Name: Savatchio Daaven
Class: Monk
Race: Human
Sex: Male
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 153
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown/Black
Facial Hair: None

Savatchio's Story

"Tis a mistake, old friend."

Puab's words softly filled the room overlooking the Theater of the Tranquil. Outside morning exercises were taking place with all the learning members of the Ashen Order practicing their skills. Oddly enough, there were no onlookers today, which was not surprising to Puab though, considering what had happened two mornings before. Usually the practice was silent as the autumn, with the punches, strikes, and kicks sounding like the wind rushing through dead leaves. Yet, the occasionally taunt and chuckle was heard from a pair of recruits in the corner of the courtyard, just past the small bridge over the aqueduct. Puab's eyes focused on the two children, one determined and parsing his lips in frustration, the other smiling broadly, enjoying the sparring as a game. Asnod's words finally broke the silence of the room.

"He is an excellent test of the patience at the very least," Asnod remarked, smirking himself.

"I wonder if the boy is rubbing too much off of you," Puab retorted calmly.

Asnod ignored the remark, continuing his case, "The boy has great potential. His skills have developed faster than either you or I have estimated, and he continues to learn. He is easily 2 or 3 ranks better than any other recruit."

"All of your words ring with truth," Puab admitted. "But the boy cares not for our way of life, just for its power. I question not his skills, but his spirit."

Asnod pondered the words for a moment, and his own response as well. "The boy does not know what has happened. His past will not stain him."

Puab turned abruptly, his eyes narrowing in a rare display of agitation, "His past already has! You saw his outburst yourself! You cannot deny that it has changed his spirit and his karma."

Asnod nodded abashedly, his head lowered and his gaze fixed upon the floor. Puab pursed his lips and calmed himself, looking out the window again. The gleeful boy was dodging most of his partner's slower attacks. Puab sighed as he saw the truth of the matter. The boy had attacked a heckler two days ago, during the morning practice, breaking his arm. His partner now was holding back his attacks, fearful of angering the boy to a violent outburst. Puab had admonished and punished the boy in full view of the Order, but many still feared the savagery that they knew, and Puab himself knew, no punishment could abate.

"The boy was given to us in good faith," Asnod said. "I swore a bloodbind that I would look after him. I find your desire to dismiss him dishearteningly. It is a matter of perspective, master. You see his fire as a disruption, and I see it as a challenge."

Puab stared out into the calm waters of the aqueduct, knowing Asnod's words to be accurate for his feelings. "The boy does not follow the path. Quellios' principles and ways are alien to him and I fear they will be until his heart stills."

"Even more reason to teach him, Master," Asnod replied. "He needs to learn to control and calm his inner fire. To use his spirit to calm others. And only we can teach him."

A sharp whistle from the senior instructor brought all of the monks to a halt from their sparrings. Another whistle had them all curl up and sit upon the grass, descending into deep meditation. Soon all the monks were deep within themselves, except the boy who, though meditating, had an expression of irritation, even boredom.

"He lives for the battle, my friend," observed Puab. "He is everything Quellios is not."

Asnod frowned, "His bravery and loyalty is the most out of any of the other recruits. His mirth is appreciated by many, and almost all of the guild loves him heartily, despite his shortcomings. He will lay down his life for any of his fellows."

"The lives he seeks to lay down are only those of his enemies," answered Puab. "Anyone saved by his actions are by coincidence."

"That is not fair, Master," retorted Asnod, his voice raising in anger.

"The boy follows the Warlord, my friend." Puab's face soften, but his look was cold as he turned to regard Asnod.

Asnod's anger ran out of him with the declaration and Puab's stare. He bowed his head for several moments, before replying in a quiet but stern voice.

"Master, He is a worthy pupil in all respects. For many, the path of Tranquility is difficult, as it was for me. As it was for YOU, at a point! Would you have us abandon him at the point where he needs guidance and teaching the most? When the path of peace must be shown to him?"

Puab turned back to face the window, locking his gaze again on the young boy. Asnod's comments brought some memories flooding back to Puab, some statisfying, but mostly, haunting. He lowered his head, and closed his eyes, giving the appearance of a man, sentencing another to his fate.

"He may stay, and he will continue to learn," Puab stated. "But know this Asnod, the lessons he so desperately needs cannot be taught by you or me. Only by life. And only he can learn these lessons."

Puab paused several moments before finishing, "And life is a cruel instructor."

"That it is, Master. Thank you," Asnod replied. He turned and made his way downstairs to his selling area, preparing and arranging his goods for the guild members. Puab continued scrutinizing the boy, watching his face as he meditated upon his being. Puab suddenly had a strong urge to take the place of the boy, to see what his thoughts dwelled on and what his soul slept next to when the sun faded in the sky. As the monks stood up and quietly filed into the guild hall, Puab sighed heavily, feeling his memories bearing on him. Despite his difficulties with the path to Tranquility, he never savored the battle and bloodshed. But with the young boy, he was not so sure. He quietly closed the shutters and latched them.

"May Quellios' light shine upon the, Savat. I pray Rallos Zek not claim your spirit in his fires."