One drone is like another...easily replaced.What do the God's care as long as they have someone to stroke their egos through worship.The irritated and very sarcastic drawl of Ibinu slides from between his kata forms at the comment of Kallik and the Inqi.
The murder of an innocent child is no 'small evil' fumes the sylph.
Scowling at Ibinu and So Khong, Inam turns to Kallik, "We must save those we can. Sadly, the pressures of the war do take precedence. For if we lose, none will survive."
Her frown deepening, she turns back to So Khong, looking to his feet. "I expect the child to be cared for. I predict where our path leads us is no place for a child."
This whole place is evil! Shooting a glare at Ibinu and a rumbling growl in her throat when Inam speaks up. Pushing herself off the wall and taking a few steps towards the door before stopping. Turing back and looking around and nearly snarling, "Yes the war is important but it is a waste if there is nothing to protect!"
Taking a few steps towards So Khong, "You care so much for the battle but nothing for the elen that that battle is being fought for!"
So Khong's face remains impassive. "Make your choice. As the warrior," he indicates Inam with his hand, "will attest, there is an infestation of darkspawn under our very feet. Will you use your blessings to help, or will you rage against my words and let others die?"
Finishing her walk so that is right in front of So Khong and glaring up at him. "I am more than willing to fight to keep others safe but I expect to be told everything. I will not follow you or anyone blindly. You want my help and I am willing to give it but there are terms."
Flexing her fingers and clearly forcing her voice to even out, "So get with the explaining. I am not your child so you do not get to treat me as such. Do not hide information from me. Should it come out later you would regret it." She still has not moved out of So Khong's space.
Show us. Ibinu commands as he sheathes his fauchard in one swift clean motion'
"Uh, perhaps it's my turn to share." Inam says sheepishly. Looking down at her feet, she continues. "During my tour of the temple, I had Eo show me the dungeons. I felt it important to see how they treated the enemies of Volcano to better gauge the hierarchy here... The dungeon was unlocked when we got there and some...some...creature attacked us. The guard was unconscious and dieing. So Khong saved her... Thats when you were sent for."
Turning to So Khong, "Is there more you can add? You seemed to better understand what was going on."
Thinking a moment, she blurts "Oh! After the thing was defeated, it vanished."
Ibinu waits until Inam finishes..Hmm now some of that makes sense. I think Inam is right that we need to help even though we may have different reasons.Speaking again, so.. if he healed her absolutely, Lets go talk with her and then So Kong has permission to tell his side. After all, he did make promises that have yet to be followed through on. Maybe he provided a cover for his real intent. If, he wishes to prove his trustworthy self to us, he may accompany us and stay quiet until the guard has filled us in. He may be very thorough in his deception but I doubt he would even think to go this deep. Turning an insolent smile to the Inqi...Well...either lead us to her or have her brought here.
So Khong cocks his head at Ibinu. "While darkspawn ravage the lower halls of the Temple, you spew forth an...arbitrary ultimatum. The guard in question is scarred, burned, and needed to be carried to the infirmary but half a candle ago, and rather than helping to ensure no further citizens come to harm, you wish to interrogate her? Do I understand correctly?"
He turns to Kallik. "And what information do you desire, that you are always mewling about? The average size of a darkspawn's claws? The predicted chance that the guard that was assaulted will live through the night? How long it will take the darkspawn to lay enough eggs to overwhelm the entire city? I am curious what you find so important that you cross you arms with petulant anger rather than lift your weapon to help."
You spout anger like you Holy hotness, but can you be trusted as well? I have seen several things that lead me to believe both ways. If you are to have our help then you to must be worthy of our trust. I do not wish to interrogate, I merely wish to observe two things..first.... the girl is mending well and offer my support if there a need and second .... whether or not you will question everything we chose to do.
