Halona, the Wild One

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[halonathewildone]

Freyjania nodded her head. “It is for the best, at least until the war between the gods settles,” she said, her words a sorrowful song.

She came in to embrace her son. Theren returned it, looking up at his mother who had not always seen eye to eye with him but would fight a Nessian Boar unarmed and kill it to protect him. She was still the fierce warrior that she was when he was a child, but she looked a bit more weathered. She had woven the white streak of her hair into the long braid she wore to her side, a reminder of what Keranos had done to her. Wrinkles formed at the edges of her eyelids, but to Theren, she was still as beautiful as ever.

Theren’s cheeks became stained with a few tears as he continued the embrace. “I will miss you mom. I hope the war ends soon so I can visit again,” he choked out, the starscapes beginning to intrude on the rest of his form.

“Do not worry my starlit little wolf, we will continue to fend for our children here at Setessa. Thank you again for blessing me with some time with you my little wolf,” she soothingly said.

“May Karametra watch over you until we meet again,” Theren prayed over his mother.

Halona stood back and let the tender moment between mother and son play out. It didn’t feel fair for Theren to her. They had just got away from one world to move past one war to walk face first into another one that was just as personal. On top of that, her friend was losing his family even if only temporarily. This was not the way she saw this day going.

As the moment seemed to wind down, Halona approached the pair. “Hey,” she nudged Theren, speaking softly, “maybe we should head out sooner than later. The longer we stay, the harder it might be to leave.”

“It was a pleasure meeting you, miss Freyjania. I’ll keep your son safe.”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

“I love you mom, we will see you soon, hopefully,” he mused as he turned towards the door. “Ready to go Halona?”

[halonathewildone]

“As much as I hate to just crash and run, yeah, I’m good to go.” With a wave to Freyjania, Halona stepped out the house and then off the plane.

[halonathewildone]

Freyjania nodded her head. “It is for the best, at least until the war between the gods settles,” she said, her words a sorrowful song.

She came in to embrace her son. Theren returned it, looking up at his mother who had not always seen eye to eye with him but would fight a Nessian Boar unarmed and kill it to protect him. She was still the fierce warrior that she was when he was a child, but she looked a bit more weathered. She had woven the white streak of her hair into the long braid she wore to her side, a reminder of what Keranos had done to her. Wrinkles formed at the edges of her eyelids, but to Theren, she was still as beautiful as ever.

Theren’s cheeks became stained with a few tears as he continued the embrace. “I will miss you mom. I hope the war ends soon so I can visit again,” he choked out, the starscapes beginning to intrude on the rest of his form.

“Do not worry my starlit little wolf, we will continue to fend for our children here at Setessa. Thank you again for blessing me with some time with you my little wolf,” she soothingly said.

“May Karametra watch over you until we meet again,” Theren prayed over his mother.

Halona stood back and let the tender moment between mother and son play out. It didn’t feel fair for Theren to her. They had just got away from one world to move past one war to walk face first into another one that was just as personal. On top of that, her friend was losing his family even if only temporarily. This was not the way she saw this day going.

As the moment seemed to wind down, Halona approached the pair. “Hey,” she nudged Theren, speaking softly, “maybe we should head out sooner than later. The longer we stay, the harder it might be to leave.”

“It was a pleasure meeting you, miss Freyjania. I’ll keep your son safe.”

[halonathewildone]

Theren walked into his room and looked around with an air of nostalgia. Although it was never as decorated as his room back at the Oak Street Inn, the simple nature of the room reminded him of a simpler time; the red curtains he insisted on since it was his favorite color growing up, the wolf relief carved into a slab of wood he bartered for at the Abora Market, the dust shaped where the lute his father gifted him used to sit but now was slung on his shoulder when his original lute was destroyed, and of course the drawing of him and Metiria that he had drawn of them when they were kids for fun. The room otherwise was quite simple and he liked it that way. Noticing now Halona on the bed he said, “enjoying my old bed?,” he chuckled as he asked.

“Mhmm. Comfy,” Halona said with a smile, getting a bit more comfortable on as she moved on the bed. She took a longer look at his decor. “It’s quainter than I imagined. I feel like I’ve seen your room at the Inn. Plus, you’ve had that wolf thing going on for a while, haven’t you? The carving, the amulet, the guardian.”

Halona sat up on the edge of the bed and tried to listen outside. “Is it normally this quiet? I know we didn’t see a lot of people coming here, but it feels weird to me that a city this big is like this right now.”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Theren shook his head. “It usually isn’t this quiet. Something feels quite off,” he said as he looked out the window. A group of warriors walked down the road and his mother was in the lead. 

“There she is,” Theren pointed out to Halona. Theren’s mother Freyjania walked to the door of her home, dismissing the fellow warriors walking with her when she saw Theren’s scarf. 

“Theren!,” she exclaimed as she walked through the door. “I did not know you were going to be in. This is not the safest time to be home my little wolf. And who is this friend of yours?,” she enquired.

Theren responded, “Mother, this is Halona, Halona, my mother Freyjania.”

[halonathewildone]

Halona leaned close to Theren as his mother entered the house. “Theren, I know you said your mother was on the Council of Warriors, but I was still expecting like a bureaucrat or something.”

