Zandra walked over and touched a hand to the bow and the other to his sometimes very protruding and thick brow, "Here!"
----The runes carved into the wood spoke his name. The weapon had been crafted specifically for him, the fine carving flowed like the wind through the leaves of a forest canopy, it gave there was the impression of a figure clad in forest greens darting through the tree limbs. It was an idealized image of him with vibrant joy upon his face, his every motion deep within the hunt, an arrow to through the heart of any enemy that would dare stand against his family---
She pulled her hand back from his temple as Karthan's raised his hand up to grasp his head in pain.
"There, sorry about the after affects, but I don't believe that you would have believed what I had said without seeing it for yourself and now that the bow has been placed in your custody you will eventually overwrite the current resonance your own latent psychic impressions. If you still doubt me I could try another reading for you . . .
"No!, or rather I mean, no thank you. Karthan's brow furrows, with pain, emotion and concentration. . . So Beleg, these dark elves will be looking for my sister and I because of our parents?"
"I think I can answer that for you, mother was afraid for us both. We are both special, our potential is far above that of average or even gifted elves. It would be easiest to snuff us out when we are young rather than wait for us grow into our powers. Even if you decide to try and turn your back on this path now, another will open, who and what we are will continue to shape our destiny. I don't know or understand the powers against us, but we can start fighting it now or wait until we have no choice and things have become more bleak. Beleg can help channel our development and direct us down more meaningful paths."
"Why are you so ready to just give up on your own life, your own choices? We are young, we have just now been given freedom to make our own way in life, to live a little, to be our own people, to follow our own paths, make our own destinies."
"Sometimes there isn't a choice Karthan! Mom and dad redoubled their efforts after our births, they were trying to save the world for us. There are plenty of elves out there who would join this crusade in a second, but they are unable to do so because they are not graced with our abilities. Don't we have an obligation to continue with their work? We can honor their sacrifice and use the gifts that they sought to help us develop."
"Where is Hal'odrel then? I am sure he would share your sentiments. He came here with Fir'umil, where is he? Fir'umil came here seeking power, I must admit I don't know everything that goes on here, but we find Hal missing with no good explanation and Fir'umil maimed, but refusing to have it healed, is that how you want to end up. Maybe Hal is the smartest one here. He still has his father, he still has his freedom, he has his own life."
"Why are you so angry? You sound so hateful, so ungrateful. You act like this is Belegs fault or something, you rail against all of the gifts and opportunities we have been given."
"WHY! because I don't want to see you wind up dead like them that's why! Don't you get it? Dad was a wizard, mom was a warrior and they still got killed, everyone wants to tell me I don't have magic and "that's okay", but look at Beleg. He obviously has powerful magic and he is still here and after how many generations. I can't stand to lose you too, but I can see that I am, but don't you worry I can't teleport you off to a tower, nor summon up carnivorous apes to hold you here or immobilize you with my lute so I will just leave you two here while I walk off on my two mundane feet and get on my non mind melded horse and ride my sorry ass out of here."
Karthan hesitates then picks his bow up and prepares to storm out.
"You have gone too far Karthan you cut too deep."
Roused by the sudden sense of pain his mistress is feeling, Thor rises up hissing and spitting looking for the cause.
Upon hearing his sisters pained words, Karthan felt angry at himself, but Thor rising up galvanized something in him and he set his lips.
"What are you going to set your tiger on me now?! You don't need me anymore, you have him to protect you now, and your green man."
"Thor! No, its okay . . .<sniff>. . . Down, lay down its okay now." Zandra tried to calm the great cat and strangle off the hurt and anguish she was channeling to him.
Thor was standing now, but confused, the pain was coming from the boy cub, but he was not doing anything.
Karthan was burning with emotion as he moved to leave.
“Karthan,” Beleg rested a hand on the young ranger’s shoulder before he could depart. It was amazing how Karthan was so alike his father when Tear’amil was his age. “Do not depart on such terms. Regret is an uneasy companion to carry with you for all the pilgrimage of your years.”
He sighed and continued, “Your sister loves you, and I know you love her and want to keep her safe. There is no other elf better equipped to do so, Karthan and you know that fact. But depart from here her brother, bearing no animosity towards Zandra. Then take your time, search your heart and world and let the hours and days bring a proper decision.”
