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Post by Mizagium on Mar 9, 2014 2:11:51 GMT -5
The reality of Evermeet failed to live up to the reputation, at least for Garren. It expected more, somehow, from an Elven city. No, not Elven. Evermeet had not been an Elven city for almost a century, when it became the center for the Unity Rebellion, and then the capital of a new nation, Leithandor. Multiracial. Diverse. Leithandor flew in the face of everything so many had died for over the centuries. As far as the Golems were concerned, Leithandor was an experiment that had outlived the original parameters. While most of the continent seemed to agree, the fearsome Leithandian military had kept more than a few attempted invasions at bay early on.
Too many humans, Garren observed. And Heart-damned K’orm.
“Fresh eel! Fresh from Watertown!”
“Top quality unicorn horn! All the way from the Veilwood!”
“Want to learn Elvish? Sign up for my mail-based service! First month is free!”
“Cold? Venerial disease? Alamadochian skin rot? This tonic will cure all illnesses! Side effects may include-“
A sign advertising the “Sleeping Knight Inn and Tavern” assaulted Garren suddenly with large colorful print and magical sparks that alternated between red, green, and gold. Had it an emotive face like other races, Garren might have grimaced. Instead, it groaned, which echoed within its hollow body and came out a lot louder than it would have liked. A few pedestrians – a Vecidae, Half-Khatsie, and a Dwarf – looked its way but otherwise kept on with their day.
Inside was much less impressive than the advertisement promised, but exactly what Garren expected. Not one individual inside failed to turn his way. He noted seven Humans, a Vecidae, a large crowd of Hlaf-Khatsie, and a few Half-Elves in the back, keeping mostly to themselves. A Dwarf brushed past Garren and hopped up onto a barstool. After a few seconds, everyone turned back to their business except the Human at the bar.
“Can I help you?” the Human (a male, from what Garren understood about gender differences) asked a little too curtly for the Steelman’s taste. He felt the other’s eyes wander over his polished steel body, this zealot mantle, and his longsword.
Garren made a point to keep its hands away from the weapon for now. “I have reason to believe a Gangue has taken refuge in – “
“A what?” the Dwarf interrupted.
“A Gangue.” Garren kept a level voice but was already forming negative opinions about the inn. “It is our word for outcast, the lowest rung of our society, a heretic who – “
“A heretic!” The Dwarf laughed and slapped the bar, inciting a wave of laughter from the rest of the patrons. The bartender and the Vecidae didn’t laugh, however. “You ain’t from around here. No one in Leithandor talks that way. Where ya from, metal man?”
“Cogiate, between the Almadoch Desert and – “
“Yeah yeah,” he waved his hand dismissively. “I know Cogiate. Stuffy place. Smells like rock and steel.” He drank deeply. “Just like home.”
“Has anyone here seen an Ironman named Deaud?”
This time a Human male stood and spoke. “Maybe. Maybe not. Point is, Golem, this ain’t Cogiate. You’re in Leithandor.”
“I am aware of my geographical location.”
The Human advanced on him. “Are you sure? Because you seem pretty lost. You don’t just get to come in and start swinging your fancy religion around like it gives you some kind of power.”
“I swing nothing. I wear my faith; I bear it upon my shoulders. What about you, Human? What do you believe in?”
He didn’t answer, but chuckled. “Pretty words. But this? Just cloth.” He pinched it between his thumb and index and tugged it slightly. “This don’t – ahh!”
Garren seized the man’s hand in its own and squeezed. Chairs scraped the floor and just about everyone stood up. Garren ignored them. “Long ago, I vowed never to allow a Human to ever lay his hand upon me, but I would have forgiven you the offense had you merely touched my body. But you insult more than myself by staining my mantle with your sinful nature. But I am feeling generous today. Apologize and I will allow you to keep your hand.”
“Lemme go!”
“Let him go,” the bartender said, brandishing a cudgel. The Vecidae was also on all four feet and closing the distance rapidly.
Whatever Garren was about to do, it didn’t get the chance. The distinct sound of iron armor clanking caused him to spin back around towards the door. There was the Gangue, an Ironman attempting to sneak out while Garren was distracted.
“Stop!” Garren snapped around, taking the human and hurling him towards the Gangue. The Ironman disappeared out the door and the human projectile slammed into the wall and didn’t rise again. “Stop, heretic!”
“Get him!” Everyone in the inn rushed the Steelman zealot. Without even thinking, Garren drove a steel arm into the gut of a Half-Elf that surprised him, carrying him out the nearest window and into the street, eliciting a chorus of screams. And then Garren was out a different window, hurled by the Vecidae who followed suit.
Garren was on its feet by the time the Vecidae reached it. “You have aided and abetted a fugitive from divine justice,” Garren announced to a stunned crowd. “Stand down and your punishment will be lenient.”
The Vecidae responded by charging. They grappled for a moment before Garren continued. “Very well! As a servant of the Diamond Heart of the World, I bring judgment upon you and your conspirators! It threw the Vecidae aside and drew the longsword.
“Someone get the Dragoons!”
The Vecidae staggered, but recovered. By then, the remaining Humans, Half-Elves, Half-Khatise, and the lone Dwarf had joined their Vecidae comrade. “May the Heart have more mercy than I!”
“Where are the Dragoons?”
