Unblinking, several of the lizards cock their heads at you. One chews at the chain that holds it.
sentiment is all fine and good but like gods or anything else it can only have the control over you that you allow. If killing these will grant some sort of a help to thwarting the stuff moving in then..He bends and quickly slits the throat of the nearest creature.
With the first semblance of conscious thought from any of the pogonas, the scaly head of the beast flips up, as if eager for the blade. Hot blood pours from the gaping neck wound, sloshing onto the altar and mixing with the thick layer of holy ash on the obsidian surface.
Ibinu, your armor feels odd for a moment, almost like a large static charge building up, then the sensation is gone. The rest of the pogonas on that particular altar convulse and fall over dead.
Taking the actions as submission, Inam gives a small curtsy to the group.
Then she raises her blade high, whispering a brief prayer and slices the small creature in one swift stroke.
Watching Ibinu with a frown and then confusion as the rest of the knot follow their companion into death.
Sighing and shifting her hold on her weapon. Raising the glade and slashing it down, trying to get as many as possible in one swing.
As the rest of the pogonas fall to blade or forces unseen, the temperature of the room raises several degrees, becoming uncomfortably warm. Inam and Kallik both feel this heat acutely as their armor pulses with sizzling energy.
As quickly as it came, the strange warmth is gone. There is nothing in the room but ash, blood, and corpses.
Turning back to Eo, Inam remarks "That was oddly pleasant. Unless there's anything else, I think a good sleep is in order."
Heading out of the room, she pauses in the hallway. Obviously the sylph hasn't quite gotten the handle of the building's layout.
As Eo confidently leads the way back outside and down to your ground-floor dwelling, the events of the day weigh heavily upon you, an almost physical sensation.
So Khong's secrecy about Gregori, white obsidian, and the previous 'blessed' heroes...the inquisitor's 'test', a drop of spawn-bile, that he practically forced on all of you...
The strange properties of your blood...saving two guards, and a prisoner...
The brutal, horrifying nature of darkspawn, wriggling inside living elens...that strange, mocking female voice...
And, hovering above you like a silent specter, Brinn's death.
Your thoughts, wherever they have turned, are interrupted by Eo. He waves at the door to your meager lodgings. "Uh, I think there's food in there already. Can I get you anything else?"
With an audible yawn, Inam replies. "I believe that will be all for now Eo. Thank you for your time. I suppose we'll meet again in the morning."
Pushing through the door, she begins tugging away her armaments. 'This has certainly been a day. Am I truly cut out for this? Should I have stayed home where it was safe?'
"No! This is where I am supposed to be." Realizing she said the last part aloud, the sylph turns scarlet and quickly looks down at the floor. Silently removing the remaining bits of the heavy material, she stacks it neatly beside her bed.
Setting Etrah down, she kneels on the floor facing where she believe Volcano would be from her current location. "Warrior, protect my friends and I as we do your bidding. Help the horrors of today to not be in vain. Grant us the courage to do what must be done." she whispers into her clasps hands.
Her feathered companion, bowed beside her, lets out a "KaMAhn" as the woman finishes her plea.
Crawling onto the slab for a fitful rest, she ponders 'What is going on with the High Inquisitor? Is he actually hiding something or is the weight of his charge getting to him? Volcano knows it weighs on all of us. Well...maybe not Ibinu...'
Ibinu walks in and runs throuh a few little kata forms with his sword and then he lies down to sleep
Waiting for Inam and Ibinu to walk into the room before turning to Eo, "The child I brought back with me, Egret, what has been decided about her fate where this Temple is concerned?"
"Uh, I guess I'll have to get back to you on that? Inquisitor So Khong seemed like he wasn't going to take her away or anything. What...what did you want her fate to be?"
Taking no time to answer, "Her fate should be what she wants it to be. I just know that I had brought her here and was curious if the Temple had suggestion. Thank you."
Walking back to the door and entering quietly. Keeping out of Ibinu's way and heading to her bed. Not realizing that she is smiling when she notices Egret. Removing her armor and setting it with her weapons off the side before stretching out on the floor beside the bed.
Stretching out and putting her hands behind the back of her head. Closing her eyes and letting the stress of the last few days fade away as her mind drifts the distant forest.
A movement comes from the corner of your eye. The shuddering light of a small fire is coming from a tall marble pedestal several feet away. One last sacrifice? Curious, your feet sift through mounds of black powder as you shuffle toward the pedestal. Craning your neck to see over the top,
bright orange feathers-
An ugly, wet voice comes from a cloaked figure slumped beside the cauldron's hot iron.