Feeling the hand on his shoulder Karthan was ready for another round, but felt himself disarmed with Beleg's talk of love. He did want to keep Zandra safe and he knew no one else in the world would try as hard as he would to do that, but as far as being best equipped for that? On that point he would not agree. As far as animosity, that was going to be harder. She was manipulating him, drawing him in, he hadn't made any pacts with the green man, but hers was putting burdens on him. He needed to think this out . . . Was Beleg manipulating his mind now too?
"Very well, I shall."
Karthan couldn't bring himself to look at them as he walked out, Beleg had definately blunted his exit, his rage had been curtailed, but not his emotions. He needed to be alone for a while.
He found his way back to the stables to prepare his horse.
Zandra watched Karthan leaving and was crushed, he had never spoken to her that way before. She had never seen her brother like this. She knew the words Beleg spoke were true, but they did not stop Karthan. She wanted to say something to him as well, but she couldn't find the words in time, and then he was gone. She wiped tears from her eyes and forced them open. Before her was the now empty case, in her hands was the sword, in the case was an empty spot with the impression of the missing bow. It matched the emptiness she now felt in her heart. She closed her eyes again and left the tears flow in silence.
Thor watched the exchange, some sort of primate dominance display? Who really knew, these hairless apes were quite unpredictable at times. Right now his mistress needed him. He prodded her fingers with his snout and then leaned his head into her until she responded by hugging him around his neck burying her face in his fur. He brought a paw up and placed it over her shoulder. A gesture the primates used. Though he thought he looked ridiculous and out was now of position to pounce, Thor knew the cub needed comfort. Then he would ate sure she had food and rest. A whole body licking would make him feel better, but his mistress wouldn't allow that, he guessed that apes must revel in their own stink, well whatever.
Her pain subsided a little so what he was doing must be working . . .
Mal’undil was finishing off the last few straps on Gertrude’s saddle when the ranger came storming into the stables. The elf had a singular focus that even the normally rock-steady horse of his found a bit too unsettling. The animal shook its main and flicked its tail, eyes rolling to search out the rest of the stall in which it’d been sequestered.
Well, if the ranger felt half as irritated as Mal did, then more power to him. For his part, Mal was interested in having some words with the Scroll. There was no way in the unwashed mazes of Absalom that the old bard didn’t know anything about this pile of malarkey. Chaos clerics? Daggers that suck the life out of you? No thanks! The city is strange enough without that nonsense rattling around in my head!
At the very least, aside from getting stabbed and nearly drained like a kid sucking down a sugar stick, Mal didn’t have any of those lingering visions or memories that Zandra described. As to that…
“Where’s your sister?” Mal asked.
Karthan didn’t answer.
The half-elf shrugged. “Suit yourself, but be warned, Absalom isn’t exactly the best city in the world through which to run off cock-eyed.” Mal’undil swung himself into his saddle and rechecked his weaponry. “Olivia’s off getting a group together to pacify that section of Coppertown where we fought. So, I’m taking it on myself to check in on Lau over at the Temple to Erastil.”
He nosed Gertrude out of the stable but held up before leaving. Mal looked over his shoulder. “If you’re looking for something to do, feel free to join. I plan on hitting a couple of taverns afterwards.”
Mal’undil gave a gentle nudge of his heel to Gertrude’s flank and the camel lurched forward, heading for the exit to the Iomedae Temple grounds.
Beleg watched Karthan leave. He regretted the turn of events but he wasn’t surprised. Tear’amil reacted the very same way when he approached him to join the Lantern Bearers. The prospect of hunting Drow had not been part of his plans.
“Rest easy, Zandra. This will resolve, one way or the other. You need not fear for him. His care for you is what put him on this path. It is the very same thing that will bring him back. Allow him this time to collect himself.” He reached into his sleeve and produced a silk handkerchief for the elf maiden to use. “Dry your eyes, young one. There are many moons yet, and many trials, some far worse than this, awaiting your chosen road.”
He reached forward and closed the case pushing it towards Zandra. “There are more aspects to this case, of that I’m sure. Your father was a prankster in some respects, and he did love his puzzles. As for this evening, I can see to it you have a place to stay here in the temple, see you to Caleb’s home or whatever your choice.”
Karthan thought, "The Rook invited me to go hunting with him."
"Thank you." Zandra took the offered handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes trying to collect herself.
