“Oh, Faux Fo, you know the importance of this mission. I certainly wouldn’t want to be less prepared than this.” Kara explained, tapping the rogue Faux’s shoulder, who only looked away with his one showing eye.
The two had met many years before when Kara had been jumped by some rogues in the night while she was retrieving a lost kitten to an old lady. Faux had happened to be wandering by and saved Kara, who had learned little in the art of fighting by then. Even now, the two seemed unlikely friends. For who would have thought a mysterious rogue would ever befriend a paladin, let alone the paladin befriending the rogue? Still, Kara had chosen her friend over anyone else for his extraordinary powers, for he was a water adept, capable of controlling water itself with unique magic. Where Kara’s light adept skills were centered mostly for healing and combat, Faux had many more skills with his powers than she.
Not wanting to delay anymore, Faux began trotting off towards the exit of the city, closely followed by Kara…and her crowd of fans. Without a complaint, for certainly Faux could care less about popularity, the rogue walked down the street ahead of the others casually, beating them to the gates easily. Kara gave an appreciative pat on Faux’s shoulder as the two set out of the city and headed south. Not to far away, however, Faux altered their coarse, heading west just a bit before reaching a small hut.
“Come on, you bum! Open this door and talk to your old pal Faux!” Faux shouted as he pounded on the door of the hut. Kara, mounted on her horse, looked at her friend curiously, but remained silent.
Suddenly, the door swung open and out stepped a burly man in his early 30s. He wore only a pair of unusual pants and a talisman necklace. He had brown hair and a single brown eye, the other covered by a patch with a gnarly scar running down from his right forehead to the bottom of his right jaw. His hair was tipped with gray and his one good eye shined with wisdom. He looked at Faux for a moment and then turned his attention to Kara. “What does the guardian wish of me this day?” He asked, nudging his chin to the paladin.
“What? No welcome for your old pal? I see how it is…” Faux said, faking depression as he turned away. “We were just passing by and I decided to come speak to my old friend Ezekiel Ravenlocke before searching for the Adept’s Stone that had suddenly been found not so long ago in the grasp of some thieves.” The rogue explained, causing Ezekiel’s brow to perk up with interest.
“So, you’ve come to me to ask that I join you in your search for the Adept’s Stone…” The man said more than asked, turning to close the door in their faces, but Faux stopped him immediately.
“Come on, Zek…you’ve got to stop guessing everything before we ask! There’s no fun in that.” Faux snapped, hardly angry, but ready to burst out laughing, for he had expected just as was happening.
“My adventuring days are over, Faux. I put up my scythe years ago.” Ezekiel said, easily overpowering the skinny rogue with his massive muscles and slamming the door shut, knocking Faux to the ground. Hardly bothered, Faux hit the ground in a splash of water, turning into a puddle and shifting under the door. He solidified inside the hut and regarded his old friend, who was standing there, expecting just that move.
“Just one more, my friend. It would do your heart good to join along. Aren’t you the least bit interested in adventuring beside the fast growing legend that is the ‘Guardian of Light’?” Faux asked, grabbing the large man’s strong shoulder.
Ezekiel tried to hide the shine in his eye and the growing grin, but the cunning Faux caught the expression easily.
“You do! I can see it, and you know it to be true. Why deny yourself what your heart wants? One more quest…one more.” Faux pleaded, a warm smile on his usually emotionless face.
Ezekiel shook his head and grumbled something as he walked over to a large closet in the back of his hut. “Curse you, Faux. I told you not to bother me with your crazy adventures anymore, yet here I am grabbing for the gear again!” The big man grumbled as he opened the closet to reveal a pair of shin guards, a gauntlet of unusual design, and a rather deadly looking scythe, which was always tipped with a deadly poison.
Faux gave a sigh of relief and smiled. “You won’t regret it, I promise you.” He said, walking over to open the door.
Ezekiel was beside him as they left the hut to rejoin Kara, who still sat atop Schiroi. “Who is your friend?” She asked.
“Kara Kitsurui, this is Ezekiel Ravenlocke, the earth adept.” Faux said, patting Ezekiel’s shoulder. “Ezekiel, this is the ‘Guardian of Light’, Kara Kitsurui.”
“I have heard much of your chivalry, holy one.” Ezekiel said, giving a swift bow.
“And I have heard much of your great adventures, Ezekiel. Forgive me for not noticing you at first, it has been many years.” Kara said, reflexively trying to bow but nearly toppled over her horse. She gave an embarrassed laugh and regained her balance.
“Yes yes…enough with the greetings. Listen, Ezekiel here has offered to join along with our cause. I’m sure his wisdom and battle prowess will be of major assistance to us.” Faux said.
“Offered? Hardly…” Ezekiel mumbled.
“That is wonderful news! I thank you on behalf of the Holy Order Cathedral of Kaith for your assistance.” Kara said, completely missing the big man’s remark. “By the way, you’re certainly a talkative one today, Faux. What has gotten into you?”
Faux shrugged and started walking down the path on their originally intended coarse. “The excitement got to me?” He said, not quite sure himself.
Kara shook her head and started to trot her mount beside him, Ezekiel quickly catching up to pace but staying the back.