"Ravens..." Rooks replies, and breaks for a loud yawn. She rubs the sleep from her eyes and tries to remember details from the dream. She often dreams of birds, so that wasn't anything unusual. But there was something...
"Glittering, in the woods up north. I flew towards it, and it became very bright, and..."
And the she shrugs.
"I guess that was it."
"How was yours?"
"A restless night. Nothing more."
After allowing time for you all to do your morning rituals, Borag asks that you all meet again in the feast area. Father Zyas has a nice breakfast prepared.
"Word is the guard are doubled, pulling double shifts. They are going to be wary of us in town. Lets just keep to the task and get to setting up for the Carnivalle. Our meeting should not take long, just watch the wagons and horses." Borag says inbetween bites of his breakfast.
We do good show! Much fun!, Woyzeck exclaims around a mouthful of cold potato.
"I hope there's less trouble than last night..." Rooks mutters. But wouldn't count on that.
The situation had become unexpectedly dangerous within the city of Nevermore, even something as simple as a trip to the market. Now the Zatis were marked as troublemakers from the city guard and its citizens. There was no telling what sort of new animosity might begin to build against the troupe. As they were preparing to leave for setting up the carnival, Ghost decided to speak with Father Zyas.
"Pardon me, Father Zyas. If I may speak with you. As you know, we are leaving today to begin preparing the carnivalle. I thank you for allowing us to stay here and participate with your festivities last night, you are one of the few who do so. I hope that yourself and Brother Liam are in good health to come enjoy it." his tone began as pleasant but after a moment it dropped to a more serious nature.
"However, last night proved there are dangerous things occurring even within the walls of Nevermore. While it was a great comfort to know you were nearby, that will not be the case for us later.
The Year of Dark Dreams is nearly upon us," Ghost says ominously and with a small shudder "and I fear that things will soon get worse. Mother Salvensa might be able to divine more." his voice had quieted to barely above a whisper and his dark eyes fixed on the priest.
There was a long silence before he shook his head and his voice returned to normal.
"Is there anything you could do to aid us for the future? I am not a servant of the gods, but I do have some ability to heal those around me. Anything else would be greatly appreciated."
"Also, I have one of these." Ghost said, reaching into his pouch and pulling out his flowstone to show the priest. "Can you see it's flow?"
Ghost's blackened eyes focused on the priest.
He knew that father Zyas had been pleased when they rescued Brother Liam and everyone was able to attend the dinner last night. He did not know for sure how far that gratitude extended beyond their stay in the town, but after last night he was not going to let things stand. He believed in the prophecies which predicted a dark future ahead. He hoped the cleric would hear his meaning and offer them something beyond the here and now.
"Yes, I fear you are right young Ghost. Please take this, it is a wand of cure wounds that will serve you well. I have also prepared some drinks for you all as well. These spirits are blessed by the joyful ones, and will heal your heart, body, and soul." Father Zyas looks at the flowstone. "Looks capable of casting a cure or inflict wounds spell on someone. A unique stone indeed!"
"Time to go." Borag grunts at everyone, obviously not looking forward to the task at hand.
The huge man enfolds the old priest in a strangely gentle full body hug...
Thank you! Magic bottle, Momma tell me good boy say thank you. Thank You!, he rumbles out.
Ghost smiled at the priest and reverently takes the magical items. He had hoped to receive some small amount of healing but this was a gracious gift indeed.
"Praise Buffahn, and thank you for your assistance, Father Zyas. I hope you come and enjoy the carnivalle."
With that he turned to the others.
"Well then, Rooks, Woyzeck. Let's go."
Rooks flashes a grateful smile for Father Zyas and accepts the bottle. She secures the healing spirit into her backpack.
"Thank you, Father Zyas. I wish you all the best."
Then she joins Borag and the others, ready to move on.
The wagons get loaded and you park out front of the Town Council. Its a long tall building in the center of town. The streets are filled with people today, but they are pretty quiet and most do not look your way. The city guard is very vigilant and asks to see all of your faces for accountability before allowing Borag and the seniors enter.
