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Part 36a: Highway to Hell
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Part 36a - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
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Serena takes her leave, walking away from the house, into the
forest. A few minutes later there is a soft whinny, from among
the trees, then hoofbeats, fading away into the distance at a fast trot.
With the young Amberite woman sent on her way, with a report on their
progress for Fiona, and for any of the other specified individuals that
she can reach, there seems to be nothing else to keep the group here.
Aaron leads them away from the house, walking along a rutted
track. After about ten minutes he stoops to pick up something
small and metallic, which jingles as he shoves it into his
pocket. Then he carries on walking until the track becomes a
full-fledged dirt road, which eventually joins a stretch of deserted
blacktop.
A vehicle is parked on the shoulder nearby, the word Canyonero emblazoned across the front of it, and it would easily accomodate
everybody. The truck is locked, but the keys Aaron found on the
track fit, and the fuel tank is full, just as he had known it would be.
An hour later, and Jonnee is driving on something called a "freeway",
which is quite possibly the most frightening thing Cyan has ever
seen. Tons of metal screaming past at ridiculous speeds, and
Jonnee keeps looking over his shoulder to speak to Dorian or Aaron or
James. Once he even rolls down a window and yells abuse at the
driver of a monstrously large truck, who responds by veering towards
them!
Jonnee simply laughs, and accelerates away from it.
Now they are stopped at a diner, while Jonnee takes a break from driving.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
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OOC - Judging from Dworkin's description, Cyan has shotgun.
IC -
Cyan wasn't terribly pleased with the idea of getting back in one of
the motorized conveyances - she didn't particularly enjoy her last
ride, and this one doesn't appear much more comfortable.
She's right. It's considerably less. And the speed!
And that other 'car'! And that one! And that-! Oh,
that-! Watch out for-! What's he-! That truck-!
For long minutes as they spin down the freeway, Cyan stares out the
window almost blindly, shaking. In the window glass, her face
reflects - pale, with eyes open wide. Empty, blind eyes, catching
the sun and throwing it back in a prismatic sparkle. Rainbow,
diamond eyes.
Then she starts to laugh.
At first, as Jonnee curses out the driver of the truck, it's an edged,
brittle sound, blades of glass clashing against each other in her
tone. Berd immediately scuttles across the truck, into the back
seat to crouch on the floor at the feet of the men, his worried
expression speaking volumes. But after a long moment of that
near-hysterical sound, the laughter begins to smooth out, growing no
less wild, but with the jagged danger polishing itself away. Cyan
shakes her head, colour flowing back into her eyes, their ruby shade
catching the sun and burning as she stares out, still afraid but not
nearly so much.
Jonnee knows what he does. The speed is frightening, but it is
also wonderous. Fumbling, Cyan struggles with the window for a
moment before choosing between two levers (one is the
door-handle!). Fortunately, she picks correctly, and as the
window comes down she sticks her head out and closes her eyes against
the wind.
It's like a storm. It stinks of smoke and other foulness, but
there is yet a certain freedom in the speed, in feel of it tearing at
her long hair, pulling it behind to slap against the back window.
Cyan laughs into the wind, opening her eyes just in time to pick out,
at this terrible speed, a bug flying toward her. It glances off
her cheek as she jerks her head, but she doesn't pull back in.
Berd looks up at Hunter for a long moment, then at Cyan. The
inference is clear. Disgusted, the little dragon crawls up on the
rest between Cyan and Jonnee, closing his eyes.
She keeps her head out for some time, finally ducking back inside, eyes wild with fear, excitement, and glee.
When the truck stops, she slowly climbs out, legs wobbling a little,
and stands on the hard ground. Berd looks her up and down for a
moment, then slowly crawls out to walk up her arm. Settling him,
Cyan looks back inside. "Will we be continuing with this vehicle,
Jonnee Kay? You guide it splendidly, and so quickly!"
Laughing, hands shaking slightly, Cyan leans against the front of the
truck, then follows the others when they come out.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
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The key had been there, as had the vehicle, just as he had expected.
Fortunately for them, Jonnee was quite the driver, and Aaron was
certainly amused at his ability. Aaron would have driven himself, but
he figured he'd take the backseat for now.
Cyan's own reaction first garnered concern from Aaron, but that concern
transformed into downright amusement as she registered an almost
childish joy from her experience. It was a refreshing thing for Aaron,
and something that made him glad he'd chosen the proper conveyance. He
had feared that her reaction to Jack's absence had gone deep enough to
swallow such reaction. He was glad he was wrong.
After they stopped, Aaron exited the vehicle and stretched audibly.
Despite the fact that he figured he wouldn't need to take Ilse along,
he did anyway, choosing to remove her from his back for a time.
Gesturing with his head towards the diner, Aaron led his troop into it
and grabbed them a large enough booth.
"So, who's hungry?"
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Jonnee
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Jonnee just grins at Aaron's question. "Who do you think?" then adds, "I guess my metabolism is faster than yours. I don't get fat."
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
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<backpost>
At the sight of the oversize vehicle, James chuckles. He can be
heard to sing under his breath "Can-yon-er-o". Apparently the
name fits in some jingle or song that James is familiar with.
James happily takes the back seat, glad that Aaron has chosen a vehicle that at least provides leg room.
Cyan typed:Then she starts to laugh.
At first, as Jonnee curses out the driver of the truck, it's an edged,
brittle sound, blades of glass clashing against each other in her tone.
James reaches forwards to put a steadying hand on Cyan's
shoulder. Then the moment passes. It's tempting to pull her
back in anyway, in case she loses her head to the wing mirror of a
passing truck, but James decides against it and removes his hand.
Cyan typed:"Will we be continuing with this vehicle, Jonnee Kay? You guide it splendidly, and so quickly!"
James knows that speed along the highway is not a true measure of their
progress in this instance. He has been doing his best to observe
how Aaron uses the Pattern to move between worlds, trying to spot where
the highway is 'redirected', the road surface changes, the cars
alongside are subtly different. The smoothness of each transition
makes James realise he still has a lot to learn.
</backpost>
"Diner food again!" James groans in mock dismay. "I can see I'm going to have to get used to the travelling life. Still, I could use some breakfast."
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
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Jonnee's comment pulls another laugh from Cyan, this one more relaxed,
as she combs some of tangles from her hair with her fingers. Berd
has supplied her with an explanation of what the lean, deadly man means
- his inner workings require more fuel than normal, because of his
great speed (the one follows the other).
James' exaggerated complaint keeps the smile on her face, and she puts
a hand on his shoulder as they walk, recalling his hand on her shoulder
before she rolled the window down. I...remember little from then. Save that James...yes, James, tried to calm me.
Something she would not quickly forget; most people viewed
her...problem with suspicion, fear, or tried to pretend it did not
exist. James had faced it head-on back on Cargach's world,
discussing it straight-up, then did not hesitate to offer an anchor,
here.
A good man, and a good friend to have....
"Indeed, Aaron, I would partake of this food...and where else would one eat, save at a 'diner'?" He seems to be in a fine mood...a fine thing for us!
"James, we shall have to find some place more interesting for you to
eat," she remarks, topaz eyes dancing merrily in the sunlight. "I
recall one World we have visited upon this quest where we ate the
half-cooked legs of giant spiders. Aaron, I believe you were
fortunate enough to miss that 'feast' - you arrived a short time
later. I found that decidedly different from this 'diner
food'." She grins, knowing that if James fought a war in a
jungle, he has probably eaten worse. "If you wish, I am certain
Berd could provide."
Berd merely looks revolted at the idea, then oddly thoughtful.
"Fortunately, they were nothing like THX 1138...but here, now," she
continues, patting his shoulder then releasing him, "what is this thing
Can-yon-er-o? You know of it, as does Aaron, obviously. I
find myself," she finishes ruefully, "a trifle behind the experience of
those upon this Quest." James, Aaron, Jonnee...Dorian, dour
Dorian, trailing behind them...all of them have more familiarity with
the Myriad worlds than her.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
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Laughing, Aaron shook his head at Jonnee, and found a smile upon his
face that was larger than any he'd favored since... well, since before
he left San Anyn. The first time. He couldn't understand why he'd
changed, but he felt it did him good to change for the better rather
than dwell in the past.
"There's a reason why I'm this short and this thin, Jonnee, and it
isn't because I work out. Though I find that I do travel by foot quite
a bit," and he laughed again. Leaning back in his seat, he raised his
one good eyebrow at Cyan and smirked.
"Yes, I seem to remember someone saying something about ingesting
arachnids at some point in the past." He waved that fact off with his
right hand and shrugged. "I've eaten worse, though not by much, I can
guess."
Gazing about the diner, Aaron took on a thoughtful look, nodding slightly at subtle rememberances.
"I had a dog once, did you know that? Back when I bailed on Jack and
Cyan a while ago. The last I saw of it was in a diner a little like
this one." Chuckling, he shook his head. "The waitress didn't take
kindly to the fact of my dog, but this scar on my face was newer then,
and she took even less to the look I gave her. That settled that."
Speaking of waitresses, Aaron raised his eye and attempted to gain the attention of one of them.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
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Dorian had left is cloak in the car. While speeding down the highway at
sickening speeds, he'd observed the local dress and used the time to
conjure appropriate clothing for anyone who needed it.
Stepping into the diner, he looked for a restroom where he could change.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
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"Mmm, spider. Eight drumsticks per animal, the perfect food source." James rubs his stomach and licks his lips in an exaggerated fashion. "You'd probably need a mallet to get to the meat though."
"Let's see. How to explain this. Where I grew up a
Canyonero was represented as a vehicle much like that one, except it
was presented in a satirical show as a mythical archetype. Sort
of a cross between a car and a wild horse, capable of impossible
feats. I find the idea that they really exist...amusing, I
suppose.
James enters the diner and takes a seat. He is thankful for the
change of clothes provided by Dorian but is still in his fatigues for
the moment.
"A dog, Aaron? I had a dog, but the last
college I was studying at didn't allow pets in the dorms so I left him
with a friend. Better that way, I wouldn't have had the chance to
get him when Bleys took me to Amber."
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
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"If we get the chance, I'll have to show what we considered a
delecacy on Samhain. Spider-kababs were a nice alternative from the
usual fare, though. Very little of that place is hospitable, unusable
for farming or gardening. Much of time is spent indoors or underground,
so vermin and other small rodents were the easiest to farm for meat.
Moss, lichens and roots were the staple for plant life. Surprisingly
hardy people on there, though."
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
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Cyan looks vaguely interested at the conversation most people would
consider repulsive. She, like many of the World Walkers here, has
eating some truly disgusting things over the years. And, unlike
many, is always willing to make the attempt to try something new.
And non-sentient, her mind notes.
"I remember the Empty-Handed speaking to me of his time dodging
Gorthaur's patrols...apparantly he fed entirely upon roots, berries,
and nuts the whole time," she says absently. "Small wonder your
people are hardy, Dorian. Harsh land, hard people. I would
enjoy trying your foods, I think."
Berd just looks revolted by the topic. As Cyan steps into the
Restaurant, he breathes out a small cloud of dancing sparkles that
slowly dissipates into the air.
"A car...and a wild horse. You mean metaphorically, I
suspect?" Cyan cannot even picture the idea of an actual
car/horse cross. Berd probably can. "Strange entertainment...though I'll wager not the strangest in the Myriad Worlds!"
The words 'mythic archetype' seem to capture Berd's attention, and he's
only just settling down again when James mentions something about 'wild
horse'. At that, the Drake's head jerks up and he stares at the
man for a long moment, before irritably biting Cyan's ear and lying
back down.
"Ow! Fool creature! What was that for?" Rubbing her
ear with some exasperation, Cyan follows the others to their
seats. "Your worlds all seem like such strange and different
places. When we finish this," she says with endless optomism,
eyes flashing like sapphires, "I should very much enjoy visiting them."
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
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"I'm no chef, but I could conjure a sampling of food, if you wish." In a way, he is glad she makes the comment about trying his food. It
feels welcome, though he immediately regrets any feeling of camaraderie.
Dorian shakes his head and looks away subtly. "I will not go
back to Samhain, except with great need. They would no longer remember
me. Centuries have passed in my absence and it is a part of my life
I've put behind me."
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
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Aaron adjusted his position in the booth to allow comfort for everyone
involved. Cyan's optimism was catching, and he smiled in her direction.
"On my homeworld, Cyan, I'm afraid that most of the populace would try to eat you.
Considering your tenacity however, I doubt they'd succeed. They'd find
you too tough." And he chuckled again, glancing at Dorian slightly.
Amongst the group, he was the only other save Aaron himself who had
viewed the primal visage of Ald Thiriel and her guardians.
Not to mention that I wouldn't let them touch you... Aaron thought to himself, suppressing a sigh... but not a narrowing of that single eye.
"Bah, whatever the case, I too would like to see what worlds the lot of
you have been to and hail from. Even despite the... delecacies."
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
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"Indeed. Perhaps when this affair is done, those of us who survive
will take a tour through the worlds of our friends, surviving or not." He smiles thinly, as if the idea had only been spoken to please the
others out of necessity, or perhaps there were other things on his mind.
He wouldn't mind Al Thiriel, again. In some sense, it was hard to
connect Aaron to such a place. He had obviously changed much since
then; and yet, there was still some part of that place recognizable in
him, perhaps just under the surface.
He's expected Firk and Gihr, or whatever their names were, to cower and
got only their anger, and begrudging respect, in return. The rest of
the world seemed no less fierce. Of all the worlds he'd encountered,
he'd finally met one world he couldn't have conquered. Well... maybe...
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
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The food, when it arrives, is fresh-cooked and tasty, and the servings
are generous. After all, had Aaron not specified it so?
Soon all thoughts of eating spiders, and even less appetising items,
are driven from their minds.
From the windows of the diner, the freeway is visible at the bottom of
the hill, the traffic hammering along it at a furious pace, the
vehicles almost seeming to be linked, nose-to-tail, in an unbroken
chain. Laced through the roar of the engines is the constant
blare of horns sounding, as drivers contest any gap in the flow.
With the meal finished, and paid for, including a good tip for the
waitress, the companions make their way back to their vehicle.
From there it's a short drive down the hill and they are back on the
freeway, merging into the madness which is rush hour...
It doesn't last long enough for Cyan, and within three hours they are
turning off onto a smaller highway at Aaron's direction. Their
pace slows, and the traffic thins. Eventually, as dusk folds
around the travellers, and Jonnee turns on the vehicle lights, they
seem to be the only thing moving on the road.
Two small moons leap into the sky in quick succession, hurrying towards
the zenith with almost indecent haste as the stars appear, blazing like
diamonds strewn across black velvet.
Around midnight, with a single red moon just clearing the horizon, and
the road paved with slabs of grey stone, the car's engine starts to
splutter and cough, before picking up speed again as jets of steam
escape from ports along the sides of the hood.
