None shall pass. The guard says, holding out his hand.
Rhoekk, with ryland backing him up, grasps the man's outstretched hand, and twists. Before the guard can do more than gasp, Rhoekk slams the heel of his hand into the man's jaw with bone jarring force. The impact makes in audible crack, as teeth are jammed together with more force than they are used to. The guard groans, pain overwhelming his consciousness, and slumps to the ground, unconscious.
Ryland, seeing the other guard distracted from Rhoekks sudden assault, hurls himself boldly into the guard. The guard, unprepared for the attack, is slammed hard into the doors he was guarding. The doors, barred with a slim wooden rod, splinters open from the momentum of the charge, causing both Ryland and the guard to fall to the stone walkway.
Rhoekk hurries after Ryland, snapping a kick to the guards face as the guard attempts to restrain Ryland.
We must hurry before resistance is gatheredRhoekk says, helping Ryland to his feet.
A pat on the shoulder and a grunt from Ryland is all the affirmation Rhoekk needs before moving quickly, away from this stronghold.
The two men hurry out of the open courtyard, sprinting for the cover of the masses, a large body of people huddled outside the Children's property, trying to see what has occurred to warrant such destruction.
While Ryland is able to blend in with the masses, Rhoekk's sheer height, and his origin make him an obvious target.
Quickly. the Inn. It is over there. Rhoekk shouts to Ryland, forced to raise his voice over the bleating crowd. Ryland nods, and begins to shoulder his way towards the inn, cursing the people for standing between him and his friend, Fiallian.
A growl erupts from Rylands mouth, one akin to a wolfs growl. Louder than the crowd, louder than what can come from a man's throat, this growl cuts through the noise, cowing the masses into silence.
A single word he speaks, one to facilitate movement through a crowded space on a dusty day, heat and dust parching his throat whilst he searches for her
The crowd moves, a path is formed for him and rhoekk. The people nearest him shy away in fear. Those that meet his eyes are taken aback from the sheer ferocity that stares back. A man does not look at them, something else, something out of legend. Although wolflords are common in this area, none have held the ability to personify the wolf in millenia.
More of a growl than a spoken statement, Ryland barks at Rhoekk Let's go, and takes off running.
Hustling up to the inn, the pair see the bodies of injured people laying upon the ground. Children move about them, looking at the bodies, searching. Some bend down and render aide to those that were injured, while others simply speak to people.
The waft of a slight breeze catches Rylands nose.
She was here. There Pointing to the ground, a red stain the only proof of someone being in that spot.
Skirting the crowd, Rhoekk and Ryland are able to get closer to the dark red stain. Crouching to a person who lays next to the red stain, Ryland gives a show of helping, yet inhales deeply, hoping to catch her scent. At first, the influx of multiple scents is too much, but then, he picks hers out. Faint, yet bold, just like her. Sweeping his head back and forth, he picks out her path. Through there He motions, and bounds up to his feet, leaping over people and hurries through the door, knowing Rhoekk will follow.
Inside, more injured, but Ryland doesnt see. He sees the scent, it is fresh, she is close. The stairs. A human tool to go up inside a human building. She has used them. Rushing to the stairs, he climbs, fast. She has stood here, not 2 minutes ago. And the others. The one that hurls fire and calls lightning, and the timid one, the b*+%$.
Inhale
The scent path has been crossed. another joins the group. His scent mixes with the fire caller.
inhale
Her smell is fresher this way. He steps towards the back of the hallway.
inhale
down the stairs
inhale
the four scents mingle in the stairway
inhale
pass this door
inhale
they diverge inside the kitchen, and converge upon this side door
inhale
she is close.
Unable to restrain himself, another deep, powerful bark erupts from Rylands lips
Tearing open the door, Ryland rounds the corner, and sees her, at the bottom of the stairs, staring up at him. Her eyes, large, searching, kind, a kindred spirit. One who understands and doesnt judge.
Leaping down the stairs, Ryland rushes up to Fia and grasps her in a hug, holding her tight to him, with bone-crushing force. He is content, he has found her.