"Ok my Zyatis, just stay out here. You may hear things get a bit heated in there, but remain out here with our things. " Borag says and the big man pushes the doors open and struts inside.
The rest of you are watching the wagons and horses. Nothing of significance so far.
Ghost felt the bristling glare from the guards as they demanded he show his face from behind his mask. His black eyes were unsettling to those who knew him, let alone complete strangers. He felt better once he had it back on.
He would have to be careful not to draw any more attention to the group.
He nodded as Borag gave his warning and headed inside. The previous days events had pushed him into acting far more than he would have liked.
"Just stay out here? Sure, easy enough. At least we don't have to worry about getting dragged into anything, right Rooks? Woyzeck? "
He leaned against the wagon looking out at the people who walked on by. Although most people avoided matching gazes, Ghost enjoyed watching people go about their daily lives.
So not move wagon, yes? Stay wagon and watch, yes?
"Something going on over there."
Rooks points towards an alley a few blocks away. Two young boys, a human and a dwarf, have cornered a young Fay'Aree and look to be intimidating her. By the body language it is pretty obvious that they are trying to get her to leave the area.
Rooks feels a bit sorry for the Fay'Aree, being no stranger to being bullied. But their job is to stay with the wagon..
Woyzeck sits on the wagon tail, which dips appreciably with an inanimate groan, and starts to hum happily.
"Another Fay'Aree, huh?" Ghost said, looking to the alleyway. His mind thinking about the one they'd run into the previous day.
He frowned thoughtfully. They probably are just acting out what they were taught.
A rising urge from within caused him to act.
"Rooks, if you were free to do what you want right now, say, stretch your legs and not leave line of sight from the wagons, would you interfere?" he asks, pointedly.
The boys shove the Fay'Aree out of the alley and she stumbles at first, then runs away in tears. The boys mocking her as she runs. A patrolling constable scolds the boys and they run away chuckling to themselves.
Inside you hear some voices elevated. Nothing you haven't heard before from Borag though.
A young human woman walks by and takes a liking to Woyzeck. "My you are a strong one. What kind of performances do you do at the carnivalle?" She is an attractive woman with long dark hair and brown eyes with olive skin.
Ghost felt a pang of guilt when he saw the girl run off in tears. A hint of annoyance from the Quori spirit. Had he interfered immediately he could have altered the situation.
But no, I chose to pawn it off on Rooks instead.
He sighed, but continued sitting against the wagons as things began simmering inside.
When the pretty woman began speaking to Woyzeck he raised an eyebrow at her, gauging her interest.
Huh, a decent attempt at feigning interest. But she doesn't match up to Columbina or Zani.
He was about to call her out but decided to see how far she was willing to go and if Woyzeck would pick up on it first.
To Ghost's question, Rooks merely shrugs. "I don't really like to intervene. As you probably know, I'm not much of a talker. And while beating those kids for a lesson would probably serve them right, it'll just cause more trouble."
"She'll has to endure."
But this line of thought is interrupted by the woman coming to swoon Woyzeck.
We'll, she can't be the first girl to come admiring the strongman...
He puffs himself up appreciatively, happy for the praise.
Woyzeck is strong... and Woyzeck is good. Yes. He move heavy things, and fight. Woyzeck fight good. What pretty girl like you do in town like this?
"How about you show me what you can do with those muscles? Are you a strongman at the Carnivalle? That is so impressive! My name is Shandra, what is yours handsome?" The woman continues to swoon over Woyzeck.
The raised voices you heard from inside quiet down a bit. As Woyzeck puffs himself up some curious onlookers do take interest at a distance.
You see several constables escort the mysterious Fay'Aree that tried to kidnap Brother Liam the night before. They have them in shackles and are putting them in a stockade in front of common area
On lookers curse and throw things at them.
"These damn Fay'Aree! We had enough of your kind!" A small crowd gathers to punish the Fay'Aree.
Ghost nods to Rooks observation and watches the interaction between the pretty woman and Woyzeck play out. And a moment after Woyzeck responds, it became obvious to Ghost that neither the big man nor Rooks had caught on to her ruse.
He then caught sight of the Fay'Aree from the previous night. No, why now? he thought as the crowd began to gather around her, the anger clearly beginning to build.
