What is that? she wonders. I hope they hurry back...
"Show yourself you cladhaire!" She hollers. Raising her sword over her head, she looks for the source of the noise.
Your show of defiance, or perhaps your strength against the invasive fear, seems to hold the presence at bay. After a minute, the hissing sound diminishes, and finally stops altogether. The nearby elen begins weeping softly.
So Khong enters the room holding up a red triangle on a fine chain. "Report. Have you been attacked again since the boy left?"
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Raising an eyebrow at the question and then grinning, "Yes but not to those who are needlessly cruel. So I will ask again, are you alright?"
Giving a slight bow as So Khong enters, she replies "Possibly...I'm not sure. There was a...presence? It was unnerving but it seems to be gone."
She motions towards the downed guard, "I believe the elen still lives. It was whimpering. Is there anything that can be done?"
He slowly walks forward, banishing shadows and gloom to the utmost corners of the barren hallway. There is nothing to see, save the huddled, shuddering form.
Cautiously, So Khong rolls the elen over with his foot. By the radiance of his amulet, you see a young ifrit girl, perhaps mid-twenties. Her beauty is marred by dark veins of poisonous blackness webbing around her eyes. Not reacting to the light, she sightlessly gapes toward the ceiling. In a voice wracked with weeping, she whispers, "Help. Help me. Please..." Tears of midnight streak down her face, like ashes in the rain.
Without turning around, So Khong says, "I can attempt to aid her, but I require two things of you. Keep watch to ensure the creature does not return. And, do not interfere. Do you understand and agree?"
With a slight nod, Inam acknowledges the inquisitors request. "I will to the best of my ability."
Gripping her sword tight, she begins to scan the room with a watchful eye. Her feathered friend quickly clucks once and taps her ankle.
Looking down at the sylph hugging her with a confused look She is going to get blood on her. Wrapping an arm around her and standing up, pulling the slyph with her. Looking over to find Ibinu and Brinn. Mouthing 'Grab the ifrit' and hoping they listen.
Pulling back a bit to be able to see the slyph's face, "Your welcome."
Taking another swig of his drink, Ibinu turns to the Elan guide "If the drink is this bad, I guess the water can't be much worse. " Then with a chuckle he drops his mug firmly onto the table and sits. Looking at ease and in command of his surroundings, Ibinu is at ease and in command of his immediate area.
Out loud, he says, "There now, rambunctious ruffian! We've had quite enough of your ilk for the day."
As Ibinu drops his mug onto the table, Vecc jolts awake with a snort and a few coughs. "Eh? Nah, the beer's not that..." He trails off, and frowns as he takes stock of his surroundings. "What'd I miss?"
The only warning is a slight tensing of his shoulders. The gentle touch becomes an iron grip as he holds the girl's head against the floor. With his other hand, he presses the incandescent symbol against her right eye. High-pitched screams, animal screams echo in the black obsidian hall. Without rancor or haste, So Khong lifts the burning triangle, and lowers it on to her left eye. More screams, helpless and scared. Limbs jerking and twitching in painful, wracked seizures.
One more broken scream that seems to go on for minutes, then silence. The only sound is the ringing in your ears. So Khong's voice is far away. "She will live. Carry her, and let us leave."
Securing her sword to her back, she approaches the fallen elen. Tentatively, cautiously, she slides an arm behind the female's shoulders and another up under her knees.
Lifting the limp body, Inam steels a glance at So Khong. "Sir, What...what happened to her? I've never seen a reaction to healing magics such as that."
She begins to follow the inquisitor from the room, stopping just outside the door. "Uh...So Khong, What about someone to guard this room? Or is there no longer a need? Shouldn't we at least make sure the prisoners are still secured?"
"One more question, if you will. Is it possible for me to learn such rituals so I may further serve the true one; Volcano?"
Shooting the old man and glare but opting to let the other Ibinu do the explaining since she and Brinn are otherwise occupied. Looking back at the clingy slyph, "Are you going to answer me this time? Are you injured?"
Ibinu grins insolently If you hadn't been sleeping you'd have been put to sleep by Kaliik's ferocious defense of said fair Maiden. motioning to the slyph near Kallik,And notice that Brinn learned what side of the spear is pointy.
Without further comment, the inquisitor opens a gash in his left thumb with a small, wickedly sharp blade from his belt. With astonishing precision and speed, he draws a crimson eye inscribed within a bloody triangle on the wall. Oddly, the blood does not streak down. He murmurs, in sharp Benthic, "观看和杀死"
"Volcano guards this place. Make haste; we shall speak of your instruction later." He quickly binds his thumb and walks up the stairs. Eo is waiting at the top of the stairwell, looking sheepish.
So Khong waves at Eo without looking at him. "The boy can take her to the infirmary."