"Thank you Beleg for your kind words, my brother has had a hard time of it. Maybe it's because he is a guy or because I have the benefit of my connections with nature I don't know, but he has always seemed to hold some kind chip or something. I suppose that our uncle couldn't raise us because he was working on missions of his own, and of course you were busy leading the whole thing and all. He always felt discarded like no one cared about us. The people that you had raise us were very nice and we had everything I guess Karthan just wanted our parents, but obviously never accepted that they were gone, I don't know. Karthan found a a father figure or at least an older male role model in Hal'dorel. I know he came here hoping that we would find him."
"Of course we have found Fir'umil and it seems the darkness that hung about him has lessened since leaving our home. It even seemed that they might be getting along. Hee hee, gods know if there is someone as stubborn as Fir'umil it's Karthan."
"Actually what I would like is to hear from you about our parents, you knew them very well it seems, they never mentioned you, but I am sure that is because they were lantern bearers and all. If they chose you to raise us I know you were close to them. If you are too busy I understand. If tonight isn't convenient than another time, I know you and the others have a lot to plan for. "
"Oh! <sniff> and maybe we could do it over some food? My little kitty needs some good food, he has had a long day hasn't he?"
Mal'undil pulled up short, shoulders sagging. he was beginning to regret ever having met the Rook.
"A man's gotta know his limitations, Karthan. Me, I hit mine a few hours ago when Lamech tried sucking the life outta me for some kind of sick birthday present. I'm going to go pay a visit to one of the four people I trust this side of a dirt nap, then I'm going to get a couple drinks in me. Invitation's open to you."
He could have just left, give the obviously steaming pile of Angry-elf to his own devices...but Mal'undil had lost a lot of good years following after the Rook. Instead of leaving, he deftly drew one of his flight daggers and began twirling it back and forth. "This is my good friend Stabby, me and him go way back. When the time and place calls for something sharp and fast, well out comes old Stabby."
The knife twirled thru his fingers and disappeared into his long coat. "I use the right tools for the right job. When I visited the Rook earlier, I went there seeking the right tool for the right job."
"Look, I'm not gonna tell you to stay away, but let me give you this bit of advice, a lot can be judged about a man based on the company he keeps. You look like a man who learns his lessons the hard way, I can understand that because I'm from the same school. Either you learn it in the ear or thru the rear. Guys like us have to make our own way in life, but be cautious with the decisions you make when your emotions are ruling your head. They can do you credit, but they can be made to serve other purposes beyond your intent."
Mal'undil pulled on Gertrude's reigns, clucking at the camel to get her moving. "You're welcome company, kid," he said over his shoulder. Inside he wanted to yell at the young elf for wanting to seek out Sebastian, he meant what he said; sometimes a man has to make his own way. Gertrude ambled towards the exit, Mal'undil on her back hoping silently that Karthan would follow.
Sense motive
"What is it you aren't telling me Mal? Without the Rook we wouldn't have made it this far, or gotten Lamech, or had the book with the constellations. And what is your plan with all this? I am guessing that Caleb mixed up in this as well, for I assume it was Beleg who sent us to him."
Gertrude grunted and snorted impatiently as Mal drew reign again. "I can always find another tool to put holes in people, I don't always need Stabby here." Mal patted the dagger secreted under his long coat. "I can use a crossbow bolt, a sword, a spear..maybe I should have used someone else to acquire our information. Maybe a scholar at the Arcanamarium, I don't know. Point is, I don't get all mushy inside when my dagger hits the mark. I also recognize that tools of tyis type are particularly dangerous."
He sighed heavily. "Look at me, kid, what do you think I haven't told you about Sebastian you haven't figured out already. I know you've got more sense than that."
"As for the Scroll, I love the man like a father, but it won't prevent me from having a deep discussion regarding what he chose to share and what he didn't. But that's my beef, not yours. Caleb's a good man, as good as they come. You can trust him just as sure as the sun will rise."
Karthan hesitated, "Well then I had better throw my lot in with you then, because gods know I don't have anywhere else to go in this city. Hopefully you know of a better bar than that s$*+hole. I swear I would try to put a blade through that magnificent boiled ass of a dwarf if he called me fairy meat one more time this evening. Besides that I can't have the Rook thinking I am that easy right?"
"But someday you will have to give me the particulars about what went on in his service. Eh, I guess he has more than hunting on his mind."
“Many tales to tell, Karthan,” Mal’undil grinned. Their mounts bore them slowly through the gates of the Iomedae Temple, the half-elf waving a farewell to one of the clerics he recognized.
