Atlantic Roleplay Community Boards

[Rufus Oryan]

---

Unsettled waters brushed against the docks of Nujel’m. The salty air brought atmosphere to the usually desolate portion of the island. But in the darkness, away from the street lamps, a figure could be made out. Sitting upon a barrel near the dock’s end, sat Ra`ja Oryan, cousin to Rufus Oryan. He sat silently, letting a cigarette burn on the tip of his lip. The sounds of the seas would be soothing to most; but Ra`ja sat with a feeling of unrest as he sat motionless in the blackness. He raised an eyebrow as he looked out of the corner of his eyes. His brow narrowed a bit, as sandals slide against the soggy wood of the dock. Through the darkness, moved another figure taking in deep calming breaths of salty air as he approached Ra`ja, “I felt I was still the only person who came here in the later hours…” After hearing the words, Ra`ja gave a smug look, “I am always here Rufus. Even when you nay feel me about…I am here.” Rufus stood next to Ra`ja, his hands tucked away in his gold robe, “I see you still frequent this place to think. Seems we’re bound to the things we did as children.” Ra`ja’s head tilted a bit as an ash fell from the cigarette, “Seems some of us forget what we were bound to as children…” Rufus gave a confused look as the words carried on the moist air, “Whatever do you mean?” Ra`ja flicked his cigarette into the ocean, allowing his hands to fall before him, just between his legs, “As children, we would dream of a life from the outskirts. And as our own lives changed, we would work to see that those in the outskirts had a voice. Your father represented the people…and you pose as a representative; a walking falsehood of your true self. To lay with royalty makes you royal not. To command a nation makes you nay a noble. To have men follow you to death makes you not a leader. One must remember ones true self…and remain just that.” Rufus stood silently, looking out into the blackness that blanket the sea. Ra`ja’s face frowned a bit, he licked his lips as a chilly breeze blew by, “Some time ago, your wife…she doubted your return. She lost hope. I am surprised the people have not followed suit. While I shed my title of Sheriff, I pondered the true fate of this Isle, of its Rulers…and of this Empire as you all call it. Bah, I ponder if there is any truth to the promises made to change this place…. a haven for Art, a haven of activity, a scholarly city of beauty and wonder. Pfft, horrid tourist attraction tis what it is. Floating, and sitting moved by its Regent and Sultana…” Ra`ja shook his head as the statement ended. Silence covered the one way conversation for a moment. It blanketed Rufus’s response of nothing…almost to allow thought amongst its calming sounds…

Rufus took in a breath, and swallowed what saliva had gathered in his mouth brought about by the moist air, “Cousin, to say that your concerns are unheard would be a falsehood. Tis with every moment, I ponder this…Empire and where it stands. I ponder how to change it, and how to become the vision of all Empires, to be lusted after, to be feared…to be respected. My father…your uncle, Died to see this place’s Royalty serve its people. And twas a battle he lost. I handle missives from all coasts, organizations and townships daily. And still, I feel as empty as that barrel you sit upon. I feel as If my heart still misses something. And truly, I do worry. But fret not, I have not forgotten. Tis within my quest for balance and my preaching of its word that I am reminded of my people. For it is our home that brings about that balance in our lives; confronting that which lay at our beginning shall alter the scales to better suit who we should truly be. Who we are before consciousness, and who we simply are in…being.” Rufus lowered his head a bit, closing his eyes briefly, and then raising his head again, still staring out into the blackness, “Sheriff, hold to your position and ye shall be rewarded, tis my promise to you. Your service to Queen Sarah, does nay go overlooked. And as I call her my wife, I stand as you stand…a man bound to his queen. For we spent much of our life disregarding the Rulers of this Isle because they did nothing for our people and us…and as Nujel’m’s royal family we are able to shape this Empire and make that difference. Sarah has accepted us, and our intentions…Lose not your faith, for you aid in what shall mold this Isle into the force ye dream it to be. And ye are nay alone in sharing that dream. Change will come…I promise.”

Silence gathered amongst the blackness and shadowed figures. The air tossed about differing opinions, wordings and emotions. And it would lay to rest there as well. The cousins took in deep breaths almost in the same instant. Ra`ja sat silently, chewing his lip, pondering on the words of Rufus. Rufus smiled a bit, and simply patted him on his back, dropping a book as his arm raised. “Your abilities and talents of that which rest in the wild shall be harnessed, cousin, you are nay forgotten. While the sand rolls through the street, trumpets will sound for the Honor of Nujel’m. And our rise shall begin…” And silently…Rufus was gone.

Ra`ja sat for moments, pondering…thinking to himself. Thinking of this Empire. As he stepped down from his seat, he noticed the book that lay before him. As he reached down to pick it up, he brought it closely to his face, rubbing his finger over the writing to make it out…”The Gospel of Oryan…”. And from the book, fell a small pendant, bearing a magical hue. A smirk crossed Ra`ja’s lips as he walked towards the palace…
_________________
"Balance - the harmony between the Principles of Order and Chaos...Harmony, Dedication and Rationality, the three Principles of Balance, are our highest ideals."