Maeve blinks again, ducking behind a wagon and making a few quick gestures to be sure she's cleaned up, presentable, and most of her belongings repaired before stepping back out with one brow raised expectantly..
"Do you think Ameiko would like them?" she asks the older gentleman, sounding at least a bit like her old self.
"Let me see," Sandru leans in closer, unfurling the scrolls to review the contents. "Well, I can't read Tien, but the calligraphy looks nice, and the drawings are excellent, if a bit angular." He hands the scroll back to Maeve, his face skeptical. "Ehhh, an epic tale, on a painted scroll, in Tien characters and from Tian Xia..." His look changes to a knowing smile. "I think she'll love them!"
The elf stands strait holding the axe out for Kelda to take while awaiting her answer.
"Korthor..." Kelda's face goes pale as she hears the name and sees the axe. Taking the weapon, she appears stunned as she finds a bench and sits, staring, shoulders slumped. Talking to herself, she mutters a few things in Skald.
Then, with a few deep sighs, she leans her head to rest on the axe handle and begins to weep.
You hear her smack her forehead. "Sorry, I'm rambling. You asked to see the city, and that sounds like fun. But..." Her excitement drops suddenly. "Well, you aren't going to see anything. Are you sure?"
"Do you think Ameiko would like them?" she asks the older gentleman, sounding at least a bit like her old self."Let me see," Sandru leans in closer, unfurling the scrolls to review the contents. "Well, I can't read Tien, but the calligraphy looks nice, and the drawings are excellent, if a bit angular." He hands the scroll back to Maeve, his face skeptical. "Ehhh, an epic tale, on a painted scroll, in Tien characters and from Tian Xia..." His look changes to a knowing smile. "I think she'll love them!"
Maeve grins, a little relieved. "Actually, this is the regional dialect used in Minkai - you can tell from the simpler characters they intersperse in there. There are some other copies of some of the stories in Tien and some other languages, and some Taldane in there, in the mix too. Hopefully we'll get some use out of studying them too...it looks like this is a chronicle about oni."
"I haven't been able to see anything since they stuck that hot iron in my eyes when I was three ... I can take in the city in so many other ways, Ame. The smells, the sounds, the feel ... don't you worry. I don't even know what I'm missing." Parity smiles a rare genuine grin. "Besides, being with you as you enjoy it will be treasure enough. Let's goQ"
To Koya:
"I'm certain you'll be able to wow them with your experience. They may even make you a madam on the spot!"
Malnival places a hand on Keldas shoulder and stands by the warrior as she sheds her tears.
"Korthor? Where do I know that name? Other than your intro of course. I'm just finishing breakfast, would you like some? It's lentil stew with most of a hank of beef and some mostly fresh sweet bread. There would be eggs, but the chickens that aren't faster than I am didn't outrun Prugk, and who wants a chicken after that? I'd offer you buffalo wings but I haven't seen any ravens since that fire. Ooooh, are you here about the fire? I worship a deity of fire, but I don't think she approved that one yesterday since she likes people and all. Technically I suppose she's more about the sun than fire, but they're pretty close wouldn't you say?"
Harlan looks up at the guards expectantly, wooden spoon in one hand and apron over his shrinking belly.
Maeve grins, a little relieved. "Actually, this is the regional dialect used in Minkai - you can tell from the simpler characters they intersperse in there. There are some other copies of some of the stories in Tien and some other languages, and some Taldane in there, in the mix too. Hopefully we'll get some use out of studying them too...it looks like this is a chronicle about oni."
"Do you think Ameiko would like them?" she asks the older gentleman, sounding at least a bit like her old self."Let me see," Sandru leans in closer, unfurling the scrolls to review the contents. "Well, I can't read Tien, but the calligraphy looks nice, and the drawings are excellent, if a bit angular." He hands the scroll back to Maeve, his face skeptical. "Ehhh, an epic tale, on a painted scroll, in Tien characters and from Tian Xia..." His look changes to a knowing smile. "I think she'll love them!"