The night was deep within the 3rd watch and there were few people wandering the streets of the Ascendant Court. The district was the central hub about which the city turned, touching on more districts than any other section of the city. Outside the gates, there was a gentle breeze on the air, carrying the assorted aromas of unguents and spices and herbs and incense from the varying houses of worship.
All around the two, the buildings rose in clutches of three or four story structures, like hands clasped towards the heavens in silent beatitudes. To Mal’undil, he felt there were too many places to hide in the shadows cast by those buildings. He knew because he used to hide in them.
“He was a mentor, you know.” They’d ridden for a while in silence as Mal lead them towards the Temple of Erastil.
Karthan looked over, a question in the turn of his brow. Obviously the elf had been in deep thought too.
“Sebastian. He found me early on in my arrival to Absalom. I was after a new life, something different after things had fallen apart in Greengold and Almas.” Mal reached into his pouch, noting with a whence that is chest where the dagger had injured him was still a bit tender. Out of the pouch he produced his pipe and tobacco. “One of Sebastian’s competitors was actually one of the first people I met in the city. I’d been given his name as a contact when I was convinced to leave Almas.”
He paused and lit his pipe and puffed it to life. “Of course the Rook wasn’t nearly as well positioned back then as he is now. But he had had a plan, even back then. One thing about the guy, he’s always got a plan.”
They continued on in silence for a bit, Mal trying to enjoy his pipe and not allowing himself to worry over what the next day was going to bring. He’d come a long way from the days of being a thief to working with Caleb. Part of that history involved a good many years working for the Rook.
“I’d hired myself into the service of the Barbers…” He waved off a question from Karthan. “If you don’t know who they are, more power to you, keep it that way. Anyway, that service led me into competition with a small crew being run out of Coppertown, one lead by the Rook himself. Seems he was attempting to really make a name for himself. He approached me one evening…woke me out of deep sleep, this dark figure all swathed in shadow standing over me like Zon-Kuthon had risen right in my bed chamber to claim my soul.”
Mal chuckled to himself. “I’m not ashamed to admit I needed a change of trousers that night. Sebastian had an offer for me to join his crew, or be left out in the cold as he and his group ascended the ladder of power in the organization.” Mal shrugged and took a puff of his pipe. “I was stupid then, no sense. I was angry at the loss of my own father, my mother, the elves that had cast aside the memory of my sire because of his mixed heritage… You know Sebastian’s background. Well, the blood-sucker had done his homework cuz he sure as the pit of hell knew mine. He used the connection to his advantage and brought me into the fold.”
They weren’t far off now from the Erastil temple. Maybe a few blocks. He paused and offered Karthan one of his extra pipes and the satchel of tobacco.
Not unlike my experience with the Rook, hummm, I must keep in mind the nature of the beast. It seems everyone wants something from me, Mal'undil is right I must have control of my emotions before I dare enter his den again. The allure of his nature could be over powering. He killed that man in my presence and it didn't even phase me. . . I need to remind myself there is value in these humans no matter how short lived, like the good priest who healed Zandra. But the one he killed was a conspirator with chaos and a skinflint at best. . . Mal's story isn't that much differs from my own, is he trying to manipulate me too!? Now I am just paranoid. . . .At least he seems on the right side of things. If he hasn't been at the stables I would have gathered my things at the Scrolls house and buggered off to go hunting with the Rook, and made a mess if things in the process. . . It's not Zandra's fault she is what she is . . . But damn Beleg for just processing us to become soldiers in an unending unwinable war. The days of the elves are close to done we are closer to winter than autumn. And all we can care about is the trash races that spread over the earth gouging at it like gophers in a beautiful garden, consuming its forests like termites and killing everything like a plague of locusts. And none o them will sing our praises!"
Where is this anger coming from, it comes upon me unbidden.
"No b+*%$%$# Mal, where is Hal'odrel, why can't I get a straight answer from anyone around here. . . Not including you in that, believe it or not I am listening. And thank you for inviting me along."
Seeing that he was being offered the pipe Karthan at first scoffed then almost snatched it in a oh what the hell kind of fashion. "It must be the human side of you that likes this stuff. It seems humans cannot stop filling themselves with various poisons of all types. But, what the hell I guess it can't hurt."
Karthan toked up a few rings and gave Mal an arched eyebrow, "Don't look at me like that, it's not like I haven't ever done it before. There isn't s%*# else to do on a long voyage with a human crew."