Finally though, even the steam engine fails, leaving them standing by
the roadside. A short walk finds them at a stable, whose owner
happily sells them horses, in exchange for oddly-coloured discs of some
ceramic which James pulls from his pocket.
Shortly before sunrise they pause for a while, to eat at a roadside
inn, where they are entertained by a fiddler, who spends the time
between songs discussing music with Cyan.
And so the journey continues...
Here a forest of ancient oaks, reminiscent in Dorian's eyes, of Ald
Thiriel, save that from somewhere nearby comes the sound of somebody
cutting wood with an axe.
Here the way leads along the shore of an endless azure ocean beneath
two suns, one vast and red and dull, the other small and white and
eye-searingly bright.
Here a narrow canyon passing between high peaks, and here it is that an
arrow drops from the air and impales Dorian's horse through the
shoulder, causing it to fall and throw him to the ground.
A moment later, as Dorian srambles to his feet, shaggy ape-like forms
are dropping into the gorge, all of them armed and screeching savage
bestial cries!
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
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Dorian's cloak furls as he crouches low behind the horse. No matter
what others may call him, Dorian is thinker in everything he does. He
had just been wondering about the safety of the canyon. He knew Aaron
was the leader, but he also knew Aaron would need information. He was
confident of the others' abilities in such a conflict. James, Jonnee,
Cyan and Aaron, each in their own way, were proven warriors and
strategists.
He casts his eyes about trying to assess a head-count on the enemy,
then peers upward to see what support they had. He can't escape the gut
feeling that this isn't a chance skirmish.
He'd been in ambushes before. He knew he was capable, but prefered to
stay behind a battle and lead. How many times had he found himself
diving for cover just like this.
As he crouches he spies the arrow in the shoulder of his mount. Had
that been a warning shot or a bad shot? Were they intent on capture for
some reason? Did they like their food fresh, or was there something
else going on here? Who might have sent them?
He looks about for any signs of authority or leadership among them. If
he can find a leader and get close enough to attack it's will, he might
make it order them other to retreat. It was a gamble.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
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The car ride had been most enjoyable, the discussion with the troubador
equally so. Thus far their little jaunt across the myriad worlds
could be called a vacation, almost. Only now, as Cyan chats with
Jonnee, the groud following a meandering canyon, all of that changes.
The faint sound of the arrow has Cyan jerking her eyes up, tracking the
arrow's last few degrees of arc as it plunges into Dorian's
horse. Dorian is down!
Down and, sensibly, getting under cover, though it would be better if
he managed to get to another horse - tandem riding is possible in the
short term. But the terrain is horrible for a gallop - rocks,
uneven ground...
The ambush was perfectly timed.
Encircled ground! That's the thought exploding in her mind
as she launches Berd into the air, already following the advice of the
Sage - devise strategems.
The horse leaves her ironically vulnerable, despite its mobility.
It becomes a way of bringing her down, shocked. "Dorian!" Cyan
screams as her ruby eyes pale, locking onto the attackers. He is protected, so long as he holds his staff!
Aaron, too, is armored, as is Jonnee, in a sense, leaving James as the
only one without any physical protection. But the man is likely
more than capable of handling himself in combat against these
beasts. It is the archers who will bedevil him...James, shot
through. Dorian, born down, his staff stripped from him.
Aaron, falling under weight of numbers. Even Jonnee, possibly
withstanding everything until he is the only one left, his speed
insufficient against at canyon clogged with attackers. These
images, too, Cyan's terrified mind conjures, as well as one of herself,
falling before the weapons of their attackers, Berd nailed to the
canyon wall by an arrow. Her heart pounds, her pulse
hammers. Nausea strikes.
"Jonnee! Break through and find if we are boxed!" Cyan
cries. "Aaron - stay mounted!" From the back of his horse,
the long reach of Ilsefravnir will make the man fearsome in battle. James, she feels, will find
his own way - Cyan does not know enough of the man, how he fights, to
judge a good place. Dorian will take her horse or not - with his
experience, Cyan knows he, too, will employ his skills to their
greatest efficiency.
And they still might all die. Her. Berd. All of their
friends. Everyone counting upon them to complete this quest.
Going...
Going...
The last colour bleeds from her eyes.
A wave of terror flows over the Bard, and fury rises to meet it.
Her diamond eyes catch the light, throwing it back in a rainbow
glitter. Lips peel back in a silent snarl, and Cyan moves to
attack.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Berd
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Berd, more than a little irked that the attackers somehow managed to
cloak themselves from both Arianne and himself, rises into the air,
spiralling to throw off the aim of any archers. Berd detests
archers. They are, as always, his first target in this sort of
situation.
It has been some time since the Questors have fought. Things are
different, now. With no time to spare, Berd sweeps the canyon
with both eyes and spirit, hunting.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
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As the hairy ape-creatures drop into the canyon to cut the path ahead,
James curses himself for not having retrieved Fangmir sooner.
Without a sword staying mounted is nothing but a liability, but then,
James never pretended to be a cavalry soldier anyway. He vaults
from his horse, landing on the side closest to the rocky wall of the
canyon.
"Somebody find that archer! Or archers. James pessimistically corrects himself.
With no way of knowing the situation up above James decides to head for
the best available cover - hairy ape-creatures, lots of them.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Jonnee
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Jonnee slides from the horse, blades sliding from his wrists as his feet hit the ground, "Oh yeah! That's what I'm talking about. A work out - some of us don't need it, and some do!" he looks at Hunter pointedly, a crazy grin on his lips, "Let's get 'em, boy. Last one to draw blood is a poodle!"
And then he moves. "Yeeeeeeehah!" In about a second he is in the thick of things, slashing and stabbing and kicking at the ape-things.
Hunter arrives a moment behind him, biting and snapping at anything
that gets within reach, crushing bone and rending flesh with jaws every
bit as deadly as Jonnee's twin blades.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
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The journey had been going well so far, and Aaron was almost beginning
to feel relaxed. The other half of him was always wary, however, and it
was that half, rather than Arianne's sudden lack of sense, that caused
him turn his head and look back upon his group.
"How..." Aaron heard Arianne hiss from
over his shoulder just as he saw Dorian's mount arrow-pierced. His eye
narrowed in a violent upsurge, but the man quelled it with an intent
focus as he spun his horse around with practiced grace. Cyan, yelling
for him to stay on his horse, confirmed his own ideas as Aaron's blade
sprang from behind him in a flare of of black and silver.
"Come, dearest to my heart, and let us sing and dance in blood."
His eye caught Berd, springing up and up, higher above the canyon.
There would be more than one archer, in a situation such as this, and
would more than likely attempt to support the force within the canyon.
If they were any shot at all, they might be able to pick his group off.
And he was a sitting duck on his horse... yet he knew Ilse's reach
well. Oh yes. Very well, indeed. He hoped an archer dared to poke their
head out.
So his blade lanced out as he stepped and danced his horse through the
canyon. Those targets who were trying to gain an advantage over his
comrades, his blade would spear or sever. Where they thought their
backs were safe, they would soon find two or three sections of
segmented sword. If any attempted to close with him, little would
remain save the spatterings of blood.
Beneath it all, Aaron had the feeling that this strike against them was
certainly planned. That part, most of all, made him want to take the
cube within his jacket and hurl it across the canyon.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
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In the ebb and flow of the battle it becomes clear very quickly that
these creatures are more than adequate fighters, and there are more
than enough of them. Most are armed with heavy clubs, but a few,
further off, have simple bows or slings.
Cyan moves into the thick of battle, trying to clear a way through, to drive the enemy before her, and they fall to Kirilinde's
gleaming blade. But as she strives to wound rather than kill, she
discovers that the wounded seem to feel no pain, and just keep coming
back, and so she is forced to maim and cripple, rather than merely
wound.
As James heads for the cover of a rocky overhang, Berd swoops past,
trilling an urgent call, and when the man skids in to the shelter
provided by the outcropping, he finds a familiar form waiting for him...
Jonnee and Hunter are less considerate, or perhaps merely less skilled,
than Cyan. Where they move, the ape creatures die, until one of
them inevitably connects with its cudgel, and Jonnee hurtles backwards
to slam against a large boulder.
Hunter moves to protect the fallen man, but even the great wolf seems to be outmatched by the swarming ape-men.
Aaron rides still, Ilsefranvir lashing out like lightning
in the fist of some god, striking down his enemies. The apes fall
before him, howling as they die, but then his horse too is struck down
by an arrow from above.
As he rises skyward, Berd's eyes gleam like twin stars, and a hot wind
starts to howl across the top of the canyon, stirring up thick, choking
dust and making it near impossible for the twenty-or-so archers up
above to rain their shafts into the canyon.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
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Aaron leapt from his horse as it came crashing down, its pained cries
scouring his ears as it did so. He was intent however, and he made an
attempt to gauge where the arrow had come from.
He cast his eyes above, but a sudden dust storm seemed to be brewing on
the canyon before him, and he could no longer gauge the direction.
Whoever had shot at him either hadn't been aiming to kill, or had some
other plan in mind. Whatever the case, he would find out one way or
another.
Aaron concentrated then, on the battle at hand. Far from dissuaded, he
strode forth, not rushing, but taking control of the immediate
situation around his person. He was a focused being, seeking the only
thing he could give their attackers: the freedom of death. For now, in
that, there was purity. In that, there was truth.
At his behest, Ilsefranvir was at once an ebon serpent, then a
segmented spear of black death, then a nightmare blade flickering
silver. His eye fell upon each target, and yet he knew, even with his
stamina, he could not keep this up forever. They needed either
something that would turn the tide in their favor, or give them a way
out.
Aaron was determined to get his group out of this trap alive. Once that
was done, he would then tend to the bearer of that foreign quill.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
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Cyan's baresark mind, lost in the plunging vortex of fear and fury,
swiftly calculates odds, figures numbers, and scans for weak points in
their defenses, even as she hooks a foot behind one creature's ankle,
suddenly knee to knee. Ducking the swing of the attacker behind
her, she cuts that one down with Kirilinde even as his club hammers into the face of the ambusher she leg-traps,
cannoning him off one foot while hers locks the other in place, the
combination separating the knee joint and crippling it. A moulinet turns her blade into a pair of rainbow disks for an instant, flicking
away a hand from one beastial attacker while cleaving muscle down to
and into ribs on the chest of another. All the while she moves,
never stopping, footwork carrying her into range, out again, slipping
deadly attacks, confusing enemy formation, and weaving almost randomly,
unpredictably, but with deadly intentions through the chaotic ranks.
Diamond eyes glitter dispassionately as she kills, and her snarling
lips peel back further. Because killing is her purpose, now -
these creatures will not stop, and their desire must be matched to stop
them. Breath comes harder now as the fight progresses.
Jonnee is hit, Aaron's horse downed, Hunter pushed back. Dorian
has, wisely, taken cover, as has James...then information comes to her
an instant later, and she knows James is now armed.
Noted, filed, included in her plans.
Suddenly she's moving, out and away from the group, diving into the
midst of those attempting to crush Jonnee and Hunter, blade flickering
like summer lightning.
And Cyan starts to laugh, that same, glass-shard sound as before. Only now it grows more jagged with each passing second.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd snarls, a ripping sound that echoes off the canyon walls as he
suddenly twists evasively, hugging the cliff walls on the side where he
spotted the...unusual enemy, denying it a clear shot.
His mental voice echoes clearly to all of the group for an instant.
I/Berd {give/send} (warning/assessment)! (Cyan/friend) {instruct/advise} to {pair/joinbytwo}!
Above/onhigh {stand/wait} (archers/bowmen) and (steelplate/rifleman) with (technobow/compound weapon)!
A surge of power, then, as Berd's eyes glitter.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian remains low and unobtrusive, his mind calculating. "Aaron, Cyan," he calls out over the din of battle. "I
estimate over a hundred of them, plus one or two dozen above us.... we
are surrounded and I think outmatched... There is someone leading them
from up on the cliffs, someone --I think-- not like them or of this
world."
He grips his staff with both hands, trying to keep his eyes in all
directions. He uses the staff purely as a defensive device, forgoing
any attack in favor of giving ground where he can.
"I can produce reinforcments, but it will perhaps be the only
time I can do so until we rest again-- though I am not without other
tricks."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
James takes up Fangmir and draws in a single fluid motion. Berd's
warning is timely, but it is clear that separated and reliant on cover
they will be overrun by the ape-men. James decides even as Cyan
uses a small break in the combat, made possible by her own skilful and
frentic fighting, to drive towards Jonnee.
James sprints from cover, aiming at the side of the group clustered
around Cyan. At the last second he launches into a flying kick,
the impact crushes the rib cage of the first creature and the momentum
sends it crashing into a further two. Dropping from the kick, James
crouches for a low spin-kick, following up with a strike with the heel
of his hand that drives the creatures nose up into its brain and a
short punch with the hilt of Fangmir that send the victim staggering
backwards, already dead.
For James there is no whirlwind of hard edges and no manic
laughter. Fangmir is weighted as a sabre, designed for controlled
cuts and parries in a duel, but its extra weight driven by the strength
of James's arm make it a fearsome weapon. He uses sword and fist
like axe and hammer. There is little subtlety but a considered
precision in the placement of his blows. He seeks to drive the
ape-creatures back if only for a moment, in order to buy a little
breathing space.
"Dorian, there's no point saving your spells if we're dead!"
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
Rolling easily to his feet, Jonnee shakes his head, "Lucky shot!" he growls, "But I've taken worse. Hell! I've taken worse from friends!"
Once more he moves forward and forces a path through to stand near
Hunter. Bone blades scythe to left and right, parrying and
cutting with ruthless efficiency.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Too many... too damn many!
Aaron drove himself forwards, intent now on getting himself towards
James' position a bit further down the canyon. With himself, James,
Jonnee, Hunter and Cyan together, he would then herd them towards
Dorian and try to force a hole out into more open terrain.
"James is right, Dorian. If you have the methods, attempt to dwindle
their numbers or make a hole! Right now, we need an exit, not a
victory!"
Aaron wished for once, that he had both of his eyes. His technique was
better than most, but even now he was feeling his disability. Having a
blindside was nowhere near good, especially in a situation such as this.
Ilsefranvir's blades, slathered in gore, darted in and out between
attackers. Into individuals, groups, it didn't matter. In Aaron's hand,
the whip-sword blended all their opponents into a singular, dying
mass, a trail of bodies in Aaron's wake as he attempted to think
of any way to get them out of this.
Not enough patience for the Pattern, no concentration for Trumps... there has to be some way out of this!
Enough. he thought, driving his now-solid sword through another
attacker. The weapon divided and he cleaved through the next as the
blades whipped around and seperated most of the upper-shoulders from an
ape-like torso.
"Let's get out of this mess first, then we'll think of a way to even the odds!"
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian curses under his breath. James was right, but he'd been waiting
for the order from Aaron. They might not have time and it was clear
they were going to need the help. He curses again. He'd been saving
them for the next time they ran into Archons, but without them they'd
not live that long.
