[Fensalir] An Old Lesson, An Old Classroom

[Azrael]

4 Ymiden 720 | Azrael Blackfire | Fensalir, The Old Ruin

The Ydalir from the village, known as Tollak Ra, introduced himself when his shift ended and he met Azrael in the agreed on place. Azrael avoided his name by jumping in with questions and Tollak assured him he would know in a few moments. Tollak seemed to enjoy being cryptic. Azrael could respect that given that Azrael had avoided mentioning his name at every turn. "You seem a rugged sort, how did you come to be here?" Tollak asked Azrael while the two of them walked from the Ydalir village to a place where Tollak had implied Azrael would be able to learn of the land. They'd passed out of the crescent shape that made up Fensalir and had begun moving through the forest surrounding it by the time Tollak broke the silence between them. "You mentioned a friend but, before that. What brought you to Melrath?"

"What makes you think I wasn't born here?" Azrael said with a grin to avoid the actual question without lying. "Fascination, curiosity, a desire to discover the unknown. Maybe I just had a whim and let it take me here. There are a lot of reasons I ended up where I am, but I can't pin one down. Now that I'm here I want to know more about where I really am."

"I can admire that. I joined the rangers because I wanted to know about and protect the land. I love scouting because it lets me see all of Melrath and it's wonders." Tollak said a little wistfully as he looked around the forest. Tollak seemed to know exactly where he was going but Azrael would have been lost on his own by now. A suspicious mind might have been worried but Azrael was intrigued. He believed he was being lead to a secret and that was all that he cared about. Before very long, a large stone archway came into view.

"What's that?" Azrael asked as he pointed toward the arch. Tollak grinned and pat Azrael on the back.

"That is the Old Ruin," Tollak said, "I think it is my favorite place in Melrath to talk." As the duo arrived at the Old Ruins archway, Tollak turned and put up his hand to stop Azrael from going any further. "This is where we stop. Find a place to sit and I'll tell you what you'd like to know about Melrath. There is no need for you to go hunting and get yourself hurt by the creatures that live here."

"Why stop here? Why not go in?" Azrael asked.

"This is as far as anyone dares go. Tradition dictates we leave the actual ruins alone but I enjoy coming here where I can see it to sit and think at times. It reminds me that our efforts will persist beyond us."