Daen frowned at the half orc. More in concentration than consternation, although he would be remiss to say he didn't feel any of the latter. He started through his explanation rather quickly, not really pausing between thoughts. "It's close. Day-en is the best way to pronounce my name, with two syllables. But plenty of people shorten it so I'm kind of used to it. The Alchemy class is later this afternoon, I believe. You'll have time to do both. The oath itself is not time consuming, but it is only as important as a permanent oath of devotion is to you. I imagine they can place the mark wherever you'd like. Everyone I saw with one did not have such decorations."
At first he thought himself a bit clever for putting in some jokes into his quick speech, but then thought that since he hardly knew the newcomer, it may not be best to test that relationship with the half elf's bad humor. But it was already out there, so he simply waited for his response, and if clarification or an apology was needed, he'd see to it.
Accepting the liquid with gratefulness and a bit of reverence, he listened patiently to the scholar's story. Though many might find this story boring, he was completely enraptured in it. It was first a warning of reaching too far, but one should learn from their failures, not hide them. Sipping the rich liquid he found himself inflamed with the story and longing to do something about it. But they were dealing with demigods and liches with even greater power. What could one half elf do?
Perhaps it was the drink, or perhaps it was the corruption of Arazni resonating in his heart in the same way it did when he thought about his mother, discarded and despised, laying on her bed and languishing in her disease of the heart, but a single tear fell from his eye at the conclusion of the story. He sat there transfixed, mourning fresh in soul.
After a long moment, he stood. Seeing there was a bit left in the glass, he took a long slow drought until it was gone, allowing it to burn all the way down. "I need to clean something." He murmured, and went to tend to the books.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
It's close. Day-en is the best way to pronounce my name, with two syllables. But plenty of people shorten it so I'm kind of used to it. The Alchemy class is later this afternoon, I believe. You'll have time to do both. The oath itself is not time consuming, but it is only as important as a permanent oath of devotion is to you. I imagine they can place the mark wherever you'd like. Everyone I saw with one did not have such decorations.
Zohruk rolls the name around his mouth a few times, getting it down to a reasonable degree.
"Day-En. Dayen. Daen. Daen. 'After poking holes in me all morning at dueling class, Daen took me to see the Tribune.' I think I've just about got it," he says with a grin. "The way I figure it, the Oath can't be so bad. You folks took it and you're all okay with it, right?" Zoh continues to take occasional glances at his forearms. "Yeah, I'll bet none of those other people have a crazy possessive girl like Ril back home. I think she wanted to sort of 'mark her territory'. My totem animal is a serpent, so this is supposed to be a couatl, watching over all deeds of hand and heart. She wanted to do more work to infuse them with magic, so that if anyone of impure heart saw the tattoos they'd see a dragon instead. I told her that sounded like a whole big thing, and we didn't have a lot of time together. Then she got all mad and the needle 'slipped'." He gestures to a small scar on his forearm, and shrugs. "She's sweet, she's just, well, that's Yhrrilka being Yhrrilka."
As the exchange between the members of the two cohorts heats up, Zohruk stands in silent amazement. Allie and I could end up strangling each other and might not be the most dramatic story going on here. Zoh heroically stifles a laugh at Vorin's comment, and if opportunity permits without being overheard, whispers back, "Fire and thunder, who is this durnuk?"
Daen had heard of a Couatl before, although never in conjunction with any tribal totem. They were terribly good creatures with magical powers. He squinted his eyes at the tattoo, and it was obvious that pretty much all of the drawings were stylized. Shrugging he waved to the crowd coming to dueling practice. "Come on, I'd rather not be late. Baird, the teacher is pretty much a legend in Brevoy."
----------------
The half elf normally would have more words for his cousin. But there really was no need. If Leo went on, he'd merely hang himself. He kept a straight face, regardless of the almost well hidden snickers behind him. It was really more sad than funny to him. Again, he was glad he was disowned, but at the same time, regardless of what people said, he couldn't deny his own blood. The best he could do is rise above it.
”Your mother is wise beyond our years, but has she forgotten how good it feels to win a one on one duel? Plus, we’re to be Knights of Ozem! We have to look good doing everything.” Leo’s normal smile finds its way back onto his face, but its sharper, more feral. He has an air of force to it as he tries to recover from the humiliation. Realizing that he’s not going to win any points, he turns away--fortunately just in time for Baird to enter the gardens.
The Brevic is wearing black dueling leathers and his short hair is covered by a dashing cloth hat, tilted at the side with a wide brim and a slender green and white feather stuck in the side, sloping backwards. Its a hat very much in the fashion of Restov and not well-liked or popular in Port Ice, where the Surtovas hold sway. Leo, oddly, smiles at the sight.
”Stop arguing. Circle up. Today, I hope to teach you a few more complicated techniques. As you’ve learned, the aldori sword is used in many defensive tact--” He pauses, staring at Zohruk. As he does, the rest of the group turns and looks. Septima looks a bit disgusted. Leo looks bored, having already seen the half-orc and not seeing something worthy of interest.
”A half-orc. Peculiar. Welcome, then, new face. I’ll have you work on something with some of the other less experienced members. For those who already know how to handle the dueling sword, I want you working on several counters and defensive moves. However, first show me what we have gone over already. ” He trails off and takes up a stance, facing the group. He waits until they follow his example before he stands, walking around the circle and hecking stances. This is not unusual and is an exercise he seems to start every lesson with.
Moving around the circle, he nods to Daen, Jalen and Leo. Everyone else he corrects with a sharp rap from his sheathed sword. ”Kassara, lower. Septima, drop your back arm, you look like a Chelaxian feather dancer. Vorin, lower your elbow. You are wasting too much energy in that hold and will grow tired quicker. Orc, just...I’ll get to you in a moment.”
”Prima!” He shouts and the group shuffles forward a step, lifting their blades into the first guard form, thumbs pointing sideways and down, the blade extended straight out from the fencer. This form protects the head and upper body well, but leaves the legs defenseless. Again he moves around the circle correcting forms. He goes through the other three defensive forms, nodding his head slowly.
”Good. It is apparent some of you have practiced, while others have not. Leo, you have improved substantially. Daen, you did not study this week.”
Kassara, Zohruk, Micenius, Rafeus, Lucius. I want you to practice those guards, you have not yet mastered them well enough. The rest of you...I want you to study the counterpostures from the Fior Di Battaglia. You have learned the guards, a few counters and parries and basic attacks. Counterpostures are used in response to those guards. We will practice zwerchau, ochs and krumphau today. If your opponent assumes, say, a standard terza guard you can move into a quarta position like this.” Baird lifts his blade’s point, dropping his hand and turning his body slightly forward, revealing more of his front than a normal guard. He motions for Jalen to move forward and the boy assumes a standard terza. Baird responds, pointing to how his blade blocks any upper or lower attacks Jalen could easily make from that position. The scrub would have to change guards to attack around Baird’s counterposture. He continues, going through several more positions and guards before standing up from his stance. ”Practice.”
He then moves to Kassie and the others, running them through more basic stances and, with Zohruk, teaching him the basics of the dueling sword.
Characters: Eilidh
Allie’s request pales the woman’s face. It seems the Tilernos girl is not the only one with some concern. However, despite that, she nods. ”Sarenrae welcomes all who choose to turn from their past and embrace the light. All may be reformed in the glory of the Dawnflower and all deserve to choose good over evil.” She swallows again, gaining strength in her own words and she looks at Allie with zeal in her eyes.
” It is not kind to call others monsters, Eilidh. This world is full of them--the murderers and the vampires, the werewolves and the like. An orc who claims to worship our Sarenrae? That sounds like no monster but either a misguided barbarian or an enlightened brother.”
Kassie joins the others in the circle around Baird and, as the instructor takes up his stance. Carefully she mimics his poses and the flowing way that he transitions from one to the next. Chelaxian feather dancer? I wonder what that is? Maybe I should see if Allie knows? the momentary distraction of her thought causes her to drop the tip of her sword a fraction, earning her a rap from his sword. At his next instruction she frowns to herself. Right. Can't let bloody Leo think he's better than me. Definitely need to practice more, some of those manoeuvres look useful.