Halona bounced out of their secret conversation and gave Freyjania a small bow. “Hello, Miss Everwood. I’m a friend of your son and that’s actually why we’re here. Theren had a bad feeling something was going on and we came to see what was up.”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Freyjania looked at her perplexed. “Oh, I am sorry, I am not Miss Everwood, Theren gets his last name from his father,” she said, not seeming slighted by the mistake but ensuring it did not happen again. “And as for your feeling, you are not wrong my little wolf, a war among the gods is brewing. Karametra guides us to stay out of the quarrel, but her sister Nylea has joined the fight and the Nessian Woods due to it are in a state of aggression. We’ve had many beasts attack the polis due to the agitation and currently it seems as if the squabbles of this war are preoccupying Nylea’s attention, leaving our polis to fend for herself.” 

As Freyjania spoke about what was occurring, Theren’s face began to be enveloped by the Nyxian shadows. His shoulders rolled forward and he hung his head low. “No, why are the gods fighting? They are supposed to protect the mortals of Theros. I know they can be fickle but this isn’t right.”

Freyjania looked towards her son and walked to embrace him, trying to respark his hope. As she embraced him, she said, “My little wolf, Karametra has guarded is from many evils but even you know that the gods live by their whims. That is why we are blessed by our god.”

Theren nodded and looked into his mother’s eyes, his Nxyian starscape retreating to their normal borders within shadow. “Have the children of Setessa stayed safe?,” he asked which Freyjania nodded to reassure him.

[halonathewildone]

Halona listened with surprising restraint and quiet as Feryjania explained the situation and took a minute to consider the scope of what they walked into. She reached out and placed a sympathetic hand on Theren’s shoulder.

“Theren, I’m going to be real with you. I’m amazing, but this might be a bit out of our reach. I don’t think we have what it takes to stop a war of the gods.”

Turning back to Theren’s mother, she asked, “Is there anything we can do to help though? It sounds like you and your warriors have some of it under control, but a few extra hands couldn’t hurt.”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Freyjania shook her head. “All we can do at this point is pray. Our warriors can keep the polis safe, but it may be safer if you to leave. There has been a new group of prophets sharing the news of Klothys, a god of destiny,” she said, then turning to look to Theren. “She won’t be found of you being alive my little wolf. You only live due to a change in your destiny.”

[halonathewildone]

Halona sighed softly, deflating a bit from the decision. “This sucks. It’s a shitty thing to mess up a family reunion. At least we have places to we can go to where Klothys can’t reach you, Theren. If you need us to, we can leave immediately. I can’t imagine falling out of favor with a god isn’t gonna end well when they catch wind of us here.”

[halonathewildone]

Theren walked into his room and looked around with an air of nostalgia. Although it was never as decorated as his room back at the Oak Street Inn, the simple nature of the room reminded him of a simpler time; the red curtains he insisted on since it was his favorite color growing up, the wolf relief carved into a slab of wood he bartered for at the Abora Market, the dust shaped where the lute his father gifted him used to sit but now was slung on his shoulder when his original lute was destroyed, and of course the drawing of him and Metiria that he had drawn of them when they were kids for fun. The room otherwise was quite simple and he liked it that way. Noticing now Halona on the bed he said, “enjoying my old bed?,” he chuckled as he asked.

“Mhmm. Comfy,” Halona said with a smile, getting a bit more comfortable on as she moved on the bed. She took a longer look at his decor. “It’s quainter than I imagined. I feel like I’ve seen your room at the Inn. Plus, you’ve had that wolf thing going on for a while, haven’t you? The carving, the amulet, the guardian.”

Halona sat up on the edge of the bed and tried to listen outside. “Is it normally this quiet? I know we didn’t see a lot of people coming here, but it feels weird to me that a city this big is like this right now.”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Theren shook his head. “It usually isn’t this quiet. Something feels quite off,” he said as he looked out the window. A group of warriors walked down the road and his mother was in the lead. 

“There she is,” Theren pointed out to Halona. Theren’s mother Freyjania walked to the door of her home, dismissing the fellow warriors walking with her when she saw Theren’s scarf. 

“Theren!,” she exclaimed as she walked through the door. “I did not know you were going to be in. This is not the safest time to be home my little wolf. And who is this friend of yours?,” she enquired.

Theren responded, “Mother, this is Halona, Halona, my mother Freyjania.”

[halonathewildone]

Halona leaned close to Theren as his mother entered the house. “Theren, I know you said your mother was on the Council of Warriors, but I was still expecting like a bureaucrat or something.”

Halona bounced out of their secret conversation and gave Freyjania a small bow. “Hello, Miss Everwood. I’m a friend of your son and that’s actually why we’re here. Theren had a bad feeling something was going on and we came to see what was up.”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Freyjania looked at her perplexed. “Oh, I am sorry, I am not Miss Everwood, Theren gets his last name from his father,” she said, not seeming slighted by the mistake but ensuring it did not happen again. “And as for your feeling, you are not wrong my little wolf, a war among the gods is brewing. Karametra guides us to stay out of the quarrel, but her sister Nylea has joined the fight and the Nessian Woods due to it are in a state of aggression. We’ve had many beasts attack the polis due to the agitation and currently it seems as if the squabbles of this war are preoccupying Nylea’s attention, leaving our polis to fend for herself.” 

As Freyjania spoke about what was occurring, Theren’s face began to be enveloped by the Nyxian shadows. His shoulders rolled forward and he hung his head low. “No, why are the gods fighting? They are supposed to protect the mortals of Theros. I know they can be fickle but this isn’t right.”