"Berd!" He shouts over the battle. "They'll need clam weather when they arrive. Somone else-- provide cover while I do this, please!"
His hands tremble in anticipation, and a little bit in fear of what he
was about to bring forth. They were not to be toyed with lightly.
Dorian begins speaking lynchpins....
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd hisses with frustration - too many things happening at once!
But the little dragon's focus splits again, with ease, as he shifts his
venue of attack. And the winds begin to die....
All save one. A sweeping, powerful wind that lasts but an instant, lashing the top of the ravine with fire before dissipating completely.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
There is a Sound, almost unheard by all, like the breaking of an infinitely small piece of glass.
And the Sound becomes a Word.
The Word has Strength and carries within it the Will to be heard.
The Will shapes the World, and fire rolls across the sky, and a howling
wind carries the attackers back from the edge, leaving a bubble of
perfect calm where Berd hovers, eyes blazing with all the colours of
fractured light.
Around him the air shimmers, and darkness gathers, shaping itself into
scaled horrors, all horns and claws and leathern wings, horse-sized,
and with a grim malevolence about them as they dive towards the ape men
in the canyon, and on the cliffs, sending them running for cover.
Two of the creatures flap down to land in the canyon, razor-sharp claws
digging into the stone of the canyon floor. They flank Dorian,
their beaked heads lashing out on serpentine necks to strike down any
who get too close.
Cyan, like Berd, is at the heart of a bubble, but hers is a bubble of
fury, its limits delineated by the gleaming tip of her blade, and
limned in arcs and sprays of blood as she fells countless foes.
Jonnee, Hunter, Aaron and James are nearby, the four of them performing
a complex dance, the music for which comes from the throats of the
ape-men who die beneath their assault.
The black draconic shapes seem to fill the air, and the archers and
slingers are forced to stay down, unable to take aim at anything for
fear of losing their life.
At the fringes of the battle, shaggy figures start to break away,
weapons dropped and forgotten as they scramble away, crawling almost
flat on their bellies to avoid the swooping terror which circles above
them. In the heart of the battle, the carnage continues...
Jonnee and Aaron are bleeding from minor injuries, Hunter is covered
with blood, some of it maybe his own. James and Cyan have
innumerable cuts and bruises, but nothing worthy of note.
And then an armoured form crashes, unmoving, to the ground near Dorian, dropped there by one of the draconic nightmares.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian smiles smugly as he hears the first screeching cries mingle with
the sounds of battle, familiar cries he hasn't heard in many years; and
a comforting one under the circumstance. For a moment, he keeps his
cover watching the whirl about and dive. He knew too well the sharpness
of their talons.
As soon as his bodyguards arive, he relaxes and his smile grows. He
remembered them from Samhain. They could fly well in any storm, for
that is all Samhain was, storms, but he'd asked for calmer winds to
give them every advantage in their aid.
This seemed, in his eyes, more like feeding time for them than a
battle, but they'd arrived and appeared to be turning the tide quite
effectively. He was always a cynic when it came to his own plans. Well,
he was always a cynic.
Still, he almost preens at the sight.
Then a form crashes before him, a body. He looks over the armor and the
form for a second, waiting for signs of movement. There is none.
Gripping his staff, he strides forward, gesturing to the two drakes
near him to follow and be wary. As he approaches he furrows his brow in
concentration on the body. Then extends his staff and prods it;
flipping it over to get a look at its face.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan's face is speckled and spattered with blood, while her clothing
remains horrifyingly pristine. Blood touching it simple...flows
away, like water from oiled skin. Her foot hooks behind an
attacker's ankle, Kirilinde's
hilt thudding into his chest, instantly stabbing forward into a
different man, then licking backward to take the throat of the one
knocked from his feet by the pommel-strike. Two clubs snap toward
her - spinning inside the arc of one, she takes it across a shoulder
rather than her head, and the other is cleanly dodged. With her
and the creature too close, Kirilinde stabs straight up between
their bodies, under the chin, then whips out as Cyan slides into a low
stance-step, another club arcing over her head from behind as her
blade, slicing back, razors across a stomach, opening it.
Shifting, she comes up under another vertical blow, and her shoulder
bunt hammers the creature from its feet.
The impacts are starting. Cyan begins to take hits. Not so
many, not yet, and her clothes have protected her thus far...mostly.
The wild grin still rests on her face, but the laughter comes less frequently.
Two movements, far too quickly to track, and three more of her
attackers go down as a fourth lands a blow she cannot dodge across one
upraised arm. Rolling away from the attack Cyan snarls now, a
grating sound, and her diamond eyes catch the light, throwing it back
in rainbow glitters. Flush with success, the creature leaps
forward.
And dies.
Blood in her eyes, some of it her own. A glancing wound to the scalp - they bleed profusely.
Within Cyan, the crystaline entity of fury, forged by fear, studies
the enemy. It cares nothing for the horror of this battle, the
mindless savagery of the conflict, the descent into savagery. It
knows only success, and failure.
The enemies stand on the verge of breaking. A few more minutes,
at most, and they will, should they not succeed in their plans.
Many have died. Their leader is taken. The Dark One's
beasts terrify them. Their morale cracks.
A minute? Perhaps two? Too long.
There is a quicker route to rout them. And that is to shatter their wavering spirit.
Her evasions bring her back near the four her clouded mind recognizes
as allies. For an instant, she stands beside the Strong One, the
Fast One, the Leader, and the Wolf. The bard jerks her head,
once, snapping her red, red hair, crimson-stained copper, indicating
the mass of the enemy pushing forward into them.
Then, throwing caution to the wind, lips peeling back, she utters a
wild cry and plunges into their midst, redoubling her efforts, pressing forward into the enemy like a spearhead into a body.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd stares as the huge creatures, so unlike and yet hauntingly similar to him, flow into the air around him. Teeth bared in his thousand-tooth grin,
he hovers for an instant, then swoops after them toward the battlefield
like a mascot. Some have gone up, the drake sees, going after the archers. Well and good.
Below, the warriors wreak havoc while Dorian, Berd notes, stands safe
between two massive bodyguards. The dragon's grin widens, were
that possible. He likes the man. He has...style.
The little dragon sweeps aside, just in time to avoid being squashed
under a massive, falling form. An armored man. Berd
breathes a sigh of relief, then hears a familiar wild cry.
Looking down, he sees Cyan, battling with mad efficiency, Kirilinde's rainbow arc barely visible through the red mist surrounding her.
Aaron and Arianne, bearer and blade, the sword snaking out to spear and
stab, whipping between his allies to strike down a leaping ape-man,
snapping back to sword, the one-eyed man cutting a space around himself
with the burning edge then releasing Ilsefravnir to reach out further.
Jonnee, bone blades razoring with shocking speed, bright fans of blood
following his every motion, seemingly everywhere, Hunter beside him,
guarding his flanks, slipping out to rend and crush bone in his massive
jaws, a matched pair of killers.
There is James, precise, heavy blade sundering defenses, flesh, and
bone alike, body shrugging off the powerful blows and returning his own
with fist, elbow, foot and knee, each skillfully landed strike crushing
bodies, stealing breath, and throwing his enemies back.
All of them, wounded. But the ape-men waver.
And Berd knows Cyan's intention.
The dragon flies down to hover over the heads of the warriors as they
fight, and, as Cyan suddenly presses forward into the mass, begins to
shine like a star.
The spiritual roar pounds out like a roll of psychic thunder, directed at the enemy.
LEAVE THIS PLACE! ONLY DEATH AWAITS YOU HERE!
The little Drake flares more brightly, his outline wavering, wisps of cobra-like smoke rising off him.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Pain was merely a memory, a memory of things that were, that would be,
that are. When it came to pain, ignorance was bliss until the end of
the battle.
Aaron was conscious of the states and positions of his group,
constantly updating their conditions as he moved, flowed, from body to
body. Blood poured down the left side of his face, an injury to his
already scarred features. His own injuries, while grating, would be
treated in time. Now, he was simply a focused thing.
With Dorian's support, they had indeed turned the tide of the battle.
He had seen the armored form flung to the earth at Dorian's feet, and
he growled in vicious satisfaction at yet another death.
Then his eye carried Cyan to the forefront of their group, and she
began her push, assisted by Berd's psychological grip. Taking up her
flank and gesturing for Jonnee, Hunter and James to also push ahead, he
took a breath and shook the blood from his long hair.
Aaron and Arianne moved, then. Flowing amongst the sprayings of blood,
dancing to the sound of bodies hitting the earth before them.
Ilsefranvir spiralling, a vicious circle that seperated torsos, heads,
limbs. An unforgiving artist of death, Aaron summoned up the force of
will necessarry to bring about the end.
All through it, his autumn-colored eye remembered everything, its
colors fluttering down and down through his vision like dying leaves.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
James hurts. A melee is an unforgiving place and James has
neither the speed of Jonnee nor the technique of Cyan to keep him
safe. It's all very well decimating the two or three in front of
you when the one behind you gets a free swing. If he hadn't
lunged forward as that critter lined up his head it would have been a
very abrupt end to a tragically shortened life span.
As it is, at least three ribs are broken on his left side and he'll be
limping for a couple of days. All of which slows him down making
it harder, harder to kill cleanly and harder to avoid the next
club. He probably would have been overwhelmed already had it not
been for the scything claws of Dorian's dark allies. The
ape-creatures may not know pain but they are starting to understand
fear.
All told, James hasno difficulties understanding Cyan's strategy.
James levels Fangmir across in front of his chest, lowers his body
weight and charges. James size counts against him, but other than
that there are few people in the infinite worlds better designed to act
as battering ram. Even without swinging the force behind Fangmir
is enough to cut the first enemy clean in half and James has to swipe
the torso away with his off hand as he tramples over the legs.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
It doesn't take much for an ambush to become a rout...
The ambushees are inconsiderate enough to retaliate...
A burst of flame wipes out your ranged support...
A horde of armoured, winged horrors appears overhead and proceeds to wreak havoc...
Your leader is killed, or captured...
That's all it takes. Not much at all.
Acceptable losses are only acceptable when you're unlikely to become
one of them, and with each passing moment it becomes increasingly
likely that any particular attacker will become one. Unsurprisingly, this is not acceptable, and the
ape-men start to flee, harried by the companions as they escape across
the canyon floor, and snatched by Dorian's creatures as they scramble
up the walls.
Within moments, all is quiet, save for the feeding of the monstrous
allies, and the laboured breathing of the armoured man laying at
Dorian's feet.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Staggering to a halt, Cyan chooses to watch the enemy flee. The
tip of her sword stays level for long moments, making tiny
figure-eights in the air. Berd, fluttering down, perches on a
nearby boulder. A few, choked gasping noises escape the bard's
throat; they almost sounds like a broken chuckle.
Then the tip of the sword grounds, touching a rock. The fear
within seeps away, and takes the fury with it. Colour begins to return
to Cyan's eyes, deep, ruby colour. She looks out on the
battlefield and sees.
With a clatter, Kirilinde's hilt follows its tip.
Cyan drops to one knee, breathing harshly, hands trembling. Her
gorge rises, and she fights to keep from vomiting - this time, not so
difficult, for food was many hours past. Still, nausea sweeps
over her, twisting her throat. One palm hits the ground as she
gags. "J-jack? Berd?" she whispers, hoarsely. Berd
chimes in reply. Cyan's face crumbles, and she sobs once, drawing
in one long breath.
Slowly the bard's head comes up again, and she stares at the bloody
carpet around her. One, gloved hand rakes through her hair,
coming away sticky. "Oh, spirits," she moans, before Berd utters
another, clear, chiming sound. Fouled glove pressed against her
forehead, the bard nods. "Yes...yes...." Pushing herself to
her feet on trembling legs, she suddenly discovers pain. Deep,
throbbing pain in her arm, her shoulder. Biting pain in her
head. A spike of pain from her ankle. And bruises galore.
What...happened? So much blood. An image flashes in her mind, of vicious wounds and attackers who kept coming. No....
Hissing, she turns to look at the rest of the group. Aaron,
bleeding, but armored. Jonnee, beaten but protected by his own
inner fortitude. Hunter, torn and no doubt being tended by the
street tough. Dorian a ways off, still protected by both staff
and monstrous guardians - Cyan blinks at that. Where did they come from? James...no protection worn, and hunched over his
side. Berd chimes in agreement. Stumbling, Cyan moves to
assist the big man. "James," she rasps in a taut, miserable
voice. "I...do you require assistance?"
Berd lifts off the ground, gliding over to where Dorian stands looking
down at an armored man. He eyes the huge beasts warily, landing
just out of their reach to stare at the dark man and his captive.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
Suddenly having no enemies within reach, Jonnee looks about for anybody else that might need dealing with. "Looks like they couldn't handle us, eh, Hunter? But they made a mess of you. Let's take a look at you."
He kneels beside the wolf and starts to examine him for injuries.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Just as fast as it began, it seemed, it was over.
Aaron stood there, silent, alone, surrounded by bodies and fresh pools
of blood. His face was matted with ichor, his own and that of many,
many others, and yet Aaron seemed at ease in such a situation.
Almost... peaceful, in a way.
His head raised skywards, Aaron watched one or two of Dorian's amusing
friends circle above. The beasts no doubt scouring the surrounding
countryside for any enemies who decided to stay behind and attempt a
second strike. He stood like that for quite a long while.
Closing his eye, he took a deep breath, inhaling the smells of death
and violence. He did not sheath his blade then, but rather spun on his
heel and strode towards Dorian's position.
A fine slash across my already beleagured features; a portion of my
lower left side slightly ill at ease, just beneath my hip. I remember
when Herzkrieg covered my entire form. Myriad cuts, bruises, and more than likely a fracture or two. Not now, though. Not now.
He moved and approached Dorian and his two great companions, Aaron's
blood-soaked face causing a demonic comparison to anyone not used to
seeing him. As Aaron gazed down at the armored form who lay unconscious
upon the ground at their feet, Aaron was simultaneously glad and
disappointed that the person wasn't dead.
Since the person wasn't dead, he figured, he would try to get some sense out of them.
Bending down, he slowly prodded the armored form with the tip of
Ilsefranvir. With a sword that sharp, 'prodding' is one short step away
from 'piercing.'
"Get up, you rotten bastard. You owe me a horse."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
The battle had been a fine balance, and perhaps he'd erred on the side
of caution. He'd never been one to squander resources. The decision was
hard; act too soon and a useful spell was wasted, act too late and
suffer casualties. He'd chosen to wait until he had a clear assesment
of numbers. More than that, he'd chosen to wait until he got
confirmation from Aaron. Although he didn't wait that long, he'd tried
to. Why? This small army was not one for blind service, never acting
without permition. Why had he thought it important to wait for the
man's order?
Still standing next to the prisoner, he watches Aaron and Berd both
approach. He'll let Aaron deal with the prisoner. That was his right.
It was good the man was alive.