"Hal's a different animal all together. First time I met him he was busy fighting off three crewmen of a slave trading ship with nothing but a rapier and a smile." Mal cleared his throat a bit, pipe smoke causing the phelgm in his gullet to rise. "Seems he'd decided to help a young human being beaten on the docks. Turns out the big fella was attempting to escape the ship."
"That's when Lau and Fir joined in the scuffle, laid out the crew and rescued the young man. Hal nearly died in the fight. Knowing that he'd risked his life to save him, the young man swore a life debt to Hal. And that's how we meet Kheegan and how a young human barbarian friended an elvish bard."
"Since then, they've saved each other's lives more times than I'd care to count. We even traveled to Isger where Kheegan's from in order to seek out his family, but they were long gone..." Mal saddened a bit at the memory, the disappointment in the barbarian's eyes. "A few years later, Hal and Fir had a falling out. Fir tried to stab Hal, Kheegan got mad and nearly choked him to death. Ugly business..."
"If I'm understanding correctly, Fir must have realized his father was dead, mauve WA told but wouldn't believe it. Hal'dorel got there first, but wanted to help his cousin work thru it...the fight between them..." Mal hissed over the stem of his pipe. "I always had the impression Fir was laying it on thick, like he was pushing Hal away on purpose. Knowing what we know now, it seems more likely he was trying to save Hal from getting wrapped up in this business."
They rode on for a piece, Mal trying formulate his thoughts. "Hal and Kheegan joined a priest of Garlen, setting sail to the southern seas and a place called the Lonely Coast. After some more information on the activities of the Drow. A small part of me thinks it was to seek out new grounds, Hal never struck me as someone who stayed in one place for any length of time."
"What about you? What are you seeking?"
"Well that sure sounds like Hal, his moral compass always points north and he has an unhealthy attraction to underdogs and lost causes. . . .So you think Fir'umil was trying to save Hal from Beleg and his council? I will have to think on that, though it seems my sister is hot to jump right into that mess. . . The lonely Coast, never heard of it, sounds remote, Hal would love that. And I'll bet he went there still hoping to help his cousin in someway. . . Dammit always a step or three behind the ball.."
"What do I want? Hell, you are probably the first person to ask me that who has really meant it for a change. Heh, I guess I don't have a great answer for you. I of course would wish for a lot of things that could never actually happen, and are really just a waste of time thinking about it. You and I are probably a lot alike in that way I would venture to guess."
"My life seems horribly tragic and scripted, don't get me wrong, I know I had it posh and I wasn't fighting for my life or starving in the ghettos or anything, but we were controlled, "mentored", "channeled" given "opportunity". But in reality, it was literally decades of wizardry training that I would never get, endless training, and classes to "develop my potential". No one would tell us who this benefactor was that sheltered us. No one would explain why we couldn't go live with our uncle. It was like . . . I don't know, like, "sorry kids your parents have been brutally murdered and or captured by skinwarping a@$$$&~b Drow, so hey childhood is over and your training begins in an hour, nope sorry no questions, don't worry everything has been provided for you except your own life."
"Gods I must sound like a Dick, I guess I am just venting."
"You never got a chance to deal with their loss." Mal'undil understood that point, but he also knew what he did next with that anguish. He became a thief and nearly a murderer. "Be careful what you do with those emotions, kid. I twisted my own life inside out trying to get a grip on my anger. Turns out I lost 30 years of my life being a jerk."
He finished up the draw on his pipe and tapped it out on one of his saddle's buckles. His eyebrows arched and he let out a deep breath. "Can't say I'm all that excited with what Olivia and Fir'umil have been up to. If they want to go out there and try and stop a shadowy group from using the world as their private lab, more power to 'em. But as much as I want to slink away and get some distance so I can observe this situation, I'm tempted to join up. If anything," he shrugged, trying not to get too sappy. "I can honor what Caleb sacrificed to help me."
The more he'd thought about it, the more his anger melted away at the old bard and even the situation. He'd still have his talk with Caleb, but knowing how the Scroll worked meant knowing that he had good intentions and good reasons for what he did. That much, Mal'undil could trust.
They were approaching the temple to Erastil. A simple structure of heavy timbers and a central shrine for reflection. It reinforced the deity's belief that less was more; focus on what is needed, then move on. In this temple, there were places to sleep, eat, train and worship. That was it.
