Part 5 - Mission of state


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Part 5: Mission of state

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Part 5 - Mission of state by Dworkin (GM)
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Here in the depths of Arden, the main difference between night and day is that at night the darkness is black, in the daytime the darkness is green, broken by scattered beams of paler green light.
It is still too early for the green colour to appear, and the sun isn't high enough yet to produce the beams of light. The only sign that it's actually morning is that, up in the higher parts of the canopy, the birds have started singing.

Down in the camp, more people are moving about, and the smell of cooking wafts through the gloom of the mess tent. The cooks are clattering about in the kitchen area, and men start drifting in for breakfast. Soon it is impossible for even a small, lazy dragon to remain asleep amid the rapidly increasing activity...

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Ares
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Ares wakes first, always a light sleeper, especially on "enemy territory" as at present. He grabs himself some fresh bread and cheese for breakfast, making sure to take some extra for the journey.
He moves to a corner of the tent as far from Julian's men as possible (some of them might have old scores the want to settle with him, so better to avoid them) and eats in silence while considering the best route to take. There's a couple of things he'd like to collect on the way back to Cadiniagart, or wherever they decide to go.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali enters the camp silently, Hunter padding quietly at her side. She looks rested and refreshed with her silvery hair bound up in a tight braid. She enters the food tent, but has already taken her breakfast. She smiled to herself at the memory and patted Hunter's head absently. Still, she grabs some tea and spots Ares sitting in the corner.

She takes a seat across of the Amberite.

"Good morning to you" she says cheerfully, settling down, not asking permission to join him. "So what have you done, to make enemies of this land?" she asks directly, never one to conceal what's on her mind.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Ares
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"A simple misunderstanding regarding the ownership of some relics and artifacts, that's all. That and a few drops of spilled blood during my last visit here, or rather, during my somewhat-hasty departure. Oh, and the mysterious way that the three daughters of the family I was staying with at that time all found themselves..... er..... shall we say in a delicate condition?"
"Naturally I was blamed for that, and their father had connections at court. So, you see, it was all just misunderstandings, coincidences and circumstance."
Ares does not smile as he tell his tale, and it is clear that he really believes he has done nothing wrong to raise the ire of these people.
"So, where did you find your friend?" he nods towards the wolf to make sure his meaning is clear.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Derek
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Waking up early as the camp slowly gets into gear, Derek stays in his makeshift cot, listening to the various sounds drifting across to him. He notices two particular voices, low and in conversation, that are near him and shakes his head, getting up.

I should have woken up at the drop of a pin. Seems like my survival instincts have taken a leave of absence lately. Oh, well...

Stretching his sleep-sore muscles he gets up, dresses himself, grabs himself some food and heads over to where Ares and Kali are having their conversation.

"Mind if I join you?"

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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Cyan slips out from under the refreshment table in the tent, and stretches, yawning hugely. Glancing around for a moment, she looks disappointed, then snatches up a decanter of wine and some cheese, and wanders over to the the little group on the other side of the tent. "By Heaven! It is a fine morning, indeed," she says, dropping herself down on the ground near them. "I hope you don't mind me sitting with you." With a wide grin she sips at her wine, grimaces, and sips again. "Hmmm...a night out of the bottle has done nothing for this vintage. Unfortunately, we do not seem to have any brandy, here."

Carefully, she brushes her fingers over the stains and dirt on her silk shirt; they fall away like dust. "Always prefer a bed, but.... So, Ares, did I just hear that you're a thief, a brawler, and a letch? Or, rather, accused of such?" Cyan grins. Acceptable - at least he isn't a murderer. Though he really should have been more careful with the girls.

Berd's head pops up on the other side of the table, followed by his body, wings beating so furiously they are almost invisible. He glances down at the remains of the food and hisses angrily at the group. Scrounging around, he manages to find a head of cheese almost the size of his hindquarters. With a contented trill, the little dragon begins gnawing on the cheese.
He's a messy eater.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Duncan
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Duncan struggles up from the depths of sleep, and is at first unsure where he is. Within a few minutes though, the memories start to filter through. He gets himself some breakfast and goes to join the others.
"Good mornink. Today we are goink back to Cadiniagart, yess?"

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Ares
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"I think so," Ares turns to the others, "Was that what we decided? Wherever we head for I have to take a short detour. There's some stuff I need to collect. I wasn't planning on a mission of any sort, and I left some of my belongings in a safe place. I'm going to need some of them."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali nods as Ares shares a little part of his tale. She was about to ask him if him what really happened, but then the others joined them, and she decided against it... especially after the bard teases him about being a thief, letch, and brawler. She moves over to make room for the others and sips her drink, the warm liquid washing the coppery taste of the hunt from her mouth.

"He found me" she answers Ares's question with a small smile. She is soon distracted by the minature dragon mowing through a head a cheese. The crumbs fly through the air and some settle on her clothing. Looking a little irritated, Kali flicks the small chunks of cheese from her arm and Hunter's head snaps up, his large jaws snapping audibly as he eats the little bits of cheese.

"Oh no, we don't mind if you sit with us at all" Kali says, moving out of the feasting dragon's range.

"Yes we did agree to return to Cadingart, Duncan" Kali affirms the large man's words. She frowns a little at the detour proposal however "How much of a detour will this be Ares? What is it you have to pick up?" she asks curiously, still interested in Amberite garbed in red and black.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Ares
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"If I can find the right road, then it'll be perhaps..... three hours, more if I have problems finding the way. I hid some weapons, armor and such like there when I first..... left Amber a few years ago." Ares shrugs, "Always intended to go back for it, if I needed it, but somehow never did."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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"Three hours?" Cyan waves off the time. "No difficulty! We'd best be going soon, though!" Quickly she picks up her pack, and begins stuffing it full of all remaining breads and cheeses. Berd makes the job that much more difficult by flying up and landing on top of the pack, still gnawing on his own rind of cheese. Snapping the pack closed (over the indignant little dragon's head), Cyan spins around. "Ares, do we still have those horses of yours?"

Quickly, she walks outside, amythest eyes shining with excitement.

With a squawk of protest, Berd sticks his head back out, still with the remains of the cheese in his mouth.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali smiles at Cyan's exuberance. She was thinking along the same lines as the red haired woman. Finishing her tea with a gulp, Kali rises and chews her lip thoughtfully at the mention of horses.

"I'm afraid I'm without a mount... and horses don't seem to react well to wolfscent" she says, thinking of her past run ins with equines.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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"Pish!" Cyan waves off Kalika's concerns. "Berd can persuade the horse to tolerate it. Just you watch! He has quite the way with animals." Grinning at the other woman, she heads off to look for Ares' horses, ignoring the speckles of cheese now liberally falling all over the sleeve of her silk shirt.

Despite the mess, Berd is obviously good enough not to allow any of it to get into his friend's hair.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali eyes the feasting Berd dubiously and laughs softly.

"I'm sure he does... we'll see" she absently rubs the thick, silkly fur of Hunter's head as she follows Cyan to the horses.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Ares
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Ares follows the others out to the horses, "These are no ordinary mounts, as I was explaining to some of the others. They have a little more..... spirit than most. A wolf who got too close to them in the wild would likely end up as lunch."
"We don't have a mount for you, Kalika..... yet. Once we get moving I'm sure we'll find something soon enough. I'm afraid you'll have to walk for a little while though."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Tander
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"No need for that," interrupts Otandal, "Kalika can use my horse. Once we're out of sight of these troops I can adapt myself to walking." For a brief moment something flickers across his features, something not quite human. But only for a very brief moment, then he is smiling Otandal again.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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Cyan laughs. "Oh, don't all of you put yourselves out, now. All of that sounds like a lot of work for nothing." Walking towards one of the mounts, she hums a tune and runs a hand down its side. As she does so, Berd lifts his head and glances at the beast, a faint look of interesting in his shimmering eyes. He snorts, and a puff of rainbow coloured smoke floats out of his mouth. Several flies, flicking through it, began to dance erratically.

Cyan turns back to Kalika and grins, her own sapphire eyes shining. "Well, no time like the present! Come and see."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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Before Kali could reply to Ares, Otandal, and then Cyan, interject. Inwardly Kali was a little relieved. She didn't know these people very well, and she remembered her lessons well. Those who know your secrets know your weaknesses Veiorn's deep voice echoed in her mind. Her feral yellow eyes blink, and she looks up at Ares, smiling prettily.

"Perhaps I won't have to walk after all..." she comments.

Kali walks to Cyan's side, looking as the flame haired woman bade her. Despite her apparent good naturedness, Kali took Ares's words about a wolf being lunch seriously. Her muscles were tense, and she was ready to protect herself if need be.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Dworkin (GM)
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One of Julian's troopers, a sergeant by his insignia, approaches the group and asks, "Would yers be wantin' ought ter take with yers?" He nods towards the full bags and packs, "I c'n see yers've got some supplies 'n' that ter be goin' on with, but Prince Julian asked me ter make sure yers 'ad plenty."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Ares
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Ares mounts up, saying "Well. I have all that I need for now. If nobody else wants anything, then we can get on the road. The sooner we set off and all that."
He holds the horse on a tight rein as he waits for the others to decide if they are ready or not.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali eyes the red eyed beasts and smiles. She then turns to Otandal.

"I appreciate your offer... perhaps we could get an extra steed from here, but I'm afraid it might get spooked. It's up to you" Kali nods her head in thanks once more and then approaches the wild 'horse.'

She approaches the animal and places her hand on its neck, by where it meets the shoulder. The black's head swiveled back, red eyes watching her. Yellow eyes meet red eyes... and then the short young woman swings lithely in the saddle. Kali takes a moment to adjust herself so that her weapons are accessible from her new position.

Thus settle, Kali rides the horse over to Ares, bringing it to a halt by the man. She wriggles a little in the saddle and then settles down.

"I am ready when you are" she comments.

