Ibinu, Culkin awkwardly bows to you, not knowing what to do with his hands unless reading or decanting. "I'm going to let my brain rest for a few candles. Send word if you'd like me to start using the formula soon." He pours the last of the cawcoh in his stained mug and wanders off to his quarters.
Smiling at the hanging jaw, "Avalanches have there purpose I'm sure. Though I am uncertain what that is."
Feeling her grin widen, "Overly strong tempers seen to be an inherent thing within our people. I had no idea you and I were so similar."
Turning towards Dowanhowee and nodding, "If you wish to be the judge in this I have no problem and no real preference since I do know know anyone appropriate for that role."
-------------
Quietly watching Ibinu, "Does it require a sacrifice to create it?"
Kallik, Hakka walks up to you, all strength and no subtlety. He cracks his oaken knuckles. As he gets closer, he grins at you with eyes the color of pale pine needles - sharp and bright.
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Under Etrahs glow, Inam instinctively moves to the more severely injured elen and begins to pray openly to The Warrior. Touching a few, she stops for a moment and asks the rest to gather close.
Praying louder, she grabs hold of Etrah and raises him up high. Several bursts of cleansing fire erupt from the pair as they channel Volcano's healing might.
Breathing heavily as the energy is expelled, she smiles. "El and ele, my brothers and sisters. You are not forgotten. The Warrior sees you all and knows your plight. He sends me to find a way to better protect ourselves."
"I am the first to admit, I dont always know his will. However, he has not failed me yet and he will NOT fail you. He shows us our path when the time is right, yet always gives us the choice to follow it or not."
"I request access to the forge....and his holy obsidian. I know not what it is we are to make...but I trust his will to guide my hands."
While less than thrilled about being grabbed so abruptly, Etrah's expression softens as the faithful's wounds begin to mend.
Watching the crowd, he silently glows near Inam as she addresses them.
Rolling her shoulders and exhaling slowly before lacing her fingers. Tugging them apart and from there pulling identical versions of herself. All six Kallik's smile and simply wait for Hakka to make the first move. This will not end well for me.
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Kallik, the match has been mostly inconclusive so far. Your spell stopped his initial onslaught, and it also gave you time to study the way he moves.
As your last false 'Kallik' disappears, you are ready. He comes at you, another shockingly fast charge. You step aside at just the right moment, trip him, and follow him to the ground with an elbow to the back of his head. After a moment of struggle, he gets away from you, stands up, and -
"That will be enough." Dowanhowee's voice is still calm. "Hakka, if you cannot manage to keep hold of someone who has not been trained in the dance as you have, I can only call that a victory for our guest." For just a second, Hakka looks as though he will charge you anyway, but he stomps away, muttering under his breath.
Dowanhowee looks at you, emerald-studded smile glinting. "You are welcome here, Kallik. Will you have rocks with me?"
Inam, the glow of your magic is like a warm fireplace, soothing aching limbs in the cold night. The worst afflicted regain sight, health, hope. The crowd slowly disperses, though a dozen or so elens remain for longer. You are quite certain you have more guards than your friends- you count five guards assigned to you, in addition to Edoardo. They help to gently manage the crowds you sometimes attract.
You pass the ordered barracks of the south army district. The trainees seem to move in a frenzy today, eager to prove something. Wooden swords and shields clash loudly. The sweat of the young els mixes with smoke as you walk by the standard forges of the army. Nothing but steel here - you move on.
Finally, at the northern edge of the district--and indeed the city--you see the slag foundries. Only obsidian itself can withstand the forging requirements of obsidian - here you find rows of squat black boxes to manufacture the temple's weapons and armor.
You appear to have been expected. One of the foundries is open. A muscular ifrit standing next to the doors, bowing.
Nodding and moving closer to Dowanhowee, "Of course. I need to speak with you about things beyond the fight. Though he is going to feel that you are letting me win."
Kallik, you see a glimpse of the grandmother within her. She smiles and says dryly, "He will survive."
You share a simple but well-prepared meal of granites and quartzes under the branches of the Elder. After a few minutes of quiet contentment, Dowanhowee says, "And what may I help you with?"
Fidgeting with a piece of quartz, "I was asked to speak with the Captain of the Ardere Watch. Apparently there have been issues or, she said misunderstandings, between them and the tribe. But I wanted to make sure that you all would let me be your voice with them or if not you need someone do so."