For the remainder of the practice she concentrates hard on the defensive stances, slipping easily from one to the next, and working up a healthy sweat. Although her corset does begin to chafe under her arms, the continual movement slowly begins to soften the hard leather and, by the time the practice ends, she is feeling exhilarated by her progress.
After the lesson she stretches upwards, her sword held behind her back between her two hands as she arches backward, attempting to loosen sore muscles. That done, she moves over to the other members of the cohort massaging her shoulder blades, and announces to no-one in particular "Well that was quite a workout! I don't know about any of you, but I'm going to head back to the barracks for a long bath. My muscles are aching."
Zohruk does his best to pay attention and keep up with the instruction, but he rapidly starts feeling out of his depth.
Wow. I knew I'm not a strong swordsman, but even with my time at Kolunzatokh, I didn't realize how much I don't know about this stuff.
By the end of it, Zohruk's head is swimming. At some point when it's just his own cohort, he wipes his brow and wonders out loud, "Was I even holding the sword pointed end out? I won't mind if someone lies and says yes. Tell me this stuff makes sense eventually..." He turns to Daen. "If you're still willing to be seen in public with me after that, I need to find the Tribune before that Alchemy class."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
After the class, it was difficult not to look at a sweaty Kassie arcing backward in a corset. His eyes felt like if something else popped out, they would also do so in a show of solidarity. He hadn't nearly recovered by the time she came back and suggested bathing. And as much as he would have loved to also go and bathe with her, he had given his word, and that he must fulfill. "I've got work this afternoon, and I am glad it will be relatively less taxing. The tribune is mostly on my way, so I don't mind taking you there Zohruk."
Daen was a fair bit embarrassed, but he had planned to practice. In his schedule, but he slept through the day due to some blood sucking. The thing was, he had opportunity to practice after, so he had to make sure to put in some extra time. Perhaps a way to kill to birds with one stone.
As they left the rest of the crew behind, Daen began to instruct Zoh with some helpful advice. "Now, it's a bad idea to grip the blade, you got that far, but try to keep your fingers off the cross guard..."
Characters: Zohruk, Daen, Kassara
Jalen snorts and picks up Zohruk's practice blade. "Somewhat. Adlori dueling swords aren't too hard to get a handle on, it'll take some training though. They aren't usually taught outside of Brevoy or Mivon. Sir Baird gave you some good advice..Daen as well."
The other member of cohort two, Vorin, is far too distracted by Kassara to notice much. "My Lady Tilernos, a bath sounds pleasant. Perhaps afterward we could meet up for a meal somewhere other than the Bonewatch's cafeteria? I hear the Golden Dragon has fantastic repast from Minkai!"
Characters: Zohruk, Daen
Daen finds the route to Tribune Mateo's offices without too much difficulty, he's been here before. The large granite building rests on a small hill outside of Castle Overwatch surrounded by other Tribune Halls. A phrase in Taldane rests above the doors, chiseled into the stone. The building's front bears ten circular pillars supporting a fresco of several dozen citizens in attendance during a court session. Above the fresco rests three statues. In the center is a tall form of Iomedae holding her sword high while to her left is a visage of Abadar bearing his scales and to her right Ersatil with his head bowed and hands folded in a long robe.
At this time of day, the Forum is crowded. People wait along wooden benches scattered against the various walls. Large wooden doors are closed and behind court is being held. Black, white and gold tiles of diamonds cover the floors and the walls contain niches with polished wooden statues of various past judges or Tribunes. Daen asks a passing scribe where he can find Tribune Mateo's office and is directed towards its vaguely familiar door.
After a knock, a voice calls for them to enter. Within, a pair of plush leather chairs rests before a wide wooden desk covered in papers. The walls are bare except for a plaque in Taldane. He is writing, as before, in a book with a black quill. "Welcome..ah, you look familiar. You are from the Bonewatch, yes?"
Although he speaks to Daen, when Mateo looks up his eyes are only on Zohruk.
Mateo doesn't look pleased to see the half-orc, his lips curling slightly in distaste.
Kassie smiles at Vorin. "That sounds like a great plan. I'm famished after all that exercise. Food from Minkai you say? I can't say I've had the chance to try that before, but it sounds lovely. Do you know that in Minkai they don't use forks? They use some sort of sticks instead. I've always wanted to try it."
Glancing back at Zohruk and Daen leaving, she accompanies the others back to the barracks where she unstraps her rapier and carefully selects a change of clothes: A long light sky-blue dress with a cinched waist and simple light slippers, before heading to the city baths.
Once there she moves into the apodyterium where she joins other women in disrobing and drops her dirty exercise clothes into a messy pile below the hook, hanging up her clean change of clothing for later, wincing at the smell of stale sweat. Grabbing a towel she moves through to the next room, the frigidarium, where, bracing herself, she drops her towel and leaps into the freezing but bracing water. Spluttering to the surface, she quickly moves to the side and hauls herself out of the chilly water, making her way through to the hazy heat-filled caladarium, immediately she feels herself breaking into a sweat and moves over to the pool, other figures barely distinguishable through the steam. Slowly, gratefully, she lowers herself into the hot water, sighing as she feels the tension leaving her aching muscles. Kassie leans back with her eyes closed as the her body slowly adjusts to the heat of the water, sighing in pleasure at the feeling. Most people spend very little time in the scalding water of the caladium, but Kassie has always preferred its heat to the warmth of the tepidarium where most other bathers spend the majority of their time. She ducks her head under water and uses the water to wash out her long hair, thinking, not for the first time that maybe she should cut it short to avoid all the effort of keeping it clean.
Following her bath, and feeling much better in a clean change of clothing, Kassie meets Vorin back at the barracks. Greeting him with a warm smile. "Well I feel much better" she says. "But I must admits that i'm pretty hungry now. Are you ready?" Do you think we should take our swords after that fight the other night? A rapier doesn't really go with this dress, but I think I can make it work."
Zohruk lets Daen take the lead en route to the Tribune's office. "Hey, I really do appreciate your taking the time today, Daen. The reactions I'm getting around here are kind of all over the map. Some really nice, and, well, some Allie," that last said with a raised eyebrow and a shrug of resignation.
And that's one more person seemingly immune to the Zohruk charm, he thinks upon seeing the Tribune's sneer. Zohruk keeps it all inside for the thousandth time since his arrival, not letting on that there's anything going on here to get excited or upset over. If he's going to give you the business, there's nothing you can do about it; might as well just play it ignorant but polite, try not to give him any ammunition.
"Yes sir, we're both scrubs at the Bonewatch. I myself am very new, only arrived this past Fireday. On the ride here, Sir Lukyan mentioned the swearing of an Oath, and I would like to find out more information about this."
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Sitting on the bench gave Grimold plenty of time to think, which was rarely good for the boy. They don't want me to see where they're taking me. That must mean they want me alive, surely they don't plan to kill me. Unless it is a headsman's bag... As he sits, all the stories he's heard about the Scorpion run through his head. He tries to remind himself that the Sczarni in Vigil are small-time, but that kind of thinking is small comfort when they have you tied up and bagged. The pain from the punch throbs dully as he stews, trying to get himself back under control. Ducas set the meeting up. He did not send me to die. Calm down. Boys panic. Men show no fear in the face of danger. Knights embrace it.
After the initial panic wears off, a different part of his mind takes over. There's something exciting about the whole ordeal, like something out of a bard's story. Call it Grimold in the Scorpion's Lair. The lost tale, the one that was never told, forgotten for a hundred years until it was lived anew! If only the Prince were by my side, we would be unstoppable! And maybe if I had the loaf of ashes. Things like this always set Rolando's mind to crafting new tales, which was the whole reason he'd adopted the Grimold sobriquet. By now he probably had enough to tell a Lost Cycle in the folk hero's saga. He's startled as the bag gets pulled off his head, breaking him out of his fantasy. Suddenly, things were all too real again, and he can't help but gulp. May Desna smile on me. Seeing the crow tattoo on the woman's cheek, he adds in a quick prayer to Pharasma as well. And may Fate stay my meeting with the Lady of Graves.
