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Chu looks to the guard and tries not to give the man a withering look. His frustration was still at an all time high but the walk and the swift's appearance gave him enough time to try and clear his head. "I have two guests Wei..." He paused and the half-elf looked uncomfortable for a moment. "and Min who will be placed in a suite under guard for his own protection." Without a word the policemen unbound his hands, much to Mins surprise, they dispersed once the guards took over.
Despite Mins confused look Chu waited patiently for the guards reply. He looked to the others as he said to them. "There are a number of private rooms that we can use once the dinner is over. It is my hope we will finish this at an appropriate time, until then lets remain Civil. Please enjoy tonight festivities, I was informed that it would be quite a fantastic event if you need more suitable apparel I can arrange for it. I can have a private bath prepared as well."
Chu focuses for a moment realising three mind of the strange elf he'd dominated earlier, he'd gown tired of dealing with that mans strange mind. As he was more concerned about tonight festivities now that the standoff was over. For now.
The guard looks uncomfortably at all of you. "Er...far be it from me...that is...I..." He stops, composes himself, tries again. "Honorable Advisor, who I am not fit to address. The emperor has declared all must attend in finery. It is to this one's great shame he must advise the Honorable Adviser of His companions'...malodorousness..."
Wei stares at the bird, fascinated, and gently moves his hand to his shoulder to allow it to perch there. "I have a guest as well, old friend. I must go on ahead of you to the palace. Be safe." With that, he darts off with a grace and speed uncharacteristic for one so large.
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Chu would have praised the guard for a quick recovery if it wouldn't have shamed him to do so. He waves off the mans concerns with a dismissive wave of his fingers. "Of course, I will see that they are taken care prior to attending he dinner. I will use the western entrance, however this one will stay in my company until then." Min kept his face neutral as he wondered what this snake man was playing at.
Perception:
Azami is silent as they walk towards the palace, staring at the back of the Dragonborn as though she expected him to grow another head any minute. Nearly at the east entrance of the palace, she steps forward and pulls Kyras aside as the others continue.
"We need to talk before we go in there. If we go in at all." Her voice drops lower so that only he can hear. "I don't know if we can trust the Emperor." She takes a breath. "We need to be ready to escape, to leave Lanzhu entirely."
Belsarious remains silent going with the flow but not uttering a single syllable......
Continuing to commit all the Professor says to memory, and this time containing her excitement over all the new information, Aylaeth replies with great sincerity "Professor Yeo, you have helped us more than I could have hoped for, and honoured us far more than we deserve. I, for one, am personally in your debt. Should you ever need anything of me, you have but to ask, and, duty permitting, it shall be yours. I do hope we shall meet again.
Byw yn hir a ffynnu" with a twinkle in her eye, she finishes in ancient Telestari.
And with that, she turns to Damian, ready for her Captain's next orders.
I'll let you figure out yourself! Hahahaha ;)
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Chu never broke his stride, despite his weakened state he was burning with a need to accomplish several goals and no one would get in the way. He and the gaijin from the west held a silent conversation that ended with Min looking stone faced as he realized his new role in this distant land. Upon arriving at the south gate he approached the guards stated his business and entered the palace. Once inside he summoned up the necessary forces that he could.
"i need a squad of shadows to track Kyras Erodel and Azami Ito's every move. If they sneeze i wish to know about it. Kyras is in possession of an item in the shape of a magnifying glass, if he appears to be readying to use it then subdue or kill him. Either return his unconscious form in the dungeon heavily seated or return the item to me with a containment cloth. Do not fail."
" I need an elite squad of the Emperors guard to recover his son immediately he should be located at the Temple of Cultural Arts under the care of the Curator there. Get him here alive and hidden."
"I need four squads of the police to round up members of the New Kings underguard in this undercut entrance, they are to be imprisoned and interrogated for any information we can ring it of them. Finally i need enough men to locate and round up any who are part of the faction The New Kings. They are hereby believed to be an enemy faction focused on infiltration our Empire under a fake faction name, when in fact they are members of the Red Dragonflight. Only those of Emperors council and the Emperor himself shall know of this operation and if they do not object then continue without delay."
