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Part 23a: Riders on the storm
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Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Dworkin (GM)
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Jack sets a course for some place that only he knows. For all he knows, that place cannot exist without his will. Or maybe his
imagination can only conceive of the place because he saw it at some
time. A place of Power.
A memory? A dream? He doesn't know. Dreams and memories are all the same to him at the moment...
Worryingly, his course leads further out to sea, across the face of the approaching storm.
Berd sits at the prow of the boat, staring ahead, like some draconic
figurehead watching the way ahead for reefs and shoals. The
weather shifts, and the drake sighs.
Consequence cannot be blocked, but, with care, its effects can be minimised.
The wind has changed, and the storm is no longer racing to engulf the
boat. Its approach has slowed, and the clouds now move along the flank of it, streaming away behind the vessel.
There is still a heavy swell, and some rain too, the droplets seeming
to hiss into steam as they land on Berd's scales. But the storm
now hangs like a black wall a couple of miles off the port side.
THX 1138 briefly considers climbing to the highest point on the boat,
but natural caution concerning the occasional flares of lightning
overhead wars with dread of the water itself, transluscent as the scrith of home in appearance, yet filled with disorder and chaos and motion,
and the dejected spiderling settles for huddling down near Cyan.
One limb reaches out to touch her calf.
"Apologiez Zyan. Thiz motion dizturbz me. Dizruptz my... equilibrium."
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
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Cyan finishes her song, and looks down with some surprise at the
dog-sized spider. With a sigh, she lays one hand on THX's
back. "I'm sorry, THX. Is there anything you require?
Food, drink? Can I assist? You can stay here, with me - I
hardly mind." Her emerald eyes darken as she frowns, sadly.
"I wonder at the wisdom of requesting your presence...I fear I have
done you ill be asking that someone come with us. It seems that
your people are best with each other. If there is aught I can do,
please tell me, and I will strive to see that you receive that which
you need for comfort."
She shuffles a little closer to the poor creature, running her hand over its back worriedly. If it stays with us too long, it will begin to change, much as being around Berd changed me. A frisson of doubt touches her for an instant, but she shakes it off.
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
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Picking at the food
absentmindedly and nursing the beer Jack cut each swell with precision.
Knowing Just where and slide up each one and down the other side. Some
how it was fitting that what had started with a storm wolds away now
ended with one. Even though he did not remember how Cyan lost her
finger on a ship in the middle of a storm, it was a fitting irony that
his mending of her finger now had brought on a storm here and now. He
knew they would ride it out and everything would be fine.
Taking advantage of the cracks, he
was not certain how far this crack would take them but he was bound and
determined to get as much mileage out if it as he could. Jack found a
certain pleasing delight in Cyan’s change of mood, the warmth of
the cabin did not reflect the ominous mood of the storm off the port.
He chuckled at he comments on the beer. “It’s not exactly Grolsh,
but at least it doesn’t have Bud anywhere in the name.” he said taking
another sip. If anything the ease of everything put his mind at
ease that he had made the right choice in leaving the artist Leonardo
behind. Here they were riding the edge of a break and there was little
to no tension in the air. except for Berd, that he would ask about.
After the song had ended the mournful howl
of the wind passing over the sea and whistling though the boats radio
tower. A counter point to the steady creek and groan of the hull
against the thrum of the engines. The patter of rain on the cabin
windows against the steady thumping of the windscreen wipers.
“The song was very good and very fitting Cyan. If you like there
are more CD’s, more of the music disks in the cabinet. I’d offer
something to the spider for Sea Sickness, but I’m not certain how much
it would help it. Perhaps you can comfort his mind and ease his
discomfort?” Jack glanced over at them and smiled warmly. As much
as Cyan would not admit it she was a nurturing soul. “THX there
is a pattern, an order to it all. It’s just something that you must be
used to, something that gets easier as you understand it.” Jacks voice
was soft and soothing as he spoke to the spider. “Just be glad it looks
like we are going to miss the worst of this.
As the boat crested another swell
cutting the whitecap Jack asked “What’s eating Berd? The dragon has
been agitated since I mended you?”
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
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"Impressive skill with a boat, Jack," Cyan notes, loudly enough to be
heard over the noise of the engine. "You are an accomplished
seaman, I take it...some things, it appears, are not so easily
forgotten." Humming quietly, she takes the spider up on her lap,
running her hands over it soothingly and pouring forth feelings of
care, comfort and relief from the everpresent chaos surrounding
them. Glancing up, Cyan stares at Berd for a moment when Jack
inquires of the dragon, but drops her ruby gaze back down the creature
she aids.
"Berd is a creature of moods, Jack - that might surprise you, given his
predilection towards gluttony and sleep, but...." Her voice
peters off as, outside, the Drake slowly turns his head to stare at
her, then, glancing briefly to the storm, looks back out at their path.
There's a long moment of silence, then Cyan blinks in surprise.
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
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Jack glance away from the rolling sea
and the drake at the bow to answer Cyan, “Like so much else right now I
couldn’t begin to tell you how I know the sea, I just do it, I just
feel it. I think it’s a little easier for me because I can reach out
with my mind and feel the currents and s.”
“It seems to me you both are. . . “ Jack
said easily in reply to Cyan’s comment. There was nothing hidden in the
statement, it just was. Then he blinked in surprise looking back out
into the ocean and the Dragonette.
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
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Cyan arches an eyebrow. "Oh, really?" After a moment, she
laughs. "So did Mablung say, many times...it is true, and I have
come to expect it of myself." Topaz eyes glitter with amusement
in the dim light, and she nods. "Indeed...I shall attempt not to
make life difficult for you with my chaotic nature."
The dragon, to Cyan's amused glance, coughs forth five clouds - one
fiery red, one musty brown, another shaded towards gold, a fourth a
deep blue, the fifth a verdant green in colour. After a long
moment, three of the clouds dissipate, and the burning red one floats
to rest atop the leafy green, flickering and flaming.
Berd's smile widens a touch as he stares at Jack, then with a puff, the
dragon blows the cloud out and lets out his musical laughter, the
arcane and obscure message vanishing into the wind.
"What," Cyan inquires archly, "was that about?"
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
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Jack looked over at the Bard with a
oddly smug yet playful smile and a soft chuckle “You are no chaos in my
life, remember I’m the one who knows no bounds. It’s hard for the cloud
to rain on the storms parade. Or better said I’m the pot calling the
kettle black.”
While he spoke with
Cyan, Jack listened with rapt attention to the Drake. His eyes finding
the drake out on deck. Though Jack did not reply taking Berds smoke
signal as the end of the conversation. He knew the drake was right, he
had said Jacks feelings on the matter. He was not worried about
Cyan or Kali, neither of them coveted power. Jack was worried about
what others would do to them for the secret. Others were the problem
and he best served his friends in silence, the less they knew the
better for them.
Yet Berd was right and had said what Jack felt. Power was
addictive and corrupting, and Jack was going to court power. Yes,
though he had so little Jack knew he had so much to loose. He like the
Drake had the feeling of no longer being quite who he was before. He
had fallen so fare and was now a broken man. How much farther could he
fall?? You are a good friend too Berd, a good friend. We fallen, broken people have to look out for each other. It didn’t matter that the drake was not bipedal or human for that matter, he was one of the broken people as well..
“Fire”
“Earth”
“Metal”
“Water”
“Wood”
Jack says with each of the colored
puffs of smoke, then looked at Cyan. “Not much,” He said casually
feeling regretful that he was holding back . He smiled a soft happy sad
smile “People, the making of the universe and the facts of life.”
He told a half truth doing the very thing he had accused Leonardo
of doing, prevaricating. Yet he didn't have much problem with it over
all, he was keeping the faith. Holding the spirit of the rule dear, not
the word. The spirit of word told him to protect his friends through
silence.
His smile brightened and he reached over hitting
the play button on the CD starting up Billy Joel singing “Keeping the
Faith” and took a sip of the beer. “You are no trouble at all to me
Cyan, at least not that much.” He said looking back out to the storm.
“For an impulsive firey tempered red head you are kind of nice to have
around. ”
Jack tried to keep a dead pan face at the last
little tease, but couldn’t quite pull it off his lips curling at the
edges as he fought to keep a straight face and straight course.
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
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Berd grins lazily at Jack's identification of the smokey colours.
He pauses, almost as though waiting for more, then ducks his head in
comedic sorrow, shaking it with faint amusement. Almost as though
he mocks himself - I shall have to do better, next time, his expression states.
"You have not yet seen the truth of chaos, Jack," Cyan laughs over the
putter of the engine. "I fear I have only begun to be
bothersome. Wait - there will be more." Her smile fades,
slightly. "I would hear of these secrets, this fact of life,
Jack...perhaps Berd will tell of them?" The Drake glances back,
eyes glittering for an instant.
"But that is neither here, nor there," Cyan states, in one of her
lightning-quick changes of subject, dropping it before Jack has a
chance to respond. "Impulsive, am I? Fiery-tempered?
Consider yourself lucky I have a passanger at the moment, Jack, else I
might show you what impulsive and fiery-tempered truly is. We are
far enough from the storm that you might garner yourself a ducking,"
she notes, looking over the dark water to ensure that it is free of
high waves. Amethyst eyes shine in the dying sunlight as Cyan
looks back to Jack. With her free hand, she brushes a lock of
hair from her face, while her other hand continues to soothingly stroke
the mechanical horror in her lap.
It is certainly an odd dichotomy, that image...
"I find your presense 'kind of nice' as well, Jack," Cyan says quietly,
then picks up her bottle and finishes it, absently spinning the bottle,
wobbling frantically, on one finger. "For an impossibly comedic,
infuriatingly clever man."
Her brows knit for an instant. "So...is it much farther to these crossroads, Jack?"
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
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Jack shot Berd a curious look with an ached
eyebrow remnant of Cyan’s look at him, then shrugged and smiled.
Knowing the little drake would make himself as clear as he wanted.
Though still curious as to the matter he hinted at. Perhaps a next time
he would trade information with the drake instead of giving it freely.
Jack smile to the drake became the knowing small smile that Jack so
often wore. A trade of curiosity fed for curiosity fed. You
wouldn’t know it to see the lazy little beast, but it was as least as
curious as Jack. It was just more quiet and watchful, to Jacks
outspoken picking.
Jack turned the smile on Cyan though it melted
into a thoughtful look. He stood behind the wheel his blue eyes
regarding Cyan’s for long moments. “Hiding behind the spider?” he
gave her a quick wink, covering the pause and the thoughtful stare
“That’s okay we’ll see who get’s dunked lat-.” He sees her
spinning the bottle and gets a brief flash, a memory of a teenage game.
“-er” blushing a bit he quickly turned his attention back to the wheel
and the ocean.
“I’m not certain how much farther, I just know that's where we are
going.” he said brusquely covering anything, it’s out here somewhere.
Jack lifted his bottle to his lips, nursing another small sip, not at
all certain who the real chaos was. Berd knew that they were
traveling faster through the worlds then he could, but not as fast as
Ares could.
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Dworkin (GM)
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THX 1138 huddles against Cyan, absent-mindedly stroking her calf and explaining things to the flame-haired bard, "We
are connected, all ov uz, to Prime and to all ov the otherz. Our
virzt awarenezz iz ov the zoothing voizez ov the people, and ov Prime
dezcribing our plazez in the community. Even in rezt, we dream ov
the voizez."
"When the Archonz virst came vrom the zky in zhipz ov lightning, they
zeemed to be vriendz to uz. They traded invormazion with uz, a
new conzept, zinze to uz what one knew, all could know, zimply by
thinking ov it. Later we vound that we had traded knowledge vor
liez."
The spiderling's strange mechanical voice, normally toneless, seems to hold a hint of bitterness and regret as it continues.