As the Mouth speaks, it takes a moment for things to sink in. They don't want to fight. They want peace. He nods as the Mouth gives him his instructions. "I will deliver the message." He pauses for a moment, part of him wanting to leave it at that and get out as quickly as possible. But there's more to discuss, so he presses on, addressing the Mouth. "If you know who I am, then you know my friends and I are searching for the real culprits. Does your... organization know anything that we could use?" Even a simple request like that sets his heart to pounding, and he has to hold his breath to keep calm.
"Allie didn't like you then?" He stated quizzically, whirling the possibilities in his brain. "Well I suppose she's always been nervous, but she has a good heart. I'm sure she'll come around in time. Guys like us don't always make good first impressions."
"Here's the place. I'm sure you'll find the tribune helpful. I've never seen him be otherwise..." He said to the half orc right before they went in. As the tribune seemed a little pained in his words toward the new member of his cohort, Daen figured he'd best stick this one out. Although he was interested in getting to work, this might require a little grease to make it turn the proper way. It's too bad that Daen was not really the greasing type.
The new guy did well for himself, but he figured he'd do what he could. "Zohruk here was assigned to cohort one yesterday. He wants to take the shield mark and oath and pledge his devotion to this place. Although I've recently taken the mark, I figured you could explain all the details better than I could and brought him here. Do you have the time for that now, or should we come back at a time more convenient to you.?"
Daen was only slightly annoyed at the blatant racism, not just because he was the focus of it from time to time, but that it seemed to be so pervasive, that it couldn't be practically helped.
Allie didn't like you then? Well I suppose she's always been nervous, but she has a good heart. I'm sure she'll come around in time. Guys like us don't always make good first impressions.
At that last bit, Zohruk actually stops for a moment, and allows himself the liberty of a little expressiveness, in this case, genuine surprise. "Really. You get that business too? I wouldn't have figured that. Between that and whatever went down between you and that Leo guy's cousin, you've got your hands as full as I do, I guess," he smiles, a pleasant smile that soon turns predatory at the thought of carving that smirking smile off Leo's face with one of his knives.
"Yeah, my worst fears for how this place was gonna greet me pretty much came together in one rude, red-haired package named Allie. It's mostly the whole thing of me being from Belkzen, but there's more to it. I mean, yeah, no one here has to trust me right off, I get that. Hells, they'd be crazy to. But man, leave the door open, how about?" He gestures with his (currently empty) palm, and the Mark he's intent on getting there. "That's the whole point of this, y'know? I've got nothing to hide, so I might as well show it. By, um, you know, hiding behind the Mark, I guess? I think my reasoning breaks down if you poke at it too much..."
Inside, as Zohruk braces for whatever awfulness the Tribune has in store, he's heartened to hear Daen get his back on this. This guy's good. You could do worse than having this guy on your side, Zoh. Don't do anything stupid to him.
At the Chapel of the Luminescent Dawnflower, Allie offers Priestess Maria a shaky grin through her tears. She wipes her eyes with a sleeve. "Th-thanks. I j-just don't know w-what to do all the t-time. I th-think I'm in over my h-head, with c-classes, working, and all the extra s-stuff. It's g-good to be able to t-talk about th-things."
As she stands to leave, she gives Estella a hug and pulls out her pen again. "I'll be back again next week, I think. If not sooner. Thanks for the help, and I'll see you then."
Her journey back to the Bonewatch is almost as terrifying as her previous trip away from it, and she once again breathes a sigh of relief when she arrives. Heading to the dormitory, she sits at her bed for a moment before heading deeper into the Bonewatch. Though she's not sure he'll see her, she's looking for Commander Cerban.
Characters: Daen, Zohruk
The tribune nods his head, pushing a pair of spectacles up on his nose. ”Well...it is good the Bonewatch’s new scrubs have been so willing to swear the Oath. The Knights of Ozem have always done well by Vigil.” He pulls out a few papers that look familiar. Daen had seen Tribune Mateo scratching down some information about the half-elf last time he was here.
”Zohruk, was it?” he asks, glancing up. ”I could help.” He replies, looking to Daen. ”Today is not Oathday, but it does not take long to perform the necessary magic.”
Mateo’s tone is restrained, his distrust of the half-orc is obvious, but he’s responding much the same way he did when Daen had presented himself.
”I take it young..” he pauses, obviously not remembering Daen’s name. ”This young man told you a bit about it. The Shield-Mark is a sign that one is Vigilant, a true citizen of Vigil. This mark is evidence of and magical reinforcement of an oath one takes on behalf of he citizenry. It involves swearing to protect Lastwall against evil and the monsters at its borders.” Here, he pauses for a period of time and stares pointedly at Zohruk before looking away and clearing his throat. ”Ah..I mean of course its enemies and those who seek to break its walls--er..Yes. Anyway. The oath also requires swearing to stand strong against adversity alongside your fellow citizens, uphold the city’s laws and intentions to keep the peace as well as be an example to others ethically in trying to be a force of good.”
”The oath is part of Vigil. None may own property or trade without the mark. Nor may they carry weapons openly in the streets without making the vow.”
"This place is a hundred times better than in the house I spent my childhood. I would have starved to death if it weren't for some kindly and courageous house servants when my mother could no longer hide my ears from the family. By order of the King of Brevoy, I'm not allowed to tell anyone who I'm actually related to, and to what extent. Although such a rule is not specifically binding in a place like this, I am a man of my word. Leo does not like me specifically because of my heritage and that is why he specifically singles me out. I had well over a dozen people there just like him I had to deal with, as well as a fair number of people who were more passive in their hatred, but just as strong in it." Daen sighed, not really angrily, but more one of frustration, like one makes when someone soiled the latrine.
He did feel a bit of kinship with this green man, as if he understood him better than most. "You never can please everyone though. It would be a mistake to take this oath just for that purpose. I may be a great fool, but I trust that's not your only reason, which is good. Just make sure you can honestly say yes to the questions of loyalty and purpose before you do. It doesn't generally end well for those who don't. I took my time deciding, and if you have any reservations, I'd suggest you do the same."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Outside the Tribune Offices
Zohruk pays thoughtful heed to Daen's advice about taking the Oath. "I get what you're saying, Daen. At least, I think I do. But I've got to do this. You talked about obeying your King because you're a man of your word. Well, I obey Chief Madja because her worst ideas are usually better than my best ones, and she set this task before me. If I refuse it, there's no place for me there again. I... I guess I just do this, and have faith that at the end of it all, I can stand in sunlight."
The Shield-Mark is a sign that one is Vigilant, a true citizen of Vigil.
Although Zohruk listens and processes everything Mateo says, that is the line that Zohruk keeps returning to in his mind. A citizen of Vigil. No more Zohruk ekke Belkzen. Now you'll be Zohruk ekke Vigil. Can you do this?
He thinks again of Yhrrilka, and what she said to him the night before he left. You are sent to be tempered in the forge... Tempered metal is changed; Chief Madja sent him here to be changed. Whatever he was to become, would he have a place in the Burning Suns when this was all through...?
After a brief pause that lasts a century or so, Zohruk stands as tall and as straight as he ever has, and looks Mateo in the eye with all the bravado he can muster. "I am Zohruk of the Aghash Rukon. I stand before you and under the gaze of the Burning Mother Sarenrae, ready to take your Oath." Hurry, khomu, before I lose my nerve...
Characters: Vorin, Kassara
Vorin is laying on his bed, one leg lifted up pulling on a boot, wearing a pair of black silk trousers and a stiff leather coat over a blue shirt. As Kassie approaches, he sits up and stands, bowing. "Milady Tilernos, you look quite well this afternoon! I would recommend bringing some kind of steel. Especially after what I heard happened to you and Daen the other night."
To back up his words, Vorin reaches into his open chest, pulling out a slim aldori dueling sword and strapping it to his hip. He winks and pulls up each sleeve, showing daggers strapped to his wrists with another in one boot. "My pendant hides a dart too!" he exclaims, showing a crevasse in the gold amulet around his neck.
