The Canyon Encounter, part 3

         The sun was harsh this morning, with few clouds in the sky, the new day in its prime. The ocean rumbled furiously as the tide began to ascend and a cool breeze filled the air. Following the canyon with a birds-eye view, you would see several encampments housing goblinoid creatures of various kinds; a thick, lush forest; light-colored stone scattered around; and the nests of great winged creatures all throughout. In the sky, birds of assorted species flew circles searching for prey, the wind cutting sharply and quickly today, blowing things furiously and making their flights nothing short of a challenge.
        Down on the shore, away from the canyon and across the thin strip of ocean separating the two continents: Rephel's eyes slowly fidgeted, attempting frantically to open. Helpless, Rephel shifted about before his eyes would finally open. He then lay there in the open sun somewhat comfortably before realizing what had caused him to wake up so hurriedly in the least pleasant manner. The rapidly rising tide was coming in; and as a new larger wave cut into the shore, water covered and submerged the vulnerable knight as he lay there, just then opening his eyes to the bright blue sky.
        Rephel Popped up as if he was taking off in a race; sitting up and spitting and wiping the salt water out of his eyes and mouth. He sat there for a moment, mind suddenly starting to work again, recollecting all the events that led to his fate here on this stranded shore. He attempted to crawl back further onto the shore, scooting himself across the ground. It was at this moment he realized the pain: aching muscles; open cuts filled with saltwater and intensified by the heavy, chilling wind; a throbbing headache; and sore, nearly immovable arms and legs coupled with the most powerful pain in his neck he'd ever felt. He stopped a moment in and let out a cringing yelp, barely pushing himself back a little more before collapsing again. He closed his eyes, still covered in water from the legs down, lying on his back for a moment before opening them again. He knew, no matter how much he hated to move in such pain, he wouldn't live if he couldn't be bothered to move. He lay there for a moment, blinking and hurting, before an object invaded his line of vision to the sky. At first just a pitch black shadow, it took shape and a moment later Rephel recognized it: an outreached hand.
        Almost certain this was some sort of mirage, Rephel lifted his right arm up lazily toward it and was surprisingly grabbed by it and attempted to be pulled upwards. Rephel's hand clenched tightly into the strangers and he slowly turned himself around and stood up off his knees to a full stand, shoulders still limping freely. Unable to speak, He cleaned his face some more as best he could and attempted to look at the stranger through his rather cloudy eyes. In this moment, the stranger handed him a piece of old ragged cloth. Rephel began to dry his face with it before he finally was able to open his eyes completely and attempt to identify the strange savior.
        "Sir… Sir Hakon?"
       "At your service, sir knight!", the man said in a quirky, ostentatious voice.
        "I see you're not in good condition at the moment. Though typical for a Blackland knight," the man continued in a sort of uneasy yet assuring tone, "What was it this time? Out for a drink and lost your way home, Sir knight"?
        Rephel was far too out of it to acknowledge this joke or even the fact that the man had spoken at all and instead said sleepily: "Thi- Thyras? That you? Of the knights of C… Cari?"
        Rephel would've laughed at the name if he had been capable of it; The Knights of Cari were followers of the ancient high chivalric code of the god St. Thokan. Indeed, all of the lands of Cari were but the native home of the worshippers of that God; and likewise, The blacklands were the native lands of worshippers of Aden, another god. The two regions only existed separately because now-ancient wars had divided them; and accordingly, there was a good deal of prejudice still remaining between the two. People of Cari would call those of The blacklands: "sallows", as a very pale complexion was stereotypical amongst them; While People of the Blacklands would call those of Cari: "Flames", as the stereotypical man of Cari was blatantly Flamboyant. Being a knight himself, Rephel knew much of the knights of Cari and had met many of the highest in their ranks, including the man that now stood in front of him: General Hakon Del Thyras. He remembered Hakon as the only half-competent leader of them all, as well as the fruitiest amongst them; and that was saying a lot.
        "Yes," Hakon paused and looked Rephel up and down, a sly smile on his face, "I already told you that, Sir sleepy". He laughed a bit as he finished and nodded his head at Rephel . Rephel could feel himself almost rolling his eyes at that comment as he then tried to stand up straight.