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Post by Calefrun on Mar 9, 2014 2:55:44 GMT -5
"Ka'lem! Are you up yet?" The half-Khatsie's mother, Sarah, called to him from downstairs. She was his human parent, and one of the Dragoons- the guardians of Evermeet's Council as well as its people. It was early afternoon, and normally she would be on duty, but she had taken her break early so that she could make sure her son had managed to rouse himself out of bed. "I swear," she muttered to herself, "that boy spends most of his time sleeping. How he'll survive in the army is beyond me." "By beating the crap out of anyone who crosses me, that's how!" Ka'lem replied as he appeared at the top of the stairs, fully dressed. Sarah sighed. Despite having been married to a Khatsie for nearly thirty-five years, she still somehow forgot that her family had much better hearing than humans. "I went ahead and made you lunch," she told Ka'lem as he passed her. "Eat quickly, and hurry to the registration center. Your brother should be arriving today, so I want you to be home in time for dinner." Ka'lem took a seat at the kitchen table, and started to eat. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'll be sure to be home in time to hear Mr. Business Man going on and on about all the people he's met over the past year, and how much money he's made, and all the same stories he's been telling for the past twelve years." "Oh come on. Don't even try to act like you don't enjoy his stories. Plus he's getting close to having enough for that shop he's always wanted, so this may be the last chance you'll get to hear them." With a grin Sarah added, "And don't forget, Rahana will be with him, too." Between bites of food, Ka'lem said in a slightly annoyed tone of voice, "Yeah she will. And like every year, she'll be too good for him. She deserves someone who could at least carry his own in a fight." Sarah laughed. "As jealous as ever, are we?" The half-breed coughed as he unintentionally swallowed the last bite of his meal, and his tail began to sweep from side to side out of irritation. "Would you stop saying stuff like that? She's pretty, I'll give her that, but I'm into girls with a bit less hair, y'know?" His mother laughed again. "Whatever you say. Now hurry up and get going!" He stood up and made his way to the door. "See ya!" he called as he made his way out. Not even ten minutes after he had left his house, he saw a commotion farther down the street. Some Steelman was fighting a bunch of people, and the Dragoons were starting to show up. "This aughta be good..." Ka'lem said to himself with a grin as he continued advancing towards the brawl. At the very least, he could watch the Dragoons in action. At best, he might get a chance to start building a reputation for himself before he even enlisted. Either way, the Dragoons were slowly moving towards the Golem, spears pointed at it. Something interesting was bound to happen. <><><><><><><><><><><><><> As Evermeet slowly formed on the horizon, Cen'tho estimated that he and Rahana would arrive in the city in under two hours' time. He also noted that his Khatsie companion had been silent for quite some time, sitting beside him at the front of the cart. She had the hood of her robe pulled up, and had been wordlessly staring at the road ahead of them for at least an hour. Thinking farther back, he realized that she had been acting rather strange since the moment they woke up. "Something on your mind?" he asked casually. She appeared to tense up at the question. "I... umm... well, it's just..." Now Cen'tho was really interested. The last time he had seen Rahana act nervous was on the day the two of them met. She took a deep breath before continuing. "It's been two years since that day you found me collapsed by the side of the road. We've been working together since, and yet I still haven't even told you the reason I was there..." Cen'tho shrugged. "You said you ran away from home, right? Something about a falling out between you and your father?" Rahana nodded. "Yes, but... there's more to it than that." Cen'tho watched her expectantly, and she swallowed, then closed her eyes. She held her hands out in front of her, palms facing each other and about six inches apart. Though her hood prevented the half-Khatsie from seeing it, she had a look of intense concentration on her face. As he watched, he began to feel a building heat eminating from the space between her palms. "Rahana... what are you-" he stopped midsentence when a swirling ball of fire suddenly burst into existance in her hands, then vanaished just as suddenly. "You... you're... y-you're a...." try as he might, Cen'tho just couldn't find the right words. For Khatsie, magic was forbidden. Even in Leithandor, any who practiced magic were shunned by their fellows, or worse. It would certainly explain why she might have had a disagreement with her father. Cen'tho had no idea how to feel. While it was true that he had grown up in Leithandor, and was only half-Khatsie himself, he could remember his own father giving countless warnings against involvement with the arcane. Even his mother, a human, had always distrusted magic-users. And he had been travelling with one for two years, without the slightest clue. His confusion must have shown on his face, as Rahana suddenly stood up. Unsure, and even frightened of what she may do next, Cen'tho asked, "Hey, what are going to-" before he could finish, she hopped out of the cart, and began running towards Evermeet. "HEY!" he called after her, but she continued running. For a moment he considered chasing after her, but he couldn't just leave his cart behind like that. Besides, if he caught up to her, what would he do then? With a sigh, he resigned himself to figuring out what to do after he had gotten home.
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Post by Myrdraxxis on Mar 9, 2014 15:39:10 GMT -5
“That dire bear in your fields has been taken care of.” Keenan said bluntly. The man sitting at his stall across from him blinked owlishly at Keenan for a moment before nodding slowly.
“Ah! Yes, I uh…I can see that.” The man, a farmer obviously from the way he was dressed, nodded. “Thank you for that sir.” The farmer glanced over Keenan’s shoulder.
“It was no problem. The beast was easier to bring down than anticipated.” Keenan explained, rather confused at his client’s reaction. The beast had been plaguing the famer’s fields for weeks now, finally driving the man to seek aid from the nearby city. Keenan, being in the business of taking such odd jobs, had been more than willing to help.
“That’s good to hear, I’m glad this was settled before it hurt anyone but…” he trailed off. Keenan frowned. What was the problem? He’d done the job just as asked. “Did you really have to bring it back with you?”
Ah.
Keenan shifted his weight, balancing the hulking bear’s corpse on his shoulders. Now that he looked around he realized that people were giving odd looks as they passed –rather quickly- through the market. Perhaps they weren’t used to seeing such a magnificent beast up close.
Or maybe they were unsettled that Keenan was carrying a mass twice his size with little effort at all, something no human should be able to do.
Keenan shrugged. “The corpse would attract scavengers. The meat can feed for weeks and the pelt can be used to trade or make-“ he started to explain but the farmer just stopped him with a waved hand.
“Yes, uh, thank you I understand.” The farmer fished around his pocket for a moment before handing Keenan a small coin purse. “Here you are, as promised.” Keenan took it, then with a grunt hefted the dire bear’s corpse over his shoulder and down onto the ground with a heavy ‘THUMP’ that made the farmer jump.
“Pleasure doing business with you.” Keenan said simply then turned to leave. The former client looked like he was about to protest about the large corpse that Keenan had left him with but thought better of it.
Keenan made his way through the markets, fighting off a large sigh as he went.
Two years.
Two years in this city and he was still uncomfortable with its…everything. With so many people bustling around all day, with all the buildings cluttered in on top of each other. It was a far cry from the Veilwoods, that much was certain.
He paused by some of the stalls, listening to some of the merchants bellowing out their offers. Keenan didn’t bother with buying food from these places when he could simply hunt his own outside the city. But Sometimes he just liked to see what sort of odd trinkets the merchants brought it.
The one thing he liked about Evermeet was the diversity of its citizens. He marveled at how so many different types of people could live together in one place: Elves, Humans, Khatsie, Dwarves, even K’orm! Keenan had never even seen any of these other races until he’d ventured from the Veilwoods for the first time.
“Come! See wonders from all across the world, fabulous trinkets and devices that baffle the mind!” A sales pitch caught Keenan’s attention. It was a stand displaying all sorts of odd devices, obviously of varied origin. Keenan spotted several dwarven steins on display, alongside Khatsie amulets and Vecidae horn jewelry.