"Fialain! Are the others with you? We must find our way back to the pillar as soon as possible; we need to leave this world!"
Fiallain winces as the large borderlander threatens to crush her in his embrace. The woman is a mess, her clothing torn and her hair a bloody tangle. She breaks out into a wide grin though, one of genuine pleasure and relief as she fiercely squeezes Ryland back, her typical Aiel reserve set aside however briefly.
I see you, Ryland of Fal Dara. I am happy that you are well and back with us.
Disentangling herself, she peers over Ryland's shoulder and gives Rhoeek a big grin. I see you as well, Rhoekk. I am glad that you are safe and that I was not needed to come rescue you after that little excitement. The others are just behind me in the next room. You are right. The sooner we leave this place the better. There is a man with the others who may help us. We should go and speak with them."
Ryland nods his head, the wolf brother grinning like a loon. "I see you also Fia."
The Boarderlander's smile fades, a darkness seeming to creep across his face, as he looks at the Aiel woman's wounds. "How did this happen? Who did this to you?"
"It is nothing much. I think I must have been clobbered by debris when they started blowing up the walls behind us. The others were hurt worse. They tried to kill Alathea in the questionings, I assume because they found out what she can do. The ashaman had his legs broken by the explosion. I think Alathea has healed him though. We are alright, but we should put distance between us and this place." Fia explains quickly to the men as she lead them over to the rest of the companions.
"Absolutely. I can carry anyone who might still be injured."
Well, blood and ashes. I am so happy for this litte reunion to be happening now, but in about one minute, a bunch of those Children will be busting into this building, ready to do damage to any woman who channeled. Matt says, emerging from the shadows.
Rhoekk, your eyes flash at this movement, and silently berate yourself that you hadnt seen the wetlander until he moved.
Walking to the back of the basement, next to a wine cask, he puts his hand up, and pushes gently. The front of the wine cask opens up, revealing a dark corridor with stairs going down. The dank smell of mold, mildew, foetid air intermingles with the stench of human and animal waste.
I am sorry, but this is the only way to go. The Children have WolfLords working for them, ones who have a predisposition of hating those that defy the Children. The smell is enough to mask our scent.
Reaching into his pocket, he withdraws out a small bag.
This cost me a small fortune...he mutters to himself as he reaches in and pinches off some of the fine powder.
Walking up to the stairs, he sprinkles the stuff upon the stairs and the floor, and also tosses a bit up in the air.
A very faint hint of vinegar begins to linger in the air; the scent causing your nose to wrinkle from its cloying scent.
Walking past the group, Matt motions, Please, go down the tube, down the stairs, and wait for me in the large tunnel. I need to close this properly.
Rhoekk nods to Ryland to guard the rear and then advances down into the tunnel first.
Wrinkling her nose, Fia steps cautiously after Rhoekk, senses alert.
Ryland's eyes narrow and a low growl escapes the Boarderlander after the man throws the dust into the air. "What did you just do?"
Kodo nods at Mat's words, entering the tunnel behind Fia.
Just a home remedy, friend. Something that nullifies a wolflord's tracking ability. Please, go follow your friends Matt motions to Ryland, urging him to go down the tunnel.
Going down the tunnel and the stairs, you walk out into a wider tunnel, one where the filth of the city is pooled and ebbs slowly about, along wide channels cut within the bedrock of the city. Lumps of waste and refuse float along the top of this horrendous sight.
Looking up and around, you see multiple off shoots from this main tunnel, some small, no bigger than your thigh. Others large enough to crawl in.
Spaced every 100 feet is a ladder made of iron bars cemented within the sewer walls. Next to each ladder is a small brass plaque, with lettering engraved upon its surface, reading of the street name up above.
Looking over everyone, Matt speaks up. Now for the disgusting part. As you look on, he leaps into the refuse river of sludge and excrement. A sickening plop sound issues from the river, making you involuntarily shudder.
I know. I threw up for a week after the first time i leaped in. But no WolfLord nor Sniffer can track us in this. And we have a long way to go. So please, lets hurry.
