Saffron patrols the dirt roads of The Silent Peaks, his spear always in hand. Since Hope nursed him back to health, and Orduin restored his sight, Saffron has taken it on himself to protect the area in their absence. He has been hearing rumors that Hope is back, and he hopes to see her soon, but until then he trades patrolling and meditating to calm the emotions he has begun to fell swirling through the air. As the sun hangs low in the sky today, Saffron Horizon walks along to the side of the dirt paths winding through the outskirts of the region, always on the lookout.

An armored figure walked through the Silent Peaks. It's blade reddish steel, it's shield purest gold. Orduin Of The Tools had made an appearance, dressed in a suit of articulated plate that only allowed his head out because it was easier to see. The lone Fae-blood on patrol gets called out to. "If I had been a Deathknight.."

        Saffron starts at the voice, but recognizes the sight and sound only a moment later, breaking into a grin. "If you were I would already be running like... well like a lone Deathknight were behind me. Welcome back to Silent Peaks, Orduin, have you come to stay for a while? I can't offer you anywhere to stay I'm afraid, I've pretty much been at the sufference of the villages who remain standing in the face of the recent attacks. How are you?"

"I survive." Orduin said simply. "I trekked up here to see how things were going. The siege is a little less demanding in the Sun Kingdom, so I have time now. I wanted to hear how your eyes are doing, among other things."

        "Thing could be going better," Saffron admits "Dead have been performing rituals all over, sacrificing people for some ritual or other. I and some others have been working to stop what we can, but I have had to retreat to... meditate, for the past few weeks." Smiling, he waves his hand in front of his face, "My eys work just fine, as good as ever." Grinning, he adds "and I think the color even complements my hair."

"Trust me, I know the troubles of dead getting together." Orduin gave a long-suffering sigh. "Like I said, siege. But I felt responsible enough to come check in."

Saffron Horizon Saffron nods, "I understand, even for a man of your stature so many things happening at once must be stressful. I don't worry though, if anyone can fight, and win a war against the dead on two fronts, it is you, Orduin. I try to follow your example as best I can, but I am often reminded of my own limitations." Sighing, he rubs his forhead, "and my time limit. I'm feeling things, Ordiun. And every time I meditate the feelings seem to come back faster and faster. It's worse in the villages after the attacks, it gets so strong I can barely think. I have to train faster, become stronger, before I run out of time."

Orduin blinks a few times. "I didn't know I set an example anyone wanted to follow. But come. We'll continue this patrol and you can explain what you mean about running out of time."

        Saffron begins his slow walk along the road again at Orduin's suggestion. "I feel it from you as well, Orduin. And you are... stronger?... than those in the villages. I don't even know what it is I feel. Just a, a, constant /pressure/ in my head. Urging me to do things that aren't there." Taking a deep breath, he steels himself, "Orduin. My father is a Fair Folk. A noble, living in his freehold to the east. My mother is there as well, staying with my father as payment for my life and freedom." Saffron is crying now as he walks, though you can't hear it in his voice, "he is using her as a plaything, a battery, he taunted me with it. I saw it with my own eyes and I could not stop it. I have that in my blood, Orduin, and the more I perfect my mastery of my self, the more I feel my heritage pressing in around me. I have to go back before it is too late, but I cannot do it until I have a chance of suceeding. I walk a very thin line."

Orduin considered this for a long moment. "You feel your Essence maturing. I know this well. Mine pushes the limits of the mortal frame and beyond; mind and body and soul reshaped to accomodate it, and still changing." He said simply. "You suspect, as I understand it, your body will become Fair Folk? A bit unseemly if you can see through the disguise, I will admit, but they are not unconditionally evil." He spoke as he walked, considering. "And you feel you must confront your father. I agree; he sounds like a slaver, writ large, and I despire slavers with a rage that makes me kill."

        Saffron frowns, "Honestly I do not know if it is possible, a transformation of that sort. But to become something that survives on human emotion... I don't know, Orduin. I'm afraid to loose control, even now. But that is merely incentive to hurry. Killing my father is a pleasure, but saving my mother is my motivation. Though I doubt one will come without the other. She drives me, I must save her before I succumb, one way or the other. She gave up everything for me, I can't let her live as some toy for a monster of the Wyld for eternity."