His eyes turn to look at Berd. He was capable of summoning things,
changing things. Was his army really necessary. Perhaps Cyan's friend
had already been working on reinforcements. The little drake looks at
the big ones. A half smiles plays across Dorian's face, and he says, "Samhain."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd nods slowly to Dorian at the word. He warily skirts the creatures, slipping up to stand beside the dark man.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
James lets the last of the ape-men go. With their will to fight
broken the remainder will almost certainly be picked off by Dorian's
draconic allies.
With the adrenalin leaving his system, the fatigue and pain starts in
earnest. James drops Fangmir and moves to sag to his haunches but
pulls up at the stiffness and swelling in his leg. The jolt of
movement catches his ribs and the pain from that takes his breath away
altogether. He grimaces and tries to keep the movement as small
as possible.
"Relax, Cyan, I'll live. Whether I'll want to
is another question. It's my ribs, so there's probably not a lot
you can do."
James moves to lift his shirt away from his injured side, but moving
his left arm is very uncomfortable to say the least and the shirt is
stuck to his skin with blood, some of it his. "Could you cut the shirt away please, Cyan. I should take a look at it."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan nods, the motion putting sparks in her vision for a moment.
One hand comes up, feels the knot in the hair on the back of her
head. Something clipped her, there, and she can feel the after-effects beginning to cut
through the post-baresark haze. Her weary, emerald eyes close for
a moment, then open again, focusing on her task.
Patting a boulder - "Lean here, James, it is high enough you won't have
to bend" - she stumbles to and fro for a few seconds, hunting for her
pack. Across the ravine, Berd glances up - a moment later, Cyan
rounds a rock and almost falls over the leather backpack. Hefting
it, she winces again, then staggers back to James.
Fumbling in the pack, she comes out with a small, leather-wrapped
case. Opening it reveals a set of small, bone needles, thread of
various sorts, what look to be a bunch of 'lemonwrap' sealed napkins, a
small, hand-blown bottle of alcohol, and a stainless-steel
razorblade. Odds and ends, scrounged from a dozen worlds.
"Hold still," Cyan whispers, then slowly slits the shirt, back and
shoulders, so that it slips easily from James's body.
The bard hisses at the sight of the massive bruise on the soldier's
side. "That...spirits, James, you are right. There is
little I can do. But what I can do is bind them, and that, if you would trust me, will help.
Berd?" Cyan reaches into her pack...and comes out with several
long strips of what look like clean linen, as well as a canteen of
water.
"Hold very still. If you wish, I will clean this off and then wrap your chest."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Under Aaron's not-so-gentle encouragement, the armoured man rolls over
and sits up, groaning as he does so. The first thing he sees is
one of Dorian's pets regarding him with keen interest.
Clearly forgetting his pain for a moment, he scrambles backward, until
a sudden jarring impact with a large boulder both halts his progress
and reminds him of which parts hurt. He slumps against the rock,
and slowly reaches up to remove his helm.
Or, rather, her helm. She has blonde hair, cropped
short, grey-green eyes, and looks to be in her mid-thirties, with skin
darkened by long exposure to the elements.
"You will release me now, or suffer the consequences... " she demands, though her tone is somwhat lacking in conviction.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian crouches low next to the female and looks her over, looking for
weapons or communication devices. Then he looks in her eyes. "Lady," he whispers. "You've got a hell of a lot to learn about the art of threatening people." He smiles thinly.
Of course, he was wary. They'd already decided there could be
opposition from Amber. This person could be anyone, and the fact that
she wasn't an archon meant a lot.
However, his calculating mind had already noticed something. Fear.
He'd noted the way she backed away from the conjured creatures in fear.
Perhaps it wasn't her strongest fear, but it would be a start. Physical
harm was always a good opening.
"What's going to happen now, is my friend here is going to ask you
some questions. Questions you won't feel like answering. I'm going to
listen to those answers, and if I'm not happy, my pets here will start
eating you, very slowly-- they'll start with the eyes; they're nice and
juicy, they squirt liquid everywhere when they burst-- Now, what you
need to understand here, is I'm not a happy man. And I'm in a
particularly unpleasant mood right now. So, you need to be very careful
because I'm very close to having them eat your liver from your living
body, just to lighten my mood." All the while his expression is dull, almost bored, and very serious.
He turns to look at Aaron.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
The woman looks at Dorian, and something happens behind her eyes, "And you have a lot to learn about recognising the difference between a threat and a warNING, FOOL! AND SHE WILL SUFFER FOR TRYING TO DELIVER THAT WARNING!"
Whisps of smoke pour from the chinks of her armour, and her hand lashes out, blindingly fast to grasp Ilsevranvir. There is a stench of scorched flesh.
"DID IT NOT OCCUR TO YOU THAT SOMETHING PREVENTED ANY OF YOU DETECTING THE ATTACK UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron wasn't exactly surprised to find that a woman existed underneath
all of that armor. Dorian's statements gave him some room to maneuver
as he moved towards the woman and gestured with Ilsefranvir.
Just as he was about to speak though, the woman's gaze shifted to
Dorian, her voice taking on an evil tone that immediately caused Aaron
to bring up his blade. Before he could react, she had seized
Ilsefranvir.
"Who intrudes... what?! No Aaron... the heat... burning!! My GOD! NOOOO....!"
"Kill her!" Aaron yelled. Attempting to yank Ilsefranvir away from the
woman, his immediate impulse being to save Arianne's fragile, spiritual
form from the mental domination of what he figured was a Prime Archon.
Falling to his knees, he twisted and drove the sword down between them,
immediately closing his eyes and throwing all of his concentration into
their spiritual link.
His mind burned where Arianne usually rested. He sought her out, his
form a raging beast tearing through the smoldering torment purging his
senses. Nothing would stop him from saving her. Nothing.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
It's the tone of voice more than anything that alerts James.
Hearing the inhuman tones he stiffens in alarm. He pushes firmly
away from the rock on which he is braced, rolls, picks up Fangmir and
throws in one fluid motion. James is a fine shot but Fangmir is
balanced as neither knife nor javelin. Still, the heavy blade is
aimed for the creature's head and even a hilt strike should be enough
to break its concentration.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
James's movement trigger's Cyan's own. Dropping her 'first aid
kit', the weary bard immediately spins to face the threat, even as the
woman's voice rises. Her amber eyes widen at the sight, and Cyan
leaps for Kirilindë, pushing her tired body to move, fast.
Out of position and weaponless. The only thing she has is information.
"The Unknown Enemy, Aaron! As with Jen!" she cries.
Berd immediately takes to the air, but not the heights. Instead,
he shoots backward, low over the ground, like an attack
helicoptor. His eyes flare for an instant as he reaches out to
join as many of their minds as he can, even as Arianne's scream splits
the air.
{Join/link} (minds/spirits) with I/Berd, (allies/questors/backguardians)! I/Berd can {manage/coordinate} (spiritdefense) and {assist/aid} (whomever/whatperson) {attacks/strikes}!
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Even as Aaron kneeled, smoke and the smell of burning flesh surrounding
him, his own instincts caused him to roll sideways, sensing an object
approaching at high speed from behind.
Aaron took up his position again however, hoping the lack of physical
contact had broken, or at least weakened, whatever link the Unknown had
connected with Ilsefranvir.
When Berd demanded a link however, Aaron's head turned, and his single
eye burned with a fury unmatched, even by the magic he once wielded. To
Cyan, it was a very familiar look, a memory of some time ago, on a
snow-covered world. His teeth were bared in an animal snarl, Aaron's
hands clutching his sword close to him.
"It dares, drake! This beast dares to harm one of MINE!"
Clearly, something else had taken over now. There was the struggle for
control amidst the color cascade in that eye, and Aaron's shoulders
sagged for a moment, before he nodded to Berd with a heavy sigh.
"So be it!" he finally yelled, and threw his concentration in with Berd.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian gasps as the first wave of psychic force hits him, and his own
power is slapped aside like a disobedient child. Then, the second wave
hits him; or is it just a continuation of the first wave? He cries in
alarm, dropping to his knees. His staff slips from his grasp as he
struggles mentally.
Judging by the smoke rising from her flesh, he can only assume she is finished anyway.
"KILL! HER!" He gasps to his creatures, unable to bear
the thought of such a powerful intrusion. He can only hope the woman is
the link and ending her will end the contact. More likely, the link has
already been established and there is little he can do.
He hears Berd's mental voice, like a distant ringing bell, but he can
do nothing but concentrate on defending his mind. He can trust nothing,
no one. He reaches down deep, withdrawing himself completely.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
"WAIT! I... " the woman stops speaking,
face grimacing as she struggles against the overwhelming force being
used against her, and Aaron leans aside, then, "She's go-" and half of Fangmir is suddenly jutting from between her eyes.
As she tilts sideways, the tip of the blade scrapes across the stone behind her head...
Dorian's beasts move forward, siezing the already inert body, and start to struggle for possession.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd snarls, a sound like a buzzsaw...
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
Engrossed in examining Hunter, Jonnee is too far away to join the
attack on the armoured woman. By the time he realizes what is
happening, she's already dead, but something about the situation
doesn't ring true.
"Uh, Cyan? You've faced some pretty scary things in the last little while, yeah? Did any of them go down so easily?"
He stands, watching the cliffs and the sky, as he slowly turns in a complete circle. He pops his blades, just to be safe.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd continues to stare off into the distance, eyes glittering. He pauses for a brief glance at Dorian.
Cyan, having retrieved Kirilindë, slowly turns as
Jonnee does, to survey the cliffs. "Easy? This...was
easy?" She glances at the woman, now being torn by Dorian's Fell
Beasts, and an expression of sorrow crosses her features.
"That...she could have been innocent. I believe she was
possessed, possibly by one of the inhabitants of the fortress on which
we intend to spy. They...she sounded like one of them, her power
seemed similar. It took all of us, the one time we fought it, to
defeat the beast."
Her amethyst eyes focus on the distance. "We walk the road to the
heart of their empire - I believe we have been discovered by a
watchpost."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
"That," Dorian says coursely. "Or we carry a beacon
with which they track our every movement, marking our progress and
direction. Or perhaps we are the beacon ourselves, or someone here is a
traitor to our cause. The possibilities are endless; including the
possibility that the reference to 'she' was a careful decoy."
He remains kneeeling, gazing towards the ground. His staff lies before
him, untouched. If these could not see such simple things, how could
they hope to survive. They were lucky to have him.
"No matter what else, I suggest we move out before reinforcements
arrive. If I were the enemy I'd have a larger force prepared to
mobilize against our position or ambush and intercept. I can conjure
anything we need as we travel-- food, healing reagents, and so forth."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Berd..." Aaron hissed from his place, kneeling upon the earth before
the corpse of the unfortunate woman who had embodied whatever had led
the ambush.
The man's brow was furrowed with concentration, the blood from the
wound upon his face had already slowed, but his injuries were as far
from his mind as he could make them. Before his knees Ilsefranvir
rested, Aaron's hands placed palm-down upon the flat of the blade. His
single eye was closed.
A significant force. A power that placed itself not only between the
sensations of danger, but also between the link that Arianne and myself
shared for that one, critical moment. So fast! So damnably, blindingly
fast!
Linked with Berd, for he knew of the drakes' communion with his
bladebound one, Aaron sought out Arianne, not knowing the extent of her
damage. Physical healing was one thing, but damage to the spiritual
self... that was entirely different. When all you have left is your
soul, where does the pain go?
Whatever happened, Aaron suddenly had the feeling that everything had
changed for him. Never before had he figured such a weakness could be
exploited in such a graphic fashion. Ilsefranvir, the blade itself,
could be manipulated if enough force was placed upon it while Arianne
was subdued.
...but if the blade was empty of life...
Aaron knew what he was going to do, then. It was a plan he had been
carving out for a very long time, now, but he was yet unsure as to
whether now was the time to employ it. If he had been able to see
behind the lie, behind the veil that the possessed woman had attempted
to lift, then this... sacrifice... would have been unnecessary..
Aaron though, felt unwilling to leave his group at this critical
juncture. Despite how much he cared for Arianne, despite the fact that
he figured his plan would save her from any future injury and take her
out of the heat of the battle, he still knew that his group needed him.
It seemed to Aaron, that he was at a crossroads.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Ilsefranvir
-----------------------------------------------------------
There is a brief moment of quiet, as Aaron watches the blade, and then
segments extend, and the sword becomes a writhing snake of metal,
moving sinuously across the rock-strewn ground. It rears up,
poised like a cobra, as if to strike at the already-dead woman, and
hesitates.
The segments snap back into place, and the weapon, a sword once more, drops to the earth.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
James ends his roll crouching - and a little surprised by the success of his own manoeuver.
He wasn't terribly disturbed by the sight of Dorian's beasts tearing at
the corpse. She, the host, whatever, was already dead. He
had done that, for better or worse. And if either of the beasts
thought to damage Fangmir it was going to end up very sore
indeed. Speaking of which...
"Ow!"
James lowers himself gingerly to the ground resting on his uninjured side, breathing shallowly.
"Sorry Berd, looks like you might have held it, but,
well, reflex. Dorian, anything you can summon that would help
knit bones or reduce swelling would be greatly appreciated. Just
now, I'm kind of sorry that Serena disappeared back to Amber."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan nods to Dorian's wisdom, sighing somewhat despairingly. We get close to our goal...and we are interrupted, and forced to flee. She looks with some concern upon both Aaron and James - Aaron, who awaits 'word' that Ilsefravnir has come through her torment unscathed, and James, who now lies on the ground, victim of his own exertions.
One she can assist. The other...not.
"Dorian is right," Cyan whispers as she moves across the rocky ground
to help James. "Either they are aware of us, even now, or they
will be momentarily. We stand on the path of the Unknown Enemy's
fortress. It only makes sense that they have redoubts out this
far. Either that, or...." Her lips thin. "We are, as
Dorian states, giving away our location. It seems we must again
flee to safety, at least until our people heal themselves."
Carefully, she helps James back to a sitting position. "If you
can summon aught, Dorian, I am certain it will help James more than my
bindings." She looks over to where the linens lie, strewn about
the ground.
Berd absently coughes a small, glittering cloud. It settles on
the linens and the rest of Cyan's emergency kit, then floats over to
her feet. When it clears, the kit lies, packed and prepared, on
her right foot.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Luke
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Did you honestly believe you could blithly traipse your way up to the fiery stronghold?" The lean man walks away from a shadow on the wall of the canyon. "Please
tell me it isn't so. Your enemies move through the worlds as
well. Did you not think they might have this path guarded?
And what of this light? You have been warned that you shine in
the worlds. I trust you did not take that as metaphor for your
destiny, or somesuch?"
Luke walks past the sword lying on the ground. "When
will you start using your heads? You have the capability to peer
through the worlds! Why not use that? Seek out a better
path. Follow it, even if it is slower. Will you storm the
walls of heaven, or enter through the back gate?"