With his orders issued he stalked off for the Generals office where he had delivered Wei's news earlier today. Intent on finding it what they had discovered thus far...
He didn't question why this imperial adviser betrayed what seemed to be his allies. He merely observed and was surprised on just how far this creature would go, completely unconcerned by Min being present. He had little time to question Chu as to why he was his 'guest' until they were on their way to another part Of the palace. The conversation was silent mostly until Min grumbled undere his breath. "What have i gotten myself into..."
Lin kept tabs on Mins direction and state as she and Sophia remained close to Belsarious. She gave a sigh when her gaze fell along the upper floor of three south side of the palace. "He's healthy but they have him in the castle... Too far to speak to him sadly butilized i wonder what they are upto?"
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After the admission of uncertainty, Azami turns and begins walking towards the address the Captain provided - 216 Market Street. "I promised we would do this for the Captain. But it also gives us time to talk."
Too much to speak on, and not enough time. The rest will have to wait for later.
She stares at the street ahead of them as they walk, keeping close to Kyras to be able to keep their discussion more private. Her tone, while hushed, is steady and plain, akin to laying out the strategy for a skirmish. "Tonight could be trouble, if we are unlucky. You are technically a murderer, and a threat to the Empire with your current--problems. I am to be discharged from duty upon my return to the palace." Azami seems not at all bothered by losing her station for which she has worked for some time.
"If your arrest is demanded by the gaijin, it may not be honored by the Empire, since you did not harm the Empire. But you will also receive no protection from the Empire. Additionally, you assisted in the saving of a child of the Emperor - this could go towards avoiding the dungeon - a place we should avoid if at all possible.
"If arrest is imminent, it will come immediately after the event. We should be prepared to leave swiftly. I know of a few quiet ways out of the palace and the city. Well--quiet if you can manage to be quiet." It's strained humor, but humor nonetheless. "There's also the tall blue man, who seemed to know how to get you out of the city - do you know how to find him? Finally, the Son of Heaven said he would send us away after tonight's event, should he still have interest in that." Her lips press together at her growing uncertainty about that avenue.
Then glances sidelong at Kyras. "Which means that we have until then to find your sister. And get supplies. And get clean, I suppose." She turns down another street, her brow furrowing with thought; she was never made aware that Shoto admitted to having Bethany. "We could use magic to find her, purchase a scrying here in the marketplace."
"While we attend, you should do that--thing--where we can whisper to each other. You did it last time. And perhaps reign in your chaotic nature." Azami searches the buildings for their number, walking down the street further until she stands in front of 216 Market St. "Fighting side by side would be easier if I did not always have to chase after you to do so."
@Damian and @Aylaeth: The professor shares a smile with Aylaeth. "Indeed, Professor. Fare you both well. Good luck. Please give Kyras-san a chance to speak on his own behalf before persecuting him -- in spite of everything, he is, at his most basic level, a good man, I promise." She makes sure you have his description before sending you on your way.
As you are traveling back towards the palace, you notice that many people are traveling in the same direction; attendees of the State Dinner, no doubt.
@Livain and @Maiathreen: You search around quite a bit, and eventually spot Lin just outside the palace, but Min is not with her.
Maiathreen and Livain land next to Lin. "Lin, where is Min?" He asks puzzled last he had heard they should still have been together. "We discovered a large army heading this way. Is he close enough for you to communicate with him?"
Having found the address she was looking for, Azami's eyes flicker to the neighborhood and the building itself, gauging their surroundings before she commits to entering.
@Azami: The building is no longer under close guard, so there are no police or soldiers or, well, much of anyone around right now. The store in question does appear to be open, but you can see through the windows that those inside are bustling around as if preparing to leave.