"Then the Archonz zaid that we had told them enough
to rule uz with, and demanded that we bow bevore them. There waz
convlict between uz, vor the virzt time in the memory ov Prime we
vought each other. Many ztayed loyal to Prime, but many more
choze to vollow the Archonz, who ovvered them givtz and zecretz vor
their zervice."
"I remember how it velt that day when many broke vrom the
community. It waz az iv part ov me waz torn away. Zome went
inzane and had to be terminated. Thoze who zerve the Archonz
zpeak only among themzelvez."
"Thiz iz worze. We have no knowledge ov theze plazez, and did not
know that moving to them would take me out ov the community in thiz
way."
"It iz good to be cloze to all ov you. Even if your mindz are ztrange, they are company vor me."
The sky grows darker as the boat sails on, and the storm looms closer,
then further, then closer again, held at bay by the power of the small
dragon sat in the prow.
Finally, after several hours sailing a light winks out from the gloom
ahead, then is gone, only to return a few moments later, then again,
and again.
A lighthouse...
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
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Jack started working letting everything
else go for the moment. Cutting back the speed he checked the depth on
the sonar, moving in a bit more carefully. Picking up the radio
hand set he called out “This is the SS Minnow, we are
approaching your Light House. Can you advise of a safe course to
port?” Cyan there should be a depth line by the bow, if we can’t get a
response I will need for you to cast the rope and make certain we are
not going to shallow.”
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
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"I'm sorry, THX 1138," Cyan says quietly, emerald eyes dark with
sorrow. "We can be here for you. And we will. Your
people have been horribly betrayed, and I can only hope that our
efforts will give them their freedom. I have sworn to fight for
them, and I will. Stay with me, and I shall ward you from being
alone."
Berd's gaze turns on the spider, then, and the Drake slowly nods his head.
And time passes.
As Jack shoots a command to her, Cyan begs off from the spider (Berd
flopping down in the warmth of her place, still touching the creature's
mind) and heads to the back of the boat. A short check finds
something that is likely a 'depth rope'. It makes sense, in any
case. Cyan knows there is some kind of...device that propels the
boat, to the rear, and moves to the side closest to the land, rope in
hand, ready for her orders.
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Dworkin (GM)
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Closer and closer to the beacon, standing alone on its reef, with no
shoreline in sight. The main light, at the top of the structure,
blinks in perfect time, but there are other lights visible now; windows
in the sides of the tower.
"Devil's Needles Light to Minnow. Are you the resupply boat? And where the hell have you been?" The voice from the radio sounds less than happy...
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
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Jack brought the boat to a stop and called
out to Cyan “Cast the line Cyan, find out how deep” He didn’t like the
sound of Devils Needles , didn’t like it at all. “Negative Devil's Needles Light we are off
course, lost and low on fuel, needing a safe port for the storm, good
maps. We are not your supply boat, but are more then willing to trade
supplies for fuel. Repeat; this is Jack of Shadows requesting safe port
and refueling.”
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
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At Jack's words, Cyan tosses the line out, waiting, then taking the
measure of where it hits bottom...if it does. "Perhaps they, too,
are in need of assistance!" she cries to Jack.
Berd raises his head, and narrows his eyes, slowly turning towards the light.
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Dworkin (GM)
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"Roger, Minnow. There's a deep water
channel to the north of the light, but stay at least fifty yards
out. When you pass the red marker buoy, swing her south, and
you'll see the jetty straight ahead of you."
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
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“Roger Lighthouse,” Jack
replied “Captain Jack out.” Jack slowly reversed the engines for a few
seconds, calling out “Pull the line in Cyan, I think we are okay from
here on out. Go ahead and come on in, take care of your guest.”
He followed the direction the beacon keeper had
given him, careful to give more than fifty yards leeway. Though
more careful than that he called up a tendril lends and searched below
the surface of the waters ahead of the boat. Making certain the
directions were good and the way clear as he moved the boat ahead at ¼
speed. Ready for anything. He finished the rest of his beer and
pitched the bottle in a dust bin asking idly "I wounder where we are?"
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
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"Jack," Cyan begins, coming back in, "this lighthouse...it seems a
nexus for some kind of power." Turning, she stares out at the
lighthouse with her thoughtful, sapphire eyes. "Why do we not
stop for a short time and examine it? These men appear in need of
assistance - it seems their supplies are near exhausted, from the sound
of things. Might we investigate, discern the truth of the
structure? Such places do not occur without reason."
Berd slowly prowls around the cabin until he can see the lighthouse
through a window. Silently, the drake stares at the tower.
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
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Jack throttles the engines down as far as they can
go and still have the boat deal with the currents. Taking it in a lazy
circle first away from the tower and then slowly back towards it. As if
trying to ling up for a decent approach careful to keep in the
confines they he had gotten off the radio. “I don’t think it would be
best to stop completely in these waters, current could carry us into
the rocks. Buy I can buy you a good amount of time Cyan. Just have to
slow it down to a crawl and do a little dance.”
Then Jack pulled the his lens up from the
water and examined the light house trying to discern if the Nexus Cyan
poke of was right for his uses. What this the place he had been looking
for. “Berd, is this the Crossroads of the worlds?”
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Berd
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Berd stares at the tower, narrowing his eyes.
Cyan paces back and forth, nervously, then stops in front of her
pack. "Berd can assist them from here, and will attempt to
determine the nature of the power. Is there aught I can do to
assist?"
While this goes on, her hands dive into her pack, and come out with her sketchbook, as well as her quills.
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Dworkin (GM)
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The boat moves hesitantly towards the jetty, and Jack keeps a wary eye
on the pinnacles of stone which are sometimes exposed in the wave
troughs to port and starboard, but none of them are close enough to
present a danger.
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Berd
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Berd turns knowing eyes to Jack, smiling his toothy grin.
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
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“Yes Berd,” Jack said throttling up a
bit and heading on the course the Beacon Keeper had told him. “I had
caught part of that myself. It’s seems as if this might be the
place.” Jack headed the boat for the dock, it would be time for
war. The little boat may have not quite been a red horse, but it would
do. Jack worried if he could actually pull this off. The worries
only grew deeper as he remembered a petite woman with silver hair and
the word Manai.
. .Something was missing, a part of himself he could not quite
remember. He would see what he could do about it as soon as he had time.
“Let’s roll.”
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
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As they come up to the dock, Cyan springs from the ship and begins work
on the lines, handling them with ease. It's obvious that she has
SOME experience with boats, if not those of this type. Berd, for
his part, flaps up to the top of the boat, and looks out, then breathes
a small cloud that floats, somehow remaining together, through the air
and seeps through the walls of the lighthouse.
"THX 1138, come with me!" Cyan cries over the wind, helping the
spider come ashore and hanging it on her back, where it rides, legs
gripping her. "You can stay there, or walk yourself...the choice
is yours," she notes. "Only, if violence erupts, I ask that you
remove yourself to safety." There will be none about me, the woman thinks grimly, glancing back at Jack with worried, emerald eyes.
"Shall we, Jack?" she asks, holding out her hand and marvelling at the
regrown finger for a long moment, before assisting him from the ship.
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
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Jack didn’t need Cyan’s help to hop
from the boat, but he took it anyway. No sword or armor on him, though
he did not seem concerned as he looked out to the ocean and then back
to the lighthouse. “By all means Mistress Bard.” Jack said
with a nod He let her hand go and started for the light house with long
easy strides, ready to join the battle in earnest. Though part of him
wondered what this price for this would be, there was always a price
for war. He walked like a man on a misson towards the light house.
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
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Cyan gives Jack a sidelong glance when she falls in beside him.
The man has changed, already. The indecision is completely gone,
and it is almost as though a glass wall has come down between them - a
glass wall of politeness.
She smiles, faintly, feeling her stomach knot. Better
this way. Better with him thinking about what's going on,
thinking about Kalika, perhaps. She'll be back for him, no doubt,
and when she does...better that he's forgotten all about what might
have passed between us.
Just a reaching out, a blind reaching out of a newborn towards emotion that could comfort. That's all it was.
That's all.
Berd laughs silently on her forehead. "What are you-" Cyan
whispers, frustrated, ruby eyes flickering with annoyance, and clamps
fingers around his neck. "Enough of that," she orders him, but
the dragon catches the weakness of the command, and merely stares until
she lets go.
And here is Jack, marching towards...what? He and Berd have been
talking between themselves, she knows that. "Jack...will you tell
me what is going on? You have told me NOTHING. Berd informs
me that we have reached our destination, but I have not been told what
our destination IS."
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
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Jacks step faltered at Cyan’s words and the
man looked down, stopping he turned to look back at Cyan meeting her
eyes. A world of pain and uncertainty rested behind those deep blue
eyes. “Cyan please. . . Do not ask. . . It pains me that I can not tell
you, but my silence on this matter is not to protect myself. Quite the
opposite, It is to protect you. . . You, Kalika, Aaron and the worlds
at large. Trust me this time, if only this time. I am not defending
myself nor am I playing a game with you, but I must keep this most
terrible secret to myself at all cost. To protect the people I care
for. Will you give me that much freely?”
He stood there waiting and looking
into her eyes for the uncomprehending hurt and possibly even anger.
Still things were as they must be, and that was the way of it. Life
went on for the living. . .
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
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There is silence, then, as the Bard listens to Jack's words. Silence, as she feels her spirit crumbling under the weight.
"Choice," Cyan says to break the silence. "You ask me to trust you, Jack, and I will."
I will trust you, even unto the point of letting you make the
choices for all of us. So it has always been - you...part of
you...tells me to stand up, to take charge, to be more assertive.
In the same breath, you never listen to suggestions. Have we been
to Amber, seeking advice? No. You go your own way, Jack,
and always have.
She studies him, her thoughts racing. You make choices
for others, for what you think is their own good, Jack, and you will
find, sooner or later, that what you think is their own good is what you think is best for them.
"Go. Do what you must." Cyan settles down to the
ground. "If it is to be a secret, best if I stay here, that I
should know nothing of it. I will watch the boat." In
silence, then, she begins to take off her pack, pausing with surprise
when Berd hops free, beginning to walk towards the lighthouse.
Opening her mouth, Cyan starts to speak, then stops, as if
interrupted. Slowly, she nods, then begins to go through her
pack, looking for her sketchbook.
"I can...catch up on my work," she says heedlessly, waving her hand in
the air casually as Berd waits for Jack. "You two, go
ahead. THX 1138 and I will keep each other company."
For a moment, the wind catches her long hair, snapping it like a
banner. Cyan's eyes are dull jade, staring down at the pages as
she inks her quill, turning to present her body as resistance to the
wind.
On the trail, Berd makes an impatient noise to Jack.
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
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“Cyan-“ Jack stared then
hesitated a moment “I left Leonardo of my own choice to come do this
amongst other reasons I have already shouted at the heavens. Jack
sighed and looked to the tower “There should be nothing more then a
lighthouse inside, to all appearances, but I will need you if I am to
do what I am to do. I will need you to organize the spiders people, we
will need an army to fight Cyan, and I need you for that. What’s more
is I need you there with me, I don’t understand how or why. I just know
I need you there for support if nothing else, I need your support.”
Again Jack sighed, “If you want to stay you
can, if you want us to go where you want to go, we will go. Now if you
like. I can come back, just let us trade for fuel here and we will be
off. Whatever you want is fine with me.” He waved a hand
absentmindedly at Berd to hold as he waited for Cyan’s reply. He placed
a gentle hand on her shoulder as he waited for a reply.
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Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
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Cyan looks back. Slowly, she closes the book. "I know that
you need me to assist, Jack. But how are you to keep this a
secret with me there? I am not blind to power. Berd tells
me this is a nexus - I know that you are going to use the power,
somehow. If not here, not this power, then elsewhere."