There were a few men just inside the gate standing around a brazier, one had his bow out and was in a deep discussion on the benefits of breathing while shooting. Maybe an instructor of some sort, he was older than the others listening.
Throughout the grounds, there were varying denizens, mostly human with an odd half-elf, dwarf and a clutch of halflings mixed in as they went about late night duties. Nearly all were garbed in simple monk's attire.
Mal lead them to a hitching post near the entrance where he dismounted and tied up Gertrude. "Not sure if you want to take some time and center yourself," he nodded towards the temple at the center of the grounds. "Or you can come along, I won't take too much time, just want to check on Lau and make sure he's up to date on the goings on. He's earned it."
"No, I don't need to wander around some garden right now. I will come along with you, I am guessing Lau will probably have something profound and very logical to say no doubt."
"Suit yourself."
He headed over to the main quarters for the residents and passers thru of the temple, hoping it would be the place Lau would have checked in upon arrival. It was a squat building of heavy timbers in the shape of a long, single-story rectangle more like a barracks you'd find in Andoran than within the grounds of a temple courtyard. Along the walls were different renditions of Erastil's symbol, a rack of antlers, like a longbow pointing downward, an arrow knocked.
"Lau usually bunks in here," Mal mentioned over his shoulder as he entered through the open main doors. They usually stayed open unless the weather was severely cold.
Inside, there were dozens of occupied beds, only a handful of occupants still awake at the current hour. Mal put a finger to his lips, signaling for quiet. He began planting his feet along the outside of his arches instead of his heels so his boots wouldn't make a sound on the hardwood floors.
A few steps in and they were both standing in front of Lau's space. The cot was empty, Lau's blanket and tack folded and neatly arranged as though he'd never even been there. Mal felt a pinch of concern, but instead of voicing it simply pointed in the direction of the shrine and turned to leave.
As they were departing the dwelling area, Mal caught up with a monk who had been leaving the building too. "Hey, friend. You happen to see Lau Fu Shan come in this evening?"
The man turned, a human clad in soft leathers and a dark green tunic with the symbol of Erastil at the shoulder. He shook his head. "No, Master Lau has not arrived in this room since I've been here." He bowed respectfully, noting there was a half elf and a full-blooded elf before him and turned to continue on his way.
"Kobold spit..." Mal muttered under his breath.
He nodded for Karthan to follow him as he headed for the shrine. It was the tallest building on the grounds, but not by much. It was 2 stories, but only a single level on the interior. It gave the impression of a lofty forest canopy, maybe even the open sky of a well tended field of wheat; Mal wasn't sure.
They made it to the door, Mal stopping them because he knew this was as far as they would get. The half-elf motioned for a Halfling he recognized, beckoning him to come to the opening to the shrine. What was his name...?
"Merris?" Mal ventured.
The Halfling nodded with a smile. He was garbed in the loose fitting attire Lau was fond of wearing.
"Have you seen Master Lau tonight?"
"Sorry, but no." The Halfling looked around Mal and nodded to Karthan. "Greetings elder-kin."
The half-elf cut off any further exchange, stepping to the side to return to the halfling's field of vision. "Sure no one else hasn't seen him?"
"I can ask."
Mal motioned for him to get to it.
Merris moved off and began inquiring within the interior. Behind him, Karthan moved to the side and made as if to ask a question. Mal held up a hand to forestall him because he saw the Halfling look back from the interior of the shrine and shake his head no.
"Let's go." Mal turned and walked quickly back to Gertrude, grabbed up the reins and swung into the saddle. "Get your eyes on, kid. We need to find my friend."
"I am guessing you believe there is something sinister in his absence here?"
"There are those who see the glass half empty or half full. I'm a realist, Karthan. I see the glass has water in it." He wanted to kick Gertrude into a gallop, but it would be stupidity considering he might miss a clue. It was nighttime, things could be missed on the street, clues and whatnot.
"Olivia said Lau was tired and troubled. That means he would have come straight to the temple, no stopping for sweetcakes or a quick nightcap. So yeah, I think something sinister has befallen my friend."
To emphasize his concern, he unlimbered his crossbow and loaded it.
"Fates snip this thread! . . . Fine, we have two options. We cover ground quickly trying to flush our enemy, stumble upon Lau or cross his trail, or we go back to Olivia's temple and track him from the last known place we know he was for sure. I made a mess with my sister, but I am sure we can bury the hatchet and push that steaming pile aside so that we can put Thor on the scent. What do you think?"
