"I didn't realize out employer was a man of charity, housing and feeding the sick." Talar notes.
On the words of the Lamuran, Patenemheb has much to ponder. And quietly says:
"Yetara was focused on getting Daniya here by a certain date, of an alignment. If there is any truth to these words..."
He leaves the conclusion unstated.
Patenemheb quietly notes in return to Talar:
"If it can be presented as a boon to him, Yetara will be many things indeed."
With the words of Yeth in their heads the party makes it way up the small set of stairs to the main house.
Inside they see Yetara sitting at the table, his attention distracted by some scrolls which he is reading even as Sefu moves to fetch him goods from the adjoining pantry area.
Daniya, seeing your party, stands up to greet you all formally with a warm smile.
"Greetings, my friends," she says to you as Yetera spares you barely a glance before going back to his reading.
"Food shall be served soon. Tomorrow we shall make arrangements to examine and hire proper house servants," she adds.
"For now, will you join us?" she says gesturing expansively to the table.
Yeth-Kolsot does not trust his hosts. Any friend of the sorcerer how captured him is no friend of his. He does his best to appear beneath notice and interest.
Talar sits down, a smile coming to his face at the smell of the cooking food. When's the last time I had a hot spiced meal? He wonders. Once everybody is seated and the preparations are made, he digs in with gusto.
Still feeling the bite Bjoern still stands silent and listens to the banter over food. He will limit himself to water and tea and some fruits. The last couple of weeks have tought him that even dinner can be extremly dangerous!
Tairin looks around at her companions and sees that they have not only not asked Yetara any questions about his actions and business during their brief time apart - including where he's been, who he's associated with, what his plans and objectives are in the city upon his arrival and what he plans on doing with Daniya, if anything - but they actually refuse to really communicate at all.
She frowns at the lack of interaction but elects to say nothing as well, clearly deciding to speak to him privately at another time.
The dinner concludes with the party refusing to speak to Yetera, Sefu and Daniya as well as each other.
Samir glances at Farrokh who shrugs and looks at him.
The two men do what they can to eat quickly through the silence.
The meal ends.
The party continues to wait at the table until it is time to leave.
Then the party elects to leave in a group roughly thirty minutes before sundown.
The party all decides to go to exchange their goods and pick up their coin.
While it seems somewhat unusual Yeth-kolsot also travels with them to deliver the goods and collect the promised coin.
The party meets no distractions nor any issue with their transaction and elects to conduct business swiftly and return to the house without asking any questions, which they do.
At roughly 9:30 PM the party returns to the house.
At this time Sefu is still manning the gates, but only to allow the party within them.
Once they have entered the gates Sefu bars the gates behind them and informs the party that he requires sleep but at this time he will assume that the party will perform the functions of the task that they were hired to do - namely; act as guard duty.
The party thanks Sefu for his time and then determines how to distribute the wealth they collected and who shall be on guard duty throughout the night, if at all.
Yeth-Kolsot has never kept watch before nor coordinated with others about it. He believes that his erstwhile rescuers believe him to be mad. Maybe they would ask him to help, but who in their right mind would trust a madman?
In the privacy of his own thoughts, he is willing to admit that he has encouraged this perception. Better they think him mad and feeble than dangerous. Better that they question his competence. Maybe they would forget his sorcerous displays in the battle with the spider. His instincts screamed for him to flee into the night, to lose himself in the desert. But, his more rational mind notes that his rescuers can prevent -- or at least complicate -- his recapture by Yetara and his associates. A pox upon the Spider God and his priests!
Yeth-Kolsot has never kept watch before nor coordinated with others about it. He believes that his erstwhile rescuers believe him to be mad. Maybe they would ask him to help, but who in their right mind would trust a madman?
"Beware the witch, she seeks congress most foul! Beware the spider that squats in Lamu! He seeks a mate to bear his rotted seed for when the stars align in the abyss above his potency can be passed into this world from worlds beyond. Beware the spawn of such a union!! Give thanks that the spider that squats in Lamu is male! For male spiders are smaller than their female kin. Where her fertility could lay a thousand eggs, he must spawn only when the moon and stars are aligned."
In lowered voice, she responded, "It would seem that Daniya is not to be sacrificed to the Spider-God but given up as bride to bear the Spider's offspring. And, upon the full moon. As to the witch, I believe you reference our witch, Red, yes? Well, we shall keep an eye on her," not really knowing what had come to pass as they were in congress in town.
