Icy River

The Lone Warrior would follow the River Watcher. He himself wore the same thing he had when she found him, including his punctured breastplate over fur lined clothes. The piece of armor would at least still be functional for the most part, even with he hole in it.

As he followed behind her he would notice the glowing tattoos, a curious sight to the Warrior. Neva also wore a robe that did not seem adequate at all to ward off the cold temperatures of the mountains, yet she did not seem bothered at all. The Lone Warrior was curious of this, yet he wouldn't ask any questions yet.

(exit to Norkari Mountains border)

Temus had once again been pulled from the comfortable seclusion of his room and sent out into the world. The frequency with which this happened was quite distressing to the young mage. Perhaps if he showed any indication of that he wouldn't be asked. Tragically his utter inability to express distress meant that people assumed he was trouble by these errands. This one had taken him to particularly unpleasant territory. The cold did not bother Temus, but the snow did. It could be very damaging to his books.

Temus was happily on his way back to Isra when he came to the icy river. It could be quite dangerous so he eyes it carefully. No bridge to he will need to use magic to cross. That or wade through it, which he didn't want to do. First though he should refill his water skin. Coming to the bank he dips his skin within the water and watches it slowly fill. As he lifts the skin he notices a flash of magical residue. That was interesting, staring closer he see something that is a deeper blue than the water. He reaches out careful and touches it. The water is bitterly cold, but he doesn't gasp as his hand reaches into the depths.

Temus face showed no visible reaction of surprise to a young woman bursting out of the gem. Unfortunately not expressing surprise and not feeling it are separate things. The young mage was in a precarious position leaning over the river one hand stretched out. So when he jerked in surprise he fell face first into the shallow water. He emerges a moment later, brushing water from his face which is still impassive. He hadn't heard what the odd girl said and he now had a more pressing concern. He was sopping wet and there was a person in front of him. He scuttles back on the bank and grabs his spell book and staff, clutching the former tightly to his chest.

Temus stares blankly at the strange girl. She had just removed the water from his clothing and the immediate area. That was good. She had addressed him as master, which was troubling. The girl was also seemed to be trying to direct his attention to the gem. From there he quickly concludes she is tied to gem. Perhaps because he touched it he was her master? Using his staff for leverage he gets to his feet.

"Your apology is accepted. I am unharmed I would have only been in danger if the water lead to a decrease in core body temperature. You removed the water from my clothing before it could do so, thank you. You refer to me as master and your appearance coincides with my touching of the gem you are pushing towards me. I assume that these events are correlated, is that correct?"

Temus's voice is as calm and placid as a frozen pond.

Temus didn't reach out to take the offered gem. He simply stares at it. The book is clenched even tighter to his chest and the knuckles on the hand holding the staff turn white. Despite the physical reactions to her closeness his face remained a blank mask.

"I can see many issue arising with the system as you explained it. I have no particular needs at this moment. I am also uncomfortable with the idea of being a sentient beings master, in a non-educational capacity."

Temus continues to stare blankly at the girl. His words had provoked a small, but visible reaction. Even Temus could piece together that the thought of returning to the gem was unappealing to the spirit. He thinks through the situation logically for a brief moment. After a few moments he concludes that he is lacking sufficient information to make a choice.

"Can you please outline the exact rules of your binding to the gem. Rules, restrictions, and any other relevant details."

"At present time I am not in physical possession of the gem. Though you have attempted to give me the gem, my refusal to take it has not inhibited your ability to manifest. It has also not impacted the role assigned to me by the magics governing the gem, i.e. you still view me as your master. Given this information, am I able to order you to continue carrying the gem for me."

Though these last few words were a question his utter lack of inflection made it hard to discern. The logistics of the problem made Temus slightly more comfortable. The death grip he had on his staff loosened and he stopped clenching his book so tightly. He enjoyed thinking through problems, particularly magical ones.

"At present time I can fathom no scenario where you being unseen would be needed. Though I can think of multiple scenarios where such a thing may be wanted. As you have stated that your form is corporeal the second issue is also easily resolved. We can simply provide you with something to carry the gem. With that understanding I order you to continue carrying the gem. I order you to do everything in your power to prevent others from taking it from you. My final order to is for you to act and speak as you wish for the foreseeable future."

Temus nods his head thoughtfully. He didn't particularly like giving orders, but these seemed fair to him. With that settled he takes a few steps back ward. Once he is sufficiently distanced he carefully lays his staff on the ground. Then he removes one of the pouches slung around his shoulders and sets it down as well. It contained a few spell reagents, but he had used most of them so it was almost empty. Retrieving the staff he takes another few steps back and points at the pouch.

"If you so wish you may use that pouch to store your gem. If you would like a different method of storage I am sure once can be found at a later date."

"You do not need to address me as Master. If you would prefer, you may address me as Temus. To answer your previous question, there are two reason I do not wish to take the gem. The primary reason is as I said previously. I have no desire to own a sentient being. As I began life as a construct incapable of making my own decisions, robbing another of that choice is abhorrent to me. The second reason I did not take the gem is that it would require me to put down my staff and book. I do not wish to do this as other people cause me extreme anxiety. Keeping the staff and book in my hands helps alleviate this. There are also issues of morality surrounding the gem, but I believe that is an adequate explanation."

Temus's voice remains dry emotionless and dull throughout his explanation. Indeed his face and voice are so placid a normal person would barely have registered what he said. It was just a monotonous drone a disgorging of facts, despite the actual content. With his explanation given Temus turns his attention back to the river. He still had to cross it, so he begins to gather in magic for a spell. There are a few options, but the most efficient for crossing would be levitation.