The Father of Waters

Game Master Fighting Chicken

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Gozran 10: Tribute Day
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The day begins hot and warms throughout the morning, the sky clear, the back half of the Palenque Green crowded with people and goods, having filled up a couple of nights before. The front half of the Green, closest to the King’s Mound, is muddied and torn from the games the night before, the field ringed with stonecloaks. Unusual for a tribute day, the stands that flank the field, normally filled with spectators, sit empty.

The King’s Mound, however, is filled, and early. Even from as far back on the green, you can see a mass of humanity atop the mound, and perhaps a half an hour after daybreak, a horn sounds, one long blast, and blue smoke, the color of Shadeholme’s finest silk, arises from multiple large braziers that flank the front of King’s Mound. Sacred callers, stonecloaks here in the capital, yell out the first of the King’s commands, and the yell is echoed down the mound by more stonecloaks, and then up the sides of the green, until they reach the excises: Aaltina’s Repose! Aaltina’s Repose!

Texikuk sighs and looks to the laborers. ”It is alphabetical this time. Go ahead and start breakfast. And lunch.”

Looking to everyone, Tex continues. ”Eventually, hours from now, we’ll be called and I’ll account for the tribute.” Nervously, she clears her throat. ”Anyone else can bear witness. But, this isn’t just a time to defend the Mayor’s decision. The excise tribute is also when communities petition the crown and air grievances. If you have anything to say to the king, today is the proper time to do it.”

Istiel doesn't bother looking back, unconcerned with the lean woman and the squirrely man. She is fully focused on the man now ahead of her, threatening her glorious victory.

The cheering crowd reinforces her conviction to catch up to muscles, and she decides to carefully wait for her opportunity to pass him up.

The gap at Fish mound causes her no hesitation, and she easily flings herself across the stretch behind her muscled competitor.

"Eeep!" is Rigel's dignified response to her unfamiliar assailant. But wait, no... "Huh?" Tolworth?!

"I... You... What are you doing here?!" Last she heard, her brother was rising up the ranks of the priesthood, in a life of ease and comfort: 3 Corners is literally the last place in Cornucopia she'd think to find him. And he's never appreciated seeing her.

"I mean, hello Tolworth. Long time no see." There is perhaps a slightly acidic tone to her voice, but he basically cut her out of his life as soon as he could.

She glares at Oios: Don't you dare - don't you rakking DARE! She grimaces as he leaves her to it. Damn.

"So, what's going on? You've got far too much brain to fall for the whole unwashed-fanatic schtick;" she wrinkles her nose unappreciatively. "What are you really up to?"

This is uncharacteristically blunt, but Tolworth brings out the worst in her.

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Oios (and Imix eventually), Gozran 8 or 9
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The trip to Suriname Home is uneventful. You know of the place, having lived in the capital, though have never been inside. Knocking rapidly on the door, you are surprised to find that the Abbott himself opens it; indeed, it seems as if the home itself is sparsely populated for its size, though the peel of children's laughter does reach your ears as you step through the entryway, into a dark teak-lined room. The Abbott holds out his hand for your cloak. "He's below, in the maze."

The maze is just that, in many ways - a large and winding set of stone hallways, scribbled with inscrutable carvings, uncomfortably warm and humid. You find the Suriname in one such winding hall, crouched on all fours next to a stone bench, his face a mere inch or two from where the wall meets the floor...

========================================================================

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Imix, Gozran 9
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Castellen Tazzuk is found in his study, looking at a large three dimensional reproduction of the capital. Not looking up as you enter, Tazzuk sighs. "Normally, I'd be at the games today. But... if the excise is in danger, I must figure out the best ways to protect it. I think I will forbid any spectators but the king's own guests this year, for the Grandson of Damballah's safety..."

"At any rate, what can I do for you, Suriname?"

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Istiel, Gozran 9
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On you run, on the heels of Muscles, up the levee and into Father's Mound, where the racecourse runs smack into a religious awakening. Soon, you're pushing through the crowd, any sign of a torch lost.

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Oios
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Oios nods with deep respect towards the Abbott as he takes off his cloak and hands it to him. He gazes around with interest before focusing on the person who summoned him.

May I know what this is about Abbott? And why you would ask for me? I am nothing more than a retired priest after all. How did you even know I was traveling with the Suriname?

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Gozran 10: Tribute Day
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Drazan meanders through the crowds of people. The change from cold a few days ago to the hot Tribute day doesn't seem to be bothering him much. Strangers locking eyes with Drazan are a little taken aback at his presence, and doubly so as he walks around with a grin large enough to bare both rows of his freshly picked clean teeth; an apparent consequence of Fulton's advice a day ago to be more approachable. At the sound of Rigel's sudden alarm of Eep, Drazan joins her nearby, several arm-lengths away but not enough to be overlooked in his lurking.

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Oios (and Imix eventually), Gozran 8 or 9
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The maze is just that, in many ways - a large and winding set of stone hallways, scribbled with inscrutable carvings, uncomfortably warm and humid. You find the Suriname in one such winding hall, crouched on all fours next to a stone bench, his face a mere inch or two from where the wall meets the floor...

Holding here - is Oios coming below?

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Imix, Gozran 9
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Castellen Tazzuk is found in his study, looking at a large three dimensional reproduction of the capital. Not looking up as you enter, Tazzuk sighs. "Normally, I'd be at the games today. But... if the excise is in danger, I must figure out the best ways to protect it. I think I will forbid any spectators but the king's own guests this year, for the Grandson of Damballah's safety..."

"At any rate, what can I do for you, Suriname?"

Imix looked upon the face of the Seneschal. Ensuring they had as much privacy as possible, he explained.

He nods "Have there been any assassination attempts? If not, then I might as well go down to the Excise as myself."

Istiel momentarily grits her teeth as the religious awakening blocks her line of sight to the next torch, steady breath inhaled through unseen, bared lips. I must catch up. Move!

With her height she could probably pick out the torch, but she doesn't want to waste any time looking. Instead, she thinks back to how all of the torches were arranged and heads in the direction she would place the next marker. The monk unpolitely and easily pushes people aside as she cuts through the crowd.

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Oios, Gozran 9
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The Abbott looks up at you and squints, his eyes clouded, his posture stooped. "The Suriname asked for you. Well, instructed me to write you as I did, at any rate, as they are want to do. Instruct, that is. As to why he instructed me to ask for you, you'd have to ask the Suriname. Us keepers are rarely clued into every thought that passes through a Suriname's mind, though we try our best to interpret their whims, intents, and dare I say, delusions. He's been down there, for over a day now. Obsessing over something."