"You want curse gone? Pledge to the cauldron. Then, no more curse."
You try to run from the fire, the smoke, and the voice, but a syrupy slowness hinders your movements. Your back is turned now, and you feel an utter certainty that something is crawling out of the cauldron-
Gradually, you become aware of two small figures sitting about fifty feet away from you. Their backs are toward you, and their legs are dangling casually over the drop as they look out over the land. The bouncy black curls give away the figure on the right - Egret. The boy on the right must be an oread - the spray of green needle-hair is a dead-giveaway. They are singing a song together, a lullaby that you do not recognize.
The boy turns his head to regard you with mischievous eyes that match his needle-green hair. "I like the way she dreams, Sissy. Can we keep her?"
It suddenly strikes you - the view. How could you not have seen it? There's no Volcano. And, looking up, something painfully bright, an eye-watering blue...
A knock, hesitant but loud, awakens all of you. A familiar voice makes its unsure way under the door. "Uh, you guys wanted to be woken up for, uh, Brinn's ceremony at bright, right?"
"Uh...Orange Feathers..." snorts the sylph as she regains conciousness. "Uh....yeah. I mean, yes we did. Do I have time for morning prayers? Or should I wait on them?"
Snagging her armor, she begins to cover herself with the protective gear.
Interesting dream. Don't know that it is the way I would be rid of this curse...not really sure i want to be rid of it. If I turn it to my benefit ....
Ibinu rises and runs through a few stretches punctuated with yawns. Upon completion he draws the rapier and runs through a few basic Kata forms, finishing just as A knock on the door is heard.
Laying still on the ground and then suddenly her eyes are open. Glancing over at the door and blinking back a few tears. Sitting up and calling over to the door,"Thank you Eo. We should be ready soon."
Grabbing her things and taking the time to quietly dress herself in her armor and tuck her weapons in their proper place before crouching down near her bed and gently shaking Egrets arm, "Wake up little one."
Egret awakens, her eyes bright and clear. "So are you my big sister now?"
Nearly falling backwards in surprise, "You want to be kin to me?" Was she actually there?
Giving time to let Egret answer before moving on, "I am sorry I had to wake you but I needed to leave for a little while and waking up alone is never pleasant. If you want you may remain here and then we can talk once I return."
Once she is fully dressed, noting Ibinu going through his styles, she shrugs. Proceeding to pull out her tattered holy book, the pair poor over a few pages as they silently pray for Volcano's protection.
Upon completing her morning ritual, she returns the pages to their rightful place in her pack and stands. After Etrah is securely on her shoulder, she nods to her companions. "I'll wait in the hall with our handsome guide."
Smiling she steps out with Eo.
Egret's black curls bounce as she nods her head three times. When she stops, her guileless golden eyes regard you seriously as she says, "Of course. You rescued me, and you're the only nice elen that bothers to talk to me. So we should be family."
Without really waiting for an answer, she hops off the bed and wanders over to the one desk in the room. She starts scratching away; it sounds like writing, but you cannot see exactly what she is doing. "See you when you get back!" She waves with her left hand as her right hand continues doodling with the quill.
Upon finishing and sheathing his rapier, Ibinu follows the others. As he reaches the door he pauses briefly then Take care little miss. We shall see you when we return With this brief address to Egret he walks to the hallways.If kallik thinks she is family it wont hurt to foster that it might do her some good...and maybe egret as well.A wry grin plays across the elen's lips as he joins the others.
Smiling at the youths words. Such simple reasoning but it is the first that has made since in the last few days.
Nodding even though Egret cannot see her, "Alright we will talk when I return."
Walking out of the room and remembering when she is standing in the hall at this early hour. The smile on her lips fades away, "Please lead the way Eo."
Inam's thoughts drift back to their fallen companion as she waits, her smile falling away.
'Why did he have to perish so soon? So much potential...Could The Warrior really have been done with him already?'
The air - elen wipes her eyes as they walk, hoping no one noticed. 'This is a solemn occasion! I must show proper respect! she considers, regaining control over herself, if but for a moment, her features harden.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Eo bows to all of you, saying nothing. Solemnly, he leads you out of the Temple. The day greets you, cold and still. No wind blows, no snow falls. Volcano's light is a slumbering purple that provides almost no illumination.
The youth takes you around the Temple, to the southeast corner. Circling the massive structure takes a few minutes. You become a bit cold in the pre-bright chill.