Alathea wrinkles her nose slightly, but shows little other reaction to the stench of the sewers. She follows along quietly, chastised by the fact that her actions led to the necessity of this expedition. She steals a glance at Kodokura. But how long would it have been before Kodokura could walk again, much less move without pain?
When Matrim stops and plunges into the sewage, Alathea frowns, but shrugs off Kodokura's black coat. Holding it above her head, she wades in after him, unconcerned with modesty. "I will try to keep your coat in good condition, Kodokura," she explains. "This smell is not too bad, at least not to one who grew up on a farm with pigs. But it is not a smell I want to keep, yes?"
Fort sv DC 15:
Fort sv DC 18:
Ryland remains silent as the trudge through the tunnels. The wolf lord shaking his head like a wolf with a mouth full of bees as he looks at the river of filth. "Blood and ashes man! I may need more of your home remedy after we get out of here."
As Mat jumps into the disgusting river of human waste, Kodo feels his gorge rise, but clamps his jaw shut, swallowing hard. He begins to protest at Alathea's concern over his asha'man jacket, but his words die on his lips as she wades into the filth. Sighing, he follows.
What care have I for that jacket, or my once cherished pins? What do they represent to one such as me, except loss and pain. Still, her concern is genuine, and I would not diminish that.
"Is there anything down here we should be wary of, Cauthon?" Kodokura enquires.
As she makes her way down the tunnel, Fiallain begins to gradually slow and finally to uncharacteristically lag towards the back of the group. The stench of the sewer was getting thicker with each step, and it was beginning to become overwhelming.
I wish my head would stop throbbing... I must have been hurt worse than I thought... and now my stomach is joining in. Light! the smell is enough to make me want to go back and take my chances with the children!
She pauses at the junction, pale faced... and grows paler as Matt plops into the river of sewage. Fighting hard to keep the contents of her stomach she closes her eyes and turns her head from the sight, then reaches for her knife and unsheathes it. She was fighting hard also to keep her anger down. A perceived weakness was not something she tolerated in herself - especially when it threatened to slow her or her companions down.
Bending, she rips and slices a long strip from off her skirt. Straightening, she grits her teeth as Alathea enters behind Matt. If you sick up now, you'll be shamed in front of them all. Get a hold of yourself, woman! This is nothing! With a grunt, she covers her nose and mouth with the strip of cloth and ties it off behind her head then steps forward grimly to follow the others, despite her stomach's threatened rebellion.
Kodo completely ignores the Aiel's discomfort, assuming that her pride or honour would likely be offended by such acknowledgement. Instead, he remarks to no one in particular, "I hope we get where we're going soon. I'm not sure my stomach can take much more of this."
Ryland growls as he continues to move through the filth. "I would rather fight all of the children behind us than do this again. The end better be soon."
Fia peers suspiciously ahead for a moment at the two men then shakes her head. "Let's just get this over with", she growls as she follows in their wake. "Just tell me that wherever we're going has a sweat-tent, or at least one of your wetlander baths."
walking through the trough of sewage, Matt leads you in a general direction to the west. With the tunnels ending, he is forced to take you left, right, and left again, as you proceed to the west.
After a while, the smell just becomes a minor annoyance, especially when you breathe too deeply, forcing you to hack and cough from the sudden influx of noxious fumes.
Ah, here we are Matt says to no one in particular.
Stepping out of the river, he grasps an iron wrung and climbs up towards street level.
Pausing, he motions all of you to remain still and silent. Seeing everyone stop moving, he pops the lid up and glances about. Setting the lid back in place, he climbs down the ladder.
alright, we have to be fast. There is always a patrol of the Children around here, and i think we have less than a minute. Here is the plan. We climb up this ladder, and make for the narrow alley. In the alley is a large water trough. Jump in there and get your feet clean, enough to wash off the filth that will trail behind us when we go up and onto the road.
After that, we head to the back of the building, and enter the rear of the property and head to the stables. From there we will be able to plan our next move, along with cleaning off this filth. Questions?
Fiallain shakes her head in response to Matt's query, signaling her understanding of his plan. She was more than ready to say farewell to these tunnels!
Kodokura nods at Mat's instructions, readying himself for the dash. Thank the Light Alathea Healed me when she did. I'd never be able to do this with a broken leg.