Hunter remains in the group, but doesn't get within hoof range of the horses. The wolf seems to know better than to tempt fate.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Dworkin (GM)
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Ares swings the horse round and heads out along the road, back out away from Amber, moving at a reasonable pace. After about an hour he slows the animal down and seems to be looking for something, but only along the left side of the road. Shortly after that he apparently finds what he's looking for, a track leading away into the forest that nobody else remembers seeing on the way in to Amber.
He veers off, following this new path. The way is less than direct, winding about through the increasingly dense forest. Suddenly it emerges onto the lip of a steep-sided cutting, at the bottom of which is an ancient and overgrown road, paved with irregular slabs of stone.
This new road is much straighter, and rises gradually. Eventually it crosses a ridge, and the way starts to become clearer and less neglected.
Unfortunately it also starts to rain; a torrential downpour, icy cold and relentless. Luckily the forest canopy blocks the majority of the rain, so things aren't too bad...
The road leads to a stone bridge across a swollen river, and just as Ares' horse sets foot on the stone arch, something clambers up and over the parapet to block the way.
The thing is vaguely humanoid, but maybe twelve feet tall, and nearly as wide. It's skin gleams like wet black stone in the rain, and seems to be scaly. It scrapes the nails of its left hand along the side of the bridge, and actually strikes sparks from the stonework. In its right hand it holds a huge club. Despite the weather it wears only a tattered loincloth, and a large leather bag hangs from one shoulder. The bag has some sort of brooch afixed to the strap
The face is the most horrible thing about it, a parody of a human face, badly distorted and missing one eye, which leaves only an angry-looking gaping socket crossed by a twisting scar. A tangled mane of black hair hangs down around this hideous face.
The creature blinks its good eye, peering at the group for a couple of heartbeats, then growls in a voice like stone scraping upon stone, "You pay toll or not pass. I off-ish-ul toll point." It drags a dirty and ragged piece of parchment from its bag and brandishes it towards the group.
"See. Licence from King Hodic! I off-ish-ul."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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"Wonderful. Everyone has to pay at the 'troll bridge'." Cyan sighs with disgust, and waits for Ares to pay. "Well, go ahead, pay the beast, Ares. We can have you reimbursed later when we return to Amber."

Glancing around, she stares up into the rain with her deep, topaz eyes, watching the drops fall towards her in slow motion. Much like the dirt, the rain is beading up and rolling off of her clothing better than the best Gor-tex (tm) jacket. Unlike some of the others, she seems perfectly happy with her hair in a sopping wet tangle now reaching nearly half-way down her chest and back.

Berd, hiding in her pack, sticks his head out. Seeing the troll, he bugles in disgust, and lets out another puff of smoke. This time it's foul scented, Cyan waves her hand in front of her face in annoyance. "Trust you to spoil a wonderful day," she mutters. The dragon hisses at the troll, his eyes glittering.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Morgan
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Chuckling at the situation, Morgan looks towards the tattered document before speaking quietly to the group. "Do we know this King? Or even care? Money is an easy come, easy go thing, but it's the principle of the thing that bothers me, I think."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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"Indeed, 'tis the principle of the thing. These are the King's lands, not ours," Cyan says easily, leaning forward in her saddle to speak to Morgan. "He may be the rightful ruler, may not be, but do we assume no? Do we have the right to flout his laws?"

Urging her horse forward, Cyan stares up at the Troll with brilliant emerald eyes, and grins. "What is the price of passage, Sir Troll?"

Berd crawls out and sits on her shoulder - his eyes glitter strangely in the rain.

[Private to Dworkin: Berd will 'shift' Cyan's silver and gold to appropriate money for this particular layer of reality.]

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Dworkin (GM)
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The troll stands straighter, puffing out his already impressive chest. "Off-ish-ul toll, as said by King. For each one on foot, three copper colms. For each horse, five copper colms. For all carts, twelve copper colms or one silver chadan for each wheel and five copper colms for each horse. All toll for cart or horse ink-lude all rider"
The previous speech seems to have been learned by rote, but the creature leans on his club, glances about, and lowers his voice to add, "I not supposed to say, life of bridge troll hard. Not so hard like wild troll in mountains, but pay not best. Is good manners to give grash... gratash... gratshut... to pay small tip to bridge troll. For food, I not buy beer!"
He smiles hopefully, exposing two rows of teeth like broken flagstones, seemingly oblivious to the streams of rain-water which pour down his hide.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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The rain has utterly and completely soaked both Kali and Hunter. The wolf's thick coat is sopping wet, and occassional growls can be heard as his opinion about the rain is voiced. Kali, on the other hand, continues to ride silently. Her mouth is set in a firm line, her yellow eyes scanning the area as they ride through. She looks neither happy or upset, and her layered clothing clings wetly to her lithe body. The fabric has become like a second skin on her and goosebumps ridge what skin is visible.

Her brings her horse to a halt next to Ares, and shakes her head softly with a sigh.

"It almost doens't seem worth the time to fight him" she says quietly, eyeing the large club and pondering his demeanor. "Do you even have any of the currency he is referring to?" Her hand is iching to stray to her sword hilt, but she keeps it on her soaked thigh. She twists in the saddle to address the others "How about you guys? Have any of this money our friend here is requesting?" she asks a little cheerfully.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Morgan
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Dismounting from his horse, Morgan approaches the beast with a disarming smile on his face. "My, my...with such an impressive guardian as yourself here, the King's bridge is certainly safe! Do you have any of these colms that you could show us? We are not from here, and I would not want to give you the wrong kind of money! No, no. That would not do at all, would it friend?"

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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"Oh, leave the poor creature be," Cyan chides. She pulls out the proper coinage. "This is for us," she says, handing it over to the Troll. "And this extra is for you, since you're doing such a good job." She then hands over an equal amount. "There. All done! Can we go by, now?"

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Dworkin (GM)
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The troll's left hand strays towards the bag as Morgan speaks to him, and he has a broad, helpful smile on his face. Then Cyan interrupts and hands him some coins. He peers at them, his fingers counting them quite deftly, considering the size of his hands compared to the currency.
He totals the money, and counts the number of travellers, then he pulls a wooden box from inside the bag and dumps the correct amount of money into the box, tipping the rest loose into the bag.
Next he fetches a small square of parchment from somewhere in the depths of the bag, and a piece of charcoal. Those close to him can see that the parchment has writing on it already, and the troll adds some numbers to this before handing it over to Cyan.
"This for you, says you pay toll. Right money. I forget word for it."
Finally he hauls a piece of slate out of that bag of his, and uses a fingernail to scratch some figures at the bottom of a long column of other numbers. He steps to one side and gestures for everybody to pass, muttering, "No toll for dogs. No toll for funny little bats."
As the group clears the bridge, he calls after them, "Up road one mile is shelter. You rest there if want. Look out for thieves on road. If you see King Hodic, you say I do good job? I Karsk Horse-biter, at West Bridge!"
Anybody looking back sees him wave with one huge hand, and then drop back over the parapet to his lair beneath the bridge.

Sure enough, a mile or so up the road, there is the shelter that Karsk Horse-biter spoke of. It consists of four upright posts with a peaked roof on top, and is open on all sides. There is ample room for maybe twenty riders and their mounts beneath the roof, and in the centre is a stone-lined fire pit, along with stacked bundles of firewood and a large trunk with a steel bolt securing the lid.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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Cyan takes the paper, and thanks the troll warmly. "I hope to see you again, Karsk Horse-Biter. Rest assured, if I meet the King, your steadfastness will be mentioned!"

As they ride up to the shelter, Cyan turns to Ares. "Well, have we come close enough to your gear yet? Or will it be longer? If so, perhaps we should wait the storm out here."

Berd cannot be seen, but there is suspicious movement from inside Cyan's backpack.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Duncan
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"Aye, it would be good to get out of dhiss weadher for a while." The weather doesn't really bother Duncan too much, he's used to worse than this, but given the choice between sitting on a horse in a downpour and sitting by a blazing fire, well there isn't a choice.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Ares
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Ares grins through the water pouring down his face, "You're right, it can't do any harm to get out of this while we make a few plans. I'd say we're less than half an hour from my cache, if memory serves." He nudges his horse forward, ducking his head as he passes beneath the eaves of the shelter. Once there he dismounts.
"Might as well be comfortable." he says as he starts to build a fire in the pit.

OOC: What's with all the rain? I thought characters in BBR games had a pleasant life, or does that only apply to their diet?

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Dworkin (GM)
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A decision made, everybody moves into the shelter as Ares starts to light a fire. It is well that they did, because soon after the rain seems to redouble in force, and soon the road looks more like a river!
Within the shelter though, all is dry and relatively comfortable. A plaque on the lid of the trunk proclaims "This wayfarer shelter is provided by the Church of the Unbroken Circle. Please leave it as you would hope to find it." Inside are several blankets, a dozen bottles of wine, six jars containing pickled fish, and a small barrel of salted meat. There is also a locked metal box secured to the inside of the trunk, with a slot in the top and an inscription which reads "DONATIONS: all that you do, for good or ill, returns to you in time."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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"Mmmm. Pickled fish," Cyan notes with a distinct lack of enthusiasm. Berd, on the other hand, smacks his lips and looks at her pitiously. "Fine. Merely...keep it away from me." Cracking a jar for the little dragon (who begins to eat the fish, rather messily), Cyan pulls out some more (unchewed) cheese and begins nibbling, along with some bread. Glancing at the coin box, she shrugs, and lets several heavy pieces of silver fall into it, more than enough for ten bottles of pickled fish.

Cyan quickly throws a blanket over herself, leaning back. Popping open a bottle of wine, she tastes it, then makes a slight face. Another two pieces of silver drop into the box. "Perhaps they will afford a better vintage," she notes quietly, sipping at the bottle, and placing it in easy reach of the others.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali follows the group to the way station in silence. Once they reach it, she tends to the fiery tempered horse and then settles with the others. She settles down near the fire and unbraids her long hair. It falls like a blanket around her and gleams a metallic silver in the firelight as it dries. Hunter sits with her and as the heat of the fire dries his fur the smell of wet dog fills the shelter.

