Wind|Talen'sul

[Kender Bard]

Clouds seem to gather with an unnatural speed, coming towards the topmost peak of Talen'sul. The clouds come from all directions - it is an eerie sight, for such a phenomenon could never be produced by natural winds. After the clouds gather, they begin to swirl, slowly and gently, obscurring all sight of the peak. Eventually they disperse, like some mystic veil floating away, and a dragon sits atop the peak.

[Kender Bard]

After an arduous climb that left even the mountain-tough monks feeling worn out and sore, the group finally reaches the level of the mountain where the beautiful dragon lay resting. Before approaching, Jarden turned and appraised his students, worried for their wellbeing. The other students all were fine, as he expected, but he was worried for Tatsu - after all, she hadn't received their kind of training yet. "Are you okay?" he asks her.

[tatsu]

"Hard to breathe," She manages to gasp, bringing a finger to her chest.
Shaking her head she blinks dots out of her eyes the rush of blood has brought to her sight. "But I'm all right."

Jarden had brought a small group with him, and although they seemed to have done this many times before, Tatsu managed without slipping or any other kind of misfortunate. It was colder up here and she was thankful to have thought of bringing her coat. As she blinked her weary eyes dizzily she caught sight of the large beast in front of her. The sight was enchanting, but terrifying. The startling sight mesmerized her and she found she could not focus on anything but.

[Kender Bard]

A constant breeze blows over the group, created by the slight fanning motion the wings of the dragon were making. She spoke to them, softly, a breathy voice that didn't suit her size. "Greetings. Who are you?"
Jarden cleared his throat and said, "I am Master Jarden, Monk of Body." The other students introduced themselves quite humbly when the dragon's eye fell on each of them. The dragon looked curiosly at Tatsu.

[tatsu]

"Tatsu!" She squeaked, and covered her mouth in humiliation, having not meant for her voice to come out so high. All of the others had somewhat of a title, and a full name, and here she was disrespectfully spouting two syllables in an elevated voice. The dragon was immense, and she was not tall enough to even match the size of a claw. She tried not to avoid her gaze shyly when the Dragon looked at her, for it was an intense look, as if you could not possibly lie in front of those eyes.

[Kender Bard]

The dragon laughed softly, and it was not a mocking sound.
Jarden dropped to one knee before the dragon, his students doing the same. "What are you called, if I may ask?"
The dragon crooned, "What do you feel when standing up high and the wind caresses your face? What do you think?"

[tatsu]

“Wind.” Tatsu answered immediately. Many times her thoughts had wandered to this, and so she said it. “Her name is Wind.” She pondered over what she had just said. Was it that the lizard’s name was simply Wind, was she a reincarnate of Wind itself, or did she represent the element?

[Kender Bard]

"Wind," the dragon echoes, and slowly closes her eyes. "I am Wind. Yes. That's right." The monks bow their heads now, even more in awe of the presence before them. "Do you bow to the wind like that?"

"No great Wind," one of the monks mumbles. "But we do give thanks and prayers to the Wind for allowing us to be who we are." This seemed to please the dragon greatly, and the end of her tail thumped lightly against the stone, like a dog with a bone.

"Good!" she enthused. "Tell me, what are your people like? The people who have the element of wind?"

[tatsu]

Tatsu felt a shiver run down her spine when she heard this. She reluctantly broke her gaze on the beautiful dragon to glance at the other Wind types brought up on the mountain. Would they have enough courage to answer the question? Tatsu and Jarden had been the only ones to speak something other than their names to Wind, but Tatsu was hardly qualified to answer what she asked. She had only been here under a few hours and besides – she had no Sign.

[Kender Bard]

The monks all seemed reluctant to speak, and Wind frowned, starting to grow impatient.

"Wind types are gentle creatures," one of the monks finally piped up, her voice tight with nervousness. "We go about our business cheerfully and leave others to themselves, so long as they do not provoke us. We are peaceful people."

This seemed to satisfy Wind and she turned her gaze back to Tatsu. "What would you have me do, young one, if I were to agree to be a servant of Talen'sul?"

[tatsu]

Tatsu jumped once more at being addressed so instantaneously. She did her best to stand straight in the cold wind. She didn’t think her answer was of any importance. She had no decision in the matter, having not resided in Talen’sul long enough to know what it needed. She thought long and hard however, thinking it still rude to leave the question unanswered. If she could have the dragon do anything under the influence of where she was now, what would she request it to do?

She realized instantly that this was also an opportunity she could use to get what she wanted most in the world. And yet it wouldn’t be the answer to the dragon’s question. She couldn’t answer something just for her. That would be greedy and selfish. She should answer something that nothing but Wind could possibly do, something miraculous that would be good for everyone.

“I would ask your aid to help those ravaged by the war.” She said, realising she sounded slightly juvenile. It was all she could think of at the moment, knowing nothing else that needed miracle.

[Kender Bard]

A rumbling issued forth from the dragon's chest, curiously like a purr in its noise. "I am most pleased. I present to you all a riddle. Answer it and we will see what happens."

May the weak be spared cruelty at the hands of the strong.
Everyone, regardless of who they are, deserves to live their lives in peace.
Remember that even slavers have rights to a peaceful life.
Compassion for your enemy is not a weakness.
You would do to remember all of these things when you practice me.

What am I?

[tatsu]

Tatsu thought for a while, lingering on the words spoken by the dragon.

“Mercy.” She answered, finding the subtle link in her previous answer.

[Kender Bard]

The dragon suddenly let loose a roar to the open skies, causing all the monks to tremble at the outburst.

"You are correct!" Wind shouted with glee. "Very good, very good! You have earned the right to know what task the Winds must do in order to receive a gift from the elements."

Wide eyed, the monks leaned in closer to hear the words of Wind.

"You must go and rescue all your captured brethren," Wind said. "How you do it is not important, so long as you remember the answer to my riddle and keep it in your hearts. Gather them up from the Storms and the Clears. Once Talen'sul has done that, the Wind types will know a gift more precious than gold." Wind stretched her head and nudged Tatsu, gently, lightly.

"You, little one, have earned a boon," Wind cooed. "Nothing quite so great as your wish to restore those harmed by the ravages of war. My power is not infinite. Give me a smaller wish and I will see if I can grant it."

[tatsu]

Tatsu shuddered with pleasure when the Dragon came into contact with her. It was like nothing she had ever felt before and was still in awe when she came up with an answer. She understood that Wind could not grant every wish, but if there was a small one – one just for her alone that would be possible to accomplish. In tiny, humble voice she answered Wind’s fifth question.

“Might you, if it’s not too much to ask, restore me my Sign?”

The words sounded unused on her tongue, as they were directly from her heart. She had never said them aloud apart from in her mind and she was still dazed from the flurry of it all to really notice any expression the Monk’s showed. Directly, the question was confusing, but Tatsu discerned Wind would know exactly what she spoke of.