Kar approached the broken city of Kalaman illuminated by the twin moons of Solinari and Lunitari. It had been a long day. And though there was no city wall and he thus could have entered the city anywhere, the knights patrolled the wall and dragons flew above the city, again fulfilling the pledge entered into long ago by the line of Dragonword and the blood of dragons.

The Kalaman Watch stationed guards at the gates and patrolled the city streets to keep the peace of law in the city, while dragons and knights maintained the law of peace to protect the city from the outside world.

But this evening a knight was stationed at the gate too.

“Your papers please,” one of the guards said when Kar was close enough. Each citizen of Kalaman had been issued documentation to prove that they were indeed a citizen. Another measure to keep the city and its people safe. And if the guards didn’t recognize you, you’d have to wait until they could get someone that could. And not just anybody, it had to be someone on the approved list. Usually members of the Watch, knights, and others in the city administration.

Kar released the stave that he carried in his right hand allowing it to fall within the crook of his left arm.  His stance comfortable, his mind . . . necessities of false security . . . the ascetic reached within the overlapping softened leathers ooc: a 'gi' if you will and produced a well-worn leather bifold which he promptly handed to the guard.

As he was want to do, when two moons shone from above, he sought to sight the third.  It was never present.  Should it appear one day in his sight, an ill-omen indeed.

While the guard examined the papers within the bifold, "They are in order, yes?"

Eyeing the present knight, he adds quietly, "A Knight of Solamnia?  An honor for mere travelers."

The guard handed the documents over to the knight who looked at them.

"You need to come with me to verify this," the knight said as he handed the papers back to Kar.

That was not how it was commonly done. Travelers waited for verification at the gate.

The monk accepted the bifold and returned it amongst the folds of his garment.  His stance unchanged, relaxed, though his eyes brightened quizzically.

"Good Sir, is there something amiss?  Though not native born, I have come to call Kalaman my own and home for many a year.  I only wish to return to my shrine at this hour and rest.  It has been a long day though successful.  The farmers and herders I have petitioned in the countryside these past few days have agreed to render more aid to our city's plight, at a reduced cost to our laborers no less.  Several plan to arrive on the morning sun.  I had hoped to meet them ensuring their entrance and guiding them to market where they will sell their wares."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:00, Tue 16 Mar 2010.

“Nothing is amiss,” the knight said. “When we confirm that you are who you say you are, we can inform you of the details. But please, come with me.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:13, Wed 17 Mar 2010.

 . . . thinking, the false security of paper . . . even they realize the absurdity . . .

"Good Sir, I am at your service."

Retrieving his stave from the crook of his arm, Kar is prepared to step off, "Lead on then.  I have little time for such things."


Edit: grammar
This message was last edited by the player at 08:15, Wed 17 Mar 2010.

“Thank you,” the knight said. Then he called out in both directions along the wall, mentioning the name of the gate and that they were moving. The calls repeated in both directions several times until they were out of earshot.

The monk and the knight walked a couple of miles until they arrived at Dragonword Keep. There they were met by the administrator who had signed Kar’s papers and he quickly confirmed that Kar was indeed who his papers said he was.

“His Majesty wishes to speak with you,” the knight told Kar when they again where alone. “This way please.”

 . . . thinking, what?!?  why does he announce our leaving so . . . a simple man . . . am i . . . do not question . . . it is the path of Majere . . . follow and heed . . .

Kar followed the knight through the remains of Kalaman to their destination . . . Dragonword Keep!!  When the administrator announced that Kar was who he purported to be . . . thinking, i am who i am . . .

 . . . the king!?! . . . the monk, beyond his depths, turned and asked of the knight, "I know nothing of this.  Will you guide me?"

The knight handed Kar over to one of the Gold Guards, the King's bodyguards who took the monk to a door guarded by a single Gold Guard, who opened the door when they arrived.

The knight went in with Kar into the small study where His Majesty was sitting.

"Your Majesty," the knight said and bowed. "I have brought Kar the monk of Majere as ordered."

"Thank you," the king said.

Almost mimicking the Gold Guard, Kar went to bend a knee . . . i've been here before . . . the King of Thorbardin . . .

He knelt, "Sire, what would you have of me?"

 . . . thinking, i laid down before Barak . . . must i again . . .

Edit: tags
This message was last edited by the player at 10:48, Wed 17 Mar 2010.

"Please stand," the king said and continued speaking when Kar had returned to his feet. "We're sure you are aware that there are people from all over the nation and beyond that are here in this beautiful city of ours to rebuild it. That those of wealth and status are encouraged to donate of their wealth and that those without such means are encouraged to donate of their time and skill."

“We have new plans of finding additional wealth, by commissioning brave souls such as yourself to band together and go where lesser men would not dare to go in search of that which has been lost.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:00, Wed 17 Mar 2010.

Kneeling, his head down, "Sire, as you wish!" . . .

And yet, Kar rebuts, "Do they?  All they can!?!"

He then reconsiders himself, "My pardon, I have spoken truth when I should have been silent . . . thinking, lesser men, where?1? . . . my brothers . . .

Edit:  Crap . . . tags!!
This message was last edited by the player at 11:43, Wed 17 Mar 2010.

"Some give more than what's expected of them.  Some can give more than they are. Others do only what is expected of them and that reluctantly. What kind of man are you?”
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:32, Wed 17 Mar 2010.

The question struck home, Kar searched within himself . . .

"Sire, I am an honest man."  Directing himself towards the king . . .
This message was last edited by the player at 13:54, Wed 17 Mar 2010.

 “And a courageous one,” the king added. “Which is what we need. Why don’t you come work for us in gathering funds for the cit?”

"Sire . . . I am not one who is brave . . . I will" . . .

The mid-aged man stood before the King, "however, serve . . . should You wish . . . our city calls" . . .

"Good," the king said. The king then continued in explaining that he had gathered a few others and that they most likely would be found at Olven's address, which was a few miles away.

“Do you have any questions?”

"None . . . Sire, Kar spoke to the Man who was King, yet, "How may I find the others?"

"My Pardon, Sire!  I shall seek the way."

Kar bowed, with a nod of his head, politely, he left the King's presence.

Leaving the king's chambers, Kar looked to the Knights . . .

"I have been tasked, can you guide me?"

The king only smiled at the breach of protocol as Kar left without his permission. And nodded to the knight who had been in the room with them. The knight joined Kar outside.

“Come with me,” the knight said. “And I will show you where that address is.”

The two of them walked several miles more until they arrived at Olven’s address in Vingaard Ward, almost as far as possible away from what Kar called home.

“He lives in there,” the knight said and pointed towards a tenement.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:44, Wed 17 Mar 2010.

Taking a step towards the tenement, Kar turns back to the knight, "How will I know them?  Do you know their names?"

The knight smiled and told Kar their names.

Returning the knight's smile with a slight bow, Kar bids farewell to the knight.  "May Majere's counsel guide your endeavors!"  Turning back towards the tenement, the monk steps forward to find those the king and His Path have chosen for him.

[OOC: This thread is now closed. Kar's story continues in the main thread.]