Hungry, Kali gives the fish and meat a once over. She looks at Hunter and sighs.

"Not in this weather Brother" she says softly, and then produces a chunk of wet dried meat from her pocket. She offers it to the large wolf, and then helps herself to some salted meats.

"They must be a fairly wealthy land... to afford well stocked way stations such as these. Our toll at work" she comments in reponse to Cyan with a chuckle.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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"Of course!" Cyan grins around the bottle for an instant, her eyes flickering like amythests in the light of the fire. "It's a wise idea; and well within the rights of a King. Certainly if it's his land, he may make the rules, so long as they do not oppress those not in power." Grinning, she takes another swig of the rather poor tasting wine. "I'd rather not fight if I can avoid it, either. Killing's a serious business, and as soon as someone pulls steel, that usually follows."

Berd sniffs the air, noting the lovely scent of wet canine, and screws up his face in disgust.

"So, Ares," Cyan continues, "are you planning on telling us exactly what it is you are so interested in reclaiming, or do we have to await a dramatically appropriate moment?"

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Ares
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"The main thing is my armor. It's a little too extravagent and heavy, not to mention recognisable, to be worn regularly, so when I left Amber I stored it away." Ares looks around the shelter, "I don't think the tolls pay for this, the plaque seems to indicate that this place is provided by a religious charity. Still, I don't mind who set it up, I'm very grateful to them, whoever they were."
He uses his knife to spear a piece of pickled fish from the jar, and eats it with a look of pleasure. "Mmmm, simple fare, but tasty enough." he comments with a smile.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali looks over at the plaque curiously, but shrugs. Hers was a verbal culture, not written.

"Well whoever pays for it... it is a sign of wealth" she eats quietly for a couple of minutes before asking Ares a question "Do you want us to accompany you to your cache or would you rather go alone?" she asks between bites.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Ares
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"I have no objection to your joining me. I won't use the place again." Ares smiles as he answers Kalika.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Dworkin (GM)
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After perhaps an hour, or maybe a little longer, the rain starts to ease, and within another hour it has stopped completely.
Ares leads the group away from the shelter, and up the road away from the troll's bridge. A little further on he reaches a fork in the road, and takes the left branch, which drops in a steep switchback down the side of the ridge while the other branch continues to rise.
At the foot of the ridge the road veers away from it, crosses a stream, and starts to climb more gently than it descended. Part way up the slope the way ends in a clearing, where there is a cave.
Ares says "This is it."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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"Of course," Cyan notes, dryly, despite the still-dripping foliage. "Well, best that you retrieve your armor that we might continue our journey." Berd clambers out and perches on her shoulder. "Have a look around," Cyan notes quietly, and, digging in his hind claws, the little dragon shoots into the air like a released quarrel, spiralling higher in an instant to gaze down below with his burning eyes.

Cyan lets her own sapphire gaze slide around the small clearing. "You do realize," she says quietly, "this would be the absolute perfect place for an ambush. Trapped against a cliff wall, forest to each side, ambushers in the forest and the cave...." With a shrug, the musician regards Ares droly. "Well, that is, of course, merely my opinion."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Dworkin (GM)
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Scarcely are the words out of her mouth, than Cyan regrets them. Berd swoops back down, screeching a warning, just as the arrows whir out of the forest. Duncan takes one in his thigh, Ares one in the shoulder, while Morgan and Kalika are narrowly missed.
Otandal is not so lucky, being struck by two arrows. He looks down at the two shafts jutting from his chest, opens his mouth to speak, and falls to the ground. For a moment he struggles to rise, his body trying to reshape itself to accomodate the arrows. Unfortunately he is not up to the task...
A dozen men armed with swords, axes and staves, and clad in patchwork clothes of browns and greens, come charging out of the forest as another hail of arrows hurtles into the clearing.
Hunter yelps and snarls as an arrow opens a shallow gash across his shoulder, luckily hitting at too shallow an angle to imbed itself in his flesh, and Derek is forced to throw himself clear as his horse drops beneath him.

OOC - Everybody say goodbye to Tander, but don't take too long... you have a fight on your hands.

Just give me a description of what you want to try, the more detail the better, and I'll produce a write up/progress report.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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A dozen! And archers! But the others are injured, or horseless!

"Fly!" Cyan cries, leaping from her horse. "Derek, my horse - I can leave at any time! Berd - the archers!"
She has means to flee, herself, should the battle turn against her, as it quite well might. But she is also prepared, whereas the others are not.
Turning towards the charging enemy, Cyan begins to grin, staring at them with burning, diamond-clear eyes. A burst of laughter explodes from her mouth, then her sword is in her hand with a flash of silver light and the tall, redhead moves towards the attackers with tremendous speed.

She hits them like an explosion, and her sword flickers with awful purpose, brilliantly, terribly precise in its controlled cuts and thrusts (and the occasional whipping slash). All the while her grin widens more and more, into a snarl. Her aim is to put as many people on the ground as she can, in the shortest time; dead or alive is unimportant. Reaching out, she tears men from their feet, shoving or hurtling them into others, kicking at knees, never stopping to duel or bind.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali leaps to the ground and draws her sword in response to the arrow narrowly missing her. Then Hunter is hit. His pain is hers and an inhuman growl rips free from her throat as she soundly thumps her horse's rump with the flat of her blade. Hoping the savage beast will charge the men and aid in the fight, Kali orders Hunter back out of arrow range with a staccato bark.

The short young woman then charges to the battle, her unbound silver hair streaming behind her like a banner. Seeing Cyan throwing herself to one side, Kali takes on the side. Her sword flashes and gleams as she strikes, parries, thrusts, and kicks at her opponets. Her mind is focused completely on the battle and viscious claws sprout from her fingernails as her free hand rips and tears savagely at any exposed skin her yellow eyes can find, her sharp blade cleaving through the more armored parts of her enemies. A low gravelly, inhuman growl rumbles audibly from her and enlongated insicors can been seen through her periodic grim smile. If the need/opportunity arrives she will bite her enemies as well as claw/kick/cut.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Morgan
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Snarling as the arrow narrowly misses him, Morgan turns to face the oncoming archers and begins to move his arms in what appears to be arcane gestures, the tattoos on his hands throbbing darkly in time. After apparently completing his spellcraft, he waves his hand at one archer after another, grinning fiercely as the hapless souls are flung away from him with brutal force.

"Some days are good....some days are bad...some days will make your mothers cry. This was a bad day, fools!"

Raising one hand in a clenched fist before him as if lifting something, Morgan nods as one of the archers throws his head back in pain and begins to float into the air and above the nearby trees.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Ares
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Ares hisses through his teeth as the arrow bites into his shoulder, and rolls to his left, dropping out of the saddle and keeping the horse between himself and the incoming arrows. He draws his sword, wincing with pain, and transfers the blade to his left hand.
Then he ducks around the animal and charges into the attackers. He singles out one man and rushes him. Swinging the blade with his off-hand as he gets close, he feints once, steps left, and lashes out with his right foot, a viscious kick aimed at his opponents left knee. The sword comes back inwards, aimed at the man's weapon arm.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kendall
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Somewhere else....

The early morning light streamed into the studio illuminating a number of partially finished artsitic projects. While most are oils, there is a half finished piece of marble. Kendall walked in holding a steaming cup of Klavah in two hands (as much to warm them as to hold the cup). The tights and white tunic top Kendall was wearing was not quite proof against the winter chill. (The boots though protected tender feet from the icy cold cement). Kendall walked about the studio deciding on what to work on. Eventually Kendall sat at the easel that held a tiny partially finished landscape on a playing card. It was someplace warm and pretty to visit, but Kendall had lost inspiration for it. Kendall stared at the card, but could not tune into idea of the place. But... there was something... on the edge of perception..

Kendall put down the Klavah and reached for a bundle of velvet that was on the table next to the easel. "Good Morning Greer," Kendall said as the bundle revealed a large deck of cards. "You called?," Kendall inquired. A couple of cards fell out of the deck. "Crap. It is too early in the morning for Destiny," Kendall griped. Sighing, Kendall said, "What did you find now?" Picking them up and examining them, they were three portrait cards and a place card, all painted in Kendall's style, but not painted by Kendall. "I guess I know why I can't find my muse for the last few days, she was out on holiday looking for an adventure," Kendall said to no one in particular. Only one card had a sense of urgency, an interesting portrait of a lovely young woman. Kendall shuffled the other cards in Greer and placed him in Kendall's leather belt pouch.

Three deep breaths later, the card grew cold. The contact is gentle, but strong. ::Hello. My name is Kendall. Are you in trouble? I can help.::
[The imprint you get includes a confusing image, fair skin, red hair, poet eyes in green, a sense of honesty, a sense of curiosity, a sense of fun]

Cyans Response

::Reach your "hand". I will come.::

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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Berd's head snaps around the instant Cyan begins to feel the familiar cold of a Palanquet touch. "Oh, perfect," she laughs, dodging a hacking blow and planting a brutal palm into the man's sternum while flicking the razor tip of her blade at another's throat.
The contact is unfamiliar to her, but not unwelcome at this point. Opening herself to it, she sees the man, Kendall.

[OOC - Kendal sees Cyan, crimson hair snapping about as she dodges blades, cuts, and strikes, mouth twisted in a wild grin and eyes shining like sapphires. If there is a sense of 'fun' from Kendall, he can touch amusement in Cyan, a feral laughter bubbling up inside that she's barely keeping at bay.]

Best draw your blade, she sends back with surprising skill, for I stand in the thick of things, and cannot guard your back!

It isn't her way; Cyan plunges through the men like an elemental force, her footwork such that she does not present a convenient opening to her unguarded back...and making it that much more difficult to fight in tandem with her.

