Nodding and beginning her walk to the infirmary. Unsure if she wants to finally be free of her burden or horrified at the idea. Foot falls are still so loud and Brinn is so heavy.
Getting to the infirmary and staring blankly around while still holding the bloodied dead Brinn.
With a nod, Inam slowly follows Kallik.
Will this be our fate after all? Are we all to perish in this quest? As long as Volcano is revered, it'd be worth it I suppose considers the sylph as she stumbles through the hallways.
Stopping involuntarily behind the oread, lost in thought, she doesn't notice they've arrived.
So Khong says nothing.
You retrace your steps to the infirmary on the third tier of the Temple. You take nearly the same path you did when Ibinu, Inam, Kallik, and...Brinn came to question Sophia, the other guard on duty in the basement.
Through the narrow hallways, the sounds and smells of pain and sickness are the same as before, but seem to take on a sinister tone with a dead companion in your midst. In the sanctuary far below sing those filled with exaltation and hope, but hidden in dark recesses whisper those that are slowly dying and forever dead. Which ones speak with Volcano's true voice?
So Khong stops at a T-intersection. He points to the right. "Inquisitor, take the guard down this hallway; he will be located next to the other guard that was saved today. We will join you momentarily."
Not waiting for an answer, he turns to Kallik, Inam, and Ibinu. "You knew him but briefly, but he means something to you. Is there anything you wish to do or say before the morticians take him? Would you prefer to be present later today when his body is consumed?"
Jolting out of her numb state by So Khongs question and putting Brinn in one of the bed. Looking up at the Inquisitor and nodding, "Yes. I want to be there."
With eyes glazed over, quite deep in her own mind, she nods dumbly as the oread answer So Khong. Blinding continuing to follow the creature of chiseled stone.
Brinn has been off these last couple days. What spooked him? Could I have done anything else...could I have saved him if my faith was more secure?! Did he die because of my failings??
Interesting, if I was believing in gods,I would almost say this is another way to be petty for my refusal. Crosses Ibinu's mind as he follows the others keeping his hand near his falcata.
So Khong nods to Kallik's words and Inam's muted response. "I will ensure that you are made aware of the time and place of the ritual." He takes Brinn's spear, and heads back down the hallway toward Trinh and Lui.
After the inquisitor leaves, a pale-looking ifrit with sunken yellow eyes steps toward Brinn's corpse. He bows to all of you, and says, "Those who die in the service of Volcano are honored here, no matter their religion." As if this statement somehow makes the situation better, he walks away and starts wheeling a cart toward the corpse, likely to transport it elsewhere.
Trinh, you do not know Lui especially well, but he has accompanied you a few times in the past. The impression you have is that of a level-headed, brave soldier of Volcano. Therefore, it comes as a surprise when Lui roughly grabs you by the shoulder and urgently whispers, "Did you hear them, Mistress? Did you hear what they said?" You hardly get a chance to ask him what he is talking about when So Khong enters the room, and Lui lets go of you. There is a brief, pleading look in his eyes, then he casts his eyes downward.
So Khong, an undine easily in the last quarter of his life span, looks strange holding the spear that so recently belonged to Brinn. His deeply lined face creases further as he frowns. "I sincerely hope no reports were being made without all concerned personages present." He gaze flicks to Lui, but settles on Trinh, as if she is the one ultimately responsible for the guard's conduct.
"Tell me the nature of the wounds you received, inquisitor. Spare no detail."
"You have my thanks." Staring at the cart but turning to follow So Khong without any promoting or spoken words. Tapping both Inam and Ibinu to signal that they should come with as well.
Inam looks up at Kallik's touch. "Huh?...Oh, yeah."
Turning away from her fallen friend, she follows the stone shaped entity from the room.
The inquisitor's gaze shifts as Ibinu, Inam, and Kallik enter the room. "If it were up to me, I would not answer your question, acolyte. However, I..." he grimaces, as if swallowing a bitter brew, "defer to these three, who seem to openly flaunt the idea of intelligently guarded secrets." Glaring at Ibinu, So Khong says, "Well? Will you insist on telling everyone you happen upon the details of who and what you are? Or will you see the wisdom in preventing the unnecessary dissemination of valuable knowledge?"