Quietly watching Ibinu, "Does it require a sacrifice to create it?"
Ibinu quickly replies, "no it does not, though it is a very time consuming process so I guess it would be a sacrifice of other activities. Culkin can begin at once if we wish, though I will be unable to assist him with the alchemical process for a month."
He thinks for a second, "and obviously we don't have a great way of testing this though once it is done. Willing volunteers of course, but assuming it doesn't kill them, how would we then test to see if it is effective? My only thought is to either send off the results to the front lines or to only accept volunteers that are headed to the front lines and then hope for good results. We could also consider using it to convince Ssarkofogaus to aid us in return for a few doses."
Rubbing at her face, "Ok at least there is that and yeah anyone would have to be a willing volunteer."
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Looking around as the crowd disperses, she considers 'Is it really necessary to have this many people escort me around? Aside from that once incident we've not really had issues with the locals...'
With a shrug, she offers a polite curtsy to the el trainees and moves on towards the edge of town.
With a curtsy in return, she smiles. "Seems someone spoiled my surprise." she announces with a chuckle. "I'm curious to see how well I can ply the sacred art of the Warrior. I don't suppose you have any pointers for me? I would assume working obsidian it a bit tougher than standard materials."
Before the man can answer, she adds "Oh! And if you watch me work, don't be alarmed. I use...umm...alternative methods to guide my hands."
Walking inside, she takes stock in what is available as she explains her goals with the elen. "...very good. Very good. See, I am actually wanting to make something new for myself. Something of a signature to cover and protect myself more appropriately in His name. You know? Especially being the family trade and with recent events...I just feel the time is right."
Gathering up what she believes will be enough material, she places it into the forge before kneeling before it. Closing her eyes, the sylph begins to pray in front of the glowing embers. Strange shadows dance across her pale features as the stone begins to glow. She remains on her knees, wordlessly moving her lips as she offers up herself to The Warrior's guidance.
Slowly, Inam rises, eyes still closed. Her hands find the hammer and tongs. Moving the material about and stoking the fires. Lifting the glowing rock to the anvil and back, heating and reheating - eyes remaining closed as she works.
Silently following his charge, Etrah flitters into the forge behind her. Glancing towards the guards, he smiles 'I do appreciate the importance the place on keeping her safe. Perhaps a little overboard, but better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.'
Considering what Inam is attempting to do, Etrah thinks on the scriptures. 'Hmm...which ones would prove the best here. Perhaps those stating to trust in him completely? Hmmm...'
Getting distracted suddenly by a particularly interesting shadow dancing across the sylph, he turns to Edoardo. "Well that was unexpected. Did you see it? It showed you shielding her from darkness. Perhaps signifying your constant vigilance? How do you take it?"
Kallik, Dowanhowee answers with a wide smile. "It would be an honor to have you take on such a burden, my dear. Traveling anywhere outside our home, into the larger part of the city, feels a bit..." She shakes her head, at a loss for the proper word, "unnatural. Wrong. Most of my people feel this way."
Etrah, Edoardo blanches at the sight of the shadow-dance shared between the two of you. He looks over, then looks away. Muttering something about checking up on Inam, he bows politely and takes his leave.
Inam, though the Smithrocks are a family of the forge, during your childhood you learned about foundries as well - the way of the kiln and the mold. By the time the smith gives you a brief tour of the tools and protective gear, you feel yourself slipping into a prayerful trance. The temperature of the kiln; the exact mixture of flux; the right time to pour - all these things come naturally to you.
Hours go by. It is a process that requires absolute patience. You have finished some of the leg pieces today, and they are quietly cooling now, the molds still too hot to open.
Outside, a few forgers sit on a hill overlooking the obsidian cubes. They are eating meat pies, pork judging from the smell. You see other elens going about their day, but also craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the Fenice Madre. Your retinue ensures a respectful distance is maintained.
Returning the smile, "Good. I wanted to check before I speak with the Ardere Watch. Are there anythings, locations, or needs that I must keep in mind while I speak for you all?"
-----At Dinner, concerning the God Stone-----
Fidgeting with her food more, never really eating just moving things around, "At least to start we have a lot more say in who gets this. But given time it might fall in other hands, people who will dangle this ability over someone head. So those who learn how to do this needs to be considered. And would Ssarkofogaus need more than an elen? Because he will surely want it."
