The Animist's Return

[Rith Matou]

Rith had been exploring the outland territories of the Kingdom, seeing new places, meeting new people, and perfecting his magical abilities. Even to go as far as creating some "Puffers", his trademark cottonball-like magical objects, of his very own. In all actuallity, this was quite necessary, since having donated two of his three Puffers to his Apprentices, but this is all besides the point...

The point indeed being Rith's return to Avaren after a long sebatical. Though he was glad to be "home", he couldn't help but notice that not only had the appeared to have city changed, but he felt nothing but the unsettling gazes of many eyes upon him, like he had sprouted a tail...again. Regardless, Rith moved to venture further into the city and become reaqquainted. Surely, the commoners of the city were just not used to him, he figured.

[Lessien Mithrandír]

Lessien had ventured into the city draped in a cloak. It was deadly for a mage to be found in Avaren in these times. Walking to the city gates, she hobbled like an old woman so none would disturb her. She glazed over all; her eye’s falling upon a man. He stood out far too much; he seemed to be dressed differently. Her spirit sensed a friend in this man and magic to, far greater than hers. Straightening up she made a run for it through the crowds to reach out for the man’s closest hand. She had come from the east; clouds had moved fast to cast shadows upon the township. Her small hand gripped the man’s tight, soft, gentle and warm. The hood of her cloak fall back to uncover her fair skin and brown hair; her green eye sparkled as she look upon Rith. Pink rosebud lips parted as her sweet but panicked voice tumbles over them. “You must trust me! We can not be here! You stand out too much!” Lessien moved a little trying to make her way out of suspicious glances. The man however stood where he had been; turning to look over her shoulder she waited.

[Rith Matou]

Rith slowly began to enter the city before he was swiftly accosted by a shrouded womanly figure that had a gentle grasp on his hand.

"Hey now, what is the meaning of this?" Rith asked with a brow arched in his confusion. What could she have meant by that is wasn't safe for them here? Was she just some raving deralect on the run from the Guard? Of course, he couldn't rule out the chance that she was speaking the truth. "Please calm down and tell me what is the matter." He requested, trying go get an understanding of the situation.

[Lessien Mithrandír]

Lessien looked at the man turning to face him. “Don’t the looks tell you everything? Avaren has changed. Mage’s are heathens here. We are not safe.” Her voice was calm stating all that she knew; her life had already been on the line. She did not let go of the man’s hand. His confusion troubled her, he need to trust her in some way. Taking nerves glances as people passed; there curious looks unsettling. Looking up at the man she stared at him; intense green eyes pleading her case.

[Rith Matou]

"Mages? Heathens? By who's hand was this declaration enacted?" Rith asked, his face growing stern and angered by the idea of such unwarranted discrimination. "Surely, Lord Pendergast couldn't have done such a despicable thing." He added, remembering back to what memories he had of the kind King Richard Pendergast, the man in power when Rith had left Avaren. He who was open an hospitable to all mankind, mystical or otherwise, he who staunchly defended Avaren from the forces of Viktor Delacro, the master of the Abandoned Citadel. "What could have happened? Perish the thoughts he had been assassinated, his throne usurped, or him becoming a corrupt despot... Could Viktor have won after all?" Rith thought to himself as his hand clenched at an old, leather pouch on his belt tightly. No matter how he approached it, the result was not a positive one for Richard or Avaren as a whole...And Rith was not there to stop it...

[Lessien Mithrandír]

Lessien looked at the man; her features drenched in bewilderment. “Lord Pendergast?” her voice sharp in question. Here the two were in the middle of streets full of Avaren subjects. There was no telling when the guards could walk past nothing. Taking a full grip on the man’s hand again, “I’ll explain to you what I know if you will come somewhere out of view, please.” Lessien’s light voice pleaded, her cheeks had lost the rosy touch. Worry plagued her, as she spotted a guard at the edge of the crowded entry. “We must go,” she pressed harder with her voice to the man before her.

[Rith Matou]

"Very well, I suppose nothing can be done of this if we are banded in irons..." Rith replied reluctantly, his eyes closing as his head lulled towards the ground. "Lead on, Miss. This place is as alien to me as any other now." He stated sorrowfully, coming to realise the place he once called "home" was a very, very different place.

[Lessien Mithrandír]

Lessien watched the guard closely. "We're going to have to run." She tightened her grip on the man's hand and started to run. Run she did until she came face to face with a handful of guards. Turning sharply on her heels she head back the other direction; the man's hand tight in hers, only to find a circle of Avaren subjects. She turned to look at the man guilt in her eyes. maybe things would have been alright had she stayed clear. A single tear ran down her cream coloured skin!

Ooc: sorry about this but i just got thrown in the dungeons today so yeah wouldn't have posted with you had I know but the posts took forever to get here!

[Rith Matou]

When they were encircled by Avaren's commoners, Rith looked back at the mysterious woman, noticing the lone tear running down her cheek. Gently, he brushed the tear from her face, understanding her inner turmoil.
"It's alright, I won't allow you to be taken in the name of prejudice." Rith whispered to her as he warily eyed the ring of people slowly closing in on them. He had to think quickly, if he allowed himself to be captured, then he would be able to get inside the castle and perhaps find out what has been happening since his absence. Quickly, he wheeled about on his foot, pulling one of his Puffers from his Bag of Tricks, and tossing it between the woman's feet. With an explosive "BAMPF!" the object erupted in a cloud of white smoke.
"Eelf dna reh ekat!" Rith commanded to a form in the smoke, and with that, a majestic Griffin darted into the sky with the woman on its back as the crowd immediately engulfed him like a tidal wave of flesh. "Gah!...Be safe!...The Griffin will take you where-rrg-ever you need to go!" He called out to the woman at the top of his lungs as he was severely accosted by the hordes of guard and citizens.