Support, if nothing else. That, Cyan supposes, she can
give. "We are here - it is foolishness to do differently.
Best that we deal with this now, Jack." How can she say no?
It is impossible. "Let us go to the tower - you can do as you
wish, there. I trust you, Jack, of course. Else I would not
do this."
It...I wish, though, that you trusted me. The Bard rises
to her feet, a lifetime of performance allowing her to keep the mask on
her face, to appear tired, but in agreement.
Berd gives him more than I.
And Berd narrows his eyes.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack turned and looked at Berd, “No Berd” he said aloud as blue eyes regarded shimmering draconian eyes.
Left his hand on Cyan’s shoulder and did not move
as of yet waiting this time for Berd, though in the end he already knew
they were right and would abide by Berds whishes.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd stares back at Jack silently.
The little dragon seems to shrug, briefly.
Cyan glances from one to another, her face a study of confusion in the wind.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack nodded to the dragon and dropped his
head before turning to look at Cyan “You and Berd are right, it is best
that you and the spider stay here Cyan.” Perhaps better then he knew,
if something did go wrong it would be for the best that she was out of
harms way. Better that Kalika were not here either, she would not have
complacently stayed behind. Though Jack did not know where
that last came from.
Jack let go of Cyan’s shoulder and walked to the lighthouse without
looking back. He could not quite bring himself to look back.Though he
did reach down for the small drake as he past by, picking Berd up to
rest on his shoulder.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Wait, Jack. I do not understand." Cyan stands. "You
say for me to trust you. You say for me to wait here." Her
jaw sets. "I agree to this. I agree, because I DO trust
you. What else can I do, when you throw that in my face?
Tell you that, no, I do not trust you?" She puts her hands on her
hips, faces him squarely. "And then you say to me, no, come with
me, I need your support. So I agree to come with you, hoping that
I might at least be able to give you that! A moment passes, and
you speak to Berd, and then...."
Cyan's amber eyes narrow. "Then you change your mind, YET
AGAIN. Why? I agree, you change your mind. I agree
again, you change your mind again!" Stepping forward, Cyan stares
into Jack's back. "Every time I agree, you change your
mind! Now, I think I can safely say that I am within my rights to
demand to know what is going on! You are making no sense!
Either I am to trust you and stay, or I am to come with you to assist!"
"If you cannot make up your mind, I will do it for you."
Obviously losing her patience, Cyan picks up her pack and strides
forward. "Come with me, THX 1138. I believe we will be
following this...pair of fools."
Berd hisses angrily. Obviously frustrated at the situation, the
Drake shoots an enigmatic look at Jack, and moves towards the tower.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
“Then do not apply it.” Jack shoots back to the Drake before calling out to Cyan, “Cyan wait!”
he moved forward to meet her, placing a gental restraining hand on her
shoulder. “I am sorry yes this is frustrating and you have every right
to be upset, but do not be to hasty in my mistakes. You are right, what
waits for me in there is power. The type of power them men like Aaron
and Leonardo would kill for. There are a lot worse people out there
then those two. What do you think those that we face would do with
something like this!?!”
Jack paused for a moment, “People that would
kill you to lean it’s secrets, I have already jeopardized myself and
Berd. Do not let me put you in harms path as well, I could not deal
with it. I am guilty and I made a mistake, I wanted you there for
support but I wanted you not know for your protection. I wanted both
words and did not think it through. This I must face alone. . . Or at
least with Berd.”
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan stops, listening to Jack's request. Slowly the anger and
annoyance drains from her eyes as she considers. Nodding, the
Bard cocks an eyebrow as Jack explains. Then there is silence,
and her amethyst eyes widen, slightly, beginning to flow and shimmer
like opals after a moment.
Cyan takes in a deep, shuddering breath, and brushes her hair back,
eyes glimmering like mother-of-pearl in the dim light. "Jack,"
she begins, a trifle unsteadily. "I understand. Truly, I
do. You wish to shelter me from the dangers, from the agonies you
have experienced." One hand reaches out, touches Jack's shoulder,
tentatively. "And you have suffered so much."
"But...you must see, you must understand that we are together in
this. Only that way can we win this battle - you must trust me,
as I must trust you. If you say to me to stay out...I will.
But how am I to safeguard your back? I would not expect you to
stand aside, wringing your hands, while I battle with a blade. I
should hope you would prepare an escape, as you did with the Gorgons,
or fight if there was none. There is no other way that we will
overcome our opposition, than working together, in all things, to each
their strengths, the others assisting!"
Cocking her head to the side, Cyan gives him a faint smile, stepping
back, reaching up one hand to touch his, so that contact still
holds. "I have seen the Lord of Fetters, watched from afar as he
struck down the High King in single combat. I am no stranger to
terrible death and horror. If I can help, I would. If I can
but safeguard your back, while you do what you must, I would do this
too. Would you have me tell you, Jack, 'sit, stay', when swords
are drawn? Certs there are those who would fight to take this
power! I will tell noone, and if someone discovers it...I say,
let them come. This way they stand against us two, rather than
you alone!"
Her voice drops, as do her eyes. "I know I am inexperienced in
this, and have little to no skill in the paths through which you would
do battle...it is something to do with the power, there, yes?
But...I can help. And I can prepare myself, through observation,
through learning. If you hide me away, keep me safe, when I need
these skills, they will not be there. And I-" Her eyes come
up to lock on Jack's, more than a pace away, connected by her hand
touching his. "I would stand behind you to guard, or beside you,
to assist. Not hide at home, waiting for the war to end."
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Rain squalls across the outcrop as the boat is made fast and the small
group starts towards the lighthouse. THX 1138 pulls itself closer
to Cyan, looking like a glittering metallic backpack. Strange
noises are issuing from the spider-like creature, quiet clicks and
whirrs, rhythmic and with a low, underlying hum.
Oddly, it puts Cyan in mind of the purring of a cat...
As they step from the jetty onto the short flight of steps leading up
to the Devil's Needles Light, a door opens, and a figure is silhouetted
in a rectangle of yellow light. More rain, and a voice booms out, "Ye
gods and blue-arsed monkeys, are ye going to be lollygagging about all
week, or are ye going to get yer backsides inside out of the rain?" This unorthodox greeting is followed by laughter, and, "Water's on, and Dawson has orders to make tea as soon as it boils. Ye look like ye could do with it."
As they reach the door, the man stands aside and allows them
entry. He's big, tall and heavily built, made even bulkier by the
thick sweater he wears. His hair and beard are greying, and his
face is deeply lined and scarred.
"Name's Joseph Maximillian, most folks just call me Max. Welcome to the Devil's Needles."
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
As the rain washed over the group the storm
finally catching them, Jack held Cyan’s hand a moment more. The rain
falling plastering his hair to his head and face as steam rose from him.
“Come on let’s get inside! We’ll deal with
this together!” He shouted over the rain, and he would have to deal
with Berd’s. But she was in this for a penny, so she was in this for a pound..
Jack would have to explain it all to her later, there was no getting
around it. She was already embroiled in this entire mess. Perhaps
if the three of them kept their mouths shut they could do this without
attracting to much attention from the power mongers.
“Go! Go!” Jack shouted grabbing up the bards hand again
and running for the door, a door that held so much for him. He
would find Kalika and he would strike a blow against the enemy
with in that door if he could. As they ran up to the door Jack slowed a
fraction letting Cyan enter first, himself hot on her heals. Shaking
the rain from himself and taking off the oiled leather cloak, he nodded
to Max. “I’m Captain Jack, that’s Cyan, and Berd.” the last he pointed
to the small drake. “Thanks for your hospitality mate.”
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan's heart sinks as she feels Jack pull away; for a moment, she thought...but this is how it has to be. Kalika. Always there is a small, brave-hearted woman standing between her and Jack, and always there will be.
The Bard cannot even bring herself to feel anger at Kalika, or hate;
how? The huntress has nothing but her admiration, her
respect. Her envy.
Then the storm blows down on them, ack's hand grips hers with that
same, terrible, careful strength, and they sprint blindly through the
rain, to the tunnel of light that appears with the foul-mouthed
ferryman before it.
Cyan doesn't argue, but takes the offer, slipping through the door
first, her silk shirt plastered to her; the cloak is in her pack, at
the ship. Berd, however, lands before her, eyeing the Bard
warily; she looks back with a similar expression. The Dragon
sighs, letting out a puff of smoke. Cyan narrows her amethyst
eyes. "Thomas? Be more specific, Berd."
But the drake offers nothing more, and Cyan turns back to the door.
"My thanks, Sir! It is a poor night for travellers, I
fear." Reaching back, she finds her cloak balled up on top of the
spider, now. How did it... A glare to Berd; something about Jack's words has the little dragon laughing almost hysterically.
The Bard touches THX 1138 once, reassuringly, then spreads the cloak about them both. "Better," she mutters.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Max (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Max leads them upstairs, pausing to pat Berd on the head first, "Nice Doggie. We'll see if we can find ye a sausage or something."
The next floor clearly serves as a kitchen, with a stove, table, two
chairs and several cupboards around the walls. Another man is
there, small and wiry, pouring hot water into a teapot from a large
saucepan.
"Hello, I'm Dawson, in case this great lummox forgot
to mention me. We spoke on the radio, but I forgot to ask how
many of you there are?"
"Only two. Right you are, I think we have enough mugs for
everybody, if I take the chipped one. Have a seat. We just
have the two chairs here, but Max and me can use a couple of packing
cases... "
"I hope ye'll forgive Dawson? He can be like a blasted mother hen sometimes. Hah! Make that, all the time!"
"And I'm afraid we have no milk or sugar for the tea. Just two of the things we're waiting for when the supply boat... "
"If the supply boat turns up!" Max interrupts, "She's long overdue, and if ye were to ask me... "
"Which nobody is."
"... I reckon they've forgotten us."
"So how did ye get this far out in such a small boat? Said ye were off course, where were ye bound for?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd begins to salivate at the thought of the sausage. Apparantly, any disputes outside have been immediately forgotten.
He even puts up with being called 'doggie'. Anything for food....
Cyan, shivering, accepts her tea, and moves to stand beside the
stove. The warmth is appreciated - her cloak is good, but the
heat from the stove will help.
Especially since her clothing is 'naturally' cool, at all times.
"I shall stand here, I think," she returns with a quick smile.
The Bard listens to the bickering with some amusement, but notes a
certain...concern beneath the complaining. "Do you not have some
means of contacting those who left you here?" she asks, curious. Berd
and I will have to do something about this...IF he can drag his mind
from whatever he and Jack were discussing, behind my back. The dragon has been acting...oddly of late. Changing.
Growing, as it were.
She always knew he had been something else, 'before'. Was that returning? If so, how?
"I fear you will have to ask the Captain for how we came to be so off
our course," Cyan replies, amber eyes flicking to Jack for an
instant. "As to where we were bound, well, that is a long and
complicated story..."
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack shrugged and pulled up a chair
water dripping from him. “You are welcome to anything on the boat. I’m
sure we have some sugar and creamer. Though it’s probably the non dairy
stuff, but I bet there is some flavored creamer. ” He looked around and
found a place to hang his cloak “The storm must have messed with
our course, and none of the maps on board show this place. We
were headed for the cross roads.”
Jack dragged the chair over by the fire and was
about to sit down whne he changed his mind and offered it to Cyan.
"Please sit Cyan." Then took some tea, it wasn't coffee but it was hot
dark and warm.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Max (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Max looks embarrassed, "Well, Missy, there's the rub, and no mistake. We have the radio, as ye know, but the damned thing must be faulty."
"You broke it, more like. Told you, I did, I'm the radio op, not you." Dawson interjects, causing Max to scowl at him.
"Whatever... Anyway, fact is we haven't been
able to contact anybody for about three months, until ye came
past. Haven't even seen a ship in all that time neither.