After going to the front desk to pay for this last purchase, she smiles back at Sandru. "Okay, next stop...hmm...well, the fortress had this rice liqour in big barrels. At least, that's what I think it was. I'll bet we can find some more around here - the barrels were too big to carry."
The herald supresses a smile at Harlan's rambling welcome, but shakes his head. "While your offer is tempting, we have no time for breakfast. Please prepare to depart."
Maeve grins, a little relieved. "Actually, this is the regional dialect used in Minkai - you can tell from the simpler characters they intersperse in there. There are some other copies of some of the stories in Tien and some other languages, and some Taldane in there, in the mix too. Hopefully we'll get some use out of studying them too...it looks like this is a chronicle about oni."
"Well, that could be very helpful! Ameiko alluded that we would be facing more of them. Are these stories accurate, or, umm... 'fairy taled'?"
After going to the front desk to pay for this last purchase, she smiles back at Sandru. "Okay, next stop...hmm...well, the fortress had this rice liqour in big barrels. At least, that's what I think it was. I'll bet we can find some more around here - the barrels were too big to carry."
Sandru raises an eyebrow, interested. "Large barrels... What else did you find there?"
Malnival nods his head at the herald and makes some last minute preperations before being ready.
Maeve grins, a little relieved. "Actually, this is the regional dialect used in Minkai - you can tell from the simpler characters they intersperse in there. There are some other copies of some of the stories in Tien and some other languages, and some Taldane in there, in the mix too. Hopefully we'll get some use out of studying them too...it looks like this is a chronicle about oni.""Well, that could be very helpful! Ameiko alluded that we would be facing more of them. Are these stories accurate, or, umm... 'fairy taled'?"
"I'm pretty sure it's a traditional fairy tale, but that doesn't mean they're not useful. It was an old story that I remembered that let me know Kimandatsu could regenerate like a troll." Maeve points out.
After going to the front desk to pay for this last purchase, she smiles back at Sandru. "Okay, next stop...hmm...well, the fortress had this rice liqour in big barrels. At least, that's what I think it was. I'll bet we can find some more around here - the barrels were too big to carry."Sandru raises an eyebrow, interested. "Large barrels... What else did you find there?"
"Well..." Maeve thinks. "Other than the stuff we brought back, we had to leave behind some trade bars. The rice alcohol was being used to tame some creatures that will try to eat your head off, and we left a swarm of infernal wasps in a glass case. I'm not sure we totally explored the place, come to think of it, but we can go back for the rest in a few days once everyone's rested, I hope."
Malnival places a hand on Kelda's shoulder and stands by the warrior as she sheds her tears.
Kelda nods thanks for your sympathy, but is unable to voice it. After a few minutes, she regains control and sits, staring at the ground. Eventually, she sighs and begins to explain. "Korthor vas my father. I thought... ve thought he was dead. After the incident with Utleheim, ve vere told he vas killed. But he vas alive all this time, in hiding. How did he end up vith these Frozen Shadow thugs? He vas a man of honor." She shakes her head in disbelief, wiping her eyes.
Finally, she looks up. "Did he speak vith you? Or leawe anything behind?"
"He had an ornate raven statuette, made of jade and encrusted with precious stones with him. I think Heng has it. The magus reaches into one of his puches and withdraws a crumpled, wine-stained, mostly-burned paper that has been smoothed out and folded carefully. "We found this in his room."
Kelda takes the paper from Malnival, voraciously reading what few words remain. She holds the paper to her forehead as she fights back further tears. "I... I think he vas trying to vrite us, to explain..." She sighs and crumples the paper, her sorrow transforming into a growing anger. She stands up and tosses the paper into the fire.
"Utleheim... He still has my weapons, and I still owe weregild on behalf of my father's crime. Those valuables you found, vith my father. May I have them, on behalf of my family, to help pay the weregild?" Kelda's proud demeanor cracks slightly, and she looks up. "It vill be only a fraction of vhat is owed, but I must start somevhere."