-------------------------
At the Golden Dragon
The tavern/restaurant looks much the same as when Kassara saw it last--although at this time of day there seems to be more people around it. Marble tables have been set up outside within a fenced in area for diners and two well-dressed waitresses move among them. The concept of a restaurant is not new, as taverns have always served food. However, an establishment catering to merchants and nobles with unique styles of food and focusing more on the flavor and experience is somewhat unique. The chef, Vorin explains, is not actually from Minkai but is the adopted son of a man now living in Port Ice, Brevoy, who traveled here from that far away nation. Both father and son own restaurants catering to the same clientele and they collaborate with merchants to foster caravans to Minkai to gain the ingredients they desire.
Vorin leads Kassara within and the place seems much different inside than previously. The tavern side has been mostly cleared away except for a few bar stools before the bar. Most of the tables have been moved outside or to a nicer dining area behind a beaded curtain. A staircase heading to the second floor features a large balcony looking down upon the first floor with more diners above. The only face Kassara recognizes is that of Investigator Arunt from the prison dining with a grey-haired woman, presumably his wife, and, surprisingly enough, Elyssa of all people.
Characters: Grimold
If either the Mouth or the Scorpion pick up on Grimold’s nervousness, they do not respond to it. The Mouth’s face remains completely neutral, her eyes looking at Grimold’s but showing no emotion. She is statuesque. After a moment, from some signal Grimold does not see or hear, she reaches behind herself and pulls out another envelope handed to her by the shadowed figure.
She glances down. ”We may. The situation of our members battling the Knihts of Ozem is far more unsettling than a mysterious disappearance. It is ...possible we could help."
The Mouth looks up and smiles. Its not a pleasant thing to observe. Her lips curl up in a predatory manner, looking not dissimilar to Zohruk's own grin. It reveals a pair of sharp canines. They do not look like a half-orc's fangs, but the woman's complexion doesn't suggest a vampire. That aside, it is doubtful the Sczarni would stoop to having a vampire within the very walls of Lastwall. That seems like a suicidal decision to make..they wouldn't make that sort of decision. Or would they?
Regardless, she continues speaking. "What purpose would it serve ours to help you, scrub? The death of your friend is saddening and alerted us...but there has been no sign of a repeat pattern. We do, however, know rumors and whispers on the streets. Rumors we may or may not have investigated. Rumors that may, or may not, have yielded information relevant to this issue. That brings us back to our question. What is it worth to you?"
Characters: Eilidh
Growing up in Castle Firrene as a Tilernos has many benefits. Not the least of which is knowing many Knights of Ozem. Allie's mother entertained Knights heading to Belkzen for war or further abroad on expeditions either of their own making or as ordered by Commander Cerban. Eilidh has also visited the Bonewatch several times prior to actually becoming a scrub within. She knows the upper towers contain living quarters of Knights who reside at the Bonewatch while offices can be found above the scrubs living and training areas. It is to these offices she heads first, climbing several sets of stone staircases. The rooms she seeks are those of the Commanders, within a hallway lined in tapestries of ancient Knight Commanders including a very worn tapestry of Iomedae herself when she was with them. Eilidh knows, however, that the portrait of Iomedae was made only eighty or so years ago rather than the hundreds many scrubs suspect.
The black wooden door to Cerban's planning room is ajar with magical light leaking into the hallway. Within, Eilidh can hear the sound of voices raised in a combination of anger, frustration and consternation.
"...Nothing! They found nothing, again, Andabar. This will take as many, if not more, years as the last one."
"Lukyan, I told you it would be best if you go yourself."
"Yes, and the other one? Here? We've sent away most of our Knights to the Wall or to look for the second one. There's only, what, twelve of us here now? And you're planning on taking Sato and Partington with you next month to Firrene? Comell told me some worrying news about--"
"Yes, Comell has told me of his concerns. He works in the War College, I'm sure it's nothing to do with what we are holding here."
"You're being a fool, Andabar. An old fool!"
There's a long, awkward silence following and the response is too quiet for Allie to hear. Before long, Durante storms out of the office, slamming the door open. He pauses when he sees Eilidh long enough to pretend a smile and to pat her on the shoulder. "Nice to see you again, Eilidh. I would like to chat with you, and your sister, sometime, but I have been terribly busy and will be leaving soon." Durante bites of the last words, a distasteful look on his face as he bows his head slightly and moves past quickly.
Kassie nods at Vorin's words and begins to strap her slim blade to her waist before pausing. "No, I think maybe i'll just carry it with me, it would absolutely ruin the way the fabric flows." When he reveals his hidden daggers she grins and pulls her own sleeve upward, revealing a similar wrist-sheath holding a simple dagger. "We seem to have the same taste in clothing accessories." she says with a laugh. When he shows her the pendant she steps close and examines it, before looking up into his eyes. "Very clever. And quite pretty too! You seem to be full of hidden surprises!"
...... At the Golden Dragon
When they arrive Kassie glances around in surprise at the changes to the establishment and the busy tables full of people clearly enjoying themselves. She lets Vorin speak, only half-listening as he leads her through the throng to a table where she hangs her rapier over the back of her chair before sitting. Glancing around at the other diners she blinks in surprise and then leans in towards Vorin. "Did you notice that Elyssa's here?" she says. The man with her is the inspector from the prison I told you about. I think he's her father, so the woman must be her mother. I don't think she gets on with him very well." Pausing when the waitress approaches, she orders a glass of wine and begins examining the menu. "I've heard that Minkai dumplings are very good." she says, glancing up at him. "Shall we try some of those to begin? I don't mind sharing."
.... Can't do much better than that!
As the woman - whatever kind she may be - smiles, Grimold's blood turns to ice in his veins. Her eyes are like a snake's and he suddenly feels like a mouse caught in their gaze. His heart leaps into his throat as the Mouth makes him realize his critical mistake. Jorge's voice starts speaking inside Rolando's head, but for once it's not berating him. Negotiate. Even if telling you would be good for them, they won't give you what you want for free if they think they can turn a profit.
Grimold takes a deep breath in through his nose, trying not to look like the terrified boy he feels like inside. He curls his toes in his boots, tensing his legs as he thinks. I have nothing to give. A few coins, that's all. What could they want from me? It takes a few moments before the pieces start to fall into place in his mind, but things still aren't adding up. They know I have nothing. And if they have the information, they have all the power they need to act on it if it concerns them. But why would they put it on the table if they did not already have it? And if they were inclined to handle the matter, why would they risk getting the Knights involved?
He opens his mouth to speak, but he suddenly remembers some of Papa's wisdom. When buying and selling, the first to name a price loses. Closing his mouth, Grimold peers at the woman, becoming curious. He focuses on her crow tattoo, avoiding looking at either her fangs or her eyes. "What does it matter? You know who I am. Even if it were worth a dragon's hoard to me, I don't have one to give you. And even then, Jorge and I were not that close." The Scorpion held all the cards here. And, in its own way, that was Grimold's biggest advantage; he didn't have anything to give away, so he really had nothing to lose. "I have nothing I can give you. Unless there is something else you want from me, it would seem that this is the end of our business." It was a risky move, but unless he could figure out what game the Scorpion was playing at, it would be better to simply leave.
Characters: Daen, Zohruk
Mateo takes the tome that swore in Daen and opens it slowly. When he speaks again, he does so slowly and solemnly, speaking as clearly as possible without the Lastwall accent. Despite completing this task many, many times a day, he seems to take it very seriously--even if he doesn't seem to be a fan of those he is giving the oath to.
We ask you to make an oath today. Can you promise to answer these questions honestly?
Do you swear to support Lastwall against true evil? Against the monsters facing humanity and threatening the lives of good people?
Do you swear to stand among the Vigilant and be strong in adversity?
Will you uphold Vigil's laws and abide by their intentions to keep peace, order and hope in our city?
Can you be an example to others in all things, modeling after our lady Iomedae, and being a force of good even in your daily life?
After each question is asked, lines of black, link a tattooist's ink, crawl across Zohruk's palm. The spell glows faintly blue as it infuses the Oath onto his hand.