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Rigel, Gozran 8
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Your brother looks at you, the smile sliding from his face, slowly replaced by another look, one you're quite familiar with - disappointment. "I had hoped, sis, that you'd seen the light, so to speak, and were to join me. But I see you're not much different than when I'd seen you last. Filled with presumptions and back-handed compliments."

Sighing, Tolworth brushes at his black robes, trying vainly to remove a large crusty stain. "I am doing exactly what I appear to be doing. Ministering to the ill of body and soul. Since you're not here to help the great unwashed, what, may Ayida-Wedu's sunshine reveal, are you really up to?"

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Imix, Gozran 9
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The Castellen doesn't look up from his map as you speak, continuing to study the layout of his model/map. "Interesting. There have been no assassination attempts. Our best Shadows are looking into your claims... but they've found nothing. Either this 'First Flame' is lying low... or you're mistaken, Suriname Imix. Either way, I must err on the side of caution, yes?"

Pointing to the model's Palenque Green, Tazzuk continues. "No spectators. Two hundred stonecloaks. The excise, as usual, will only be allowed forward one at a time. The Red Keep on alert. Braziers of smoke to obscure the king from attacks from the Green. What else? What am I missing?"

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Gozran 10: Tribute Day (Drazan)
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As you walk about with your picked-clean teeth, you are met with plenty of curious stares, and more than a few blanched looks of fear and apprehension. Still, most people on the Green seem to be preoccupied with getting their excises in order, and you're left to wander more or less freely among the various representatives of the Valley's towns.

Passing one excise laden with smoked fish and bags of salt, a tall, pale woman with fire-red hair woven into thick dreads approaches you. She's dressed in clothes common to the Tooyah people of the north - plain leather breeches and white unadorned cotton camise - though her look is pure Mountain (wo)Man. Judging from her hair style and skin color, she's from the Kellik Tribe, one of the few Mountain Tribes known to be woman-dominated in their leadership, and respected for their ability to draw sustenance from the frigid lakes and rivers of the Teeth of the World, even in the winter.

"There's not many of us here today. Perhaps you and me? What brings you to Cornucopia, Mountain Man?"

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Istiel, Gozran 9
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The crowd is pushed aside easily enough, and you find the torch exactly where you thought it would be, Muscles' back disappearing down a nearby alleyway right beside it.

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You continue on to the north, crossing the levee road into Fox Mound and its strange communities - the small pyramid of the Wo'Tah, perfectly square and stepped on each side, the strange and pungent lakefish dangling from the carts of Reeder merchants, and even the hovels of your once-kin, dilapidated and soot-covered.

Down you go, back into the low city, cutting back to the west, where you come to the so-called Tooyah Canal, that stretches more or less to the northwest. A torch sits on each side of the canal, while in the canal's water sit a few empty and slowly bobbing canoes.

Muscles dives into the canal and then begins to coywolf paddle across the canal. Now's your chance!

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Gozran 9
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Istiel hustles down the alleyway after muscles, the hypothetical target painted clearly on his back.

The site of Fox Mound in the distance briefly turns her mind to Fox Priest, a moment of silent fury sweeping over her. Today's glory will be a pale shadow compared to bringing Fox Priest to justice. The anger is channeled into her pumping feet as she runs across the levee road.

The more exotic communities of the capital are of little interest to Istiel, except she watches the carts of the Reeder merchants suspiciously for any wanton rolling.

The monk's eyes dart from the torch on the near bank to the far shore, and she quickly judges it would be easier to swim than risk the rickety canoes.

She suppresses a laugh when muscles flounders into the water and start to desperately struggle across the water. Istiel towards the canal without stopping, planting both of her feet into the mud when she is ankle-deep in water and springing horizontally across the surface of, and into, the water.

Istiel slices through the water with a powerful front crawl, feet fluttering behind her. She swallows more than her fair share of water along the way- unfortunately her mask's mouth hole makes a great funnel. Fortunately, she was parched anyway, and she'd drink the whole canal if it meant defeating muscles.

On hitting the other side of the canal the dripping monk picks herself out of the water and starts jogging with renewed vigor, an unapologetic belch escaping her throat from all of the water and air swallowed.

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Gozran 10: Tribute Day (Drazan)
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Drazan blinks and realizes he had mistaken a stranger for one of his associates. "What manner of water is in this skin?" Drazan wonders peering into his waterskin just before noticing the fired haired woman with too much hair for a warrior, but enough for anything else.

Drazan's head tilting back and to the side to meet the woman's own gaze, he grinds out too gruffly to sound prophetic, "As a droplet of rain joins the headwaters, the excise was the river, and Cornucopia the mouth... Which was better than crocodiles and the loyal that feed them." Drazan squints a wink while raising the other brow expressing his displeasure regarding the 'hardly a choice' he was given before coming here. "Excise guard, by choice, though pressing was only a a spears length from a Suriname." Drazan spits to the side at the mention but a toothy grin quickly scrawls its way back across Drazan's face. "You're the first blooded fire for this Mountain Man's eyes. Your reasons the same?"

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Oios, Gozran 9
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Ah. I misunderstood. Thank you for sending the message on. There have not been any Suriname for a hundred years. I fear the reason Damballah saw fit to send us a piece of Hainu's intellect. He has been causing... trouble?

After the conversation with the Keeper is over Oios heads down to the strange maze.

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Istiel, Gozran 9
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Out the other side of the canal, just a few feet in front of muscles, you make your way into the home stretch of the race, back through the low city and eventually, judging from the angle of the torches towards the Palenque Green and the finish line at midfield.

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Gozran 10: Tribute Day (Drazan)
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The woman smiles, and begins speaking the twisted, syllabic tongue of the Mountain Tribes.

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Oios, Gozran 9
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The Abbott stamps his walking cane on floor in front of him. "I fear it too! Has he been causing trouble? Asking me to write cryptic notes, and do you hear that? Children! Children! And not Suriname children, which are hardly children at all! These ones, they joke and don't cover their noses when they sneeze and break things!"

"Still, I fear that your friend is correct. If he is the only in years, he may be the last of his kind. It is probably time to pass on Suriname magic to the people of the Valley."

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Gozran 10: Tribute Day (Drazan)
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Drazan reaches out and grabs Jalya's forearm to shake it, "Drazan of Peklenc, more than just a poet, a simple man from the fire peaks. A man that only wants to be free." Drazan shrugs relaxing his smile. "Many people hear of such things as your lake of salt, a murder of crows courting the wolf queen of the forest, the fire chief rallying the mountain tribes and expanding. These people say dark times are coming. If they are right, there will be no place to fish."