We have a mutual goal. Though I don't give obeisance to the Gods, I still believe that the spawn must be destroyed. If we can trust you to allow us to accomplish the goal or goals in a manner we deem effective and efficient, then I am willing to work WITH you but I will not have you dictate what and how I do things. Ibinu closes the distance between him and So Khong Rapidly as he speaks stopping just shy touching the Inqi. You expect us to trust you and your decisions. We demand the same or I will walk away and find another means of completing the same objective.You decide which is best for you. I rightly don't care if I work with you or not. So far I have seen a self-righteous, arrogant, pushy, many words little follow through person whom I am not currently sure I should trust.
Your accusing us that our motives are "ultimatums" instead of seeking information before making your judgement, doesn't help your God's case any either. This pettiness between us must stop if we are to accomplish stuff together. I am willing to overlook a bit and expect you to give the same.
Pausing briefly,some what out of breathe, Ibinu glares at So. Then steps back a few feet allowing the Inqi to regain view of the others.
Turning her head to watch Ibinu with a curious expression but refocusing on So Khong. Still not bothering to move away as she starts to talk, "At our last meeting you said that we should prepare for the potential threat of darkspwan and that information would come later instead of before these things appear. Though they have appeared now. We were also told that we would get to speak with Gregori and that never happened."
"I am more than willing to help but I want to know what I am getting into. The more we know the better prepared we will be to deal with this threat."
A grin forms despite the anger in her voice, "I do not know where you are getting those assumed questions. I never asked any of them. I assume I have been clear in what I want but if you are having trouble understanding me then please let me know."
Shifting on her feet and losing some of the anger from her voice but not all of it. "I currently have nothing to raise my weapon too. When there is cause I will. I do believe I was promised training. Which I am willing to receive but you, So Khong need to understand that I am not going to be spoken to like this again. You do not make assumptions and I will not as well anymore. I want to know what I am going to be fighting. I want to know just what it is you seem to expect from me. And I want you to understand that you may ask me to do things. Not demand anything of me. I am willing to fight and defend the elen you seem to have little regard for but I will not fight those creatures and you at the same time."
"You want me to do this so be honest with me on what it is that you want and no not assume anything about what I will do or say in response to that. Explain it, completely, and once we have all the information we can actually make a realistic decision. I am not going to act on piecemeal information." Once done speaking she simply stares at So Khong with a neutral expression.
Looking between her companions as they spout off to the inquisitor, Inam gasps.
How can they speak to him in such a manner?! Show some respect!
As both finish their speech, she sheepishly adds. "Well, sir. Although I do not approve of the method of my companions, they do bring up one valid concern. Perhaps it was simply my mistake, but I was under the impression the dark spawn were outside the city. Now they are within its walls in mass? Coincidental...perhaps. It leads one to think you aren't giving us the full story though."
Sighing, she continues "I mean no disrespect good sir, but my companions aren't of the church. Please don't take offense to their way of thinking."
Finished with her feeble attempt to diffuse the situation, the sylph steps back a few steps, preparing herself for So Khong's response.
Hmm, I thought that was far more polite than what I said last time and what Ibinu said this time. I suppose I need to work on that. I doubt I am making things easier on Inam and I like that one. Not bothering to add anything else Kallik waits for a response still without moving out of So Khongs space.
Inam needs to get a bit of backbone...I don't care if she does worship a God no God worth following would demand that its followers stay spineless. I doubt though she'd take my observations in the way they are intended so better hush and shush for now. Turning to Inam Sorry if my manner offended YOU. He however gets no apology. The tall slyph states with a flick of his head behind him.
Inam, Ibinu, Kallik, and even the disconsolate Brinn all look to So Khong, waiting for a response. A long moment passes. The old undine's face twitches spasmodically and an ugly vein throbs on his forehead. His breathing quickens, and his eyes widen. He opens his mouth to say something, but closes it with an audible clack. With a nearly tangible force of will, he reasserts control of himself. His breathing slows, his muscles relax, and his face goes slack and neutral once more.
"A poor workman blames his tools. I do not understand Volcano's design in giving the four of you this blessing. But my understanding does not matter. I do not matter." A final, deep breath.
To Ibinu: "If you wish to see the injured guard, it will be so."