A particular item caught his eye. It was small and buried under several more alluring pieces, but Keenan moved them all aside and almost couldn’t believe it when his eyes rested on the small object.
It was a simple wooden carving, a bird with unreadable marking carved along the ridges.
He must have been staring at it for a long time because the stall vendor spoke up, “Something caught your eye friend?” Keenan blinked and glanced up at the man, a human trader with not a hair on his head but more than enough beard to make up for it. The merchant squinted down at the carving in Keenan’s hand. “Ah, that little thing. Came across that up in a small village to the north a’ here. Not quite sure what it is though-“
“It’s a totem.” Keenan said. “An icon to ward off evil spirits. Villages in the Veilwoods use them as protection charms, and to mark territory.” He explained, running a finger along one of the carved bird’s wings. The merchant shot him a look and hummed thoughtfully.
“Interesting.” He murmured. “Are you planning on buying it?”
Keenan stared at the carving for a moment longer before setting it back down. “No.”
The vendor shrugged. “Well, just call if you find something that suits you, sir.” Keenan nodded faintly as the man turned his attention elsewhere. Keenan again fought the urge to sigh. He resisted looking over at the small Veilwood item, a reminder of what he had left behind. Instead his hand gravitated towards one of the random trinkets in front of him.
When Keenan actually focused on the item he’d picked up realized he had no idea what it actually was. It was a small metal orb with lines carved into it in strange patterns whose meaning was utterly lost on the Veilman. He fiddled with it for a moment, trying to find some way to identify it. Maybe it was some kind of dwarven grenade?
“That’s not how you use that you know.” An oddly accented voice made Keenan aware that someone was standing beside him. He turned to see a pair of bright silver eyes watching him curiously. Those eyes were actually the only feature that Keenan could see, the rest hidden behind a veil and hood. Keenan had never actually seen a K’orm in person before. The one before him was garbed completely in leathers and blue cloth, and from the way they hugged the form, very much female, as if the voice didn’t give that away.
“I’m…sorry?” He spoke. The K’orm woman held up a hand –only three fingers, Keenan noted- and he handed her the device. Her hands danced over the device for a moment, prodding at seemingly random places and then suddenly twisting the device along its axis. It began to glow a soft blue, then a soft melody began to play from it.
“It’s a music box.” Keenan said, surprised. The K’orm giggled, handing him back the small orb, than Keenan now squinted at curiously.
“Something like that.” She shrugged. “They’re rather common among my people.” The K’orm explained, then blinked rapidly as if just remembering something. “Oh! I forgot to introduce myself! I hope that’s not rude of me.” She said rapidly. “I’m Lia’Vas. Lia’Vas Jaetekko.” She held out a hand to shake though the gesture seemed confused, like she wasn’t quite sure if she was doing it correctly.
“Keenan.” The ranger introduced himself simply, shaking her hand. He regarded the K’orm for a moment. “Don’t see many K’orm around here you know.” He said. Lia nodded emphatically.
“I know. I just got here this morning, myself. It’s incredible! I’ve never seen so many different people in one place before!” She sounded excited as she spoke. “It’s so much better than the stories the traders tell.”
Keenan almost chuckled. Incredible wasn’t the word he’d use for it, though he could appreciate the young woman’s enthusiasm. “It’s certainly something. I take it this is your first time to Evermeet.” He said as he motioned the merchant over. He supposed he would go ahead and buy the music…orb.
“That easy to tell?” Lia asked, and though he couldn’t see it, Keenan was almost certain she was grinning sheepishly. “I’ve…never actually been away from my Ar’kareth before now.” The word was unfamiliar but Keenan could grasp the meaning well enough. “Truth be told…it’s a little overwhelming.”
Keenan knew the feeling. It had been similar for him when he’d arrived in the city. Hell, some days it was still like that. “It can be hard to adjust.” He said. “But once you get the hang of this place it’s not so bad.”
“Oh I hope so.” Lia’s eyes –figuratively- brightened. “Otherwise all of those things I said about the outside world would make me look foolish.” There was a story there but Keenan didn’t pry.
“Do you have any place to stay?” The ranger said as the thought occurred to him. He hadn’t thought that far ahead when he first arrived to Evermeet, and as a result spent the first week sleeping in alleys.
Lia’s silence and shifting posture was his answer. Keenan shook his head and stashed his purchase, motioning for Lia to follow.
“Come on then. There’s an inn not too far from here that will let you stay for the night.”
“Thank you…” Lia said, though the confusion in her voice was obvious. Why are you helping me, was the unspoken question.
“For showing me how this works.” Keenan smirked as he held up his new purchase. Lia blinked at him then chuckled.
“If that’s all it takes to get help in this city then I should have brought more junk from home with me.”
Now Keenan snickered quietly. “Come on, the inn will fill up by nightfall.”
The trip through the streets was quick and for the most part silent, Keenan leading wordlessly while Lia stared in wonderment at everything around her. Several times Keenan caught the girl tripping over herself in the crowded streets.
“Well,” he said finally. “We’re here. The Sleeping Inn and Tavern is just around the corner-“ as he said that and the pair turned to the next street, Keenan stopped. There was shouting coming from the inn.
The window shattered as a human was thrown through it, crashing into the street outside with a groan. Cries of alarm and shouts for the Dragoons began filling the street. “Uh…”
“Ooh! A barfight!” Lia spoke up. Keenan nodded. “That looks like fun!” Wait, what-“Come on!” Lia took off towards the inn, jumping over the collapsed human and into the Sleeping Knight. Keenan stared after her for a moment, stunned. He mentally warred with simply walking away…then swore and followed behind her.
Inside of the tavern was chaos as people fought. After a moment Keenan realized that thy weren’t all fighting each other, but rather everyone was going for one specific target near the bar.
A hulking form was batting away fighters easily. A golem, Keenan realized. Oh hells.
Which was when Lia popped up next to the bartender. “Excuse me! I’d like a room for the night please.”
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Post by Damien on Mar 9, 2014 18:07:44 GMT -5
“Pretty words. But this? Just cloth.”
These were the first words Renshu heard when his awareness returned to the physical plane. He had ceased his meditations, still not knowing where it is that he goes.
“This don’t – ahh!”
Renshu jumped up from the floor of his room and was at the door in seconds. He quickly sneaked down the stairs and looked around the corner just in time to see a golem made of steel essentially crushing a human's hand. Suddenly, every other patron was out of their chairs, warily reaching for their weapons. The golem paid them no mind, and spoke to the man in his grasp.