Drazan shrugs again, "Good thing the fires we burn, burn bright enough to keep the darkness away. May your fires that burn at night, keep you warm wherever you turn Jalya."

"After this tribute the excise returns to Shadeholme where there are a few friends that see a simple man's value and keep him around." Drazan taps his axe for emphasis on this simple man offers.

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Oios with Abbott, Gozran 9
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Oios nods along sympathetically with the Abbot's description of the children.

The affairs of Suriname are not for me to question Abbott. Though if you would indulge my curiosity. Is Imix... typical.. of the Suriname of history? There may be others of his kind around? And what is this place he is in?

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Oios with Imix, Gozran 9
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With the Abbott's blessing Oios descends into the Maze and crouches a little distance from Imix, when Oios senses a little bit of a break in Imix's scrutiny of the wall Oios says.

Imix. You called for me?

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Oios with Imix, Gozran 9
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Imix startled as he sprung to his feet. "Ah. You surprised me, Inquisitor. I'm afraid I was deep in my thoughts."

The Suriname gazed thoughtfully at the older man before continuing. "I have knowledge, and a need to share it. This knowledge is dangerous." an undertone to his voice betrayed a hint of fear to the trained ear of the inquisitor.

"I can trust you." again, an inflection only a trained interrogator would hear - an emphasis on the you.

"I found evidence of magic like these contracts. It is related to the First Flame. This is what I have learned about that force:"
"It predates creation, and possibly the gods."
"It is described variously as a corruption, as a secret society, as an infection."
"It manifests from time to time - often as a secret society among the wealthy. Such manifestations are common among the Wo'tah."
"It appears to be related to Tamix's Needle - a peninsula near the Great Lake."
"Whenever it appears, terrible things occur."
"It has five Harbingers: Fire. Secrets. Words made Iron. Two more. One from afar and encased in metal."

He pauses "I have found a writing from 1516 that predicts a new era starting in Shadeholme at about this time. It may have already started."

He nods, as if having done some great task or made some great decision. "It has already tried to kill me once. I will tell the Castellan tomorrow. If I am stopped, you now have this knowledge as well. I will share your knowledge as well, if you are willing. The further our knowledge spreads, the safer we are."

The Suriname - uncharacteristically - sits. His voice betrays stress, long held mask starting to crack. "At the risk of using up more valuable time, I wonder if I might ask you to pray with me. For me, perhaps. These events... I keep expecting to hear a voice telling me my Purpose. These terrible times... If this is not my Purpose, then how terrible must the times still to come be?"

The Suriname looks ashen "I realise it is not your normal duty, but there is no other Priest I can confide in."

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Gozran 9
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Istiel feels a rush of elation as she pulls ahead of muscles, listening closely to the sound of his feet behind her. She must not stop moving forward, and the monk is ready to bash through anything that stands in her way.

Ultimate victory, and glory, is within sight- the Palenque Green. Istiel heads for midfield in the straightest line possible, leaping over carts and camps as well as simply pushing people out of the way. Her breath is ragged, and the monk knows if she stopped jogging now she would collapse into an unmoving heap.

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Gozran 10: Tribute Day (Drazan)
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Jayla's eyes grow wide as you pat your weapon. "What is that? A weapon, obviously, but what?"

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Oios, Gozran 9
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The Abbot sighs. "Imix is typical in many ways. Driven. Brilliant. Cold. And he is atypical in that he's the last of his kind." Pausing, the old man continues. "There are no more Suriname in the Valley as far as I know."

"As for what is below, it is a series of tunnels containing the accumulated knowledge of the Suriname, difficult to utilize and perfunctory in many ways, but I'd bet it contains a wealth of information perhaps even the King or the Shadows don't have in their libraries. Normally, outsiders aren't allowed, but the Suriname wishes your company, and really, who am I to stop you?"

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Istiel, Gozran 9
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The Palenque Green is in sight, spectators cheering you and your competitors on as you race furiously towards it, Muscles fast on your heels, the lean woman gaining ground with a sudden burst of speed.

Into the Green you three go, pushing through the crowded excises with every last bit of power, taking no heed of who stands in your way. Behind you, Muscles barrels into an excise from Kell's Bend, and comes pushing through the carts a moment later limping , before, for a just a second, looking over your shoulder, you lose him behind another excise group.

To your right, the lean woman dodges out of the way of a peddler, jumps over a cookfire, and clambers atop a cart and jumps the laborer on its other side, hitting the ground in one long, loping stride.

The midpoint of the field, the area where the excises stop and race ends, is just in front of you. With one last push you send a excise-worker sprawling and will yourself towards the clear green field...

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Gozran 9
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Istiel sees the finish line, feeling a burst of vigor travel throughout her body. Muscles was eliminated, the long-gaited woman was too far behind, and the squirrely man was no where to be seen.

Victory and glory were soon to be hers.

The monk runs through the Excise from Tolvar's Crossing, being one of the last to arrive and closest to the green. Tearing through a campsite she discovers the only way past several large mounds of lumber is a tight gap between two adjacent carts. Between her and ultimate victory is a squat mongoloid of an excise worker, leaning on a cart near the gap chewing on an unknown substance.

Surprised by her approach, the startled man sits up from the cart just in time for Istiel to jog up and shoulder check him out of the way, sending him bouncing off the cart and into the mud.

Passing through the gap, the monk finds herself in an open field, the Excise behind her. She keeps jogging for a moment and looks around, seeing no other running figures. Slowly her feet lower their rhythm, and she becomes aware of her panting, labored, breath, cramped sides, and arid mouth.

A few unsteady steps later and she has stopped completely, doubling over to heave nothing out of her empty stomach, followed by several coughs. She hears nothing but the pounding of her strong heart for several moments, until the sounds of the cheering spectators reaches her ears again. Looking out to the spectators, she wills herself to limply straighten herself back up, ending up looking to the sky. Victory. I bring glory to myself and Shadeholme. Damballah.... I hope you and your kin were watching.

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Gozran 10: Tribute Day (Drazan)
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"A walking deadman's ax, spoils go to the stronger man."

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Istiel, Gozran 9
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As the pounding of your own blood and your heavy breathing recede from your ears, replaced by the cheering of spectators and the victory horn, a well-dressed gamesmaster approaches, skin appropriately pallored, copper-ringed fingers clutching an embroidered silk belt. The belt is blue like still water unsullied by silt, and stitched through with fine golden threads, two wavy lines that run the length of the belt, between them, another gold stitching, wings, repeated.