"First option. No offense but I don't have time to mend family ties right now. I don't know what was said between you two and I don't..." He stopped himself short of a lie and pulled up rein so he could look at Karthan in the eye. "No, that's not true. I do care that you mend fences. But this isn't the time to do it. Get your mind right, then say it right. In that order..."
They were outside the gates of the temple, a good place to halt any progress as it turned out. "Let's see if we can pick anything along the way back to the temple. The way we came here earlier is most likely the way Lau would have walked. If we find nothing, then we see about employing your sister and her cat."
Mal began to search the thoroughfare, thankful of the late hour because there wasn't a lot of foot traffic. He added one more thing. "Thanks for your help, Karthan."
Good, because I wasn't looking forward to having to do that right now.
"Okay then, lets take the path he most likely would have taken and look for clues. We also try to think like Lau and look places he may have stuck to if he thought he was being tailed. We ask possible friendlies for info and as a last resort we have to try tracking. Lets go."
"Meh, no thanks needed, Lau is a good person. Plus it is good to go do something other than hang out in the slums of Copperton."
Survival
Perception
Karthan bent his will towards the hunt, moving his conscious thought aside as he let his instincts and senses take over. The Ascendant Court's roads and walkways were primarily stone, making tracking very difficult. But there was more to it than looking for footprints and the like...
The elf thought on how Lau moved, then his mind's eye took into account the distractions brought on by the events of the day. The battle at Lamech's house, the unholy images the monk must have seen...it would have impacted his motion, perhaps thrown off his pattern.
To think as a predator, to stalk your quarry, it was to know when to know them as much as it was to strike at them. To know them meant to know the right time. For others than animals, for people, that time was close to home. The point at which the goal of familiar territory was palpable.
Lau would have been taken closer to the Erastil grounds than to those of the Iomedae temple. That much formed in the elf's mind. So if this was the area in which he'd make his attack, from where would he strike? He cast about with all senses, most of all he clung to the predator's motivation, the need to create its own sense of safety just prior to the strike.
There...an alcove built into the side of a small church to a god he didn't know. There were empty crates and a barrel with rain water creating a perfect hiding place. He looked across the street, another alcove very similar to the first, allowing line of sight and coordination. Room for multiple attackers if they were working together.
If he captured his quarry, where would be the quickest point of egress? He had to get to his own ground, take his prey where it would be weakest. Yes, an alley leading off at an angle, darkness cast the be the buildings looming over it.
As Karthan studied the alleyway, his senses straining, he spotted something wedged between another barrel and the alley wall.
A bit more focus as he looked, making out the flat-brimmed hat Lau favored. In the moonlight as it passed between clouds, he could make out that it was broken, the tightly-woven reeds cracked and splintered.
Karthan listened keenly, tilting his head so the gentle breeze that was blowing from the alley mouth might carry some sound to his ears.
There, the distant sounds of struggle...
"This way, quickly, Lau is in trouble. That is his hat over there its cracked and broken, the wind carries the sound of battle, pray we are not too late."
The two makd their way down the alley. It was wide enough for 3 to walk abreast so no problem riding their animals down the cobbleston pathway. Up ahead of them, the alley came to an end junction allowing only for a right turn. At the corner, slumped against the wall was a burly looking man, arms thick and muscled, a crossbow bolt thru his right eye. Blood trickled down his lifeless face and ontohis neck, gore half covering a tattoo...the image of a stag's head with a horn in it's mouth.
The sound of combat was closer...one of the voices was muffled but nearly familiar.
Mal'undil finally heard the sounds of fighting up ahead. Seeing the dead body I'm the alley, he dismounted swiftly and clucked for Gertrude to stay put.
"Up ahead's the Commoner's Plaza. An open area between some of the wharehouses that supply the local churches. Lots of closed vendor stalls and the like, watch your line of sight."
He krept ahead, cleared the corner, keeping his crossbow at the ready, hugging the wall and the shadows it offered. "Twenty yards this way to the opening of the plaza," he whispered.
Around the corner to the right, the alley leads off twenty or so yards then opens onto a wide area. Fom this distance you can see a pair of what might be locked up kiosks.
I shall be the green blurr in the woods, the silent hunter stalks his prey, I am the cat coming down the mountain.
Stealth
I am the ghost in the darkness.
Karthan had drawn his father'sgift to him. It was time to embrace his gifts and talents, a friend was endanger.