From behind her pavise, Eilidh pauses her shooting. Do I tell her what I know? She's right that I won't get removed this week, but if I tell her and not the others... She grabs the thin girl's wrist. "T-tell me w-why you want to s-stay. Who's your f-family? W-what are they like? I kn-know something about the T-Trial. Maybe I c-can help you s-stay in, b-but I barely kn-know you."
Moonday
Not wanting Kassie to feel like the day had been a complete waste, Grimold decides to feed her a little more information as the near the Bonewatch. "You remember those men who attacked us the other night, yes? My... friends... they assured me we won't be bothered by them again. Or any of the other scrubs. They asked me to send a message to the Knights on behalf of... their organization. They have no interest in fighting with the Bonewatch. I just thought you should know, and that perhaps you knew who would be best to receive the message?" It's not like she doesn't already know where you come from, idiot. Grimold wasn't sure if that was Felipe, Jorge, or his own voice in his head this time.
Toilday
Grimold shrugs. "Suit yourself." He doesn't say anything else about the issue, recalling a lesson Felipe had taught him about luring marks. Remember Grimold, the easiest way to scare them off is to let them know how badly you need them. If he could seem unaffected by their disinterest, it would drive them into his open arms. This goes double for women. Grimold felt a twinge of guilt playing these mind-games with Zohruk; it was easy to see that they were two very strange beans in a pod meant for peas. And neither of them could afford dismissal from the Bonewatch. But this was the only way they were going to get to the bottom of this mystery, and until they did, Grimold's life was at risk from forces unknown.
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When this fool opened his mouth, Daen actually relaxed. He was simply a useful idiot, honestly believing what Leo had told him. Daen was ready to simply correct him and send him on his way when two things happened. First, Kassie's quick tongue leaped out and beat him to the punch, which was fine. It saved him a few words, and it actually made him look better, especially with how sincere her words were. He couldn't have said it better, and he was about to leave it at that.
"whoreson"
He could hear his mother's voice pounding in his ears as his face started to flush a bit pinker with the force of his anger. "Fighting every fool who calls me a name won't get you anywhere but into a whole heap of fights for no reason. No one can do worse to me than what has already been done." He took a breath, using his mother's will to calm his raging storm.
He began slowly as to not allow his temper to get the best of him and spoke quietly, as to keep the conversation between the four of them. "You do not know the name of the person whom you insult. You do not know his family, nor the manner of his conduct. You challenge me based on hearsay and insult me, who has fought his way to the top of his cohort and claim yourself that to do so is dishonorable. Listen to your own words, you've defeated yourself already. I've no need to fight you. And to cross swords with you now would only lend legitimacy to your ill-advised behavior."
Characters: Zohruk, Kassara, Daen
Basil's obviously not that used to nobles, their games nor does he seem overtly bright. However, confronting him head on only seems to get his hackles to rise and not get too far. ”Aha! Leo warned me you would react with equally harsh words..I should have taken his advice and approached more cautiously, but your attitude is revealed, thou small grey-coated gnat! To lay lies upon such an honorable soul whom has helped me and mine so much already, alas! I find it hard to believe what thou say when he has been so noble to my family already. I heard that it was Leo who was so horribly ambushed by you and yon friends, and yet, he prevailed as his cohort rushed to his assistance. The words from the very mouth of an angel.” The boy looks Kassie up and down, letting out a sigh.
”To hear such tomfoolery from the lips of another is but a tragedy. I challenge you based off of truth! For who could disbelieve such a man who would donate his little wealth to the poor and destitute? I have met with this man many times these last weeks and ever he has been polite and full of kind words. It is you whom shows truth to his speech.”
He lets go of the handle of his sword and steps forward, lifting his fists up. ”You would not face a man squarely, thou unmuzzled earth-vexing baggage? Thou wouldst eat thy dead vomit up on your cousin's grave! If you shall not cross blades, then put up your fisticuffs!”
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Daen shook his head slightly and clicked his tongue in disapproval. "Ah, so you were bought. That explains much. It's too bad. I'd hoped to think better of you once you found out the truth. The fact that you and your family have so little pride as to accept the charity of foreigners is distressing."
Sticking his thumbs in his waistband, the half elf pivoted and began to leave. "Your insults are wasted. I will not fight you on such pretenses. You are welcome to attack me like a street thug if you wish, and you can take my purse as well if your family is desperate enough to need it, but I'll guarantee that you will find it far lighter than any Surtovan purses."
Toilday, returning from Alacarty’s
Hmm, I think he missed it. That's what happens when you spend a year of your life letting arson be your "subtle message". Try again, Zoh... Zohruk tries to sound like he's changing the subject: ”So we think that fella's full of it about getting a letter to Belkzen, right? Tell you what, one thing I don't miss about Urgir is everyone hiding behind masks of lies. It'll be nice to be part of a well-trained group like the Knights, where everyone trusts his fellow to do his job.” There's your door, walk on through...
Wealday
Zohruk watches with admiration as Daen handles this Basil idiot. I'll say this much for Daen, he's got stones like a giant. I just hope this guy isn't as crazy as he sounds.
Daen's words seem to shock the boy, whose mouth hangs open aghast. "Thou villain! Thou fiend! Questioning both honor of family and self! Have thou seen hungry sister slowly waste away to sticks and death? Have thou seen father lend arm to axe to wood until exhaustion sends fever to brow? Lastwall stands on tradition of service, one not given undue to those deserving. Knights of Ozem proud grant what they can to poor scrub alike. What food brings full bellies is denied on pride? Pride in taking that which is offered with bent knee and true smile!
Unlike in Brevoy, where charity is incredibly rare to the point of being absent, even in the more liberal southern region around Restov, Lastwall has a long habit of giving to those who need it. Vigil sometimes less so due to the sheer costs of constant war with Gallowspire, the Worldwound, the Fangwood and Belkzen however.
"Thy be foreigners no more when you step between black gates, behold yon walls of Inheritor's stone. Repeated did cousin lay claim to your cowardness, stating to challenge be futile and pointless. And yet, thought I, how could one such as thou exist in these halls. For surely all to be Knights lay claim to honor and seek to defend it with sword and valor. You claim lie to other's words and yet put no faith in Iomedae to set right what is said."