The gamesmaster ties the belt around your waist, smiling, as he pulls the belt tight and loops it into a knot, "Well done! A fitting belt, for a runner as quick as a raging river, as agile as a bird aloft."

Grabbing your hand, the gamesmaster raises it to the sky above your heads, and then pulls both of you into a kneel in front of the crowd.

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Gozran 10: Tribute Day (Drazan)
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Jayla raises an eyebrow, a smile crossing her lips. "A stronger man, eh? Perhaps I will leave the fishers and go south after the tribute..."

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Gozran 9
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Istiel turns her head to the crowd, eyes shining with jubilation. She finds some strength left in her body and stands tall despite the urge to slump over onto the ground.

She turns her attention to the gamesmaster as he approaches, lifting her arms so he can tie the luxurious belt around her wait. Istiel has no doubt that this fine of silk could only have come from Shadeholme, and finds it appropriate she will be taking it back home.

"Thank you." She murmurs, still out of breath, and not really wanting to talk at the moment anyway. Istiel clenches her hand into a fist as it is raised in the air, and then kneels in front of the cheering crowd. Her legs ache at the seemingly alien movement.

Silently, she hopes the king sees his monks are some of the finest soldiers in the land.

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Gozran 10
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Istiel sits quietly in the Shadeholme Excise camp, awaiting the eventual arrival of the other monks they were granted for Shadeholme's defense. Cramped, sore legs are folded under her in a meditation position. The Cornucopia Loop champion's belt is tied securely, and proudly, around her waist.

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Oios with Imix, Gozran 9
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Oios considers what Imix has said carefully.

You were born for a great purpose in dark times. I cannot imagine the burden you are carrying. I will pray with you and hopefully bring you some peace.

Kneeling across from the sitting Suriname Oios spreads his hands out and traces them across the waters of an imaginary pool and encourages Imix to follow along

O Damballah, Father of the Waters, and of Hainu and the sacred crocodiles, whose children we all are, guide us and give us the strength to persevere through difficult times Grant us the wisdom to chart a course through muddy waters.

It is a short prayer but Oios repeats it three times and encourages Imix to close his eyes and meditate on the motions of his hands. When they are done he rises and holds his hands out to Imix to help him up.

Now come, let us get your charges back to the Excise and leave your Abbott in peace, I can tell you what I have learned in turn in privacy.

When they arrive back at the excise Oios leads Imix into the Osten's abandoned caravan and starts.

You have found out far more than I have in truths. The Shadows, of whom I once was until recently, concern ourselves with current affairs more than ancient prophecy. There are reports of the compulsion magic that we have seen twice being used to compel an armorsmith to make fifty sets of fine scale armor as quickly as humanly possible. This could only be to equip an invading army. It stands to reason that there are other incidences that we know nothing of. The enemy of Cornucopia has been making progress in secret for a long time now.

Oios sighs and only pauses for a bit before revealing the worst part, information that he would have kept hidden if he the strange young Suriname didn't seem more trustworthy to him than his own fraternity of Shadows. Worse, when I attempted to find out more about the Fire Priests who seem to be behind the huge invasion from the Mountains into the Valley I found nothing. Information has been stolen from the field reports of the Shadows and it could only be other Shadows that have carried out the desecration. I had hoped that it was only the edges of the Valley that were falling away from the protection of the capital. But now I see that the rot is deep and thorough at all levels of society.

I paid a visit to this Ayida-Wedu born again and I will be honest I do not know what to make of her. She seems sincere and she is certainly the inheritor of a divine power the likes of which has not been seen in living memory. Being attended by a retinue of crows makes me question the purity of that power however. The black brothers who attend her can also speak to crows and with wolves speaking to men now as well... there have been no good signs for society as we know it. All around I see signs of a great change coming.

Oios sighs and sits back. I have, for my whole life, been the protector of the ways. The Old ways. I try not to be a fool and it would take a fool to ignore all the signs around us. A huge disaster is coming, what is it that we few could do to avert the grand conspiracy that heralds it? One that involves fox monks with the ability to compel ombedience from entire villages, rogue Shadows destroying information, and all of the Mountain tribes?

Imix follows Oios's directions with an ease and precision that suggests long, long practice.

"Thank you, Voice." Imix's words convey thanks, but his voice is just as troubled as before.

"I will return to the Excise, but I must stay in disguise." Imix dons his borrowed stonecloak "When I attempted to tell the king I discovered that our enemy uses assassins."

"You are a cold one, Oios." Imix sounds approving "Very well, we will have the children relocated. Let us give them one more night in a warm bed before we chivvy them back in to harm's way though."

At the Excise
Imix's face - shadowed under his borrowed helm - falls farther at Oios' words. "So then." Despair shows in the Suriname's eyes, and he sighs "There is another ally. I will do what I can to see him tomorrow. Have I your permission to pass on this information? He is under the impression the Shadows are still uncompromised. This is an assumption that is now dangerously disproved."

"It may well be that this Ayida-Wedu is legitimate, and has been hijacked."

"If there is one thing to take comfort from, it is this: Awful as the First Flame may be, as hot as it burns, it seems to burn itself out. Perhaps we should concentrate our small efforts on ensuring something survives to recolonise the ashes."

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Rigel, Gozran 8
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Your brother looks at you, the smile sliding from his face, slowly replaced by another look, one you're quite familiar with - disappointment. "I had hoped, sis, that you'd seen the light, so to speak, and were to join me. But I see you're not much different than when I'd seen you last. Filled with presumptions and back-handed compliments."

Rigel smiles, or at least shows her teeth. "Oh, brother, you say such nice things about me..."

Sighing, Tolworth brushes at his black robes, trying vainly to remove a large crusty stain. "I am doing exactly what I appear to be doing. Ministering to the ill of body and soul."

She wrinkles her nose again - and not at the smell this time. "Tolworth, you couldn't get the rakk out of Shadeholme fast enough - Cornucopia was all you wanted since-" she doesn't finish the sentence. Their parents' death is the one thing neither of them has ever talked about. She recovers quickly. "I mean, all you could talk about was how wonderful it would be, surrounded by your equals, living a life of luxury on the Hill - if anyone had bet me you'd end up surrounded by the poor - much less caring for them, I'd have wagered everything I've got against it; and then some! You can't just say 'I'm ministering to The Poor' and not explain why! What happened to you?" And what have you done with the real Tolworth, she doesn't add. But it's there in her tone.