Freyjania looked towards her son and walked to embrace him, trying to respark his hope. As she embraced him, she said, “My little wolf, Karametra has guarded is from many evils but even you know that the gods live by their whims. That is why we are blessed by our god.”

Theren nodded and looked into his mother’s eyes, his Nxyian starscape retreating to their normal borders within shadow. “Have the children of Setessa stayed safe?,” he asked which Freyjania nodded to reassure him.

[halonathewildone]

Halona listened with surprising restraint and quiet as Feryjania explained the situation and took a minute to consider the scope of what they walked into. She reached out and placed a sympathetic hand on Theren’s shoulder.

“Theren, I’m going to be real with you. I’m amazing, but this might be a bit out of our reach. I don’t think we have what it takes to stop a war of the gods.”

Turning back to Theren’s mother, she asked, “Is there anything we can do to help though? It sounds like you and your warriors have some of it under control, but a few extra hands couldn’t hurt.”

[halonathewildone]

Theren walked into his room and looked around with an air of nostalgia. Although it was never as decorated as his room back at the Oak Street Inn, the simple nature of the room reminded him of a simpler time; the red curtains he insisted on since it was his favorite color growing up, the wolf relief carved into a slab of wood he bartered for at the Abora Market, the dust shaped where the lute his father gifted him used to sit but now was slung on his shoulder when his original lute was destroyed, and of course the drawing of him and Metiria that he had drawn of them when they were kids for fun. The room otherwise was quite simple and he liked it that way. Noticing now Halona on the bed he said, “enjoying my old bed?,” he chuckled as he asked.

“Mhmm. Comfy,” Halona said with a smile, getting a bit more comfortable on as she moved on the bed. She took a longer look at his decor. “It’s quainter than I imagined. I feel like I’ve seen your room at the Inn. Plus, you’ve had that wolf thing going on for a while, haven’t you? The carving, the amulet, the guardian.”

Halona sat up on the edge of the bed and tried to listen outside. “Is it normally this quiet? I know we didn’t see a lot of people coming here, but it feels weird to me that a city this big is like this right now.”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Theren shook his head. “It usually isn’t this quiet. Something feels quite off,” he said as he looked out the window. A group of warriors walked down the road and his mother was in the lead. 

“There she is,” Theren pointed out to Halona. Theren’s mother Freyjania walked to the door of her home, dismissing the fellow warriors walking with her when she saw Theren’s scarf. 

“Theren!,” she exclaimed as she walked through the door. “I did not know you were going to be in. This is not the safest time to be home my little wolf. And who is this friend of yours?,” she enquired.

Theren responded, “Mother, this is Halona, Halona, my mother Freyjania.”

[halonathewildone]

Halona leaned close to Theren as his mother entered the house. “Theren, I know you said your mother was on the Council of Warriors, but I was still expecting like a bureaucrat or something.”

Halona bounced out of their secret conversation and gave Freyjania a small bow. “Hello, Miss Everwood. I’m a friend of your son and that’s actually why we’re here. Theren had a bad feeling something was going on and we came to see what was up.”

[halonathewildone]

Theren walked into his room and looked around with an air of nostalgia. Although it was never as decorated as his room back at the Oak Street Inn, the simple nature of the room reminded him of a simpler time; the red curtains he insisted on since it was his favorite color growing up, the wolf relief carved into a slab of wood he bartered for at the Abora Market, the dust shaped where the lute his father gifted him used to sit but now was slung on his shoulder when his original lute was destroyed, and of course the drawing of him and Metiria that he had drawn of them when they were kids for fun. The room otherwise was quite simple and he liked it that way. Noticing now Halona on the bed he said, “enjoying my old bed?,” he chuckled as he asked.

“Mhmm. Comfy,” Halona said with a smile, getting a bit more comfortable on as she moved on the bed. She took a longer look at his decor. “It’s quainter than I imagined. I feel like I’ve seen your room at the Inn. Plus, you've had that wolf thing going on for a while, haven’t you? The carving, the amulet, the guardian.”

Halona sat up on the edge of the bed and tried to listen outside. “Is it normally this quiet? I know we didn’t see a lot of people coming here, but it feels weird to me that a city this big is like this right now.”

[halonathewildone]

Theren chuckled at Halona’s race to Setessa. He began to run, holding his staff just in case his leg fell again. As they neared the main gate of Setessa, the Abora Market came into view right behind the gates. Although there were Setessan warriors at the gate, vetting outsiders, Theren knew his sigil from his sister Metiria would allow them safe passage into the Market and the rest of the Polis. Beating Halona by a few seconds, his leg decided to give out again once he stopped running. This time, his staff caught him before he fell. “Maybe running wasn’t the best idea, Theren winced as he supported his weight on his staff.

Halona came up behind Theren, letting his sigil get them into the city and getting ready in case Theren’s leg gave out again. Although she was happy to see Theren catch himself, she didn’t want to get too far.