Even the supply boat is a month overdue."
He nods at Jack, as he describes how the storm had driven the Minnow far off course, then replies, "Well,
I never heard of this crossroads ye speak of, Lad, unless ye mean
Solmouth Roads, but that's a good seventy mile, or more, from here, so
I'm not surprised we're not on yer chart."
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd perks up at the man's words, then his eyes narrow. After a
moment, the glittering...dulls, slightly, fading deeper into his
crystaline orbs.
Cyan blinks at Jack's offer - someone offering her a chair is an
extremely rare occurance. She slowly nods, sitting down, careful
not to lean back against THX 1138. "Well...perhaps your radar,
sorry, radio simply needs a bit of work," the Bard offers, bringing one
foot up to rest on her own knee. "Perhaps I could take a look at
it?"
If it functions anything like a palanquet, she should be able to figure out. More likely, though, it is some sort of technological device, and in that case....
"What do you people do out here? Watch? Nothing
more?" Cyan leans forward, emerald eyes ablaze with
curiousity. She glances at Berd for a moment, warily, and then
nods, fractionally. "Do you not have a relief to come?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jacks eyes widen the broken man looked around him. “Mother of gods.” he says aloud without realizing it
Jack shook his head realizing where he was,
“I’m sorry, I just love this lighthouse.” he said covering himself as
best he could. “Yes Cyan, why don’t you help them with the radio, do
you want me to run and get some of our supplies for you? If not I think
I need fresh air.” Jack still seemed a million miles away.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack realized he had one more thing he had to do before
the war, something important he should have take care of a long time
ago. His mind would not be at ease if he did not know. It must be done
now!
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Max (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
"If ye could get that damned radio working again, Missy, we'd be glad of it." Max says, though he is studying Jack as he speaks, and his expression is one of concern.
"As for what we do, well we make sure the lamp
burns, Time was when this reef would claim as many as eight ships
a year. It's near a main lane d'ye see, but far enough from the
coast that if a vessel went down here, there was no hope of rescue for
the crew. Ye can't even see the coast from the top of the
tower. Anyways, since the light were built, some seventy years
past, there ain't been a single wreck here."
This last is stated with considerable pride.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan beams back at the man. "Well, your work is most effective,
then!" She pauses, turning her head to Berd for an instant, her
topaz eyes widening slightly. This...oh, spirits, these poor men. Berd, can you discover from whence they came?
Standing, Cyan reconsiders her thought. No.
Instead...you must make them sleep, Berd. We need to have
ourselves undisturbed...sweet heaven, what will become of these poor
men? We must find a way to assist them. They seem happy,
here, but what of their supplies?
It is agonizing. What to do with them? Take them with
her? Ensure that they have a place, somewhere? Leave them
here, unknowing? No.
All men deserve to know the truth of their existance - to say otherwise
is to willfully steal away their knowledge. I must tell
them...but not now.
Berd relays her thoughts to Jack.
'Jack, this world...it ceases, ten miles from here, in any
direction. There is nothing beyond it - a 'wall', and that is
all.' Cyan's mental voice is miserable. 'I think we
should keep these men safe, then tell them what happens here, after we
have done what we have to do. Then we might take them somewhere
they can...oh, gods, where would that BE? Somewhere they can have
a life. Perhaps a world, close by, and provide them with
everything they need? Or leave them here, if that is what they
wish, with sufficient supplies...for their relief, their supply vessel,
it will never come. But Berd will make them sleep for now, and I
shall take them into the cellar of this place, keep them
comfortable. Does that suit?'
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Though Jack still seemed a million miles
away, this time he was ready for the Drake and Cyan and did not let
slip what he was doing. He had seen but to briefly, if she needed him
then. If she was in trouble he would risk porting from the center of
the broken pattern if need be. Yet he had not seen enough, if he did
anything now it would be rash. Things bothered him, things did not seem
right. . .
Jack waved Berd and Cyan off his face pale and his brow creased with worry. Do
what must be done Cyan, for the moment I must do what I must do.”
Cyan caught the faint vision of Kali in what looked like trouble.
With that Jack sat down and
redoubled his efforts with the tendril and Lens, searching for Kalika,
where she was at and trying to find her so he could help. Nothing else
mattered for the moment, so he poured all of himself into what he was
doing. Searching, pushing the limits of his broken pattern to find her.
Jonny had followed her across the shadows chasing after her, how could
he do less. Was that thing Johnee?
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kalika? In trouble?
'Jack, please...let me know if there is aught Berd or I can do to assist!'
"Max, Dawson," Cyan says slowly, turning towards the two men. "I am sorry, but...it is time for you to sleep, for a bit."
Berd's eyes flicker, and the dragon breathes a cloud of sparkling particles into the air.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
"What the Devil d'ye... "
"Begging your pardon, Mi... "
The two men slump where they sit, Max snoring loudly, Dawson less so...
Berd looks pleased with his work, even if it might mean he doesn't get
the sausage he was promised.
Jack's attention is elsewhere...
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Some of the worry fades from Jack
face only to be replaced by a troubled look. “Kali?” He says aloud then
grows still and silent again
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Swiftly!" Cyan hurries over, hefting both men with a sigh of
effort - fireman's carry, one on each shoulder. Hurrying to where
Berd is pointing at the trap door, she quickly moves down the steps,
setting each man on a cot and covering him over. Glancing up with
worried, sapphire eyes, she takes a single moment to ensure that there
are no leaks, and the cellar is stable...then the Bard takes the stairs
three at a time, leaving the trapdoor open for now.
With THX 1138 on her back, and Berd staring at her from the floor
beside Jack's chair, Cyan pushes open the front door into the wind and
storm, sprinting down the rough trail to the dock, then along to the
ship. Leaping aboard, she snatches up Kirilinde as well as her deck of palanquet, and bolts back to the lighthouse, bursting inside, hair plastered down the sides of her face.
"Jack! What transpires?" she gasps.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack sat there his eyes staring out
across the worlds, words failed him as he saw the prices paid. “She is
well. . . The price. . .Th- the price of foolishness is high.” He tried
to remember the comfort of home and even that failed him. As he had
failed what mattered to him.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kirilinde skitters across the floor, heedlessly tossed, as Cyan drops to her knees before Jack. He is so pale! Like a man who has taken a mortal wound! "Jack, speak on!" she cries. "Kalika! What of her?"
Something terrible has happened! For a long instant Cyan curses Kalika's binding of her, that she would not make a palanquet, no matter what. I cannot even do so, now!
"What do you mean, well? How?" Reaching out, the Bard grips
Jack by the shoulders, almost frantic with worry, for him and Kalika
both.
Berd's eyes begin to burn as he stares far into the distance...and farther than one might think.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
“Shhhhh.” Jack said
softly “I am trying to make contact with her, it is being difficult I
have already lost it once.” Jacks voice is so small and the man is so
pale. He closed his eyes to hide the pain. Though a tear rolled down
his cheek.
He, himself has done this, or is at least the reason it
has happened. Jacks part in the war now over. He must make contact and
then. . . He could not find words... Sometimes words just fell short.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd's eyes widen, and his head jerks back.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack sits still, there, in a lonely outpost upon on a rock which has
fallen into a break in Shadow. This is what he had sought, a
crossroads of power, a place where he could draw on the power of the
Break and use it to strengthen his mind for the battles to come.
And it has worked...
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lalai An unremembered word, yet now that he heard it. . . He knew it for what
is was. Jack sat there in confusion. . .How long had it been for him?
It seemed like less then a day since Cyan had pulled him from the cell.
Tears well up unbidden in his eyes. Her remebers Mania as well and knows that part of him did die that day.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan shuffles back slightly, casting a ruby-eyed gaze towards the
floor, lips thinning. Her hands trail down Jack's arms, then drop
away. Her feelings, now, will only distract him.
Kalika, old? Kalika, impossibly aged? How? Cyan swallows, wondering at that. What
would happen if Jack and I were separated for a time? Seconds for
him, years for me? He, I think, is like Aaron, like Mablung and
Cúthalion - immortal, or extremely long lived. I...I do not think
that I am. I age. Like Kalika.
A wave of sorrow rolls over her, dragging Cyan under. Sorrow for
Jack, doomed to walk through time and space forever, knowing only that
most of those he would meet, would pass on. Sorrow for Kalika,
that she must age, die, and never know what she could have had with
Jack. Sorrow for both of them, agonized sorrow at the thought of
the gulf separating Jack and Kalika, the gulf of worlds...and now of
years.
It is not fair. Not just. Her head turns, and her eyes fall
on Berd. The one creature she knows that, despite all of his
faults, his flaws, and their recent disagreements, fights against what
she saw as injustice. The one on whom she can count.
The little drake slowly shakes his head, remaining silent. Obviously he knows what she will ask.
"What...what good is it, then?" Cyan hisses, projecting the words for
Berd alone. "What good is your power?" Unfair, she
uncerstands, but still...Aaron's power over the Worlds, Ares' as well,
and Berd's...all of them, usless against this one, terrible loss.
Her words are obviously heard, but Berd's only reaction is to stare
back silently, eyes glittering in the dim light. Cyan looks away,
fighting the despair at the thought of Jack's pain, and the pain to
Kalika this meeting will bring.
But it has to be done.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
“Is there somewhere I can drop you Berd and
the men off?” Jack said in his quite distant voice “I can probably find
the men their home. You wanted to go someplace?” it was easy to see his
mind was still focused somewhere distant, worlds away.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"What are you talking about?" Cyan asks, eyes widening. "I am
going nowhere...if you can find the home of the men, then they should
return there, but I will not be leaving!" Inside, she begins to
panic. This sounds...serious. Lethally so. Whatever
is going on, it is shattering Jack, and from the look in his eyes, Cyan
can see no turning back. Only calm acceptance.
Her own, topaz orbs are bright with worry and fear.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack’s eyes do not focus, remaining
far and distant as he speaks “I will be going to Kali shortly. To be
with her and help her as best I can Cyan. . .” he paused as he spoke
considering venting all of the internal emotion as rage on the ones
that had been at the epicenter of the problem. Yet hesitating, how much
time would that take? How much time did Kalika have left? Was it wise
to throw good time after bad?
“Though the forest is lovely dark and deep. I have miles
to go before I sleep, and promises to keep. . . And promises to keep.”
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"You...you're going," Cyan says dumbly, her eyes darkening to dull jade. "You...."
Kalika. I have no claim on him, nothing! It is Kalika to whom his heart belongs, and Kalika where he belongs!
"...of course." Cyan's eyes slowly begin to brighten. "You
must do what your heart demands, Jack. I understand." She
does, even as her heart falls in thousands of glittering shards.
"You...your love with Kalika is the most important thing."
Slowly, the Bard shifts backwards, eyes shining like opals, and
stands. "I...of course, I wish of you two the best.
Perhaps, with your power, there might yet be something you may do for
her. Perhaps not, and you have only a few years remaining.
But you must go, you MUST."
Like a cursed song, only I am caught in its middle. The irony....
"Go, Jack. Be with Kalika." Please, please go before I break. The steel in Cyan cracks; there isn't much more she can say.
Spirits above, I love this man, and what can I do? What can I
say? He loves Kalika! Perhaps...there is something, in his
heart, for me, but Kalika is his life! He must go to her - I
would not...I would not see him bleed, twisting in agony, for his
separation from her.
That would kill me.
Berd's eyes begin to shine, like stars. Like suns. No, like
the reflection of suns, as if mimicking such fiery glory
glimpsed...long ago.
Stepping forward, Cyan reaches out, touches Jack on the cheek, tears
pouring down her face. "I am sorry," she chokes. "I
cannot...go, Jack. Go."