Good thing I haven't drawn my knife yet, she thinks, as Berd swoops low over the archers. Eyes burning like rubies, she flicks out her hand in a gesture, making the appropriate contact, and spins away, clearing a space by wiping the air with Kirilindë, a shining arc around her.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Dworkin (GM)
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Reacting quickly, Cyan strikes the attackers like a tornado. Her blows are not aimed to kill, but to inflict pain and injury, and four men are bleeding in the blink of an eye, clutching at missing ears or gashed limbs. For her part, Cyan takes no injuries, although she does seem to be struck more than once... Berd spins through the air above her, and another man suddenly falls as the tiny dragon breathes a cloud of vapour into his face.
Kalika is like a wild animal, biting, clawing and snarling, as well as using her blade to good effect. She runs one man through, and a second drops with his throat ripped open by her empty hand. The Chunchee bodyguard is soon splashed with blood, some of which is hers from a minor cut on her left arm, but most of it her opponents. The wolf, Hunter, moves back towards the cave and safety.
The arrows stop coming as Morgan uses his own strange attack form to assault the archers themselves, hurling them away through the forest.
Ares is more careful in his approach than his female companions, singling out just one opponent to focus on, his kick drives the man's leg outwards and unbalances him, and the follow-up with his sword disarms him by the simple approach of removing his hand.
The bandits, if such they are, are beginning to realise they might have made a small error of judgement, and a couple drop their blades and flee back into the woods. One is down unconscious, three dead, two fled, and the archers are gone too, thanks to Morgan. Which leaves just six of the original attackers, and four of them are injured to various degrees.
And then Cyan's eyes lose focus for a moment. She extends a hand, and with a sparkle of rainbow light, somebody is there in the clearing...

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kendall
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He, or is it a she, stepped through the trump portal in the thick of it. The person who stepped through was so androgenous as to make description difficult.
"Gong Hoh!", Kendall swore as a whirling spin kick took an approaching foe. Two quick thrusting punches finished the target. "Why is it always the middle of combat?"

Kendall quickly surveyed the environment. With a grimace, Kendall reached up the billowing tunic sleeve and with one quick motion three throwing stars flew out hurting, but not taking down the armored opponents approaching. Kendall reached an exotic tai-chi stance, akin to a viper stance, and waited for them to close or to dodge some other incoming death on a stick. "Why are they trying to kill you?", Kendall asked in a loud and annoyed voice to anyone who seemed on Cyan's side.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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"Discussion...can wait!" Cyan laughs, grinding a cratering punch into another man's abdomen, hammering him to the ground. Turning to the remaining attackers, she cries, "Throw down your blades!" Berd hovers menacingly above her shoulder (well, as menacingly as possible), and her eyes glitter like emeralds.

"If you surrender, and tell all, we will show mercy! This, I swear!"

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali watches the men run and shakes her head. Cowards she thinks disdainfully. Her chest is heaving in time wtih her heavy breathing. Noticing that Cyan is trying to get them to surrender, Kali halts her attack as well. She pays the new comer no attention, he/she/it appeared to side with them.

Kali draws in her sword, the well cared for blade sparkling irridescently in the sunlight. She paces to the side of the remaining men, feral yellow eyes eager for blood. Blood is splattered across her tight fitting clothing and matts parts of her thick silver mane. She curls her lip, showing teeth designed for ripping meat.

"Please don't surrender" she growls at them "The fun has barely begun" she brings her clawed hand up in a striking position, and her bloodied sword at ready. She lets out a guttural howl that no human throat could make and watches her prey, waiting to make the kill.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Duncan
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Duncan growls deep in his throat as he tries to wrench the arrow from his leg and the pain rises to unbearable an level. He glances at Otandal, and realises how much worse it could have been. His companions have called for surrender from the bandits, and through gritted teeth Duncan adds, "You would do well to listen to dhem, dhey can be quite dangerous when dhey are roused to anger."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Morgan
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"By all means...continue to resist, friends. I have demons and beasts aplenty who look forward to devouring those worthless things you call souls! Come along!"

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Dworkin (GM)
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The remaining attackers throw down their weapons, then turn and run into the forest as fast as their legs can carry them. They do not pause to collect their dead, nor the man who is snoring thanks to Berd's vapourous breath...

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kendall
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Kendall stands and stretches, while pulling back long, red hair. those close can hear something muttered about "scrunchies".

Outload, in Kendall's melodius voice, "Should we follow them, or are they just an annoyance?"

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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"We have what we want," Cyan announces in satisfaction, looking down at the unconcious body, with Berd perched triumphantly on the man's forehead. He trumpets gloriously (albiet like a piccolo trumpet, rather than a bugle) in victory. "Our thanks for your timely assistance." It wasn't precisely necessary, but a man putting himself in danger to aid others always deserves gratitude. And who knows? Had the attackers been more skilled, or more lucky with their opening volley, perhaps he would have saved her and the others.

Moving over to the snoozing attacker, she deftly flips him onto his back, pulling out a small leather thong and binding his hands behind him. Berd squawks indignantly at the treatment of his perch, and hops up to Cyan's shoulder, beginning to preen. The fiery-haired woman glances around with topaz eyes, studying the group of people. "Some of us were unlucky enough to be injured. I have some skill with healing; if others do as well, it would be best to deal with the injuries before they become more severe."

Quickly she marches over to Duncan. "Stop that," Cyan admonishes, but gently. "You might nick something important." Like the femoral artery. She has no desire to see the man bleed out in a minute. "Berd will deal with the arrow. I hope."

As Cyan prepares some small strips of clean cloth, taken from a small, oilskin pouch in her pack (there are some ominously curved needles and dark thread, for more serious injuries, one presumes), Berd focuses on the arrow. His shining eyes narrow slightly, and then begin to glitter.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kendall
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Kendall reaches into the sidepouch and removes Greer, a deck of cards, in his bundle of velvet. Running a finger along the side, a single card pulls out. Kendall concentrates on the card and reaches into it, pulling out a small medical kit. The kit is neatly tucked under Kendall's arm. Replacing the card, Kendall then puts Greer back into the sidepouch.

With a smile, Kendall says, "Always be prepared. Who needs some supplies?"

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Dworkin (GM)
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As various people move to tend to the injured, there is a crashing noise from the dense undergrowth, as if some wild animal is charging through it towards the cave. There are also some loud thumps, as if the beast is particularly clumsy, and keeps running into trees and tripping over roots. Oddly the creature seems to be cursing and swearing and begging for mercy.
A moment later a man wearing the motley uniform of the ambushers crashes into the clearing, taking a painful deflection off a tree trunk in the process. He is cut and bruised, with twigs and leaves caught in folds and rips in his clothing. At the last second he rises about a yard into the air, and slams down heavily, right at Morgan's feet where he lays groaning. He still wears a battered quiver at his belt, holding the broken remnants of several arrows.
Meanwhile Berd has dissolved the arrow in Duncan's thigh, and it looks as though it missed anything too vital on the way in.
Ares too has an arrow to deal with, his in the right shoulder. It appears to have hit the collarbone a glancing blow and been deflected upwards. The very tip of it has actuallyy broken the skin on top of the shoulder, on its way back out again.
Tander Otandal is definitely dead, one arrow through his heart, and one through the right of his lower chest, possibly piercing a lung.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Morgan
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Walking over to the newly "arrived" attacker, Morgan binds his hands with a strap taken from the archer's own quiver before lifting him carelessly and tossing him down next to the other prisoner. "This little bird seems to have gotten lost in the wood. I thought perhaps we might be able to get a bit of information out of him as well."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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When she finishes working on Derek's leg, Cyan walks over to Otandal. Quietly, she mutters a curse, and Berd, sitting on her shoulder, breathes on the arrows, melting them, too, into mist. Sighing, Cyan slowly closes Otandal's eyes, her own gazing sadly down at him like obsidian chips.

"Berd. A shovel, if you will?"

While Berd goes off in search of a shovel of sufficient size, Cyan begins casting about for large, head sized rocks. Since they're near a cave, in a cliff, one would imagine, this shouldn't be hard to find.

A shallow grave, covered with rocks. Less than you deserve, travelling companion. A tear falls from one of her eyes as she considers how little she knew of this man who agreed to help.

Curse it. Wiping it away, she recalls her teacher's admonishments. "Always wearing your heart on your sleeve, Cyan. It will get you in trouble."

"It's who I am," she whispers, as Berd flies back with news. She'll have to go through his effects, see if there is anything that may tell her where to bring news of his passing.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Morgan
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Looking at their fallen companion with a strange expression on his face, Morgan mutters something under his breath before walking over to Kendall.

"Greetings, neighbor. I am Morgan. I look forward to hearing your story."

Walking to Cyan, he stops and clears his throat. "The digging, I can help with, lady. This job is faster done with two than one."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kendall
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"Living before the dead," Kendall mused. Approaching the tall, dark, man with a arrow deep in his shoulder, "I can help if you let me." With his approval, Kendall began the work. Between pressure points and some misted (sprayed) potion, most of the initial bleeding staunched and the pain numbed. Removing a scalple for the kit, deftly began to cut and spray, cut and spray, to slowly reveal the arrow's shaft. Kendall's head shook in amazement as no major blood lines or chi lines were broken by the arrow's placement. Upon removing the foreign body, Kendall applied some packing ointment, then began the slow process of sewing the wound closed. "I would be faster, but I am a perfectionist when it comes to cross stitch."

Looking at their fallen companion with a strange expression on his face, Morgan walked over to Kendall.
"Greetings, neighbor. I am Morgan. I look forward to hearing your story."

Continuing to stitch, Kendall replied, "Not much of a story. I'm an artist and a tourist who keeps getting sucked into things due cards dealt me by the deck of fate. I have some things I will show you all later, that I assume will look familiar." Knotting off the dozens of tiny stitches, Kendall coated it with an oily material.