“Eh, probably not, but you could use the exercise,” she gave him a playful jab in the shoulder, “And look, everyone is excited to see you win.” Looking around, everything seemed alright, but Halona could tell there was something in the air. She leaned in close and whispered, “Actually, is it just me or does it feel like something’s a little tense to you?”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Theren chuckled as she mentioned the exercise and everyone excited seeing him win, but then took a pause when he heard Halona mention the tenseness. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He hadn’t slept on Theros for a while, but whenever he was on the plane, he could often see visions and messages from the gods when sleeping or meditating, as most denizens of Theros could. That was the reason that they had come to Theros in the first place, as he felt that same feeling all the way on Ravnica. With his eyes closed he focused on Karametra, the god of the Harvest and Theren’s patron goddess. 

Oh great Karametra, I reach my thoughts in greeting to you as I return home. I sense a tenseness as I arrive at your polis’ gates. What is currently befalling our home?, He asked in prayer.

There was no response, and Theren opened his eyes. “We may need to ask around to find out what is going on… Karametra did not answer my prayer when I tried to ask her for guidance,” Theren explained to Halona.

[halonathewildone]

“Maybe she’s just busy? Maybe there’s just a lot of people praying to her right now?” Halona asked, trying to be upbeat. “You said your family has connections, right? Let’s go find them first before we start asking a random passerby for info. Especially if it comes from me. ‘Hey you know the gods that are a part of your everyday life? Yeah, what’s up with them?’ ”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Theren nodded. He walked to the guards blocking the gate and by showing his sister’s sigil allowed them passage safely into the polis. Heading toward’s his mother’s house, he noticed a feeling of edginess from many people of the polis. “I don’t see any of the children running around…. things must be bad if they are not out,” he warned to Halona.

As they reached his mother’s house, he went inside with Halona, yelling out to his mother, “MaMa, I’m home!” There was no response. “Are you home MaMa?,” Theren called out again. “Hmmmm, she might be in a meeting. While we wait, would you want to see my old room?”

[halonathewildone]

Halona was starting to get a bit on edge now, with the everyone either hiding or on guard, but eased up as they approached Theren’s home. She peaked her head in first before following him inside, spinning around with each step as she looked around the room.

“I guess we should stay here? As funny as it’d be, we probably shouldn’t go barging in on your mom if she’s doing something important. Plus, now I get to see the delve deeper into the world that made our famous bard into the man he is today.”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Theren nodded. “Sounds like a plan,” he said, taking off his red scarf. “Let me hang my scarf on the outside door. My mother being a warrior might attack if she thinks someone is in her home uninvited, so I always hang my scarf if I come home when she is not around so she knows I am here.”

After he hung his scarf at the door, he came back into the living room of the house where Halona was looking around at the simple accommodations of the house. “It’s not to magnificent, but it’s home,” he said, looking out one of the windows that a tree was built into.

[halonathewildone]

Halona nodded, only slightly paying attention to Theren now as she continued deeper into the house. She mentally noted the rooms as she went; pantry, kitchen, bedroom, closet. She’d stick her head in, maybe quickly open and scan a drawer or two, before moving on. Eventually she stumbled onto what she assumed was Theren’s old room at least by the decor and flopped onto the bed. “Hmm,. His bed is nicer than the one I have at Nireta’s,” she mused to herself.

[halonathewildone]

Theren chuckled at Halona’s race to Setessa. He began to run, holding his staff just in case his leg fell again. As they neared the main gate of Setessa, the Abora Market came into view right behind the gates. Although there were Setessan warriors at the gate, vetting outsiders, Theren knew his sigil from his sister Metiria would allow them safe passage into the Market and the rest of the Polis. Beating Halona by a few seconds, his leg decided to give out again once he stopped running. This time, his staff caught him before he fell. “Maybe running wasn’t the best idea, Theren winced as he supported his weight on his staff.

Halona came up behind Theren, letting his sigil get them into the city and getting ready in case Theren’s leg gave out again. Although she was happy to see Theren catch himself, she didn’t want to get too far.

“Eh, probably not, but you could use the exercise,” she gave him a playful jab in the shoulder, “And look, everyone is excited to see you win.” Looking around, everything seemed alright, but Halona could tell there was something in the air. She leaned in close and whispered, “Actually, is it just me or does it feel like something’s a little tense to you?”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Theren chuckled as she mentioned the exercise and everyone excited seeing him win, but then took a pause when he heard Halona mention the tenseness. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He hadn’t slept on Theros for a while, but whenever he was on the plane, he could often see visions and messages from the gods when sleeping or meditating, as most denizens of Theros could. That was the reason that they had come to Theros in the first place, as he felt that same feeling all the way on Ravnica. With his eyes closed he focused on Karametra, the god of the Harvest and Theren’s patron goddess. 

Oh great Karametra, I reach my thoughts in greeting to you as I return home. I sense a tenseness as I arrive at your polis’ gates. What is currently befalling our home?, He asked in prayer.

There was no response, and Theren opened his eyes. “We may need to ask around to find out what is going on… Karametra did not answer my prayer when I tried to ask her for guidance,” Theren explained to Halona.

[halonathewildone]

“Maybe she’s just busy? Maybe there’s just a lot of people praying to her right now?” Halona asked, trying to be upbeat. “You said your family has connections, right? Let’s go find them first before we start asking a random passerby for info. Especially if it comes from me. ‘Hey you know the gods that are a part of your everyday life? Yeah, what’s up with them?’ ”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Theren nodded. He walked to the guards blocking the gate and by showing his sister’s sigil allowed them passage safely into the polis. Heading toward’s his mother’s house, he noticed a feeling of edginess from many people of the polis. “I don’t see any of the children running around…. things must be bad if they are not out,” he warned to Halona.