“Long ago, I vowed never to allow a Human to ever lay his hand upon me, but I would have forgiven you the offense had you merely touched my body. But you insult more than myself by staining my mantle with your sinful nature. But I am feeling generous today. Apologize and I will allow you to keep your hand.”
Renshu chuckled quietly at the mention of sin. He understood what the golem was talking about as monks are held to a high and strict standard of behavior. Knowingly and willingly deviating from that behavior would illicit harsh punishment among other things from his fellow monks, and, somehow, they always knew when someone had deviated from the path.
All of a sudden, the distinct sound of metal clanking caused Renshu to return his attention to the scene. He saw another golem, this one made of what appeared to be iron, attempting to sneak out of the tavern.
“Stop!” The Steelman snapped around, taking the human and hurling him towards the other golem. The Ironman disappeared out the door and the human projectile slammed into the wall and didn’t rise again. “Stop, heretic!”
Apparently, Renshu thought, the Ironman is a fugitive. I really must learn more of the world outside the monastery. These golems seem an interesting race.
“Get him!” Everyone in the inn rushed the Steelman zealot.
Renshu ran swiftly back up the stairs As he got to his room, he heard two crashes and breaking glass downstairs, most likely the golem and something else going out the windows. He went straight to the window where, below in the street, he saw the that a crowd of people had formed around the area where the brawl had moved.
“You have aided and abetted a fugitive from divine justice,” The Steelman announced to a stunned crowd. “Stand down and your punishment will be lenient.”
A Vecidae responded by charging. They grappled for a moment before the golem continued. “Very well! As a servant of the Diamond Heart of the World, I bring judgment upon you and your conspirators! It threw the Vecidae aside and drew the longsword.
“Someone get the Dragoons!”
The Vecidae staggered, but recovered. By then, the remaining Humans, Half-Elves, Half-Khatsie, and the lone Dwarf had joined their Vecidae comrade. “May the Heart have more mercy than I!”
“Where are the Dragoons?” someone yelled.
Suddenly, as if by some miracle, the Dragoons appeared, broke through the crowd, and surrounded the golem.
Renshu, in the meantime, had opened his window and climbed to the roof, being careful to stay far enough from the edge to see and not to be seen, prepared to lend aid where needed. He didn't plan on interfering; however, if any of the citizens were endangered, he'd be bound by his teachings to protect them.
-----
Ah, the smell of ancient knowledge, how I have missed you!
Selmareth, in keeping with his studious nature as a wizard trained by the Masters of Istimamen'Selu, had spent the majority of his time since awakening from his Reverie in Evermeet's immense library. He had found several codices, tomes, and grimoires detailing ancient magics from many of the other races, even some on elven magics (which he planned on correcting since no one ever gets it right), and was on his way back to the room he'd been renting out from a friendly elven shopkeep near the Sleeping Knight Inn.
Barely able to see over the stack of books in his arms, he could see a large group ahead of him as well as hear a huge commotion. Above the group, he could see the sign for the Sleeping Knight.
"Nuuto!" he cursed under his breath. He kept moving forward with "Excuse me", "Pardon me", and "Make way" the entire time. However, he only made it halfway through the throng of people before the refused to move anymore.
"Please move," he said curtly.
No one budged.
"I will only ask once more nicely... Please. Move."
Nothing.
"Fine then. Have it your way." Selmareth placed the books next to a nearby building, and called up a shield of pure earth to protect them. "Tinechor en'kemen."
He then turned back to the crowd and spoke again to the earth. "I'kemen querna!" Suddenly, the ground began to shift on which he and the people in his way began to turn, but it stopped as soon as it had made half of a full rotation, essentially causing the elf and those in his way to switch places. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the shield, and the stones constructing it fell back into the earth. He picked up his books and continued to his room.
I wonder what was going on, he thought. Ever the curious one, he dropped his books off in his room, and with a quick "Amin bela", he was back at the scene, soaking in the "culture" (if one could call it that).
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Post by Mizagium on Mar 15, 2014 0:37:43 GMT -5
By the time the Dragoons had arrived in proper force, Garren had dispatched the Dwarf, Half-Elves, three Humans, and one of the Half-Khatsie. Only the big Vecidae, whom it had come to respect as a warrior over the course of their grappling, continued to face it. She was tiring, however. Garren did not, could not tire in the way of the organics. It was, however, growing weary of the battle, eager to end it and resume his pursuit of the Gangue.
“Ah, Dragoons!” He assumed a less aggressive stance and turned towards the approaching peacekeepers. “Finally. Men and women of the law; they will put an end to this foolishness.” It cast a look at the Vecidae, which carried less contempt than Garren wanted, given it had no eyes or facial expressions for organics to read as they did. However, the sheer act itself incited a sharp snort from the Vecidae woman.
“Don’t be so sure, Steelman,” she snapped. “You’re not one of us. And you almost killed a bunch of us.” She walked away, rejoining her friends.
But Garren was eagerly awaiting the Dragoons, clearly sure that they would be on it’s side.
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Post by Myrdraxxis on Mar 15, 2014 22:13:43 GMT -5
Through all the confusion from the patrons milling about and the sudden surge of Dragoons storming the establishment, Keenan managed to slip over to Lia's side where she was trying to wave down the inkeeper.
The inkeeper who was crouched shakily behind the bar.
"This ge'rosa is ignoring me." The K'orm girl pouted as Keenan appeared beside her. "I'm just trying to book a room for the night." She paused, cocking her head to one side. "Am I saying it wrong?" she asked Keenan. "Is there some sort of custom that I'm not familiar with?"
"Er, no I think now is just a bad time, is all." Keenan shook his head in bewilderment. "because of the barfight and all."
"Oh, right..." she looked a bit embarrassed -or at least Keenan thought she did, he was pretty good at reading body language- and chuckled. "Well it's over though right? I mean, the guards are here so...." Apparently that was the first time she actually paid attention to who was involved in the barfight, because her eyes locked onto the golem and stayed there, narrowing in sudden disdain. Keenan blinked as he noticed Lia's body tense up.
"Uh, Lia?"
"No wonder there was a bar fight here." Her voice was filled with such sudden venom that Keenan was stunned. "They let abominations like that thing walk around."
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Post by Damien on Mar 19, 2014 14:47:54 GMT -5
Selmareth remained standing behind the throng of people, no longer seeing any action.
"Aww," he groaned. "No one's doing anything."