With a gentle smile, Kendall told the man who was late of the arrow, "I would tell you to take to your bed for a few weeks and let that heal, but you like the kind of man who is not going to do that. So take it easy for a while, at least for a few minutes. "

Standing and looking around, "Anyone else need help?"

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Morgan
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Drawing a dagger from within his sleeve, Morgan kneels on the ground and sticks the blade into the dirt. Slowly moving the blade and muttering to himself, he stares at the ground beneath the blade. Within moments, the soil begins to be pushed aside from within, revealing a oval shaped hole some 5' in depth....large enough for their fallen comrade.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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"Handy, that," Cyan remarks sadly, picking up Otandal's corpse after checking his personal effects and bringing out anything that might identify his family and home, and identify HIM to his family and home. "I hope you don't have to use it often."

Quietly she places him down into the shallow grave, and motions for Morgan to do the same, in reverse. "I'll pile rocks over it after," she says, sappphire eyes moody and dark.

Berd flies back, excitedly, then notices the grave. In disgust, he puffs smoke at Morgan, before gliding over to land silently on Cyan's shoulder.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Morgan
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Nodding to Cyan, Morgan narrows his eyes toward the gravesite as the dirt is pushed back into the hole and compacted.

"Life and death walk hand in hand, I'm afraid. Otandal deserves the best that we can do for him, although I'm afraid I cannot offer much for him except honor his memory."

Looking over at Berd, he continues, "And my apologies to you, little brother. I wish that I had made my offer before you set off to your search."

Those words being said, he begins to help Cyan in her search for rocks.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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As the men flee Kali snorts. "Cowards" she says under her breath. She approaches one of the fallen men and cleans off her blade and sheathes it. The bloody claws shrink back into delicate, womanly fingernails. She asks Hunter to check out the cave and get back to her as she produces a crudely carved wooden comb. She combs out her long mass of silver hair, the droplets of blood smearing down the strands, standing out like rubies set in silver. Oblivious, she deftly works her hair into a tight, thick braid. That done Kali takes up the task of searching the dead men's bodies while the others bury a comrade she didn't know well. She is ignoring the slash on her shoulder. The fabric there is torn and blood stained, but little blood oozes from the shallow wound.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kendall
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Kendall, seeing no one else needs immediate attention, begins to work on the injured attacker. "I assume I am patching him up enough so he can be interrogated?" Kendall will continue to do a job of properly stabilizing the subject, despite a possible negative group concensus. He is not awake, but he will get better.

Snapping the first aide case closed, Kendall said to no one in particular, "Damm. I am going to need to go to All-mart now and stock this thing up again." A bit louder and to those around, "So, do you all make a habit of this? This fighting and bleeding thing?"

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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Cyan nudges the man on the ground with her toe, speculatively. "Yes, alive would be best. I would rather not leave him to bleed out, in any case, and he might have useful information." Turning, she studies Kendall.

"No, it is not precisely a common occurance with myself. We can throw the question back to you, though. Do you make it a habit to show up out of nowhere and offer assistance?" Her ruby eyes are cautious, but not suspicious. Yet. "Where are you from? Might we know a bit about you?"

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Dworkin (GM)
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The man who had been knocked unconscious by Berd suddenly announces the return of his senses by groaning loudly. He struggles into a sitting position, blearily observing his surroundings with a sullen expression.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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"Good afternoon," Cyan says brightly, crouching in front of him, smiling broadly with eyes that glitter like diamonds. "I do hope you're feeling talketive. Your friends killed one of my friends, and if you have any hope of walking away from this, instead of crawling on broken legs, you may wish to speak up, and tell us everything you know."

Berd, curled up on her shoulder, stares down at the man through slitted lids in disgust.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Morgan
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Returning to the archer he retrieved from the woods, Morgan props the man up against a tree near the edge of the clearing and begins talking with him in low tones, shaking his head from time to time and wagging a finger at the semi-conscious man.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Dworkin (GM)
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The two men show little resistance to being questioned by their captors. The one being sized up by Berd is happy to talk, while Morgan's new friend is positively enthusiastic in his desire to give information.
Both tell the same story: They are bandits, preying on travellers on the main road into Haranad. They saw the group of travellers and decided they looked wealthy enough to risk attacking. Then the group turned off the road, so they made to follow them, still intending to commit robbery and murder.
Of course, they are regretting that decision now... and worried about being handed over to the "bridge-warden".

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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Cyan sighs. "And what will your plans be, should we not turn you over to the Bridge Warden, Hmmm? Speak truthfully, or as truthfully as you can." Nailing the one she speaks to with her eyes, she settles back on her heels and awaits his answer.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Bandit
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The would-be bandit looks even-more nervous for a moment, he knows what he wants to say, but is unsure if the woman, or the strange little creature with her, could detect a lie.
After some thought he says, "I'll move on and ne'er rob anybody on the highway again." He tries a friendly smile, an effect spoiled only slightly by the fact that he looks terrified.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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"Not on the highway, right?"

Cyan shakes her head slowly. "Not a terribly imaginative try, my friend. In fact, a rather poor one." Tapping her finger against her lips, she considers her options. Kill the man? No. Turn him over to the Troll? Not a good idea. She had said that any who surrender she would let live; most likely there is a hanging in the man's future if she tosses him onto the mercy of the locals. </i>Not that it would be any less than he deserves...</i>

"You are coming with me," she says, finally. Looking down at him she narrows her eyes. "One false step, my friend, and there will be trouble, I tell you. Understood? If you prove worthy of trust, well, you will be rewarded. Far more than you would have been as a bandit."

Berd sighs. Another mouth to consume food rightfully his.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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After searching the men, Kali watches Cyan with the man and shakes her head. She doesn't agree with her, but she wasn't going to argue it either. He was her prisoner, she could deal with him. Looking towards the cave, Kali stares at its openning concentrating.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Dworkin (GM)
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"If you're going into that cave, then I'd rather chance the bridge warden." mutters the man, before raising his head to look Cyan straight in the eye. "That place is haunted, I'll not go in there. Bad enough that Wallen brought us here after you... "
Meanwhile Kalika Wolfblade has finished her examination of the bodies. Other than their weapons and clothing the men have a handful of silver and copper coins and not much else.
The woman glances towards the cave, and a moment later the wolf, Hunter, comes loping out of the opening, his tail held low and his ears back. He makes straight for Kalika and leans against her legs, looking over his shoulder towards the dark mouth of the cave.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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After staring at the cave, Kali turns around and approaches Ares.

"What is this place you brought us to? How can there be plains and mountains within a cave?" she asks him in a hissing whisper, eyeing him suspiciously.

The silver haired young woman left the money in the men's pockets. Money had no real value to her.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Ares
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Ares eyes kalika speculatively, rubbing the back of his neck with his left hand, "I might ask how it is that you know what lies in there, when you've not been here before? But that would get us nowhere I suspect. Let's just say that the cave is a gateway, of sorts. It serves as a shortcut to the place where my gear is stored. Just beyond, there is a cairn of stones, and my stuff is buried beneath it."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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Hunter lopes from the cave, settling by his mistress's side, the wolf begins to lick his wound. Kali laughs "I have my sources" she says to Ares with a surprisingly dazzling smile.

"So it works sort of like a portal? How did it get there? Did you place it there?" she questions the man further.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Ares
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"I'd like to be able to say I had, and that I knew how it worked, but I can't." Smiling ruefully, Ares explains further, "No, I found it. I knew what I was looking for and, as is often the way, I found exactly what I wanted. A tunnel that joins two places that should be far apart."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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"I see" Kali says, mulling over the idea of the tunnel... although she realizes she would never understand how it works. Such things were not her forte... they might have been, before she was Chosen. Her life had been decided at that point, and she did not regret it. Seeing as they appeared to have some down time, she continues the conversation with Ares "So... you did a fine job of explaining why you avoid your homeland, but you never said if you did those things that got you exiled. Did you do them?" she asks in a straight forward, unwomanly manner.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Ares
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Again that rueful smile, as Ares replies, "Well, I suppose I'd have to say that yes, I did come into possession of some things that weren't, strictly speaking, mine to take. But when I was arrested they got most of them back, including their blasted Jewel!"
"I think what really annoyed them was the fact that I got out of my cell and used their precious Pattern to escape, a fact which proved that I have at least a little royal blood in my veins, even if I don't know who my real father is."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kendall
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Kendall spent a few moments to double check the injured brigands. Kendall also spent a few moments to probe their minds, to make sure they have not conveniently left anything out.

With a sigh, Kendall rose and meandered over to the group interested in what they are saying (having only heard bits and pieces).

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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"Ah" Kali comments, mulling over the story. She didn't know what a Pattern was, but she understod having to prove yourself to those who would stand against you "I can relate. In my homeland women are little more than household slaves, meant to bear children and care for their husbands" she scoffs "I have been fighting against those that would see my failure since my Choosing" she says, chin coming up and pride flashing in her strange yellow eyes. "It takes a lot to admit to dishonest deeds. Have you stolen anything since?" she asks bluntly. Realizing even that statement might be a bit much, she tacks on "It is important to understand each others abilities if we are to be working together" she explains her reasoning for the prying questions.

Hunter looks up from his wound and lets out a small bark. Kali casts the wolf a baleful stare, but does not comment aloud. Hunter returns to his shallow cut... a wound much like the one on Kali's own arm.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kendall
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Noticing the injury on Kalika's arm (and the wolf's), Kendall says, "If you don't regenerate, I work on those for you or for him (head nods towards the wolf) which ever will be more effective."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali looks up at the new comer, trying to discern if it was male or female. Finally, she decides that it doesn't really matter. He/she had come to help and was now offering aid.