As they reached his mother’s house, he went inside with Halona, yelling out to his mother, “MaMa, I’m home!” There was no response. “Are you home MaMa?,” Theren called out again. “Hmmmm, she might be in a meeting. While we wait, would you want to see my old room?”

[halonathewildone]

Halona was starting to get a bit on edge now, with the everyone either hiding or on guard, but eased up as they approached Theren’s home. She peaked her head in first before following him inside, spinning around with each step as she looked around the room.

“I guess we should stay here? As funny as it’d be, we probably shouldn’t go barging in on your mom if she’s doing something important. Plus, now I get to see the delve deeper into the world that made our famous bard into the man he is today.”

[halonathewildone]

Theren chuckled at Halona’s race to Setessa. He began to run, holding his staff just in case his leg fell again. As they neared the main gate of Setessa, the Abora Market came into view right behind the gates. Although there were Setessan warriors at the gate, vetting outsiders, Theren knew his sigil from his sister Metiria would allow them safe passage into the Market and the rest of the Polis. Beating Halona by a few seconds, his leg decided to give out again once he stopped running. This time, his staff caught him before he fell. “Maybe running wasn’t the best idea, Theren winced as he supported his weight on his staff.

Halona came up behind Theren, letting his sigil get them into the city and getting ready in case Theren’s leg gave out again. Although she was happy to see Theren catch himself, she didn’t want to get too far.

“Eh, probably not, but you could use the exercise,” she gave him a playful jab in the shoulder, “And look, everyone is excited to see you win.” Looking around, everything seemed alright, but Halona could tell there was something in the air. She leaned in close and whispered, “Actually, is it just me or does it feel like something’s a little tense to you?”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Theren chuckled as she mentioned the exercise and everyone excited seeing him win, but then took a pause when he heard Halona mention the tenseness. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He hadn’t slept on Theros for a while, but whenever he was on the plane, he could often see visions and messages from the gods when sleeping or meditating, as most denizens of Theros could. That was the reason that they had come to Theros in the first place, as he felt that same feeling all the way on Ravnica. With his eyes closed he focused on Karametra, the god of the Harvest and Theren’s patron goddess. 

Oh great Karametra, I reach my thoughts in greeting to you as I return home. I sense a tenseness as I arrive at your polis’ gates. What is currently befalling our home?, He asked in prayer.

There was no response, and Theren opened his eyes. “We may need to ask around to find out what is going on… Karametra did not answer my prayer when I tried to ask her for guidance,” Theren explained to Halona.

[halonathewildone]

“Maybe she’s just busy? Maybe there’s just a lot of people praying to her right now?” Halona asked, trying to be upbeat. “You said your family has connections, right? Let’s go find them first before we start asking a random passerby for info. Especially if it comes from me. ‘Hey you know the gods that are a part of your everyday life? Yeah, what’s up with them?’ ”

[halonathewildone]

Theren chuckled at Halona’s race to Setessa. He began to run, holding his staff just in case his leg fell again. As they neared the main gate of Setessa, the Abora Market came into view right behind the gates. Although there were Setessan warriors at the gate, vetting outsiders, Theren knew his sigil from his sister Metiria would allow them safe passage into the Market and the rest of the Polis. Beating Halona by a few seconds, his leg decided to give out again once he stopped running. This time, his staff caught him before he fell. “Maybe running wasn’t the best idea, Theren winced as he supported his weight on his staff.

Halona came up behind Theren, letting his sigil get them into the city and getting ready in case Theren’s leg gave out again. Although she was happy to see Theren catch himself, she didn’t want to get too far.

“Eh, probably not, but you could use the exercise,” she gave him a playful jab in the shoulder, “And look, everyone is excited to see you win.” Looking around, everything seemed alright, but Halona could tell there was something in the air. She leaned in close and whispered, “Actually, is it just me or does it feel like something’s a little tense to you?”

[halonathewildone]

Theren followed her to the other stall, and as quick as he saw the lazotep skull he took an involuntary step back. He shook his head for a second, trying to get the thought of that day to stop haunting him. Another scene came into view… it was Theros again. Why am I thinking of Theros?

Theren snapped out of his own head when Halona mentioned Eldraine again. “What I read about it sounded quite interesting, in fact the whole plane seemed to be a land teeming with adventures to go on……. but for some odd reason my mind keeps pulling towards Theros. I know it’s my home plane, but something feels off about the thought.”

Halona bought and pocketed the scuffed cartouche. “That’s weird. Nireta hasn’t mentioned having any weird feelings, but then again you do have a ‘special’ connection.” She gestured vaguely at him. “I’m super excited to go to Eldraine, but I’d totally be down to go back to Theros if you feel like you need to. Go visit that oracle again and get some more wacky prophecies.”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Theren looked out at the rest of the Concourse, hearing the harmony of the marketplace. His heart wanted to go to Theros, as his gut was telling him that something might be going wrong. But his head told him he might want to wait if more war was headed that way. “I’m not sure. I don’t know what’s pulling me towards Theros but I’m worried that it may not be good.”