Without much in the way of deterrent, Azami gives a small shrug and, with a glance towards Kyras, walks into the shop. In the extremely odd chance that the Captain sent her to a place that would look unkindly on imperial guard (odd, but as of late, it would take a lot to surprise her), she knocks at the door frame as she enters.
"I was sent to deliver a message."
Belsarious feels the alien thoughts leave his mind, he had not thought himself an easy mark for such......
The tales of his people spoke of the insidious nature of the serpent, though dually as a healer as well. Had the creature meant harm, it could have chose to do so.
Still they had refused civil conversation, and thus Bel would not speak.
@Azami: The people in the store all look at each other, then the oldest person there; a wizened and probably blind elderly lady in a surprisingly elegant woven kimono, steps forward. "I will receive your message, soldier, and give you the required reply." She comes very close and cranes her wrinkly head up towards you. "Whisper it to me." she insists.
Perception
As odd as it feels to encounter this situation, and the questions it brings up, the Captain always did well by Azami and was an honourable man. She bends to whisper what she recalls of the message.
"An honourable captain and I played a game of go. It was his last request that I relay the manner by which he would have won. It was a three ninjas defence, the vampire attack as two prongs, and then the third. The three can be combined if of high skill, or playing against those of little skill. We were unable to finish the game, however, before he was led away to the gardens. He was saddened that it were to remain incomplete, much as Inspector Cho's final game." Azami leans away and resumes her straight-backed stance, looking to the blind old woman to see if her words seemed to mean anything. Especially considering that Inspector Cho was now a dead vampire...
Wait. Incomplete...undead? Could the two terms be connected?
Lin gives Mai a puzzled look, which made her features more indiscernible as her scales twisted as she thought. "He was arrested and taken into the Palace by the Serpentfolk Adviser. He is too far away to communicate with but he seems unharmed thus far and on the move." She nods in the rough direction that she can feel him in and she continues to watch from where she is sitting just in case she needs to move to him quickly.
After a moment of fierce thought Mai's words hit her, like a brick to the head. "An army you say?! Well our day gets better and better... Did you recognize what heraldry they march under or shall we go and greet them?"
Sophitia taken aback by the nonchalant way Mai and Livain talk about an approaching army looks back an forth between the two with an incredulous look on her celestial face. "Greet them? What is it that you people don't do?" She looks to where her companion once was before taking note of an approaching Imperial messenger.
She eyed him as he approached and bowed, extending his hands while holding a piece of paper delicately. Sophitia took it hesitantly and opened it. When her eyes fell on the message her eyebrows rose in surprise. "Is this a joke?" She reads the invitation to Lin and those present.
They had been formally invited as Adviser Chu's guests at the state dinner and they would need to dress well for the occasion...
Sophitia hid her annoyance as she spoke. "What can this Adviser be playing at?"
Min couldn't help but stand awkwardly as he was measured for a . "Why am I doing this again? And why should I trust you at all?"
The Serpentfolk was sitting nearby, studiously reading a book in a language that Min didn't understand. As much as he wanted to avoid trouble for the group this whole affair was becoming more troublesome then he could bear...
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Chu barely looked up at the Dragonrider as he was hastily fitted with a kataginu stylized with four clawed dragons and befitting for this Half-Elf's station. He gestured to a pair of hakama, which were wide, flowing trousers, which attendant quickly adjusted with a sewing needle as t half elf stood there. "Because I find this interesting and do you really want me to remind you why you're here? Besides I invited your two companion's as well..." He turned back to his book and turned the page before Min had digested what he had just said.
The attendant gave a tsk when Min turned to look at Chu with a surprised look as he said. "You did what?" He glared at Chu when the serpentfolk remained silent as to why he did that. However he didn't have long to dwell on it before the attendant painfully twisted his head to look straight forward once more.
Lin gives Mai a puzzled look, which made her features more indiscernible as her scales twisted as she thought. "He was arrested and taken into the Palace by the Serpentfolk Adviser. He is too far away to communicate with but he seems unharmed thus far and on the move." She nods in the rough direction that she can feel him in and she continues to watch from where she is sitting just in case she needs to move to him quickly.