Orduin took a few moments, then spoke. "I am Orduin Balkinor." He spoke, the first time Saffron would have ever heard the name used by the crafter. It might've been heard, had he ever spent time in the small villages of the Obsidian Sea, where a group of lowly smiths and sheppards held the name. "I am a Twilight of the Unconquered Son, and Champion of Mars, Maiden Of Battles. The Wyld is no fear for me; I can hammer it into reality. I offer you my skills when the time must come."

        Saffron looks at the ground, "I.. I cannot thank you enough for this. I... don't know what to say. And you are truely one of the Chosen?" Saffron pauses in his stride and drops to his knees on the dirt of the road. "I already owe you all I have to give, Orduin Balkinor, all I have left is my life. I give it to you, my mind, heart and soul, for as long as they are mine to command." He pauses to look up at Orduin, "I have always disliked the dragonblooded and their immaculate philosophy, but now I see how far they have strayed. You cannot be anathema any more than I am. I thank you for your offer of assistance, lord, and I will help you in any way I am able."

"I can say no more than what I know: The Immaculate Faith is built on generations of lies." He spoke firmly. "I have seen the world before this time, before the Faith. When Solar Kings and their Lunar Generals led the Dragonblooded Host against the threats to Creation from all corners. I am one of those Solars, and I will fight for the Incarna and the common man. Never any others." He asserted, though not clarifying /which/ Incarna. "...But let's drop the 'Lord'. I'm Orduin. If you feel formal, Orduin Of The Tools, or Allmaker. Now stand, Son of A Saffron Horizon. Stand and know that I stand with you. Ally. Perhaps friend, when we know each other better. But I shall not demand fealty."

        Saffron rises to his feet, using his spear as leverage, "I... Orduin, I don't know what to say. I have nothing to give in exchange for what you have given to me. I will repay you anyway I can. I will not suffer ill of you to be said in my presence, and will aid you as I am able. If my..." Saffron pauses, his brow wrinkling in thought, or worry, "Transformation... comes to pass, it is in your memory that I will carry myself." He stops, as if only now remembering why he has pledged himself, "When the time comes, and I go into the Wyld to seek my father and mother, I will find you, and my father will submit or be destroyed and my mother's freedom restored."

"If you don't know what to say, you shouldn't speak." Orduin broke into a grin. "You act as if I am someone who will demand payment, or wish these things of you. If you wish to carry yourself with ideals you see in me, I only ask those ideals be the service and protection of those who are not as well equipped as yourself. But like I said when I built those eyes: It is not for any boon or payment that I did it. I did it because it would help someone."

       Saffron bows his head in embarresment, "Of corse, Orduin, I would never ask for service, I apologize for suggesting that you would." Smilling again, he adds, "Then as I am able, I will... give what I can to you, without reguard to what is owed."

Orduin nodded simply. "Good. Too many people think I want things I don't. Frankly, between you, me, and that tree? I'd love nothing more than time to my experiments and my Beloved. But the duty calls, as ever. I am glad you are doing well, however."

       "Yes, yes of course, I understand you are busy. The more power you have, the more people wish you to use it. Once again, though, I thank you for offering your assistance. But I cannot rely on you entirely, I must do some part of this on my own. When I have developed, and my mind can hardly bear the strain, I will ask for you. After that, I do not know. Be safe Orduin of the Tools, I will pray for you."

"Do not fear what comes next." Orduin said softly. "For the Exalted, there are tests of Sorcery. While I wield none of my own, I know them well. Before there is the power of Essence shaped to define reality, one must confront the Test Of The Crimson Maiden: Face your fear and know it terrifies you.. And continue onwards." The Twilight spoke gently. "But if you can battle here, against the tide of darkness, you can continue on. Be true to yourself."

"Thank you, Orduin, I will remember that. Thank you for all you have done for me. I wish you well with anything you find yourself involved with. I'm feeling that the troubles in the Silent Peaks will resolve itself even quicker with you here."

"I am afraid I can't stay much." Orduin said quietly. "My path requires me in too many places at once, not to mention I've got Yu-Shan residents insisting I take some time off for my Beloved." The crafter blushed a bit. "But I will attempt to arrive when things are needing a certain touch."

        Saffron grins, "I spent too much of my time in my more... intemperate years around places of ill repute to miss that emotion displayed with truthful intent. Though I suppose a man of your stature would attract a woman of equal magnificence. Good luck with your paramour."