Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-27968758-20160209151059/@comment-5543592-20160212002400

Lambert Vagn was a religious man.

He thought himself as much and he knew as much. It would be arrogant to assume he was the most religious man, for there were others who praised the gods much fuller than he, but he showed proper respect to the Divines nonetheless. But respect did not mean he blindly followed. He questioned much, nothing ever seemed secure to him- there was a hidden meaning to everything. So when Master Einon was called to the leader of their order under “regards to the prophecy,” Vagn began to question. He was a rebel, in a way. He would not be at peace with simply what he was told by his betters and always sought to act in haste.

Vagn sat in the sharp cold with only his breath and robes to warm him, hands folded into the sleeves of his robes.

Suddenly, the wind barrier to his left parted, and Einon stepped through, hands tucked into his sleeves like Vagn.

Einon was tall, with a long beard, once blond, since turned stark white. He stepped quietly down the stone steps, to the snow covered courtyard, and walking to the stump of a Nordic-carved pillar where Vagn sat.

“The Grand Master spoke to you?”   Vagn asked.

Einon nodded. “Indeed. He spoke of much.”   Einon gestured forward with a slight movement of his arm, and Vagn rose. The two monks walked side by side, towards the doors into the monastery.

“Yes, he spoke of much.”   Einon mused, sounding thoughtful. “He told me of the affairs of the outside world. Much has changed since we last received news. Much he did not foresee. Much I did not force, although I cannot follow the currents of time as well as he.”

“But it was spoken of in the prophecy.”   Vagn led Einon on.

“It was.”   Einon recited it for Vagn, although the latter already knew the words by heart.

When misrule takes its place at the eight corners of the world

When the Brass Tower walks and Time is reshaped

When the thrice-blessed fail and the Red Tower trembles

When the Dragonborn Ruler loses his throne, and the White Tower falls

When the Snow Tower lies sundered, kingless, bleeding

The World-Eater wakes, and the Wheel turns upon the Last Dragonborn.

<p class="MsoNormal">“We near the end of an era, my brother.”   Einon continued. “I see… much death. A false king with crimson eyes. And already the prophecy is becoming a thing of truth. Loreth’s tool has become sundered, and spread across the land.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Vagn faltered as they entered the monastery, his footstep ending in an echo as it sounded throughout the cavernous halls.

<p class="MsoNormal">“The first line…”   It was not possible. The prophecy was hidden, locked away in some temple. Only the Grand Master knew what it said. It was not a thing that happened, merely something that was conjecture. And certainly not conjecture that occurred in Vagn’s lifetime!

<p class="MsoNormal">“Indeed.”   Einon agreed, tone musing once more. “The Grand Master made it clear what must be done.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Praise the Divines and await their judgement?”   Vagn guessed dryly. Einon never wanted to actually do anything, despite being the speaker for the order

<p class="MsoNormal">“In fact, no.”   Einon turned to Vagn. “The Grand Master, in his wisdom, has selected you to advise Shor’s chosen Champion.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Vagn smiled wryly. “Me? I am not certain I am the best choice for such an assignment. I may advise him to make undue decisions.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“No, a man of action will be needed. You, Master Vagn, are the closest of such a thing we have to that. The order trusts any council you give will be the proper one.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The smile slowly fell from Vagn’s face and he bowed his head to Einon. “You honor me.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yes, well, a chastised pupil once told me ‘you wouldn’t know effort if it hit you in the face.’”   Einon said. There was no smile on his face as he delivered the line, but it was as close to humor as Einon ever got. “I think this undertaking will require more effort than any other has been willing to give.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I think I may have lost some of my wisdom since then.”   Vagn replied.

<p class="MsoNormal">“The wisdom of a youth.”   Einon agreed. “Not a refined wisdom, but it is a kind.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Both monks fell silent for a moment. “When shall I head down the mountain?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“In two days’ time. You are familiar with Lord Niels Morvin, are you not?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I am. I was in brief service to his clan. I over saw the duel between Earl Yinqr and young Lord Morvin’s champion.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Lord Morvin still owes debt to the Eternal one. You will pose as being under Morvin’s order and act as a servant to the Champion.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Vagn did not like the idea of being treated as a servant—he had no idea what this Champion was like but—but he bowed his head in difference. “If that is the Grand Master’s wish.”

<p class="MsoNormal">   “And you will see that he fulfills the first stage of the prophecy. We must make way for the Dragonborn’s return.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I will see his wish done.”   Vagn rose, lips pursed tight. “And I will see to challenging the False Emperor’s influence.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Einon nodded and stepped back, hands in sleeves, ready to depart. Vagn did so as well, they both turned to go to their stations. There was much that needed to be done. Their order had had centuries, and now it seemed there was so little time.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Breath and Focus, Master.”   Einon said to Vagn with a bow of his head in farewell. They would not meet again before Vagn was to depart. Einon would likely spend the next week meditating on his meeting with the Old One.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Breath and Focus, Master.”   Vagn repeated back.

<p class="MsoNormal">He set out from High Hrothgar the next morning.