After a moment of fierce thought Mai's words hit her, like a brick to the head. "An army you say?! Well our day gets better and better... Did you recognize what heraldry they march under or shall we go and greet them?"
"What did he do to get arrested...know what I don't want to know. By greet them do you mean my way or Damian's way?" Lin should know by now that Maiathreen's way probably involves spell and sword. He glances at Sophitia as she reads the note. "I'm assuming he means the two of you..." Maiathreen more than tired of this strange city and all its subterfuge and they only just got here.
Lin grumbled. "We met Kyras Erodel and he has the Glass now... As for the approaching army I think it would be best to inform Damian that the glass is on the move. We will get Min back." She looked pointedly at Sophitia who blushed in response.
Sophitia looked to Lin as she turned red with the thought of embarrassment. "Lin you know I've never gone to one of these events. How about I go warn Sir Lamorak..." At the lookshe received from Lin she grumbled. "We're going to have to find a dress maker."
Lin rumbled with laughter as she regarded Sophitia. "No need, you'll be my bodyguard. Once we get Min back we'll rejoin the rest of you." I'll ring that serpentfolk's tiny neck if he keeps playing these games...
She uses her eldritch link once she is close enough and returns to her elven form, towering over many as she choose her height around seven feet tall. This was strategic as not only would she stand out but she would be able to see Min as soon as she entered the palace. Hopefully.
The style of dress she chose for the occasion was from the city of Katapesh in its design, something she remembered in a store she passed in Maranaus when they were there.
She substituted the colors with a mixture platinum, silver and then gold in the fainter areas were she needed to outline the changes in the flowing fabric. It gave her a shining dress without being overburdened with frills or unneeded amounts of lace. However since this was merely a glamor placed upon her armor, she couldn't avoid the leather that lined her body beneath the fabric of the dress. Her legs were crisscrossed in a series of tightly strapped white leather belts that ran down to her knees where a pair of knee high white leather high heeled boots that laced along the sides of her statuesque legs met them.
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Chu's choice of clothing for the silver skinned half-elf proved a powerful display. the kataginu allowed this warrior of the west to display his powerful arms, while the stylized dragons made for a powerful first impression despite the dubiousness of whether good fortune had actually befallen the half-elf. The Hakama allowed freedom of movement in case the half-elf needed it, while simultaneously making the small statured man appear somewhat bigger in his stance.
Chu wore his robe of offices, several tones of overlapping golden silk with a simple hood to cover his head if he wished, a cut out in the back of the hood allowed for his frill and horns to comfortably slip out and allowed for a place to rest the hood as well. As the approached the event Chu quietly spoke to Min. "Be careful how you address them, a wrong phrase or wording can offend or bring dishonor in these lands for that you and I will remain in contact." He tapped his temple to emphasis what he meant and Min barely refrained from sighing.
Min resisted the urge to sigh. As if I didn't have enough going on in my head already... "Right, lets get this done then." He could have swore that Chu had smiled at his words then but it was hard to tell with his golden scaled features. However this Serpentfolk was slightly unnerving with that liquid gold gaze it had. With a deep breath to settle his nerves he followed a step behind Adviser Chu as they approached the east gardens.
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Chu nodded as they approached the ever increasingly pleasant music in the east gardens. :Now I will teach you how to traverse this political mire where one misstep could lead you being entrapped in a clan's affairs. Much like you are now. This will include the delicacies of being polite in the most perfect way lest you offend these great houses as well. Be warned though as some of these houses sport children who are as alluring as they are deadly. One house in particular you should avoid is Clan...: Chu smiled inwardly as this Gaijin from the west barely restrained himself from nodding as he took in what Chu told him. Tonights party will be a real treat, finally something interesting in almost five decades. Hopefully his companions come with something awe inspiring as well~ His analytical mind wandered to thoughts of whether or not Kyras or them would show and he cast out any doubt that Azami would ever run from anything.