Being raised in such a place where people were always cordial with each other (minus a few verbal jabs here and there), Selmareth had never seen a "bar fight". There were the occasional duels to preserve honor, but nothing such as this. He slowly made his way through the crowd so that he could get a better look. Although no one was doing anything in the open space within the throng, he did see something fall from the roof and then move to the side...
-----
Renshu jumped down from the roof, landing in front of the doorway to the inn. Having been quick and silent about it, he assumed that no one had seen him, so he moved off to the side to blend somewhat with the crowd. He overheard someone calling the steelman an "abomination".
Funny... he thought. The only people I've ever heard call a golem an 'abomination' is a K'orm. He began looking around for the K'orm in question and found her with a human, possibly a hunter or ranger given his rugged appearance and bow.
Still planning to intervene if necessary, Renshu waited for the Dragoons to make a move.
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Post by Calefrun on Mar 19, 2014 16:55:35 GMT -5
The capital city's guardians continued advancing on the Steelman, spearheads gleaming in the mid-afternoon sun as they edged closer to his metallic body.
One of the Dragoons barked, "All right, hands where I can see them! You're under arrest for attacking civilians and damaging private property!" Thrusting the air with his polearm for emphasis he added, "It would be in your best interest to come quietly."
Ka'lem weaved his way through the crowd until he managed to get behind the Golem. He stood poised with his ears pricked, eyes focused on his potential prey, and one hand on the dagger he always carried when he ventured out into the city. His black tail slowly swished from side to side in anticipation as he waited to see what the Steelman would do next.
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Post by Mizagium on Mar 24, 2014 16:58:23 GMT -5
Had it a face, Garren would have frowned. It regarded the Dragoons, armed and on edge, then glanced back at his opponents, alive, but recovering. Garren could escape, were it so inclined, push through the crowd and resume its pursuit of the Gangue. The law enforcement would not be so keen to endanger the civilians, and it might put enough distance between them. But Garren was in no mood or inclination to harm civilians, organics or otherwise.
Garren relaxed its stance and turned to face the Dragoons. His hands went up, not as much as the Dragoons would have liked, but more than it was willing to concede. “Peace,” the Zealot Steelman declared. It sighed, coming out as a harsh metallic scratch. “I will not raise my arms against fellow enforcers of the law.” It scanned the back of crowd, hoping maybe the Gangue would appear by the grace of the Heart. “I will accompany you, so that I may explain my situation. But you will not place me in cuffs or manacles or what-have-you. I do not intend to cause trouble.”
-
Isir final came to a halt at the end of an alleyway between two large buildings. One was a bank, and the other possibly some café. The noise of the fight had died down and no one, not a Golem, not a Dragoon, had some to find it. It had escaped the Zealot for now.
“My, my,” a husky voice crooned from above. Isir started and looked around nervously. “Peace, the voice said again” A humanoid figure dropped out of the sky and perched on the roof of the bank. It was hard to see against the sun, but two leathery wings quickly retracted and folded against the figure. Without them, the figure appeared much like a Human female other than a head of horns where hair should be. Most were short, but two near the back arched out. She wore loose-hanging clothing that was cinched at wrists, necks, and ankles, preventing them from falling away. She was a Dragonkin.
“Was all that about you?” she asked.
“Uh…”
“That Zealot wanted you, didn’t he?”
Isir stepped backward, towards the mouth of the alley.
“Whoa, easy.” The Dragonkin grinned and dropped down into the ally. “My name is Quin-Noll. And those guys at the bar are with me.”
Isir slowed, but didn’t stop. “Then…”
“We take all kinds here in Leithandor. We don’t like the other countries stepping on our toes.”
He stopped now, confused.
“As long as you’re here,” Quinn-Noll soothed, “you’re under our protection.”
“And who is…we?”
Sharp fangs turned a warm smile vicious. “You’ll see.”
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Post by Calefrun on Mar 31, 2014 12:28:42 GMT -5
Several of the Dragoons visibly relaxed, though they kept their weapons pointed at the Steelman until their captain- the one who had spoken before- signaled them to back off. "Your compliance has been noted, and is appreciated," the man said, and the Dragoons began to lead the Golem away. Ka'lem sighed and let go of his weapon. Ah well, he thought, There's excitement enough in this city. I'll have other chances to show off my skill. As the crowd dispersed he continued the rest of the way to Everkeep, the fortress in the city's center which housed both the Council and the Dragoons. It wasn't long before the keep's massive stone walls came into view, and as Ka'lem passed through the portcullis leading into the courtyard, he experienced a familiar feeling of stepping into another world. Unlike the rest of the city, with its closely packed buildings and cobblestone streets, Everkeep's courtyard was much more... green. Between the paths leading to each of the major buildings there was grassy lawn, dotted with well-tended trees and flowers. Where the main path between the gate and the large council building intersected with the path between the Dragoon headquarters and barracks on opposite sides of the fortress, there was an impressive-looking fountain on each of the four corners. This was all done to impress visiting diplomats, of course, but the scenery was something that most of Evermeet's citizens felt some amount of pride over. When Ka'lem reached the point where the paths connected, he turned left and made his way towards the building from which the Dragoons operated. Over the bubbling of the fountains, he could make out the sounds of combat, and looking to his right he caught a glimpse of some dragoons sparring in the training area. Near them were two young humans- a male and a female- sitting on a bench conversing, apparently taking a break from practicing. Based on their age, Ka'lem guessed that they were probably recruits. Grinning as he opened the door, he thought, This is my life now.<><><><><><><><><><><><><> Cen'tho finally arrived at his family's home, after having stored his horse and cart in a local stable. He was startled at first to find the house empty- his parents were obviously on duty, but Ka'lem would usually not have been out of bed long by this time of day- but he then recalled that his younger sibling had recently reached the minimum age required for a half-Khatsie to enlist in the army. So instead he flopped down on his bed in the room he and his brother had shared before the elder sibling began to travel, and thought about Rahana. Despite being part Khatsie, and growing up listening to both of his parents express a distrust of magic users, Cen'tho did not hate mages. He was cautious around them, and would never use any sort of magic himself, but he had met numerous spell casters during his travels and hadn't really seen any evidence that they were worse than anyone else. With a frown, he thought about his shocked reaction when his partner had revealed her ability. It was no surprise that she would have panicked and fled. After the persecution she undoubtedly faced in Siradir, and the courage it must have taken to reveal her secret, she probably expected Cen'tho to attack her or something. Not that I ever would, of course, he thought to himself. Though I have to wonder- why did she pick today of all days to tell me? It just seems... completely random. He sighed and allowed himself to relax. I guess I'll ask her about it when she shows up for dinner.