Characters: Grimold
The response causes the Mouth's eyes to widen slightly. Whether in surprise or something else, Grimold has no idea, her poker face is far too good for him to tell. She glances down at the paper again and looks up.
"You are wiser than I had thought and this pleases me. It is true that gold is lucrative and buys many hands in Vigil. But it is not that of the highest value. Information, Rolando. Information is far more important."
There is an awkward pause as another piece of paper is exchanged. "You have access to the Bonewatch and to information untold within. We would ask something harmless, a snippet. Something that is but rumor and we wish confirmed. It is not harmful if we already know it, yes? If you were to agree, we could tell you of a boy. A lost boy who has seen things and opened his mouth to several on the street. Telling strange tales too those who whisper in our ears."
"Would you like to know more?"
Characters: Kassara
Glancing around until he spies Elyssa, Vorin nods his head. "The older man does look a bit like her. Its in the nose. How do you know its her father though? Maybe she's a spy and negotiating information exchanges with Taldan Eagle Knights!" He grins, showing his playfulness.
"Dumplings sound good. I have no idea what any of this stuff is. Cold pig ears in sauce? Goubuli steamed stuffed bun? Ear hole fried cake? Chatang? Geez...I'll just tell them to bring me what's good."
Vorin laughs a bit, shaking his head at the array displayed before them. "I had no idea Elyssa had rich parents...I didn't think she was from an important family since she didn't get to choose her own number."
Hearing the sounds of an argument, Eilidh waits a respectable distance from the door. Nonetheless, she can't help but catch a few snippets of their conversation. Less than ten proper knights here? I thought Uncle Cerban was a better strategist than that. Flavius Vegitius wrote that you should always claim the strong ground, and I can't think of stronger ground than Vigil. Well, maybe Gallowspire, but...
As Durante steps out in a rrush, Eilidh nods quickly. "O-of c-course. Whenever y-you w-want....whenever you want, y-you c-can stop b-by" She waits until the knight is gone before knocking on Cerban's door and cautiously peeking her head in.
"C-commander? I g-guess this is an official v-visit, s-so d-don't treat me l-like a friend's d-daughter, okay? I have a q-question." She pauses, unsure how to begin. "F-Fisk said s-something about a T-Trial of the R-Rose, b-but he d-didn't give much more of a b-briefing. I d-don't suppose there's anything y-you c-could share?"
Zohruk answers each question posed to him in the affirmative, each time with a brief pause to make sure he understands the questions, and sounding less tentative with his response every time.
At some point toward the end, he looks down at the Mark on his palm with a wistful smile. Yeah, Ril's gonna hate this. She'll say it's about it mucking up her artwork.
It'd be nice if I got to see her again...
Characters: Eilidh
A large fireplace filled with a roaring blaze. Of course, the blaze stems from several angular cut oblong crystals arranged in an organized pile within, but it puts off the heat a normal fire would. Cerban's short grey hair is receding from his forehead and has a small bald pate on the top of his head. He is dressed, as many of the Knights do, in a Knight of Ozem tabard of white and silver over a white silk dalmatic, blue leggings and a chlamys thrown over one shoulder. The shoulder cloak is made from blue silk with a gold trip and several red symbols of Iomadae along the edges. He is standing, his hands folded behind his back staring down at a desk full of papers, maps and wooden figures. It almost looks like a war map, except Allie can see no armies strewn across it but rather just small bands across all the Inner Sea—possibly locations of Knight of Ozem stations.
”Eilidh Tilernos. I would not dishonor you or your family by doing so in any official request. Your trainer is correct, there is a Trial held ever month for the students. It is up to each student to discover what they can about the trial and to learn how to handle the unexpected.”
He turns toward her and takes a few steps forward, a worried smile on his face. ”I'm glad you are so concerned with how your classes are going. It shows honor to the Tilernos House. However, I wonder why you would come here and not to your many instructors?”
Characters: Zohruk, Daen
The Shield-Mark oath complete and made, the lawyer hurries you out so he can finish work. While he remained professional and polite, its obvious the half-orc makes him nervous.
Returning to the Bonewatch is a simple affair. Locating the alchemical potions class serves to be slightly harder. That is, until the two spy Elyssa sprinting across the cobblestones toward the main building as if hellhounds are on her heels. She doesn't stop as she moves past you both, simply waving and grumbling. ”So late. He hates it when I'm late!”
If the two follow in her wake, they find a servant dusting off their pants while frowning at a broken vase and several scuffed carpets between her and the distant hallway. A few more clues such as a cursing scrub and an open door lead them to a closeted, stuffy room at the end of a hall. Unlike Baird's dueling class, this is not held in the open-air. The walls are covered top to bottom with shelves covered with glass vials, bottles and books. Wooden tables with stools are scattered across the floor. Elyssa is hunched over one table, breathing hard, while a man, presumably the instructor, stares her down.
”Mizz Arunt. You are late again.” intones the man. He is very large by even Bonewatch standards. His muscles swelling beneath a black cassock with short black hair and piercing blue eyes. His words are pronounced with a thick Molthune accent.
Elyssa scrambles to sit into a stool, apologizing profusely. It turns out she was dining with her parents and had to run to reach the Bonewatch in time, even if she is a little late. ”I won't do it again!” Bottger seems convinced of this and nods before glancing to the door. ”Iv you are here for das class, do not stay in the door. Come in and sit.”
As Zohruk sees Elyssa sprinting along, he turns to Daen, then points after the girl. "I think that's my cue. Our paths part here for now, yes?"
Zohruk follows the trail of wreckage, and when questioned by the instructor, nods. "My apologies, sir. Yes, new student."
He had heard stories of Asmodeus. To hear the bards tell it, he is a large red man with pointed horns, smoldering sulfur pits for eyes, and goat's hoofs for feet. Now Grimold found himself wondering if he didn't sometimes look like a scorpion. Instead of gaining leverage, Grimold instead feels like the jaws of a trap are snapping shut on him. Ducas had warned him. His mother had warned him. And here he was, still getting tangled up in Sczarni affairs.
From what the Mouth was saying, the Sczarni may not know any more than the scrubs did. Grimold knew what Mama would tell him. Walk away, my son. But there was something tugging at the back of his mind. What is it they want to know? The fact that the Sczarni were so interested in the Bonewatch was both unexpected and alarming, but more than anything else it was intriguing. Against his better judgment, he found himself asking, "What is it you want to know?"
Characters: Grimold
At those simple words, the Mouth nods her head. She seems pleased, but doesn't smile agin. ”There exists many, many things of worth within the Bonewatch. Of course, stealing from them would be...foolish. However, there are rumors that the Knights of Ozem are up to something that is sour business. We simply wish to know if these rumors are true. Within that fortress there exists many winding sub-basements.”
She pauses, glancing down again at the paper. ”Supposedly there is a door down the west corridor at the end of a hallway. This door is much like the others but metal, and always locked. Behind it is another corridor with several traps, although we do not know what kind. And at the end of that corridor..another door. We wish to know if that second door bears a certain rune, and that is it. You do not need to find a way past the second door, simply to observe it and tell us whether it exists and if it has a symbol on it and what that symbol looks like.”
”Does that sound acceptable?”
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Eilidh glances down at her feet, looking up sharply a moment later. "W-well, I-I t-thought...I thought that...q-quite honestly, everything h-here is a t-test. F-Fisk's briefing w-was vague, b-but made it s-sound like there'd b-be monsters, f-fighting other scrubs, t-traps, obstacles, and w-who knows w-what else." She fidgets, running a hand through her hair to pull it further in front of her face. "I h-have w-work at the C-Cathedral, t-two classes b-besides...two classes besides the regular l-load, and a d-double murder t-that I s-should be h-helping investigate. P-plus, k-keeping stupid K-Kassie safe f-from the half-breed orc th-that got p-put in our cohort."
Eilidh pauses, collecting her thoughts, and plows forward. "I g-guess what I'm saying is, th-the system here s-seems d-designed to overwhelm p-people. It w-worked. I d-don't have t-time to t-talk to Astrata and Dazen and Comell, and probably Sato and the c-cook and the l-librarians t-too. I n-need some advice on the ch-challenge, and I n-need it f-from one source. It's either y-you or F-Fisk; I ch-chose you."
