Chapter 7
In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 38):
Zeke listens with intent to the clearly well meaning interrogation from Titus, and the far more pointed and strategic inquiry from Brennan.
Such a diverse group of personality and sensibilities. There's an undeniable strength in drawing from the wisdom of others. Such is the Mkwynn way.
But are others Chosen? How? Why? This was my birthright. Am I Chosen.. or was I made?
With an absent minded precision, Zeke begins rearranging the rocks in a tight circle around himself, with the tallest at the four compass points. He crosses his legs, and exhales, with the closest thing you've seen to an emotion crossing his face.
Curiosity?
He turns to Brennan.
He'll want to know he's safe. He seems to.. need to know. Can he not defend himself?
Master Brennan, while I cannot speak with full knowledge of the group's numbers prior to my arrival, I can state with certainty that all that walked before me are now at rest. Your secret, it would seem, remains safe.
For now.
Master Titus, you inquire of the most personal of secrets with the least of discretion, and yet somehow in this recklessness is an undeniable valor that I concede puts me at ease. But I suspect you've had that effect on people for quite some time.
In a clearly autonomous motion, the rocks are gathered, and Zeke stands. He begins pacing a circle around the camp fire, placing them in a similar compass rose, but encircling the entire party before sitting down next to Titus and.. clinking his beer horn.
Why am I so want to trust this man? He seems a fool, and yet.. I think I need him.
I know not of what you speak of chosen and auras Masters, as I said before, yours are the first I had seen besides my own. I have always been somewhat gifted in sense and strength, perhaps owing to my upbringing as an Orphan. I've had to fight for much of what I've had if I have any hope of recovering what I've lost.
Zeke tilts his head toward Ciryl and takes a deep swig from his jet-black stein, a perfect mirror for his pocket rocks.
I was traveling north to rendezvous with my now departed company, and was making camp for the night, just as we are now, surrounded by earth, and oriented toward.. home. As I lay among the rocks, I suddenly could feel.. everything around me. I've always been attuned to my surroundings- any good mercenary is, but I could sense everything. It was overwhelming, and as I went to cover my ears and eyes, my shock was only accentuated to see, well, my aura.
From that night on, I've carried and arranged the rocks always, and I've been one with the world, and I thought, the only.
Tell me Masters, what is this Chosen you speak of, and how have you come to understand our mutual bond?
And what will you tell me of your own secrets?