Tonight will be special indeed...
Belsarious finds himself free to contemplate what had happened with the abomination and what had been discussed among those who appeared....
Did the abomination have a hold upon the one called Kyras, does that one truly belive the abomination can be used as a weapon, without turning upon the hand that wields it.
The cloth likely helps in some way.
Belsarious replays the episode in his mind to see if he notices anything.....
Perception
I am certain Kyras was under some spell similar to the one that effected me and second the abomination moved toward him.....
Perception:
Aylaeth lowers her eyes for a moment at the Professor's defence of the murderer, Kyras. Her respect, admiration and gratitude for, and towards, the ancient naga is immense, yet at the same time...
Not wishing to insult their hostess, she raises her eyes again and murmurs "Perhaps it is as you say, Professor. Abadar sees all, and the Scales will be balanced. Justice will be done." Where after she makes her exit as politely as she is able.
Leaving the University, her mind full and spinning with thoughts, ideas and possible avenues of exploration regarding the Abominations, Aylaeth barely notices the throngs of people heading towards the Palace. Yet at a whisper from Ada'an, something catches the corner of her eye, and, turning to look more fully, her breath hisses inwardly in a quick inhalation as she points "Captain! There, down that side street! Beside the redhead. That is the man we seek, Kyras! I swear it!"
@Azami (and @Kyras):The old woman peers up at Azami. "Ah. Well. That would explain him, then." She points back into a shadowy corner where Inspector Cho -- or what is left of him -- lurks in the darkness, his eyes obscured by his soaking-wet shock of hair that hangs limply forward. He does not move. He does not breathe. "It is only ours to await the other two. I believe I know who they will be." She turns around, nodding, to the others in the room, and they all nod sagely back.
"Now, warrior, to you, I am charged to deliver this message; 'The palace is built on a foundation of lies. Go to the bamboo forest, walk among the pines. See with your heart, not with your eyes." Milky old eyes meet your own clear grey ones. Then the old lady speaks again. "I would send the Dragonborn north to Stonegard, but it is too late for that. You must see him to the island, and you must get out of here. The State Dinner is not for you. If the three prongs are already on display, it is far too late. Pack what you can and go."
Maiathreen and Livain after letting Lin know that hey hadn't been close enough to identify any heraldry took back to the sky. Where they see Damian and Aylaeth. "Captain." He says in greeting.
Azami might argue that the entire Empire was built on lies, but nonetheless, it is confusing to get the same missive from the old woman as she received from the Emperor.
"It was the Emperor who said I should go to the isle, but you say the the palace is made of lies and tell me the same...the isla dez milly vohchez?"
"That is the isle you speak of, yes?"
Kyras has been uncharacteristically quiet for some time, seemingly lost in thought after the confrontation about him and the magnifying glass. Unconsciously, his hand occasionally slips down to the glass in his pocket, wrapped carefully in Professor Yeo's protective cloth, as if checking to make sure it is still present. He thinks on all that has happened, and all that will, as well as the great power entrusted to him in the form of the magnifying glass. "I can do great things with this," he mutters to himself. He notices the Hounds of Tindalos that follow him openly now, but the hideous creatures seem to be held at bay.
When Azami mentions that she doesn't know if she trusts the Emperor anymore, he nods but doesn't ask questions. When she lists the litany of problems they face, he simply follows along. "Oh, is that all? It all seems so simple when you break it down like that," he replies.
Kyras has to bend a bit to avoid hitting the door frame when they enter the semi-abandoned shop. This being Azami's task, he is happy to follow along and look like someone intimidating in case she needs his unique assistance. He keeps by the window, looking out to ensure that they aren't being followed. He feels the presence of the creature in the back of the room even before the crone mentions him.
When Azami "almost" glances at Kyras, she sees that his eyes are fixed on her. "I'm ready to go if you are. Bethany will have to wait until this is done. I'm just about done in this city," he says. He hesitates and looks back at the door. "We've got more people coming, Red."