The pang of guilt struck again. But the wagons he began to think, and then a small surge of annoyance hit him. Fine!
He stood up suddenly, addressing the small group.
"Yes, he is quite the strong man. Good at it too... but you, Shandra, are not as good as you think at feigning interest in him. Woyzeck, I'm sorry, but she is playing you for a fool." he said, warning the big man. He would have stayed to defend his position but Woyzeck would have to deal with the fallout.
"Rooks, Shandra's a liar. Don't let Woyzeck get into trouble and don't leave the wagons!" he said hurriedly as he left to head to the stockade.
...
He had nearly broken into a full run to get to the crowd quickly, he pushed through to get to the front of them, putting himself in the way of their anger.
"People. People of Nevermore, please. Everyone listen!
I understand what you are feeling, believe me I do. Though I am an outsider here, I am among those who were caught up in what happened yesterday and brought her to justice. I see the anger in your eyes. I hear it in your voice. But you must not blindly hate the Fay'Aree. Yes, this one is in the stockade. Yes, she is being punished, as is the law for her actions. But you are citizens of a civilized town.
Hate her if you must, but do not debase yourselves in the eyes of your peers or the law to do so. Do not turn your frustration upon her and act in a barbaric manner! You're all better than this." Ghost pleaded with the crowd.
Woyzeck frowned as Ghost 'spoke' to him.
Tricking Woyzeck?
Nilelane's words just complicated his mental confusion.
You want Woyzeck pick up cheat girl?, he asks, his train of thought and comprehension completely thrown off his normally uncomplicated and smooth mental tracks.
The crowd disperses at Ghost's words.
A stern constable remains. "This one doesn't deserve your compassion" He states plainly and looks over the party.
"Yes! Pick me up with one arm!'
Shandra smiles at Woyzeck eager to be picked up by the big brute, and ignoring Ghost's comment.
"Perhaps not, but neither does she deserve my hatred. I will not be so quick to judge." he says back to the constable.
He then walked up to the Fay'Aree.
"Are you alright? I managed to disperse the crowd for now, but I do not know if others will come later." Ghost said, aloud.
He then reached out with his mind connecting to her again.
"I also heard you are not doing well. Can you talk? Last time we met, you were trying to warn me of something I didn't understand. Will you tell me now?"
"Oh, look, she's a..." Rooks starts, only now spotting the Fay'Aree in shackles. But Ghost was already gone...
"...a priestess of Verdus."
And there was now a commotion also at the wagons, with Woyzeck and the strange girl and the elf. And people all around, coming and going. Rooks looks left and right, trying to track everything that is happening - but she isn't really made for life in busy towns. She just purses her lips, and grabs her staff tighter, ready to whack anyone trying anything suspicious.
Picking up women, one handed was a skill that too a loooong time to learn to do right. Still massively confused but having received a confirmation of the instruction he worked his arm around her postierer while steadying the woman's mass with his other hand (with the performing girls he knew he could be a bit less cautious and less careful), before bouncing her up to sit on his huge arm.
Shandra shouts with glee at being tossed around by Woyzeck.
A small group of locals take interest and begin to crowd around Woyzeck. One sour faced Myruun Woman smirks and tosses Woyzeck a Myruun silver with an anchor printed on one side and wave on the other. She is dressed as a sailor with two sharp looking cutlasses on her hip. She does not linger and keep walking.
"I see. Though you didn't seem to hesitate chasing after her yesterday. Perhaps Brother Liam can use some of your compassion. " The constable snorts then turns around to continue on a patrol.
Ghost didn't turn to face the constable's comment. Situations change, was all he thought.
Instead, he focused on the Fay'Aree.
"I see, but I am... we are not City Walkers. We are the Hanataz. Travelers, wayfarers, performers. Largely, we are outcasts from our homes and most of society. Blamed for ill fortune and many wrongdoings not of our making. Perhaps there is no difference and there is no difference to you.
But what is important to me, is that when it mattered, you chose to speak. So now I will listen. What is your name?"