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Post by Myrdraxxis on Mar 31, 2014 22:08:21 GMT -5
"Lia!" Keenan called over the crowd, mentally kicking himself for even chasing after the K'orm girl in the first place. As soon as the Dragoons had marched the golem agitator away, Lia had followed behind them, along with a few curious spectators. Now Keenan could barely make out the girl's hooded form int he crowd ahead of him.
Somehow his whole day had sort of spiraled out of control ever since coming across her. He'd shown her a place to stay, hell he'd even paid for the first night for her, there was a limit to his charity. Keenan figured the best thing to do now was to simply stop chasing Lia and head home, and hope the K'orm managed to keep herself out of trouble. That would be the best thing to do.
He kept chasing.
He recognized Everkeep as they drew closer. Finally he caught up to Lia in the fortress's courtyard. She had stopped and was looking around, rather confused, or awed. Or both.
"Hold on a minute." He gasped as he caught up to her. "Lia what's going on?"
"I want to make sure that golem is safely locked away." Lia said sharply, making Keenan blink. "It shouldn't be let to walk around where it could hurt people. It already has hurt people from the looks of it."
"You...you really don't like Golems do you?" Keenan decided to go for the obvious.
"Of course not." Lia snapped. "Those things and my people hate each other. They're abominations of life that killed thousands of my people in the Forge Wars."
Keenan decided not to mention that he had no idea what the Forge Wars were, delegating that for a later date. "I know I can't really say, considering I just met you and all, but the sudden hate is, er...startling."
Lia sighed and the anger seemed to drain out of her. "I'm sorry. It's just a sore subject, and when I came I didn't even think about the possibility that those things could be here too-"
And that was when the front of the Council Building exploded.
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Post by Damien on Mar 31, 2014 23:09:16 GMT -5
BOOM!
The very air rumbled and trembled from an explosion from within the city, and screams of terror followed. Renshu, having started back to his room after the steelman went with the Dragoons, made an abrupt about-face and took off towards Everkeep, the source of the explosion.
Upon passing through the portcullis, he spotted the ranger and the K'orm from earlier, and they appeared to have just gotten up from the blast.
"Are you two alright?" he asked. He took off his pack and started rummaging for his medical supplies in case they were needed for the human, K'orm, or any of the people that might escape the building's blazing rubble.
Suddenly, a lone elf came running up, dressed in fine robes and carrying a staff...
-----
Selmareth almost fell to the ground from the sheer earthshaking force of the explosion. Everyone in the area began either screaming in fear or yelling to get everyone to safety. He saw the smoke rising from Everkeep and decided to make his way there to help out however he could.
"Amin rima!" he shouted, and the air around his feet began to shift quickly. He started running, but due to the magic at work, he ran much faster than even the best elven messenger. I could outrun a centaur! he thought to himself, chuckling.
After a few moments, he made it to the courtyard to find a human, a K'orm, and a half-elf already at the scene. The half-elf was tending to the other two with medical supplies. Selmareth looked towards the rubble which was still ablaze. He quickly recalled a spell to put out the flames, held out his hand horizontally as if holding something in his palm, and spoke the words. "Alu tyena!"
The air suddenly felt dryer as the moisture within it was being drawn to one spot, creating a large orb of water over the flaming debris. He turned his hand so that it was vertical, and the water fell upon the wreckage, dousing and quenching the flames.
He moved to the other three and asked, "Are you all okay?"
Renshu nodded and looked towards the other two.
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Post by Mizagium on Apr 1, 2014 18:49:39 GMT -5
Garren and its dragoon escorts were a…well, it wasn’t a safe distance, but they survived. Garren was knocked off its feet and thrown back through the portcullis, which survived. Its steel body held together, but the shockwave resonated within for a long time. Once the vibrating had settled enough, Garren rose unsteadily to its feet and found that its mantle had been blown off and was nowhere to be found.
The Everkeep held against the blast, but one of the buildings had been completely destroyed. The courtyard was littered with large chunks of stone, some still smoldering. Patches of grass had caught fire. And people were screaming. The dragoons were only just starting to mobilize. Garren was running towards the scene before fully processing the decision.
“Filthy Gaunge,” it swore. “Must have known I was coming here. Coward!” Garren paused in the courtyard to shout above the commotion. “Face me, coward!”
“Someone give us a hand!” Garren turned to see some of the dragoons struggling with wreckage. “The Councilors were inside!”
With Garren adding its strength to the team, they managed to pull all but the largest of the stones aside. That was when they saw the first body, well an arm.
“Who is that?”
But Garren recognized that kind of hairy arm. It had wrestled with two others just like it earlier. “It’s a Vecidae,” it said softly. “The Vecidae Councilor.”
All the dragoons shared a sudden, horrified look, before turning to look for the highest-ranking officer for orders.
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Post by Calefrun on Apr 1, 2014 21:18:41 GMT -5
"Don't just stand there!" A Khatsie Dragoon called as he ran up to the trio, "Clear the wreckage leading up to the stairs! There are four more councilors somewhere in this mess!"
"Dad!" The Dragoon, Jareth Strongblade, turned to see Ka'lem running towards him from the Dragoon headquarters. "Dad, what's going on? Where's mom?" Once he was within a few feet, the half-breed saw that his father was fighting back tears, struggling to keep his composure.
"She... she was inside." Before the Khatsie had finished speaking, Ka'lem ran past his father and nimbly scrambled up a pile of debris which blocked access to the destroyed building's stairs, ignoring a "Ka'lem! Wait!" from the Dragoon.
From atop the rubble, Ka'lem could see a crater nearby where the floor had collapsed into the room below. There, the dwarven councilor was desperately trying to remove debris from atop the Khatsie councilor, who appeared to have been crushed from the waist down by large sections of stone floor. Looking up, he saw that there were sections of the second and third floors that were still intact, though they looked as though they may topple over at any moment. He leaped to the stairs and raced to the second floor, passing the charred bodies of a pair of Dragoons.
When he reached the second floor, he froze, and both his mind and body went numb. The bodies of several dragoons lay scattered throughout the room, along with that of the elven councilor. Near the edge of the collapsed floor lay the body of Sarah Strongblade, Dragoon of Evermeet and mother of Ka'lem and Cen'tho, scarred by flame and covered in shards of glass.