Tairin forgo the beer before their meal never having acquired a taste for it. She kept Sabra hidden inside the shawl pouch once more.
"Greetings, my friends," she says to you as Yetera spares you barely a glance before going back to his reading.
"Food shall be served soon. Tomorrow we shall make arrangements to examine and hire proper house servants," she adds.
"For now, will you join us?" she says gesturing expansively to the table.
"Greetings to you both," smiling and inclining her head toward Daniya and Yetara. "Yes, we will gladly join you." Tairin sat down as the flatbread and honey-glazed meat was served. She took some on her plate. She noted Bjoern remained upright and was eating sparingly which was most unusual for the warrior. "Bjoern, come, sit and eat with us. A warrior such as yourself needs hearty food in his stomach."
As she ate as elegantly as was possible, Tairin looked to the silent Yetara and asked/inquired politely, "Sir, I hope your business in town was fruitful this day? I was wondering if you had heard anything as to when your colleague, Zheng-Ya, is expected home? I ask because if we are to provide you with security while on the estate and beyond the gates, we should be prepared for when the master of the house arrives so we do not embarrass someone of your high rank before your friend. It is important that we retain your confidence and that of your colleague in whose house we defend you and Daniya. And, on that matter, we have taken on the services of the new man, Yot-Kolsot here, as we believe the more security, the better. He will be stronger by the morrow and more capable I am certain to perform his duty, if this is acceptable to you? We are in a new city and the more security for a man of your position the better," awaiting Yetara's answer with a steady, polite smile on her face.
====
Farewelling Sefu, Tairin entered their quarters with the others. She placed Sabra on one of the mats on the floor and took the meat out and laid it before the kitten so it could eat.
Rather than attempt to divide the coin now, Tairin instructed quietly to those of the companions in the know regarding the exact nature the transaction , "Let us hide the chest in a more secure place and we can attend to it on the morrow. All this coin is safer in the chest at present as it is too heavy to carry off in the dead of night."
Looking around the group, and gauging the current capability, she added, "There are injured among us who requires a full night's rest. We shall not include them on guard duty this night."
Tairin looked to Talar as he volunteered to take the first watch shift.
"Respectfully, I will take first watch for I have much on my mind. Talar, you may take second watch, Patenemheb third, Samir fourth and Farrokh last shift." Tairin was concerned with two new people in the party and a chest full of coin; not to mention a House of Spiders not far from them. "Bjoern, Yeth-Kolsot and Red shall sleep to recover their strength."
Readying herself for her watch duty, Tairin drew her weapons and went out of the room and out into the night to begin her watch. Sabra followed closely by her heels; lifting her nose every now again as if trying to determine an unfamiliar scent or threat. If the darkness became too thick to see through, Tairin summoned her dancing lights and moved them about the area, hoping to spot any incoming threat or disturbance.
Talar's eyes flick between Tairin and their employer, sensing the delicate balance that the woman is playing. This is a kind of battle I'm not familiar with. I feel like a child trying to understand what's going on. He spears another piece of meat and bites into it.
Talar lets his new companions finish their previous business unmolested. It was their business and he didn't contribute in any way, why should he be privy to a cut or how it's being handled? Still, he knows trust needs to be built at some point, and after Tairin reorganized the watch he narrows his eyes briefly, but catches himself. Fool, think. Would they really bring you on just to slit your throat in the middle of the night? Even for you this is paranoid. Talar nods. "Second shift it is." He slides off his armor, revealing the pattern of scars and bruises across his torso, some much fresher than others. She's a powerful manipulator. A useful asset...if I can trust her.
"She is not right. She is not true. She luxuriates in corruption."
Suddenly, he points to Samir, somehow finding the man though his blind eyes are bound, "Do not feed her lusts; her taint reeks upon your flesh."
Revealing secrets always excites and angers the Black Wind. The sorcerer can feel it begin to blow through his thoughts once more, threatening to become a storm.
He involuntarily clenches his left hand. Don't gild the lily.
Patenemheb says little during the meal, but punctuates his measured eating with measured words.
"The man has potential. Harder to see when he is unwell, but it is there for the observant."
***************
"That is an acceptable arrangement to me, Tairin. Sleep well."
Patenemheb quietly contemplates recent events, while he stands watch.