As you round the last corner, the cloud hovering above the Steam Slums comes fully into view. There is mist swirling and dancing around just a few hundred feet away, obscuring most of the eastern marketplace from your sight. The Steam Bridge arcs high above the roiling, boiling River below.
You all notice a large triangular pool set into the stone foundation that surrounds the Temple on all sides. It is about fifty feet away, right on the edge of being completely swallowed by the steam.
In the pool are two things: hot water, and sleeping crocodiles.
Hmm a quick shot and an elan could have dinner and have it cooked without doing any more work than necessary....Maybe this is a gift from the gods.
A bit more from mr steamy and we could have croc roast for an early morning snack. Ibinu mutters with a quick hand gesture to the present reptiles.
Another sacrifice? Interesting that the god to help people always demands that something die to give his help. Maybe a god of death as much as one of life. As usual can't decide which is best.irony flashes across Ibinu's face as he enjoys his one sided conversation.
Looking to Ibinu out of the corner of her eye, Inam opens her mouth to say something...anything...to explain proper etiquette regarding the poor elen's customs.
Yet, as she is about to do so, a sudden scornful feeling washes over her. Glancing down to her feathered companion and spying Etrah's nod, she stops walking.
'Oh...I suppose everyone must grieve in their own way, huh...
Picking up the pace to catch up to her friends, she finally mumbles...."I've never had croc."
'He died...helping us. Perhaps even saving our lives! And we're talking about food?! Please forgive me Warrior.'
Coming to a complete stop at Ibinu's words and the rushing to catch up. "I am very certain that would never happen."
From a small opening at the corner of the Temple comes an elenoid form, lying down, swathed in many layers of gauzy white fabric. The body is borne upon a flat wooden board. The board moves toward the crocodile pool, seemingly of its own accord.
On the far side of the pool, a safe distance from the crocodiles, you see Bian and another undine wearing inquisitor's robes. He is older than Bian, and a lighter blue than Bian or So Khong. They are not talking - they simply watch the pool.
The body reaches the pool. The instant the water is disturbed, the crocodiles are awake. The fabric and the body disappear in a surprisingly goreless fashion. The whole process takes less than five minutes.
Eo whispers, "Do any of you have anything to say?"
[b}I think I'd rather it be the other way around. Eating the croc not being eaten by him. What was the point of that?[/b] Ibinu states with a little shiver
wow first they try to convince us that the one god is all powerful now they introduce us to another. hmm...ironic if it were a gladiator fight between the two. Think I'd have to wager on the water.
'Ah, that makes sense. It's a much safer, and respectful manor to handle this'
Stepping forward, Inam clears her throat. "Brinn may not have been the most martial companion, always holding the spear by the wrong end... But he was witty. The blue guy was capable of lifting our spirits when it was needed. He dove into danger, headfirst to help the helpless. Though I knew him only a short time, I'd be honored to call him friend. I believe The Warrior himself would have approved of this elen's life."
Turning to Ibinu with a scowl."It was his custom...though an odd one...why would you want to go out in somethings belly?" A smile creeps across the sylphs face as she envisions little undines striving to 'some day' be able to get eaten by something bigger than them 'if their a good little elen'.
Physically shaking the thoughts from her head, a stern expression returning to her face, she turns back to the ceremony.
Eo escorts the three of you away from the steaming pool and the satiated crocodiles. "Uh, do you want to go to the refectory? I didn't have time to eat this morning."
food's good atleast it should be if it doesn't follow the appetites of the god. Ibinu states
Watching Brinn's body drift along the water and then pulled under the water with a frown. Lost in thought and forcing her self to not jump with Inam's voice. Raising an eyebrow at the conversation over final rights, [smaller]"I thought the Undine held those beast sacred. What better way to go into there final journey than though their sacred beast."
Nodding to Eo, "Food sounds like a good idea though I will need to collect Egret before I eat."
Eo takes all of you back to your quarters
Kallik, as you open the door, you see Egret, still perched upon a chair and doodling with the quill. She cocks her head at you and asks, "So where were you?" The questions holds only curiosity, no challenge.
Unknowingly smiling on he way back to her room. Frowning at the innocent question, "I had to bid my final farewell to a companion."
Gesturing to the hallway, "Do you want to go get breakfast? Or were you wanting to speak before the first meal?"
With a slight nod, Inam replies "Yeah, I suppose food would be a good thing. Did So Khong have any orders..." spying Ibinu, she coughs "...err requests for us this day?"