Ka'lem stood, staring in shock, until the ragged coughing of a still-living Dragoon brought him back to his senses. The half-Khatsie rushed to the man, who was lying face-down in a pool of his own blood. As he tried to lift the Dragoon, the human rasped, "No... upstairs... the councilor..." Reluctantly, Ka'lem released the man, then turned and ran up the crumbling stairs to the remains of the top floor.
Only two of the five councilors' rooms remained, and after checking one in vain Ka'lem found the human councilor in the other, sitting on the floor, wide-eyed with terror. He started to move towards the man, and the floor beneath his feet started to tremble. "We have to go. Now!" He grabbed the councilor by the wrist and yanked, forcing the man to his feet. Without letting go, he turned and ran back to the stairs with the human struggling to keep up, though his expression remained the same. When they made it back to the ground floor, the debris in front of the stairs had been cleared and, with the help of some Dragoons that rushed up to help with the councilor, they managed to get clear of the building before the upper floors collapsed and flooded the air with dust and the sound of crumbling stone walls.
Ka'lem stood and stared at the wreckage, seeing that the dwarven councilor had also made it out of the building alive. The thought of all of the dead Dragoons, killed not in the defense of their city but in a massive explosion forced itself into his head. He could picture his mother burned and bloodied, now crushed under a huge pile of collapsed stone. The half-Khatsie fell to his knees, and wept.
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Post by Myrdraxxis on Apr 1, 2014 23:43:22 GMT -5
Keenan waved off the aid from the half-elf that had suddenly appeared, instead reaching over and helping Lia to her feet. THe blast had knocked both of them to the ground, but from Keenan's cursory glance he hadn't suffered any serious injuries.
"I'm alright." Lia declared after a moment. "That was..." she trailed off, taking in the destruction around them, eyes widened in horror. "How could someone have done this?"
"Magic?" Keenan mused, taking her question literally. "The guards would surely have noticed an explosive right? Dwarven bombs are pretty damn obtrusive."
Lia just started walking closer to the ruined council building. A mounting sense of horror welled up inside her as she took it all in. Lia was young, but she was also a K'orm engineer or at least some skill. All K'orm were required to be at least familiar with the weapons that their warriors used to defend themselves. Lia's own family was one of extensive military service, which meant she was even more familiar with their weapons than most. "No...please no..." she muttered.
"Lia?" Keenan asked. "What is it?"
"The bomb that did this wasn't dwarven." She replied shakily. "It was K'orm."
As if to confirm that observation the sky above Everkeep lit up with the gigantic form of a K'orm.
Of all the K'orm inventions, few were as closely guarded as their strange image projecting devices. Keenan stared in silent awe as the K'orm male glared down at the scurrying crowd, that paused to stare at this new intrusion.
The K'orm was rather large in comparison to their species' normally slight builds, garbed in plate armor with a crimson hood shielding his face.
"People of Evermeet!" The voice that emanated from the projection thundered. "For too long have my people lived under the rule of their lessers! We are denied the right of sitting on your council, even as your masses rely on our ingenuity! You allow abominations, vile golems to walk your streets!" The prjection spat in hatred. "Well see your council now, lying in ruin! This is the first strike for all K'orm!"
The projection faded, leaving stunned silence in its wake.
Keenan slowly turned to look at Lia who was rooted in place in shock. It occured to him that now mightnot be the best time for a K'orm to be out in the open.
The Dragoons seemed to agree, because suddenly a pair were approaching them. Lia didn't move, but Keenan took a step in front of her as the two officers stopped just short.
"I think you need come with us now, girl."
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Post by Damien on Apr 9, 2014 17:30:14 GMT -5
"Hold on a second!" yelled Selmareth, shocking everyone as rarely does an elf speak in such a manner. "Now, I might not know anything about the K'orm, their beliefs, or pretty much anything else about them, but what I can very plainly see is that this young lady is just as shocked and appalled at the events that occurred here. Look at her! Look into her eyes! You can see the same terror, distress, and anger towards these happenings that the rest of us are feeling, even more so since it was one of her race that is behind it! And you can see that it's genuine! I say leave her in peace!"
"The elf is right," said Renshu. "I've seen my fair share of K'orm, and the one behind this is one of the extremists. No K'orm that I've ever met has held the same sentiment as the one we all just witnessed yelling from the heavens. No K'orm that I've ever met would attack the leaders of the city known for its being welcoming of any and all races. I agree with the elf. Leave her in peace. She's been through enough as it is."
Both the wizard and the monk moved between the Dragoons and the K'orm woman, emphasizing their request for the guards to leave her alone, the monk in a loose fighting stance and the wizard with his staff in hand, faintly glowing with energy.
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Post by Mizagium on Apr 15, 2014 15:20:55 GMT -5
Garren let the Dragoons assume take control of the ruined council chambers and stalked back to where Renshu and Selmareth confronted some Dragoons. It glared at Lia momentarily before moving pushing past the Dragoons.
“I expected better from Elves. Don’t be a pair of soft fools. She” Garren pointed an accusing finger at Lia “is dangerous. All of her kind are dangerous! They would see all of your kind in chains, just as they saw my people centuries ago.” It wheeled and indicated the partially-exploded Everkeep. “One of her did this! Your councilor might be dead in there, and you would stand here and defend her?”
Garren drew his sword quickly. “Ridiculous. I’ll take care of her myself, if no one else will!” It took a step towards Lia, but stopped and studied the Dragoons once more, waiting for them to act.