"She is not right. She is not true. She luxuriates in corruption."
Suddenly, he points to Samir, somehow finding the man though his blind eyes are bound, "Do not feed her lusts; her taint reeks upon your flesh."
Samir’s hand instantly flashes to his sword hilt and his eyes gleam with anger.
”We have saved you from bondage, fed you, succored you and taken you among our company and thus far you have done little to repay that debt except spew nonsense which sounds as if it comes from the mouth of a mad dog.”
”A mad dog is a threat to all and such things must be slain so they do not harm others,” he adds with a cold voice.
”Shall I slay him now, sayida?” he asks Tairin, clearly annoyed with the implied insult, as well as other things regarding Yeth, perhaps…
As she ate as elegantly as was possible, Tairin looked to the silent Yetara and asked/inquired politely, "Sir, I hope your business in town was fruitful this day? “
Yetera grunts in impatient frustration.
”This city is filled with bureaucratic fools,” he growls.
”I seek an audience with the bey of this miserable little community and am put off with various excuses until tomorrow,” he adds with annoyance, but it is clear his full attention is on the book he is reading.
This is a hardbacked book with heavy covers and iron clasps. It is in no way something that is common. You who have traveled with Yetara have not seen him with this book before, nor have you seen him with any books. You do not know where he got it, but it must have been something he acquired recently…
You cannot make out the cover or text from your current position.
The word bey is a local term for the regional governor of this city. Yetara obviously tried to meet with the ruler of the city for some reason and was put off and is annoyed that he wasn’t granted an immediate audience. As to why he was put off, he does not say…
”I was wondering if you had heard anything as to when your colleague, Zheng-Ya, is expected home? I ask because if we are to provide you with security while on the estate and beyond the gates, we should be prepared for when the master of the house arrives so we do not embarrass someone of your high rank before your friend. It is important that we retain your confidence and that of your colleague in whose house we defend you and Daniya.”
Yetara pauses from his reading and a sardonic smile graces his lips.
”The man is long overdue; likely he shall not return for some time – perhaps longer than any of us may except. In the meanwhile, as I am his colleague, as well as his... friend... I shall remain custodian of this home and all of its goods and property.”
”Do not trouble yourself about his return; for now, we must do our best to maintain the house in good condition no matter what shall occur,” he adds with a dismissive voice.
You’re not sure, but you think that Yetara either doesn’t think Zheng-Ya is coming back at all; but he’s clearly intending to assume that the house is now his formally. With no one to contest his decision in the matter, it’s fair to say that he’s probably going to keep the house legally until someone can bring a formal reason to leave. But a man as crafty as Yetara could easily defeat that if he had a written document or “Last Will” of Zheng-Ya handy to demonstrate that he now owns the house – even if the document is a forgery local authorities may be persuaded it is true.
In short, he plans on keeping the house until or unless Zheng-Ya returns to contest it.
”We have taken on the services of the new man, Yot-Kolsot here, as we believe the more security, the better. He will be stronger by the morrow and more capable I am certain to perform his duty, if this is acceptable to you? We are in a new city and the more security for a man of your position the better," awaiting Yetara's answer with a steady, polite smile on her face.
Yetara looks up the man with a quick glance.
”If he is capable then he may merit a position. Meanwhile, as you yourself have elected to take him on to supplement my security then his wages and the cost of his feed must – naturally – fall to you.”
”If he manages to persuade me of his talents at a later date that may change. Until then; hire as many men as you feel necessary, but I want this home secure from any and all threats,” he adds, then returns to his book.
Talar raises a brow at the heavy-duty book. Certainly a rare piece to have such care and work put into it. But unfamiliar with Yetara as he is, he doesn't know if this is something normal or not. Perhaps a well-read type.
Talar grits his teeth at all the subtleties going on that he can't keep up with. Too afraid to speak for fear of saying the wrong thing, but not keen enough to understand what was going on under his own nose. Perhaps one thing he could do is learn more about that book, interesting as it was.
"Forgive my rudeness, I must check on Ramul." He stands and makes his way out towards the stables.
Out at the stables Talar strokes the horse's mane, pondering his situation. Is it truly worth hit to gain potential allies to deal with my problems if it means inheriting their problems as well? Perhaps it would be better to die in pursuit of my own goals instead of theirs. He frowns at his own defeatist attitude. No. Better to do something that has a chance of working. Swallow your pride. He feeds Ramul some feed, then returns to the house.