He has to pause, taking a deep breath, he's quite the orator--if only he was any good at speaking the torrent of words that stemmed from his mouth. " By steel and by guard are truths revealed in her light, her glory and right. No villain am I to strike such a coward. Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth! Thou a fusty nut with no kernel! Rob you? Nay, scorn you! To have thought to give chance of righting what said, did I come to ye despite petitions otherwise."
Petitions comes out sounding more like "pet-ee-ons." Basil's exlamations have drawn a small crowd now, with Elyssa snickering behind her hands while Vorin steps up behind Daen. "Geez, this guy's really giving you a talking to..or trying. What the hell did you do to him, Daen? I want to sucker punch him for you."
At Vorin's words, Basil spits on the ground, frowning. "You will, aye? Come then, wretch whose natural gifts are poor. Thou art a disease that must be cut away! If Daen shall not shed light to truth, fear his self to match blade to honor then perhaps his companion dost?"
Wealday
As much as Zohruk desperately wants to let Groona and Urzul solve this problem, he recognizes than shanking this fool Basil will cause more problems than it might solve.
And now I'm trying to stop fights. If Haazek ever finds out about this, I'm ruined...
"Listen to me. Leo is a self-serving viper. Daen is the straightest arrow in this place. Don't be Leo's pawn; the only one who'll benefit from it is Leo."
And ideally not even him, Zoh thinks to himself, smiling at the mental image of Leo "slipping on the stairs".
"Poluk Daen ka rezhosny?"
Kassie turns slightly, meeting Zohruk's eyes and shaking her head slightly. "Does anyone know what this idiot is talking about?" Kassie says, addressing the crowd. "I was following right up to where he started to talk about fish."
Characters: Eilidh
A bolt flies straight to its target with a thunk and Sato holds up a hand, indicating two of the scrubs to go and collect the bolts. As they wait, Cilys looks with wide eyes at Allie, then laughs. ”Why? Because this is the Knights of Ozem, Allie! The greatest knighthood in all of Lastwall! Sure, the castles and soldiers guard all the fortresses and watch our borders and do the bulk of things but...the Knights get to do so much more. I heard a rumor that Lukyan Durante was in Absalom a few months ago, and is now heading somewhere else exciting! I overheard the orc say he was in Belkzen just last week. All on behalf of the Knights and the nation too. Why wouldn't you want to be a part of all of this?”
She shakes her head, rubbing a sleeve on the wood of her bow. ”My family..I don't know. My father's a soldier and I learned how to pick up a sword from watching him practice. They're both so..content though, you know? They have no ambition, no desire for something more. To do more. Out in the country people rarely go anywhere, much less all the way to Vigil. Much less all the way to the Bonewatch! Much less beyond...I want to do that.” She lets out a sigh and nudges the patise with a foot, whistfully plucking at a dandelion from the ground. ”It might not happen, but I'll do whatever I can to make sure it does.”
Characters: Grimold
How does one find a hand that is offered in the dark of a moonless night? How does one locate the lowered rope when blindfolded? Grimold was offered assistance from the Sczarni but has little idea of how to locate them. There are several different paths which may or may not yield results. Michael may know who to contact. He did, after all, obtain a visit with the very Scorpion herself. Or himself. No one seems completely sure, although the general rumor is that she's a she. Or perhaps Grimold could simply ask around in the less savory areas of the city? The black market over on the corner of Cassia and Framinius. Jorge used to say the place only operated for as long as it has due to Sczarni running interference for it.
Characters: Kassara, Zohruk, Daen
Seeing that no fight is about to break out, most of the cohort trickles away, leaving Vorin with a hand on his hilt and Elyssa resting against a wall. Neither apparently have anything better to be doing.
"Classics are lost on those who have never put nose to book. Your claims of Leo seem false, ringing harsher than even his own words of Daen. Where his cohort says one, and yours another, but his at least lend a hint of truth. A man from Brevoy avoiding a duel for honor? Ah! Alas! Must due course take and know that the Inheritor scorn lies with a clash of blades." Basil shrugs and shakes his head, meeting Vorin's eyes. "Yon hand would shake to draw steel. But yet better way to protect claim of friendship and truth. Wouldst thou meet in arena or now?"
He steps back, reaching behind his shoulder to the baldric resting there and the blade on his back, pulling it free. The weapon is easily twice the length and three times the width of Vorin's sword. The boy blinks and shuffles his feet. "...Uh..Hmn."
Basil makes no aggressive moves or gestures, simply waiting for a response.
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Growing up amidst insults as cold and sharp as death itself, Basil's retorts were actually endearing. The corners of his mouth cracked the impassive veneer of his face in a bemused smile for a second. Turning back to face his accuser, he looked up into his eyes directly, with steely resolve. "Regardless of what troubles your family has gone through, the fact remains that you're here because you accepted money from a person whom you've known less than a month and your loyalties have already shifted toward him instead of the truth. With that kind of attitude, you'll only be a tool for spies and bring shame upon this institution especially due to your obvious physical prowess." He was now right in Basil's face, completely ignoring the size of his sword or his intimidating technique.
"Why would I give you the satisfaction of combat, bestowing on you the legitimacy of your claims as if they meant something to me? You come to me, meaning to shame me through insults into combat? I was hated without cause since my birth. I was weaned on scorn and drink disdain like water. But you have not shown me respect, and so I will not show you respect. The cries that come from your throat are no different than a babe's rage that are full of emotion, but no truth. Why should it be my job to spank you like a father or console you like a mother simply because you demand it?"
A thought occurred to the half elf and he went forward with resolve. "You do not believe me, that's fine. You don't know or respect me. But if you respect the knights, you can ask the ones that know me if I have any guile or villainy in me. Talk to Professor Comell, or Magister Dazen. If you would like, I will voluntarily submit to any magical compulsion to tell the truth and you may ask any amount of questions that you would like of me if you believe me to be false. I'm certain that the church of Iomadae can provide the service with a donation, of which I am willing to help pay for." He took out his purse and emptied it out in his hand, letting everyone see the five gold coins that came out, he dumped them back in the bag and dropped it on the ground in front of Basil. "You can donate that to the church of Iomadae or the family of your choice."