Her little rant and request complete, Eilidh rubs a boot against the floor and falls silent, waiting for a response.
Waving to the friendly Half-Orc, he went back to Comell's office and library. It was difficult for him to believe that a man so messy could be considered an expert on anything, but his knowledge and referencing capability was impossible to doubt. At least he was getting paid to do something that would have bothered him to leave undone. Not everyone got to get paid for something so satisfactory.
Characters: Zohruk
The professor gestures for Zohruk to take a seat. Elyssa flashes the half-orc a hesitant smile and waves him over to her table, whispering to him quietly. "I'm surprised to see someone else from our cohort here. Bottger's class helps us learn how to make various magical and alchemical potions for different uses. Like anti-toxin or cure light wounds and stuff."
Moving to the front of the room where three desks pushed together has made a long table covered in bubbling vials, colorful liquids and smoking coaks, Bottger starts his lecture. Assuming someone will fill him in, or that he'll figure it out himself, the Knight doesn't bother to introduce himself or his class to Zohruk. First, he starts with simple lectures and examples--showing the class how combining certain ingredients can create chemical reactions. He briefly discusses how this is similar to creating a magic potion, but relies more on scientific principles than spellcasting. It seems that by combining uncommon ingredients, typically rare plants or pieces of magical beasts, aberrations or outsiders, the effects of a magic potion can be formed without relying upon actual spellcasting. To illustrate, he instructs the class on using leucrotta teeth to create Potions of Jump.
Characters: Eilidh
The Commander steps forward and places a hand on Allie's shoulder. "You will manage, Eilidh. Your mother and her sisters, as well as her father before her and his mother and back for generations have all gone through the same trials. The Tilernos line is strong."
He moves back to his table, glancing over it while speaking. "The system is designed to be difficult and overwhelming. We train only the best, and only those who can handle that training survive here. I will, however, grant you two pieces of advice for the trial. There are two routes to success. You may aim for the most obvious rose first, but if you do--be quick and be prepared to fight your fellow scrubs for it. Or you can try hunting for the more difficult to find roses. I suggest looking among the tangled briars..."
Characters: All
Eilidh nods slowly. "S-so it's an obstacle c-course. I d-don't think I can f-fight the others. M-most of them are s-stronger than me. M-maybe the briars will work b-better." Bidding Commander Cerban good-bye, she heads back into the scrub quarters, flopping down on her bed and waiting for Ardis, or the monster, to return.
Characters: All
Early in the morning the bell rings. The scrubs leap from their beds, changing into training leathers and, in some cases, snatching up personal training weapons or actual weapons simply to carry around the Bonewatch. They rush into the hall where sixty other scrubs are packed into the hallways, moving swiftly (or in some cases lethargically) to the large dining hall for breakfast.
A repast of round, salted loaves freshly backed as well as small apples, sliced apricots and bowls of blueberries, strawberries, cherries and plums. Freshly cooked eggs and meat are saved for the actual Knights. Milk to drink and honey for the bread is, however, shared amongst all the tables.
The scrubs around you eat quickly before they split up, moving to their respective arenas. As usual, Fisk is waiting within the sanded pit. Wooden weapons are arrayed along the walls, again, as usual. However, a peculiar addition has been added to the obstacle course ringing the arena. A row of bales with targets painted onto them and a row of crossbows set up approximately thirty feet from them.
"Morning, Cohort One." It was always morning or evening or afternoon with Fisk. Never good morning. Many suspect he simply doesn't have good mornings. With a scowl, he walks in front of the cohort as they line up according to their numbers. Zohruk has no idea where he should stand, but there's an open spot, so he moves there.
Fisk is apparently not pleased by this. He walks up to the half-orc and frowns. "You're the replacement they send me? Another half-breed mongrel crawling from some damn rock Durante felt like poking under? And now you think you're good enough to stand in position nine? What is this?"
Jalen had warned Zohruk that Fisk is an a@#*!#! and insults everyone. Its not personal. Except when it is. Which is always.
"Whatever, they'll weed you out eventually just like that bandit giant and the weak foreigner."
Fisk turns back to the cohort, shaking his head. "You know the drill. Obstacle course for three hours followed by a break." He pauses here, he's never given you a break before. "That was a joke. LAUGH DAMNIT." No one laughs, except Ardis who tries a weak chuckle. This, as expected, only gets him a glare.
"We'll start with unarmed drills after that before moving on to what we went over last week. This week we'll start with weapons training. All of them! I'll split you up into groups and we'll practice what you've learned already as well as using swords, axes, spears, crossbows and quarterstaves. If you lot can someone, miraculously, manage to learn those we might have time for something more interesting. I doubt it though."
Gesturing to the obstacle course, he waves over the targets. "Show me how good your aim is while limited on time and exhausted."
Suffice to say, the day is not pleasant. After running through hoops of wood, leaping over beams, swinging from ropes, dodging various thrown projectiles, crawling under razor wire, kicking at dummies and firing at targets the cohort is pushed into groups fighting with no weapons against weapons or weapons against no weapons, forced to fight in unfair numbers of 3 on 1 or moved to a small range where they have to try and hit center target each time. No matter how well anyone does, Fisk is not please. He is never pleased.
Breathe in... Eilidh draws a ragged breath, lying in the dirt to steady her aim and looking down the crude sights of her crossbow an extra second or two to make certain the shot's well placed. As the bolt releases, she exhales in satisfaction. The bolt slams home into the target and she looks around, hoping to see Fisk's look of approval. She's disappointed. Fisk is not pleased.
As she quickly reloads, her training takes over and she takes a quick glance at her surroundings like Telrin, her master-at-arms at Castle Firrene, always told her to between shots. She double-takes as she sees Zohruk nearby, then focuses on her shot again before loosing. Between shots, she whispers to the half-orc. "Hey, m-monst...Zohruk. L-listen. I t-talked to a p-priestess of my f-faith, and she s-said to g-give you a chance. M-meet me outside the g-gates an hour after th-this ends. I h-have to c-clean up. Y-you should t-too." She breathes in again and looses another bolt downrange.
Kassie laughs at Vorin's joke, and leans in conspiratorially. "Shhhh,... don't let her figure out that we know her true allegiances! You'll give us away if you keep staring at her like that!"
When the food comes Kassie does her best to use the chopsticks provided, chasing a wobbly white morsel around the bowl in an unsuccessful attempt to manoeuvre it into her mouth. Soon however, she gives up on using them properly and, grinning at Vorin, simply skewers one of the slippery objects from the bowl and bites into it. She chews thoughtfully for a moment and then looks up at her companion. "Well I'm not sure about the sticks." she says, "but the food really is very good!"
They sit and chat for the remainder of the meal and, when they leave, Kassie lets Vorin take her arm as they return to the 'Watch
Moonday
The next day Kassie joins the other scrubs in quickly getting ready, pulling on her own training leathers and strapping on her rapier before hurrying down to the training yard. As usual she takes her place and does her best not do resound to Fisk's bullying, although she can't help but glance over at Allie and smile when Fisk launches into one of his more outrageous tirades. Soon enough, however, they are set to work running, fighting and shooting.
When the day finally draws to a close, she approaches Grimold a little nervously. "So, um, the other day Elyssa, Daen and I went to the market. We were looking for that boy who told the guards about the fire , you remember? Well, we managed to find out that he was friends with a girl, a redhead called Sophia, who lives down in the Old Butcher District. I tend to stand out a bit when I go to those parts of town but you,.. well you know how to fit in. I don't suppose you'd come with me and maybe give me some tips as to what i should wear if I don't want to draw too much attention?" her little speech over, she stands fidgeting as she waits for his answer,
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Sunday
Zohruk tries his hardest to make sense of this class, but it doesn’t seem to be something that plays to his strengths. He whispers to Elyssa, ”I was expecting something a little more blow-up-your-enemies out of alchemy. Also, if it’s a secret classroom, try not to leave a trail of rubble on your way to it like a bulette came through the hall.”