The young elen is stronger than he looks - he hefts the ifrit girl without complaint, and makes his way into the cold day.
So Khong bars the stairway with his arm. He speaks, not with anger, but something close to it, dropping each word slowly. "Did the chicken give you that sword?"
Vecc raises an eyebrow. "Hmm, seems like you're not just takin' a tour anymore, eh? Gettin' hands-on, eh?" He clears some phlegm from his throat. "Well, unfortunate thing about fun like this is that the guards'll want to know why you're doin' their job and makin' em look bad..."
As if on cue, a pair of guards enters the restaurant, with a hysterical, middle-aged ifrit woman clinging to one of their shoulders. She points in your direction. "The violence, officers! To think they can't just stay with their trees and ponds..."
Inam nods dumbfounded at the inquisitors explanation seeing the results manifest in the victim. Watching on in amazement as he makes his mark, she follows wordlessly.
"Yes sir" mutters the sylph, passing the limp body to Eo.
She watches the two head off. Realizing she should follow the inquisitor she turns quickly, running head on into his arm. Inam barely catches his stern inquiry, as she struggles to keep her balance.
"The what? Sword?" looking desperately at Etrah she stammers, "Well...Uh...yes. Why? There...problem?"
Immediately, she glances down to her feet. What did I do wrong?
Smiling at the sylph, "I am glad you were not injured."
Not bothering to step out of the slyph's personal space until she asks Kallik to move but looking over at Vecc and growling, "There was nothing fun about that."
Turning to the guards, "You are the elen who are supposed to make sure no one is taken anywhere against their will?"
Waving a hand over at the ifrit Brinn has at spear point, "Well there is one of them. I am sure he knows how to find his companion."
Turning away, he continues up the stairs. "There is much to do. Runners will be sent to fetch your companions, and priests will ward the area below more thoroughly. Attend to me, and learn the ways of the Temple."
He looks around, and the gathered crowd simply stares, saying nothing.
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Frowning and taking a moment think of a reasonable reply that does not include breaking his nose. Keeping her voice even and meeting the ifrit's eyes, "There is a tavern full of people you could try asking."
Tilting her head to the side to indicate the downed ifrit, "There is that idiot."
Straightening her posture, "There is this sylph. Who they tried to force out the door. So it not my own were you can take. Though I will offer my word, under divine oath, if that will convince you that you need to find the other. So this does not continue in this city."
She whispers into Kallik's ear, her hair tickling your face. "Can we be friends?"
The guard has the decency to be slightly chagrined. "Okay, okay, I see I was mee-staken. I see your face, though, okay?" He points at his eyes, then at you. "Keep outta trouble, si? With one burly arm, he lifts the unconscious ifrit off the floor. Over his shoulder, he calls, "If she's an orphan, just take 'er to the Temple. Keep her fed and all that. Ciao!"
A boy a little younger than Eo bursts into the restaurant, wearing the robes of a neophyte. Out of breath, he looks around wildly, until he spots all of you. Running over, he whispers, "You must come quickly! Inquisitor So Khong has told me to find you - he said it is of grave importance, and involves your friend..." he pauses for a moment, muttering to himself, "Inam. That was her name. Inam." He looks at all of you, clearly expecting you to follow.
Back to the temple then yet again. Atleast this place had some fun involved. Oh well Guess its time to go see what his holy hotness really wants. Ibinu stands slamming his mug down harder then necessary.
Grinning at the guards when the sylph speaks up but the question she asks kills and thought of continuing a conversation with the guards.
Once they leave Kallik turns her attention back to the sylph,"Do you have somewhere you live? Somewhere safe?"
Defiantly staring into his eyes, Inam screams, "I do not lie!"
Her outburst expired, she quickly turns away. "Yes, of course sir." She adds, meekly. "I thank you and Etrah for any teachings you feel appropriate."
Hurrying after the inquisitor she wonders, Want does he see? Is it simple speculation? I wish I could see more of this warding ritual.
Out of the refectory come several young ifrits with open mouths and wide eyes. So Khong gives brusque instructions to each - priests to contact, where to go, precautions to take, and where to search for your companions. The boys sprint off in all directions, breath steaming behind them like banners.
Why is she here then? Mumbling mostly to herself, "Ok." Crouching down and looking at the young sylph, "I have to go back to the temple. Do you want to come with me?"
Her face lights up like a candle. Drawing the word out, she yells "Yeeeeeeesssss!"
Staying at eye level, "What am I supposed to call you?"
Once given an answer she leads the youth back over to Ibinu, Vecc, and Brinn with a hand on the young slyphs's shoulder. "She is coming with." And unless there is any objection she would start back to the temple. The walk back Kallik would make sure to keep eyes on the youth the whole way there.
Finally at the second tier Kallik sees Inam and So Khong. Calling out, "You wanted something?"