"I do not fear you, and I will fight you should our superiors order me to do so, or if you come against me with legitimate complaint or even an honest desire to see which of us is best. But I would rather die a martyr to the truth than give credence to the lies of a Brevoyan prince." He spread out his hands wide, leaving his chest exposed to the big man's blade.
Eilidh looks at Cilys for a long moment. "I'll h-help y-you with th-this Trial, b-but you'll owe me. M-my contact s-says to g-go to the t-tangled b-briars f-first. I'll b-be telling Kassie th-that too, and Ardis. D-dunno if I'll spread it p-past that, though."
Kassie steps back as Daen moves up and stands watching the confrontation, her arms folded across her chest and a crooked smile playing on her lips as she watches him verbally lay into the foolish boy. That's it Daen. Let him have it! Its about time you really stood up for yourself!
Moonday
Kassie turns to him, stopping their progress back towards the 'Watch. "Your friends? You mean the Sc,.." she pauses, looking around to see if anyone is close by and lowering her voice. "You mean that,... group? You've been meeting with them again? I don't know if you should tell took many people about that, they might not,.. understand. You've been given a chance to leave that life because Allie stuck her neck out for you, but you won't get another!" she stops for a moment, thinking. "Let me pass on the message. I can think of someone who might not react to badly if I ask him nicely, but don't let anyone else know. Not even Allie. OK?"
Characters: Daen, Kassara, Zohruk
The boy scowls, spitting to the side. ”I am not a tool for any but Iomedae, my blade forged in her name and bringing myself here, to the doorstep of the very Knighthood she once lay as brotherhood. I demand justice in name of friend, no master or bought loyalty. Leo prove true friend thus far, insulted by cohort one and bringing ire to the idea. I care not of royalty, caring only for nobility of action of which he has shown—and laid claim to your actions as naught. You deny and claim lie? But refuse truth lit by steel's blade? And yet place yellow gold on spellcraft to same. Surely you must seek to confuse by such strange means.”
Basil kicks at the gold, shaking his head. ”Keep your gold, gnat-catcher. You are no friend whom I would take charity from. Give to whomever you wish or leave in the gutter for passerby, I care not. The words from our teachers I'll seek—Comell treats well although the Magister's mind seems foreign.” He looks more confused than anything by Daen's physical actions.
”You speak foreign words too, lending little credence statement.” He scowls again, running a finger over his blade. ”But if your words speak true then...”[/b[ Basil's words trail off and he looks up, looking angrier than before and past Daen.
[b]”If you claim truth and refuse right of blade to prove...you claim mage-craft more important? If it is such, meet me at the Chapel of Sanctum Iomedae two days hence following our trial. One yet lies, words of a viper, spreading from such high places in cohort must yet trickle down to pool among others. It is something to seek ended, whether cohort one or cohort two.”
Characters: Eilidh
”Briars?” Cilys looks curious, firing a bolt and pressing Allie for more. ”Are we to fight in a forest then?” She shakes her head, reloading the crossbow. ”Thank you for the assistance, Eilidh..I will remember it when the Trial comes.”
Later that night, Cilys comes to Eilidh with stacks of short notes from Astrata's class. "It seemed like you had some trouble with her lecture this week..I thought this might help for the next."
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Zohruk whispers to no one in particular, "I don't speak crazy-talk... Well, not his dialect, anyway. Any of you make sense of what he just said?"
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Grimold is surprised by Kassie's reaction. He had expected her to be grateful, or at least happy. Instead, she seemed upset. Grimold frowns, getting defensive. "Those men were trying to kill us! And we weren't the only scrubs attacked. And now they won't do it anymore." He exhales sharply through his nose. "Your sister saved my life. Consider the favor returned," he spits. She really doesn't understand. It's like no matter what I do, it's the wrong thing! He shakes his head in frustration. "You wanted my help. We both want to find the people responsible for this! What happened to all that talk about how Knights do what they have to for the good of everyone? Traipsing around dressed like beggars is all well and good, but don't dare trying to talk to anybody who might have any real information! The Knights aren't about results, after all, as long as we make sure to keep up appearances!"
He sighs once more. "I won't tell Allie," he manages to speak between gritted teeth. Next time, I won't even tell you.
Outside Alacarty's Scriptorium
Grimold laughs; it must be Zohruk's turn to be funny. "What is this trust you speak of? They can barely sleep in the same room as us without needing to keep knives under their pillows!" His argument with Kassie still burned like bile in the back of his throat. "If you want to know what I think, it seems like they take a couple of hard-luck cases like us to make themselves feel better, and when they weed us out they can feel superior." Grimold shakes his head, running his hand through his hair.
Wealday
Considering his options carefully, Grimold decides to try the spot where the black market is supposedly located. Ducas would be sure to yield better results, but that would take time Grimold didn't really have, and he didn't want to push his luck on the favors. Michael hadn't been shy about expressing his displeasure with the initial request, so more was simply out of the question for now.
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"I do not seek to confuse, but to bring truth to light. Should we cross blades today, you'll either win and go home justified in your own mind or lose and vow vengeance upon me a villain in your eyes. Neither will encourage truth, but Iomadae will find out the liar. I do not choose mage-craft as more important than arms, but will do what is necessary for each situation. When I am proven true then you will see yourself for the villain you are and you will be in the right place to repent. I will expect an apology for your impudence and careless behavior, or you will be the one challenged by my blade for the sake of the honor of the Knights of Ozem for I will then have legitimate grievance."
Wearied by the war of words, Daen stood strong against the retreating man until he was out of sight and then sighed. Turning to Zohruk he helped explain. "He believes the lies of Leo and was acting as his pawn. His words were all an attempt to make me fight him, but I wasn't about to give him that satisfaction. Not after what he said about my mother." At that last statement, the fire in his eyes reignites. I need to train.
Toilday, with Grimold
"Surely you're not saying it's wrong to sleep with your knife under your pillow...? And speak for yourself, but I don't intend on letting myself get cut from here. I don't have to outrun the Rull-cat, I just have to outrun Ardis," Zohruk smirks.
As they approach the Bonewatch, Zoh thinks back to something Rhoumok used to say. "Sometimes you pick the lock. Sometimes you break the door down. And sometimes, just sometimes, you knock, and see if they'll let you in." Sure, he was a contemptible pig, and if I ever see him again I hope to kill him, but damn if he didn't make sense now and again. Let's try this one more time... "Listen, if you ever feel like dropping the I'm-just-exploring act, we can talk about what you really want to do then. Dig?"
