Located towards the center of Kes'Levy lies the great ironwood that houses the Emerald Guard Barracks. It is the largest of a cluster of trees that form a crescent around an area that the shapers of Kes'levy have transformed into their training grounds.
The barracks is divided into smaller sections each serving a specific function. There are the sleeping quarters for the trainees and lower ranking officers. There is also the quartermaster's office and cooresponding reception area. Classrooms for studies are also located here. Students study everything including from astronomy to theology, as well as some magicks.
At the entrance to the barracks are two Emerald Guard on patrol. The guards work in shifts and everyday, three times a day there is a small changing of the guard ceremony in which the guards coming on duty relieve the standing guards. It is a tradition that dates back many many yahren.
Emerald Guard Quarters
Emerald Guard Quarters
I see the future, and the future is bleeding.
-
Guest
A cacophony of footsteps heralded the arrival of the ebony clad figure, whose graceful and melodious gait hinted that he was purposely emitting sound to summon attention. Albeit the traveler was no native to the demesne of Taquar, his life had been predominantly sheltered within the proximity of his own home, which was situated near the outskirts of the city. Subsequently, his ambitious pursuit towards the headquarters of the Emerald Guard, while exciting, was nonetheless fazing as well. Kalonderial Kaien had never been blessed with a surplus of experience, and thus he was unfamiliar with much of the realm's terrain. He had never sojourned to this vicinity of the elven homeland, and thus he wasn't entirely certain that he was trekking towards his intended destination either. Nevertheless, he held faith in his parent's directions, and even more so by the guidance of the gracious Mother, who seemed to have already predestined the young elf to enlist in Taquar's most revered entourage.
Drawing the cowl of his obsidian cloak back over his head as he ambled down the trail that had brought him from home, the elf's emerald orbs darted from side to side in time to catch glimpses of the two guards flanking the entrance of the barracks. With a curt nod to each of the regally adorned warriors, Kalonderial advanced towards them in a casual stride. The home of the Emerald Guard was not what he had anticipated it to be, that is, it was not as resplendent or ornamented as he had originally presupposed. Though, these changes had likely been consequent of the headquarter's relocation to Kes'Levy. Yet, he did not allow his expectations to warp his judgment. This was the sanctuary of the Queen's personal soldiers, and therefore it was the hearts of those within that mattered, not the exterior of their center of operations. Maintaining a relatively optimistic demeanor as he observed the outside of the expansive compound, Kalonderial apprehensively composed his thoughts and considered how to approach his investigation. His father, a former member of the Emerald Guard, had suggested that he seek out anyone within for information on how to enroll. The force, as he had explained to Kalonderial, might have modified their protocol over the years.
The elf paused to consider this statement as he came to a stationary step before the two Emerald Guards. Albeit it was an instinctive reaction, Kalonderial's callused hands were beginning to imperceptibly quiver by his side. The thrill of finally enlisting in the Emerald Guard was far too much to handle, but he resiliently fought back his excitement and replaced it by a fairly composed visage. While the elf was young, even by the standards of the elves, he aspired for nothing more than to serve both Queen and homeland. His parents had been dutiful advocates of the royal family as well, and it had been natural that this lineage of devotion had been imparted to their only son. Kithuriel, the lad's father, had taught him everything that he needed to know to forge a foundation of competency within the Emerald Guard. Thus, Kalonderial remained mildly confident that he could handle the obligations and responsibilities that were ascribed to him; he had too if he was going to bring honor back unto his family name.
With a cordial nod to the flanking Guards, Kalonderial met gazes with each of them before speaking. “Greetings. I am Kalonderial, son of Kithuriel and Kelvdinra Kaien. I have traveled from home in hopes of joining the Emerald Guard. Would either of you mind directing me on how to go about this?â€
Drawing the cowl of his obsidian cloak back over his head as he ambled down the trail that had brought him from home, the elf's emerald orbs darted from side to side in time to catch glimpses of the two guards flanking the entrance of the barracks. With a curt nod to each of the regally adorned warriors, Kalonderial advanced towards them in a casual stride. The home of the Emerald Guard was not what he had anticipated it to be, that is, it was not as resplendent or ornamented as he had originally presupposed. Though, these changes had likely been consequent of the headquarter's relocation to Kes'Levy. Yet, he did not allow his expectations to warp his judgment. This was the sanctuary of the Queen's personal soldiers, and therefore it was the hearts of those within that mattered, not the exterior of their center of operations. Maintaining a relatively optimistic demeanor as he observed the outside of the expansive compound, Kalonderial apprehensively composed his thoughts and considered how to approach his investigation. His father, a former member of the Emerald Guard, had suggested that he seek out anyone within for information on how to enroll. The force, as he had explained to Kalonderial, might have modified their protocol over the years.