"I'm pretty sure it's a traditional fairy tale, but that doesn't mean they're not useful. It was an old story that I remembered that let me know Kimandatsu could regenerate like a troll." Maeve points out.
Sandru smiles, nodding. "You'll have to regale us all with the stories over our nights on the road. A fine tale, and educational as well! Or, were you planning to make this gift a surprise?" He winks, conspiritorially.
"Well..." Maeve thinks. "Other than the stuff we brought back, we had to leave behind some trade bars..."
His eyes widen at the mention of trade bars. "And they're still there?" He blinks, thinking. "Trade bars might be a valuable resource on the road. They're liquid, and nearly universally accepted. And a trade contract for our trek wouldn't hurt either..." You see the wheels turning behind his eyes.
Sandru smiles, nodding. "You'll have to regale us all with the stories over our nights on the road. A fine tale, and educational as well! Or, were you planning to make this gift a surprise?" He winks, conspiritorially.
Maeve grins. "Well, a little bit of both. It will, after all, require many hours to figure out the language and translate. But I suspect we'll be done in time to share with everyone before we reach Minkai."
His eyes widen at the mention of trade bars. "And they're still there?" He blinks, thinking. "Trade bars might be a valuable resource on the road. They're liquid, and nearly universally accepted. And a trade contract for our trek wouldn't hurt either..." You see the wheels turning behind his eyes.
Maeve giggles. "I thought that might be your reaction. Some of them might have been taken - we didn't get every member of the guild after all. But I imagine they're mostly still there. It was a lot of bars."
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Koya chuckles. "Was that a sexual innuendo, Parity? I'm surprised you know enough of the subject to make a reference." She takes Heng's arm and allows him to lead her away.
Heng frowns at Parity's ill manners as he walks with Koya, "I suppose we must remember he spent time in the fighting pits where social skills consist of beating each other to a pulp for amusement, but on to finer things."
Heng buys a score of shuriken and takes care of other business while browsing the shops with Koya. As they stroll the Jade District, he takes particular interest in comparing what he sees of dragons and gods between the two continents. In particular, he notes that Irori appears in both lands and the similarities between Desna and the North Star Goddess. He is most interested in Madame K's curiosities and looks for a small souvenir for Koya.
Upon hearing that Kelda was looking for any items recovered from her father, Heng brings her the Ox carving, "I am sorry for all your loses, Kelda. I would like to help you restore your families honor in anyway I can."
Heng dresses simply if somewhat outlandishly in the black trousers of the shinobi shozoku, his thick belt, and protective cloak. The tunic and mask of the ninja outfit is safely stored in his pouch lest someone mistake him for an assassin.
"No time for breakfast? You'll never get anywhere in life if you don't take time to eat. Or you won't get far anyway."
Harlan watches as Kelda is consoled.
Maybe paprika? How well would that keep. Dried of course. That would work.
"I wonder if they have crossbows? And carts. I need a magical one. Crossbow, not a cart. Although a magical cart would be nice."
"Utleheim... He still has my weapons, and I still owe weregild on behalf of my father's crime. Those valuables you found, vith my father. May I have them, on behalf of my family, to help pay the weregild?" Kelda's proud demeanor cracks slightly, and she looks up. "It vill be only a fraction of vhat is owed, but I must start somevhere."
Malnival nods his head at the Ulfen warrior before speaking. "How much is this weregild, and can it be released by proof of your fathers demise?"
Once you are all prepared (and finished with breakfast), you gather and let the herald know you are ready. He nods to the officer, who then gives commands, recalling the soldiers and forming them into columns ahead and behind your group. The herald tells you he will notify the keep of your arrival, and gallops ahead.
Twenty minutes later, you stand below the high curtain walls of the massive ring keep at the heart of Kalsgard. The tall gates are at least thirty feet high, and the walls rise twice as high above. The soldiers guide you through a long tunnel to the courtyard, where you find a cluster of many interconnected buildings, all of the stone-and-timber construction common in Kalsgard.