[halonathewildone]

“Hmm,” Halona hummed, closing her eyes tights as she considered her options. “How about this? We go to Theros. Maybe visit a city or your family or something. Ask around, stay for a couple hours just so we can get a feel if somethings happening and if everything looks good, we head on over to Eldraine and have a grand old time. We do our due diligence and then have some fun. What do ya say?”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Theren nodded to Halona saying, “I think that’s a good idea. If we go to Setessa, we can see my mother and my sister there. The spies of the Ophis Tower will be giving information to the polis and my mother sits on the Council of Warriors.”

[halonathewildone]

“Simple enough. Race you there,” Halona said with a wink, vanishing from sight as she planeswalked off of Ravnica. Landing on Theros, she stood on an empty and open road running over rolling hills. Sky was clear, no panic screams she could hear, the polis in the distance looked not on fire.

Everything looks good so far, she mused to herself, waiting for Theren to blip in behind her any second now. I hope that Setessa. That’s the one with all the trees, right?

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Theren shook his head and chuckled as she suggested to race. As her aether trail showed her departure, he hummed a bouncing note to follow the adventurous planeswalker through the Blind Enterities. As his feet met the grass of the chaparral, he looked to see Halona standing on the road to Setessa. He smiled, seeing that at least at the moment, all seemed well. Walking to the road, Theren asked Halona, “Ready to visit my home polis?”

[halonathewildone]

“You bet. I always wondered if your family had the same penchant for almost-death as you do. Also...” she said, letting Theren catch up to her as she looked in the direction of the polis. At the last word, when Theren got close, she gave him a quick shove and started running down the road, “Theraceisn’toverslowpoke!”

[halonathewildone]

Theren followed her to the other stall, and as quick as he saw the lazotep skull he took an involuntary step back. He shook his head for a second, trying to get the thought of that day to stop haunting him. Another scene came into view… it was Theros again. Why am I thinking of Theros?

Theren snapped out of his own head when Halona mentioned Eldraine again. “What I read about it sounded quite interesting, in fact the whole plane seemed to be a land teeming with adventures to go on……. but for some odd reason my mind keeps pulling towards Theros. I know it’s my home plane, but something feels off about the thought.”

Halona bought and pocketed the scuffed cartouche. “That’s weird. Nireta hasn’t mentioned having any weird feelings, but then again you do have a ‘special’ connection.” She gestured vaguely at him. “I’m super excited to go to Eldraine, but I’d totally be down to go back to Theros if you feel like you need to. Go visit that oracle again and get some more wacky prophecies.”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Theren looked out at the rest of the Concourse, hearing the harmony of the marketplace. His heart wanted to go to Theros, as his gut was telling him that something might be going wrong. But his head told him he might want to wait if more war was headed that way. “I’m not sure. I don’t know what’s pulling me towards Theros but I’m worried that it may not be good.”

[halonathewildone]

“Hmm,” Halona hummed, closing her eyes tights as she considered her options. “How about this? We go to Theros. Maybe visit a city or your family or something. Ask around, stay for a couple hours just so we can get a feel if somethings happening and if everything looks good, we head on over to Eldraine and have a grand old time. We do our due diligence and then have some fun. What do ya say?”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Theren nodded to Halona saying, “I think that’s a good idea. If we go to Setessa, we can see my mother and my sister there. The spies of the Ophis Tower will be giving information to the polis and my mother sits on the Council of Warriors.”

[halonathewildone]

“Simple enough. Race you there,” Halona said with a wink, vanishing from sight as she planeswalked off of Ravnica. Landing on Theros, she stood on an empty and open road running over rolling hills. Sky was clear, no panic screams she could hear, the polis in the distance looked not on fire.

Everything looks good so far, she mused to herself, waiting for Theren to blip in behind her any second now. I hope that Setessa. That’s the one with all the trees, right?

[halonathewildone]

Theren followed her to the other stall, and as quick as he saw the lazotep skull he took an involuntary step back. He shook his head for a second, trying to get the thought of that day to stop haunting him. Another scene came into view… it was Theros again. Why am I thinking of Theros?

Theren snapped out of his own head when Halona mentioned Eldraine again. “What I read about it sounded quite interesting, in fact the whole plane seemed to be a land teeming with adventures to go on……. but for some odd reason my mind keeps pulling towards Theros. I know it’s my home plane, but something feels off about the thought.”

Halona bought and pocketed the scuffed cartouche. “That’s weird. Nireta hasn’t mentioned having any weird feelings, but then again you do have a ‘special’ connection.” She gestured vaguely at him. “I’m super excited to go to Eldraine, but I’d totally be down to go back to Theros if you feel like you need to. Go visit that oracle again and get some more wacky prophecies.”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Theren looked out at the rest of the Concourse, hearing the harmony of the marketplace. His heart wanted to go to Theros, as his gut was telling him that something might be going wrong. But his head told him he might want to wait if more war was headed that way. “I’m not sure. I don’t know what’s pulling me towards Theros but I’m worried that it may not be good.”

[halonathewildone]

“Hmm,” Halona hummed, closing her eyes tights as she considered her options. “How about this? We go to Theros. Maybe visit a city or your family or something. Ask around, stay for a couple hours just so we can get a feel if somethings happening and if everything looks good, we head on over to Eldraine and have a grand old time. We do our due diligence and then have some fun. What do ya say?”

[halonathewildone]

Theren followed her to the other stall, and as quick as he saw the lazotep skull he took an involuntary step back. He shook his head for a second, trying to get the thought of that day to stop haunting him. Another scene came into view… it was Theros again. Why am I thinking of Theros?