Ibinu nods, "that is a good point. Anything of value becomes a very dangerous incentive for bad behavior. But, even with that kind of risk, I think the reward of strengthening our fellow elen against the infections caused by the evil shadow things outweighs any risk. Right now about Ssarkofogaus, I'm just trying to build a chain of things to dangle so they don't just ignore our request... we might want to consider trying to get him a seat on the council as well."
Dowanhowee speaks of a few minor civic issues, but the one thing on everyone's mind in the Stems is one particular incident - Dove had hinted at this earlier. Her eyes are downcast as she tells the tale. "An umzingeli of Ardere Watch came into the Stems, five strong. Their swords were drawn, and they answered no questions as they approached the Elder. I stepped in front of the Elder." Her voice is quiet now. "The big one yelled at me in his own language. I did not move. " Leaning on her walking stick a bit move heavily, she lets out a shuddering breath. "Eventually, they left. And now, my people are worried. This should not be allowed to happen."
Nodding, "Not sure how the others will respond to that but that is one link on the chain. So how long and how costly is this process?"
Wiping sweat from her brow, Inam smiles. "Not done yet, but its a good start."
Wandering outside, the smells waft towards her and suddenly her stomach reminds her of her own needs. *Bbbrrrrgggg*
"Oh my!" exclaims the sylph, touching the offended organ. "I suppose we should grab a bite too Etrah. Edoardo? Any recommendations?"
Inam, Edoardo smiles at you, all ebullience in the cold afternoon peaklight. "How about the place Vecc took your friends when you all first arrived here? Alfredo's makes a good lunch - what do you say?"
------Dowanhowee ------
Scowling at the answer given, "I agree that should not be allowed to happen."
If the she has nothing else to add then she would leave to the watch.
Kallik, on your way to the Ardere Watch, Lui clicks up to you on his wooden foot. His face is serious, old somehow - you have to remind yourself he is around your age - as he says in an undertone, "Are you certain you want to walk into the house of the enemy like this? If you are intent on going, maybe we could stop by the Temple and bring another squadron with us."
Sighing and biting the inside of cheek before answer with a scowl on her face, "If they are foolish enough to try something I want you to abandon the fight and get back to the temple. So someone knows what they did. I can handle them if a fight happens."
Rubbing her face with both hands before letting them fall to her sides again, "Honestly I would rather go in on my own."
Lui stiffens slightly - its subtle, but he has been by your side for weeks. "May I ask why?"
Coming to a stop and looking Lui in the eye, "You are the one that mentioned it might be dangerous and I do not like putting anyone but myself in a danger situation. I do not want you to come to harm due to being around me."
From behind you, Antonio's laugh echoes from his closed helmet. "No danger for guards! Are we only here to be pretty then, Kallik?"
Keeping a straight face, "Yes."
A small grin forms, sort of against her will, "Why don't you stay there and practice?"
Inam, Edoardo smiles at you, all ebullience in the cold afternoon peaklight. "How about the place Vecc took your friends when you all first arrived here? Alfredo's makes a good lunch - what do you say?"
"Certainly! Let's do it." replies Inam, a bit more excitement in her voice than intended. "All this running around lately, I've not really stopped to look at the fires, if you will." she adds with a smile.
Pausing a moment, she looks to their entourage. "Umm...do we really need this many for me? Doesn't it seem a bit excessive?"
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Rolling his eyes, the teacher remains silent.
'She should use this time to study the tomes...not fraternize.'
With a grunt, he follows the pair.
Inam, Edoardo is quiet for a moment, looking down at the cobbled streets of the military district. "Ee-nam, I know you do not like to be reminded of this so boldly, but you are the symbol of hope for this city. The corruption within the Inquisition...there were nearly riots in the streets..." He shakes his head. "If we lose you, we lose the city. If Hearth falls..." He swallows, unwilling to continue, but sweeps his hand to the horizon, where the implacable Dark awaits.
He smiles, trying to lighten his tone. "So, eh, I would say all that is worth a few extra guards and a little hassle, si?"
Kallik, your guards exchange glances. You can tell from Lui's face he knows you will not relent in this. Antonio remains silent behind his steel mask as Lui spreads his hands in conciliation. "We will practice, as you suggest, and how about we do it down the street from the Ardere? If you don't come out after a candle, we come in and make sure everything is bene. Deal?"