Characters: Grimold
Literal black curtains hang around the windows to the ramshackle warehouse that fosters illicit trade. It may seem a bit obvious, but the rundown buildings around it hide it from easy viewing. Many in Vigil have more important things to accomplish than rooting out illegal goods. It is, however, a surprise that the guard have yet to find its location. One would think the proprietors more careful after the last four had been burnt down in the last decade.
Whatever the case, the interior is equally sombre. Hooded figures and those in masks proliferate here. Few move about with hiding their faces—including the merchants. Grimold, being at least roughly acquainted with this cultural norm, knows to cover his own face when visiting. Within tables full of illegal—mostly stolen-- merchandise line the stalls and tables. Here is one of the few places poisons can be purchased as well as several illegal, or at least not Vigilant approved, spellcasting services. Here too there are more traditional merchants who seek to sell their goods in Vigil without obtaining a shield-mark. Sales without shield-marks are disapproved of among the citizenry and outright banned by the Tribunes.
It takes some time, but eventually Grimold is spotted. The man who approaches him wears a broad-brimmed hat pulled low over his brow and a brown leather greatcoat. ”The Scorpion bids you well. Do you have what she requests or are you here to take her up on her offer?”
Despite the light and the small attempts to obscure his appearance, Grimold gets a good look at him. He's a dark-haired Taldan man with thick eyebrows, a long nose and thin lips. His eyes are a dark green color.
The man's accent is not from here. He sounds like the few sailors Grimold has met that come from Vellumis, near Lake Encarthan.
Characters: Kassara, Daen, Zohruk
Vorin nudges Zohruk. ”Why don't you try saying that louder and go duel him?”
Stepping away from Daen, the greatsword swings up, point still away from him, and is sheathed back into the baldric. ”At least you make more sense than your compatriots. Know this, though, if you would have beaten me with blade it would have been sign from Iomedae herself proving your truth. You take no stake in her glory, a shame, but no requirement to be of the Knights—unfortunately. Yet you would honor her by meeting in the Sanctum...that seems sufficient. I would not have lies bandied about among the scrubs without meting justice to their source. “
Glaring at Kassara and Daen, Basil speaks scornfully. ”Yon friends believe simple words sufficient to prove such tale from stranger, but no friends of me are they or thou. Leo ye may not trust, and yet he has done nothing yet to give me pause over long days. And yet...to place faith in the word of once knight Comell and in hands of Iomedae's devoted acolytes within her sacred hall gives said pause to my thoughts. Whomever lies shall see many of my cohort against them—for we stand not for such petty things within the ranks to be.”
With those words, he turns and stomps away, leaving a snickering Vorin and Elyssa in his wake.
”Wow. And I thought Theodric was weird,” mutters the alchemist, ”But that one...he's odder than you look, Zohruk!”
Kassie steps back, surprised in her turn, by Grimold's reaction to her words. "Hey! I didn't say that I thought you'd done the wrong thing." she says, "Only that some people would! You want thanks? Well thank you then. All I was doing was trying to give you some advice. I do want to find out what happened to your friends. I really do! But,... You've got to realise that some people already think that you don't belong here. They'll be looking for any excuse to get rid of you. And meeting with the Sca... with those people would be give them that excuse. I'm just trying to look after you, OK?"
Wealday
Kassie watches as the boy turns away grinning at Vorin and Elyssa as they snicker. "Gods he made me cross when he started up." she says, "but when he kept going like that.. it was just ridiculous! Don't worry about what he said Daen. I don't know your mother, and neither does he. But she must've been pretty nice if your father was a bloody Surtova,.. you had to get it from somewhere. Basil's just another idiot who believes what he's told by your bloody cousin. We really should get that little sod back for all the things he's done!"
When Daen turns and heads to the training yard, Kassie follows. "Feel like practicing together?" she asks "I'll show you one of the new ripostes that we were shown yesterday if you like?"
He let the big man have the last word as he stomped off. For a moment he almost felt sympathy for him, but no, he only brought it on himself. "Actually, my father was the elf. If it were the other way around, I would have been disowned from birth, or whenever I was presented to the family. Mother actually used blackmail to keep them from drowning me in Lake Reykal." He said it matter of fact, turning to see the attractive girl thinking about revenge. He couldn't help but feel a little smug. Telling the truth and sticking to it has worked out in his favor, like it always did. But this was far from over.
When Kassie volunteered to come with him, he felt relieved. He didn't want to really be alone for the next few hours. There was likely going to be enough people at the training yard, but it didn't hurt to have someone there who had your back.
As they walked that way, Daen explained his reasoning, feeling even more relieved to talk about it. "What I did to Basil wasn't nice. This big proud man is going to have to go and humble himself before at least three people and then be proven wrong in his own church in front of a crowd. It would have been much nicer for him if we crossed swords right here. Now he's got to sit on it for almost a week. It will be good for him though, he'll learn a lesson out of the deal, and possibly even be my revenge."
"The good thing about Basil is that even if he's wrong, he seems fiercely loyal. If my plan works out, if he's not our supporter, he'll be at least against Leo. The aftermath of which will be interesting to watch. If we get that far. Leo will most likely try to make sure that I do not show up at the cathedral. It's the only way he can still end up looking good and keep from making an enemy of Basil. I imagine he'll either try to kill me or kidnap me to keep me from that church on time. Whichever one he does, it will depend on how valuable an asset he thinks Basil is."
Arriving in the yard, Daen went over to the practice weapon rack, even though his real sword was still strapped to his waist. He didn't go anywhere without it now. "Now about those ripostes? he said with a bit of relief. It would be good to work out some of the stress that had started knotting up his shoulders. It might just be a long week for more than just Basil...
"You think Leo will try something to stop you going?" Kassie responds. "Well I guess we'd better make sure that doesn't happen. He'll have a harder time if you've got someone around all the time, and since no-one else is here, I guess that can be my job. If we stick to each other like glue for the next few days he doesn't stand a chance, and it'll give us lots of time to practice."