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Post by Calefrun on Apr 26, 2014 22:10:57 GMT -5
The Dragoons readied their weapons. "Stand aside, or we'll arrest all of you for obstruction of justice!" "That's enough." Jareth said, stepping up behind the pair. "We have too many problems right now to try and arrest every K'orm in the city. For now, just go to the gates and tell them to prevent any K'orm from entering or leaving the city. Once that's taken care of... just do your best to keep the peace inside the city until we can restore some sort of order." The two Dragoons hesitantly lowered their weapons and followed orders, briskly marching away from the smoldering wreckage. Jareth was exhausted, but he was able to keep his emotions in check as long as there was work to be done. Looking at the K'orm and the trio that defended her, he said, "You may want to lay low somewhere. Until we find the one or ones responsible for this attack, Evermeet will not be a safe place for K'orm." Or anyone else, he thought. "Don't try to leave the city... and hope that I don't find out that you are involved." He turned to walk away. "No way..." Ka'lem muttered, and Jareth turned back around to see his son standing with dagger in hand and tail fur bristling, poised to strike at Lia. "The K'orm are responsible for all of this! We can't just let them walk free!" "Ka'lem, don't!" Ignoring his father's command, the younger Strongblade charged at the Korm, but stopped short when an arrow struck the ground in front of his feet. He looked to identify his assailant, and saw Cen'tho running towards him with his bow drawn. "Brother!" he yelled, "You can't start attacking people just because they're K'orm!" Though he stopped moving, Ka'lem still held his weapon in front of him and watched Lia with rage-filled eyes. "Councilors are dead because of them! And on top of that... they killed mom, Cen'tho!" Cen'tho's eyes widened, and he dropped his bow. "Enough, Ka'lem!" Jareth barked. "We'll find whoever's responsible for this and make them pay, but for now we can't afford to lose our minds. You're going to join the Dragoons, so listen and do as I say. Go home with your brother, and stay out of trouble. I promise you we will start investigating as soon as this whole situation is under control." He turned away again, and returned to the demolished building to shout orders at the Dragoons within. "I'm not a Dragoon yet." Ka'lem spat as he sheathed his blade. "Me neither." Cen'tho remarked, reaching into his clock. "Don't make me regret this." He pulled out a pair of swords and handed them to his brother. Looking at them, Ka'lem saw that they were his own, the pair that he had received on his twenty-fifth birthday. "Come on," the older brother said, "We'll go home and grieve later. For now, let's see if we can find out anything about this bomber." He looked at Lia and added, "Sorry about all that. Our mother... she was inside the building when..." <><><><><><><><><><><><><> Rahana closed her eyes and concentrated on the voice of the K'orm that had been projected in the sky. Though his face had been covered, she could combine her magic with her naturally powerful Khatsie hearing to listen for his voice within a large radius from where she was standing. She also decided to listen for Cen'tho's voice. If she knew her partner, he would be trying to find some answers as well. Though she wasn't ready to face him after the earlier events of the day, she could make use of anything he was able to find out.
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Post by Myrdraxxis on Apr 29, 2014 15:17:03 GMT -5
“I’m terribly sorry.” Lia said to Cen’tho. Her mind was a whirlwind of panicked thoughts at the moment, not the least of which had to do with her own now uncertain situation in the city. The fact that one of her own had done this…
She looked around at the destruction and shuddered.
Keenan shot her a concerned look, but immediately switched his attention back to the gathered group. He still had his bow drawn, and ready. Specifically, pointed at the golem who had yet to stand down. He had no clue what the bad blood between K’orm and Golem was, but it was apparently mutual.
He had damn near shot that angry Khatsie between the eyes before the kid’s family had stepped in. The Dragoons may have stood down, but the situation was still very tense. That random elf and half-elf seemed to be on their side for whatever reason, but he didn’t like their chances if that Golem decided to rampage.
“You heard the captain.” A dragoon growled, striding over to them. “Make yourselves scarce. This is a crime scene so everyone clear out before we throw you out.”
“I don’t think that will be necessary.” A gravelly voice spoke. The dragoon tensed and snapped to attention as a second dragoon appeared. This one was a human man who had obviously seen a lot of fighting, with a face full of scars and gray hair slicked back over his head.
“Marshal!” the first started to say, but the newcomer halted him with a raised hand.
“Despite Captain Jareth’s words, I would like to speak with all of you.” The man’s gaze lingered on Lia for a moment, making the girl glance down at the ground. “I am Solomon Kraid, Dragoon Marshal.”
Ah, Keenan realized, this was the leader of the Dragoons here in the city.
“Sir, with respect,” Keenan said, “We only just got here when the bomb went off, I don’t think we know anything important-“
“I know who that K’orm was.” Lia interrupted, derailing Keenan’s words and making him look at the young woman in surprise.
What?
“I…I know who that was.” She repeated, now meeting the Marshal’s gaze. The man looked grim.
“Then I think you need to come with me.” He said.
“What are you doing?” Keenan hissed as the two (and he assumed the others) began following the Marshal. The Dragoon headquarters on the opposite side of Everkeep was largely undamaged from the blast. “Do you actually know who that guy was?”
“I had hoped I was wrong but…yes.” Lia said softly. “I know him. Or of him rather.”
Marshal Solomon led them to his office. “Now I think you’d better explain miss…?”
“Lia.” Lia said after a moment, realizing what the man was after. “Lia’Vas Jaetekko.” The Marshal hummed thoughtfully then glanced over in Keenan’s direction.
“Keenan.” The ranger introduced shortly. There was a brief moment of silence between the two before Marshal Kaine turned his attention back to Lia. She took that as her cue.
“That K’orm, the…terrorist.” She said the word slowly as if in disbelief. “His name is Carris’Haine Jaetekko. He is..well, was the leader of our K’eth forces. He retired three years ago.”
“So he’s a military leader.” Kraid surmised.
“Of sorts, yes.” Lia agreed. “My…my father and he were good friends.” She added hesitantly.
“Why would he do this?” Keenan asked aloud. Lia shook her head.
“I have no idea. Carris was always very patriotic, but this…this seems too much even for him.”
“His reasons don’t matter.” The Marshal said. “What matters is that we stop him now.” He paused, eyes narrowing in thought. “I can place a taskforce together to hunt this man and his cells down. Of course, contact will need to be made with Jaetekko and there’s the matters of the K’orm here in the city….” He trailed off for a moment. “Miss Vas.”
“Sir?”
“I would greatly appreciate any help you can give in this matter. Your connection to Carris and Jaetekko might give us an edge. When the taskforce is assembled I would like you to be on it. “
Lia looked stunned. “I…yes of course I will help. Anything to help clear my peoples’ name.”
Keenan took a step forward without thinking and the words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. “I’ll help too.” The look Lia gave him was equally thankful and confused. “Of course, I expect there will be compensation.”
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Post by Damien on Apr 29, 2014 21:29:32 GMT -5
"Compensation or no," said Selmareth, "I wish to help as well. I can't just sit by and let this kind of thing happen." Besides, this will be a good chance to advance my abilities.
"I, too, will help," said Renshu. "My experience in stealth and scouting has aided the monks of my monastery for years, and I believe it will be of help in this as well. Not to mention that the Monks of the Four Winds are bound by a code that cannot allow for such violence and destruction to go unanswered. As one of those monks, I am bound by duty to lend my aid."
"I'm sure you'd help anyway, code or no," said Selmareth, smirking at Renshu.
Renshu returned the smirk with a stoic visage. Both then turned their attention to Marshal Solomon.
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