Here, the escort of soldiers disbands and the herald rejoins you. He leads you into the buildings, through a veritable maze of passages and doors, before reaching the reception hall. The chamber is square but huge, built more like an arena, with seats along the sides and a single raised platform with a stone bench at the center. High windows on all four walls allow sunlight. A massive skull from a slain linnorm hangs above all, chained to the cieling.
Given its size, the chamber is conspicuously empty. Besides the ten of you and the herald, a single man stands at the center, and six others wait nearby. The man, presumably King Sveinn Blood-Eagle, towers well over six feet tall, and enjoys potent musculature. He wears fine clothes, though simply adorned, with a great girdle around his waist. Other than the gleaming eagle-headed clasps on his cloak, he wears no jewelery or badge of office.
The other guests include a bald-headed, battle-scarred woman, at least as big as Kelda, wearing the raiments of Gorum; two dwarves, one young and impeccably dressed, the other salty and wearing sailor's garb; and off to the side leaning against the benches, is a strikingly beautiful Ulfen woman with long hair streaked in red and gold.
The other two you recognize: Ulf Gormundr and Lute Haggersly. Ulf frowns, looking equally embarrassed and annoyed. Lute still appears pale, but much healthier than how you found him.
The herald guides you towards the platform. Eyeing you to follow suit, he stops twelve paces away and gets down on one knee, head bowed low. "Your Majesty, I bring you the adventurers from Varisia, as ordered." The king nods, and waves off his herald, who hastily retreats.
The king grunts, then orders "Get up." As you rise, he looks over each of you, appraising, spending a longer glance at Ameiko. "These men have told me dire things. They say that an evil shapechanger had infiltrated my city and my court, intent on siezing power. That this same person caused the devastating fires, which eyewitnesses say you were at the heart of. Fighting, I might add, from some accounts, a 'spectacular, magical battle.' They also say that I am now in the presence of royalty from afar. Are these things true?"
Maeve allows herself to be led along, obviously caught somewhere between amusement and sheer awe that they're being acknowledged in this fashion. It doesn't take her long to copy the kneeling gesture, but is quite quick back to her feet, finding it uncomfortable.
She listens to Sveinn recount their accomplishment quietly, until he mentions Ameiko's royalty. "....While it is true about the shapeshifter, and the battle...I would be interested to know who is supposed to be royalty."
"They used to .... They used to call me the 'Prince of the Pit' in the Shackles, but I doubt that's what you're referring to. Don't suppose you'd mind telling us why you summoned us to your ... hall?" Parity rolls in almost on top of Maeve, awkwardly pausing and restarting once she finishes.[/b]
The king frowns, then points directly at Ameiko. "Let's not be coy. I'd like to know who you are, and why you've brought trouble to my city."
Ameiko comes forward, bowing in respect for a long moment. "Your Majesty, I..." she begins, hesitating. She inhales, straightens her back and faces Sveinn squarely. "I am Amatatsu Ameiko, formerly Ameiko Kaijitsu of Sandpoint, last scion of the Amatatsu and heir to the Jade Throne of Minkai." She bows again, stiff and formal. "I appologize on behalf of my family and companions, as we had no intent to endanger Kalsgard or its people. We are merely passing through your city, and were attacked by vicious assassins intent on destroying my claim."
A pause. "We are bound for Minkai, over the Crown of the World, as you probably already know." She gestures to Ulf. "If you desire, we shall leave Kalsgard immediately, and cause no further trouble."
Sveinn flashes half of a smile, then returns his own bow to Ameiko. "That will not be necessary. Indeed, I've also been told of your efforts in fighting back the fires. And Lute tells me that this 'Kimandatsu', a creature I knew as the woman Silverskorr, is dead at your hands. The Rimerunners Guild, corrupted by this creature, now falls to the stewardship of Lute. I'm sure he will return honor to the guild." He glances at the merchant, who nods solemnly.