The elf paused to consider this statement as he came to a stationary step before the two Emerald Guards. Albeit it was an instinctive reaction, Kalonderial's callused hands were beginning to imperceptibly quiver by his side. The thrill of finally enlisting in the Emerald Guard was far too much to handle, but he resiliently fought back his excitement and replaced it by a fairly composed visage. While the elf was young, even by the standards of the elves, he aspired for nothing more than to serve both Queen and homeland. His parents had been dutiful advocates of the royal family as well, and it had been natural that this lineage of devotion had been imparted to their only son. Kithuriel, the lad's father, had taught him everything that he needed to know to forge a foundation of competency within the Emerald Guard. Thus, Kalonderial remained mildly confident that he could handle the obligations and responsibilities that were ascribed to him; he had too if he was going to bring honor back unto his family name.
With a cordial nod to the flanking Guards, Kalonderial met gazes with each of them before speaking. “Greetings. I am Kalonderial, son of Kithuriel and Kelvdinra Kaien. I have traveled from home in hopes of joining the Emerald Guard. Would either of you mind directing me on how to go about this?â€
"You must first pass the test of the Mother," the guard to Kalonderial's left answered as he sized the young adhiel up as if he were taking a measure of him. "Once you pass that test you will be permitted to enter the compound." His answers were short and direct to the point. One might even consider him as being rude which wasn't necessarily the case.
The guard to his right then went on to tell the boy that he would need to speak to the Avatar of the Mother, Laliel Saliu. She was the one that administered the test to all who wished to join the Emerald Guard.
"You will need to go to the Temple to find her usually," he then added. "However with everyone just getting here from Taloh the last couple of days there is no telling where she could be. She has been busy with the new temple here, as well as getting ready to name Princess Hesper as the new Tari."
The other guard sneered at that comment. "She's not fit to be the queen if you ask me," he said angrily. It was uncommon to see a guard show such disrespect. However with the recent death of the queen still fresh in everyone's mind it was understandable.
The guard to Kalonderial's right then continued. "Please forgive him. The Tari sacrificed herself to the Nether in order to save us all. Mother bless her soul," he said while making a gesture of prayer with his free hand. "She will be missed most certainly and some are taking her passing harder than others." He paused briefly before continuing. "The temple will be your best chance to find the Avatar."
The guard then told Kalonderial how to get to the temple which wasn't too far from where they now stood. He also said that if he got lost to ask anyone or to look for the largest tree, it couldn't be missed.
The guard to his right then went on to tell the boy that he would need to speak to the Avatar of the Mother, Laliel Saliu. She was the one that administered the test to all who wished to join the Emerald Guard.
"You will need to go to the Temple to find her usually," he then added. "However with everyone just getting here from Taloh the last couple of days there is no telling where she could be. She has been busy with the new temple here, as well as getting ready to name Princess Hesper as the new Tari."
The other guard sneered at that comment. "She's not fit to be the queen if you ask me," he said angrily. It was uncommon to see a guard show such disrespect. However with the recent death of the queen still fresh in everyone's mind it was understandable.
The guard to Kalonderial's right then continued. "Please forgive him. The Tari sacrificed herself to the Nether in order to save us all. Mother bless her soul," he said while making a gesture of prayer with his free hand. "She will be missed most certainly and some are taking her passing harder than others." He paused briefly before continuing. "The temple will be your best chance to find the Avatar."
The guard then told Kalonderial how to get to the temple which wasn't too far from where they now stood. He also said that if he got lost to ask anyone or to look for the largest tree, it couldn't be missed.
I see the future, and the future is bleeding.
-
Guest
Undaunted by his own inexperience, Kalonderial maintained an impressively composed visage. His elven face, though young and unmarred by the throes of war, nonetheless possessed a fleck of confidence and self-assurance. He had exhausted the majority of his life under the tutelage of his father, a former Emerald Guard, and thus he had been previously exposed to a life of strict discipline and perseverance. Hence, Kalonderial was no foreigner to challenges. Tribulations did not come solely in the shape of combat or battle. No, adversity was born in a multitude of forms. Subsequently, the young Adhiel was not fazed by the prospect of pitting himself against the test of the Mother, the glorious Lady Laliel Saliu. He was already a minor advocate of the Goddess, and while his knowledge of his creator was limited, he was additionally intrigued by learning more about her role in his own life. It would be her guidance, after all, that sustained him through whatever ordeals he was required to pass.
