Svarik and the company I :)

[Mirach]

Svarik nodded. "It is fascinating to me, but strange and alien. Very interesting to explore for a while, but I couldn't live with it for longer. I understand the land better. What causes the high tides of the sea? And how far do ships sail?"

[VisAnastasis]

" Our sailors are fearless. They would sail to the end of the world, if there was one. " Man grinned. " And I fear land is same to me as sea to you - I rarely venture far from the shore, because further I am from there waters, my powers weaken. Besides, nothing is more pleasant that an endless music of the sea lulling you to sleep each night, from my experience. But I imagine it's not experience someone like you could easily share indeed - you have no ounce of demon blood in you, I can tell, and old and primordial chaos is domain of demons more than Spirits. Auras of Spirits are as soft as cotton. You are as pure as a snowflake, my guest, rage of sea is not meant for pleasure of your ears. " he leaned his head on his knees, observing his guests with some amused playful interest, as if fascinated to come across someone as different as what he usually would deal with. " And as for the tides... Auras and mana of various creatures of the sea are the cause of sudden shifts, of course. These waters are especially fruitful, for this seashore, where music of the ocean mixes perfectly with music of the land. It's a delicious treat, and great environment to boost and attract many strange Beings of the Sea. Countless of them live here close to shores. When they are upset, hurt, angry or fighting with each other, sea is more unstable in those areas. High unpredictable tides, many awful storms, earthquakes and other terrible weather predicaments are common.. At least they were, until I can around, you see. I am friend with many creatures of the sea. When I sense their distress, I often leave city, to make sure they are in peace and well. Our relation's grew so well, sometimes even some of them decide to come, to visit me at my home. " he smiled with delight. " I am a very happy man to be able to keep peace at my beloved sea and provide kinder times for the cities along shore I grew to love as well. "

[Mirach]

"Tue cities are lucky then. But if I may ask, how did you meet Falcon? You say you do not go far from the sea, and I know he has never been to it..."

[VisAnastasis]

" He most certainly did not. I feel a bit sour about it, to be honest. I keep inviting him to come visit me every summer for the past three years, and still, nothing. " he whispered, and he tried to smile, but the circumstances of their meeting seemed to have been serious. He did not speak for a moment, instead sipping his tea. " We have met at capital, three years ago, little Nightingale. " he said at last. " Before then, I would never dare venture so far, into the heart of the land. But I had no other choice. Nobody else I knew could possibly hope to accomplish anything on his own. I did little, though, on my mission of that time - for it was Ser Falcon, whom I met at the city, who ended up providing me with aid, no matter the risks and costs for him. I shall always remember his kindness. We have struck a tight cooperation, and have been exchanging letters ever since. "

[Mirach]

"So you have been to the capital? I see he took advantage of that invitation not for himself but for us... One day I hope we will come together, though. But let's return to speaking about the sea," Svarik said, respecting both the Sage's and Conrad's privacy. "Do only demons live in it, or are there spirits as well? And how do they get along?"

[VisAnastasis]

" Oh, there're all kinds of things - demons, spirits, some weird shapeless forms in between the two: there are just all kinds of wonderful people. " Sage  smiled, seeming more relaxed to speak of something more close and comfortable to him than matter that made him, a man of the sea, have to roam on dry land. " By what I know, little rules apply out here, really; for darkness of sea is such that little can reach it. Some get along better, some worse, but I have been making lot of progress of getting everyone to get along better in past hundred years. I am of specific soul fiber, you see - over countless generations, my ancestors have mated with various forces of the sea, and so I have many of mixed blood of both demon and spirit kin. Rare are creatures that would raise their hand on me, because my ancestry makes me related to great number of them on both sides, and I use that to my advantage - to make sure there is peace among them. Both sides love me dearly, you see, for I use my unique and strong powers and connections to keep them all safe and well - thanks to my efforts, lately things have been getting much more peaceful around here. "

[Mirach]

"Then those efforts have been fruitful indeed," Svarik said with approval. "It's much more strained between them on the land. Are the demons in the sea healthy?"