On the way back in to his seat, Talar tries to get a glance at the book Yetara is reading.
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Yeth-Kolsot cocks his head curiously at Samir. A stillness begins to grow. The stillness of a predator blinking and taking notice of some small, furry morsel. The stillness right before the crack and plunge into an icy lake. The stillness before a tempest.
"A mad dog? Mad, I maybe. I have peered into the abyss between the stars. I have beheld the god that slumbers beneath the sands. Though it claimed my eyes, still the world reveals itself to me. Oracles I bear that slip through the cracks in the world. If madness you fear, do not ask mad questions. Do not take council with sorcerers or dwell in their houses. But, I am no dog, dog. You yap at the darkness and imagine yourself tall. Beneath your anger there is fear. Its stench almost overpowers the witch's mark."
The sorcerer pauses and considers the man's sword. At the edge of hearing, there is a low hiss of wind. Is there a voice on that wind? Surely, not. But, if there is what does it sing?
"I am the Yeth-Kolsot, Vessel of the Black Wind. Perhaps in my weakened state, your sword could dash me to pieces. But if you break the vessel, what it contains would spill out. You would be lost in the Black Wind, yapping dog. You would be blown out. Best not to beckon to the gods. Best not to ask of dreams and oracles if you fear their answers."
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”A mad dog is a threat to all and such things must be slain so they do not harm others,” he adds with a cold voice.
”Shall I slay him now, sayida?” he asks Tairin, clearly annoyed with the implied insult, as well as other things regarding Yeth, perhaps…
Tairin waved her hand as if to dismiss the notion of slaying the man they rescued not that long ago. As she was about to speak, the Lamuran stranger contested Samir's words,
"Do not take council with sorcerers or dwell in their houses. But, I am no dog, dog. You yap at the darkness and imagine yourself tall. Beneath your anger there is fear. Its stench almost overpowers the witch's mark."
Her hands drew into tight balls at her sides and her beautiful dark eyes took on a colder light, matching the cold timbre of her voice, "Still your wayward tongue, Yeth-Kolsot. You speak of things you know not of as to our reasons for being in this house. Instead of showing your gratitude at being rescued from such a perilous dungeon you deem to speak down to us and one of our own. I say you have no such right and if this is how you treat those who have aided you then you are free to leave this estate and find your own way in this city."
Then turning to Samir, she continued quietly, "There will be no talk of killing this man even if he has lost his wits and can not command his tongue. We know you have not bedded Red and I do not know what his mutterings foretell."
Then returning her gaze back to the Lamuran Yeth-Kolsot, "You owe this man an apology and perhaps once you have regained your sense you may show us the gratitude owed to us as your saviours, for we have rescued you, tended to your wounds and given you water and food and safe place to rest and recover. You possess grave concerns in regard to our witch companion, and, I shall investigate your claims. Yet, I will not have such disrespect in this company and none shall break your vessel to release these black winds you speak of unless you break oath with us."
"Now, are we done with this? We have more pressing matters to attend. I do what I can to ensure we can all survive this delicate labyrinth. If we mean to be a collective, then we must work together without such discord."
--------
”If he is capable then he may merit a position. Meanwhile, as you yourself have elected to take him on to supplement my security then his wages and the cost of his feed must – naturally – fall to you.”
”If he manages to persuade me of his talents at a later date that may change. Until then; hire as many men as you feel necessary, but I want this home secure from any and all threats,” he adds, then returns to his book.
Seated at the table, Tairin's hands curled in her lap out of sight of those in presence. She took a quiet breath and then responded, in steady voice,
"Sir, we have only be contracted to guard your esteemed personage for a week. If you must deem this man suitable, then take a day or two and then you may decide if he is to continue on and shall pay his wage as you do ours. We do not possess the prosperity or benevolence of a man such as yourself and we only seek a fair trade and recompense - service to you and yours for coin. We must each survive in this life." She gave a polite smile, hoping to sway the man into paying the Lamuran in due course.
Tairin discreetly glanced again at the book Yetara was so engaged in; never having seen it before this day. Did he buy it this day or is it one of Zheng-Ya's? This man's taken control of another man's house and contents, I would not put it past him to take ownership of strange tomes.