"I'd like to know more about your quest, and my skald can mark the story in poetic song." He gestures towards the beautiful woman.
|
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Heng bows humbly, "Your majesty, the foreign demon was indeed a dangerous foe and I am thankful to have played a small part in her destruction. Not only did she corrupt an honorable guild, but she has ruined the homes and lives of many of your subjects including an ally of ours who fought bravely at our side."
"Others are better suited to tell the tale, but if I may be so bold as to ask a favor of Lute- just as you seek to return honor to your guild after the depredations of the oni Silverskorr, our ally Kelda Oxgutter seeks to restore honor to her family name after the death of her brothers and father. Is there any way that her wergild debt can be repaid so that she may not live in the shadow of grief and dishonor after her noble service to the King and his domain?"
Quiet and somber up to now, Kelda flinches as she is mentioned, but as the attention draws to her, she stands straight and defiantly.
Sveinn peers at Heng for a moment, as if discerning his intentions, before giving a wide, genuine smile. "It was said you were dead, Kelda; that you drowned yourself while paying homage to your kin. It appears they were mistaken." He then turns to Heng, "Well said, sir. I shall see the weregild delivered to Lord Utlelheim, though it will vex him most regretably." The king's look shows little in the way of regret.
Kelda bows deeply in thanks, then steps back, looking somewhat shocked.
Harlan beams as Kelda's debt is forgiven.
One less thing to take care of. I wonder if the king likes buffalo wings?
As the conversation carries on he begins to lean away from his bad leg before eventually casting about for a bench.
How do they stand all the time. Exhausting.
"I apologize that my mind hasn't been on stories these past few days. I wish I could do the job myself....
"I apologize that my mind hasn't been on stories these past few days. I wish I could do the job myself....
"You sell yourself short, Maeve. You have the finest delivery technique I have seen."
"Our Maeve writes her own stories ... charging unarmed into battle against ninjas and 10 foot tall foreign giants with flaming bows. She's something else ... add our unassuming healer over here who keeps us all alive along with our elven master of blade and spell and really it's kinda unfair for the other side." Parity shrugs, "We were just better than them."
"Not to mention a blind ex-gladiator than has killed more men than the waistin disease."
Sveinn chuckles at your modest elaborations, but waits for a full story. Seeing no further response from Maeve, and not wishing to embarass the king, Ameiko steps forward to explain the origins of your journey. She begins will a short background of her family, much of which she only learned recently from the Amatatsu Seal and Suishen. Then she follows your adventure into the marshes, your discoveries there, and how it lead you to Brinewall. Her tale of the Brinewall exploration is limited, as she was comatose, but she retells your own battles there with some poetic liscence, ending with the seal and the secrets it revealed.
At the finish, she bows and backs up again. The king claps, applauding you all on your adventures thus far. "For all that you've done, it appears you are just at the beginning of your tale. Truly, an epic it will make, should you succeed or not. Crossing the Path of Aganhei is a difficult journey at the best of times, and these times are not the best. Morozkos, the 'Hungry Storms', have become more and more active, and dare I say, intelligent. Caravans and even villages have been attacked, even in Summer months."
He glances to his advisors and nods. "I will ensure your secrets are kept to those within this room, and I will personally see that Kalsgard is purged of any remaining agents of these Five Storms. None will harry you from this side of the Path." He turns to Kelda. "The Oxgutter family debts will be resolved, but everyone knows of the taint in your blood. You will not be welcome here for long." Kelda nods and bows again. The king then faces you all. "For your deeds in purging evil from Kalsgard, I have quietly entrusted Lute Haggersly and the Rimerunners Guild to support your caravan with men, wagons and equipment. Speak with him to arrange the details."
"You have a great destiny at your fingertips, and I look forward to hearing word of your success. I wish you luck and godsspeed."
King Sveinn smiles again, adding, "And I look forward to that day!"
After a few long moments of silence, the king nods to Ghael Ghorrison, who then comes forward to escort you from the castle. Ulf and Lute depart with you, the merchant almost immediately falling into trade discussion with Sandru. Ulf remains quiet, watching everyone appraisingly as he follows you back to your camp.