Characters: All
Fisk seems more brutal than usual today. He seems to delight in taking everything he can out of you, knowing this is your last day of practice before the Trial tomorrow. Weapon practice is followed up by yet more weapon practice. Circles are run..and then..blissfully it stops. Fisk doesn't have you for the full day today, just like the last two days.
The cohort wearily moves to Magister Dazen's tower in the Crusader War College. He shows off several monsters and starts to cover how they live, breed, what they eat and other information including how to fight them. This class period, he covers darkmantles and chokers. He also continues to instruct on identifying basic spells.
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Wealday
”Why don't you try saying that louder and go duel him?”
”Because I’m not insane. I know from crazy, and your move was crazy. The good kind, but crazy nonetheless.” Zohruk can’t help but grin as the tension leaves the room, and he turns to Daen. "You've got plenty of guts, we get that. Just, next time, don't be so eager to spill them on the floor to show us!"
For the first time, Zohruk thinks that even with the business between him and Allie, he couldn't have landed in a better place.
”But that one...he's odder than you look, Zohruk!”
"Don't hate on my rugged good looks!" With feigned outrage, Zohruk makes a show of looking for something of a less-than-lethal nature to throw at Elyssa. After Daen and Kassie leave, Zohruk addresses Vorin and Elyssa.
”I figure Daen might have until, I don’t know, end of today tops before that dronok Leo gets wind of this and starts cooking up another scheme. It looks like Kassie's started on the sensible course of action: hanging by Daen and keeping an eye on him." Strictly for the good of the cohort, I'm sure. "After what I just saw I'd trust that girl to hold off half the Horde, but she can't pull the whole stretch of time herself. I'm gonna try and have his back when she's not around, quiet-like. If either of you can help, fantastic. And oh yeah: do either of you know where Lady Sato teaches her archery class? That fool Basil’s made me late, and I was gonna tail Allie. Hmmm...”
Zoh heads out into the hall and tries to catch Allie’s scent.
Grimold is unprepared for Kassie's response. Especially after the library, he wasn't really expecting anybody to actually agree with him. Deflating, he realizes what a toll these events have taken on him. He may have called these scrubs his friends, but he's been treating them like enemies. It is not her you should be angry with, my son, chides his mother's voice.
Still sore about the subject, he struggles to defend his wounded pride. He looks at Kassie, scoffing.
"Look after me?" He drops his eyes to the side, unable to hold her gaze. "Feh. You're one of the ones that think I don't belong." She'd be right, wouldn't she? It may just be Grimold's imagining of a dead man's voice, but he can feel Jorge's smugness. If it were more than a voice, Grimold would have taken a swing at him.
Zohruk's rebuke sets alarm bells ringing in Grimold's head. Something the Scorpion's Mouth said flashes across his memory. A new player in town... Orcs? Suddenly, Grimold realizes how sloppy he's been about this. Whoever this new player is killed Jorge and the others, and they're probably after me next Star's light, I am a fool! Trying not to panic, he glances at Zohruk out of the corner of his eye. "I don't know what you're talking about," he says as evenly as he's able. "Don't you have a class to get to? We should get back to the Bonewatch."
Wealday
Grimold feels uneasy as he approaches the building. The risk for being recognized is higher now than ever before, and he'd never felt comfortable with the place to begin with. He'd only been a couple of times previously. The first time he'd practically begged Felipe to join in; he quickly realized his folly. The second time, Jorge had sent him to fence something the gang had picked off a mark. He said Grimold had to start taking more responsibility if he wanted to be taken seriously.
Before heading over, he had stopped by Mama's house to retrieve his mask: a cheap porcelain visage of a smiling yellow fox in the Minkan style. Once in the market, he was happy for the secrecy afforded by the mask. Of course, the whole gang had masks; Jorge wore a dog-faced mask and Felipe's was a monkey. Sometimes they wore them when performing at festivals or at the Storm Crow. As much as the Sczarni knew about him, Grimold assumed that they would recognize his mask. Eventually, his intuition is proven correct.
Grimold scans the thinly-disguised man before answering, "To accept her offer. I need some training if I am to complete her task."
Oathday
In Dazen's class, Grimold answers every question asked him with great detail, even raising his hand to volunteer on occasion. He notices Theodric throwing dirty looks at him and remembers that he never had the chance to apologize for walking in on him practicing...purple smoke magic?
Characters: Zohruk
”Ah...I forget you missed orientation, my orcish friend. The Bonewatch bans scrubs from seriously wounding or killing one another—although we may fight and duel as much as we wish. I think they actually encourage the fights for extra practice..” He grins, stroking his sword hilt. ”Besides, I bet I could best him!”
Elyssa scowls and ducks as a cracked and discarded water jug is thrown her way. ”You need to go anyway with aim like that! She holds it in an illusory garden near the back of the Bonewatch. Just walk through the bushes, they're not real. And I'm sure Daen can handle himself..ish. Although Leo did ambush him a couple of weeks ago with his cronies. Since then everyone's been carrying steel and been on edge. Just make sure you don't hurt anyone seriously or you'll get in real trouble.”
Vorin shrugs. ”You mean neither of you have had that happen to you yet? There's this real ass from Leo's cohort who seems intent on tackling me every time we meet in the hall. I think it has something to do with what I said about his father..” The noble smirks and kicks at the broken shards from Zohruk's throw. ”It does make things a bit more interesting.”
Fortunately, Elyssa's directions, while vague, are easy enough to follow. The sound of reloading crossbows and the thunk of bolts hitting targets makes it even easier. Upon entering the area, Sato immediately points to an open target and orders Zohruk to take up a firing position with the others. When he fumbles with the unfamiliar weapon, she approaches and directs him on how to handle it—its fairly easy to pick up although he finds himself loading at more than double the pace that Eilidh seems to handle hers at.
Characters: Grimold
The man nods and leads Grimold away, to a small abandoned house. Within two scarred thugs guard the door and grimold discovers this is apparently a small training type facility. Of course, it's nearly a quarter of the size of just cohort one's arena itself and it lacks the sheer wealth of options—but it apparently will do for this task. The man introduces himself as Eldred Moyer. He doesn't seem to bear the Sczarni mark and is likely not one of them. How and why he was helping the Scorpion is a mystery Grimold cannot figure out. They spend a bit of time looking at lockpicks and going over the basics of picking a lock before he sets Grimold to several hours of tedious, hand-cramping practice. When Grimold thinks his hands are about to fall off, Moyer moves on to showing him how to identify traps.