"No, I don't... re-grenrate" she says, stumbling over the foreign word "and neither does Hunter. It's just a shallow cut. Thank you for the off..." she trails off and looks at Hunter and sighs resignedly "If you could tend to our wounds it would be appreciated... I'm sorry what was your name again?" she asks, drawing a blank.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kendall
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"Kendall. My name is Kendall." kendall pushed the long red hair back over ear, while checking the wound. Kendall pulled out the spritzer, shook it, pumped it twice while pointed at the wound, and the third time, it sprayed. Kendall gooped the wound and sealed it with steri-strips. "Don't pick at those and try to avoid getting alcohol on them. If they itch, let me know. They will fall off in a week or so when your skin holds the injury together. Now let me do your friend."

Kendall walked towards the wolf. Kneeling down, Kendall signalled the wolf to come over. ::Come here. I make better:: Kendal sent. Kendall rummaged through the med kit for an appropriate solution. "The last of the dermabond," Kendall mused. "I really need to get some more of this stuff." As the animal approached warily, Kendall made a brief submissive gesture. Then Kendall did a bit of grooming, stuck the sides of the wound together, and groomed the fur over it. ::Don't lick it for six meals. It tastes very bad:: Patting the wolf's flank side, Kendall stood and packed the gear back. Slipping the card out of the kit, Kendall stared at the card. The kit slid back through the card. Kendall slipped the card back into Greer inside the pouch and closed up the pouch.

To all those around, "I need to pop home and repack this kit before our next big butt kicking. So what is the plan?"

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Ares
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Ares tries to ignore Kalika's question about his actions since leaving Amber in such a hurry, then he thinks better of it: if he has to rely on this people in the near future it might be better if there was a certain amount of trust in the relationship.
He watches as the mysterious newcomer applies his healing skills to the woman's wound and, after he has moved on to tend the wolf, Ares speaks to Kalika, "In answer to your question: Yes, I have used my skills on occasion since leaving Amber, but not so much as Julian would likely have you believe."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Bandit 2
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"Please! let us go on our way. You'll not see us again!" the bandit that Morgan captured has a pleading tone in his voice, and his face is deathly pale and sweating.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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After Kendall finishes with her wound she smiles up at him "Thank you Kendall. This is..." she was about to introduce and call to Hunter, but the red haired healer beat her to the punch.

Kali's yellow eyes widen in shock and Hunter balks, teeth bared as the man's voice enters his mind. Kali cuts in quickly, soothing, calming. :Trust. Help you: she tells him.

Hunter watches the man tend the wound warily, ready to strike if need be. After the Kendall is finished, Hunter looks at Kali and whines. She smiles.

"In the future, I wouldn't recommend speaking to Hunter like that. You damned near got your hand bit off" she lowers her voice "He's not used to having others in his mind, I would appreciate it if you would repsect our privacy in the future" she says quietly "Thank you for the help"

Because of this interuption, Kali was unable to respond to Ares as soon as he answerd her question. She nods and smiles at the man.

"Thank you for your honesty Ares. What are crimes to one are acts of freedom to another..." the young woman is cut off by the screaming bandit. She grits her teeth. Such a blatant display of weakness would have him killed in Chunchee lands.

But we're not in Chunchee lands she reminds herself That's the point of this journey. Let him handle his prisoner. That law is applicable almost universal Kali's thoughts fade and she addresses Kendall.

"Will you be joining us on our journey then? Where did you come from? Why do you want to help us?" the questions are asked rapid fire, but the questioner seems patient in waiting for answers.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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Cyan has been ignoring the discussion between Ares and Kallika [OOC - Probably because I've been away]. Now she shakes the prisoner by the arm.

"Let me explain. If we bring you back to the bridge warden, you will probably be executed. If I bring you with me, you will have me for protection. You just might learn some things as well - better your life. Those are your two choices; I'm not going to kill you, and I'm not going to turn you loose so that you harm other, innocent travellers."

Glaring at the two men with amber eyes, she lets Berd stalk down her arm. "Or, I can fix it so neither of you will ever rob again...and then turn you loose. Your choice. Pick one."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Ares
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"Good idea that." Ares walks around behind a tree, and comes back with two leather pouches, each of which makes the unmistakable sound of jingling coins. He tosses one to each of the two men, "Look what somebody dropped around there."
Then he crouches and stares into the eyes of the first man. The bandit drops into sleep, and his clothes shift to non-descript blues and greys.
Ares then moves on to the second and goes through the same performance.
"When they wake up they will have forgotten their careers as highwaymen and have a strong urge to carry on along the road away from the bridge."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kendall
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"Will you be joining us on our journey then? Where did you come from? Why do you want to help us?"
Turning to face Kalika, Kendall blinked. "Yes. From my studio. Destiny told me too." With that last comment, from seemingly empty hands, four playing cards appeared. One was a face card with a picture of Cyan, Two were face cards the Amberites who you knew, and the last was a cityscape unfamiliar to Kalika (but very familiar to the other members of the troupe, as they had just been late of there). "I am assuming that these are the important players and place in your little drama?"

Playing off any agreement, "I thought so. These cards, in my style, but I did not craft them, appeared in Greer this morning. Them seem to be something I should be involved with. I am normally an artist and a tourist, not a hero. However, destiny had choosen to plant me here. So I am along for the ride. "

if anyone asks: "Yes cards do magikally appear and disappear from my deck. When they do, it is normally important that I attend to the matters."

To Cyan, if she asks to see the card: It is a very good likeness of you. It is supposed to feel like you, but" giving you and it a critical eye, "I think it does an excellent job of capturing your spirit in your likeness. If you want, I will do another one for you."

Looking around at all of them, Kendall took a brief measure. Then, with a smile, Kendall asked, "Where to next?"

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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Pausing while talking to the two men, Cyan glances over at Kendall as he holds out the card of herself. "May I?" She looks at it carefully, scanning it with a practiced eye to memorize the hand that painted it. "Your style, you say?"

"Very skilled. It does come sufficiently close to capturing my...how did you refer to it? Essence? I would say Feä." She smiles at him kindly, slipping a small, flat pouch from her belt. "Thank you for the offer, but...." Unerringly, her fingers slip into the pouch and pull out a completely different card...but easily recognizable as herself. "...I have my own already." She cocks her head to the side, still smiling whimsically. "Perhaps we could...."

Then Ares moves up and...adjusts the two men. Without asking.

Cyan spins towards him. "What do you think you are doing?" On her shoulder, Berd crouches, hissing angrily. The air above the little Dragon begins to ripple.
In two strides Cyan covers the distance between herself and Ares. Glaring at him with obsidian eyes, she settles herself slightly. Her left hand rises to point at 'her' prisoner. "Put. Him. Back." Three words, delivered in implacable, glacial tones.
Berd launches into the air, rising to hang above the clearing. His eyes begin to burn with a cold fire.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Morgan
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Shaking his head and holding up his hands in front of him, Morgan walks towards the storm brewing between the two. "You'll forgive me, lady Cyan, but I might offer the same request to you regarding my prisoner ... if he mattered. However, I really don't think these two are worth the effort and time being wasted here. We do have a bit of a mission from a certain King, do we not? This situation is dealt with, and far less blood has been spilled than I expected. Let these two be on their way, lets get this mysterious armor, and then lets be gone from this little realm."

Walking up to the bandit that he captured, Morgan cuts his bonds and lifts the man to his feet. Offering him a smile and a wink, Morgan steers him towards the roadway and offers him a little push in that direction. "You've had a rough day friend. Why don't you get on about your business and do so soon. I hear there be trolls in these woods. You wouldn't want to find one of those alone, eh? Oh...and do be good. Karma has a way of catching up to those who make the same mistakes more than once."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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Cyan shoots a glare at Morgan that, despite coming from black opal eyes, manages to be fulminating. "Choice is the matter. I gave the man a choice - he hasn't finished making it!"

Her eyes snap back to Ares, and she waits for his reaction to her order. Not request. Order.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Morgan
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Chuckling to himself and shaking his head a bit, Morgan watches as the prisoner he released runs down the path towards the bridge.

"Choice can result in a bit of pain for some. G'luck to you, boy....at least you've got enough cash to pay the toll."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Ares
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Ares folds his arms, "He could not know what you were offering, how could he make an informed choice? Better to make the choice for him and save time and confusion. Look at it this way, by reducing the number of bandits on this road we may have saved lives, including their own."
He looks towards the cairn of stones, "The shapechanger is dead, and these are so much weaker than even he was. How long do you think they would survive if they came with us? Who knows where we are going to end up? There are things living just beyond that cave that can kill such as these with no more than a glance. Do you think you could protect him from everything he even looks at? I have seen creatures which can shatter a skull with the sound of their voice. Could you defend him from things which can strike with a word, without ever revealing themselves?"
"This is the only valid option for them, and allowing them the choice would merely lead to indecision and trouble."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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"A fine rationalization. After, I notice, you have raped his soul."

Cyan steps closer.

"Put him back. Now."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Ares
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"As you wish, but understand this: if he chooses to follow us..... to follow you..... then I will take no responsibility for his fate." Ares turns back to the man, wakes him and waves a hand in front of his face. "Done." then he stalks away towards the cave without another glance at Cyan.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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"Better," Cyan mutters, glaring at his back. Sighing, she pinches the bridge of her nose as Berd lands on her shoulder, eyes still flickering with tiny sparks. "No, don't," comes her muffled voice. "Let's not be petty."

Opening her eyes, she stares at the man before her. "Well. You have heard your options, sir. Change of your way of thinking, by my friend. Going to the Gallows. Or accompanying myself, and learning the ways that may serve you well, in the future. Your choice, sir?"

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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"Greer?" Kali questions, not understanding what Kendall was referring to "How could you have a painting in your style but not by you??" she asks again quizzically, but then shakes her head, heavy silver hair flashing "Nevermind. I won't pretend to understand the ways of a ulez" she says with a laugh. Her nostrils flare as she takes in Kendall's scent, and her brows scrunch with confusion. "Please don't take offense at this questions, but are you man or woman?" she asks their newest red haired addition. Once again Kali's blunt nature rears its head, this time at Kendall.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Bandit
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The man eyes the purse, hefting it speculatively in the palm of his hand. "I just want to go home... I swear I'll not rob another living soul if you let me go. Only don't send me down to the bridge!" He seems about to burst into tears, so desperate is he to convince Cyan of his intentions..