As Kalonderial had been situated near the outskirts of Taquar for the majority of his life, he was faintly ignorant of the politics transpiring within the elven homeland. News had reached his family of the people of Taloh's sojourn to Kes'Levy, and even the untimely demise of Taquar's beloved Queen. Ever since word had reached Kalonderial's tapered ears, he had been even more inspired to serve the new queen, regardless of the various opinions harbored by those of Taloh. Kithuriel, the lad's father, had encouraged him to embark on this quest of subservience. It was very possible that the young Princess Hesper would require his help in the near time future, and if and when that moment arrived, Kalonderial knew that he would have to be prepared. It was the obligation of every Kaien to submit their lives for the sake of Queen and country, and thus there was never any time to waste. Although considering these thoughts for a fleeting moment, the elf's attention swiftly descended upon the more disrespectful of the guards.
To be frank he was sincerely astonished by the Emerald warrior's response, which in no way delineated any hint of propriety or reverence. Kalonderial had not known the former Queen personally, and nor was he acquainted with Hesper, but he was still offended by the guard's blatant lack of respect. What sort of emotions could possibly evoke such a reaction from the royal family's own personnel? Kalonderial was truly baffled by this thought, especially as he was beginning to accumulate mixed opinions over all that had transpired over the course of the years. He knew that he personally wasn't in any position to pass judgment upon the new Queen, but was he even qualified to do so? Regardless of how much his own father had loved the former Lady, would Kithuriel have ever denounced her heir? No, Kalonderial realized that his father wouldn't. Clenching his callused fists within the folds of obsidian-hued mantle, the elf merely pressed both tiers of his lips together to avoid retorting angrily.
Kalonderial's emerald eyes shifted to the next of the guards, whose reply was far more intelligible and helpful than the latter. After receiving enough information from the elder Adhiel, Kalonderial dipped into a low and appreciative bow. "My thanks, good sir. While I lament the former Queen's passing, I am nonetheless grateful to know that Taquar still claims the hearts and devotion of our people. And even more importantly, that the Princess is still in protective hands. I pray to the Mother that our paths may cross again sometime. For now, though, it is apparent that I have much work to do." Committing the directions to the Temple to mind, the elf drew the folds of his ebony cloak tighter around his slender shoulders. He wasn't entirely certain how many paces it was to the sanctuary of the Mother or even the caliber of the trial that would be issued to him, but for now that didn't really matter to him. As he trekked down the road, images of the formerly faithful Queen intermittently flittered through his mind.
She must truly have been a great person.
As Kalonderial had been situated near the outskirts of Taquar for the majority of his life, he was faintly ignorant of the politics transpiring within the elven homeland. News had reached his family of the people of Taloh's sojourn to Kes'Levy, and even the untimely demise of Taquar's beloved Queen. Ever since word had reached Kalonderial's tapered ears, he had been even more inspired to serve the new queen, regardless of the various opinions harbored by those of Taloh. Kithuriel, the lad's father, had encouraged him to embark on this quest of subservience. It was very possible that the young Princess Hesper would require his help in the near time future, and if and when that moment arrived, Kalonderial knew that he would have to be prepared. It was the obligation of every Kaien to submit their lives for the sake of Queen and country, and thus there was never any time to waste. Although considering these thoughts for a fleeting moment, the elf's attention swiftly descended upon the more disrespectful of the guards.
To be frank he was sincerely astonished by the Emerald warrior's response, which in no way delineated any hint of propriety or reverence. Kalonderial had not known the former Queen personally, and nor was he acquainted with Hesper, but he was still offended by the guard's blatant lack of respect. What sort of emotions could possibly evoke such a reaction from the royal family's own personnel? Kalonderial was truly baffled by this thought, especially as he was beginning to accumulate mixed opinions over all that had transpired over the course of the years. He knew that he personally wasn't in any position to pass judgment upon the new Queen, but was he even qualified to do so? Regardless of how much his own father had loved the former Lady, would Kithuriel have ever denounced her heir? No, Kalonderial realized that his father wouldn't. Clenching his callused fists within the folds of obsidian-hued mantle, the elf merely pressed both tiers of his lips together to avoid retorting angrily.
Kalonderial's emerald eyes shifted to the next of the guards, whose reply was far more intelligible and helpful than the latter. After receiving enough information from the elder Adhiel, Kalonderial dipped into a low and appreciative bow. "My thanks, good sir. While I lament the former Queen's passing, I am nonetheless grateful to know that Taquar still claims the hearts and devotion of our people. And even more importantly, that the Princess is still in protective hands. I pray to the Mother that our paths may cross again sometime. For now, though, it is apparent that I have much work to do." Committing the directions to the Temple to mind, the elf drew the folds of his ebony cloak tighter around his slender shoulders. He wasn't entirely certain how many paces it was to the sanctuary of the Mother or even the caliber of the trial that would be issued to him, but for now that didn't really matter to him. As he trekked down the road, images of the formerly faithful Queen intermittently flittered through his mind.
She must truly have been a great person.