Yeth-Kolsot's face cracks into a fool's grin, and he gives her something of a bow. "Of course, gracious lady, I have all due gratitude to you, the physician, and the northern man. This gratitude is why I warned of the fell spider before you freed me and will not end there. Yet when steel threatens me, I will not be daunted. Speak not, I pray you of ill-manners when your servant's blade is naked and his hot words still ring in my ear."
The sorcerer seems no more cowed by the noblewoman's cold ire than he was by her servant's hot threats. Perceptive as she is, Tairin notices several things. First, there is an undercurrent that he may consider her talk of obligation to be rude. Which is why the sorcerer forebears mentioning that it was mostly by his arts that the spider did not eat her northern friend. This is tinged with wry amusement because it was her other servant and not Samir whose arrows hurt the beast.
Second, and perhaps more interesting, is that each time that Yeth-Kolsot speaks his manner and speech patterns shift. When speaking to her, his diction is that of a man of learning of Lamu. When asked arcane questions, he responds as a mad savant. When threatened, his voice is that of an angry sorcerer.
It could be that he is rather mutable in character, that he contains multitudes, or that he is fragmented into many pieces like a shattered amphora. Whatever the truth, the sorcerer's madness -- if he is mad -- and cunning seem to be related to how he is approached.
"I am the Yeth-Kolsot, Vessel of the Black Wind. Perhaps in my weakened state, your sword could dash me to pieces. But if you break the vessel, what it contains would spill out. You would be lost in the Black Wind, yapping dog. You would be blown out. Best not to beckon to the gods. Best not to ask of dreams and oracles if you fear their answers."
Samir's hand tightens on the sword hilt and his knuckles whiten as they do even as his eyes narrow.
While he had not drawn the blade, even so - the instinctive suspicion of the barbarian for those things of the supernatural realm welled inside of him.
To fall to steel in clean combat does not vex the mind of the wandering sell-sword; but the machinations of sorcery and the twisted realm of the dark places from whence those powers hearken from?
Such things are a place that causes a rumbling of unease when even contemplated, and worse reactions when confronted...
Tairin waved her hand as if to dismiss the notion of slaying the man they rescued not that long ago. As she was about to speak, the Lamuran stranger contested Samir's words,
Samir says nothing in response, his eyes still hard and laced with intense suspicion as he regards the man before him.
Then turning to Samir, she continued quietly, "There will be no talk of killing this man even if he has lost his wits and can not command his tongue. We know you have not bedded Red and I do not know what his mutterings foretell."
He nods his head to her.
"By your will, sayida," he adds with a nod of his head, his hand relaxing the grip on the hilt, yet still resting on it as he stares at Yeth.
"Sir, we have only be contracted to guard your esteemed personage for a week. If you must deem this man suitable, then take a day or two and then you may decide if he is to continue on and shall pay his wage as you do ours. We do not possess the prosperity or benevolence of a man such as yourself and we only seek a fair trade and recompense - service to you and yours for coin. We must each survive in this life." She gave a polite smile, hoping to sway the man into paying the Lamuran in due course.
"Pay you for a week? Oh yes; I had forgotten," he says with a dull yawn as if such details had been beneath him.
"Be it known that tomorrow we shall return to the Pleasure District for I have need of proper house slaves to staff this estate. Specifically a decent cook, perhaps a proper valet and at least a maid to attend to the daily nuances of the home itself."
"After all, man of my rank and title must demonstrate his presence with the appropriate appearances," he adds, with a somewhat condescending tone as he explains his reasoning.
During this conversation Daniya's eyes widen and she seems concerned about the idea of more people in the house - possibly concerned with more servants or slaves; though you are not sure why she would be or what prompts such concern...
"In any case, during the next week we shall agree to observe your companion; if he performs any skill of note during that time that impresses us then perhaps we shall tolerate his service, though he looks rather lean and sickly in my eyes... Nevertheless, that may change with time," he adds, then turns in his chair to address Sefu.
"See to it that a tally of his meals is made and the fees for his dining are computed and deducted from their pay."
He turns back to Tairin, her diplomatic wiles seeming to inspire him to reconsider things somewhat.
"While you see to the care of this one," he says with a nod to Yeth "I should inform you that you and your underlings have served me well thus far; therefore, if you continue to do so throughout the week in the same manner then I shall likely be tempted to improve your wages to reward you for your service..." he adds somewhat expansively.