To Kallik: "This latest attack comes from dark waters . I did truly intend to provide training and knowledge to you before I sent you out any missions. Now the threat is here. We are out of options. Darkspawn - invaders from the Dark itself - are here, and perhaps all across the land. Their intentions, motives, abilities, and locations are all unknown, save for the occasional insight from our oracles. The infectors are the deadliest, but the four of you can fight them without succumbing to their blight."
He gestures to a nearby staircase that goes to the third tier. "The guard is this way. Ask your questions as we go. The wards in the basement will hold for a time, but we cannot delay long." His words are flat, lacking their usual bitterness.
Thank you. I to will endeavor to make this about more than just me. Ibinu nods in acknowledgement of So Khong's words
"Ibinu, I'm not offended by you or your methods. I just wish you would use a little more....tact. Without following the societal necessities, the world becomes chaos. If we let such chaos rule, then why fight to save it?"
"So Khong, I understand your concerns. I too have doubts. Why me? I'm no one! There must be better options than a lowly sylph... Yet, Volcano not only chose me...us...he sent me a guide! I must follow his path wherever it leads. High Inquisitor, I do have one request of the church."
Pausing, Inam eyes her companions. Her eyes momentarily filled with a deep sadness. "Sir, when I perish, I beseech you. Please give me an ifrit burial in the ways of the Temple if I manage to bring glory to Volcano. If I fail, simply toss me out like the lowly sylph I was born."
Taking a deep breath, the sadness disappearing from her eyes, she turns and follows the undine without another word.
Turning her head to stare at Inam with a confused look and then shaking her head and looking back at So Khong, scowl firmly in place.
With his bland mask settled back on his face, So Khong says nothing to Inam's request. He gives only a curt nod.
Wordlessly, he takes you through more winding hallways on the third tier. The rooms here have no doors, and you catch glimpses of various wards and sickbeds. Most are wounded soldiers: burns, lost limbs, and infections seem to be the most common afflictions. The bruised music of coughing, vomiting, and groaning follows you down the dark, badly-lit corridors. The smell of cleaning fluids, antiseptics, and weeping sores provides a rank accompaniment.
Finally, So Khong brings you to a small ward, cramped with ten beds, five to a side. He points to the far left bed, but stays at the door, silently acknowledging that his presence is unwelcome at the moment.
The ifrit guard, a girl about Inam's age, looks up at your approach, but her coal-dark eyes do not seem to see you. Surrounding her eyes are two blood-red burns in the shape of Volcano's triangle. Weakly, she says, "Is someone there?"
Yes. The lady that saved you and her companions are here. We came to see your being taken care of. Ibinu states in a soft but audible tone. Hmm I wonder...the Inqy said the White obsidian was imbued in us and thus gave us protection...so what it.. Drawing a knife from his belt, Ibinu cuts the palm of his hand. As the shallow cut begins to bleed, he dabs it on his two fingers of his other hand. Then, Bending forward...[b]Inam, where were the injuries?[b]
The girl jerks back as the warm blood pools around her eyes. Some of the blood runs down her cheeks, shining in the dim torchlight, as if she is crying red, flaming tears.
She blinks rapidly, and says, "Mio Vulco! I can see you...only shadows, but I can see!" She clutches at Ibinu, hugging his arm and giving it a small kiss. "Grazie, grazie, grazie!"
Ibinu, despite the small amount of blood loss, you feel a little faint.
Falling back and quietly following So Khong while watching the other three. A strong look of displeasure is on her face at the scent of the cleaning fluids and antiseptic.
Once into the the smaller ward and when she sees the young ifrit the normally wordy oread sucks in a sharp breath and takes a step back, horror clearly written on her pale face.
Barely breathing until she sees Ibinu slice his palm. Not moving bearly more than mumbling, [smaller]"What are you doing?"[smaller]
A second step back is made one the ifirt confirms that she can see again, Merciful Forest! What are we?
"Not sure what you plan to...Oh my!" she gasps as Ibinu cuts his palm. "How...Why did that work?"