        Rephel had made it into a sort of instinct at this point: he could never show a sign of weakness to anyone, especially A fellow knight. So with all his might, he straightened his back and attempted to strengthen and smooth out his voice. "Of course&#133, of course. Well then Sir Hakon…" he said adding a certain amount of vigor to his voice. However, before he could continue, he looked up past Hakon's shoulders, Just now noticing the company of knights that stood tall with their horses behind the man. All of them, including Thyras, were dressed in full-plate armor with the same insignias about their equipment: The mark of The Knights of Cari.
        "I hadn't realized you had brought others!" Rephel continued, letting out a deep hacking cough.
        "Not in good shape are we?" Hakon smirked, "Well you should be glad we came along and found you laying half-naked, half-unconscious, beat up, and about to drown on the side of the shore here Sir…!" Hakon paused, drawing out the last word and gesturing Rephel's reply.
        "Sir Rephel... of the Blackland knights…" he continued, sharing a bow with Hakon, "though I suppose since you recognized me as one of them you must have already noticed the Symbol carved onto my Chest and Shiel…" Rephel choked, suddenly realizing that when the man had said Half-naked: He meant half-naked. Rephel's shield was long gone, both of his gloves missing, and one of his boots, his sword, and his helmet nowhere to be found.  His chest piece was covered in deep cuts made by the talons and all the armor he had left was in terrible shape as well. All he could think about, however, was how terribly his neck hurt.
        Thyras grinned, "What shield?" He said letting out a laugh, his company then joining in.
        "I-I… I believe I dropped it when…"
        Hakon continued, not having even heard Rephel, "well what might have brought you to these shores to lie about all your lonesome?"
        "Well," Rephel cleared his throat, "What may have brought you out this way?"
        "Oh! Well you see, just a short distance down the shore here, there lies a path that can lead you to the main road that, if followed, would bring you to a small village." Hakon spoke in a sort of smug tone, pointing out down the shore, "the people of the village there sent for help as they say a beast has fashioned itself a home somewhere up in the high rocks nearby. It's apparently been taking off with livestock, so they called on we knights for help."
        Rephel paused for a second, staring at Hakon. "Knights?" he questioned in a falsely-astonished voice, "… Sent to do the work of mere mercenaries?"
        "Well", Hakon replied admittedly, "I would have to agree… However, a group of mercenaries have already tried their hand at this… situation… and failed rather miserably. But enough of that", he dismissed, "if you are in need of aide yourself, you are welcome to take some of our spare clothes. They've yet to be washed, but I believe it would still be better than having you wander around as you are currently."
        Rephel thought for a moment and nodded to Hakon. He feared telling the man his own story or asking for his aid, thinking either of these may be a sign of weakness. He suddenly found himself wide awake and yearning deeply to be rid of the man and his company. "You know, I believe I'm fine as is… In fact, I believe I'll be on my way. I shouldn't tarry here any longer . . . I hope we soon meet again." Rephel shook his hands in explanation, swaying restlessly.
        "You sure?" Hakon remarked, confused, "you don't need any help at all? Well suit yourself then Sir Rephel… it was a pleasure to be in your audience; If not a bit awkward". Hakon chuckled to himself, and then continued without noticing Rephel had already begun to slowly walk away: "But you never told me how you made it here in the first place. Please, the story must be ever so captivating."
        Rephel continued walking, pretending not to have heard him. He waved his hand above his head without turning around, headed in the direction of the road Thyras had explained. He then spoke, half-yelling:  "Hope you succeed in slaying that monster, Sir Hakon! What did you say it was again?"
        "Oh", Hakon said, amused, amazed, and puzzled as to why Rephel was in such a hurry. "twas a large bird of sorts. None still living has actually gotten a good look at it…  If I'd my guess, I'd say a roc".
        Rephel stopped for a moment, hearing what Hakon had said. Staring at his feet and putting down his arm. For a second he thought he should reply to the man; at least wish them all good luck. He stood for a second more, unknowingly being watched by the men the whole time.
        A brief moment later, Rephel suddenly realized he had no good idea where he was going. However, He continued walking- Or limping, anyway. In the back of his mind, he knew there was no way he could just walk away so easily; he knew this encounter was going to be remembered and used against him at some point, odd as it was. Indeed, everything he had just experienced seemed so surreal. However, even with all things considered, all he could think about was how terribly his neck hurt.