Theren snapped out of his own head when Halona mentioned Eldraine again. “What I read about it sounded quite interesting, in fact the whole plane seemed to be a land teeming with adventures to go on……. but for some odd reason my mind keeps pulling towards Theros. I know it’s my home plane, but something feels off about the thought.”

Halona bought and pocketed the scuffed cartouche. “That’s weird. Nireta hasn’t mentioned having any weird feelings, but then again you do have a ‘special’ connection.” She gestured vaguely at him. “I’m super excited to go to Eldraine, but I’d totally be down to go back to Theros if you feel like you need to. Go visit that oracle again and get some more wacky prophecies.”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Concourse Wanderings

The wintertime marketplace of the Great Concourse felt quite similar to the rest of the year. The warmth of the people selling, trading, and sharing fellowship thawed the cold in the air and an unseasonable warmth could keep even a viashino’s blood warm. As wagons of wares lazily rolled across the ancient white stone roadways, stand owners offered a variety of fresh foods, shaped wood, and Selesnyan trinkets.

Theren found himself walking down one of these walkways as he was interested in checking out the various stands. He often found himself going to Tin Street, even though the Great Conourse was in his home, Precinct Three. He had dressed in his winter coat, but as he arrived, he had to open it up to reveal his usual toga and kilt, since he would’ve been too hot otherwise.

@halonathewildone

[halonathewildone]

Halona had never come through the Great Concourse much before with Tin Street being her more typical stomping grounds, but she couldn’t deny the beauty of the Selesyna roadways during the winter. She meandered from stall to stall, from wood cart to food court, marveling at all the crafts and seasonal wonders people had on display. She wasn’t here really to buy anything, only to explore these new grounds for herself.

Like every winter she had spent on this plane, she hadn’t really prepared for the weather. Underneath the scarf and jacket she had been gifted previous years, all she wore was her typical garb made more for the winds of the sunny open seas rather than the cold and ice. Still, she wasn’t bothered all that much by the chill. The hustle and bustle of the crowds and the stalls kept her more than warm enough for the season.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a familiar face in the crowd. Waving both of her arms overhead, causing those close to her to give a wide berth, she called her friend over, “Theren! Hey! Hey, Theren!”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Theren turned towards the familiar voice and and twinkled brightly as he ran towards Halona. “Halona! It’s so good to see you!,” he exclaimed. As he ran to get closer, his leg that was impaled by Asmund’s ice gave way unexpectedly and Theren almost fell flat on his face. He was only saved by his staff, Ther’s staff, and found himself on one knee. The market goers who had given space between the two now stood inquisitively staring at the bard, now on the ground and his starscapes expanding across his skin as his face began to turn red.

[halonathewildone]

Halona watched and winced as she saw Theren stumble and almost eat pavement. Quickly pushing passed the crowd, she got over to her friend and helped him to his feet.

“I know you’re happy to see me, but I didn’t think I’d knock you off your feet,” Halona laughed, brushing off the half-elf. “It’s good to see you too, my friend. How have you been these days? Not too many life threatening adventures I’d hope.”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Theren stood with her help and supported his weight on her and the staff. “Well I’ve been doing well for the most part. Dealing with some emotional stuff from the War but that’s about it, what about you?”

[halonathewildone]

Halona gave Theren some room so he could get steady again as the crowd started to mill about once more.

“Much the same, I’d imagine. The war was a bit… strenuous. I needed a break and I spent some time with my family and my thoughts. It was nice to see my folks again and get back in touch with my roots.”

Halona started making her way towards the various stalls again, keeping her pace slow so Theren could keep up. She picked up a small carved wooden statue from one of the stands, looking it over as she continued to talk. “After that I went back to hoping from plane to plane. It’d been so long since I went on an actual adventure. It really got my blood flowing again.”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Theren followed Halona through the various stalls, his leg seeming to get back to a normal state as he gingerly would put weight on it. “I’ve been mostly here, trying to help people get back on their feet. Alot of the city is still in repair so I felt like I couldn’t leave,” he said with a sigh.

“But I have had the itch, I did go to Kamigawa for a short jaunt to their library which had me reading about a plane called Eldraine, but I didn’t visit there since I did not have anyone to go with.”

He paused for a moment to look at the carved wooden statue that Halona was holding. In that moment, a flash of Theros flooded his mind. He shook it away for the moment and said, “I’m happy you got to go on an adventure. I don’t do those as often anymore.”

[halonathewildone]

Halona perked up at Theren’s words. “Would you like to? Go to Eldraine or anywhere really I mean. It’s always more fun to have a partner to go exploring with.”

She had moved onto another stall and another box, this one filled with treasures and trinkets from the war. She lifted up a lazotep skull, but quickly lost interest and tossed it back into the pile of Eternal leftovers. What did catch her eye was a cartouche. Much of the gold was scratched and worn, but the jewels looked in pretty good shape.

“Eldraine actually sounds nice too. I heard about it from some other ‘walkers after the war, but I never had a chance to go there either.”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Concourse Wanderings

The wintertime marketplace of the Great Concourse felt quite similar to the rest of the year. The warmth of the people selling, trading, and sharing fellowship thawed the cold in the air and an unseasonable warmth could keep even a viashino’s blood warm. As wagons of wares lazily rolled across the ancient white stone roadways, stand owners offered a variety of fresh foods, shaped wood, and Selesnyan trinkets.

