The Sigil (pafp)

When the Builder came to the world, he saw that it was formless, and so he created the land, the air and the water. In the water he put fish of the sea, and in the air the birds, and upon the ground he placed the beasts, including man.

But the Builder saw that the world began to Rust over, and that his creations Rusted along with it, and died. Thus he created children, that his creations might endure. And over them all he placed his favored children, those whom the Rust could not decay. The Infinite Race.

Then the Builder left to create the stars, and his beloved children forgot him, and became cruel. It is said that a disciple of the Builder will one day rise to destroy the arrogant children who forsook their father, and that he will take their place and become the father of the world.

Plot:

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Accepted!

*checks watch* right...about...now!

Saren leaned heavily on his staff as he observed the slaves toiling in the quarry. The guards gave the old man a respectful distance as he studied each individual, zooming in on them with his mechanical eye. How he detested the slave trade and allit stood for, but he needed someone strong to aid him. Someone strong and defiant, someone unbroken by the heavy labor.

Saren saw the man pull the bread from his shirt and bite into it. He chuckled to himself. "It appears we have a regular burglar on our hands, gentlemen!" he said in a loud, tinny voice, amusement evident in his tone. He pointed to Enro. "Have that man brought to my quarters. I wish to speak with him in private." The guards approached Enro swiftly, their faces impassive. One swatted the bread from his hands while another slapped iron shackles on his wrists. He was pushed along out of the quarry, a guard beating him over the head with a baton whenever he tried to fight back.

Enro was led into the shimmering golden palace that sat atop the largest hill in the city. He was taken through the winding corridors before finally being taken through a door and sat down on a large, cushioned chair in a small but comfortable office. The guards left. Across form him, on the other side of a wooden desk, sat Saren. A teapot and two cups on saucers sat between them on the table. "Ah, you've arrived at last," the old man said, giving no indication as to how he had beaten them here and prepared tea so quickly. "We have much to discuss." He poured tea into one of the cups. "Would you like any sugar? Can't stand the stuff myself. Rusts my metal bones like you would not believe." It was almost like he was casually talking to an old friend instead of a slave.

I just happened to be on right now, that's all.

Saren's gaze followed him around the room. "Are you quite done with your little tirade?" he asked. "Good. I haven't brought you here to chop off any limbs. I don't begrudge you having to steal to survive." He leaned forward, his expression serious and intense. "No, it is more how you did it that I am intrigued by. You had to have stolen that bread straight from under the noses of at least three guards, while being shackled to twelve other prisoners. That takes skill. and skill is what I need right now." He held the tea up to the gas mask where his mouth had once been and poured it into a small slot there. "You have heard of the Infinite Race, have you not?"

"I am called Saren," he replied mysteriously. "Some refer to me as the Westward Wanderer. Now, to business. A member of the Infinite Race recently stole something of great worth to me. I am putting together a team to retrieve that item. And you will be part of it." He set out the other cup of tea."Are you sure you don't want any tea? It's very good."

Saren sighed, pushing the tea across the table to Enro. "I'm just attempting to be a polite host. I don't imagine you've had a lot to drink besides rainwater recently." He sat back. "The team will be four members. You, myself, another person I already have in mind, and one other whom I will have to find. Myself as a guide, the chap I have in mind as a guard, a driver for the APC we will use...and you, the burglar. It will be your job to take back the thing stolen from me." He looked away. "Which, if you must know, happens to be my daughter, Marl."

Saren sighed, his eyes distant. "It happened almost three years ago. I and my sixteen year old daughter were outside of the city, hiking through the old ruins. We had just found a small wooden medallion in a collapsed house. She looked so happy when I gave it to her." He coughed and pressed on. "Then we saw smoke on the horizon. Going to investigate, we discovered a young man--or what looked like a young man--lying unconscious, other Infinite dead around him, as well as many of the waste bandits. We took him home and cared for him. Eventually he woke up and told us his name was Floris. Marl took to him immediately, and they became almost friends.

'But he loathed me. I constantly taunted and mocked him, though in good spirits, I assure you. He, like most of their damnable race, believes us all to be little better than beasts, and he would not stand for being mocked. So, when his people came to bring him back to their own lands, he had me beaten within an inch of my life, and had Marl taken back with him. As the dragged her, kicking and screaming, that medallion fell from around her neck." He reched into his robes and pulled out the medallion, staring at it longingly. "And so, I decided to gather a party, the best of the best, to get her back. And, after three lopng years, I have found the final piece in the puzzle. You."

He stood abruptly, pocketing the medallion again. "As for rewards, well, you shall have your freedom. In addition, you will receive your body weight in gold, and whatever weapons and supplies you require to return to your own kingdom. So, what say you?"

"I think not," Saren replied sharply. "You will remain shackled until we are at Avalon, the Infinite Race's capital city. Only then will you be unbound, so that you may rescue Marl. The guard shall accompany us, as will whichever driver I choose. Don't worry about secrecy. We will abandon the vehicle long before we come to the Infinite Plains."