"No questions."
Alathea nods as she listens to Matrim's plan. After he finishes, she asks, "Shall we all go at once, or one at a time?"
Nodding, Matt turns and climbs the ladder. He slowly lifts the cover up, and then stands erect.
What the... he says in a questioning tone.
Pushing the cover out of the way, he climbs out and motions you to come up.
CLimbing out of the sewers, your eyes are blinded by the bright sunlight. Blinking rapidly to adjust, you are about the make a run for the alley when you notice something odd about you.
You look around, and notice that it is quiet. There are no people around you. Anyone who had been walking this road not moments before are no longer there. The Children are seen at the end of the street, watching the crowd go past. No one seems to be looking into the street, no one is standing on the street.
Ummmm...let's go. Matt mutters as he helps Kodokura up and out of the hole. Taking a moment to replace the cover, he leads you into the alley and to the water trough.
As if on cue, the sounds of people walking about, talking, merchants shouting, children playing all begin to grow in volume as people begin to walk upon the street again.
Matt shakes his head, turns, and leads you to the back alley, turns left, and lifts a latch found upon a wooden door set within a stone wall. Walking in, you see a small exercise yard, dirt covered, with a horse let loose to roam. Skirting the edge of the yard, he ducks into the stable, with you all following him.
I dont know what happened back there, but im not going to begin to question it now. We are lucky that whatever that was, it worked out for us. Now, lets get cleaned up. There is a pump at the back of the stable. The water is cold, but itll clean off this filth. After that, there is a stash of clean clothes up in the hayloft. Unfortunately, we will have to burn our clothes, because these are now useless, there is no way to get the smell of sewage out of these clothes.
Ryland growls as he moves behind Matt. "Or my nose."
"Ugh. It was horrid enough for my nose... I don't want to think about what it was like for you, Ryland."
When they reach the yard, Fia quickly scouts the immediate surroundings, ensuring they are truly safe and alone and then wastes little time stripping and washing the filth off.
Still careful to hold Kodokura's coat away from the filth that covers her, Alathea follows Matrim out of the sewers. Although she moves as quickly and quietly as she can, she cannot help but crane her neck to try and catch a glimpse of whatever might have distracted the Children. The Light must be shining upon us!
Carefully setting Kodokura's coat to the side, Alathea ducks under the pump's spout and washes herself clean. Shivering from her nakedness and the cold water, she looks longingly towards the hayloft and the promised clothing, but stays to pump water for her friends. Once they've finished, she retrieves the black coat and offers it to Kodokura. With a sly smile, she says, "You should put on your coat, Kodokura. We do not want you catching cold, yes?"
Ryland blushes and turns away as Fia and Alathea remove the filth from thier bodies. "I will stand watch until you are all through."
If Alathea's smirk for Kodokura's nudity had been subtle, her smile for Ryland's discomfort is anything but. "You are not embarrassed, Ryland? Surely you have seen a woman without clothing before, yes?"
Hearing Alathea, Fia turns to look over her shoulder then breaks out into a grin. "I do not know why he should be embarrassed, Alathea. Surely he is not ill? Truly, I had no idea wetlander men could turn the same shade as the Chaendaer when the sun rises! This cannot be good!" Her grin widens until she breaks out in chuckles.
Ryland coughs and sputters as he moves away from the women and draws his sword to guard the approach to the wash area.
Kodo moves with Mat out into the street, keeping a watchful eye out as the group moves swiftly into concealment.
When everybody has reached the momentary safety of the stable, Kodo wastes no time stripping off his filthy garments and washing the disgusting sewage from his body. As he finishes up cleaning himself, he spends a brief moment looking at first Alathea, then Fia, with frank admiration - years of sharing the Shienaran baths with women of every age an rank has instilled in him a comfortable enjoyment of the naked female form.
However, underlying his outward objective appreciation of the women is a hopeless detachment and disinterest. The vast emptiness inside him, the hollow left by his gentling, remains a constant companion.