Hiring servants or buying slaves is expensive; and its also expensive to pay for their feed and upkeep - not to mention offering you higher wages. Given what you know of Yetara, he's certainly tightfisted with money - odd that he's suddenly changed his opinion recently... Of course, it may be a coincidence; or perhaps a change of heart in which he's suddenly become far more charitable or kind? After all; what other reason could he have to be so generous? But more importantly, where did he find such funds?
You can't honestly see much of it; it's upside down to you across the table and the angle makes it hard to see anything but the cover.
However, it should be noted that while studying the cover you can manage to make out the letters are strange (if they are letters; it's possible the may be hieroglyphics or something of that nature).
You do recognize, however, additional writing on the cover synonymous with the writing from those of the lands of Taikang, though of course you cannot read it - but you've clearly seen similar writing on the cover of this book. That Yetara is reading a book with such letters which are found in the lands of Taikang on it may simply be a coincidence...
Although he wouldn't care to admit it, Talar was just as unsettled as Samir at the madman. The others talked like he was a known sorcerer, a controller of dark power. And he had not found reason to distrust them yet. Why would they toy with such dangers?
He deigns to keep his distance. Hopefully if the man went aggressive, he would have time to react before being targeted.
"Pay you for a week? Oh yes; I had forgotten," he says with a dull yawn as if such details had been beneath him.
Talar can't help but roll his eyes slightly. No wonder they don't see you as an ally. You treat them as inconveniences.
"Be it known that tomorrow we shall return to the Pleasure District for I have need of proper house slaves to staff this estate. Specifically a decent cook, perhaps a proper valet and at least a maid to attend to the daily nuances of the home itself."
For the first time during dinner Talar contributes to the conversation. "I actually have a little experience with cooking, but mainly I was just taught the basics to avoid poisoning the food and to make it edible." A smile threatens to tug at the corners of his lips. "Through trial and error, of course. I spent more than one night reaping the results of my efforts."
Standing right behind Tairin Bjoern can´t see her face, but intently looking on Yeth.
"Dream on, madman, and show respect or I will encourage you to behave!"
Showing a fist the size of a ham he adds. "And trust me the encouragement will sink in!"
Upon Tairins wink he will move back towards the wall but his strong fists do not uncurl, showing that he absolutely ready to follow his promise with action.
Patenemheb's eyes note Yetara, his deviousness, and his imperious affectations.
There will be much to discuss with my companions - after this meal.
And he recalls the matter of Yeth-Kolsot.
**************
Patenemheb watched the Lamuran carefully as he dueled with words.
Regardless, he sees a matter which must be tackled. Without rancour, he calmly states his mind.
"Yeth-Kolsot. You clearly have been blessed - or cursed - with considerable insight and no little power. To aid us with such is something we should appreciate. But to be too brazen with such could doom us all to a pyre lit by a howling mob. And as you will see later, those who do not respect allies, tend to have few."
The property is fairly large. Where will you be positioned during your watch duty specifically? When I know more about where you intend to be on watch and what (if any) path you intend to walk when you're on watch (like, are you standing at the gate; are you walking the grounds; are you sticking to just the front garden - what's the plan?) then I'll be able to better explain what - if anything - happens.
** spoiler omitted **
As you continue to walk the grounds your steps take you to the open courtyard near to the main gate. You see little in the dark (unless you are carrying a torch; or unless your company has ordered torches lit in the courtyard), but it is of little consequence.
Behind you, through the main entrance to the house, hear the sound a shrill scream - it is clearly a woman's voice, it may be Dayina, but you do not know.
"Get up! To the main house, now!" He roars through the night sky.
Your eyes flash open in the darkened room.
You notice that Red seems to be unmoved from her position when she had collapsed.
You are awake, what do you do?
You spring across the courtyard and rush up the stairs into the entrance of the main house into the foyer.
The foyer area is nearly dark for there were no lights lit inside the house, but you see on the opposite side of the dining room is an armed figure is moving.
He carries no torch that you can see and your instant assessment is that his eyes must be like those of The Cat, but even so, while he has a sword drawn in one hand you note that in his offhand a dagger is drawn and it seems to be coated in some sort of phosphorous which allows it to glow dimly.
In that dim light you cannot see his face for it is covered and he is wearing a dark cloak but upon seeing you on the opposite side of the dining room he elects to charge at you.
Talar starts letting the arrows fly. He knows he only has a moment before the man is upon him and the fight gets much harder.