"Since you're not here to help the great unwashed, what, may Ayida-Wedu's sunshine reveal, are you really up to?"

A big, wide-eyed, innocent look. "Me? I'm doing exactly what I appear to be doing." She mimics his exact phrasing and tone of voice. It used to really annoy him; she wonders if it still does, or whether this 'new and improved' version doesn't worry about such worldly things. "I offered to accompany the Excise to Cornucopia and I'm having a look round until it starts. Oh, and looking for some..." - she stretches, languorously - "...amusement. Which I found, by the way."

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Rigel, Gozran 8
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As you ask what happened to him, your brother gives you a certain look, one you know very well from your childhood, a look that is a mixture of surprise and utter disdain, and was usually brought on by whatever caper you had undertaken and subsequently been caught performing. That look, when you were younger, was often also accompanied by some biting words. Tolworth doesn't say anything this time, but he doesn't need to. Really, Rigel. Are you that thick? Is there a brain in that head, or is it just skull from one ear to the other? It would explain your hard-headedness...

The look passes into resignation, and then - slightly - distaste as you allude to your recent conquest, which is quickly waved away. "I'm here, sis, because I was wrong. Cornucopia is... it is a hard place, all ambition and half-truths. I thought I was perfect for it, but I crossed an archpriest a couple of winters ago, and it was all shit-shoveling - oftentimes literally - from there. I was about to give up, come to back to Gilders and you with my head hung low. And then-" Tolworth raises his hands skywards and gestures around the plaza, "And then, this happens!"

"We've always been taught the gods are distant. Everywhere around us, but removed all the same. And then here comes Ayida-Wedu and our brothers black, and the people of Cornucopia are actually being helped. More since her birth than all the time I spent in the priesthood. Rigel, its really-"

Cut off, by yelling, you both turn to see a brother in black, maybe twenty feet away. The man has his cloakhood down, a lit torch in his hand, and his face is covered with... is it manure?

"Brothers! Sisters! The gods have reached out to me! Just now, I fell into a fevered nap, only see a vision! I know now my purpose on this world! Gather close, so that I may heal you!"

You realize, a little too late, that the brother isn't covered in manure. The brother holds the torch to his cloak and the pitch that covers it - and his face - lights instantly, the man covered in a bright orange fire before anyone can act.

The brother drops his torch and lets out a horrific scream, that echoes around the suddenly silent square. "AAAIIIYYYAAAA! Heeeeaaalllllll youuussssseeelllvessssss...."

Collapsing into a flaming heap, the crowd surges forward hoping to catch some of the fire's healing light, much like those that witnessed the seven-day burning of St. Gilmorgh did all those years ago.

The gods will provide no healing today, however. The brother in black just lays dead in the middle of the plaza, the pitch feeding the fire slowly burning off the man's charred corpse.

Tolworth sighs. "On the other hand, there's these piques of religious fervor. Poor Erasmus was always more enthusiastic than wise. Skull from ear to ear."

------------
Gozran 10: Tribute Day
------------

The day drags on, the air uncomfortably hot and still, the heat blanketing the Green as the day grows later. Drazan wanders, meeting new friends from exotic places, while Texikuk busies herself with the business of the excise - checking and rechecking what Shadeholme has delivered, and squaring it with her copious and much revised records. The laborers cook breakfast, and then go immediately into preparing lunch, which you all - minus the Ostens, who it seems have not come back from Three Corners - sit down to around mid-day; potatoes, fried in a wok with thyme and rosemary, and mixed with a fine salty goat's milk cheese that the peddler Clovis procured from another excise last night. The potatoes and cheese are topped with smoked squirrel from the forests around Shadeholme, and the meal proves to be both tasty and hearty.

As much as you get to enjoy it, at any rate. As the laborers put the finishing touches on lunch, the excise from Piney Bluff is called. Having arrived before you, they are ahead of you on the Green - Texikuk and Hamfatten both watch them go, nervously. "Could be trouble," the magistrate mutters, to no one in particular.

Sure enough, a couple of bites into your lunch, the word comes from the sacred callers - the Shadeholme excise is to approach King's Mound immediately....

------------
Gozran 10: Tribute Day
------------

Lunch forgotten, the laborers grab their packs and carts and start moving forward, Tex urging everyone up. "Quickly, quickly! We'll not keep the King waiting!"

The excise trundles forward, approaching the King's Mound to the left of the excise from Piney Bluff. The people of Piney Bluff, being another predominately Tsinyah settlement, look a lot like the people from Shadeholme; fair skinned, with black and brown hair and more often than not, brown eyes. If they are your neighbors, the people of Piney Bluff are anything but feeling neighborly - their faces flush with anger as you approach, eyes narrowed, fists clenched, complexions ruddy. It isn't difficult to pick out Adham Dannet in his excise robes, appearing much as you'd heard - short, swarthy, olive-skinned. The Excise-Head of Piney Bluff stares at you with what can only be described as pure, unadulterated hatred.

Once you arrive at the base of the mound, Texikuk kneels, shooting the excise a look. Kneel, now!

Up on the mound, there is a long table, at the center of which sits the king. Covered from head to toe in blue robes, there is little adornment to the king's clothes other than the gold streaks sewn down his garments, which glint in the torchlight under the pagoda. The king wears one striking piece of adornment otherwise - a mask of pure beaten silver, that shines more brightly than his robes, from a light under its own power, the mask a stylized shape of the sun, otherwise blank-faced, no slits for eyes, none for a mouth.

Seated next to the king, on his left, is the Castellen Tazzuk, and to his right, standing behind the Grandson of Damballah, a tall and thin man, Tooyah by look, who leans and nods his head as the king turns and evidently says something to him.

Seated down the table, to each side of the king, are various nobles and guests, a number of which spill down the pyramid itself, seated on the ghats, the lower on the pyramid the lower their station. Also stretching down the pyramid is a large contingent of Stone Cloaks.

In front of the mound sit eleven large braziers, smoking, the blue smoke filling the air between you and the king, making those on the King's Mound appear to shimmer in the heat.

The tall and thin Tooyah says something to a stonecloak captain near him, who passes the message on down, and so on, until it reaches a stonecloak at the base of the pyramid.

"Dire accusations reach the king's ear of a raid on Piney Bluff's tribute house by Shadeholme. Other words reach the king's ear, of a short tribute from Shadeholme. Both will be addressed now. The accusations are as follows:"

"One, a group of soldiers from Shadeholme stole into Piney Bluff in the dead of the night, murdered a handful of soldiers, and stole the most valuable part of Piney Bluff's tribute - it stoat and ermine pelts. Offered as proof-"

Adham Dannet holds up a shield, crested with a silkworm. "- is this shield, left behind by one of the attackers."

