Out With the Old...

[Darastrix]

Zira had been adjusting relatively well to his new home in Anarlina. It had helped that the move really was what he'd wanted. He was nearly as taken with the land and its people as Zack had been when he'd first met the Anarlinans in Maelstrom. Some things were taking a bit of getting used to, though.

And some things are hard to let go of, Zira thought as he wandered, searching for either Emerald or Twilight. In his hand he held the silver-decorated cane that he'd carried into the audience hall the day he'd first arrived in New Anarlina.

[Kender Bard]

Emerald wasn't hard to find; while Twilight was currently occupied in other matters, the young general found herself with little to do now that it seemed war had been averted. She had given her men their orders and was now simply wandering Anarlina, pausing now and then to speak with the common folk and keeping a sharp eye out for crime. Seeing Zira while on her walk, she stopped and called out, "Hello Zira!"

[Darastrix]

Zira stopped and turned when he heard his name, and spying Emerald, smiled and walked over.

"I was hoping to run into you," he said with a bow. "I need to find a weapon smith that can handle a...slightly unusual order."

[Kender Bard]

Emerald raised her brow. "Don't beat around the bush, man, just tell me exactly what you want and I'll see what I can do." She crossed her arms over her chest. "I have quite an impressive armory and what we don't have I'm sure I could find someone to make for you."

[Darastrix]

"Er, yes," Zira murmured, slightly taken aback. He wasn't very used to dealing with people of Emerald's temperament. "This is what I would like," he said, holding up the cane. He twisted it around in his hands, as though simply showing the vine and leaf detail going up the shaft, then pulled from the handle, revealing the steel blade concealed within.

"There isn't any damage to this one," he admitted, "But the men in my family have carried these for years, and circumstances being what they are, I don't feel right using this one anymore. But I don't want to completely cast the tradition aside, even if I'm not part of a family anymore."

[Kender Bard]

Emerald gingerly took the cane-sword and examined it, treating it reverently as she admired the work. "This is top-notch craftsmanship," she noted, smiling and offering it back. "I think I can find someone to forge something similar. Do you want a replica?"

[Darastrix]

"Not an exact copy, no," Zira said, taking the sword and sheathing it. He turned the cane in his hands, looking over it with a slightly wistful expression. "The grape leaf motif is from Fell House. I'd rather have something plainer. Same size, solid white staff, maybe a bit of embellishment in silver."

[Kender Bard]

Emerald nodding, committing the order to memory. "If you don't mind I'd like to take that one so the smith would have something to work from. Any personal emblem you would like? You might not belong to House Fell anymore but nobody would begrudge you the right to carry your own personal sign."

[Darastrix]

A personal emblem? Well, he was his own man now, after all. Still, he couldn't completely get rid of his old sign....

"I suppose I don't really need one now," Zira murmured as he handed the cane back to her. "But...ah, a disc or circle with a feather curled along one side like a crescent. I'll leave the placement to the craftsman's good taste."

It was somewhat similar to his former House symbol, but different enough that there shouldn't be any issue or confusion to arise due to its use. He knew his father likely wouldn't care if some commoner in another land used an even more similar emblem, though he wasn't entirely sure he'd feel the same if that commoner was his son.

[Kender Bard]

Emerald smiled and nodded, holding the cane carefully. "That seems lovely," she commented. "Very well; I'll go put the order in. You should see your new cane-sword by the end of the month or sooner I believe."

[Darastrix]

"Thank you, Emerald. Could recommend someone that I might be able to spar with sometime?" Zira asked. "I thought I'd give it up altogether once I'd moved, but since I don't really have to practice now, I actually think I'd like to do it a bit more often."

[Kender Bard]

Emerald's eyes flashed with eagerness. "You could always spar with me," she offered. "But if I'm not available, Twilight would love a spar. If we're too much for you, though, then feel free to wander down to the barracks and ask anyone there for a spar."

[Darastrix]

He could very clearly imagine himself coming home thoroughly bruised after a spar with Emerald. Zira had kept up with his swordsmanship just enough to keep his father from harassing him too much over it, and he knew he was a poor match for someone of Em's skill. He'd never seen Twilight wield a sword, though.

Though flying and lifting stacks of books had given him a bit of muscle in his arms and chest, his endurance was lacking. Zira strove to keep matches as quick as possible. If he didn't succeed within the first few minutes, he'd lose by simply being worn down.

"Well, I'd be willing to try with either of you," he said after a moment. "If I can't keep up, I'm sure you could at least give me some advice on what to work on with a different partner."

[Kender Bard]

"Very well," Emerald agreed, looking puzzled as a man dressed in the barest of temple robes, marking him as either a servant or a very low ranking priest, approached her.

"Princess Emerald, your sister requires you at the temple," he stated with a bow of deference. Emerald sighed.

"I better go," she said apologetically to Zira. "I'll let you know when your sword is done, okay?"

[Darastrix]

Zira nodded. "Thank you for your help, Emerald. I may look for Twilight later." If for no other reason than to become better acquainted with Zack's "brother," he thought. His friend had been oddly busy of late, and Zira had the feeling something was up, but he'd resolved not to pry. Zack tended to seek him out eventually over problems after he'd had enough time to think.