Inam watches in silent awe as So Khong orders the underlings about, trying to stay out of their way. After they have gone, she finds a corner of the room where she pulls out her text. Kneeling, she begins studying the worn booklet, with the chicken watching over her shoulder.
Hearing Kallik return, she hastily stows the literature. Standing, she slowly turns towards the oread.
"Uh, friend? you seem to have gained a...companion." says the armored sylph, eyeing the child. Quickly glancing in the inquisitor's direction, she adds "Perhaps it would be best for her to wait outside a moment. Maybe Eo could take her to get cleaned up and fed?"
Please don't fight me good stone face. I'd rather not be forced to choose between the church and...teaghlaigh again so soon.
I am sure the Almighty Hotness would be ok with a girl learning of him, however I do agree that she should atleast be Ibinu gives a haughty non-repentant wink at the Inqi before glancing at the girl and clearing his throat er...um...maybe a bit less flowery in her appearance and scent. After all we did bring her from a place where the food was almost as bad as the flowers on a grave. And I am sure that in hopes to get a new drone, the temple would gladly take care of her needs and clothe her.
Then making sure he has room enough not to injure anyone, Ibinu begins to run through Kata forms with his fauchard.
Smiling at the young slyph, "That is a beautiful name."
Leaning forward and whispering, "My name you have to keep it secret. I am playing a game with someone and he has not figured my name out yet and I really want to win. Can help me keep win the game and not tell that man my name?"
Assuming the child agrees then Kallik would whisper in her ear, "Kallik is my name." Leaning back before speaking again, "You cannot tell anyone from the temple my name, ok."
Grinning at Inam and opening her mouth to speak only for Ibinu to start talking. What in the world is he on about? Drone my ass! Nodding to Inam before crouching back down to look the child in the eye. Gesturing with he head to So Khong, "That is the man I am in the game with. You cannot tell him most of all."
Pointing over to Eo and not bothering to keep her voice down since she wants Eo to hear her, "That is Eo and he can take you to get some food and a bath if you want one. Would that be ok while I talk those elen over there?" Turning her eyes over to Eo and speaking in a way that her request is more of a demand than a question, "You can do that right. And make sure she stays safe."
Drone? Does he think so little of the faith? Surely he recognizes the good the temple does for our world!
Frowning at Ibinu she responds "I do believe drone is uncalled for. Eo, for example has proven quite helpful today. Thank you good sir for assisting me. Please see to the needs of our new comer."
"Good stone friend, could you please explain how you uh...traded Brinn for this child?"
"Why'd you bring a child back? Is it yours Ibinu? I don't recall you traveling with a daughter... "
Grinning at Inam, "Nope," Looking over at the practicing Ibinu, "I am not sure he is up for conversation though."
Turning back to Inam with her grin still in place, "Do you think he will just continue when So Khong opts to grace us with his presence?"
Taking steps towards Inam. The mirth gone from her voice and the grin has fallen, "Oh, and Brinn is here. He is just really quiet and staying near the door." Leaning in closer, "I think this is affecting him in a bad way. He has been so quiet."
Eo jerks from a daze as Kallik addresses him. Hearing the tone of her voice, he quickly replies, "Umm, yeah, of course! If she's important to you, I'll keep her safe." With an awkward sweetness, he holds out his for the sylph girl to take. She looks to Kallik for reassurance, then takes his hand and walks into the Temple.
As Kallik indicated, Brinn is not his usual self - he is away from the group, unsmiling, looking at the ground. Softly, he is singing a strange, tonal undine lullaby.
Nodding to Eo, "She is so I will hold you to that."
Looking from Kallik to Ibinu, she grins sheepishly. "His attitude towards the high inquisitor...it wouldn't surprise me. I doubt So Khong would appreciate it though."
Frowning, she continues in a whisper "How was your travels? And seriously...how'd you manage to...gain a companion? Did something happen?" Glancing towards Brinn, her frown deepens.
Glaring in the direction of So Khong, "Well we were told to come back here on matter of great importance but I guess it is not that important."
Waving a hand so that Inam moves in front of her instead of following. While talking Kallik moves so that she has a wall to lean on before explaining anything. Grunting when she leans back before shifting so that she is leaning on one side and partially facing Inam. That might have started bleeding again. Kallik completely ignores any blood that got on the wall.
Once comfortable leaning she starts to explain, "We met our guide and he took us into the city." Waving a hand in the vague direction of outside, "This place cramped and disgusting by the way."
Looking around, Inam remarks. "Sorry, but I must disagree with you there. It may not be extravagant, but in it's own way the construction is quite elaborate and efficient."
Thinking a moment, she adds, "I may not know the full extent of So Khong's calling you back, but I suspect it has to do with my encounter. I'll try to explain in a moment. Please continue."
