Re: [Zorolo] Tierra Nena's Training
Tierra thought to herself as the boy was talking, ‘It would seem that it may be in my best interest to play along with whatever is going on until I can figure it out for myself. And geez, whoever this Leos character is, he likes to talk almost as much as he likes to show off. Although, maybe I can appeal to that…’
As soon as the ice innate said ‘now,’ Tierra started talking, feigning as much interest as she could muster, "As you must already know, my name is Tierra Nena. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Master Leos… it’s going to be an honor to be taught by you, if you’ve already earned the recognition of the Dome at your young age. May I ask how you came to be such a great mage?” Her eyes faltered, betraying how she really felt, so she looked up toward the ruins instead of at directly her teacher.
“Well, that’s actually a little too personal,” he responded, “if you don’t mind.”
Tierra cut in abruptly, “Sorry, you’re here to teach me, not make small talk. In that case, I don’t have any questions, unless you can tell me what I’ll be going to that ruin for.” She had already begun checking herself for anything she’d need for a foray into any tomb or dungeon.
Zachary looked up toward the broken castle as if he were almost going to think about it. Then, as far as Tierra knew, he answered without thinking at all, “Yeah, you’ll be looking for a chest in there. I can’t tell you where it is, but you’ll know when you find it.”
“Fine. I’ll be back soon.” Tierra said. She was already walking toward the remains of the once great palace. On her way there, and after she was sure to be out of the boy’s earshot, she asked, “Gilda, is that person I left on the beach the Zachary Leos who was sent by the Dome to be my teacher?” The wind jingled in her ear. “Good. Then, is the chest he was referring to real?” The air chimed again. “Now, if I wanted to take the best humanly possible route to finding the chest that was referenced by my teacher, Zachary Leos, which route would I take from where I am walking, now?”
The air chimed from Tierra’s earcuff, “You’re practically cheating, Tierra. Your teacher wanted you to find the chest.”
“It’s been a long time since you protested to giving your expert advice, Gilda. I am finding the chest, and I’m using all the resources available to me. You just so happen to be the best resource I have.” Tierra retorted back to the spirit.
The breeze jingled in her ear, “I know you’re just tempting my vanity, Tierra. It’s working, though.” The spirit of knowledge went on, describing to the young woman how best to reach her goal.
* * *
Twenty minutes later, Tierra was walking among the fallen walls and nature-eaten floors of the castle’s walls. She reasoned that in the castle’s prime, it must have been an edifice of incredible glory – tall, shining spires, vast tapestries and gleaming white stone walls; halls paved in red velvet and lined with all manners of worldly wealth. Anymore, it showed the ravages of siege and time. Catapult stones littered its halls; furniture and stretches of carpet were half-burned; grass, brush and even trees had invaded its demesne.
As Tierra crept into the throne room, she spied evidence of the secret stair behind the throne. Smiling to herself, she walked toward her destination.
Suddenly, a stone pillar smashed the ground into front of Tierra, felled with more force than mere falling. On instinct, she jumped back and with her gaze, followed the weapon to its source. Eight feet tall, a giant glared at her from eyes of stone. It hefted its club again.
“Bad.” Tierra scolded. Taking a foot-long knotted string from her pouch, she lifted it to her eyes and spied the construct from across her cord. The golem began its advance just as she thrust the knot from one extreme to the other, throwing the creature free of the castle walls, and toward the beach she had come from.
Replacing the string into her pouch, Tierra crossed the throne room and walked down the stairs, where, at the end of the hall, she spied the chest. Broad and tall, it was decorated with gold and eagerly awaited being opened.