Snapping her head up to look So Khon dead in the eyes, her sorrow replaced with fury. "I have told you before I will not tell a lie. And thus far, I've not spewed any of your precious SECRETS!"
The feathered animal perched on her shoulder squawks loudly as the sylphs sudden movements toss the bird from its perch. Tearing at her shoulder with it's taloned feat as it flutters a few feet away.
"Mac soith!. Blushing suddenly as she realizes what she'd just done, she looks down at her feet, mumbling "Uh, apologies high inquisitor. Been...been a rough day. Undine, it was Volcanos will for us to aid you."
Turning away she adds, "...at a cost though."
Glaring up at So Khong and opening her mouth to speak but Inam lets her fury be known first. He is petty like a child.
Shaking her head and then leveling her glare at So Khong again, "You should be lucky that we are not as foolish as you seem to think we are. Also any attempt we would have made at discretion was just destroyed by your flaunting words."
Ibinu grins insolently and then draws his falcata and leans on it as if it were a pole in the ground. Sometimes, silence is more effective as an answer.
So Khong cocks an eyebrow, but the rest of his worn face remains impassive. "The mere existence of secrets is no revelation, particularly to one already within the Temple. Only the stupidly curious or those who consider the mindless regurgitation of information to be a virtue would be a liability in this circumstance. I trust you are neither, inquisitor."
The grim undine turns to Trinh. "Now that we are all here, inquisitor, I will ask you again: what was the nature of the wounds you received? I find them...interesting."
"No, inquisitor, it is not 'normal'. Perhaps the guard's testimony will reveal more." He frowns toward Lui, who is now reclining on a bed with his broken leg at a sickening angle. "Describe what occurred."
Lui's young, earnest face turns to Trinh again, just for a split-second. Then, he looks to So Khong and tells his brief tale.
"Well, uh, sir, Sophia and I were escorting Mistress Trinh through the first and second sub-levels, just some routine checking of the prisoners, seeing perhaps if any of them were ready to repent of their ways."
"On our way back up, we were back on the first sub-level, and had locked the door behind us. Sophia went ahead of us to unlock the door and make sure the way was clear. I heard the door clank open, then I heard Sophia scream." He gulps, and pauses a moment to take a deep breath.
"Before I had a chance to run toward the sound, several darkspawn all rushed out of one cell that I swear was empty but a few minutes ago. My first thought was to protect Mistress Trinh..." He coughs, and blushes a little. "I may have been a bit overzealous...I pushed her into a cell...perhaps a bit too hard...I believe she was knocked out from the impact."
So Khong takes a step forward. "That is of no consequence. How did you survive?"
Lui winces, and his hand drifts toward his snapped leg. Something none of you noticed previously: there is a wrapping--ripped from his other pant leg--around his lower leg, which is nearly soaked through with blood.
With a twitch of annoyance, So Khong places a dark blue hand near Lui's injury and barks, "愈合!" Blissful relief floods the guard's expression.
"Grazie, High Inquisitor. A larger darkspawn, say the size of a pogona, rushed forward and slammed me into the wall, doing this." He indicates his leg. "One of its claws, blades," his hand rolls as he searches for the right term, "whatever...went through my foot."
His face turns blank, as if he is distancing himself from his own words. "It started to turn black. Some kind of poison, I suppose. I didn't want to die, so I...I cut it off."
In a dull voice, he continues, "I don't know what happened at that point. My shield started blazing with a strong red light, and the spawn ran from it. By the time these warriors arrived," he faintly smiles at Ibinu, Kallik, and Inam, "the light was gone and I was about to pass out from blood loss. You all saved my life, and that of Mistress Trinh's."
So Khong remains silent a moment. "Your blood sacrifice and your bravery must have given you a short-lived protection against the darkspawn. Interesting."
He turns to Trinh again. "And you? It does not seem that you found it necessary to carve into your flesh, despite taking wounds."
Ibinu listens but says nothing
Listening to the tale as the story unfolds, Inam looks over to the undines wounds.
Intriguing...is she actually a dark spawn? Or did Volcano spare her? Why would He see fit to spare her and the guard, but not Brinn??
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Ibinu shifts almost imperceptibly so that he is facing bian a bit more. If she is tainted I will kill he quickly before we become friends. It will save us both pain.