I suppose I had better ask first next time Raising an eyebrow but seeing that to get a explanation she must give on. "Ibinu wants to sell glass in the bare... barracks. Which is apparently a bad idea. So we went into through the marketplace," there is a strong disdain tied in with that word "to a tavern where we should not drink the water. No clue how these elen live like this."
Shaking her head and beginning to talk with out much pause, "Some ifrit men were trying to steal the girl. I do not speak ifrit. He said.. He needed birds for anmare? No, that is not right. Ansemare.. I do not know but it could not be anything wholesome."
"After I had stabbed one of them, then had Brinn hold him at spear point, while I talked to the child did the guards finally showed up." Grinning at Inam and sounding rather smug, "They thought I started the fight for not reason. I corrected them."
Her grin falls and anger tints her voice, "One of those ifrit got away though. Maybe if Ibinu had bothered to help that would not have happened." Glaring over in his direction, "He just stood there and let me fight both while dealing with the child."
"Hmmm...admittedly, I have not been out into the rest of the city." concedes the sylph.
Inam considers the tale and with a side look to Ibinu, "Oh my! Are you hurt? Why couldn't Ibinu be bothered to help?!" Taking a deep breath, she continues, a bit calmer. "I'm sorry to hear your tour was léanmhar. Err...troubled?. I don't speak ifrit either, but Eo or So Khong should be able to help."
I know Ibinu has issues with the church, but he was so willing to help at the caravan. He didn't hesitate to protect the innocent travelers! Is it the stone we were exposed to? The poison maybe? Turning towards the practicing sylph, she eyes him wearily. Have I misread you?
Brinn speaks, tonelessly. "The brigand's vernacular was admittedly crude, but ansimare, roughly translated, is Gasp. I've heard enough stories from travelers in my village..." He gives a haunted look to Inam and Kallik. "They were planning to kill that girl to make a drug called Gasp." The good-humored undine seems deeply shaken by the dark things he has seen in the city and the Temple.
Shaking her head, "My injury is nothing I did not deserve."
Turning back to Inam, "I have no idea why, both really, kept their distance from the fight."
Sighing and looking down, "No one cared actually. I yell for anyone to help and no one cared." Glancing back up at Inam, "Are all elen in cities this numb?"
"May I see your injury?"
Placing a hand on the wound, she closes her eyes. A tingling sensation floods her outstretched arm. Inams eyes flying open wide, betraying the fear overtaking her. The sylph shrieks as a white light envelopes the appendage, suddenly shooting into Kalliks injury.
"Oh! I'm so sorry...I don't know what happened. Are you ok?"
The chicken perched on Inam's shoulder, seemingly bored to sleep emits a clucking noise. The sound eerily resembles laughter.
"Sadly, I don't know if they are all this gan chroí. I hope not. We did see similar evidence that night we met..."
Sighing, she vows, "I will never abandon you stone-face!"
Nodding at the question. Turning around to let Inam see the slash on her shoulder. "I did not want the child to worry so I ignored.. Then I forgot about it."
Quickly turning around when Inam shrieks, "Did you not know you could do magic? And I am fine. It even feels better."
Glancing at the chicken then back at Inam, "Thank you."
Moving back so that she is leaning on the wall again as Inam starts talking again, What is with everyone and the language mi.. She just called me stone face again...
Offering a small smile, "Thank you but no one knows what the future holds."
It seems that it took a little longer than it should have to settle in. Kalliks green eyes wide and she turns to stare at Brinn, "So for a drug they will kill a child?"
Brinn shrugs, not meeting your eyes. He is clearly disturbed at what he has seen of the cold heart of Hearth.
"Do what?! A drug?!" exclaims Inam. Looking over her shoulder towards So Khong, she snarls "And I don't suppose the church has had time to handle this problem."
Children are the definition of innocents! They must be protected. If the spawns are behind this as well...they will pay!
Forcfully punching the wall, she turns back to Kallik. "You have done a good deed this day."
So Khong sends the last of his subordinates scurrying along with a quick chop of his midnight-blue hand. He walks over, robe slowly swishing. Addressing Inam, he grates, "Naivete. The temple is the only stability in Hearth. Nonetheless, it is the nature of those who refuse to see Volcano's light to sin. If the number of guards in this city were tripled, elen would still die. If you expect to do Volcano's work in these dark times, you must look for the greater good, not chase whatever small evils run by."
After he finishes speaking, the inquisitor stares intently at Ibinu, who is still going through his forms.
Opening her mouth to speak to Inam but So Khong finally decides that the oh so important matters are to be discussed. Turing to glare at him with anger clear in her deep voice, "The murder of a child is not a small evil. By choosing to view it that way you are loosing out on the next generation that would lift their voice in praise of Volcano. Though if they do not wield a blade in the great battle then they do no matter right?"