Damian immediately turns on Aylaeth's words. "I trust you and your eyes far more than any magical scrying. Let's move." He breaks out at a brisk jog - fast enough to cover ground quickly, but not so quickly to exhaust him or draw much unwanted attention. He holds his sword's pommel to keep it from becoming poorly weighted, and in case it becomes necessary.
He spots Kyras just as he and the red-haired woman enter a shop. "Perhaps that is his sister," he says to Aylaeth. Kyras is a large, brutish hulk of a man. As tall and powerful as Damian is, Kyras stands a full head higher. To his eyes, Kyras seems injured as if having been in combat. Kyras turns as he enters, looking back out at the street and showing his face. Damian stops in his tracks, letting out a breath of shock. "Kalaroth..." His memory of the dark future seeps into his words to Aylaeth. "That is the mortal vessel of Kalaroth, the dragon god." The image of Kalaroth's clawed hands plunging into Aylaeth's chest and tearing out her heart is one that stuck with him through the Everywhen. He draws his sword and shield, ready for the battle of his life. "We have to kill him, here and now, or the world will burn under his rule." His voice is full of pain and hate, but not a hint of fear or doubt.
Maiathreen and Livain appear overhead, apparently having spotted them from the air. "Kyras is in there," he says to them. "He's no mere agent of the Red Dragonflight. He is the mortal vessel of Kalaroth, and we have a chance to kill him before he gains too much of the power he is destined to have. Where are the others? We will need all the help we can get to kill him."
Azami curses with a roll of her eyes. The Emperor must know, now, that they would not be in attendance and have sent someone along. Or perhaps this building had been watched since the Captain's death and she had not noticed their stake out. Regardless, her hope of gathering supplies was quashed.
The soldier strides further into the shop, finding a backdoor and gesturing to Kyras. "Sooner than expected. Come, let's head out the back into the alley. Maybe we can lose them in the mists. Thank you," she tosses to the old woman before following Kyras out the door and onto the wet cobbles.
"This way." She begins to run down the alley past the ramshackle backdrop of buildings.
"We'll then I that case do we go I after him or wait for him to come out? The others are all...preoccupied at the moment. Something about a serpent folk arresting Min and then inviting Lin to some State Dinner?" Maiathreen says as he draws Servais from his sheath and waits for Damian's command.
Livain's eyes widen and then she nods grimly at the information Captain Damian and given them. Her bow gripped in her hand the other ready to draw an arrow at a moments notice.
Belsarious finding himself free and outside the castle scans the skies for any sign or signal of the skyknights......
He himself flies into the area above the great city, maybe now he could reason with the one called Kyras over the abomination.
When Damian gives the order to go after Kyras and begins jogging, Aylaeth merely nods and begins moving as well, easily keeping pace in her lighter armor. When they finally lay eyes on their target, she too is impressed by his size; the man clearly had Warbanian blood in him.
Yet, when Damian lets out a breath of shock and claims Kyras is the mortal vessel of Kalaroth, Aylaeth gives her commander a long, hard look. She knew these must be more of his memories from his future life in the Everywhen. She still had little trust for those memories, and she was still getting used to this new Damian. In addition, Professor Yeo had seemed quite sure that Kyras was not the evil man and murderer he seemed he must be. Surely one such as she would know if the man she had entertained was the mortal vessel of an evil God??
Still, Damian was her Captain, and his orders were her to follow. Plus, there seemed little doubt or debate anywhere that Kyras had killed Na-Calanon...So, gripping her ever present staff even tighter, she replies "As you say, Captain, if you are sure we do not want to capture him alive?"
Even as she questions the order though, she continues preparing himself, channeling some of her arcane energy into her weapon
As Mai and Livain swoop in to join them, she calls out to her archer friend "Livain! You and Mai cover the building from the air and watch the back in case they try and escape that way!"
Then, protecting her commander, staff held before her, she moves into the building first, her Sylph easily penetrating any darkness that may lie within.