was to be reported and the town further brought under their eyes for involvement. Though Sephry had never encountered such on his travels. If anything the most excitement he'd seen had been him interlocked in a fist fight with a random drunk he'd had the misfortunes of knocking into upon a tavern up East in Belmourn. Of course it didn't last long and he'd only a bloodied nose as he took leave. Worse could have been said for the drunk.

It hadn't fully occured to Sephry until then that his hands hand been clenching, his fists a bone white now. Perhaps it had been the cold air which numbed him or maybe it were his thoughts alone; he relinquished his tension almost at once though it did not still his heart. He could just barely now glance out a snippet of countless trees past a small lift in the curtain but by then it had grown so seemingly dark they would have appeared to have molded into one another. No more words were needed between the two; strangley enough it had seemed even the awkward silence crept away as the soft sounds of pitter patter above drew their attentions. He could hear the rain all around their carriage, the thunder off in the distance as if an abstract war drum. It were almost an omen though Sephry was indescisive if it were good or bad.He had known their arrival as the carriage lurched to it's second and final stop. A moment's pause had been given before the doors opened once more to the winds outside. had it not been for the outward extension of the academy's walls then surely the rain would have swept upon them, inside or out.

He had taken follow after Tem once more, his eyes wandering the vast darkened plains of trees and open land. The rain had grown a sum more heavy by then, the distance obscurred by it's thickened screen. He could barely make out the skim of the township in the distance, just a tad above the trees. It always did tend to surprise him of the actual distance the academy held; the ideals as to why seemingly evaded him for now as Tem proceeded the entryway. The lanterns had already been lit, their soft flames casting their light upon the stone archyway. Here they were protected still from the elements but the wind still found a means as to gently rock them back and forth. Outside both were alone now, Tem and Sephry, the carriageman taking to the stables and their own means. The academy had often times kept a bold appearance; it's walls were of Drubin shine stone, well kept even past all the years he would look upon it and certainly much longer a time before his own conception.

Often times he could see the scrolled banners hang from it's towers, their bright and festive colors the only true tone for the otherwise lack luster place, the emblem of their operation a proud reminder of what they stood for, but that day there had been nothing out to hang. Perhaps they too had sensed the storms that were to come. The two iron cast front doors were often the first thing he would see; their size dwarfed him in comparison a great sum as did the stilted lanterns which to that day Sephry would still wonder as to how they were lit. The doors had been open then as they neared. Two fellow cloaked figures had been standing formaly in it's arches but now were coming to them. Their forms were so obscurred it were of an impossibility as to determine either gender or even age, their hoods remaining up. " Guilda Termeral. It is an honor as to once more house your presense." the one leading had said, both stopping midway toward them as they gestured a courtsey. The leading one's voice was feminine though a hint of boldness kept in it's wake though the sincerity of respect was quite apparent. Less could be said for the secondary who remained quiet.

Tem too had taken a bowing, gesturing towards Sephry who in turn took courtsey of his own. They remained if only a moment in such a manner; it were of their honor bound code as to do such. " The Beltrum has been quite expecting of Walker Funts though we were certainly not expecting your audience as well." the hooded figure waved lightly towards Sephry in recognition. Walker had been his reference of achievement amongst rank at the academy. It may not have been of high title in comparison but it certainly were not the bottom. Tem herself had served for the academy in such a service her own were of Guilda, master, a title only shared by so few and with such reason. " Yes, my pardons." Tem had calmly spoken " My assignment had came under it's end period and I were on my path back from the Eastern Zaphen route. Word had arrived however of my post apprentice's calling and I thought it best as to accompany them. Of course if it were to be a problem..." the figure's hesistation surfaced, their shoulders semi arching before relinquishing altogether " None at all Guilda Temeral. We are certain to be more than accomodating. Please, please, this way." They took a final bow, turning towards the doors once more. A moment's flick of their wrist extinguished the dual flames on either side.

Inside it had been surprising much darker than out. The entry hall had been rather lonesome, their shadows casting along the floor by the lonesome individual candles. Behind them the doors had come to a close just as quiet as their own steps. The marbled flooring reflected the lights, mirroring both stair cases towards the back of the hall. The lead in towards the trainer's commons and all it's students whom Sephry was certain were still in. Towards the ceiling directly in the center a glass pane kept in a vivid series of fine blue hues flickered brightly in the wake of lightning. Even then he could hear the sounds of the rain, the pattering drops of water trailing across the glass. It looked to be an eye almost looking down upon them, it's tears unending though Sephry hadn't been so sure why as to finally have noticed all those years. Their path descended a hallway toward their right; one of the figures held back however a moment, the silent one, whilst the other took lead into the barely lit way. As Sephry past he managed a glance upon them yet their appearance was far to obscured by both the lighting and hood. They followed close behind him and to be honest it quite unnerved him; Tem's pace kept his mind from thinking further upon it.

Their steps clicked upon the marbel, the soft squeeks of their boots the only true sound now as even the storms outside could find no baring within the building and it's depth's. Along the walls intricate carvings upon every inch painted a mural of it's history and craftsmanship. Towards their center every so often a fine framed painting would come from the candlelight. Each were of a man or woman though none were ever to be found young but of a hardened age, their frozen glances staring out past all who looked in return. Masters, keepers, Entriomonts and more of an age well past were held in remembrance upon these halls, Their names eched into the the frames of both their title and authority. None however housed a single Elder in it's time and that had a habit upon Sephry's mind in his youthful accords as to why. He had barely taken notice upon a passerby within the hall, a much younger man whom kept his eyes down as to avoid contact. It was evident they were distinctly new of his association with the academy but he certainly knew better than most to keep to his own.

Tem and the other had just turned a corner, having stepped a distance further from sephry; his countless thoughts dettered his steps and created the distance. His attentions snapped back almost immidietly as he felt the slight of hand upon his pockets. His steps had come to a hault as he turned to the figure; they said nothing and it was quite unsure they returned the stare but if they had stopped too then surely something had been going on. He could feel something light had been placed upon him, a paper of sorts, perhaps a letter. He were about to say something but the figure shook their head, gesturing their hand in the signs of silence as they gestured onward. He didn't like it at all but making a scene then in a lone hallway might as well have proved his undoing as well. For now it would be left alone but certainly not extinguished, that Sephry would make sure of.

As they turned the corner it were certainly much brighter, the overhead lightings of coiled chandeleirs almost warming Sephry though his attentions kept darting back towards behind him. he didn't make it known, at least not from his back but certainly his demeaner had grown weary as to what this particular figure held in concern with himself. He had managed himself back to Tem who drew him a glance; it had been a quick one as if only acknowledging him once more but he had never been more certain her own concerns were there. She would approach him later in her concern, Tem knew better, so did he. This hall had been far shorter, a single silver cast door at it's end opened to them. The figure had stopped now as they had drawn to the side of it. There were no words as they passed, the figure only looking upon Sephry a moment before they nodded and turned once more to their other for both to stride away which they came.The Beltrum awaited them within and he was not so sure why but a twinge of fear crept upon Sephry's heart. Somewhere inside he knew Tem could sense it too. Whatever this all had meant he was more than certain something in all of it had to not be right. The question had been what?

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