Dazen's class is the only one Eilidh seems prepared for, and in the wake of her performance in class, she decides to stay afterwords to talk with the professor. "P-Professor? D-Do you know anything ab-about the T-Trial? F-Fisk didn't s-say much t-to us about it, and I-I d-don't want to d-disappoint my m-mother. You understand, r-right? I just would l-like to know if you're s-supplying any c-creatures, and w-what they are, if th-that's not t-too much to ask."
Oathday
Magister Dazen's class was a little bit interesting for Daen, but it was all about things he already knew about, so he was free to focus on a few other things. His mind continued back to several points of caution that he would perform as to keep Leo off his back. And since the trial was happening the next day, he wondered what that was going to be like. He knew that there were going to be ballistae, which seemed like a bit of a concern. Perhaps he should bring his healing spell just to be safe, or maybe the shield spell would be more useful. It was hard to say, he'd just have to make the best guess he could.
Also, if the Trial was tomorrow, would Daen remain on the top for another week without challenge? He had to admit that he didn't expect to be there for long, as his fight with Jalen had seemed like a fluke. He knew it wouldn't be so easy again, although his new spell might help him with some of the challenges, depending on whether or not he was allowed to use his magic at all.
Kassie, surprisingly, flushes a little and looks down at her feet. i suppose that's true. she says. i thought it was a bad idea, letting you in. I admit I did try to stop Allie from writing to.our mother. but I'm on your side now. I really am! You don't have to like me. I understand that.... It must seem, it is, unfair that the other nobles here and I get special treatment. I think I understand a bit more after today why you feel like that.... I didn't realise what it's like down there. But that doesn't change the fact that you've been given a chance that they haven't. I don't want to see you get kicked out of the 'watch. If you were I don't. Think anyone from the streets would be given the chance ever again!"
"I don't think it works like that" Kassie reples. "We're not up against the other cohorts. We're up against each other. I don't think we have to worry too much though. We're too high up the list to end up getting booted out. It might be a good idea to help out Cilys, or someone else who's on our side though? If I knew anything I'd tell you, don't worry about that. But I haven't found out anything."
Oathday
Master Dazen's class was, once again, an exercise in tedium. Kassie manages to stay awake this time, but not much more than that. When the class is blessedly over she wanders over to Daen. "Well, I said I'd stick with you, and I will. Do you have any plans yet for the rest of the day?"
Toilday
Wealday
”Besides, I bet I could best him!”
”I don’t doubt you could, actually. At least, I wouldn’t bet against you. You know, without good odds,” Zohruk adds with a grin. ”But that fight, right there and then, smelled to me like that was something Leo wanted to happen. And I already dislike that guy enough that I want to make sure he doesn’t get anything he wants. Like anything, down to him not getting the big hunk of bread with dinner.”
“Now, I didn’t know that about the official position on scrubs killing each other. So thanks, Vorin; that’s definitely good to know, because that Basil guy was on the verge of getting kisses from Groona and Urzul,” Zohruk says, gesturing to the two knives on his belt. He laughs. ”I’ll tell you what, last week, right when I got here, there was a moment when I thought you and Jalen were gonna do a number on me in the hallway. Wish I’d known that then, hah! But back to my point, I’m not putting anything past Leo, so I’ll try and play it cool, but I’m definitely gonna keep Daen’s back, okay?” He looks at Elyssa and chuckles. ”So you and I are the only ones who don’t jump in the path of drawn blades? Can we handle being ‘the sensible ones’ here, Gharushka?”
Zohruk follows Elyssa’s description of where the archery class is held. Hmm, would an illusory hedge need to be trimmed by phantasmal gardeners? Or could you just disbelieve the growth, and make it go back to being trimmed? Or, maybe you could stand here all day pondering stupid questions and miss class that way? As Zohruk stumbles his way through using the crossbow, Great, another weapon I don’t know how to use, this thing is freaking titanic compared to the ones I’ve trained with, he sees Allie putting bolts downrange with no small amount of skill. Wonder if she’ll let me talk to her without using that thing on me.
After class has ended, he goes up to her. ”Hey, Allie. Meant to tell you, it was ‘grapevine.’” Yeah, she doesn’t know what in the Hells you’re talking about. ”The other day, I couldn’t think of that word. ‘Grapevine.’ That’s the word, isn’t it? You keep your ‘ear to the grapevine,’ if you’re trying to hear rumors or gossip, right?” It’s about this point that Zohruk finally notices Allie’s training partner, giving her his fist-over-heart-with-bowed-head salute. ”Ah, so sorry miss. I’m Zohruk of the Burning Suns, newly attached to the cohort last week. Anyway, I’ll let you two get back to whatever you were doing. Have a good afternoon.”
Oathday
Zohruk manages to not make a complete fool of himself in this class, a relief given that the subject isn't one with which he has great experience. Afterwards, he spends some time tailing Daen from a respectful distance back, just keeping an eye out for trouble, until he has to leave for Offensive Alchemy. He makes sure to leave himself plenty of time to get there, he doesn't want to be late for his first two classes with this instructor. When Elyssa shows up, if Zohruk has the opportunity to talk discreetly, in a quiet voice he tells her, "Well, he was still in one piece when I left..."
Grimold lets the conversation lapse into silence as they return to the Bonewatch, the weight of Kassie's words sinking in. He doesn't turn his gaze back to her; youthful pride and secret guilt intermingling keep his eyes glued to the road ahead. Still, he mulls it over, trying to decide how he feels about being the test case for rag Knights. The more he thinks about it all - the upcoming Trial, the months of tests and training ahead, the Scorpion's task - the more daunting it seems. And if he can't hold his own every step of the way, the rest of the world will just point and laugh, saying "Of course he couldn't make it, he's just a street rat!"