Am I being an ass?.. If I say they don't need to practice to be pretty does that mean they will come with?.. Doesn't matter Nodding at the offer, "Thank you. And I will try to be inside shorter than a candle."
Kallik, it is a short walk from the Stems to the Shops. You only need pass the Temple on your right, a few ugly arches of screaming efreets, and an unused punishment square to pass into the northern edge of the wealthy district. As always, your eye cannot help but track the unnecessary ornamentation and gold trimmings. The many ifrit merchants and shoppers give you and your guards a respectful distance. The few oreads you see are porters and similar laborers - they grin when they see you and your distinctive axe.
Lui and Antonio stop at a nearby cafe, though they do not sit at a table. Antonio's says, gruffly, "Don't tell yourself that getting killed in there will somehow makes us happy to still be alive. Be safe."
The Ardere Watch stands before you. You are hardly able to tell it apart from the gaudy shops - inlaid gold and silver grace the structure, and the golden V of the Ardere stands tall and proud above the double-door entrance. A young ifrit stands outside the entrance, a private from his marks. He stares straight ahead, not acknowledging your presence.
Nodding at the request, "I have no intent to die." Or to cause anyone else to die.
Turning to towards the Ardere Watch and looking at the ifrit but quietly opting to pay him as little attention as he is giving her.
Kallik, inside the Ardere Watch, it is chaos. You recall that just a scant few candles ago, Ibinu--now the Cauldron Champion--caused Captain Entoro to step down as leader of this Watch. Between the new leadership and the proclamations of said Champion, the Ardere apparently have their hands full. Sergeants bellow, papers shuffle, and privates run this way and that. The smell of burnt coffee and body odor is horrid.
"Oh, I suppose so. I haven't been attacked in days though." she replies with a smile. "Shall we eat then?"
Turning, she heads towards the restaurant. Nodding to the workers they pass, "You bring glory to our realm with your deeds. Without your toils all would be lost."
Inam, Edoardo quirks an eyebrow as he leads you between rows of the candy-striped tents of north market. "Days! Si, of course! How can I even remember it, when it is so far away ago? And how about this - when it has been a week-" he swats his hand with a brusque gesticulation, "pfft! we just get rid of all the guards. Because obviously there are no crazy people in a city with a million elens. Makes sense, yes." He relents as you arrive at Alfredo's. The tents end, and rows of small businesses take their place on the streets.
There is an odd implement--what appears to be a pitchfork--hanging above the entrance to the small restaurant. The building, crammed between a moneylender's and a tailor's, glows with fresh daisy-yellow paint. Two round windows flank the rough wooden door.
Inside, it is warm, and the smoky aroma of tomato and basil hangs in the air. Edoardo helps you scoot between patrons at the crowded tables. Finally, you find a seat toward the back. "It's funny, I've never had the chance to ask - do you drink wine?"
Standing still in the chaos and feeling a little torn. There is an oddly pleasant feeling with having no one paying any attention to her. She would have thought going back to that feeling from her past. But everything has been so hectic recently and apparently she is important now.
Taking a deep breath and waiting until she spots someone she recognizes, someone who might have been there when Ibinu caught the oracle. Moving towards them, "I need to speak with the new Captain, please."
Kallik, a young ifrit--only slightly older than Eo would have been--looks up from his stack of paperwork with a polite expression. "Hello, may I..." His eyes narrow, and his gaze drifts to your axe. His expression becomes mildly worried, but his basic politeness stays. "...help you?"
"Yes, I believe she would want to receive you, certainly." He nervously talks about what an honor it is to host a visit from one of the Blessed. Down a short hallway, you are now in a stairwell. You climb two flights of steep stairs. The steps, you notice, are carved from marble and flecked with gold. Glowering portraits of previous Captains line the walls to your left. They are all, of course, ifrit els.
The desk private takes you to the top floor. In the greater hallway, there is a large door that says CAPTAIN in tall stylized gold letters. However, the private guides you to a nearby side door. Inside sits the lieutenant, seated at a large table by herself.
There is no surprise on her face - only assessment. A hint of that same cold anger is just below the surface. With her helmet off, you can see her dark red hair is cut short, military style. She is wearing finely crafted mithril armor with the Adere's golden V on the chest. Her longsword hangs from her side, left-handed.
There is a scattering of papers and scrolls on the square wooden table. The lieutenant rolls up the parchment she had been reading, and regards you. "Make it worth my time." Her voice is icy.