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack paled his shoulders sagged, slumping
against the wall and his head tilted forward. “I can’t go. . .The- the
time differences are to great. . .She would be dead before I could make
it to her side. Countless years passed since she left.” He sighed
hiding his eyes, hiding his face, hiding the tears. “At least she was
honored by her people, she was made an ambassador and has lived a long
rich life.” He was quiet for long moments
His fist lashed out at the wall beside him several times in quick succession “DAM THE GODS! I can’t make it in time!
He shouted till not looking up, his head slowly came up his face a
twisted mask of anger as tears rolled down his cheeks. Now he spoke in
a quiet deadly voice “But I can make them pay.”
His eyes met Cyan’s and the deep blue eyes burned with a cold fire as
he stood “Get the men out of here and you two go with them.” He did not
want her to see him like this, a vengeful killer and possibly a
destroyer of worlds. ”GO!
The power of this place flowed around him like a swirling umbra,
burning inside of him fueled by pure rage. Jack reached out with
a new tendril searching for the world of the burning Wheels. They would
pay, the Broken God would pay for each moment of time lost, for each
pain dealt. They would pay with their lives! and he spoke softly
“Forever Jacui. . .Goodbye Lalai”
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd, realizing what is about to happen, begins to exert himself,
strongly, more than he has, ever. The little dragon concentrates,
focusing upon the two men in the basement, struggling to find their
true home.
This is war...but civilian casualties are unacceptable. Always.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Jack...Jack!" Cyan cries, reaching out and gripping his hands by
the wrists. It's a hold he could break like a twig, she knows,
but she isn't trying to stop him, only get his attention. "We
have to get the men out of here...and I am not leaving you! Jack,
Berd is searching for their world - give him some time to do that, and
then we can strike at the wheels - with a certain care, because there
is Prime to consider!" Tears flow freely down her cheeks as she
thinks of Kalika, possibly dead even now, and Jack's heart, crushed
under the weight of guilt and helpless despair.
Berd's head snaps around to Jack, and he looks upon the man, standing
with eyes burning, Shiva with his aspect unfettered, and the dragon
flinches back for an instant, the light of memory appearing in his
eyes. For a heartbeat, some other image superimposes over him,
something most certainly not draconic, nor humanoid in any way; smokey,
indistinct. Then it is only Berd, his own fury dissolving, and
the dragon raises himself up upon his hind feet, trumpeting and
flapping his small wings in challenge.
"Just let us remove the men, Jack," Cyan continues, obviously unaware
of Berd's words, "and then you may begin. I shall ward you, and
we will destroy the Seraphim, but it will be done! For THX 1138's
people - for what you suffered at their hands - for Kalika!" Her
voice is savage at the end, and she stares at Jack with obsidian eyes,
face still wet from her tears.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd suddenly lifts his head back and bugles a cry of triumph.
Down in the cellar the two sleeping men vanish as silently and as
completely as if they had never existed.
Cyan feels a movement against her back, and THX 1138 scuttles clear of
her and up the wall of the room, eyes glowing amber with concern as it
moves onto the ceiling and looks back at Cyan and Jack, "What iz happening? Why iz Jack behaving like thiz, Zyan? Iz he going to zave my people, or deztroy them?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Relief at Berd's discovery is short-lived, as THX 1138 leaves Cyan's
back. She turns her face up to him as he moves to hang above
them, and shakes her head. "He will not destroy your people! He is hurt, THX 1138, and I will explain,
but I promise you this, he will not harm your people! Jack would
not do that."
She only wishes she could be a certain as she sounds.
Berd's eyes also turn to the spider on the ceiling.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by THX 1138
-----------------------------------------------------------
"I will truzt Zyan and Berd. All iz ztrange to me. Pleaze vorgive my convuzion."
The spider thing drops to the floor and moves to sit near Berd,
travelling in a curve which keeps it as far from Jack as possible.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Things begin to filter through the haze of pain and rage. . . Jack was picking up more around him then ever.
This is war...but civilian casualties are unacceptable. Always.
Cyan reaching out and gripping his hands by the wrists.
We have to get the men out of here...and I am not leaving you! Jack
then we can strike at the wheels
Tears flow freely down Cyan’s cheeks
Bide, Jack of Shadows, bide an instant
For revenge, proper revenge, one must hold to a clear mind. Do not pop
the head from the weed, Jack of Shadows. Tear it out by the root
Why iz Jack behaving like thiz, Zyan? Iz he going to zave my people, or deztroy them?
"He will not destroy your people! He is hurt, THX 1138, and I will
explain, but I promise you this, he will not harm your people! Jack
would not do that."
Cyan only wishes she could be a certain as she sounds.
The Spider fears me. . . As certainly as he
fears the Wheels. Power corrupts Jack as sure as anything. Hate and
rage corrupt that much more. How easily I betray myself and who I am,
in doing so how easily do I betray Kali’s memory. It would be so easy
to become like the Broken God, so easy to walk the path I had forsaken
so long ago. You didn’t even think of THX’s people Jack, act in rage
and it will be not just the down fall of yourself, but those you care
for.
“I- I’m sorry Cyan. ” Jack said in a small
voice, he needed time to do this right. He needed to understand the
power he would wield so he would not harm the spiders. Only the Wheels.
. . Only the Wheels. Jack sank to the floor letting the power and
tendril go for the moment. Wondering for the first time about the
fact that these major rifts had been here for such a short time. Had he
caused them? Had the occurred naturally or was what the Broken God
doing tearing apart the worlds or the pattern it’s self?
“I am sorry THX. . . No I will not harm your people.” He could not do
to other what they had done to him and the worlds. Breaking and
destroying without a care. Jack sank to his knees in
resignation,a truly broken man. Rage and anger unsated, but not
lost. “What do we need to do? Do we need to contact prime?”
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
As Berd continues to calm the mechanical spider, Cyan sinks down,
wrapping her arms around Jack and drawing him in. Though
tear-streaks stain her cheeks, her eyes are chips of obsidian.
"We will speak to Prime...and we will decide the matter."
Carefully, the Bard rocks Jack back and forth. "The men are gone,
safe...we need only plan the attack, Jack, in such a way that the
spiders can assist, and that I can assist, and that we strike only
those deserving."
Her voice grows ugly for an moment, quivering with restrained fury and
hate. "And that we ensure there are prisoners, from whom you and
Berd can extract the information needed to move to the next link of the
chain. We will not simply break this chain, Jack. We shall rive it, link from link. Angwendh cris..." she whispers, harshly. "We will have them all."
Slowly, Berd pads over to Cyan's pack, and begins rooting through
it. There, within it, the little dragon finds the sketchbook, the
quill set, and drags them out, pushing them over to Cyan. The
red-haired woman slowly turns Jack, pulling him to the corner so they
sit, side by side, her arm still around him, and takes the quill.
"We begin now," she says, wiping her face. "I will contact Prime, THX 1138...and then we will se what may be done for your people. We shall see what we may do about the Enemy."
No more games. No more stalling.
Berd hops up on the stove beside Jack, staring down at the broken man
with glittering, endless eyes as Cyan begins to sketch, rapidly.
Her other arm stays around Jack's shoulder, her spirit offering itself
to him, for warmth, and for whatever comfort he can take. Here,
Jack, I am here. Your world is ashes, I know. But I will
not leave you, and if you cannot have joy, at least you may find
satisfaction in this.
Whatever comfort. Precious little, she knows, and does not try to push.
We begin, now.
And they will end.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack placidly let himself be led by
the fire, quietly only murmuring the response “Shrive the root. . .” He
did not want to be held or touched right now, to many dark thoughts,
worried and fears. Yet he could not find it in himself to pull away
either. The guilt at finding comfort in someone’s arms weighed heavily
on him. He seemed to destroy everything in his life that he held
dear, he should have been there for Kali. Would he let Cyan down as
well. He knew in his heart he was cursed, forever Jacui.
Instead of distracting Cyan and her work,
he lost himself of work of his own. Mapping and learning the power of
this place, figuring the best ways to utilize it safely as possible. He
was good with eddies and flows. . . Every thing in life flowed, and he
would have to master this one ever so quickly.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by THX 1138
-----------------------------------------------------------
With the movement of Berd onto the stove, and still not entirely
trusting Jack, THX 1138 scuttles across to crouch next to Cyan.
Glowing eyes regard the sketch, until finally the spiderling speaks, "That iz Prime?"
One limb reaches across the book and gently taps a point on the image. "Thiz part iz wrong. Vorgive my intruzion, Zyan, but it zhould be more concave."
It appears that the creature has a perfect memory, and the sketching speeds up, as Cyan draws, and THX 1138
answers her questions about details, and indicates places where she may
be going astray.
It is only a little over two hours before Cyan feels the familiar
sensation of a hazy Trump contact. Nothing much at first, simply
the feeling that the sketch is looking back at her as she works.
With each line and angle the feeling becomes stronger, until suddenly
THX 1138 starts to make that strange purring sound again and says, very
quietly, "Prime iz here!"
At the same time a familiar voice floods Cyan's mind: "Cyan? What news do you bring?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Kia
-----------------------------------------------------------
The travel was the strangest sensation ever! She was flowing, a lazy
current meandering through a lush countryside, and then a huge pounding
tsunami destroying the countryside!! They crashed into the ground with
a hellacious impact and then move so incredibly slow, a molecule at a
time as the huge glacier inched forward, ploughing a divot in the land
that would take millenia to complete... and then back to the rapids,
splashing against a rock, swirling with the undertows.... it was all
this and more. And then it ended.
It took her a moment to realize it was over, the reassurance and
delight of Leri still in her mind. Then her mind began to race with
Mikah's teachings. She closed her mind, setting the careful shields to
keep others out even as she silently sought out life, for there would
be at least one life force here. Finally some answers!! excitement shot through her body like an arrow, so intense that she
quivered with it. She finally sensed life and pulled away quickly. If
any of them even noticed her quiet, insignificant presence it would be
gone to fast to trace.
She began to move through the water, flying through it, soaring through
it, towards the bank and the people... her past finally becoming a
reality!!!!
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Two hours of work he had lost himself in,
learning the flows and eddies of the power. Sizing it up, playing in
it, testing, poking it and prodding it. That was what Cyan said he had
done, what made him who he was, poking, prodding , studying and playing
with. Then again how else was one to learn. It was amazing just how
much a man could learn in two hours. Not about the power, a man could
spend life times studying powers that be and never understand them.
Still Jack was good at that type of thing, a natural creative tinker.
None of them seemed to get that, heck he was just beginning to remember
that again. He was a tinker in reality.
Two hours a man spent watching the
currents of power, leaning to use it to his advantage. It did not teach
him about power, it taught him about life, it taught him about himself.
How many in the group of seekers had they lost? How many had died
compared to how man had gone their own way? What were their chances of
winning this war, compared to dyeing? The power of the unknown entity
of light that had followed Ares and his killers. The sheer power of the
wheels, to shred him body and mind. Part of him was glad Kalika had
left not to return, lived a long full life, honored by her people, he
had not been acting properly. He had been feeling sorry for himself. .
. He was wrong. . . He would celebrate the time they had had, even if
he could not remember it. Or at least remember it correctly. . . Then
again perhaps he could remember it!
About that point he felt Cyan make contact and heard THX speak. Jack
looked up and glanced around, it would be time soon. He would take
revenge, and he would enjoy it with the same glee that Kalika had in
battle. Yes revenge would be sweet.
Still something in him worried. . . He had used the power of this place
to find and talk to Kali a last time. He had started reaching out
across the worlds with a power focused tendril in his rage. How long
until they were noticed? How long before some one or something came for
them? He would have to check and make certain everything was okay. . .
Just to be careful. . . He had to protect Cyan and Berd, he could not
let harm come to them. Damn that red head! Why wouldn’t she listen to
him and just go? Let him do the dirty work! Live a long happy life and
let him deal with it? Why?