After class, Zohruk waits for a moment when the professor is free, then introduces himself. ”Sir, I don’t think this class is really what I had in mind. I was thinking of something more about the, um, the applications of alchemy” he says, making a small explosive gesture with his hands at the word ‘applications’. ”Is there a class that’s more like that? I don’t want to waste anyone’s time here.”
Moonday
As he often tries to, Zohruk gets up to greet the sunrise. He goes to the window.
Mother, I hope I didn’t do anything too terribly stupid in swearing that Oath. Wherever this mad journey is going to take me, may your will be done.
And also, if I have to punch a roshka today, please let it be Allie.
As Fisk lays into him, Zohruk does his best to take it as stoically as possible. He thinks back to Jalen’s warning, and what he’d said then. ”Hmm, thanks for the warning, Jalen. Sounds like the guy who’d been my instructor at Kolunzatokh; that’s a story I’ll bore you with some other time. I, umm, I learned not to provoke those kinds of guys,” Zoh grins sheepishly. As Fisk berates the group, Zohruk smiles on the inside. Kovuk was scarier.
While Zohruk manages to not completely embarrass himself out on the training course, it could have gone better, and he knows it. He's surprised to hear Allie whisper to him. Hmm. Called me by name, only mildly insulting... I wonder if she got switched for a doppleganger in the night. Without letting his face show the hopefulness he's struggling with inside, and without looking over to her from what he's doing, he says in a low, flat voice, "If this is a trick you'll pay."
Finally, he felt normal again. He had been sluggish ever since the stirges, but now he was doing quite well. This was definitely a good day. He finished the obstacles Fisk was grinding everyone through with ease, and he very nearly bulls eyed the target at the end of the course.
He had planned to ask the Half-Orc if he wanted to practice fencing together, but it seemed Allie got to him first. He felt a little smug about that one, since he called it that she might come around to give the guy a chance. He seemed like quite the good guy. A trifle uncouth perhaps, yes, definitely that. He gave the half orc an encouraging wave and headed off to Comell's office. The royal mess he'd caused in all his anguish over losing his notes was troubling. He could always practice again tomorrow.
------------------------
Edit: Comell's office
------------------------
After spending the majority of the afternoon reorganizing the professor's items, Daen approached the professor. "The trial of the rose is coming, and I know you can't tell me anything specific, but some general information on how to prepare would be most welcome."
Moonday, after Fisk's Training
On his way off the training course, Zoh's attention is snared by a wave from Daen across the way. He acknowledges his fellow vukhrov with a fist over his heart and a nodded salute, just a hint of a smile playing across his face.
Zohruk finds someplace to wash himself up, then he goes and reclaims his weapons, now that he's taken his Oath. He lays them out on his bed; the dagger he'd been wearing hidden in his back is joined by one more almost its twin, and two more knives clearly of an Orcish style , as he lays the whole collection on his bed, along with a pair of short swords.
"I told you girls I'd come back for you. Don't be angry that Dania was the only one allowed to be with me; even I can only break the rules so much at a time. "
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Sunday
Grimold balks inwardly at the proposed deal. It shouldn't be surprising that the Bonewatch would have hidden passageways and the like; in fact, it was a bit exciting. But how was he supposed to navigate a corridor full of traps? He wasn't skilled enough to do it on his own, but he couldn't simply ask somebody else to come along... unless he pretended he was just exploring and happened upon it by accident? Surely there were other scrubs that would be better at that sort of thing that might be interested in a little innocent intrigue...
He refocuses his eyes on the Mouth from where they'd drifted up toward the ceiling. Curse me, Grimold thinks to himself. It always happens this way. Once his curiosity gets the better of him, he's hooked, and if he's already scheming, he knows there's no resisting it. He'd certainly end up exploring the passages on his own now anyway, so he might as well get something out of the deal. Still, just because they have him doesn't mean he has to let them know it.
He clicks his teeth together as though chewing on the thought. Finally, he asks the Mouth, "What sort of traps?" If he was going to do this, he might as well get us much information out of them as he could. It would save him trouble, with the side benefit of indicating just how well informed their network was.
Moonday
At breakfast, Grimold finally lays eyes on the new recruit. By now he'd heard the talk, that they'd let a half-orc in, but he hadn't met him yet. Is there an official lowlife outreach program now? It would be interesting to see what he was made of. After training, he'd have to make sure to introduce himself. It would be better to make friends sooner, when he still had something to offer.
Despite Fisk's bad attitude, Moonday is still one of Grimold's favorites; the obstacle course always presents some fresh challenges, and it was a lot more fun then running from the city watch. He can't help but notice that, as well as he does, Kassie manages to do everything he does, but with just a little more flair. Part of him is annoyed that he's being shown up by a girl (for which he gets a mental slap on the head courtesy of his mind's Mama voice), but part of him can't help but enjoy the show. Even better, his arrows hit as close or closer to the marks than Daen's. If I can keep this up, I might make the cut after all!
After training
When Kassie approaches him after training, Grimold freezes up. Oh damn, did she catch me watching her? Her request catches him off guard so much that he blanks and says the first thing that pops into his head. "You have clothes that don't draw attention?" As soon as he realizes what he's said, he tenses up. His eyes go wide and self-consciously snap back up to Kassie's face from where they'd wandered a bit... lower. He flushes with embarrassment, not sure how to recover from this misstep. He tries and fails to stammer out an apology, finally just shutting up.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Grimold
Kassie frowns for a moment, "Well I don't know!" she answers in exasperation, apparently completely oblivious to Grimold's discomfort. That's why I'm asking you. I assume they wouldn't wear, well you know ummm,... expensive clothes down there. I mean, I have got an old cotton servant's dress in my chest that I used to wear when I snuck out of the castle, but that was when I was, like, fourteen. I think its probably a bit too small now. I suppose that sometimes people without much money would have to wear clothes that don't really fit very well? Do you think I should wear that? I could unstitch the Firrine emblem!"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
When Zohruk's finished selecting his weapons, Eilidh's waiting for him just inside the Bonewatch's gates with damp hair and fresh, non-sweaty clothes. As she sees him, she glowers at him, noticing his weapons and his shield-mark. "First, I d-don't t-trust you, and I d-don't think y-you t-trust me. W-we'll walk s-side by side, or y-you'll go in f-front of me. Otherw-wise, w-we can g-go back t-to hating each other." Without waiting for a response, Eilidh steps out into the street, glancing at the half-orc to make sure he's with her.
Moving quickly and trying to keep one eye on Zohruk and one on the ever-threatening crowds, Eilidh leads the half-orc toward the Cathedral of Sanctum Iomedae. Before she gets there, however, she stops and looks at him again. "I d-don't think the C-Cathedral's where we w-want to go. Th-they'll probably p-panic and k-kill...panic and kill you, and we d-don't want that happening. N-not yet, at l-least." Instead, she leads him to an old Chelaxian building with a huge hammered-bronze sun hung over the door. "B-behave yourself, half-b-breed. Th-this is a holy p-place of my g-goddess, and m-maybe yours t-too, if your Burning Mother's n-not some d-demon in dis-guise." She steps through the unassuming doors into a room with a few simple pews, the floor lit by a handful of stained-glass windows.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Zohruk arrives at the appointed meeting place and sure enough, there's Allie. She carries with her the slight scent of fresh panic as is her wont.
First, I d-don't t-trust you, and I d-don't think y-you t-trust me. W-we'll walk s-side by side, or y-you'll go in f-front of me. Otherw-wise, w-we can g-go back t-to hating each other.
Oh, yeah Daen, she's really coming around. I should clearly break things off with Yhrrilka and start asking about her bride-price. Zohruk does his best to maintain his expression of neutral civility as he says, "If you've got enough energy left after courses to waste on hate, more power to you. Lead on, in the limited sense that you won't actually get in front of me."
Zohruk walks off to her side, at least arm's length away from Allie just in case she gets bold enough or panicky enough to get a little stabby.
I d-don't think the C-Cathedral's where we w-want to go. Th-they'll probably p-panic and k-kill...panic and kill you, and we d-don't want that happening. N-not yet, at l-least.