Still, he looks to Alathea as she approaches, compelled to watch her as she moves towards him despite his inner turmoil. In answer to her bold words and cheeky smirk, he gives an answering smile, saying, "Please, keep it for now. For Ryland's sake, at least." Again, there is a twinge of terrible melancholy lurking just behind his light words.
Rhoekk waits until all the others have bathed, standing watch towards the outside while the others are vulnerable. On another occasion, he would have taken every advantage of the chance to observe Fiallain at cleansing, there were more important factors here; not that he didn't get a quick eyeful before moving on of course.
When the others are done and someone replaces him at watch, he strips down without shame, and washes himself thoroughly, without shivering. The man is just as muscular as his frame would imply, and the surface of his hard muscles are cut with scars everywhere, that seem to criss-cross over just about every inch of his body.
When he is done he looks through the wetlander clothes looking for some that might fit him, and things in the drab colours he is used to.
I will have to fashion new Cadin'sor myself if we cannot get out of this world soon.
I apologize that these are not the traditional Caidon'sor that you proudly wear, yet there is an extra dark shirt that you can convert into a Shoufa, Rhoekk. Matt says, addressing Rhoekks grimace at having to wear wetlander clothes.
Staring plainly at the nude Fiallain, his face showing no concern for looking at a naked woman, he continues.
As for you, wise one, i do not have any wool skirts or blouses, only plain cotton. I feel that Rhoekk would be able to get away with his garb and shoufa, but you will stand out wearing traditional Wise one garments. Although... He trails off, walking further into the hay pile. His hands cast about, unseen, until
AH-HAH! I knew he'd leave this with me Matt exclaims, pulling out several filled skins. Taking a long pull from one, he says simply Delicious before tossing a bag to both Fia and Rhoekk.
Taking a drink yourselves, you immediately recognize the drink asOosquai.
Alathea smiles at Kodokura's words, but this time it seems a bit forced. He is trying to pretend that nothing is wrong. I shall have to speak to him away from these others. But she only shrugs and slings his coat over her shoulder. "As you will," she calls over her shoulder as she turns to the hayloft.
Alathea doesn't search long before choosing a homespun farmwife's dress and matching leggings and dresses herself, but keeps an eye on Kodokura as she does so.
"I am Blood Dancer."
Fia shows no discomfort at the men's stares and glances as she cleans herself, and in turn watches them as openly and unabashedly as they do her. Her eyes especially observe as Ryland washes. From the grins she's obviously attempting (and failing) to hide, you'd guess she may be trying to see just how bright a shade of pink the poor man might turn.
In the hayloft, she grins with genuine pleasure at Matt as she catches the bag, sniffs its contents, and then takes a good sip. "Oosquai! I have not tasted it since I ran out not long after crossing the spine. How did you come by it?" Setting the bag reverently aside for the moment, she steps forward and rummages through the clothes. "Cotton will do for now... though you are mistaken. I am not a Wise One yet, but only an apprentice." The last is a bit muffled as she pulls on a blouse and then skirt in drab, unassuming colors and style.
Kodo rummages through the clothes in the hayloft, his face carefully composed. He finds the most nondescript clothes of decent quality - those of a commoner, though neither poor nor well-to-do, in the dark colours favoured by the Cairhienin. Now that the act of washing is done he does his best to keep the dressing women out of his line of sight.
When dressed he turns to the enigmatic Cauthon. "What's the plan from here on, man?" he asks.
"We must find that out were that pillar is located in this world and then find a way to visit it safely. If we are to serve the Car'a'carn, we must get back to him!"
Taking a pull from the bag, Matt says We go west. To the spine. There you all will be safe. The hard part will be leaving the city. Everyone is checked, and double checked. Then we have to deal with patrols. They appear out of nowhere, and force you to stop for inspection. They are looking for any type of 'greal. But sometimes they will inspect the women, a most horrendous business. They call it inspect, but its more like forcing themselves upon the women. And if any woman resists, then they are brought back here for questioning. Any men who defend the women are brought back for questioning. So, we have to be hopeful that we dont get stopped.
Taking another pull, he continues But the important piece is the first step. How to get you 5 out the gates without drawing attention to you....