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Kia
-----------------------------------------------------------
She doesn't know how long it takes, but eventually the water became shallow and soon she was out of it completely.
She stands for a few moments, making minor adjustments while her eyes
scan the area. The lighthouse is the only structure near by and she
heads in that direction, moving easily over the terrain.
As she grows nearer to the lighthouse she begins to feel butterflies in
her stomach as nerviousness hits her hard and unexpectedly. What if he
wasn't the man she envisioned? What if it was all just an evil joke?
But no... Leri wouldn't do that to her, but still doubt gnawed at her.
She paused outside of the lighthouse, wondering if they even knew she
was out there, poised to claim her destiny, to discover her past, to
answer questions that were a life time in the making.
She stayed out there, gathering her thoughts, but not her resolve,
keeping her mind shielded and obvlivious to the goings on in the
lighthouse.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack stood from where he sat at
Cyan’s side, letting her work everything out with Prime and THX. He has
almost to emotional center again or as much as he could be as broken as
he was from his trails. He stretched cramp muscles having sat
wrong for to long and moved to the stove to put fresh water on for tea.
He would pull some coffee out of his pack, but knew felt Cyan was not a
coffee drinker. Throwing a few more lumps of coal in the stove from the
bin Jack found himself doing the last thing he needed to do.
As song came softly to his lips, as he said good-bye to lost loves.
Through the back window of a '59 wagon I watched my best friend Jamie slippin' further away.
I kept on waving 'till I couldn't see her And through my tears, I asked again why we couldn't stay.
Mama whispered softly, Time will ease your pain Life's about changing, nothing ever stays the same
And she said, How can I help you to say goodbye?
It's OK to hurt, and it's OK to cry
Come, let me hold you and I will try
How can I help you to say goodbye?
Jack puttered about, keeping himself busy.
Searching through cupboards and preparing food, yet another part of his
mind reaching out into the worlds around them and giving them a cursory
examination to see how badly broken they were. He thought briefly about
trying to repair his own shattered soul with his new found abilities,
then though better of it. All of the while he continued to
sing softly and say good-bye. The others erected a monument to Ares,
all he had to give was a song for Kalika.
I sat on our bed, she packed her suitcase I held a picture of our wedding day
Her hands were trembling, we both were crying, She kissed me gently and then she quickly walked away
I called up Mama, she said, Time will ease your pain Life's about changing, nothing ever stays the same
And she said, How can I help you to say goodbye?
It's OK to hurt, and it's OK to cry
Come, let me hold you and I will try
How can I help you to say goodbye?
Images and memories played through
his head of what time they had that he could remember. It was to bad he
could not trust them, he would have to tray and mend the breaks of his
life and memories. So he could have that much of her. . . What time
they had, she was a Chunchee warrior and knew that they only had a
brief moment in life. Life was cheap, especially with things like the
wheels.
He tried to move his lens back from infinite worlds, looking at the
whole of creation from a distance. Trying to see the condition of the
pattern over all, trying to see how badly broken it was, and if the
breaks looked natural. All of the while singing as he fought the war in
his own way. Not with a sword, but his mind.
Sitting with Mama alone in her bedroom.
She opened her eyes, and then squeezed my hand
She said, I have to go now, my time here is over
And with her final word, she tried to help me understand
Mama whispered softly, Time will ease your pain
Life's about changing, nothing ever stays the same
And she said, How can I help you to say goodbye?
It's OK to hurt, and it's OK to cry
Come, let me hold you and I will try
How can I help you to say goodbye?
The song done, and in it his good-byes said. Jack knew he now needed
time. One part of him dinking around with making a meal, another paying
homage and last respects to his lost love, the last trying to look over
the whole pattern of creation. As best as his broken pattern and broken
lens would allow.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack works on making the tea, not even noting the fact that Cyan and
THX 1138 seem to have stopped sketching and are just staring at the
image, his mind starts to turn elsewhere...
His attention is suddenly attracted by a knock at the door...
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
The song done Jack had just finished
pouring up a cup of tea, when his eyes got a intense far away look in
them. A expression of awe came over his face and the cup quivered as
his hands themselves trembled. “Goddess of mercy. . .” he said in
a soft whisper, then the knock came as a harsh and unexpected reminder
of reality. The cup falling to the floor as he jumped from being
startled.
Have I been detected? Have they found us so easily!?! he though as his hand searched desperately for a weapon closing around
the handle of a cast iron frying pan. “Cyan. . .” he hissed a warning
without knowing if she heard or not. Then Called out “Who is
it!?!” in a casual voice while moving towards the door. Looking
for a peephole or something of the sort in the door and resting a hand
on the door handle to hold it in place.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Kia
-----------------------------------------------------------
A smile blossomed on Kia's face when she heard the voice ask who it
was. Was that him? The excitement was still strong in her veins as she
called out her reply in a smooth voice. Her accent is musical and
somewhat familiar to those who hear it. They've heard that accent
before, but with a different voice...
"Mekia... Mekia Lavonte!!" she calls back loudly in order to be heard through the thick door.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
“La- LaVonte?” the name weighed heavy on
Jack, bringing memories. He had known a prince Anthony Dominic Lavonte.
. .no. . .A royal family named Lavonte. He had been close to the
prince, but could not remember his face. What was it that Cyan had
said? Was he the prince?
Jack slowly pulled the door open and looked at the
girl standing in the rain outside the door. Though he had sent a lens
ahead of himself, he was driven to see her with his own eyes. Frying
pan held forgotten in his hand. “Did you say Lavonte?” the name brought
unexplained feelings of sadness and dread from inside of him, but he
did not understand why. His eyes met hers after looking her over. “Do I
know you?” he asked. Was she kin? He stepped back pale as a
sheet, still not knowing why. Leaving the door open for her to come in.
Moving like a man in a trance as his eyes focused on Mekia Lavonte "Who
are you?" he asked again in a whisper.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Kia
-----------------------------------------------------------
WHen Jack opens the door Kia's bright and cheery smile, at odds with
the weather, lights on him. Her eyes take in the frying pan and the
look on his face and she laughs, a flowing sound as she steps inside.
"Thank you very much sir" she politely acknowledges the silent
invitation to enter and then indicates the pan with a finger "I most be
putting forth the wrong impression, for you to arm yourself so
admirably" she chuckles, her words kind and engaging as she sought to
soothe him and put him at ease.
She straightens her soaked skirt and meets Jack's eyes for the first
time. "Why yes, I did say Lavonte... and I don't believe I know you..."
she trails off, night blue eyes locking with equally deep blue eyes
"Unless..." she reaches out with her mind, skirting the surface of the
man's mind carefully, not intruding only seeking. Her eyes widen and
she squeals in delight as she rushes forward, embracing Jack in a hug
as she speaks quickly, excited teenager style. "Iknewyouwerentdead
<big breath> theysaidyouwerebutididntbelivethem <big
breath> leriwasrightohthankthankyouthankyou!!!" She squeezes him
hard, and pulls away, tears of joy leaking from deep blue eyes even as
she laughs in happiness and wipes away the tears as she seeks to
compose herself, but then crumbles again as she hugs Jack again, this
time not letting go she whispers in his ear.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack watched Kia come in, the
looking like a big hound faced by a playful pup and just not certain of
what to do. He looked at the Skillet sheepishly when she
commented on it, self consciously moving it behind his back with an “Ah
ummm.” He was saved from not being able to think of a reply as she
continued on. Then he tensed slightly as he felt the mental scan
his guards dropping into place, only to be surprised by on wicked
onslaught of a hugging child and barrage of words. The room began to
spin. I mean after contemplating the universe a man just isn’t ready
for this kind of thing.
“Who’s Leri?” he managed before she
whispered, and then she said the last , with the word “Father.” on his
lips the mighty Jacks knees buckled sending them both down onto
his ass. After a moment he regained his composure and looked to Cyan
the back to Kia. “Ummm. . . Slow down a bit little one.” his breathing
was shallow despite having had no exertion. “Kali was your mother?
Could you- could we get some tea and tell me everything? Mekia, right?
Mekia Lavonte. . . That means I am Dominique Lavonte, Cyan was right. A
prince. . .A Father?” He had the sinking suspicion that he had been a
horrid father, a father lost to war. “I found Kalika today, not long
ago. . .How come she did not mention you?” How come she didn’t tell me?
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan, touching THX 1138 to bring him into the conversation, begins a rapid-fire exchange with Prime,
describing their current situation in sketchy terms - that it is the
four of them, and they have discovered a weapon of great power to use
against the Seraphim. But, on the other hand, its use could be
very dangerous to Prime and her people, so they are currently
ferretting out the abilities of said weapon. Then the knock at
the door. Jack moves to answer it, and Berd crawls along the
wall, upside-down, to assist. Cyan, gaining a quick message from
the drake, puts down her blade and continues the discussion.
Whatever lies beyond the door holds no threat. Yet.
In addition, the Bard informs Prime, she has constructed a
means of contacting the Leader. This will now allow two-way
contact, rather than limiting them to discussing things when Prime uses her palanquet to speak with Cyan.
While awaiting a response to this, she takes a short moment to look
over the girl entering and then practically throwing herself at
Jack. A short moment because the name sinks in, heavily, as does
the girl's reaction. A daughter...by his first love?
Cyan freezes where she sits, staring at the two of them with wide, ruby
eyes, uncertain of what to do, what to say. Berd, for his part,
merely raises one scaled eyeridge, and crawls back down the wall,
ending up beside Cyan and THX 1138.
OOC - short post, little detail. Sorry - don't have it in me for anything longer.
:(
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Kia
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Ahh!" It was a joyfilled exhalation as she and Jack... her father, fell to the ground in a heap.
She takes a deep breath to steady herself and a deep flush floods her
alabaster skin when he asks why her mother didn't mention her. She
snorts softly, trying to shake it off, be tough, but the hurt is still
in her eyes.
"We ahh weren't exactly on the best of terms..." she trails off, suddenly becoming conscience of their audience.
She stands up, smoothing down the the front of her skirt, one hand
moving to lightly touch the flower behind her ear. Reassured she offers
Jack her hand to help him up.
"Please call me Kia... Mekia is my full name, but it translates oddly
in Chunchee so I just go by Kia" her natural good naturedness is
starting to return after the bump when Kali was mentioned "and I
believe it was Antoine Dominique Lavonte if the stories I heard were
right" she comments with an alarmingly familiar playful grin "and Leri
is a friend, one of my teachers actually" she smiles, twisting the ring
on her finger as her tattoo sparkles in the light of the room "so you
said you found Mother today?" her use of the word 'mother' is stiff and
formal, unlike the loving way she called Jack 'Father' "I only asked
about you once" she says in a small voice "she said you were dead... it
was the only time I saw her cry... I never asked again... but enough of
this sad talk. Tell me about you!! What are we doing? Where are we
going?" her youthful exuberance and excitement are almost infectous.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack stood a distant look on his own
face “Antoine Dominique Lavonte. . . Now there’s a name I’ve not heard
in a long time.” He looked her over again seeing bit’s of her
mother and himself, suddenly feeling old and tired. So much for
infectious exuberance “Call me Jack. . .I mean Father I guess.” He felt
lie a priest “Father, dad, daddy, pop, call me what ever you
like.” A grin found it’s place for in for the first time as he reached
out and gently touched her cheek “Never give your real name
to anyone except those you trust totally.” Jack warned her in warm
friendly tones.
“Your true name gives people of
power and Magic a hold over you.” His eyes came into focus on Kia and
he smiled a soft warm smile. “Would you like some tea Kia. . . My
Daughter ?” Kalika’s daughter he asked moving over to the cupboard and pulling out fresh mugs.