The man pauses, staring at Aaron. "You're
a mess. You're all messes. If things keep going like this,
you'll all be chopped into gooey bits before you get anywhere near your
goal."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
Fos some reason Luke's appearance, and his tone of voice, scrapes
James's nerves raw, and he has quite enough raw nerves already.
"Hello to you too, Luke. You seem to forget
that we are group with limited resources who are going up against an
enemy who's resources seem effectively infinite. The last time
one of us tried to peer through worlds to spy out a back way had his
mind blasted so effectively that we still don't know if he's sane or
not."
"If we're so incompetent and you're so fracking clever you do the
job. None of us want this. Cyan and Aaron especially have
already lost more than their fair share on this little quest. So
if you're done insulting us would you please piss off because right now
I'd rather storm the gates of heaven and be chopped into gooey bits
than listen to another word out of you."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Luke
-----------------------------------------------------------
Luke smiles widely. "First,
I cannot do the job. Let's not go into reasons, but suffice to
say that it's impossible for me. Second, yes, you have finite
resources. You have also already proven you have the brains to
use them. You, for example, with the Archons, James. So use
them. All of you. Why chose the direct path to the enemy's
doorstep, when you could have taken a back route? If you want, I
can HELP you with that. I offer my assistance. But I
suspect there are those among you who will rightfully mistrust me." A frown erases the smile. "As
for not wanting this. I hope you don't mean that. Losses
are inevitable in this sort of work. I do not say that to
minimize what you have suffered. I speak of this to show you the
strength of spirit you all possess. Yes, you have suffered
losses. No, you, here, have not given up. The chaff gives
way, leaving the wheat. I would applaud you, but no doubt
everyone would think I was being sarcastic. Nor am I maligning
those who have fallen along the way."
Luke leans against a rock, then snaps his fingers. "Oh,
yes, your request. I can't call Aaron a son of a bitch...and your
mother did wear army boots. Jonnee, your taste in clothing is
awful. Satisfactory? Or should I insult you more, so I can
stay longer?"
The young man gets a serious look on his face. "If it helps, I apologize. I was concerned, and it made me irritable."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd snorts in irritation at the sight of Luke, and goes back to whatever he's doing.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Luke
-----------------------------------------------------------
James anger seems to have sunk in. After a moment, Luke continues. "You
people are doing the best you can with what you have. That's more
than anyone else in this god-forsaken universe. That's why I get
a little anxious. Because you are the best hope I have seen, yet."
"I wish to give assistance. Forgive my harsh, over-hasty
words. What can I do? I can lead your hunters from you
while you escape. I can lead you to safety, but you can do that
yourselves. I can scout the enemy's walls, find the weak points
and report them to you, to do with what you wish. Name me a
task. You have too much on your shoulders already, and it wears
you down." He levels a glare at Berd. "You're one to talk, 'Horatio'."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron let out an audible sigh, and he spoke aloud so everyone could hear.
"The fact that you still exist, my dearest Arianne, proves that no
enemy can stand against us. You know what I desire for you, Ari. Let it
be so."
He rose and sheathed his blade as Luke entered the area. Aaron sighed,
crossing his arms before his chest as he listened to the man.
"Luke, I will admit that you have a point. I won't bother getting defensive with you because, simply put, you're right."
Aaron looked to his beleagured group and lowered his eyes with the smallest shake of his head.
"We're in this mess, not because of any lack of experience or
intelligence on the part of this group, but because in some respects,
we're hopelessly out of our league. As of this point, I'm going to
order that we get the living hell out of here and pull back."
Turning to Luke, he raised his head and eyed the man.
"You have a kingdom to rule, and yet you cut time out of your busy
schedule to give us a helping hand. I already know why you do it, but I
can't help but think you may ask us to pay you back in the future. I'm
not going to refuse your help, and you leading our enemies away does
sound like a good idea. I will, however, be wary."
"I ask this, though. Is there any way we can gain an advantage? Any way
we can find out what the enemy hides from us? How they hide? I will not
go through this experience again, Luke."
Aaron turned his head and looked back at Cyan.
"Cyan, you and I are going to take our cubes and put them somewhere safe. Does that idea appeal to you?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian shifts from a crouching position to a seated one. His head still
bowed toward the ground. For the most part, he appeared ignorant of
Luke, yet it was obvious he was not. "This
is true, then? We have the ability to look through the worlds, and we
did not look ahead? We have the ability to take different paths? My
compass shows only one path, so I never considered that a possibility."
He shakes his head. "Just tell me when we are ready to leave." He bites his lower lip for a moment, resisting the need to say more. It
would do no good at this time. With a fluid movement, he stands and
walks away a distance to sit by himself and stare off at the canyon
walls.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan bristles at Luke's tone and appearance, but James appears to have
said things for her, if more concisely. She settles for a
fulminating look from angry ruby eyes, and then turns back to the
injured man. "James, the offer to bind your ribs is still open,
though if we can discern a swifter means...." She shrugs.
Cyan knows how to fix a musical instrument, how to forge a palanquet,
and how to stitch and sew both clothing and injuries. But the
magical healing of a wounded man - that's outside her experience.
She has to settle for mundane methods.
Berd looks dour at the commentary by Luke, as well as that of Aaron and
Dorian. The little dragon sits up a little straighter.
Looking over at Dorian, Cyan sighs. "Berd...has the capability to
search through the worlds ahead. He has been occupied with other
things - determining the functioning of the Orbs, for example, as well
as certain projects of his own. He informs me that he will take
the necessary time, in the future, to ensure our safety...though if the
opposition is 'warded' as he puts it, he may be of little assistance."
She frowns. "What Berd can do, more easily, is to
find an alternate route. As I understand things, users of the
Great Pattern take the shortest route to what they envision. Berd
and I must actually have a destination in mind - a world. We find
it, then we go. I suspect it would be possible for us to find...a
back door, as it were. A 'direction' from which they will not
expect us. While we cannot actually go places of which we know
nothing, as the masters of the Great Pattern might, our method of
travel does have certain advantages. Small ones, but they are
there."
Abruptly, she looks abashed. "I fear it was my ignorance that led
me to believe we would be safe. I though the masters of the Great
Pattern controlled the journey, utterly. But then, we had been
ambushed when led by Ares...I should have considered this. I am
sorry."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Ilsefranvir
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron's blade shudders in its sheath for a moment, and the man glances behind him, adjusting its position upon his back.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Do not punish yourself for such a lack of insight, Cyan. Considering
all that has gone on since then, missing such a thing is not
surprising. The fact that it happened at all..." Aaron sighed. "It's
moot anyway. However, the fact that the ambush was an attempt to stop
us shows me that the dark citadel is an extremely important asset to
the enemy. That is what we must focus on, even while we rest."
Something tickled in the back of his head, and Aaron raised that one
eyebrow, reaching behind him and flicking the hilt of his blade as he
did so.
Turning his gaze to Luke, Aaron cocked his head slightly upwards.
"Luke, before we depart, I've a question for you and I'd like to know
your response. In the myriad worlds exist Patterns that are broken,
fractured, or missing particular portions of themselves. Do you belive
that it is possible to repair them, and, if so, what is it that
underlies these Patterns? Is there another power that powers our
powers?"
And he laughed, even despite himself and the seriousness of the question.
"Sorry. I couldn't help it."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd watches silently.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron typed:"Luke, I will admit that you have a point. I won't bother getting defensive with you because, simply put, you're right."
"I never said he was wrong. Doesn't mean I have to like the way he said it. Still, apology accepted."
"I spoke hastily, in speaking for the group, Luke, but remember that
there is a difference between want and need. What I wanted to do
ended when we cleared Bleys' name back in Cadiniagart. I do this
because I accept the need and because we seem to be the only people to
do it. And because these are my friends."
"For now, if we have time, I'll take you up on that offer Cyan."
James pulls his shirt off over his head. He moves his left arm as little as possible while doing so.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Luke
-----------------------------------------------------------
Luke bends in a short bow to James. He seems relieved. "Perhaps
too much haste in both of us. I understand you a little better,
James. Friends and need are compelling and commendable reasons,
neither more important than the other."
The lean figure looks to Aaron. "You
would repair the Broken Patterns? What good do you suppose that
would do? They are nothing, Aaron, but mirrors of the Great
Pattern with breaks. It is the breaks that give them their
power. Heal the breaks, you have the Great Pattern, as you do in
Rebma. Should you wish something different, you need to draw from
the Jewel. The Broken Patterns in this universe are only mirrors
of one of the poles, that of Order."
"Another power? There are many powers, and all flow from the same source, Aaron." A trickster he seems, smiling as he does. "But this source, what is it? Everything and nothing, Aaron, and all things between. Ask Dorian, or Berd."
"Now, you also ask about the enemy. How you can find out what
they plan, what you're walking into, what their powers might be.
I can help a with that, I think, in terms of this World. I might
be able to find a back way or two myself, Aaron, and toss you some
information about the people. I cannot be here, with you all the
time. Other matters demand my attention. But I can, and
will, help when I have chance. I promise. And with no
demand for repayment, after." Luke grins. "A rare deal."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan shakes her head to Aaron's words. "I shouldn't have missed
it. I..." Trailing off, she lets it drop. Aaron has
more things to worry about - it's something for her to consider, to do
better next time. She glances at Berd with concern, then after
Dorian as the Dark Man seats himself. Jonnee is still trying to
help Hunter, and she hopes he is successful.
Her frustrated, angered, topaz eyes fall on Luke. They
narrow. Despite his apologies, she does not appreciate his
presence. Something about the man sets her teeth on edge, and she
isn't even certain what. It's a visceral, gut-level thing for her.
Aaron continues with a discussion of Things Of Import. Broken
Patterns...these she knows, a little, given her long travel with
Jack. The mention of them brings it back for a moment, though,
and Cyan looks away, staring up at the top of the Canyon. Jack. Where are you? Are you well? Oh, I hope you are well, at least.
Forcing a small smile onto her face, she returns her attention to James
as he speaks. Jack will...find someone else. He did with
his first wife. He did with Kalika. He will with her.
"It would seem," Cyan replies, stopping James with one hand while the
other hunts in her kit, "that the learned ones will discuss
philosophy. I suspect we have a minute or two." Her smile
is strained, but genuine. Bringing out the razorblade, Cyan
carefully cuts James free of his shirt. "Berd will repair it,
good as new. Possibly better, James. Now, hold
still." With the linen, she carefully wraps the man's ribs,
binding them to keep them from moving around the breaks. "It will
not be comfortable," she whispers as she works, "but better than
without. MUCH better."
Riding a horse, with bound, broken ribs, will be painful.
Riding a horse, with unbound, broken ribs, would be agonizing.
Pausing, Cyan looks up at James for a moment. "This bruise does
look horrid, James...and thank you. For what you said about us
all." For a moment, her amethyst eyes shine with unshed tears in
the sunlight, then she wipes them, turning back to her work.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
There is a clattering sound from above, and a fall of small stones,
which attracts the immediate attention of Dorian's aerial forces,
though the two on the ground seem to be too busy feeding.
The circling of the drakes flushes out the source of the sound, a small
animal, like a cross between a monkey and a rabbit, which doesn't even
provide a single mouthful for the scaled monstrosity that siezes it.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian suddenly stands and returns to the group, though looking no more
happy than ever. Now, clutched in his hands is a red metal box with a
clasp. On the front is a white painted symbol that looks like a winged
serpent wrapped around a crooked staff. He holds it out to Cyan. "Medical supplies, everything I could think of that was portable. Ointments, antiseptics, bandages, pain killers, plasters."
He then turns to Luke. "One of the Archon's offered us a
bargain, to help it destroy this dead god to further it's own goals.
Not that I trust you, but what do you say of such an offer?" He also gives Aaron and Cyan both appraising looks, to judge their reactions.
"Now, that we've seen more. Perhaps it is time to consider such an offer... with caution, of course."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Luke
-----------------------------------------------------------
Luke laughs. "That's
a good one. Such creatures have no loyalty to their own.
How could you trust any bargains made with them? It would betray
you the moment the situation changed to its benefit." Luke looks back at Dorian blandly. A small smile is on his face.
"Think about this. Whatever their own
struggles, the Archons are all working for the same thing. They
don't have the best interests of the universe in mind. If they're
willing to damage their own plans, it's only because they see personal
gain. In the future, 'your' Archon, gaining control of the enemy
factions, will simply proceed with the plan. A small loss matters
nothing to it - it can afford to give this up. Their plans are so
far ahead of you now, it means NOTHING."
Luke's smile grows. "I
doubt you'll bargain with an Archon if you don't trust me,
Dorian. You don't seem like the kind of man to put yourself in a
dangerous position without certain guarantees."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
"You assume so much it's almost an art. You haven't told me anything
I didn't consider when it was offered, but your reaction tells me
everything I need to know. We're done with you and your antics. You
expect us to believe this charade? Begone, you playactor. The games are
over and we have work to be done."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Luke
-----------------------------------------------------------
Luke frowns. "What
would have me do, Dorian? Give you a detailed psychological
breakdown of 'your' Archon? I go by what I know, nothing more,
and frankly if there's assuming being done here, I'm not the only
guilty party. But even if you don't know what I know, it's your
right to believe me or not. From where I stand, it's too bad you
feel that way, and I'm sorry I offended James earlier. I'm not
sorry for my answers to your questions, or my offers of
assistance. You asked, I answered. I'm not sure why my
'reaction' has you so peeved, or what charade you're talking about, but
you also don't strike me as the sort of man who changes his mind
easily."
Rubbing his hands together, Luke shrugs to Aaron. "Well,
I suppose that's that. I've places to be, things to do, people to
see. Best of luck, Aaron and company. I'll be in touch." With a wink, Luke pushes himself off the boulder, then gets serious. "With regrets, at how this turned out." He picks his way across the rocks, heading down the chasm.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan listens to the back and forth between Luke and the rest of the
group. She quickly moves to where Dorian stands, offering the
first aid kit, and takes it from the Dark Man. "Thank you,
Dorian," the bard whispers, hurrying back to James.
The confrontation between Luke and Dorian reaches a peak, with Dorian
obviously joining her in not liking this strange interloper. Luke
leaves, and Cyan breathes a faint sigh of relief while she finishes
wrapping James's ribs. Opening the case, she begins to puzzle out
the small, white bottle of pills marked as 'pain relief'. The top
doesn't easily open.
"No, I don't like him," she whispers to nobody in particular. But
Berd's eyeridge raises slightly, and he grins. "And what's that
supposed to mean?" she snarls, glancing in the dragon's
direction. The other eyeridge joins the first, and the little
dragon curls up on the rocks.
Tired, aching, and generally feeling more than a little put out, Cyan
removes the cube from her pouch. It shimmers slightly, in the
air, almost as though it is englobed in something.
"Aaron, I have the cube here, if you wish to remove it to a more safe locale."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian doesn't reply as Luke walks away. When the man is mostly out of earshot, he finally turns towards the others. "It
was necessary, Aaron. That man does play games. He puts himself in
situations where we need to trust him and tries to act like he has all
the answers. It is precisely this act of showing up to help, but
insisting he's too busy to really help that makes him suspect, to me.