Theren found himself walking down one of these walkways as he was interested in checking out the various stands. He often found himself going to Tin Street, even though the Great Conourse was in his home, Precinct Three. He had dressed in his winter coat, but as he arrived, he had to open it up to reveal his usual toga and kilt, since he would’ve been too hot otherwise.

@halonathewildone

[halonathewildone]

Halona had never come through the Great Concourse much before with Tin Street being her more typical stomping grounds, but she couldn’t deny the beauty of the Selesyna roadways during the winter. She meandered from stall to stall, from wood cart to food court, marveling at all the crafts and seasonal wonders people had on display. She wasn’t here really to buy anything, only to explore these new grounds for herself.

Like every winter she had spent on this plane, she hadn’t really prepared for the weather. Underneath the scarf and jacket she had been gifted previous years, all she wore was her typical garb made more for the winds of the sunny open seas rather than the cold and ice. Still, she wasn’t bothered all that much by the chill. The hustle and bustle of the crowds and the stalls kept her more than warm enough for the season.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a familiar face in the crowd. Waving both of her arms overhead, causing those close to her to give a wide berth, she called her friend over, “Theren! Hey! Hey, Theren!”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Theren turned towards the familiar voice and and twinkled brightly as he ran towards Halona. “Halona! It’s so good to see you!,” he exclaimed. As he ran to get closer, his leg that was impaled by Asmund’s ice gave way unexpectedly and Theren almost fell flat on his face. He was only saved by his staff, Ther’s staff, and found himself on one knee. The market goers who had given space between the two now stood inquisitively staring at the bard, now on the ground and his starscapes expanding across his skin as his face began to turn red.

[halonathewildone]

Halona watched and winced as she saw Theren stumble and almost eat pavement. Quickly pushing passed the crowd, she got over to her friend and helped him to his feet.

“I know you’re happy to see me, but I didn’t think I’d knock you off your feet,” Halona laughed, brushing off the half-elf. “It’s good to see you too, my friend. How have you been these days? Not too many life threatening adventures I’d hope.”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Theren stood with her help and supported his weight on her and the staff. “Well I’ve been doing well for the most part. Dealing with some emotional stuff from the War but that’s about it, what about you?”

[halonathewildone]

Halona gave Theren some room so he could get steady again as the crowd started to mill about once more.

“Much the same, I’d imagine. The war was a bit... strenuous. I needed a break and I spent some time with my family and my thoughts. It was nice to see my folks again and get back in touch with my roots.”

Halona started making her way towards the various stalls again, keeping her pace slow so Theren could keep up. She picked up a small carved wooden statue from one of the stands, looking it over as she continued to talk. “After that I went back to hoping from plane to plane. It’d been so long since I went on an actual adventure. It really got my blood flowing again.”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Concourse Wanderings

The wintertime marketplace of the Great Concourse felt quite similar to the rest of the year. The warmth of the people selling, trading, and sharing fellowship thawed the cold in the air and an unseasonable warmth could keep even a viashino’s blood warm. As wagons of wares lazily rolled across the ancient white stone roadways, stand owners offered a variety of fresh foods, shaped wood, and Selesnyan trinkets.

Theren found himself walking down one of these walkways as he was interested in checking out the various stands. He often found himself going to Tin Street, even though the Great Conourse was in his home, Precinct Three. He had dressed in his winter coat, but as he arrived, he had to open it up to reveal his usual toga and kilt, since he would’ve been too hot otherwise.

@halonathewildone

[halonathewildone]

Halona had never come through the Great Concourse much before with Tin Street being her more typical stomping grounds, but she couldn’t deny the beauty of the Selesyna roadways during the winter. She meandered from stall to stall, from wood cart to food court, marveling at all the crafts and seasonal wonders people had on display. She wasn’t here really to buy anything, only to explore these new grounds for herself.

Like every winter she had spent on this plane, she hadn’t really prepared for the weather. Underneath the scarf and jacket she had been gifted previous years, all she wore was her typical garb made more for the winds of the sunny open seas rather than the cold and ice. Still, she wasn’t bothered all that much by the chill. The hustle and bustle of the crowds and the stalls kept her more than warm enough for the season.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a familiar face in the crowd. Waving both of her arms overhead, causing those close to her to give a wide berth, she called her friend over, “Theren! Hey! Hey, Theren!”

[thetalesofthereneverwood]

Theren turned towards the familiar voice and and twinkled brightly as he ran towards Halona. “Halona! It’s so good to see you!,” he exclaimed. As he ran to get closer, his leg that was impaled by Asmund’s ice gave way unexpectedly and Theren almost fell flat on his face. He was only saved by his staff, Ther’s staff, and found himself on one knee. The market goers who had given space between the two now stood inquisitively staring at the bard, now on the ground and his starscapes expanding across his skin as his face began to turn red.

[halonathewildone]

Halona watched and winced as she saw Theren stumble and almost eat pavement. Quickly pushing passed the crowd, she got over to her friend and helped him to his feet.

“I know you’re happy to see me, but I didn’t think I’d knock you off your feet,” Halona laughed, brushing off the half-elf. “It’s good to see you too, my friend. How have you been these days? Not too many life threatening adventures I’d hope.”