Back at the caravan, Ulf Gormundr finally speaks up. "I agreed to listen to your story and help if I could. Now knowing who you are and what you're after, I have to admit I'm impressed. I'll be your guide over the Crown... but, I have a condition."
He starts pacing back and forth while talking. "With an experienced crew, fair weather, and no trouble, and in the Summer, I can make the journey in about four months. Most take about six. Its now early Autumn, and you're about three months later than you should be. If we leave now, on a good clip, we can probably clear the pole before the worst of Winter sets in. Or, we can wait here until Spring... but I'm guessing six months in Kalsgard isn't on the wish list." He stops pacing.
"My condition, especially if you wish to press now, is that you do what I say, when I say, how I say it, without question, quibbling or hesitation. I will suffer the worst the Path can throw at me, but I will not suffer fools."
"Is that acceptable?"
With directions from a few helpful locals, you find the place crammed into the basement of a disreputable-looking butcher's shop at the back of a dingy sidestreet.
"I begin to fear Parity may have been right..." Koya jests, partially. With a shrug, she takes the steps down to the basement entrance, a tiny door that Heng has to literally squeeze through. Inside is a cramped space, no more than a few paces wide. Shelves cover neary every surface, teeming with dusty bottles in strange shapes and sizes, filled with drops of colored liquid. None appear to have been touched in a decade. The air holds a strange, pungent smell that at times is sickly sweet, musky, floral, or something unidentifiable.
Kawaoh, a diminutive Tien woman, sits by a side door and small bench, apparently working on some admixture. She gives you both a raised eyebrow and hostile demeanor until Koya explains her wishes. Then, with a nod, Madam K shows you through the side door into the 'real' (and much larger) shop.
The room beyond is also filled with shelves, but they hold an eclectic array of relics, heirlooms, exotica and curiousities. It feels more like a museum than a shop, as everything is displayed and labeled like a showroom. Indeed, Madam K explains that she acts more like a bank, and always gives an item's original owner first priority to buy it back.
Maeve listens to Ulf's introductory speech quietly (for once) and appears to be seriously considering what he is saying. Perhaps surprisingly, she doesn't just immediately agree. "Before we affirm that we wish to set out within the week, I think we need to know about the differences in the conditions we can expect to face. First, assume everything goes according to your plan - we make it past 'the worst of it' in time. Then, assume....three weeks of unforeseen delays. Then what are things apt to be like if we set out with the earliest Spring thaw? And at the last, what if we wait the full six months, as the roads begin to open again?"
She takes a deep breath. "Now, bear in mind that this isn't the only thing that will affect our decision. The longer we wait, the more likely it becomes that the Five Storms will either formulate a response in Minkai or - worse - rally enough to send one here. If we wait for spring, we may well face an army by the time we make it past the arctic region. But it is an option."
Paying for the scrolls and various tomes, she leads Sandru out into the street where she notices Heng and Koya passing in the street and tries to wave to them. Since her arms are laden down, this is a rather more interesting challenge than it probably seems at first, and it's starting to look like she's considering kicking her leg up to do the task.
Paying for the scrolls and various tomes, she leads Sandru out into the street where she notices Heng and Koya passing in the street and tries to wave to them. Since her arms are laden down, this is a rather more interesting challenge than it probably seems at first, and it's starting to look like she's considering kicking her leg up to do the task.
Sandru chuckles at Maeve's awkward effort, but takes the gentlemenly route. "Can I help my lady by carring those?"
Ulf spreads his hands in a gesture saying 'it depends'. "The weather is best in the Summer, but most chaotic in the Spring. It will be cold either way, especially to you southern folk. The main difference is how far south that cold extends."
"Honestly, the weather doesn't bother me half as much as the other dangers we may face. What the king said about the morozkos is correct; and I won't know more until we can speak to some Erutaki locals closer to the pole."
"Another benefit you might consider, if you're worried about enemies looking for you... no one will expect a Winter crossing." He gives a wicked smile.