If we truly face the end of things, what could be more important? He
refuses to answer that; and more, he seems oddly happy about things. He
smiles too much. I don't like people who smile too much.
We shoud make haste. I couldn't help but feel like he showed up at a
time when it'd be most convenient to have us delayed. He could have
just as easily lead us into a trap as an archon bargain."
He looks at Berd.
"Perhaps twice, now?"
More than that, the man reminded him too much of Jack, or a perversion
of the same. Jack smiled a lot, too. Jack thought a smile could change
everything. You could never trust a smile.
He looks down at Cyan, struggling with the pain killers. "Allow me, Cyan. They design the bottles to be too difficult for a child to open; and perhaps others, as well."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
As Luke departs, Jonnee, who had kept a firm hold on his temper while the man had been present, spits on the ground. "Good riddance." he mutters, then, louder, "We should ignore him. As Dorian just said, we don't know if we can trust him, and this job is way too important to risk."
His left hand ruffles Hunter's fur, "Hunter's
okay. Most of the blood was somebody else's, so we're good to
go. I think dumping the cubes would be good, though, and anything
else that might be used to trace us."
"I think I've figured out what's happening with them. Maybe the
cubes don't send a signal. Maybe they're made of something that
the enemy can detect or smell or something. That way they know
where the cubes are all the time, and you never know that they're using
them to track you."
"Maybe it's like the sensors in Space Trek. They can use them to find things at a distance. Metals and stuff." Jonnee shrugs, "I don't know, am I making sense?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Or we could give them to shadows of ourselves and let them wander through the worlds as decoys."
OOC: Sorry, I needed to get that idea off my chest. I'll be quiet and let others post now :D
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Much went on during the ensuing conversations, and though Luke brought
up points that Aaron thought were somewhat valid, he remained silent
for a long while. With the man's departure, Aaron saw it as neither a
good thing, nor a particularly bad one. When it came to Luke, Aaron was
in the middle of the road.
Aaron's autumn-eye flickered, and he lowerd his head with a quiet sigh.
"I don't like the idea of finding a... 'reflection' of myself and
sacrificing him to our enemies, Dorian. I've met reflections of my
friends, also, and those memories weigh heavilly upon me."
Taking Cyan's cube after approaching her, he shoved it into his jacket,
knowing full well that he'd 'lose' them on the trip through the myriad.
The Jewel. The Jewel of Judgement? Well. Was there not also a Sword
of Truth, spoken in texts I've read on my journeys? I fear I play with
Power, though I seek it not. Interesting.
"Luke is no longer our concern. Should he fall upon our way once more
with such a playful attitude, I will rid us of his presence myself,
though not with violence."
Aaron took the lead and turned, getting a good look at his group.
"We're getting the hell out of here. Luke has delayed us with his light
commentary and we have no time as it is." Looking specifically to Cyan
and James, Aaron's voice held considerable concern. "Are we prepared to
leave? Are we able?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Ilsefranvir
-----------------------------------------------------------
The blade shuddered in Aaron's sheath, Arianne willing to be on the move.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd, curled up on a rock, stares at Jonnee with interest for a long moment, then looks back toward Aaron.
Or, at least, in Aaron's direction.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan typed:"This bruise does look horrid, James...
"Well I'd be pissed off if it hurt this much and I didn't have anything to show for it."
James winces as Cyan starts to bind his ribs. After that he sucks
in a breath and grits his teeth, showing no more reaction until the job
is done, the only sign of discomfort the clenching of the jaw muscles
seen in his cheeks. Gingerly, he twists slightly to test the
support given by the bandages.
"Thanks, Cyan. That's much better."
"Don't bother about the painkillers. I don't touch drugs unless I know what's in them and what they do."
James stands and makes his way over to where Fangmir has fallen as the
two fell beasts squabbled over the corpse. Disconcertingly, it is
still embedded in the skull of the unfortunate woman. James pulls
the blade clear and wipes it clean on the remains of his shirt, which
he then discards, before sheathing his sword and strapping it to his
belt.
"Don't bother trying to mend that shirt. I still have Dorian's change of clothes in my bag."
James then uses his belt knife to cut the tag end off his belt.
He runs the scrap of leather between his fingers as he moves back to
his horse, which is still sheltering against the side of the canyon,
wide-eyed and breathing heavily, more than a little alarmed by Dorian's
allies.
Looking to Aaron he says, "Willing and able, chief."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan looks very embarassed when Dorian offers to assist her with the
child-proof cap on the bottles. She meekly hands the plastic
thing over to her, as Berd, sitting on the nearest boulder, looks
thoughtful at Dorian's words. The dragon keeps his silence for
the moment, staring off after Luke, then curling up again.
"Berd says he is...'shielding' this cube, Jonnee," Cyan says
quietly. "Whether it will work, I know not. He says he has
not detected any flow of energies from the cube that could be detected,
or operate as a transmission...but that does not preclude the
possibility." Berd looks up again, obviously offended, then puts
his head down. Dorian's suggestion of finding 'shadows' of
themselves is met with a raised eyebrow for a moment, but nothing
more. Cyan knows that, as a member of the group of creatures
known as shadows, she does not 'cast' any of her own.
"And you are welcome, James." With a distantly amused expression,
the bard holds up James's shirt even as he explains it should be tossed
aside. The shirt appears to be as good as new, even
cleaned. "And...should you wish it, here it is." Cyan tugs
at the material. "Such interesting materials that exist upon
other worlds...I would not wish to be rid of wonderful clothing,
myself."
Looking around, Cyan searches for her horse, only to find the poor
beast cowering with the others that yet live. Berd raises his
head, crooning quietly, and the horse seems to relax slightly.
"I, too, am prepared, Aaron." Picking up her pack, Cyan stows the
new first-aid kit beside the old, and hurries to her mount, trying to
reassure it.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Let's go, then. I fear we need to hurry."
Aaron sighed and turned, for he alone would be the last to rest amongst
this group. Stones, arrows, blades... all had hit him at some point,
though far less that some of the others here. Though he felt his
fatigue, he subdued it and concentrated instead on their next step.
"We need to prepare, my friends. When our enemies see us next, it will
be with our strengths intact and with no assumptions. We will go to
investigate and strike, if possible. For now, though, we rest and
recover our strength."
And he began to walk.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
With two of their group now on foot, and one with injured ribs,
progress will be slowed. Even with horses for Dorian and Aaron,
James' injury will still slow the others down.
Dorian dismisses the drakes, knowing that they are a liability now the battle is over, since they'll soon become hungry
The horses are easy.
A short distance through the winding confines of the canyon finds a
battlefield. A dozen almost-humans have been slain by
flint-tipped arrows and stone axes. A few of the ape
creatures lay among them, as well as half a dozen horses. Three
more, very nervous, horses are nearby, and move across to join the
group's mounts. Safety in numbers.
There is also an overturned wagon, its contents, mostly sacks of grain
and urns of some kind of oil, scattered across the ground, torn open or
shattered.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Spirits..." Cyan breathes, sick at heart. The battle back at the
ravine horrified her, but Unknown's manifestation, Luke's appearance
and the necessity of assisting James then leaving, put a halt to her
feelings. Now, with the sight of the savaged caravan, and it's
brutally slain people, those emotions come roaring back, and she sways
in her saddle for a moment, face paling.
...dozens of bodies greeted her when she woke from the confusion,
blood on her blade, blood in her hair, on her face, the aches and pains
of injury, of muscles strained to tearing, and the jumbled memories of
screaming faces, fury, fear, and the ugly shock of impact, both against
her and in her wrist....
Hopping off her horse, she sprints to the wagons, desperately
searching. Perhaps there is a survivor, somewhere? Probably
not - the ape-creatures seemed terribly savage and unrelenting until
faced by a superior opponant. Here, against this poor caravan....
Berd hunches quietly on her shoulder, making small, sad crooning noises as he regards the faces of the dead.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Passing through the canyon, Aaron was tapped into a sense of dullness. He was tired, frustrated, but his path was not forgotten.
They arrived upon the scene of a battle, or another ambush... and Aaron felt a sense of deja-vu, his mind's eye remembering Serena's dreams for a small moment.
Pulling back on the reigns, Aaron watched Cyan as she scouted through
the wreckage and searched for any possible survivors. He too, wondered
whether anyone had survived, and his gaze scanned the surroundings as
well, though he felt they couldn't stay long.
No. I won't let the Archons control our sense of time or purpose. Our time, our place, our plans and purpose. Damn them!
His horse danced to the side, obviously agtiated at the states of the
other animals and that which surrounded them. For Aaron, the place only
served to solidify his determination.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jonnee helps Cyan look for survivors, unsure what he could do if he
found any. Still, at least James can use the wagon for a while,
if the pain of riding horseback becomes too much, and the horses can
replace those of Aaron and Dorian.
"Lucky us!" he murmurs, as he studies the carnage.
OOC: I think it was Dorian and Aaron who had their horses shot out from under them? Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
James has been quiet on the ride from the canyon. On closer
inspection the reason is obvious. He has the tag end of leather
from his belt clamped between his teeth. He's doing his best to
keep his mount to a smooth gait, but his lack of experience in the
saddle isn't helping any.
James stays in the saddle as Cyan searches for survivors, using the
extra height to keep a close watch on the devastated caravan and
surrounding country. There are probably still ape-men in the area
and it's not out of the question that this butchery is bait for a
further ambush.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
There are no survivors of the ambush, other than the nervous
horses. Cyan straightens from examining the last of the victims
and dusts of her hands. And then Berd calls out to her...
Hunter's hackles rise, and a low, rumbling snarl bubbles up from his throat.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian looks down at the site with a clinical eye. He cared little for
such casualties; the only factor might have been how they affected him,
or his side's strategy and resources, etc.
At Hunter's sudden response he lifts his eyes and looks around, concentrating...
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Curse it...no survivors. No-" Cyan pauses, suddenly, turning toward the left side of the Canyon.
"Danger, Aaron," she says, eyes glittering, Kirilindë in
hand. "It comes, warily, but...it comes. We must move,
swiftly now. I fear we will be trapped here, in this ravine, and
next time they will be better prepared for our strengths."
Quickly, she vaults back upon her horse, Berd still staring up at the canyon-top.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Taking the surviving horses, the group moves on hurriedly. There
is no time to even attempt to right the wagon, so James must ride in
discomfort, it seems.
The way leads along the canyon for about two hours, then out onto a
ledge overlooking a broad river. The far bank is thickly
forested, and there are snow-capped mountains in the distance, their
white peaks glittering in the light of the setting sun
There is a rough-carved flight of steps leading down from the ledge to
a wooden jetty, where a broad-beamed shallow-draft boat sits moored.
Most of the deck area is covered by a brightly-painted structure, three storeys high, with numerous windows,
Thick smoke billows from twin smoke stacks, and as the group ride down
the steps, since there is nowhere else to go, steam screams from a
whistle atop a small cabin on the roof of the main structure.
Mounted on the stern of the boat is a huge wheel.
At the foot of the steps, a man in some sort of dark blue uniform steps forward, and flags Aaron down, "Well,
you folks cut that a mite fine. She'll be a-castin' off in just
'bout five minutes. Best hurry aboard, now. Oh... an' the
horses should go on the fore deck, since the wind's a-blowin'
downriver."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian gazes off in the direction of the canyon for a moment. "Yes, the ape things are getting their nerve back, it seems."
He travels in silence, keeping mostly to himself.
Arriving at the jetty, he looks the boat over and says, "Quaint." An odd smile graces his countenance, almost playful.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron had gazed behind them, Arianne sending a warning just as Cyan
spoke up. Rather than unsheath his blade, he urged his steed onward and
led the group further along.
They came to the docks soon enough, and Aaron hopped off of his horse,
leading it onto the boat before handing it off to one of the ship's
mates, making sure to note that the animal got gentle attention,
considering the place it just left. It seemed that animals were quite
sensitive to transitions through reality, even subtle ones.
Aaron returned to the docks to make sure the rest of his group made
their way on board, and always his eye was turned towards the direction
they had come.
"We've little time, though we've left danger behind for now."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
James keeps pace with the others as they ride off, keeping watch but
staying silent. When they reach the jetty and it's peculiar
paddle-boat, James carefully dismounts and leads his horse to the
foredeck. A moment's thought is enough to decide that, despite
the horse's discomfort it would be wiser to leave the saddle and bridle
on, for the time being at least.
James takes the now mangled scrap of leather from his mouth and drops
it overboard. He then walks back to the crewman who first greeted
them, who seems likely to be the boat's captain.
"I'd like to hire a cabin if you have one free."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
The man on the jetty, it turns out, is not a crewman, but is a ticket
agent. He is happy to sell tickets to anybody who can pay
him. "If we've got one free?" he replies to James' query, "Son, the Travel in Hope is the largest riverboat ever to grace these here waters. She's
got three hun'erd an' twenty two berths, an' I'm bettin' that only half
of 'em is filled this trip. Been like that since they built that
darn railroad. Riverboat is just too slow for folks these days, I
guess."
He shakes his head, "This'll be her last
trip, I reckons, or maybe second to last... Darn bean-counters
says as how she just ain't eco-nom-ical to run any more." He spits over the edge of the jetty. "Me? I says eco-nom-ical be damned, beggin' your pardon, Miss." a bob of the head in Cyan's direction, "I says it's a cryin' shame. 'sides which, they don't serve no dinner 'board the railroad."
The group board the riverboat, and within a few minutes the vessel is
moving downstream at a good pace, the huge wheel thrashing the water
into foam behind her.
The cabins are more than comfortable, almost luxurious, and about half
an hour after casting off there is a knock at each door, and a polite
crewman, in immaculate whites, announces that dinner will be served
shortly, in the Grand Saloon on the main deck.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan boards the boat, staring at it curiously, but without much
enthusiasm. It has been a long day. After checking to see
if James requires further assistance (he likely doesn't), she settles
down in the prow of the boat, sitting to watch the water while tuning
her harp. The instrument has, of course, held to tune perfectly -
one of the benefits of its construction - but the fiddling around with
the strings catches the bard's concentration, and she loses herself in
the mundane task.
After a while, Cyan runs through a few scales, plays a few simple
songs. But mostly she merely sits, harp in lap, staring out at
the water.
Berd, of course, informs her when supper is to be served. The
bard nods, distractedly, until the little dragon bites her ear,
lightly. With an irritated hiss, Cyan struggles to her feet,
emerald eyes full of annoyance. "I'm well aware of that,
Berd. But if I do not feel like eating, I do not."
Sighing, she replaces the harp in its case, and shrugs. "It would
be rude to avoid the others, so." Heading to whatever cabin she
has been assigned, the bard takes a short time to was the remnants of
blood from her face, and attempt to comb it from her hair (with
moderate success).