As he moved a troubled frown found it place on him. “We? What are
we doing? Where are we going?” He asked growing serious as he poured
some tea and handed her a cup. Then doing the same for Cyan. “We aren’t
going anywhere Kia, you are going home. I have already lost you mother
in this war, now you have lost her as well. Time flows differently out
in the worlds, she’ll have aged and died by the time we could make it
back to her.” Hack poured the tea onto a pot and put fresh water and
coffee on to make as he spoke. He desperately needed coffee, just that
reassuring aroma and taste.
“We have lost so many already, so
much pain and suffering. I won’t let that happen to you as well. . . I
did die that day, by what Cyan says, for us it was just a day or two
ago. Or at least part of me did. . . I’m still trying to find it, to
fix myself and I have to continue on with the war. I promised your
mother when I spoke to her that I would see it through. You can’t come
Kia. . . I have seen a better fighter than your mother fall in this?
There are things out there that have more mental power than I.”
He turned from her lifting the back of his dark sweater to reveal a
back that was little more then a network of scars from having the flesh
ripped from it. Then pulled the sweater back down and turned back to
look at her, checking her reaction to see if she was even listening.
“Please don’t follow in my footsteps
Kia, there is noting but pain. We fight a hopeless war, a war I begin
to think we can no win. . . We have to get you home. . .Back to your
teacher. . . It's for the best, for your own good.” He breathed a heavy
sigh “How did you find me? How did you get here? How did you know that
it was me?”
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Kia
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kia closed her eyes and smiled contendedly, happy to have felt her
father's touch. She nods at his request for tes "Yes please" and sips
it quietly, dark eyes giving nothing away as she listens to him.
She then turns to Cyan in an embarrassed manner. "I'm sorry... I didn't
mean to be rude... I'm Kia, it's nice to meet you" she smiles at the
Bard and then turns her attention back to her dad.
In her eyes a storm is brewing, but she keeps her voice steady. "I am
not leaving you. I just found you and I will fight with you. You and
Mother are starting to have that in common. Treating me like a child
who is not capable, please do not follow in her footsteps there" she
requests "As for returning for my teacher he sent me here. He has faith
in me, he knows I am ready" her stature and look dare him to challenge
that statement "and I am not leaving" her tone is final.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack’s head sinks and
he stares at the floor of a moment. “As stubborn as your mother
aren’t you.” he says bringing his head back up looking at her, sizing
her up. Though it sounded like a resigned complaint there was a note of
respect in his voice. No wonder Kia and her mother didn’t get along, both of them are Alpha females.
He glanced over at Cyan then looked back at Kia. “Forgive Cyan,
she’s a bit busy right now. She’s a friend of you mothers and
mine.” and hesitated a moment shaking his head “If I left you two
and tried to do this on my own you’d just hunt me down and find me
wouldn’t you? You stubborn women are going to be the death of me yet.”
He cast another sideways glance at Cyan.
then he looked back to Kia
again with a pleased smile, because he had people that cared enough
about him not to listen to him. “Come here kiddo,” he held his arms
open for her in an invitation to a hug again. “Give me a proper hug,
not a surprise attack.” his smile pleased as he looked at his daughter.
After all would he have abandon his father or mother in times of danger
when he was her age? Would he do it now? No. . . .
“Let me show you what we face,” Jack added “Berd you may listen in as well, I found something important I think.”
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan blinks as revelation is piled on revelation. The girl IS
Kalika's daughter...and has found them. A daughter. How old
is she? Time differences play havoc with logic, sometimes.
With a few more days, the girl might have been older than Cyan when she
stumbled upon them.
Reaching out, she numbly took the pot of tea from Jack, still waiting
for Prime's response...if any were forthcoming. Wincing, the Bard
turns from the scars on Jack's back, and wonders for a moment what,
exactly, took Kalika from Jack? Why did she leave, and not
return? "Cyan," she replies to Kia, nodding her head, "of nowhere
in particular," the Bard finishes by rote.
"We shall have to speak of the wisdom of Kia accompanying us," Cyan
says, shaking her head. "That you found Jack, Kia, tells me at
least one thing - you should be told at least what has gone on since
your mother left us. It should not be a tale long in the telling,
if we abbreviate some of Leonardo's speeches," the Bard finishes,
smiling faintly. "And by all means...show us all, Jack. I
await a return from Prime."
She doesn't even both addressing his comment about women, and them following him. The trick would be him getting AWAY.
As for Kia...pausing, Cyan glances towards her with shining, emerald eyes, a thoughtful look on her face.
Berd grins toothily at Jack, then stares at Kia with huge, glittering
eyes, emitting a cautious peep. Then his psychic presence
carefully reaches out, mostly muted and misted to avoid anyone's
probes, and touches Jack's.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
At that moment the whole lighthouse resounds to detonation of a massive
thunderclap almost overhead. It seems the storm has got bored
with waiting, and has advanced to engulf the Devil's Needles.
Still, the structure seems sturdy enough, so there is probably little reason for concern.
Probably...
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan pauses, shaking her head. "A moment...Prime speaks, and
informs me that she may be able to get the majority of her people to
safety, Jack. Your pardon, Kia - we are in the midst of
something. I shall tell her to wait, as we are not yet decided on
our course of action, and assistance may yet be required." She
shudders, once, as if gazing upon something terrible.
And yet, I have seen worse. The Lord of Fetters...the Gatherer... Still, the image is hauntingly powerful.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
“What’s the matter Cyan, why would we need
assistance? What’s going on over there?.” Jack says with a
insistent tone of command as he sends tendril and lens out again
to view the whole of creation, looking at the Patterns and Breaks in it
all. He was half waiting for contact from Kia so she could see the
magnitude. This was one world, but it was the world that mattered right
now.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Assistance from Prime,
Jack," Cyan replies reasonably. "Unless you believe you can
simply scour the world clean without effort - this may yet turn into a
war, with you providing the heavy strikes, but with us needing a force
with which to fight." That, she knew, would include
herself...assuming that Prime could find a way for her to battle against the wheels without being slain by the 'soldiers'.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
The wind howls, and the door rattles against the latch, but still there
seems to be no real danger... although THX 1138 does seem rather
concerned by the violent display of natural force.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
“I don’t know Cyan. . .” Jack said ,
the intensity was still in his voice as the excitement of the impending
battle built. “I just don’t know for certain the effects of this power
on that world. It would take time to get an answer like that. Although
yes, ground forces would be nice. It’s definitely going to be a good
call to get Primes people to safety, we are talking about using power
from the breaks here and it could be devastatingly destructive. Or it
might only boost my own power and mind to a point where I stand a
chance of facing Archon’s with their joined minds. Do what you feel is
best Cyan.”
“Aaron, didn’t he have a world Santa Anna?
There was an orb there correct? That would mean his world is part of
that Pattern Fault and is being destroyed by out side sources correct?
Should we call him in as part of the ground forces? What About the
Artist Leonardo, do you think his world is in danger?” That in and of
itself spoke volumes about how worried Jack was about the impending
battle. Neither man would he have readily associated with easily, and
yet. . . This was so big in scope and magnitude. “Also do
we need to contact your prince of Amber? I think I could do it from
here, as your conduit for communication. Also who is going to guard my
back here during the battle? Better yet, who is going to guard your
back, give you an escape rout out via your cards if things go bad?”
His eyes swung to meet Kia’s. “Well kiddo, your
teacher said you were ready. Just how ready are you and just what can
you do?” He bit his lip nervously not wanting either her or Cyan
to be in the thick of it, but figuring he had little choice.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Kia
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kia accepted Jack's invitation for a hug and embraced him, inwardly
relieved and happy that he did not fight her in this as Mother would
have. He was almost just as she envisioned him... the pain of his
absence hits her hard for a moment, but she pushes it away. Now was not
the time for this. She stays focused and establishes contact with her
father so that she sees through his lens, she gasps quietly. Leri had
explained these things to her, the worlds, the Shadows, the Courts and
the Pattern... but it was one thing to hear of them and quite another
to see them. She is not overwhelmed though and soon curiosity takes
over.
"Dad!! That was incredible!" she exclaims "How did you do that?" she
asks, the cusiosity burning in her. Not wishing to be rude, she also
replies to Cyan and his question. "I did not find you Father,
Leri did and then he sent me here through the Waterway" she twists the
ring on her finger out of habit "Before I left he gave me a token, to
call upon his power should I need it. He is strong, for he has the
power of my People's souls to draw upon" she smiles "He is a good
friend and an even better teacher. I am honored by him" she bows her
head in acknowledgement of this before continuing "As for what I can
do..." she trails off and regards her father and her mother's friend,
and the cute lizard-thing-with-wings that was obviously more than what
he seemed thoughtfully.
A decision made, she gives Jack a final squeeze and then backs away...
and starts to melt. Her shining hair, flower, face all begins to sag
and collapse, becoming a clear fluid... was it water? Her body soon
following. Here Kia once stod now a human sized watery blob is. The
blob falls to the floor with a splash, spreading out to be a puddle,
then freezes into hard, deadly ice. The ice then begins to melt and
steam forms floating up in a concentrated cloud of condesation in the
air. Finally it falls and coalesces into a human shape and the mist
slowly forms a body, legs, arms, a face, features on the face... and
then Kia is standing there. Her smile is still bright, if a little
tired and the loud growling of her stomach betrays her.
"Shifting always makes me so hungry!!" she complains, looking to the
platter of food Jack was preparing before her entrance and proceeding
to put a sizable dent in it. Realizing how much she ate, she looks at
the group sheepishly "Sorry about that... I can't control the hunger
sometimes" her attention is back on Jack "Who are you that I can shift
to this liquid without a nai?" she asks him, still curious even as her mind reaches to Berd's, like her father she was adept at multitasking.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack blinked and watched the amazing
transformation, he knew he himself could change once upon a time. He
just couldn’t remember how. A grin spread across his face at the talk
of her being hungry and he laughed at the way she attacked the food
with a voracious nature. The sight of the petite young girl
eating heartily warmed him. “You are your fathers daughter.” he said
half remembering such hunger
“To be honest I’m not certain of who I am princess.
I’m just beginning to figure that out, but I suppose we can find that
out for you. As for how I did that. . . Well it’s just a part of me. .
. I don’t know how to describe it other then just looking at the order
and breaks in everything. Stepping back from reality and looking over
the whole through my own pattern. A mountain from far away than
close up.” Jack shrugged “Some day when this is done, I will take you
and show you my pattern.” He smiled proudly a moment more at Kia before
glancing back to Cyan.
Jack spoke in thoughtful distant tones. “I was
right, I found the place that holds Aaron’s Sardine Magic, it’s on the
mother of all breaks. That place has become so broken an twisted, I’m
not certain if there would be any saving it. I wonder what kinds of
problems his home is having? It had to be fairly broken before
with all the insanity and war. How much longer until it collapses or
implodes becoming lost as nothing but a total break it’s self? Would
the remnants be destroyed by the ensuing reality storms? Swallowed and
destroyed utterly. . . Will his magic work with the source gone or will
it fall apart like the world it’s self? ” Jack shrugged again “Well
obviously he was not concerned with it, concerned more with gaining
more power rather than protecting what he had. Still
perhaps a warning might be in order. . . What do you think Cyan?” Jacks
smiled at her, a bit of mischief hidden in the smile.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan frowns thoughtfully. "I will consider the situation,
Jack...perhaps I can come up with a possibility. I fear, though,
that I will be forced to remain here - Prime's guardians are terribly indescriminate. I shall, however, inform Prime that she must ensure her people are safe. As for Aaron and
Leonardo..." Her voice trails off while she considers. "San
Anyn," the Bard mutters in distracted correction while she consults
with Prime
"As for the Lords of Amber, I am torn. Part of me says that we
should inform them, immediately." Cyan paces in a circle.