"The wagon duty takes as long as it takes..." Rooks shrugs. She seems to be quite adamant on sitting here until the end of time if need be.
She glances at the Myruun woman, who has the look of trouble around her. But she passes by, and Rooks is rather happy about that.
One by one, black birds start circling in the air around the wagon. Some of them landing on the wagon, fluttering their wings and fixing their beady black eyes wherever Rooks is looking.
"I am Zulanda T'ella No'Ra." The Fay'Aree answers Ghost. There is a long pause. Then she adds. "You are not city walkers? Hanataz? Then Carnivalle must be coming."
You can hear Borag shouting through the double doors, but this is how he negotiates so it wasn't surprising.
Shandra asks to be let down, still giggling. Kicking her feet in the air.
She stays around to flirt with Woyzeck, though now she seems more sincere.
An hour passes. The occasionally a passerby will harass Zulanda.
You all notice Brother Liam walking down the road. He does not stop to acknowledge you.
"Yes, you are correct. Carnivalle is here and we the Hanataz are to perform." he responded.
He then spotted Brother Liam walking by at a distance.
"But again, Zulanda, why did you intend to take him, or anyone, at all? I've heard rumors of many strange things and visitors being seen near Nevermore lately? Is it all related somehow?"
Ghost paused and let out a deep sigh, trying to open his mind to more encompassing and esoteric possibilities outside of the laws of cities. "You say city walkers couldn't understand. By your estimation, did we error in something serious yesterday, when we interfered with you?"
Waaaay to simple minded for boredom, he takes some fun in playing with his new friend... balancing, hoisting, spinning, throwing up and down like a parent would throw a child.
"Ok..OKAY. You are so strong. How about you join me for a drink now?" Shandra asks Shandra feels for her coin pouch. "Oh I seem to forgot my coin at home. You will have to pay if you don't mind" She smiles.
Zulanda starts to sob. . The old ways have something to do with sacrifice, but you are not sure what.
Ghost did not understand. For all his words on empathy, he couldn't follow.
Sacrifice? It was too much for him to contemplate as he was no historian nor theologian. He would have to consult wiser minds to understand more.
He reached out a tentative hand to her shoulder, he let her have a few moments and then asked.
"And what will happen now? Will the Bruzandian do something? Also, this T'svaria, how will they act?"
Rooks frowns.
"Woyzeck. We guard the wagon." she says, surprising even herself with the fierceness of her voice. And poor strongman hadn't even shown any reaction to Shandra's invitation yet. But Rooks has to admit the girl was good at what she was doing.
"Time for drinks is later."
Gods, she hopes Borag would finish up soon. It's getting restless here. Ghost is already away at the stockades, and she couldn't trust Nilelane to stay put even for a second. And if Woyzeck is lured away...
She sighs, and gazes at the birds, again. Are they trying to tell her something..?
Okay, the big man says, carefully putting down his new playmate and sitting on the wagon, which groans again.
No drink now. Work time, he says with some regret but a degree of finality.
Shandra makes a face at Rooks and stomps off like a spoiled teenager.
"THIS IS MY FINAL OFFER OR I TAKE THE HANATAZ AND WE WILL RIDE TO LIMEROCK!" Borag pronounces so loudly that the entire street around the townhall stops for a second to ponder what is being discussed inside.
Borag rarely raises his voice like that. His voice is naturally loud so he hardly has need to, and despite his size has a calm demeanor most of the time.
"Returning to a place which would punish you for failure does not seem like a good idea to me." he paused for a moment before continuing.
"You are correct that many here in Nevermore would not understand what you tried to do. I also don't understand the implications of what happened yesterday. But I do understand that life and death have their places in the world.
It doesn't seem like you attempted this purely out of malice, but the old ways have been abandoned for most. I don't know what your sentence is going to be, but while we're here, I could come to speak with you every day."
He was so focused on speaking to Zulanda, Ghost didn't notice Nilelane's footsteps, and he nearly jumped as she called out to him.
"Oh, Nilelane! There you are!" he said, turning to her.
"Uhm, friend, not exactly. She's uh..." he clicked his tongue. How do I even begin to explain this to her?
"Her name is Zulanda."