So Khong takes two long strides to Bian, invading her personal space. Bang is agitated for a moment, but moves back under the inquisitor's glare - his eyes hold the merciless, unblinking patience of a crocodile, almost less elen than the snake.
Tonelessly, as if reading from a dull book, So Khong recites, "Vulcanus vobiscum, acolyte." His dry hands hold onto Bian's for a moment, perhaps a benediction. Briefly, Bian feels some small metal object on her palm, but the sensation is gone as soon as it came.
Then, Bian falls to the floor.
Then, as abruptly as it started, the attack stops. You breathe the sour-medicine air of the infirmary, and it is surely heaven.
The rest of you see Bian fall to the floor and make a few weak gagging noises. Bang twines and coils around Bian's legs, clearly in distress.
So Khong watches, saying nothing.
"Congratulations, acolyte. The dead undine's heart-blood must have passed the blessing on to you. You are immune to infection by the Dark. As ever, Volcano provides."
Crossing her arms and forcing herself no to yell at the High Inquisitor. Nice to know that if I die on someone then they get to take my place in this. That is so nice of Volcano.
Letting her hands fall to her side and a few quick steps bring to stand over Bian. Extending a hand to help her up, "You have my condolences."
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Glad you made it...seemsing I let all in on secrets all the time...here's one you should know..So the High Inqui has no manners. Maybe that is the "secret" he really doesn't want out yet.
the words flit off the tongue of the tall slyph leaning on his sword.
So Khong shrugs. "Perhaps the personal narratives of these three will provide perspective on the situation. I will fill in any relevant information that they neglect." He stiffly walks over to Lui. With surprising gentleness, he begins redressing his wounds in fresh bandages.
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hmm I can't tell you mine His holy hotness' Inqi has told me I tell all secrets. I stand humbled Ibinu states with an over abundance of sarcasm.
Sucking in a breath and slowly letting it out. Shooting Ibinu a glare over her shoulder before facing Bain again. Staring at Bian for longer than might be comfortable before saying in a flat tone, "Honestly we opened a box."
"There was a white stone that was absorbed into the four of us, and then pass..." Frowning a looking down before meeting Bian's gaze again, passed on to you. This stone gives us the immunity to darkspawn."[/b]
Shrugging, "These abilities were granted very easily. Though we are told that the stone is rather rare which is why there are not that many like us. As you why we were down there. That was the Inquisitors version of training."
Leaning on the guisarme, "Our weapons were blessed, something you might need, and then with nothing else like information or practice we were sent below."
Looking back at So Khong, "Do that about sum it up?"
Frowning at So Khong, Inam glances over to Kallik as he recalls the information. Nodding, she turns to Bian.
"That more or less sums it up. I myself will gladly give my life in service of Volcano..." Trailing off, she looks among her friends. ...My companions may need other convincing, though they seem to be willing to aid us so far....one has paid for it more than the rest."
Why did you need to take him Volcano? Why such a pleasant heart...
Sighing, she adds "I suppose you are to join us now, whether you like it or not. In case we failed to introduce ourselves properly...I'm Inam, that's Ibinu, Etrah is my spiritual advisor, and that, my friend is Stoneface."
In response to Kallik's question, So Khong says, without looking up, "As accurate as is necessary. The stone is called white obsidian." The inquisitor pulls the bandage tight, making Lui wince.
So Khong stands up, his frail form held erect through willpower alone. He holds his simple holy symbol--the red triangle of Volcano--aloft and mutters in High Ifrit, "Calor Vulcunus" The symbol glows a soft red, and the warmth of a cheery bonfire on a cold night suffuses the room.
"You all appear to be in working order, and as," he glances at Ibinu through hooded eyes, "spirited as ever. Any remaining darkspawn must be cleared out of the basement. Then we shall converse further."
He offers Brinn's spear to Trinh. "I do not know if the spear's enchantment will function for you. There is considerable mystery surrounding your circumstances. However, if you have need of a more powerful weapon, Volcano may smile upon you."
thanks for helping us physically feel good, I hope you can do atleast that much with the spiritual needs of your congregation. Well, now that the intro is finished...on with the epic....dunh duhn duhn. But first we must gather the promised supplies.Ibinu trumps up sardonically. Then with a mocking courtsey to So, Lead on my drab fellow lead on.