He doesn't stop thinking about it as the Bonewatch looms ahead of him. At dinner, he thinks of how his belly has been full every day since he arrived here, and how those children playing in the street in the Old Butchers District are probably going hungry again tonight. He thinks about little Milena, growing up and becoming like Mama - hard-working and honest and never amounting to anything in the eyes of the world. He doesn't need praise and adulation, especially from the likes of those who would spit on his family for refusing to take their Oath, but the thought of proving them all wrong is a taste sweeter than the Bellis honey drizzled over the evening's dessert. But that night, tossing and turning restlessly, he thinks about what might happen should he fail. He thinks of all of those like his father, or like Felipe, in all the generations to come who would never get a fair shake even by the miracles of Fate, all because of Grimold the Failure, or worse, Grimold the Betrayer. When sleep finally takes him, his silent fears creep into his dreams, warping them into nightmares of personal shame.
Wealday
Despite the tedium of the exercises, Grimold gives them his full attention. These skills could mean the difference between tracking down Jorge's murderers and expulsion from the Bonewatch and death at the hands of those same villains. If he was going to go through with this, he was going to give it everything he had.
Oathday
At dinner, Grimold sits near Theodric. He didn't actually owe the boy an apology, but it was time to start making a real effort at making friends. Setting his plate down at the table, he says. "Oy, Theo. I wanted to say sorry for walking in on you the other day." Helping himself to a roll from one of the baskets, he pulls it apart and spreads it with butter, trying to watch Theodric's reaction.
The half elf chatted idly with some of the students after class, until Zohruk and Elyssa ran off to their own class and Kassie asked him what was on the itinerary. "It would probably be good if we didn't do the same thing two days in a row. Since I picked yesterday's activity, why don't you decide what we do today? I suppose it's only fair." Daen was thinking practically. In all honesty all he really wanted to do was train, but being predictable would only invite trouble at this moment. Besides, who knew what was in that blonde head? It could be interesting what she could come up with.
Characters: Zohruk
Vorin looks smug and saunters off to the next class—wherever that happens to be for him, Zohruk has no idea.
Elyssa laughs and shrugs. ”I don't mind a fight, but I prefer to different specialties. I know you have to fight to keep on top of everything in the Knights, but I also know from Bottger that having a few more explosion experts is something the Bonewatch is interested in.”
At the archery range, Cilys wrinkles her nose and laughs at Zohruk. ”Duh, everyone knows who you are by now.” She pauses and blinks, as if realizing how rude she had sounded. ”Oh, I'm sorry..that came out rude..but you're the only half-orc in the cohorts this year! There's not a lot of non-humans other than Daen and Morgrym in cohort four.”
Characters:Eilidh
Dazen doesn't seem swayed by Eilidh's appeals about family. He does, however, provide some additional information. When asked, he simply states that he always helps provide creatures to the Trials and to remember her lessons. He then goes on to discuss more details about the darkmantles the class covered today including a rare tidbit of information. Apparently, the creatures have mild allergy to citrus and tropical fruits. The smell of which is usually enough to deter the weaker members of the species while more powerful members may have difficulty attacking anyone that tastes of it.
Characters: Zohruk
The classroom for this alchemy class is familiar. In fact, its the exact same one from the previous class—as well as having the same instructor. The class is the same as well, with only a couple missing and no new additions. Elyssa waves him over to her table which is covered in beakers, flasks, test tubes, crucibles, cylinders, funnels and bottles, ceramic dishes and grinding tools and all manner of herbs, droppers and strange coloured liquids.
”So pleased you could join us again, Zohruk.” Bottger replies drily.
This class, while definitely more along the lines Zohruk had expected, seems much harder. ”As we discussed last class, creating a spontaneous quick-burning product requires careful application of quicklime with bitumen and sulfur. Grinding in a small amount of pitch after distilling it through appropriate means will add the appropriate stickiness required to keep the substance attached to your opponent or target while it burns. Finally, the application of saltpeter provides the ignition as well as an explosive component.”
”There are of course many other uses for these same ingredients. Today, you will work on speed however. We've covered several different recipes already over the last few weeks..I want to see you work on improving your speed with these same recipes. Choose one and have your partner time you. For those of you new to the class..observe carefully and I will come around to help you with the basic steps.”
Over the next few hours, Zohruk discovers the secrets of fire.
Characters: Grimold
The dour looking boy looks incredibly startled when Grimold sits down. He looks like a cat that has suddenly been caught prowling behind a trash heap—or very much like Milena with a hand in the cookie jar. ”Uh-er-ah...well, it's.” He trails off and looks around before leaning forward, his look changing to become incredibly intense. ”Don't tell anyone what you saw. Understand? And..I guess I'm sorry for reacting the way I did.”
Oathday
Grimold casually reassures the boy around a mouthful of bread. "Y'r shecr't ish shafe wif me." Sensing Theodric's discomfort, Grimold drops his voice so they're not overheard, swallowing before pressing the issue. "Have you always been able to..." Grimold waves his roll in a small circle, miming magical motions, before taking another bite.
Characters: Grimold
Surprisingly, the boy actually seems to believe Grimold. He sits back with a concerned frown on his face and shrugs, one hand dropping to his sword and touching the scabbard. The touch looks to be more of a nervous habit than any thought of drawing it. ”..Yes. Kind of..it's complicated. It's not like Daen or Bryson's magic, nor stemming from the god's like Eilidh's.” He looks down at the plate, pushing food around with a fork.
”You shouldn't have seen that. I don't like using it. Everyone has some secrets around here, I suppose. Thank you for understanding.”
Oathday
Grimold shrugs, picking up his knife and fork. As he cuts into the roast turkey slice one his plate, he says, "I don't know much about that sort of thing outside of the stories. I always thought it would be amazing to be able to do things like that!" He lifts the turkey to his mouth, some of the gravy dribbling down his chin. Wiping his mouth with his sleeve, he smiles. "But I suppose that is why I have Papa's violin! We all get something from our parents, even if they don't have much to give."
Daen
"So no training then? I guess that's sensible. If I was responsible and diligent I'd probably ask for help with Dazen's class.... But I'm not, so I won't. she thinks for a moment. Well. As I see it we've got three options. One: you take me to town and help me find Some new clothes. Two: I take you into town and we find you some new clothes that suit you a bit better. Or three: we learn something useful and go to the animal care class that Grimold told me about. Did I tell you that I'm thinking of getting a pet?"