"Shout loudly, so that the King can hear the truth - or lack of it - in your trembling voices."

Texikuk steps forward, and looks back to you, panic-stricken...

-----------

Rigel, Gozran 8
-----------

"I'm here, sis, because I was wrong."

Rigel blinks, and nearly falls over: if Tolworth says that again, it will be twice more than she's ever heard him say it in her life. She's about to make some scoffing retort, when she sees the effort it took for him to admit it.

"OK, OK, I accept this is genuinely the new you. I'm sorry, I was just - suprised, that's all."

"I was about to give up, come to back to Gilders and you with my head hung low."

"Aw, Tolworth - you'd have been welcome. Gilders didn't have anyone to talk with once you'd left. I know he misses that, all those boring conversations you had on stupid topics. Gods know why." Her voice catches slightly. This is an unusual conversation. The reappearance of Ayida-Wedu has nothing on this. "I- I missed you, too. For all that you always gave me that look..." She blinks rapidly, and pretends to look around Three Corners.

The priest's self-immolation couldn't have been better timed; it allows them both to regather their composure.

"On the other hand, there's these piques of religious fervor.

She throws him a wry look. "Too much of a good thing, huh?"

-----------
Tribute, Gozran 10
-----------

Rigel was half-expecting the panicked look from Tex; she does her best to give a reassuring smile.

Stepping forward, she bows low. And tries not to lick her suddenly-dry lips. She's wearing her best dress, the one she bought specially so as not to look out of place. She hopes.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

"Your Majesty, as to the second charge that the Excise is not sufficient, we can only beg forgiveness. Some of the Excise was indeed held back, as provisions against a siege. Your Majesty is wise, and all-knowing. You do not need me to tell you of the attacks against us by the Mountain tribes, and those in league with them. Your Majesty is also compassionate, and would - I am sure - want His people to feel secure against danger. By holding the food back, Shadeholme can be provisioned against a siege and can survive - which means that the silk harvests can continue. For if Shadeholme falls for lack of food, what interest will the Frozen have in silk? They will burn the trees for fun."

"So yes, some of the Excise was held back. But for reasons. I let Your Majesty judge whether those reasons were good or not."

She takes a deep breath.

"As to the first charge, of - of murder and theft - we plead innocence. Shadeholme has existed all these long years, with never a complaint against us, until now. What use have we for furs when we are under siege?! So the circumstances set out the falseness of this charge." By all the gods, she's glad for all those sessions she spent sparring with Hamfatten. At least she knows how to talk like him when she needs to. Ugh. Comparing herself to him makes her feel ill.

"But there is more, Your Majesty. I have two irreproachable - and neutral - witnesses who can truly explain what has happened. The former Shadow of Damballah, Oios; and the Suriname, Imix, will both be able to explain what has happened - and how that shield came to rest where it did not belong. Will Your Majesty hear, and be satisfied?"

She daren't look up; trembling, spent, she has never been more frightened than she is now. And not just for herself; if her advocacy fails then everyone will suffer.

-----------
Gozran 10
-----------

Istiel isn't terribly surprised when Piney Bluff throws accusations against them. We will find the true targets of their anger in time.

She follows the Excise up, Suuha following close by. "I feel out of place in this arena of politics and blame." She remarks to him, staring up at the table of nobles, the braziers, and the potentially deadly threat against Shadeholme for which she has no defense.

The monk kneels with the rest of the excise, briefly looking up at the King before bowing her head in reverence. He exudes divinity. One day I shall too when my glory is realized.'

She silently listens to Rigel explain their situation and leaves the way for the others to offer informational evidence. Istiel's thoughts turn to Fox Priest, and she silently curls her hands into fists. Wayrun. They will be punished for missing the Excise. I must defend them if no one else does.

-------------------
Istiel, Gozran 10, Harper's Pond Excise
-------------------

Istiel, concerned with bolstering Shadeholme's defense, decides to investigate a lose thread. Where did their soldiers go? It's possible they were all killed, but if they were not...

She tracks down Harper's Pond Excise- not a terribly difficult feat considering she dramatically jumped over a game of Stones in the middle of their camp yesterday while racing.

The monk wastes no time, asking the nearest person in the camp where to find the Excise head, and approaching them directly. "I am Istiel of Shadeholme. I have questions."

-------------------
Oios, Gozran 9, Library of Shadows
-------------------

The Inquisition building is quiet, nary a soul around. You're let in and given a pass, with the expectation that you'll provide your report to Jeramesh - it seems he's been expecting you to return and left instructions upon just such an occasion.

Although you wish you had more time, you're able to turn up a bit about Adham Dannet - an appraisal of the excise made upon Dannet's promotion to Head Excise of Piney Bluff, a little over a winter ago. The appraisal of the Shadows is mostly complimentary - it seems that Adham is very bright and will excel at his new position, one that he's attained in near record age, at 20 winters. The man is Tkoyah born, from a small town a few hours from Cornucopia, south along the Father of Waters, and he's from humble beginnings, the son of a farmer and a domestic. He's noted as being particularly ambitious, perhaps too much so - the only concern that is noted in the report is a minor violation from Dannet's first year at his previous station of employment, where he (supposedly unintentionally, the report notes) miscounted the copper bars to be delivered to Shadeholme, resulting in a shorted tribute that was easily corrected when noticed. The report notes that the investigator wasn't entirely convinced that the shortage wasn't intentional, but had no way to prove it.

-------------------
Istiel, Gozran 10, Harper's Pond Excise
-------------------

The first person you run into turns out to be a laborer taking a final tally of a large handcart piled high with lumber - white pine and striped oak, shaved of their branches and bark, stacked twice as tall as the laborer. She turns, startled, as you speak but quickly smiles and offers a low kneel. "Istiel of Shadeholme! Well met! I'm Anya of Piney Bluff. We're thankful for your town's help. I hope I can answer your questions!"

-------------
Rigel, Gozran 8
-------------

Tolworth sighs, looking out at the burning body. "Well, when it is misplaced, yes. We've got a problem with people getting 'touched' and doing things in the name of Ayida-Wedu, like the once-enthusiastic Erasmus there. At any rate, I should tend to the body."

Tolworth reaches out and gives you a hug, tentative at first and then growing firmer. "It is nice to see you, Rigel. Feel free to look me up whenever you're in town. I imagine I'll be here, or barring that, someone here can point you to me."