Bjoern wakes up, still in his armor, very intent to only undue it to clean it or bath from now on and looks if Tairin heard the noise too!
"Mistress, are you awake?"
Patenemheb's eyes flick open at the sound.
With a firm note, he says:
"Farrokh! Rise and move to Talar's aid!"
As he speaks, he rises, seizes his staff, and begins to move towards the voice.
Yeth-Kolsot inclines his head graciously in recognition of Patenmheb's. "If no questions are asked, then my tongue shall be stilled. Be circumspect with your questions, and I shall do the same by not answering questions unasked. Respect is a marvel, but it does not spring from barked threats nor eager swords."
The sorcerer has little ability to distinguish dream from reality. Whether his blind eyes are closed or whether they are open, the world whispers its secrets on the wind. His hands reach for the blinding and fire powders he had placed next to him in case the witch had struck. He glances her way as he follows Patenmheb's footsteps.
Jolting awake at the sound of Talar's order to move to the main house, Tairin noted the stretching kitten. Collecting the tiny cat and placing it inside the shawl pouch about her neck, Tairin picked up her weapons and followed the others out of the servants quarters; her steps/movement more stealthy in case there was trouble closer to them. Tairin keenly gazed about her then listened to determine what had caused Talar to raise warning.
Farrokh grabs his sword as he swings up and rushes to the outside of the servants quarters following Tairin, but not so far that he leaves Paten behind.
Bjeorn remains standing and is able to hear trouble, but has not yet advanced as he listens.
You believe that there is the sounds of fighting in the house; you're not sure, but you think that you hear swords clashing from inside the house.
Yeth rises and glances to the witch - she has not moved from the position you saw her when she fell unconscious when looking at the stone...
As you rush to the house you think you hear noises and the sounds of trouble coming from the upstairs chambers through the open window... It seems there may be multiple issues with trouble in various places other than simply the dining hall.
Samir sleeps unarmored and as he rises he grabs his blade and double moves across the courtyard to move himself between Tairin and a possible threat.
Drawing his blade he steps before Tairin. "There is batle close!"
Patenemheb slips out into the courtyard, seeking the foe.
Yeth Kolsot follows cautiously along; his intuition screaming.
"Bjoern, come, the danger isn't here!" she whispered to her body guard.
With a weapon in each hand, Tairin moved with discretion/stealth to the path leading to the stairs and up through the front doors into the foyer, where she could see Talar standing.
Your arrows missed; though the first arrow slammed into the armor of the man before it collapsed to the ground. In short; you think that if it weren't for the armor the enemy is wearing, he would have taken the damage - thus, you just missed - but just barely...
The enemy sees Talar step back into the foyer and advances via a five-foot step and attacks -
As the enemy deals his attack a sudden sound startles the party as figure charges out of the garden to rush at Bjeorn...
At this you also hear a furious crash come from one of the upper windows facing the courtyard and the sound of steel clashing against steel - amidst this noise you hear the shriek of what you assume to be Daniya - loud and piercing...
As he is charged Bjoern looks down on the stupid man who attacked him. Unslinging his shield he attacks of his own taking a step aside and thrusting his sword into the man's shoulder.
A diversion! Of course.
Patenemheb turns to his right.
"Farrokh! Come with me upstairs! There is no time to waste!"
And jogs for the front door of the manse.
Talar catches one blade on his shoulder armor, then ducks the second one. Teeth bared he dances back and fires two arrows again!
Unfurling her scorpion whip, Tairin flicks her wrist and aims the barbed end at the threat/man before Talar, hoping to down the man once and for all and then rush to see to Daniya.
Yeth-Kolsot begins his quavering song as he unravels a small red piece of fabric. Each string turns into a wisp of smoke that solidifies into the form of a bat.
The arrow and lash of Tairin and Talar manage to drop the enemy to the ground with a shriek of pain.
The man outside suffers under the stroke of Bjeorn, but he still stands.
However, upon hearing Yeth-Kolsot's casting he cries out in a loud voice -
"Ware, ware - the apostate has employed another heretic..."
Then he turns and does a full withdrawal to M:12.
At that there is a heavy crash and a shrouded figure comes tumbling through the window to land in a broken heap on P:5.
Above him is the broken lattice once covering the window - you can make a dimly lit room above that you know to be Daniya's and the sounds of combat can be heard from that place.