The false sincerity doesn't quite reach all the way across Zoh's face this time, as Allie's needling starts to wear a bit thin. "Such touching concern for my well-being. You truly are the answer to my prayers, Allie."
B-behave yourself, half-b-breed. Th-this is a holy p-place of my g-goddess, and m-maybe yours t-too, if your Burning Mother's n-not some d-demon in dis-guise.
Zohruk's face now openly shows amused contempt. "You're the one that worships a sun goddess from inside a building, under a roof, but I'm the one that's backwards? You're just adorable," he chuckles, showing her his back as he barges past her to enter.
Mother, either let her cool it or strike one of us down, I don't even care which.
Characters: Grimold
"The kind that are deadly if you aren't careful. We do not know anything else about them. If you are that concerned, I'm sure someone could give you a few tips as part of this exchange."
If the deal is accepted, the Mouth takes another paper from the mysterious Scorpion and reads it off. "We know that magic had a hand in the killing of your friends. And we suspect it was a new player in town, someone who seeks to undermine many things we hold dear. They have, however, proven fairly...elusive. They seem to have more than one base of operations, whoever they are. Their intentions are unknown. We suspect our Sczarni were killed for learning too much or seeing something they should not have."
There's a slight pause and the Mouth looks up. "One of their locations is in the fishery district by the docks--although we do not know where specifically. The boy, the one your fellow scrubs seek, has gone missing and may be floating in the lake or have been taken to that base. This is all we will share."
The list from Dazen is relatively short, only bearing a few things. The first is a terrifying, six-legged bird that implants eggs in host mammals by stabbing them with a stinger-like protrusion. The eggs of a Gryph hatch quickly, within minutes causing the chicks to burst forth from their host in a gory spectacle. The birds aren't rare along the shores of Lake Encharthan, generally in areas where some magical tragedy has occurred. They breed and populate quickly whenever encountering large groups of travelers so Lastwall, and other nations around the lake, often send adventurers to annihilate nests of them.
The rest, between stirges and krenshar, are things that Grimold has read about in class previously.
However, of particular interest is a passage on stirges in Ecology of Corrupted Swamps which discusses their particular aversion to magical or alchemical fire. Fire produced by normal means seems to do nothing unique, but spells and alchemy are more pronounced, quickly burning the magical creatures skin.
The Mouth...is another mystery entirely. There are many, many stories of creatures with fangs but most of them have some other identifying characteristic. Vampires with their pale complexions and allergy to sunlight, orcs with their very obvious green skin and hulking figures, vishkanya from far away lands with their dull, milky white eyes. Grimold doesn't see anything that immediately seems similar in an initial search.
Characters: Kassara
It seems that Lastwall natives don’t show much talent for battling food with new weapons. Vorin summarily switches to traditional methods and follows Kassara’s example--skewering food to help eat it. He improves slightly when watching Elyssa’s father and mother, who seem much better at it.
”It is! So different too. I’m not used to the salty and sweet combination, but I like it.”
During the meal, Elyssa abruptly jumps up and rushes out, looking alarmed at the time. The rest of the meal goes well with platters of noodles, pan-fried vegetables and several peculiar desserts including sweet tasting rice in coconut milk. Vorin seems pleased with the results and happily escorts Kassie back to the room. ”Thank you for coming with me! There aren’t many in our cohort who I think would enjoy something like that.”
Characters: Zohruk
Bottger frowns down at Zohruk, standing as tall as some of the taller orc berserkers from Urgir. ”The applications of alchemy are pursued, in depth, in this course. At few other places in the Inner Sea will you find someone teaching about crafting invisibility potions with simply a few pieces of iron and bone. If, however, you are less interested in the combat utility of my work and have more interest in simplistic methods, I teach a combat alchemy course on Oathday. Likewise, if you want to know about explosions...I adise following your fellow cohort one companion to Partington’s class on demolitions.”
Elyssa looks up and grins at the professor, who rolls his eyes. She pulls on Zohruk’s shoulder, shaking her head. ” I was out to dinner and didn’t want to be late. Last time I was really late, Bottgerr used me to test experimental potions. I vomitted twice! Also, there’s more to alchemy than setting people on fire and stuff! Like he said, this is more about uhm..like how to do other stuff you might need. Like ways to see in the dark or hide from sight or heal wounds and such. His other class is more like..well a few weeks ago I made alchemist’s fire and now we’re working on thunderstones.”
As the two of you walk out of the lab, a group of six or so rats rushes by out from under a fallen tapestry. Elyssa lets out a shriek and leaps back, scowling and throwing a knife after the, pinning and killing one rat. ”Ugh! This is disgusting, the Bonewatch should do something about all these.”
Characters: Daen
The office is starting to resemble a well-organized workplace after Daen’s weekly administrations. While the retired Knight seems intent on purposefully wrecking the work his pupil puts out each week, the half-elf has learned how to maximize his work. Today, Comell has Daen sorting papers by subject matter. Most of them are letters from former puils that never made it to the Knighthood informing Comell of what goes on in the border marches between Vigil and Belkzen.
The professor is working on making a mess of his books and papers, with a few half-finished scrolls laying across his desk. These are likely put aside for Daen to work on later. ”Unfortunately, Daen, I am not heavily involved in the trials, although I may be able to help somewhat. They do change every year with each trial seeking to test you in many ways. Expect to deal with an assortment of challenges...I did however assist with crafting some particularly entertaining items for the trial this year.” He looks around and leans in close, smiling like a school child. It seems Comell is particularly pleased about this contribution and cannot resist the chance to share it with someone.
”I tell you this only because I trust you will keep the information to yourself. It is for your help so far this year. There will be two magical and mechanical siege weapons situated in the arena this year, although I do not know how or where they will be. The devices are fearsome but will not inflict permanent wounds. They will, however, push you around. The devices are set to choose targets in a very specific manner...they select whoever is closest first before needing to recharge for two rounds. You may be able to use that recharge period to your advantage if you avoid getting targeted. Furthermore, stay light on your feet, I couldn’t perfect them in the time we had and they shoot a little to the right.”
Characters: Grimold & Kassara
The Old Butcher’s District is actually adjacent to where Grimold’s mother and sister live. He’s very familiar with the area . The area is a little inclusive and is actually poorer than where his family lives. He did spend a lot of time here though because the narrow streets, number of abandoned buildings and sloped roofs made childhood games more fun. It may, however, be more difficult finding Sophia here. The red-headed girl is unknown to him and, as a street rat, its unlikely she has any place she always lives. She’s also likely to be skittish around strangers and people who know her will not be willing to divulge information to strangers without a good reason.
Characters: Zohruk, Eilidh
Red, orange and yellow lights lay over the floor and walls of the building like a beautiful diadem of gems. A single petitioner dressed in the drab clothes so common among the Vigilant is sitting in a pew speaking small prayers. In his lap is one of the CHapel’s tattered holy books. Estella, a seemingly ever-present form, is wiping dust from one of the windows with a basket of rags beside her. The red-haired halfling spies the door opening and turns, smiling broadly and waving at Eilidh. She nods politely to the Zohruk, not seeming surprised in the slightest to see him despite not having listened (obviously) to Eilidh’s conversation with the priestess.
As for the priestess...Maria is seated beside the petitioner guiding him through the prayers. She is dressed in a glorious robe of orange and yellow with a hood bearing a sunburst lined in red. The bronze sun around her neck proclaims her vocation. The sound of the wooden doors closing causes her to look up. Her eyes widen slightly at Zohruk’s appearance and she coughs before speaking. ”Welcome to the Chapel of the Luminescant Dawnflower, my children. It is good to see you again so soon, Eilidh...if you would simply wait a few moments I will be right with you.”
She turns back to her work with the petitioner, helping him through another verse and telling him that prayers reach Sarenrae whenever the sun is high, but she is particularly pleased by those coming when the sun is at its zenith. Estella abandons her dusting to come over to the two scrubs, waving again and sitting next to Eilidh. She peers at Zohruk and speaks slowly, her accent peculiar and awkward, words always seeming unfamiliar on her tongue. ”You are from the Bonewatch too?”