[VisAnastasis]

" Not all, I fear. There are still couple that remained untouched and help me around here with their guidance and wits, but most are corrupted and need lot of help and protection. " The Sage found on pride in admitting this. " I do what I can to help - but you need to understand, the corruption of the world is great, and lot demons that now live in the sea lived not there originally - they were chased of from the land, having nowhere else to flee, and the injustice lingers deeply within them. Some are friendly and needy and accept kindness gladly, but many are very bitter and angry. Placating them and helping them is not an easy task for a human, young guest - and it's as hard to help corrupted demons as is to help corrupted spirits. That is why I must maintain pure and strong aura of my own - so their corruption can not taint me as well. Governing the sea takes very strong nerves, and a patience of a 1000 year old turtle, dear Nightingale. "

[Mirach]

"It is very hard to find an uncorrupted one on the land as well," Svarik said, not wanting the man feel bad that it's so in the sea as well. He suspected now that the Sage knows Xia's nature, and maybe even Erdel's, and felt a bit more free with it. "And how old are you actually?" he asked. "With so many ancestors from the Beings, did you inherit their long life?" He wan5ee to ask about other powers he ingerited as well, but it seemed a too personal thing to ask while they didn't know each other that well.

[VisAnastasis]

" I have been born on a special occasion - on a night of full moon, right after day of summer Solstice passed. It had made me, if I am free to say, quite unique - because lot of both my demon and spirit ancestry is reflected upon me. " man admitted freely before Svarik, and he looked down and caressed little Xia once more as well, to make sure she isn't overwhelmed by their serious conversation and can rest calmly. " Lot of my ancestors lived various lengths of human life, some shorter, some longer. I have lived around 300 years so far, but since my heritage is so confusing, I fear I can not tell you how much yet I expect to live - for I know as much as you do. Maybe for another 100, maybe 1000 years? I certainly can not tell. But I am thankful to have many friends dear to me to keep me company, spirit, demon, and human equally. "

[Mirach]

"You really are unique. I'm glad we got a chance to meet you. But I am the only one asking, it doesn't feel right. Please, if you have questions to us, you can ask them. We will answer what we can. Not all maybe, since we would like to leave some things behind while we travel. But I have one question I would like to ask in turn, since I'm really curious. Can you actually breathe underwater?"

[VisAnastasis]

" Oh, that is your big question? It was build up so much, I thought it was going to be something serious. " man chuckled actually, seeming quite good natured and bemused about it. " Well, of course I can - it's really not a big deal. I have both lungs and gills, as you can see... " he rolled up his collar a little bit, and indeed, gills could be seen on his neck. " My breathing system is mutated in such a way that I can not drown in either environments, you see, which is quite handy. Short answer, yes, I can breathe under water, dear guest. Now, my question, let's see.. " he smiled a little more innocently. " Actually, I am rather curious about you, and would like to hear more about you three - but first, I'd really like to know - where did you get that long handy flute from? Was it an inheritance, or do you perhaps know some unicorn who had given it to you? " he grinned a bit, unable to conceal some curiosity. " I have a Spirit friend who lives with me at the city and he won't give me a break, you see, and other Spirits often joke around it too  - they all speak such lovely things about unicorns, but they are so rare I fear I've never seen one myself yet. "

[Mirach]

"Sadly, I haven't either. It was given to me by its owner, but it wasn't an unicorn. It was a gift from a spirit, and those horns actually came in pair on his head," Svarik explained. 

[VisAnastasis]

" Really? That's curious indeed. They feel rather pure, by Spirit's standards, of course. I would have sworn it was an unicorn horn. None the less, then - I'll find another question, no worries. " The Sage replied. " Let's see... You seem to me as someone who knows many interesting critters. I know lot of Spirits and demons of the sea, but not on the land, I fear. Would you mind telling me something about those you find pleasure to call your friends? What Falcon has been telling me in the last few months has deepened my knowledge of spirit and demon folk of the land a little bit, but I fear, it's not really been enough to sate my curiosity. Like sea to you, land is not a place I'd be happy to live at, but I'm very curious about it, likewise. "

[Mirach]

"There are a few of them, but I would first tell you about the one that gave me this flute. His name was Riversong then..." He told the Sage the story about the curse, and how Riversong became Bell in the form of a flower after the demon part got separated from him, hoping that he might get some new insight from one who has lived for so long and knows both demons and spirits."