-------------------
Istiel, Gozran 10, Harper's Pond Excise
-------------------

Istiel is momentarily put off by the kneel- maybe the belt makes her look too formal. The thought is pushed from her mind as Anya mentions "help". The monk briefly looks up at the stacked logs, noting the tribute does not seem to have suffered too much. It takes many strong fools to steal a tree.

Turning her attention back to Anya, she nods. "Our soldiers did not return to Shadeholme before our Excise left. Did they avenge Harpefr's Pond against the savages? Suffer losses? What day did they leavne?"

Unfocusing for a moment, after she answers the questions Istiel looks about the camp. "Where is your Excise head?"

-------------------
Istiel, Gozran 10, Harper's Pond Excise
-------------------

Anya's warmth slips a bit as she continues talking, unpleasant memories forcing their way inside her head.

"We got the excise out of Harper's Pond as soon as we could the following day. We didn't know if there would be more attacks..."

"Your soldiers arrived about midday the day we left, I remember it clearly. They set off almost immediately with what remained of our soldiers, headed straight west towards the mountains. Your coywolves were on the scent of some of our stolen. I hope we killed every one of those Frozen rakkers!"

The woman sighs and checks a knot absently. "I hope that they brought back my father too. And the other stolen as well of course." She points towards a lean middle-aged man, shuffling some papers, Tooyah by the look of him. "Our Excise-Head is over there. His name is Madrall."

-------------------
Gozran 10, Harper's Pond Excise
-------------------

Istiel shakes her head, disappointed by the information. "We have heard nothing." The monk looks to where the woman was pointing, and then looks back with shining eyes. "Worry not Anya. Either Damballah will exact justice against the Frozen for your father, or I will. Thank you."

Turning away from the helpful woman, she walks to the Excise-head, calling out as she approaches. "Madrall. I am Istiel of Shadeholme. I will get to the point." The monk folds her arms over her chest as she speaks. "Our soldiers did not return from Harper's Pond before our Excise left. Soon after, Piney Bluff was raided and our soldiers were blamed. Can we rely on you to refute this claim?"

-------------------
Istiel, Gozran 10, Harper's Pond Excise
-------------------

Madrall wipes his hands on his robes and turns to you, looking you up and down. [b]"I can testify that your soldiers left with ours to chase the Frozen that took our people, I can say that. Because that's what I saw."

"And thank you, and Shadeholme, for your soldier's assistance."

-------------------
Gozran 10, Harper's Pond Excise
-------------------

Istiel bows her head slightly to the Excise-head. "Thank you. We may call upon you if Piney Bluff accuses us of wrongdoing." She pauses for a moment, looking at the Excise around them. "I cannot accept your thanks myself. Had I been allowed to leave with our soldiers to avenge the attack, I would. I will pass your thanks on to our administrators."

Bowing her head slightly again, the monk takes her leave. "May Damballah's rain bless your forests, Madrall."

On returning to the Shadeholme Excise, she disseminates what she has learned. Some witness accounts on the fate of their soldiers and a pledge to testify, nothing more.

-------------

Rigel, Gozran 8
-------------

Tolworth sighs, looking out at the burning body. "Well, when it is misplaced, yes. We've got a problem with people getting 'touched' and doing things in the name of Ayida-Wedu, like the once-enthusiastic Erasmus there. At any rate, I should tend to the body."

Tolworth reaches out and gives you a hug, tentative at first and then growing firmer. "It is nice to see you, Rigel. Feel free to look me up whenever you're in town. I imagine I'll be here, or barring that, someone here can point you to me."

Rigel returns his hug, warmly. "I'm glad, too, Tolworth. And I know you think of me as a 'lost cause' but I can do piety, in my own way - I just dance to the rhythm that Anaisa Pye sends me. Besides-" she grins, from ear to ear "- I call out to the gods just as often as you do; I just don't have to get out of bed to do it..."

With a rich chuckle, she lets him go. "I'll be seeing you, I'm sure. Be well."

-----------
Tribute, Gozran 10
-----------

Oios advances and goes to one knee as is proper but with his head held high starts speaking in a clear voice

I am Oios the former Shadow that Rigel of Shadeholme spoke of. Oios announces with a confidence borne of truth I have served Damballah and worked to uphold his justice for many turns of the season. with my service to the Shadows ended I moved to settle in Shadeholme and can bear witness to what I have personally seen.

I can attest that Shadeholme has never been known for aggression towards its sister cities. Indeed this year she sent her soldiers to aid Harper's Pond when their people were abducted by Mountain Men. You may call upon Harper Pond's Excise Head to verify the loyalty and dedication Shadeholme has shown when called upon for assistance. Not only does this show Shadeholme's virtue but also demonstrates that Shadeholme simply did not have enough spare soldiery to go a raiding as Piney Bluff contents.

Even in the best of times, O Son Of Damballah, the presence of a single shield is not conclusive evidence of complicity. It is common for clever bandits to plant false trails to cover their own. And that is exactly what happened here. On our way to Cornucopia we discovered a camp of men recently murdered in their sleep. Murdered with this

Oios takes the bloody ghandasa out of his cloak and displays it for all to see A fine weapon of fine make and stamped with the sigil of The Order of the Stag. Soon after discovering this foul deed we arrived at the WayPoint of Marinette's Folly and there we ran across Arnik the Blade. A mercenary tattooed with the mark of the Stag. We confronted her and she confessed... confessed to being hired to attack a Piney Bluff Tribute House and leave a shield behind. This is what happened to Piney Bluff. And while Arnik absconded her bloody blade speaks volumes in her stead. Not only that but our words can be corroborated by the people of Marinette's Folly who saw Arnik The Blade and the people of Tolver's Crossing who saw the Order of the Stag make their evil deal. This is our evidence, along with our words and our reputations may Your Majesty find them worthy.

Oios places the blade in front of him and continues.

And this is not the only evil tale to tell. Tales of woe and chaos are coming in from all over the Valley. It is not only Harper's Pond that has been hit by Mountain Men. Shadeholme itself is threatened. I have seen with my own eyes encampments of Mountain Men more than a hundred strong in the area close to Shadeholme carrying out foul cannibal magic. There is no way Shadeholme could withstand such a raid especially as some of their own forces are sent off to aid Harper's Pond. The mayor of Shadeholme recognizes the serverity of the step to reduce the Excise sent and has promised that, should Shadeholme, survive, and the Mountain Men be beat back that the remainder will be made up next year as is right and proper. But as Rigel of Shadeholme said, if the Mountain Men overrun Shadeholme, and they have the strength to do so, then there will be no Excise from there ever again.