At least she no longer looks as though she works in an abbattoir.
Leaning forward, Cyan studies herself in the mirror, taking a long, hard look into her own eyes. "Where am I from, Berd? In all of our travels, I have never once met
someone with these eyes. We have not visited the barest fraction
of the myriad worlds, but...one would think I would have stumbled
across something close to my home." Puzzled, she stares for a
long moment.
Berd does not answer.
With a sudden shrug, Cyan casts that subject aside, forgetting
it. "Best to hurry, Berd, else we shall miss dinner!"
Leaving her blade behind, Cyan only grabs her small pack of cards, and
hurries out the door, heading for the 'Grand Saloon'.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian supresses a sigh while the ticket man talks. Why was it they
always thought their problems were so important; and why did they feel
some irrepressable need to tell him all about it? When the man is
finally finished, Dorian pauses next to the man. In a low voice, he
offers, "Perhaps
the owners should consider, in addition to dinner, what else is
different about this vessel from your railroad-- what else it might
provide that the other does not. If one wants to simply get there I'm sure your road of rail will suffice, but if one wants to get there in style... and perhaps seek other diversions in the process, companionship, gambling, relaxation?" He gestures at the Travel in Hope with a meaningful glance. "Perhaps it isn't about getting there, after all."
As he walks away, not interested in seeing if the man comprehends or
not, he does sigh. Simple answers elude simple creatures, for some
reason.
Without a word to his companions he leaves for his room and does not emerge for dinner.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron figured he was beyond tired, so when he found his cabin, the first thing he did was crash.
He woke up not too long after, noting that he slept not only in his
jacket, but with Ilsefranvir still strapped to his back, which was
killing him. Sighing, he removed the blade and pretty much everything
else and set to cleaning up.
As he did when he was able, he checked himself out.
Nothing broken. Bruises, a few minor cuts that are already healing,
and a good lump just beneath my left hip. Those slings were damning.
He washed up and gazed at himself long in the mirror. It was the first
time then, that he noticed the change of color in his eye, though he
wasn't exactly surprised by it. Something was happening in him, but it was a subtle thing, and he couldn't quite
pin it down. Aaron watched the colors of autumn, many autumns, pass in
his own gaze.
Running a hand down the scars on his face, Aaron noted the new addition
to its mauled imperfection. A fine slash just to the left of his nose.
He was so glad, though, that his nose had made it out of that scuffle
in one piece. Or, more to the point, in all the pieces that remained of
it.
There was a knock at the door, and Aaron was informed that dinner would
be served. Thanking the man from within the room, Aaron dressed himself
and departed, leaving Ilsefranvir, but keeping their connection open.
On his way to the hall, Aaron couldn't help but feel that the enemy was watching.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jonnee takes a few minutes to clean up himself and Hunter, then watches as the wolf decides that the bed is his. The young man leaves his jacket and most of the rest of his meager belongings in the cabin, guarded by the wolf.
Leaning on the rail, he lights up a cigarette and smokes it as he watches the water flow past the hull.
When the steward comes past and announces dinner, he makes his way down to the Grand Saloon, realising that he's hungry again.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
The Grand Saloon lives up to its name. A veritable palace of
intricately-carved and laquered wood, lit by a dozen chandeliers of
polished crystal. Much of the space on the two longer walls is
occupied by large windows looking out over the port and starboard rail
of the boat. The walls to fore and aft bear large paintings of Travel in Hope, or another boat of very similar design.
Each of the sixty tables has ample space to seat six diners, or ten at
a squeeze. All of the tables have spotless white covers, while at
each place at every table is a red silk napkin.
Half the places are empty. It is easy to find a table far enough
from other passengers that eavesdropping will not be a problem.
The food, when it is served, is every bit as sumptuous as the Grand
Saloon. A choice of beef or poultry, both with a wide variety of
sauces, an assortment of vegetables, plus rice, potatoes, or
noodles. All in generous quantities.
The riverboat also seems to have an excellent wine "cellar".
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
<backpost>
Seeing that the trip is likely to be an extended affair, James
commandeers one of the nearby crew to act as stand-in groomsmen.
He carefully explains what needs to be done to look after the horse.
Satisfied that his attention is no longer required on the foredeck,
James makes his way to his cabin, although 'state-room' might be a more
accurate term. James feels slightly embarassed at soiling the rug
on the floor with his accumulated muck and filth. At first glance
it would appear that James first choice for a good night out is a tour
through an abbatoir. A second glance would confirm that not even
abbatoir workers could compare.
Consequently, James is delighted to see that a somewhat primitive
piping system delivers hot water from the boiler to the taps over the
basin in his room. He washes as thoroughly as he can, trying to
get clean, before drying himself and changing into the clothes that
Dorian conjured.
</backpost>
It's at about this point that dinner is announced. James
hesitates. He would really like a moment to rest, but decides
that that comfort will have to wait. James makes his way to the
Saloon and finds an isolated table with a good view of the rest of the
room.
Edit - OOC: 12,000 :)
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan strides into the Grand Saloon, pausing to blink at the sumptuous vision before her. This place...on a BOAT?
Somewhat stunned, she slowly turns in a circle, then begins wandering
through the dining hall, eyes wide, avoiding bumping into people thanks
to Berd's warnings. Eventually, after a long period staring at
the paintings, she makes her way to the table where James sits.
Amber eyes flicker with concern for an instant as the Bard chooses a
seat across from the man. "A good evening to you, James.
Are you well?" Pausing, she notes his condition. "Did you
find a bath? I looked for one in my room, but no." Lips
thin, she leans forward, looking miserable. "I...must find a
bath, James."
Berd, for his part, simply crouches on Cyan's shoulder, eyes half-closed, seeming to sleep.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron was next to find the room. He was quite taken by the place itself, though sadly his state of mind didn't allow him time to dwell upon its startling display.
Simply put, he was damn starving.
He found Cyan and James, and Aaron strode, lacking jacket, blade and
armor for a change, towards their table. Suppressing a dark chuckle,
Aaron figured that if the enemy wanted to nail them, him especially,
then now would be the best time in the universe.
"I can relate, Cyan." Aaron spoke up as he approached. "The second we
step off of this boat, I'm going to find the lot of us a place to clean
up. The most I could do with was a bit of tap water, and even that was lacking."
Aaron chose a seat next to Cyan, though not too close to her, so as not to insult the lady's delicate sensibilities. That he almost laughed at also.
Leaning his elbows on the table, Aaron ran his hands through his hair and let out a deep, long sigh.
"How much longer must this go on? What sacrifices must be made before
the journey is complete and the goal is accomplished?" Closing his eye,
Aaron lowered his hands from his head and leaned back in his chair. The
food was eventually served, and Aaron used the rest of his breath to
eat as much as humanly possible, and then some.
He'd need to regain his strength for what was ahead. They all would.
But not before he found them a place to clean up.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Good evening Cyan. I am as well as can be hoped for in the
circumstances, thank you. No bath, I am afraid, but my taps seem
to be working somewhat better than Aaron's, so I can at least offer you
a plentiful supply of hot water."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan nods up at Aaron's pronouncement. "I fear I cannot wait so
long, Aaron. I am..." With an effort, she restrains a
shudder. Blood
in my hair I cannot get out. Blood under my clothing. So
much cursed blood I do not remember shedding, except in dreams. Poetic, but not melodrama - it is quite literally correct.
She glances across the table at James as Aaron seats himself. "As
well as can be hoped may not be as well as you would like, James.
But at least you found...hot water? Taps?" She stares with
consternation at the injured man. "I did not think to look for
taps - I am ill-used to such things." Berd suddenly looks guilty
for a moment, but Cyan pays him no attention. Closing her emerald
eyes, she lets out a sigh of frustration. "I would appreciate
your assistance in that matter, James. As for your injuries...I
know little more than I have done for you, already." Evidently
distraught at the idea, Cyan taps her fingers on the table for a moment.
How much longer can James continue with broken ribs? It wasn't hard to see the pain he suffered, riding the horse. Mere bindings would not help with that.
""How much longer must this go on? What sacrifices must be made before the journey is complete and the goal is accomplished?"
Aaron's question seemed rhetorical. At least, the man turned
inward immediately following it, and Cyan suspected he vented
frustration, rather than sought answers. She also suspected he knew the answers, the same as she.
What sacrifices? Anything and everything, of course. We
have put ourselves forward as the sacrifices. So that the Myriad
Worlds need suffer the least possible.
It is that simple. We have already lost much. Jonnee, a
close friend. Hunter, his soulmate. James, days of
pain. Aaron...suffers greatly, in many ways. Arianne, who
shoulders his weight.
And the others, so many who have fallen already, or fallen aside.
What have they suffered? Otandal. Duncan. Lexy.
Lazarus. Leonardo.
Poor Ares and Kalika.
Jack.
Dorian alone seems to have escaped...for the nonce. What test awaits him?
Her eyes flicker to Berd.
And you...you have gained, wise creature. But at what
cost? You are not the same, I know. What have you lost,
from what you were, to be what you are now?
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Travel in Hope moves on downstream as the sun sets in a lurid
display of crimson and black, which paints the entire western horizon
in stripes and bands of cloud.
This is an all too rare interlude: a chance to rest and recuperate, to eat well, and to plan... all while still moving onwards.
In his stateroom, Dorian works. Refreshing and replacing his spells, preparing for the trials to come...
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Having eaten, Aaron took the time to rest at the table with his comrades, taking in the scenery as it slowly passed them by.
Sighing, Aaron admired what he viewed, and felt it a shame that such a
place would go to waste at the hands... or claws, or blades... of the
Archons.
"I ask you this, my trusted ones, what should our next move be? Much waits in the wings for us, and fair little of it good."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
"I've been thinking about that." says Jonnee, around a mouthful of noodles. "I
reckon they'll be a tiny bit mad at us just now. We destroyd
their operation at Cargach's place, and sparked off another round of
infighting between them."
"Plus they'll know that we sent one of the Blades back to a world that
is, at least, under their control, if not their home turf. I
figure they'll be worried about where we'll hit them next."
Jonnee grins, showing too many teeth, "If it
was me, I'd be thinking that the opposition know the location of one of
our bases. I'd be questioning the Blade to find out just how much
it had revealed, and building up defences in any place I thought might
be under threat."
"The thing that'd have me really scared about now, would be if the
enemy suddenly dropped off the radar screens. Dumping the cubes
might do just that."
"It wouldn't force me to do something really desperate, spelled stupid, but these Archons aren't used to being faced down. They might panic."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Rubbing her forehead, Cyan considers Jonnee's answer. It seems...logical. Tactically sound, and strategically so.
"I believe Jonnee Kay has the right of it, Aaron, from the sense of
psychology." There it is again, a word tumbling from her mouth
that simply does not fit. "They know we know a fair bit now. More than they suspected, especially since
we have now threatened yet another of their bastions. They will
be arrogant in their power, knowing we cannot simply assault them and win, but concerned by what we may do next. Who can say
what we DO know? Who can say what we will do? Hence, they
will levie a force against us, to track and destroy us before we become more than an irritating fly, buzzing about them. Elementary rules of warfare."
She pauses for a sip of brandy.
"Equally elementary is what we must do. We must find the enemy's
weak point, and apply pressure, either to break their plans or force
them in a direction they do not wish to move. We must use our
mobility and relative invisibility to slip away from any attempt of
theirs to bring force to bear. We require information - all of
our attempts against the enemy should involve either infiltration of
their infrastructure, to determine their disposition and ultimate
plans. We do not know the details of their goal! If we knew
their goal, we might guess at their plans!"
Cyan runs frustrated hands through her hair, then grimaces with
disgust. Waving over a waiter, she asks for another brandy, "and
the bottle, if you would." Ignoring his slightly shocked look,
the bard turns back to the others. "We have chipped away at them
for months, now. Berd has sought information in the spheres, in
the cubes, and in the Myriad worlds. Jack spent time, much time,
searching himself, and he was no weak or simple-minded man.
Everyone here has bent their thoughts to these considerations, and all
of you have experience in these matters. And yet we are no closer! We have pieces of the puzzle, but only a few.
Insufficient to see the shape of the picture, even, or any of the
borders. Without that, we grasp at straws. We.
Know. Nothing. Clues are nothing without a sufficient
framework on which to hang them."
The waiter, one eyebrow raised, plunks the bottle down before her, and
Cyan tosses back the accompanying glass, immediately filling it again.
Berd, on her shoulder, turns about in place, somehow managing to look
irritated. The irritation doesn't seem with the bard, though;
more likely it stems from a similar feeling as her own.
Helplessness.
"We grope about in the darkness, and feel shapes...we are the blind men
with the elephant. Without being able to see the silhouette of
what lies before us, what information we have gathered only serves to
confuse us more."
"I would adopt Jonnee's idea for a beginning."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron had left the cubes in his room, knowing full well that if their enemies wanted to get them, they could do just that.
From Aaron's standpoint, Jonnee's idea was a very good one.
"I'd definetly like to make sure that the Archons don't know our
position. And I aggree with you both that infiltration and subterfuge
are our best assets. I suppose then, that's why I'm damning myself for
just walking towards their base... but it's a moot point now." Taking the bottle of
brandy from Cyan, Aaron poured himself a glass, but drank not,
preferring to swirl the liquid around for a moment.
"Through the entirety of the journey, knowledge is the one thing we've
sought the most for, but rarely found. There has to be something,
somewhere, that outlines the plans our enemies have. A record of some
sort, or someone who knows more than just snippets."
Sipping his brandy, Aaron gazed off into the far distance, his eye seeming oblivious as he thought aloud.
"We should take our time. When we do strike, we'll strike
hard, fast, and then dissappear completely. We'll take prisoners for
information and send them back with lies. When the enemy comes for us,
we'll vanish, only to strike again, somewhere else. Pull them off
balance until they topple, or reveal their greatest weakness."
Draining his glass, Aaron savored the brandy before swallowing, the glass dangling between his fingers.
"We'll succeed, one way or another."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Well, I'm glad you didn't add a bit about 'or die trying' on to the end of that."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
James is silent as the other three discuss tactics, merely nodding from
time to time in agreement. What they speak of is a classic
example of guerrila warfare and James can see the wisdom in that
approach.
"Both our psychological edge and our ability to
strike depend on our invisibility. And our greatest problem for
the moment is that we don't know how to really make them hurt."
James pulls a key from his pocket and slides it across the table to
Cyan. Attached to the key is a small wooden panel, painted white
and bearing gilt numbers. "The
taps are the devices over the basin. The top part rotates.
You turn them counter-clockwise to start the water. The one on
the left is hot. Be careful, it comes pretty much direct from the
boilers. I can ask one of the crew if they have a tub aboard, but
maybe Berd could take care of that?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Unfortunately," Cyan states, tapping one finger on the table
disconsolately, "every time we come closer to any source of knowledge,
it either dies, or knows only another, tiny piece of the puzzle.