Characters: Grimold
Taking the sword off and placing it on the table, Theodric pushes his plate away. ”I could see why you'd want to..but not all magic is a boon. Some come with heavy responsibilities and history, even if it isn't ancient history. I wish I had nothing from my parents, they were unworthy of the name and I hope my presence here can do something to clear the stain of their actions from my name.” He spits these last words with a venom rarely heard, reserved only for those who truly hate something...somewhat like Felipe and how he'd speak of the 'established government.'
Eilidh thanks Dazen, making plans to slip over to the markets of Vigil and purchase a couple of oranges or lemons if any are in season. If not, maybe I can buy a potion or something. Not that much gold available, but maybe it'll be cheap.
Oathday
Realizing that he had touched a nerve, Grimold withdraws a bit. Certainly, there were just as many stories of of magical curses and forced servitude to dark powers, but surely that wasn't what Theodric was talking about? Every time he heard another scrub's story, he heard another different reason for wanting to join the Knights of Ozem.
Changing the subject to something hopefully less unpleasant for the other boy, Grimold asks, "So you like Dazen's class? I think it's the only mandatory class I enjoy much. I want to come in and see more of his menagerie. Are there certain days I should avoid... walking in?"
Kassie-
She gave him a choice, it was obviously a trap. Any fool would like to see the blonde showing off various outfits. Just the idea of sitting in a shop while she twirled about in various states of dress nearly made logic impossible, so that had to go. If he was to save his life and his honor he had to have razor wits and sharp reflexes.
Of course, having her watch him as he tried on various outfits might endear herself to him, and although that wasn't an unpleasant thought, he put it out of his mind. He was a bastard, she the daughter of a prominent family. He had no name, no claim to fame, no power, no money and no influence. He was a bad match for anyone and just a dalliance with him could be more trouble than it was worth.
A class was not a bad idea, being that it would have some use in the long run. Daen was not particularly fond of animals, but he wasn't against them particularly either. Perhaps it would be good to help have greater command over a steed, and they were likely to need that skill before they were through here so it was the logical choice.
"It wouldn't occur to me to go to an animal handling class..." He began while rubbing his chin, finding that one whisker near the corner of his mouth with his thumb. [/b]"Leo wouldn't think to find me there. And you want a pet? What kind of pet are you looking to get?"[/b] He began walking toward the stables as his mind continued to whirl.
As he waited for his answer, he suddenly thought of hidden meanings behind the options. Do you want to help me pick out new outfits was a "do you like me". Clothes shopping for him could be "Do you want me to like you?". And the last, "would you just rather be friends." Had he realized what she was doing, he might have answered differently, especially if he was being honest.
No, it was for the best, although one nagging though plagued him. "What's wrong with my clothes?"
As they walk off towards the stables, Kassie idly chats away. "Well I'm not sure really. I miss having a horse. I'm quite a good rider you know. But it'd be hard to keep a horse in the barracks, plus I can't really afford one anyway. Really I was thinking about a cat, what with all these rats around. Do you like cats? I really do prefer them to dogs myself. Your clothes? Well, they are a few years out of fashion. Absolutely no-one wears their sleeves like that any more, and you've got to admit they're a bit dour, All that black. No, what you really need is something with a bit more colour. Sky-blue would be best I think. To match your eyes. Always remember Daen, that you should choose clothes that bring out your best features."
Characters: Grimold
The boy hastily pulls the weapon off the table and nods his head. ”Yes..don't come in after classes on Toilday or Sunday. We do..private tutoring those days. He is looking for an assistant for some of the other days though, if you want to offer him help.”
Theodric seems happy the conversation has moved on and he fidgets in his chair. ”I..heard you came from the docks? That Eilidh did something and it got you one of the empty positions here? You must be pleased with that..the Knights have so many opportunities.”
Characters: Daen, Kassara
The stables are busier than normal this evening. A grizzled man with hulking shoulders and a slight limp is scolding three young teenagers standing around a tiny horse From the sounds of it, it seems one of the foals nearly broke a leg while under their care. He waves them off and leans down to scratch the ears of a small, wiry-haired black dog with a rat in its mouth. Congratulating it on its catch, he feeds it a biscuit and sends it back out of the stables. Turning to face the two as they approach, his dark eyes narrow into wrinkles and his lips set into a frown, thick salt and pepper growth on his face that could scarcely be called a beard—more like he simply hadn't shaved in a few days.
”Scrubs. If you're--” Before he can finish, Jalen comes charging out of the stable on the back of a horse with a large, goofy grin on his face. He rears the horse in before bowling into the two and looks down. ”Good evening, Daen, Kassara. I hope you are here to join us on a ride?”
Kassie steps out of the way as Jalen surges towards them. Grinning up at the boy. "Well we were planning to,...." she glances at the angry-looking grizzled man ".... umm, go for a ride. But since you're on you way out maybe we will join you after all. Who's with you? And where are you planning to take us on such a fine day?"
What could Dazen need an assistant for? Grimold momentarily has a vision of Dazen feeding him to the darkmantles and doing other strange experiments on him. Shaking the grisly scenes out of his head, he sops up the remaining gravy with the last bit of his roll. When Theodric brings up his own history, it's Grimold's turn to be dour. "Pleased... you could say that..." Certainly there were perks. Clean clothes, a full belly. But being in the Knights seems to mean something to everybody else that Grimold just doesn't identify with. After almost two weeks, he was beginning to appreciate this turn of fate, but he still didn't feel any real gratitude. I'm happy to be alive at least. "I owe the Tilernos sisters a lot for what they've done for me," he says truthfully. "There is much to learn. Even more than I know about, with these secret classes. Are you taking any of those, besides your private lessons with Dazen?"
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"I've never been around any small animals, I wouldn't really know what to do with them. I suppose a cat would be useful, but some of the rats are pretty strong. You'd best have a tough one." Kassie was definitely a good conversationalist. They could probably have conversations like this all day.
"Well, the sleeves could be changed I suppose." He conceded this, but did not mention the color of his eyes. He supposed that he didn't want to admit the fact that one of his best features was what he gained from the Surtovan side of him.
Daen did his best to not look impressed at Jalen's way with a horse, but the man had undeniable skills in many areas. It would be best if he swallowed his pride and learned a thing or two. "Yes, I for one need to brush up on my riding skills. I had gotten used to a horse on my journey here, and I've found that I miss the fresh air of the countryside. Are we going out of the city?"