"You have a point, my statuesque friend. I suppose there are worse ways to go. I've just never felt comfortable with passing through another creatures digestion. The lowly syl...err my family has a similar ritual."
Upon arriving back at their room, Inam waits out in the hall while Kallik retrieves Egret. 'This is between them, one shouldn't intrude' she considers as she contemplates the day.
The very young sylph dances to the doorway while singing an old nursery rhyme, mostly on-key. The words are different than "Bubble Bubble Cauldron Hot". Instead, it is:
Travel, travel, go to eat
but the Temple's got no meat
On every rhyme, she takes a giant leap toward the door.
Travel, travel on our feet
Bread to munch and bread to eat
She pauses at the door. "Does eat rhyme with eat?" A tiny wrinkle appears on her forehead as she addresses you with a strange youthful seriousness.
Eo shakes his head, as if he had been deeply thinking or on the verge of sleeping. He blinks his hazel eyes. "Actually, Inquisitor So Khong suggested that since the basement is cleared up and there are no immediate threats, think about the things you would, you know, like to have. Training, that kind of thing."
Watching the youth babble and jump around with an unknowing wide smile. Shaking her head and following after her only to stop at the odd question, "Since they are the same word I am not sure. But eat does rhyme with wheat, which is what bread is."
Frowning at her own answer, "My apologizes. I am horrible with rhyming."
With the same seriousness as before, she nods and she says, "You are forgiven."
You glance over at the parchment she was scratching on. You are surprised to see an ink drawing of yourself and Egret, sleeping. It is quite good, especially considering the artist's age. Instead of sleeping in a bed, you are both sleeping under a small pine tree. The pine tree appears to be smiling, in a way you cannot describe.
Egret tugs on the door a few times with her thin arms, and finally manages to crack it open. "Should we go eat now, Sissy?"
Smiling and nodding, "Thank you."
Staring at the picture with a look of confusion and twisting around quickly at the title given to her. Shaking her head and placing a hand on Egret's back. Walking out of the room and into the hall. Looking at Eo, "Thank you for waiting."
The girl looks at Inam, then Ibinu. She backs away from Ibinu, shielding herself with Kallik. She regards the tall sylph with one eye, the other eye hidden behind Kallik's leg. Eo, half-asleep at this early hour, takes a slow pace toward the refectory.
Egret yawns and rubs her eyes as you all walk down the gleaming black hall. "Do you think this place has a li-bary, Sissy?"
As they walk to the refectory, Inam inquires "Eo, what kind of issue are there in town? I suspect you have a decent handle on such things."
Smiling at the young elen's question, Inam pipes up. "Oh, they have many marvelous things here young one. I'm certain a library is among them, though not sure they'd have the types of literature you are interested in."
Eo furrows his brow, lost in thought. "I heard from one of the priests that there was some pretty nasty stuff happening in the Dims last night. There was a brutbreve match that turned into a riot. Lots of fires, looting, that kind of thing. Something weird happened before the game even started - the players got poisoned or something."
"Besides that, there's lots of stuff going on in a city this size. Like when Kallik rescued Egret from..." Shaking himself fully awake, he looks at the child, realizes what he was about to say, and blushes. "Uh, sorry."
"Anyway, if more people knew about you guys, you would be the major news of the day...the year, you know?"
The refectory is nearly empty so early in the morning - half the priests are performing morning rituals, and the other half are still likely asleep. In addition to the ubiquitous ash-bread, there are strips of a tough-looking white meat on small iron tripods. Under the tripods are hot coals, presumably to keep the meat warm.
Shrugging, "I am sure they do but if not there should be one in this city."
Glaring at Eo over Egret's head and nodding when he stops himself. Keeping her eyes on Egret as they walk. Biting back a snare, "That is not what So Khong sees to want though."
Trying to make as little noise while taking her seat after making sure Egret is situated. Scowling at the lack of greens on the table. Taking a large portion of the white meat and a small hunk of bread.
Slowly pulling off pieces of meat and eating it with her eyes drifting around the room. This place is so different from the forest. The people of Volcano are so severe but the deception is apparently common among all elen... But the food is infinitely worse.
Biting into the bread and turning to look around at the table. Frowning at the fact there should be another among them and now there is just the child, Egret. With that thought her eyes fall quickly to the young girl sitting next to her. I should find somewhere safe and far from us for her. We have already lost one and seemingly failed to keep another. But this horrid city is no place for a child... Vile people who prey on children...Why did she call me that.