I am but a humble servant of Damballah O Son of the Waters, but it is not just me but every one of the Shadeholme Excise can support my words. Texikuk herself is an Excise Head known for being honest and hard working Lord. And not only that but we have the Suriname Imix as a witness as well. With all this we beg for your wise understanding O Divine Lord. Oios finishes by bowing low.

Oios finished, Imix stands. He bows deeply to the king, then stands tall.

"As the Gods do witness, I tell the truth. This is what I have seen." the archaic phrasing comes easily to Imix's tongue. he speaks dispassionately and logically - these events are a distraction from the real issues, but it is his duty to report as befits a Suriname.

"Various witnesses within Shadeholme spoke of the raid on Harper's Pond. I was told soldiers were sent there. Shortly thereafter I accompanied a group to investigate another potential security threat. This resulted in evidence that strongly supported the evidence that Shadeholme would be under siege from a significant military force, and/or their Excise would be attacked."

"The Mayor of Shadeholme determined to hold back Excise for the purpose of defending the town. Even when warned what the punishment was likely to be he believed the risk to himself and his officers was justified. I admired his bravery, and agreed with his logic, but felt the risk of setting precedent was too large. Thus I have offered to cover the difference from my own assets."

"It is worth noting that the Shadeholmw Excise was attacked, and that there is evidence that this was from the same group responsible for the attack on the Piney Bluff Excise. Though the attack was rebuffed - with casualties - the Mayor correctly determined that the attack was a possibility. His actions in sending additional military forces made the difference, but even if it had been lost he would have managed to save a portion of the Excise."

"As for the attack on Piney Bluff itself, while residing in Shadeholme I witnessed nothing that supports this accusation. I did see the ghandassa shortly after it was acquired. I did hear the confession of Arnik. She claimed a person resembling Dannet hired her to frame Shadeholme - though I should add that investigation after this circumstantially suggests this is simply a second level frame of an innocent - if incompetent - Excise Head."

"Though the Son of the Waters must make his own determinations, my belief is that Shadeholme is innocent of the attack. I believe their mayor is overzealous in pre-empting the Empire's magnanimity, but not disloyal or corrupt. The issue of allowing precedent should be avoided due to my offer to cover the difference in the Excise. If the mayor is to be removed his success in predicting and countering enemy military forces suggest he might be more suited to a more martial role."

Imix bows again to indicate he has finished talking, and takes his place once more.

As Rigel finishes her speech and kneels, head down, trembling, the rest of you can notice through the braziers' smoke that an argument seems to be raging between the Castellan and the Hand. Standing on each side of the king, the men gesture wildly, if their voices are quiet. Eventually, the Son of Damballah raises his hand and turns to each in turn. In a few moments, the word reaches you, via the stonecloaks. "The king acknowledges Shadeholme's complicity in withholding tribute and acknowledges their plea of innocence in the raid on Piney Bluff! The King would like to hear these witnesses that Shadeholme's representative speaks of!"

Adham Dannet and the group from Piney Bluff stare needles at Rigel, but otherwise hold their tongues.

-------

Oios begins his impassioned speech, and the assorted bystanders gasp, almost in unison, as the Shadow produces the ghandasa from the folds of his robe. After a short conference atop King's Mound, a stonecloak approaches. Removing his helmet, you see short-cropped brown hair peppered with gray, and a rigid face with perhaps surprisingly kindly-looking blue eyes.

Holding his hand out for the weapon, the man examines it for quite a while, before turning to the King and shouting, "I believe it to be real!"

Next, the Excise-Head of Harper's Pond is called for testimony, which he gives as he indicated to Istiel that he would, stating that the last he saw, Shadeholme's soldiers were headed, with Harper's Pond's, to the west to recover their stolen. A vigorous debate begins again, with the interim Head Inquisitive Jeramesh called forward. The debate lasts ten minutes or more.

Oios begins again, launching into his tales of other evils, only to be stopped by the King's raised hand, and a command soon reaching them from the stonecloaks. "No word is to be spoken by anyone and to anyone of the details of these Mountain Men raiders, under the penalty of an ignoble death!" With a wave of the King's hand, Oios continues until the end of his testimony, when again word comes from the stonecloaks.

"The King acknowledges Shadow Oios' testimony! Thank you, Shadow Oios!"

-------

At this point, the peddler Clovis steps forward, nervously clearing his throat before kneeling again. "Son of Damballah, if this humble servant may, I would like to testify to the kindness of the Shadeholme Excise. They allowed me to travel with them, and provided me safety. When they were attacked on the Wooded Way, they protected me. I cannot speak to events before these last couple of days, but I know the people here to be honorable servants of all of Damballah's children, and I would be shocked if there was any attempt by Shadeholme's people to hurt any of Damballah's children. Er, anywhere in the Valley."

-------

Imix rises last, bowing deeply. Another debate breaks out when Imix speaks of the Mayor's logic, and yet another collective gasp when Imix volunteers his wealth to make up the excise shortfall. Texikuk looks sideways to Imix, her eyes watering.

Taking his place again, the stonecloaks thank the Suriname and acknowledge his testimony, and once more the gathering on the mound begins, arms gesticulating, words whispered, but obviously impassioned. Eventually, a decision seems to have been reached, and moments later, the stonecloaks speak.

"On the second matter, of an attack on the residents of Shadeholme, the Son of Damballah knows of Shadeholme's innocence! The histories shall be written that Shadeholme is resolved of any implication in the matter! Misfortune befalls us all at least once in our lives if we are only so lucky, and Shadeholme will not be forced to pay restitution for Piney Bluff's unfortunate luck! So says the Son of Damballah."

Adham Dannet looks to you all, and mouths a few words, slowly so that you can all read his lips. This. Is. Not. Over.

The stonecloaks pause for a moment, before the next round of speaking begins.

"There is the issue of the short excise. The King graciously accepts Suriname Imix's proposal, and will accept the Suriname's payment in lieu of the excise. Still, defying an order of the King is to defy the divine order itself, and cannot go unpunished. It is true that Mountain Men spill from the Teeth of the World in the west. The King will be providing no relief to the people of Shadeholme. If the Mayor of Shadeholme is such a brilliant military mind, and the gods will it, then he shall be able to hold the city."

"Of course, any private arrangements made between those citizens of Shadeholme and others, such as the agreement made between Rigel Quicklingfay and the Lady Mariet-Ambala Bellet, shall not be impeded by the crown. You are dismissed."