"You would do well to follow your fellow sylph's example." He nods his head toward Inam. "She knows to focus on the intangible, rather than the material concerns that captive your interest so."
You are all getting used to traveling a long distance to get anywhere in the labyrinthine Temple, so it comes as somewhat of a surprise that So Khong leads you a few turns before he stops. You are somewhere in-between the critical care wards and the morgue.
The inquisitor stops in front of a strange, ivory-toned door. For those who know of such things, it is made of the same sylph-ceramic as the bridge that spans the hottest part of the Steam Slums. There is a rush of cold, bitter air as So Khong opens the door.
Nestled in a cocoon of glassware and tubing is a sylph so pale that his skin seems translucent. You can see a fine tracery of veins of his face and hands, though much of his body is covered by a traditional alchemist's coat. He is hunched over a glass vial no larger than a child's finger, dripping tiny drops of red liquid into it, one at a time.
Corpse-blue eyes flick up. A high, wheezing voice, as if struggling for breath, says, "Yes, High Inquisitor? Of what service may I be?"
So Khong puts his hands behind his back. "I require your current stock of healing potions."
A pause. The sylph's blue, blue eyes dart around the room, as if asking the flasks for advice. A reedy laugh, or perhaps a cough. "My life is but to serve, Inquisitor. Forgive me, it shall be but a moment to retrieve."
Carefully, he caps the small vial and rests the dropper on the table. He scuttles around the tubes and benches with the ease of long repetition, farther back into the laboratory.
Eyeing the poor excuse for an elen, she remarks "What has he done to deserve such a dwelling?"
Peering into the darkness, she attempts to see further. Does he ever leave this room? What in Volcano's name was he doing with the dropper? Was that blood?
Inquisitively, she looks to her guide. The fowl, oblivious to her concerns, rests peacefully on her shoulder; head buried in its feathers.
"ARE YOU SLEEP?!" Exclaims the sylph...Etrah meets her gaze with but a brief glare before the tiny eyes close again.
Alchemists of true power tend to sequester themselves giving all to the craft. I would propose he is one.
The sylph skulks back into view, bearing a small wooden chest tucked between his arm and chest. "The current inventory was quite low, Your Mercy. Inquisitor Ly Tri was here but an hour ago, and she requisitioned much of my stock. As you know, it takes time to-"
"Enough. No explanation is necessary. You have done what is required of you. I expect there will be another consignment available tomorrow at bright."
The sylph hunches into himself further. "My life is but to serve, High Inquisitor."
The sylph-ceramic door shuts behind you. So Khong opens the small chest. Held within a wire framework are four small flasks. Each contains a small measure of a bright red liquid that bubbles and fizzes as if alive.
"Now is the time to descend once again. Ensure that the Temple is free from darkspawn, and the day shall be a triumph." So Khong's uncompromising gaze settles on each of you in turn.
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Glaring at the sleeping fowl on her shoulder, she mutters "You'd better wake when the fighting starts. Herald of Volcano or not, I've half a mind to...." Trailing off, she looks over her companions; eyes resting on Brinn's spear.
With the slightest of smiles, she says "Try to remember which end is pointy, will you?"
Staring at So Khong's knees, she nods. The sylph keeping her place and avoiding his eyes, merely feels his gaze. Turning, she heads back from whence they'd come. Drawing her sword, she growls "Lets send theses beasts fleeing to the dark. We'll scar the very corners of their immortal soul!" Her words dripping anger as blood upon the wall.
This is for Brinn! Sorry Volcano, but they made it PERSONAL! scrolls through the lady's mind as she purposely treads towards the dungeon's gate.
Hanging back further from the smells of the alchemists room. Tentatively taking one of the little vials and storing all the while ignoring So Khong's words. Twisting her head quickly and staring at Iman with a slightly shocked look before sucking in a deep breath Flighty creature.
Tightening her grip on her 'blessed' weapon and striding forward to walk just behind Inam. Once they are out of So Khong's potential hearing the oread reaches out and grabs Iman's wrist, "Iman. Do not let you need for vengeance cloud your mind. Anger like that will steal your focus and get you killed."
Letting go of her wrist, "Take a breath and calm yourself. There will be time for anger later."
Ibinu over hears Kallik and with a serious face well..for that matter so will blind and stupid devotion to any god. as he follows behind the Rocky one.