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kendall
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Kendall giggles at first, then puts on a serious face. Kendall says, "I am Dycacha," the continues to giggle. Looking at Kalika's less than admused face, Kendall stopped giggled and said, "Don't worry about it and don't think about it too hard... it will just complicate thing. If you can't, take it case by case."

[Dycacha or Dyc'cha is a Chaos court word for those who are neither, but both genders. Then tend to take on a given gender the way fashionable people change clothes. They are strange, but accepted, like a homosexual in modern day California.]

Turning to the group, Kendall nonchallantly waved a hand in a circular motion and said, "If we can wrap this up quicker, without argument or bloodshed, and decide the next move. I mean, you should of given them a choice and you should of realized that our path might lead to quicker deaths. Both of you are right and both are wrong. So can we resolve this and move on?"

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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Cyan shoots a frustrated glance at Kendall. "Doesn't Ares have some armor to put on, or something? Certainly that should give enough time for us to discuss this." Turning back to the bandit, she leans forward. "I can't just take your word, you know. You ambushed us in cold blood. So. The bridge is out of the question. Thus, you have two choices. Either Berd-" indicating the bored dragon "-makes sure you never, ever steal again, or you come with me. Take your pick. Simple. Even simpler - do you have any family? If so, you might wish to choose Berd's way."
She settles back on her heels to give him some room. "But I won't send you back to the bridge."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Morgan
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Morgan wanders over towards one side of the group and lowers his head for a few moments. After a bit, he raises his head and blinks his eyes several times as if to clear them.

"We are safe here for now, ladies and gentlemen. Our friends with their bows have scattered quite a distance, although some are still too near for my enjoyment. I doubt they will attack again, but it might be for the best if we leave this place as quickly as possible."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Bandit
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"Please Miss, I ain't a rich man, and this looked to be a quick way to get the money to marry Alinia. Just let me go, even if your creature has to do something to me, I don't care so long as I can go home." He drops the purse onto the ground and raises his hands in an attitude of prayer as he begs for mercy.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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Cyan sags. So many people choose loss of their soul over life. "Fair enough. The choice is yours, of course." Bending down, she puts the purse in his hand.
"Berd. As little as possible."
Berd stands up, his eyes beginning to whirl with colors. Cyan turns half away, unwilling to watch, disgusted with the situation, her eyes a dull opal.

Berd's power reaches out, into the man's heart, and finds what makes him rob, steal, kill. Leaving the man with full knowledge of what he has done, and changing not a whit of his memories, Berd burns into the man's soul that to rob, to kill, unless in dire self-preservation, is wrong. And he will not be capable of doing so, any more. Nor will he be capable of harming himself over what he has already done.

He leaves behind a fairly decent approximation of what the man once was...but not the same, not at all.

Reaching down, Cyan picks up the sack of money. "Take the money," she says quietly, putting it into the man's hand. "Go marry your sweetheart. She'll be pleased - you won't turn on her, at least."

You could have had everything, including your sweetheart in a year or two, and yes, including death. Instead, you chose to have your soul twisted. Shaking her head, she turns away from him and rejoins the others.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali flushes red when Kendall giggles. She doesn't see what's so funny. Just as she was about to snap at the... the it that she shouln't be ridiculed for not knowing, Kendall ceasing laughing and tries to explain, but Kali is only more confused.

"Ok" she says with a smile, her ignorance still showing in her eyes. She turns away, a weirded out look on her face to check on Cyan and the others, but the woman is heading towards them, and does not look happy.

Kali cranes her neck to look at the bandit, and then at Cyan.

"What happened?" she asks the other woman curiosly.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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Cyan shakes her head again. "The bandit decided his essence was worth less than the chains of his fear." Sighing, she looks Kalika over with glittering, emerald eyes. "Are you well? Not too badly injured, earlier?"

Berd tastes the air with a long, forked tongue, checking for the scent of fresh blood from either of the pair. Satisfied, he curls up and goes back to sleep. Lots of work, he's done today.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali's petite nose curls in disgust.

"These men were cowards it does not surprise me that they let such a petty emotion as fear rule... or ruin their lives" Kali says distastefully "Hunter and I both got shallow cuts... they were nothing to worry over, but he-she-it over there bandaged us up anyways" Kali jerks a thumb to indicate Kendall. Seeing that Cyan still seems disturbed, Kali tries to soothe her "Cyan don't beat yourself up over that man. He was weak and made a bad choice. Weak people usually do, that is how they are weeded out" satisfied that the words will lift Cyan's spirits, Kali smiles encouragingly at her and then addresses Ares.

"So can we procede to your valley in the mountain now Ares?" she asks with a playful smile.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Duncan
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Duncam, who has thus far remained quiet since his wounding, stands up from the fallen tree where he has been sitting and looks towards the cave. "We should secure dhe horsess before we go in dhere." he moves towards his mount warily, unsure how it will react to the scent of blood if it is as savage as Ares implied.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kendall
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Kendall saw the injured Duncan slowly approaching the horses and walked over to help. Then Kendall noticed the horses were not the type of horses Kendall was familiar with. "Great," Kendall mumbled with annoyance. ::calm:: Kendall projected, while slowly approaching the animals. Since they did not attack or shy away, Kendall helped Duncan gather the horses.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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Cyan smiles thinly at Kalika. It's clear the woman ascribes to the 'survival of the fittest' ideal. Hardly surprising, given her feral nature. She shrugs, trying to loose herself of the constricting noose of her frustration and sadness, and partially succeeds.
He/she/it? What does that mean? Glancing at Kendall curiously, the redhead moves to help Duncan and Kendall secure the horses. "Ares, do you have your armor yet? Are we moving out?"

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Ares
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"We need to pass through there." Ares indicates the cave entrance, "Beyond it is another land, we can cross there, pick up my stuff and exit further along on the way to Cadingart. So we will need to lead the mounts through."
"Cyan, we will not be losing any more time than we already have, since Olympu is a part of this particular road to our destination. One thing though is that if Kendall is to be travelling with us we'll need another mount, which shouldn't be too difficult, since they live beyond the gate."
He retrieves the reins from Kendall, and starts to lead the horse through the cave.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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Cyan follows Ares through the cave, glancing around curiously with sapphire eyes. She's already starting to throw off her funk.
Berd studies the intricacies of what is going on, making sure he could find his way back here if necessay.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali grabs the reins to her mount as well and follows the others into the cave. A smile creases her face when she notices that Cyan's mood seems to be bettering. She felt happy that she had helped. Kali cautions Hunter to be wary of the horses and the large wolf settles in pace with Kendall, sniffing the shapeshifter curiosly.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Dworkin (GM)
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The cave runs into the cliff face a short distance, and then turns sharply, almost doubling back on itself. The exit is clearly visible just ahead, and beyond it is a broad plain, not even remotely resembling the terrain that you entered the cave from.
From the opening the view is impressive, a vast plain dotted with strange flowers, the air heavy with the scent of the blossoms. In the distance is a range of mountains, one of them so tall that it towers high above the rest. Peaks which in other places would be among the highest in the world are here merely foothills to this single sky-reaching moutain. Even though it stands on the horizon it still seems to loom above the group near the cave. Birds circle above its slopes, birds which must be huge indeed to be visible at this distance.
Nearby, almost missed against this background, stands a cairn of stones.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali crosses into the other realm cautiously, her grip firm on her mount's reins. She breathes in the scent of flowers and a girlish light comes to her yellow eyes. She closes her eyes as she inhales the intoxicating scent, her eyelids rippling slightly. When she opens her eyes, once the yellow of a wolf's, are a dark velvety shade of purple. The color contrasts with her fair skin and silver hair, making them stand out quite noticeably.

"Oh" she breaths "They're beautiful!" she exclaims, looking at the flowers. Her chest expands so she takes in another lungful of air "and they smell lovely!" she exclaims, delight sparkling in her eyes.

Kali bends down and carefully picks one of the strange flowers. Rising it to her nose, she takes in its scent one more time, before unshouldering her pack. Digging through the back pack, the warrior pulls out a large leather bound book and opens it to the next empty page. With outmost care and caution, she places the flower on the page, positioning so that it's bloom and scent will be forever saved. Carefully, Kali then closes the heavy pages of the book, and then the worn cover of the book itself. A small smile lights up her battlehardened face throughout the intire procedure and she hums softly.

Hunter lets out an irritated, clipped bark and if he could, the great wolf would roll his eyes. Kali ignores him, hugging the book to her chest, deep violet eyes showing happiness tinged with regret.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kendall
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Kendall, leading the dead shapeshifter's mount, followed Ares into the new land. "Wow. I have not travelled by a trod in quite a while. I forgot about their transitions. Much different than normal."

"Oh." Kalika breaths. "They're beautiful!" she exclaims, looking at the flowers.
Kendall nodded in agreement, not that anyone was looking or Kalika was paying attention to anyone else.

"and they smell lovely!" she exclaims, delight sparkling in her eyes.
Taking a deep breath, as everyone else seemed to do as well. "Yes, they are."
While most of the group was focusing on Kalika and her apparent out of character behavior, Kendall simply picked one of the flowers. Kendall pulled out a small mirror. After playing a moment with the stem, Kendall slipped it carefully into Kendall's long red hair. An uncharacteristic frown played across Kendall's delicate features. A few moments of brushing and a quick tiny braid, and the flower laid nicely in Kendall's hair. By the time Kalika, and the group, were ready to go, The flower and change of hair, made Kendall look vastly more feminine, rather than effeminate.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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Cyan grins at the change in her feral travelling companion, amythest eyes shimmering happily. She looks around and takes a deep breath, drawing in the scent and exhaling smoothly. Glancing at the Cairn of stones, the Bard notes "It has the seeming of home." Berd, on her shoulder staring suspiciously up at the birds, snorts once in agreement. Reaching up, she scratches him, but this time he slips his head away and continues to watch the birds with narrowed eyes.