[VisAnastasis]

Man listened intently, following his lips with his intelligent deep blue eyes, seeming very interested in the conversation. At the end, he remained quiet for a while, weighting out the words said to him slowly, like trying out a wine to see if it's sweet or bitter.
" Falcon, I fear, did not have time to tell me those things in as much details. His last massage was short, regarding some of our deals during Long Night. But I am thankful you told me of your friend Riversong. His story is really an intriguing one. " he said in the end. " I don't think you should worry about Bell. Now, he should be free from corruption that plagued him. Just in case, I could give you some soil of the sea that has been blessed - your Riversong, having such ties with water in his nature, sounds like he may have probably first been breathed into life in the sea, so some of my special sea soil should help him regain strength better. I can see worry for him in your heart - if you desire so, you may as well ask some of my friends for advises. Two live with me in the city, one Spirit and one Demon, that help me and my wife as our advisers and friends - and I also have one traveling Spirit that's currently my guest, so you may ask him as well. If any other kind of Spirit or Demon of my sea you'd like to inquire for opinion, I could try to contact them for you. "

[Mirach]

Svarik got a bit wary with the mention of a spirit guest. "I think you are aware of the true nature of the lovely dog here..." he said. "Is there any danger to her from the spirit staying here?" He also thought about Erdel, but did not know if the Sage found out as well, and didn't want to reveal him before Erdel decides for it himself.

[VisAnastasis]

" That is why I said *you* could ask around among Beings I know, not you and your friends, little Nightingale. " Sage acknowledged, caressing Xia lightly and gently behind the ear. " Just in case, you understand. The world is still in state of war, after all, one never can know who has bad blood with someone else. You have no reason to fear anything in my palace currently, though, since your dog is obviously too young to have been in any war at all - and both Spirits that live here have sworn their allegiance to me and won't lay a finger on you. " he smiled a little to dissolve the tense atmosphere. " Not that I am playing favorites, but as I said, I am quite loved here, and every favorites of ser Falcon I will gladly take under my wing. If you want to really be sure you'll be safe, not just here but further on your travel around the sea cost... Let it be known - if you accept it, I shall give you and your friends my protection and blessing. That is the least I can do for Falcon's friends. " he proclaimed gently and solemnly, with same calm, soothing and reassuring authority - and he stretched his hand and offered it to meadow king, waiting to see if he'll accept the handshake.

[Mirach]

Svarik accepted it with almost no hesitation, wishing to protect his friends. "I didn't know one can meet Beings here so casually, especially spirits. I wouldn't take my friends here if I knew..."

[VisAnastasis]

" It's not as casual for commoners - like I imagine it's not such a common occurrence in the land as well. But if you have magic blood, or even more, are always in company of magical creatures - let's just say you are like a magnet. Your friends are very... attractive. " he explained seriously, though it was apparently not attraction on convenient way. " They have strong healthy auras that shine brightly, and since demons are basically on the black list of this world, Spirits especially may be drawn to them, wishing to make some trouble, or worse, report them to Death's legions. My blessing shall help you - it shall mark you as a friend to both kins, so hopefully, if somebody of the sea senses you, they will see you are under my wing, and won't bring you harm. " he said, and closed his eyes shortly while holding king's hand still, and made a sign with his other hand - and Svarik could feel something similar to the light breeze brushing him, and some nice pleasant wave of warmth on the inside; probably a slight mark of The Sage's blessing upon him and his friends.

[Mirach]

"Thank you," Svarik bowed his head with some relief. "Will it work for them even if we would get separated? And is it safe for them to sail on the sea? I hoped we could do that together one of these days... to rent a boat and explore the shore a bit..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I blessed all three of you. My blessing shall leave a light trace on you Spirits and Demons can detect, that should last couple of decades. I can renew it you you decide to visit me sometimes later than that. I certainly would not mind you to bring Falcon along with you at least then. " he bowed his head back to him with gentleness and a pinch of humor. " And with my blessing, it should be safe for you to engage in any activity around here. Your friends are strong, so I deem it would take a very bold creature to stand up to them out of the blue, anyway - but even if something does attack you, my own friends at sea shall feel it and come to your aid. I shall speak with the seagulls as well, to keep an eye on you too, just in case. "

[Mirach]

"Thank you, that's a relief," Svarik smiled. "I'm glad that we came here. Would you like to hear about another demon we met on the way here?"

[VisAnastasis]

" I would be delighted to hear it, little Nightingale. " The Sage leaned back, gently raising Xia in his lap, caressing her to keep her calm, enjoying to hear her purr. " As I said, learning more about Beings, higher, lower, Spirits or Demons, have always fascinated me greatly. "

[Mirach]

"It was a very nice demon, and a sad story," Svarik sighed. "Maybe you will have some advice as well..." He told him about Cernunnos and Emil then.