"Another part of me suggests holding off - I am unsure of why, only
that it does." Berd glances her way for an instant, then back to
Jack, involved in his own, private, multi-channel psychic conversation.
"Should I go to the world, I will ask for Kia to hold my card, of
course, and to keep me warded for escape..."
Her voice trails off as Jack's daughter - Jack's Daughter! - suddenly changes.
Cyan can only gape in stunned amazement as the girl alters herself into
living water, boiling, freezing, shifting through many states of being
before becoming Kia again. Though it is always Kia.... Suddenly her comment about the 'waterway' makes much more sense.
"That was...truthfully the most stunning thing I have seen someone do,"
Cyan notes, while Berd, sitting up, applauds politely. "Even
Jack's transformations pale in comparison." Then the Bard laughs
brightly, topaz eyes shining with amusement, at the sight of Kia eating
and Jack's wry comment. "There are certain...similarities.
I must say, though, that Kia seems well equipped to assist us,
Jack." It may only be that Jack is attempting to protect his
daughter...her age means nothing to Cyan, though she might well be much
older than she appears. Cyan, herself, was embroiled in the war
against the Lord of Fetters in her mid-teens. It comes to us all, and we can only hope to be prepared...and with Kalika for a mother, I have no doubt that is the case.
She lets the sardine comment pass, though it amuses her. "Jack, I
would not trust Aaron at my back. It is truth. Hence, I do
not wish to battle alongside the man." Simple fact, and void of
any insults, though the Bard was close to heaping them on. "In
any case, I believe I can give warning to him, if you wish. I can
do the same with Leonardo." Riffling through her sketchbook,
though keeping it open to Prime's page, Cyan bends the book slightly to
show Jack a sketch...of Aaron. Completed long ago, on that one
time they were able to take more than an hour for rest.
"Shall I warn them? I think I should."
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd's glittering eyes fasten on Jack for an instant.
The little dragon continues to applaud Kia's performance.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack eyed Cyan for a moment, regarding her
thoughtfully then nodded “The call is yours, warn them if you like.
Though I know belive they would not return the favor freely. . . Still
it seems the proper thing to do I would want someone to warn me if my
people were in danger.” He bit his lip for a moment for a moment
as he started to pace glancing at Cyan a couple of times. “You are
hesitant to warn your Amber Prince of this danger, and you do not know
why?” It was half a statement and half a question. “What happens
if we fail in this, what if we die and the quest ends here? Who
is to tell the prince then? The mad power hungry Aaron? Leonardo the
Artist who believes in information mongering, not much different than
power mongering?” Jack walked over to Cyan resting a hand on her
shoulder looking her in the eyes. “Who will tell the prince
if the war goes against us?”
“No matter though, I don’t ask you this to
make you do it. I am only playing the devils advocate.” Jack put his
hands next to his head with a finger up on each hand to show horns.
“That call is yours as well and I am behind it myself.” He winked at
her smiled then glanced over to Berd saying “Right you are Berd.”
“Cyan, give me the sketch, I will call and warn Aaron. You
handle Leonado.” Jack said putting his hand back on her shoulder
for a moment “Thanks for staying Bard.” his voice was soft and
thankful. "Thanks for guarding my back."
He cast a glance over to Kia. . . Are you certain that water is not your Nai? I know I was at one with the darkness from the well and the breaks when I could change. Shadows were my Nai.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
As if sensing that Jack is about to do something extraordinary here,
the storm increases its own efforts. Soon the entire tower seems
to be quivering with the energy being unleashed by wind and rain and
lightning. The structure thrums like the string on some gigantic
bass harp, and yet still it stands strong...
Instructions and questions are relayed to Prime, and answers are
received. The warriors cannot be ordered to ignore
strangers. Attacking anything that doesn't belong to the Hive is
part of their core being, they could no sooner ignore that imperative
than Cyan could grow wings and fly to the moon. If there is no
danger, they can be ordered to sleep until needed, but once awake they
will attack any creature that does not belong.
THX 1138 reiterates Prime's warnings, "The
warriorz are deadly to any creature that doez not belong in the
Hive. They have zlept for agez, zinze we have had no enemiez in
that time. Even zo, the newlingz are ztill inztructed in what to
do iv they encounter one. They muzt hzzruddrruzz... " the spider creature demonstrates the odd purring noise, this time accompanied by a strange mental tickling, " to zhow that they belong. The warriorz may be blind, but ztill they can detect ztrangerz, and only hzzruddrruzz will convinze one that a creature belongz in the hive."
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack listens to the storm “Cyan, I think the
power may be building up here. I don’t think we can wait for this. This
place could potentially break it’s self apart. It’s now or never. We
have to do this now…”
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"What they would or would not do is immaterial, in this case - they are
the only people from those worlds I know, and must be warned."
Cyan shrugs, then laughs quietly at Jack's 'horns'. "Of
course. And you are correct, Jack - the problem is..." She
paces in a circle for a moment. "The problem is that while we
will not take chances with the inhabitants of a world, I fear that the
Royalty of Amber have no such compunctions. But I digress.
We must inform them." Nodding once, decisively, Cyan brings up
her sketchbook, then pauses, cocking an eyebrow at Berd, then turning
to stare at Jack with brilliant, amethyst eyes, wondering what he and
the little dragon are discussing.
Jack's hand comes down on her shoulder, and Cyan blinks, then closes
her eyes for a brief instant. She swallows once, and then glances
guiltily towards Kia.
Prime - thank you. Event necessitate me leaving, but please,
continue to hide away your people. I will return to you shortly,
I hope.
Once she breaks contact with Prime, Cyan hands the sketchbook to Jack,
open to Aaron's page. In her hands, she holds a piece from the
book, on which the Bard begins to write. It is a note, for
Leonardo's 'drop box'.
The world around them seems to be vibrating to a pitch they cannot
hear, that is brought out in the explosive fury of the storm.
Apprehensively, Cyan glances up as the tower is hammered again and
again by the winds and thunder. She looks towards THX 1138.
"hzzruddrruzz,
is it?" the Bard asks, producing a surprising approximation of the
sound. It probably would sound wrong to the spider's race, but to
an outsider, almost perfect. "Well, I cannot do whatever that is
- no doubt it is distinctive to your people, to prevent
outsiders. I hope, THX 1138, that this will be the liberation of
your people, and the destruction of our enemies. We shall see."
Finished the scroll, Cyan brings out Leonardo's drop box trump.
With a touch of concentration, she opens a path, then slips the letter
in, holding herself firmly in THIS world while flicking at the little
flag on the side. That had best suffice.
"Kia...you come to us at a difficult time, I fear," the Bard
confesses. "We have no time to talk, a fact I wish was
different. But we are about to strike at the Wheels of Fire - did
your mother speak to you of those? Jack will employ certain
powers at his disposal, but it may be that the Wheels will strike back,
or worse, track him here. We must be prepared to bolster Jack,
with our minds if necessary, and fight to ward him against the enemy
should they come to us, here."
It is then that Jack gives his warning about the storm. Cyan
pales. "Jack, we have no time to speak to the Princes of
Amber. I have no means to contact them - it was to have been
you! We must act, then, and now, praying that we survive and can
bring the news!"
Berd's eyes narrow, and the air above the little dragon shifts and warps, like heat-haze over a fire.
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
The storm hammers at the tower, and for a time it seems that something must give. But the architects and builders have done their jobs
well, the walls are butressed and reinforced with steel, and the
windows are protected by a mesh of the same metal, within the glass
itself.
Stone, steel and glass face the worst that this orphaned fragment of Shadow can hurl at them, and they endure...
And then, gradually, it happens... the storm seems to shift course, and
the very core of it passes over the reef, and within it there is
perfect calm...
The beacon stands now, beneath a dome of night-time sky filled with
alien constellations, while all around it, and only a couple of miles
distant, are walls of pure elemental fury.
Inside the tower, the cube is almost forgotten, and it now displays six new faces for all to see...
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack looked around the room, awed almost
more by the silence than the fury of the storm. Yet definitely by the
strength of the structure they were within. “I am sorry Cyan I do
not think I have time even to contact Aaron. . . I must start.” He
moved away to the center of the room and sot down tailor fashion
He stilled his mind to one
single thing. . . That task at hand sending tendril and lens out into
the worlds searching for his tormentors, The Archon’s. No big
gig, he had found it on the faults of reality, the line of breaks
between order and chaos. Now instead of pulling back he focussed in on
that world, searching for the Archon’s themselves. He would not strike
the spiders if he had any choice in the matter, so he had to see the
wheels before he would strike. Then he would blitzkrieg, Lightning War.
. . Taking out was many as he could as quickly as he could. Striking
the one of power, but keeping the one that tortured him alive. Or that
was the plan.
As he positioned the tendril and
searched with the lens he spoke. “Guard my back, but if you wish
to join me in this feel free. . . Help from any of the three of you is
more then welcome. Berd, Cyan, Kia. . . Any of you might tern the
tide of battle. Though I am particularly interested if Berd can use his
abilities through my Tendril and Lens. ”
Jack was silent for a moment as he
gathered himself and searched, ready for a war like few had ever seen.
He spoke softly "This
Broken God, he is an interesting one. . . Master of Trump? Able to Jam
the powers that be in Amber though the cards and Cyan's specialty. . .
By the Arm Master of the Pure Pattern, Just like Aaron's. . . One of
the powers of order it's self. . . Able to use the breaks to his
advantage and by his name a master of them as well? Master of all of
that? An Amberite of the Pure Pattern? Master of the Broken Pattern?
Who is he? Both Aaron and Leonardo are tied to Amber. . . Both act so
odd. . . Could they by tied to the Broken God? This troubles me so. . .
We Must speak to your Amber Prince once this is done."
===========================================================
Re: Part 23a - Riders on the storm by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
The Bard's fear fades as the sound of the storm diminishes, becoming a
distant howl. Cyan slowly nods at Jack's words, her hand trailing
after him for a moment as he moves away. "We have not the time,"
she says. "Leonardo has been warned, sufficiently, I hope.
Now, all we can do is enter battle." Reaching down, the Bard
gathers up Kirilinde and holds it carefully in one hand. "Kia...your father is about to go to war. Will you assist?"
"Were this a war of blades, things would be different. But my
mind, compared to yours, Jack, holds less power, and as I have stated
before, I have no skill in the weapons therein. Nor can I strike
at the enemy in my fashion - I cannot battle a world with a
blade. But..." Cyan sighs, then shakes her head,
ruefully. "I can stand with you, bolster your strength with the
little I possess, and assist in another fashion." Feet making
scuffs on the floor, Cyan moves to stand behind Jack, and places one
hand on his shoulder. "THX 1138 - can you come here, touch us,
see what we see, tell us where we are, give us knowledge of the
disposition of the enemy?"
Berd grins at Kia for an instant, tiny, razor teeth bared happily.
He takes to the air, landing, strangely, not upon Cyan's shoulder, but Jack's.
Jack's monologue has Cyan glancing down at him with curiousity, trying
to follow the threads of his thoughts. She wonders at the chain
of logic, thinking back to her legends and stories of Amber. The One-Armed General. The Master of the Arms of Amber has one arm only. Is it possible?
"Certs we will, Jack," Cyan replies quietly. With that, she contacts Prime.
When the Spider replies, Cyan sends her a message through the palanquet.
We will begin our attack, soon, Prime. Prepare
yourselves. Hide away. Be ready to send our your soldiers,
if necessary - we will tell you if it is so.
To Jack, she cocks an eyebrow. "So did Great Souled Sam stand
forth to battle against the Gods, the Demons of Hellwell at his back,
Night holding her shield around him, and Death at the reins of his
Chariot...and in his hands the Binder held lightnings, and they fell
upon his enemies like spears."
===========================================================
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