By Volcano's grace, is it possible we could succeed?!
What would cause him to think of trying that? That was amazing!
Staring at Ibinu, awestruck Inam seems far away. Etrah pecks her face violently, bringing her back to the present situation.
"Oh...uh...M'lady... did you see what attacked you? Hear anything? Anything you remember, no matter how insignificant it seems, could help us. Please take a moment and try to remember."
Kallik does not move froward again but watches the others in this area. We will get no peace or time to fight these shadows now if this gets out. Keeping back and just waiting to hear answers.
My ability to assist you immediately is done. I will continue to assist by tracking down that which attacked. When you feel well enough to help, tell SoKhong Ibinu motions to where the large Inqi waitsand he will make sure we get the needed information. He then stands back and allows Inam to do what she will.
The young elen swallows nervously. Her wide eyes, drinking in whatever images her still-healing eyes can see, make her seem all the younger.
"My partner Lui was making the rounds. I thought I heard him call my name..." There is a faraway look in her eyes, then she shakes her head. "If I had been thinking clearly, I would have fetched another guard to watch the door. Instead, I went in myself. The voice didn't sound like Lui anymore. It kept saying 'Listen, listen, listen...' but it just turned into this loud, awful hissing sound. It was so loud. I put my hands over my ears." As she says this, she covers her ears and shuts her eyes. "I think I fell to my knees. Something slashed at my face, and..." Her breathing quickens, and a few clear tears trickle down her cheeks and drip off her chin.
"I'm sorry. That's all I can remember. Vulco, Lui is still down there..." She covers her eyes and softly weeps.
Nodding, Inam thanks the guard. "I appreciate the information you've shared. If you think of anything else, don't hesitate to summon So Khong."
Returning to the others in the doorway, "I doubt we'll get anymore out of her now. She needs to rest, to heal. We should do what we can to ensure something similar doesn't happen to us. Earplugs would cause problems...what about a code word to guarantee we aren't lured into a trap?"
Thinking a moment, she adds "I don't suppose you know any sylph, stone face? Seems that is the general language shared amongst us. I'm sure we could teach you a word or phrase. We will need to head down at once to save the other guard of course. Thoughts?"
This seems to be more your purview for now..so you lead I'll follow Ibinu states from were he's leaning on the wall
As you leave, So Khong says, "There is one thing that must be done before you confront the darkspawn. Your weapons will be enchanted by Volcano's holy magics."
Inam looks to her feathered friend for confirmation. Receiving a nod from Etrah, she offers her sword to So Khong.
"As you wish." responds the sylph.
It feels wrong handing my weapon away...but Volcano's will be done!
I trust you know what you are doing but I still feel odd about letting my sword out of my sight. So..how about you show us where to take them and atleast give us substitutes for the bit they are being ensorcelled? Ibinu states
At Ibinu's remark, So Khong actually smiles for a fleeting moment. "Your...caution is duly noted. No substitutes will be required, however. This particular ritual requires the recipients of the weapons to be present - the enchantment will function for none but you."
Nodding at the question about learning a little slyph but keeping quiet and following the others. She keeps mute until So Khong mentions their required attendance to the blessing of their weapons. Her voice is low and hollow sounding, "I use mo... more than one weapon regularly. Am I needing to pick just one? And dispite Ibnui and I not venerated the Volcano these enhansments will still work?"
Turning to Kallik, Inam offers "Though you may not believe in Volcano's goodness, he clearly believes in yours. With that fact in play, I suspect these enhancements will work regardless of your faith."
Curious for the inquisitor's response to her friends weapon selection concern, Inam pauses for his answer.
"You must choose one weapon, for now. Given time, other rituals may be performed. The warrior is correct - Volcano's power is not limited by the belief of one. Come, the preparations are likely finished."
So Khong takes you outside once more, down to the second tier. After several winding minutes, Inam hears a familiar sound: the chorus of a thousand voices singing to Volcano.
The squat room you enter has dozens of small holes in the floor, allowing music and light to leak through. You must be directly above the public sanctuary. The music, though muffled, is still loud in the enclosed space.