"Do you collect flowers, Kallika?" Cyan inquires, with a dubious glance in Kendall's direction. Odd fellow. "It would seem you have quite the assortment there, if your place in the book is any indication."

Berd starts at Kali's bark, and glares down at the Wolf with glittering, golden eyes. With a snort of smoke that Cyan bats away in annoyance, he settles his head back to rest, eyes still on the sky.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Morgan
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Looking about the area, Morgan squints off into the distance with a small frown on his face.

"A fair place to be sure....I wonder why it is that I do not trust it?"

Chuckling at himself in a mood that seems to change as rapidly as Cyan's eyes, he makes a small shrug and rides his horse up to Ares and grins at him.

"This is your show, 'outlaw.' Lead us to adventure! The day grows ever shorter!"

**Great warrior? Morgan?? Heh..um..yes, yes, of course! *looks around for something resembling a weapon* **

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali smiles up at Cyan as she replaces the book into the safety of her back pack.

"Yes, I am a flower collector... much to Hunter's chargrin" Kali says with an easy laugh at the wolf.

Hunter lifts his head up and looks away and Kali's laugh deepens.

"You silly wolf!" she giggles, moving to Hunter's side and petting him affectionatly.

Kali then returns to her mount's side and takes the reins up again, looking to Ares. Her slip into womanhood was over, she was warrior once more.

"Shall we press on?" she asks Ares, figuring they were heading towards the cairn, but she doesn't want to assume.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Ares
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"Welcome to Olympu." says Ares, with a wide grin. "This is the nearest thing I have to a home these days. That peak, for lack of a grander word for it, is Olympus." At Kalika's question he nods and turns towards the pile of stones. He walks around it twice anticlockwise, and then once clockwise before laying his hand on a specific stone.
"Ares!" he pronounces, and suddenly the whole pile, twice as tall as a man and consisting of hundreds of large stones, floats into the air. The stones spread out as they rise, spiralling and dancing around each other. Beneath them is revealed a pit, and in it an iron trunk.
This is dragged out and opened as the stones settle back into place, and Ares takes out a suit of black armor with golden ornamentation and a demonic face with snakes for hair enamelled on the breastplate.
It is the work of a few moments for the man to don the armor, which does not seem to encumber him as much as it should. Then he remounts his horse and says, "Now we ride for the next gate!"

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kendall
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One hand on a cocked hip, Kendall said with a touch of annoyance in the musical voice, "Excuse me, now that we have claimed his equipment, could someone tell me exactly where we are going? Holding up the card that has a cityscape as seen from a bay (yes it is Cadiniagart), Kendall asked, "Is this it? If this is where we are going, then I can probably get us there faster than walking along this trod."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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"He does make a good point," Cyan notes, glancing over at Ares. "This is a wonderful place...and I am certain to return, if for no other reason than to relax amidst the flowers. But as has been pointed out to me recently, we are on business. Perhaps you can return us here, Ares, when we are finished? I would like to visit that," she says, pointing at the peak.

"Unless there is another reason for Kendall not to Card-shift us right away?"

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali watches Kendall, surprised at how he/she had definitly become more she than he as of late. She shakes her head, remembering Kendall's words and tries to be tolerant. The shapeshifter had helped them and joined their cause after all.

"I don't understand all this Card-shift stuff" Kali begins without preamble "But the sooner we get to Cadingart and begin investigating, the better. The longer we wait, the colder the trail gets" she says, almost quoting a Chunchee proverb verbatum.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Ares
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"Well, if you've a quicker way of getting there, then by all means let's use it." Ares smiles and thinks for a moment, before adding, "We should turn the horses loose though in case it spooks them. We can always pick up more should we need them, the same way we found these ones."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kendall
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"No they can go through, most horses can. Gather up and be ready to go. When I say "go", grab your horse and the line attaching all of them. This will take a few moments.

With that Kendall takes the line and the city card. A few moments of intense concentration, and a bit of sweat, the card grows into a gate sized arangement, a hole in the air that leads to the city.

In a raspy voice, Kendall says "GO!" and plunges through the card gate. You can see Kendall on the other side of the card when looking through the gate, rather than looking from the side. The line also strings into the gateway.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Dworkin (GM)
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One by one the group lead their horses through the shimmering rainbow-edged opening in the air. The mounts are a little nervous, but step through easily enough.
On the other side they find themselves in the darkness of the night-time city of Cadiniagart, standing in the empty market square. A light fog all-but obscures the nearest buildings, which also helps to obscure the sudden arrival of a group of armed and armoured strangers in the city.
From somewhere nearby comes the sound of drunken singing, a slow mournful song, but otherwise the night is almost unnaturally quiet.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Duncan
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"Over dhere iss dhe shop where we found dhe woman and were given dhe documents." says Duncan, after a few moments spent getting his bearings, "Dhat might be a good place to start lookink for cluess to dhis mystery."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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"Impressive," Cyan notes at the Card-gate. "It appears as though you use a great deal of strength to create such things." Why did he not simply bring us through normally? And how did he do that? Glancing up at Berd, she realizes the dragon is staring at her, a cryptic smile splitting his long mouth. Oh, you bugger. There's more to learn, is there not?

"I agree, Duncan. Perhaps we should proceed, forthwith?" Cyan walks over to the shop, as Berd launches himself from her shoulder and perches on the eaves.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali boldly strides through the gate, no sign of fear on her face. After coming through into the city, she takes a moment to adjust to the sudden onslaught of smells and sounds and then looks around the foggy city. Her nostrils flare out as she inhales the town's scent. She looks at Kendall, noting the fine sheen of sweat on the asexual face and smiles in thanks while patting him on the back.

"You truly are a powerful ulez to work wonders such as that" her smile widens "You are a sign of good fortune. I will not pretend to understand the ways of the ulez or the power they command, but if you ever need assistance with more mundane matters please let myself or Hunter know" Kali offers their services seriously to a person that she considers to be a great sorceror.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Morgan
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With a nod to Kendall, Morgan rides through the gateway and pulls his horse to a stop on the other side and raises his hood to cover his face.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Dworkin (GM)
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The shop indicated by Duncan is boarded up, planks of some pale wood nailed across the door and windows, each with a stylised version of the arms of Cadiniagart painted on it, probably using a stencil.
It would be impossible for anybody of normal size to squeeze through the gaps between the planks.
No light shines from within, and the place appears to be deserted.
The "minstrel" singing nearby suddenly falls silent, his sad ballad punctuated by a loud crashing noise and a thud, followed by a muffled curse and the sound of somebody being violently ill.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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"Berd, if you would....?"

With a disgusted look at his friend, the little dragon squirms through the cracks in the boards and into the room, soaring up immediately...to bonk his head on the roof.

Shaking the stars from his eyes, he settles on a crossbeam, and looks down and around.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kendall
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"Is there a side or back alley around here", Kendall asks while looking around. Except for our amature bard," Kendall stares at him for a moment, "we are the only people out on the street. We do stick out. "

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Dworkin (GM)
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The gagging and coughing noises stop, and are soon replaced by loud snores and occasional snatches of a one-sided conversation, apparently about mice. Berd is inside the shop, while everybody else stands in the foggy night outside, waiting to see what he finds...

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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"Well," Cyan says cheerfully, "it's empty." Walking around to the side, she finds a boarded up window. Still grinning, she begins pulling the boards away, one at a time. The only sound in the alley is the squeaking of the nails coming out. "I know...we could do this faster. But louder, too."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Dworkin (GM)
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The boards pull away from the window with surprising ease, and soon everybody is inside the shop, a cobblers, and away from prying eyes. The room is not the main part of the shop, but seems to be a kitchen. An open door leads into the shop proper, but the light is too dim to make out much detail.
There is a candle on the kitchen table, and it is the work of a moment for Derek to light it and provide a little illumination.
Through the door the shop is in a state of disarray, and there is a lot of blood dried on the polished wooden floor, but at least the bodies are gone. Boots and shoes are scattered about the place, apparently knocked from the shelves that line the walls.
It seems that somebody was searching for something...

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Morgan
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Looking around the room, Morgan prods a boot on the floor with his toe for a moment before beginning to look about the room for any clues.

"Well, well. It seems that our friend has definitely earned a bit of attention."

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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"Indeed," Cyan notes. Half closing her burning, ruby eyes, she lets her senses quest outwards, hunting for any trace of Palanquet energies.

Berd, above, scans the area, eyes glittering.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Kendall
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Kendall will pull out a small white opaque globe and squeeze it twice. Kendall looking annoyed that they won't work in this reality, will then pull a card out of Greer. Snapping one of the store spells, Kendall will cause the globe to glow as a very bring candle, adding light for those that can't adjust their eyes to meet the darkeness (which the sharped eyed will notice the cat like slits in Kendall's eyes). Once the light issue is resolved, Kendall will begin to search. Knowing that all the basic places have been searched, Kendall will use an artist's eye for proportions to spot "missing space", things that are smaller than their outside space will show, any minor discolorations in material that might show after handling in odd places, and any good forgeries. After a while Kendall will also examine the Cobbler's wares and see if they are any good and in Kendall's size.

Any evidence we find, Kendall will sketch.

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Re: Part 5 - Mission of state by Cyan
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Berd falls off the beam, spreading his wings a foot above the ground and snapping along the floor, barely an inch separating himself and the wood. He comes to a stop, and looks up at Cyan expectantly.

"Show-off," she says fondly, walking quickly over. Pulling a keen hunting knife from the back of her belt, she slips it between the floorboards and levers one of them up, fishing beneath it with her other hand, topaz eyes narrowed in concentration. "Here?"

Berd warbles enthusiastically, a puff of smoke coming from his mouth.

Cyan hunts carefully, her gloves on.

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The Archive