In this mostly featureless room are six altars, four of which are occupied. Above each altar is the red triangle of Volcano. A crocodile, a vulture, an eagle, and an earthen bull are chained to the sharp-cornered slabs of obsidian. The room reeks of pungent oils and incense.
So Khong stands at the doorway, hands clasped behind his back. His blue face looks blood-stained in the light coming from below. "The sacrifices are ready. Anoint your weapons."
As I am not completely aware of what is expected to annoint our weapons please clear my understanding. I do not like to kill without a reason of which I agree and understand. I am assuming these animals somehow pertain to the ritual? Ibinue glances around the room pausing to evaluate the condition of each animal as he speaks.
Seeming to snap out of her stupor Kallik turns her head to stare at So Khong with wide eyes, "You do not expect me to kill those creatures!"
Looking between the animals and her companions, she stops.
Inam turns to So Khong, looking for clarification, "Sacrifices...?"
Puzzled the sylph waits for an explanation.
"Of course I expect you to kill them. Do you think powerful magic rains down from Fallen Sky?" He sweeps an arm toward the four animals, chained but in seeming good health. "Will you claim that these creatures should live, rather than serve their place to defeat the Darkness that even now threatens to boil out of the bottom of the Temple?"
I would think that for One so mighty as volcano ..whom by the way seems to revere life, He could come up with a way not til kill in order to enchant the weapons. But if I have your word as the annointed one of Volcano, that these creatures will be served to the needy as a blessing forom the temple, then I will kill one. What say you? Ibinu looks at each of the animals again as he speaks to So.
Not taking her eyes off of the bull, "By anoint the weapons do you mean that we only need their blood? That can be gotten without killing them." I am not killing that bull! Turning to glare at So Khong, "And if this is the blessing of Volcano should there not be only eagles in here?"
"Is it really necessary to harm such creatures" begins Inam.
With a loud, echoing "CAwcuCAW" Etrah bites the sylph's hand.
With a cry of pain she thinks back to how SO Khong warded the dungeon and Ibinu's bloodletting actions with the guard.
Approaching the eagle, she draws her sword tentatively. "Ibinu, you sacrificed some of your own innocence helping the guard as you recal. What we aim to do is more powerful, is it not? Doesn't it make sense for more to be required?"
"I understand none of you are from Hearth, and the ways of the Temple way seem strange, brutal. I assure you, no other way to forge true weapons against the Dark has ever been found. This is not alchemical fakery or arcane illusion. This," pointing to the chained bull, "is what kills darkspawn and keeps the citizens of the land drawing breath."
So Khong turns to Ibinu. "The Temple is not in the habit of wasting resources. The meat from animal sacrifices is always distributed to the needy."
He waits.
Glaring at the ground, "Are we each supposed to kill one then? You said anoint the weapons but not how. Do we need each creatures blood on our weapons?"
Inam pats the eagle on the head. Her eyes welling up with tears, she whispers, "Tá brón orm mo chara. onóir tú liom le do íobairt. I swear ar do anam, ní bheidh sé dul le dramhaíl."
Hearing Kallilk's query, she looks up. "She's right. Is there a specific way we need to do this? It'd be a dark shame if we messed this up and this was all for not."
Ibinu walks over to the crocodile, steps with in reach of its mouth and then when it opens its mouth and attemtps to bite, he steps aside and thrusts his fauchard into the body behind the head.
The chained animals can hardly move; any competent attack will score a hit. Ibinu easily dodges its bite. The crocodile dies without a sound, save a small exhalation.
So Khong points to Ibinu. "It is that simple. The creatures have been prepared for this. Choose one, strike, and your weapon will become a powerful tool for your battles against the Dark."
Inam bows to the bird before her, muttering "I'm sorry."
If I must do this, I will chose Volcano's vessel.
Stepping up to the majestic creature, she swings her greatsword high and with a flick of her wrists, it lands true. In one smooth motion, the eagles head and body separate.