Enough that we are usually confused more thoroughly." She sags in
the chair, polishing off the second glass of brandy and pouring herself
a third. Berd clucks disapprovingly, but does nothing else.
The bard listens as Aaron outlines their base strategy, then gives a
pained chuckle to Jonnee's sally. James' accurate observation
garners a sad nod. Amethyst eyes flick down at the key, and for
an instant Cyan stares back at the soldier blankly before realizing of
what he speaks. She nods again, fingers closing around the
key. "I think...I think it might be best if I went to wash.
It might help my mood," Cyan explains with a wan smile. "My
thanks, James." Leaving the remainder of her drink on the table,
Cyan stands, then pauses.
"Time. We lack the time to take. We lack the time to
discern where their weak points lie. And yet, without such
knowledge, how can we possibly succeed? Luck?" The bard
shakes her head. "No. But I cannot see a way past this
endless circle. Without time, we cannot determine how to harm
them. Without harming them, severely, we cannot gain the
necessary time. They can ignore us, safely, should they so wish,
or dispatch a fraction of their forces to harry us while their plans
roll forward." Reaching up, she pulls Berd from her shoulder, and
settles him on the chair. The dragon looks more than willing to
rest, here. Dropping the key, then snapping out of the air with a
flourish, Cyan gives the table a lopsided smile before turning and
quickly striding from the galley.
Berd sniffs the brandy, then turns away in disgust.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
The group finish their meal and go their various ways, back to their
staterooms or out onto the deck to enjoy the warm calm of a summer's
evening.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Feeling drained, Dorian lies down, remaining fully dressed, except for
his cloak. He leans his staff beside the bed, within arms reach and
stares at the ceiling. Tired, yes, but hardly able to sleep.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Hair hanging around her face in long, damp copper ringlets, Cyan slips
out of James's room to find that man standing on the deck, staring out
over the water, up at the stars. Checking her clothing to ensure
she is decent (and she is), the bard moves over to stand beside
him. For a long moment, she is silent, then Cyan reaches out to
him with the keys.
"A vast improvement on my spirit," she says quietly. "It helps. It does not clean everything away, but...it helps."
Given what she goes through, Cyan can only wonder at the pain the others have suffered. No wonder Dorian is like ice, and Jonnee so hard. And James, who has fought in a terrible war. Even Aaron has grown cold. Older, with so much pain for each of them.
Leaning against the railing, she looks up at the stars as well, trying
to figure out what James studies. "I wonder...will we
succeed? Will there be stars, a hundred years from now? Or
will something terrible have taken their place?" Cyan asks, voice a low
murmur.
Elsewhere, Berd has found a perch on the deck, and simply lies down to wait.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
Leaning much of his weight through his hands on the rail, James stands
with head tilted back, musing idly as the stars wheel overhead.
As Cyan approaches he turns at the sound of her footsteps.
James takes the key back from Cyan and slips it into his pocket. He looks at her evenly for a moment. "You do look better for having washed."
Resuming his star-gazing, James ponders Cyan's question before answering, "I
don't know, Cyan. Logic tells me that the forces of the enemy are
so powerful as to be impossible to fully stop. Without some
radical change all we can hope for is to hinder here and contain
there. Worse, countless billions of lives, maybe even souls,
depend on this struggle. It is too great a responsibility to
contemplate. So I do not. I merely do what must be done to
the best of my judgement and ability."
James points to a portion of the night-sky where the stars, close-set,
move past each other in some incomprehensible dance. "As does Aaron. See. I wouldn't be surprised if the river-boat captain awakens a very confused man."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
The observation garners a quick grin from Cyan, which fades as she
stares out over the water. Now she looks down, into the dark,
swirling depths. James' words are grim, hard, and practical, like
the man himself. And, like the man, not without a certain
understanding and compassion. James has not made himself
hard. He simply is, for the world and the task demands it of
him. Like a coat he wears, when necessity demands.
Her eyes flick up to where the stars move, and she stares,
fascinated. There's a picture, somewhere in that motion, only
Cyan knows she could never capture it with oils or watercolours.
In the dim light, her eyes are dark, the moon reflecting in them like
blood. Ruby, now.
"We shall all do our best," she replies. "Conceit and too many
legends have me believing we cannot fail, for how can the 'heroes'
fail? But legends are written by the victors...and not all heroes
succeed. Turambar...the Sons of the Fire-Spirit...Mablung of the
Heavy Hand." The bard sighs. "And more. But if we
try, at least we will have that. At least the universe will have
that. Small comfort, but there you are."
Another glance out over the water. "If Aaron is too busy, I shall
ask Berd to ensure the Captain finds his proper waters. The power
you command is awesome, James, you and the others of the blood of
Amber. I expect it from Berd, but seeing it flow so strongly from
a man, that is different. Jack would..." Cyan trails off
for a long moment.
"He was not always as you knew him," she says, turning her head and
resting it against a post, still looking over the water.
"Something broke in him when the Archons...when Kalika...he
changed." Cyan's voice drops to a choked whisper. "Always
changing. I am sorry for what happened. I wish...We wish a
great deal of things, but were they fishes, this river would be
impassable." Hurriedly, Cyan swipes at her eyes then shakes her
head.
"I wish I were as strong in my heart as you, James. Or as
dedicated to a cause as Aaron. Or even sharp-spirited as Jonnee,
to cut through life's disappointments, or wise as Dorian, and yes, he
holds much wisdom. I do not say this for a return recitation of
my own strengths and weakness, mind. It is merely..." She
shrugs, then waves down at the water. "Wishes and fishes."
Above, Berd stalks along the roof, settling down nearby, out of sight. His eyes shine in the darkness, twin lambent orbs.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jonnee also watches the stars, seated on the deck at the prow of the
boat. He is leaning back on his elbows, booted feet thrust
through the rail and dangling just a few inches above the water.
On his arm the tattoo shimmers and seems to swirl in the starlight.
He is whistling quietly to himself, and listening to the sounds of the horses just a few feet away.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Don't. Or at least be careful. When I
first joined the army, I was convinced that I was the best. I
drove myself to be the strongest, the fastest, the hardest.
Ultimately, that kind of strength is brittle, a form of self-delusion,
and it has taken me many years to forge it into something truer.
If you catch that fish you may find that it has bones that choke you."
"I could wish that I was half so insightful as you, but I think that
kind of insight would just reveal to me more of the inequity in a
largely uncaring universe. Sometimes it is easier to be blind."
"As for Jack, he sought to heal the pain of the world by taking it upon
himself. A thankless task. Dreadful in its way. You
might take comfort from the fact that he saw in you something whole
enough to give him...rest? That's not quite the word I want." James shrugs. "I hope he finds his peace, wherever he is."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Hardly blind," Cyan notes quietly. "You've just proven your
wisdom, right there." Rubbing her eyes, dark in the night, Cyan
looks again down to the water.
"Peace...for Jack. Yes, that would be a fine thing," she
manages. Her fingers clench hard on the railing. "I wish I
knew...but I do not. And likely will not. And I-"
Breaking off, she stares down, silently. Abruptly her gloved hand
comes up and scrubs savagely at her eyes. Then Cyan sags for a
moment, putting her head against the post next to her before drawing in
a long, shuddering breath.
"Poor company I am this evening, James. And you? You are
well enough? I suspect you would give that answer with one arm
missing...but say truth, here, if you would." Though her voice is
raw, it does not hold the distracted tone of one merely making polite
conversation. Cyan gives a laugh, full of quiet
desperation. "A hard group we are, shot full of the bolts and
arrows of life's vicissitudes. In Dorian I see a broken man
struggling to find healing for a thousand years of scar tissue...in
Aaron, I see a man fighting for justification of his existance, his
views, his past...in Jonnee I see a man hunting for a purpose...and in
you, James, a man who seeks to lose the past that follows him like a
shadow."
Another quiet laugh. "Hubris, on my part - assumptions, all, and
there is more to each of you than that. Forgive me."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Ilsefranvir
-----------------------------------------------------------
They wandered.
Something had woken Aaron from his sleep, sent him scouring the ship
for... what? Whatever it was, Aaron wasn't looking for company, per-se.
The fact that he had taken her along, though, proved that he at least needed someone there.
"Your dreams were... troubling. Glimpses... vague images, those are the things I veiwed from you."
She heard him sigh, and his pace slowed as he reached the outward edge
of the ship, the outside deck, and he took in the air and the stars
above. Arianne only got the barest image of a dark night sky... the air
and the motion and the existence of the ship was but a vague reflection.
"There is much that is troubling. And yet... I refuse to stop."
She knew that when his determination was at its peak, Aaron would not
stop for any man or beast. Or Archon, for that matter. Sometimes it
seemed that the man was beyond sense, even despite the results he could
garner.
"Portents, prophecy and warnings are powerful
things. You above all know this to be true. Yet that is not where your
mind sits this night."
A smile? Perhaps.
"What is it that I'm searching for, dear one? Truth? An answer?
Justification? An end to all lies? Why? For what purpose save a selfish
one? I am exhausted in mind and spirit, if my body does not show it."
"Purpose. A reason for being. No man pointed to you
and said 'this is what you are and what you will do.' You were driven,
as you are now, and you moved on, only to fall into the hands of
torment. That torment is what has pushed you on up until your
acknowlegement as a leader, and your discovery of the universes'
possibilities. Rather than let your past determine your future, you've
decided to carve out the future yourself, and you won't let the
Archons... or anyone else it seems... stand in your way."
He sighed again, but she felt agreement come across the bond.
"It is in that determination that I fear myself. I will not sacrifice
my team for my own long-term goals, even despite my own desires. I
cannot. Others may try to manipulate me into such a thing, and I will
do my best to make sure it doesn't happen."
"Do not doubt yourself, but neither should you take
your team... your friends, for granted. Watch them as deeply as you
watch yourself, even unto your own sacrifice. I'm merely repeating what
you know to be true."
Silence then, for a good long time. Aaron spoke after a while, and she felt him drift.
"Our enemy is watching. My goals... may not actually be my goals alone
now. If what I viewed tonight is true, then our future may indeed be an
interesting one."
They moved on then, and soon they returned to Aaron's room, to sleep away the rest of the night.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
James chuckles quietly. "Sore,
damn sore. I've taken worse hits but I've also felt a whole lot
better. So if you'll excuse me I'm off to bed to get what sleep I
can."
James turns and starts to walk away. He stops at the door that leads to the interior of the riverboat.
"There's nothing to forgive, Cyan. It's easy, but foolish, to be offended by the truth."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan gives the departing soldier a heartfelt nod of the head, a
salute. The man humbles her with his attitude, his calm
acceptance of That Which Must Be. And yet, he battles against
That Which Must Not.
"...and the wisdom to know the difference," she whispers,
quietly. Tears threaten, again, as she looks out over the
water. "Jack...where are you?"
Suddenly, she cannot bear to be out here, alone. In silence. It reminds her too much of Menengroth....
...the caves lie still and dark, the silence broken by the distant
roar, every now and then, of another collapse - the land dies,
now. And this place, the beautiful home of Greycloak, his palace
under the earth, the home of her friends, the Heavy-Hand and Cúthalion,
it will fall soon enough when enough of the mountains nearby crumble
into the sea. The broken lands to the north have been broken
again under the might unleashed in the War of Wrath. The Rushing
Jaws of Iron's fall shattered the the fortress of the Lord of
Fetters. The sea is coming in, and will devour all before it.
Time enough for a last goodbye.
With Berd on her shoulders, the young woman, only a score of years in
age, wanders aimlessly through the darkened cave, the air lit only by
the burning light of the little dragon's body. Here, a fresco,
shattered by a sword swing. There, a pile of broken
furniture. The rooms grow ever more broken as she nears the
center, where One-Handed's Son battled desperately against the scions
of the Fire-Spirit...and failed, but took three of them with him in his
final wrath.
There is nothing left. Her friends died decades ago, as this
place measures time. The Heavy-Hand is buried within the forest,
somewhere, and Cúthalion's grave, she never discovered. The
Master of Doom buried him deeply. Too deeply.
Curse him and his impetuousness.
The Master of Doom. Cyan's head comes up, and she
considers. Berd chirps, though, and Cyan shakes her hair out,
rejecting that thought as she walks through the Thousand Caves....
And now it returns.
Tear-filled, amber eyes sharpen.
Gurthang.
Sorrow wells to push back resolve, and Cyan turns, walking blindly to
her room, seeking only to find her harp, and put music into the
night. Which she does, for several hours - quiet, low, dancing on
the night air.
Above, Berd lies on the roof, staring up at the stars. And considers The Iron of Death.
Then the little dragon stands. For an instant he is there, the next...not. Reality folds, twists, and...gone.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
The evening and night pass without incident, and Travel in Hope makes good time, following the insane meanderings of the river.
Around dawn the weather changes and clouds roll in, forcing Jonnee to
take shelter as fat droplets of rain spatter onto the deck. The
shower is short-lived, though it seems there may be more to follow.
The brightening daylight reveals that the boat now follows the winding
course of a clear channel through an infinite expanse of reeds,
scattered cypress, and sandbanks where large amphibious reptiles bask
in the morning sun, sail-like fins raised along their spines to catch
the warmth.
The air is filled with the thunder of wings and the mewing cries from a
million throats as vast flocks of white wading birds launch themselvs
from the treetops and fly out across the great marsh to commence their
daily business.
Everywhere there is life, in abundance.
Breakfast is served about three hours after sunrise, good-sized servings of a wide variety of excellent foods.
Leaving the Grand Saloon, the first thing that greets the passengers is
the scent of salt water in the air, cutting through the smells of the
marsh. Shortly afterwards a low hill appears on the horizon,
rising out of the unending flatness.
Closer, and it becomes apparent that the surface of the hill is covered with close-packed buildings.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Well, that's strange." Jonnee says, shading his inhuman eyes from the morning light, "I
know I've never been here before, but I dreamed about this place last
night. The swamp, the hill, the town. Everything."
He stares at the town, as if willing it to spring into sharper focus, and his voice holds a sombre note as he continues, "I
think there's a small church here, with a green dome on top of the
tower, but I don't see it. Maybe it's on the other side of the
hill. If I'm right, then the town is called Mikkem."
He grins then, his mood changing in an instant, "Or maybe I just ate too much, too close to falling asleep."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Dreams. It seems we're riding the wisps of fading dreams, Jonnee."
Aaron sighed as he approached the man and leaned upon the railing, Ilse
poking up over his shoulder.
"Could it be someone sent you a message in the
night, Jonnee? Should we view this... church... as you say it, perhaps
we've someone waiting for us."
Taking a deep breath, Aaron took in the morning air. He still felt
tired, but he figured he would until he had a good long rest. That
wasn't as important as their destination, though.
"I feel your dream may be our next waypoint, Jonnee. Were there any other specifics you may remember?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"'To sleep, perchance to dream...aye, there's the rub.'" Cyan
slowly walks up to the railing and joins the twain in staring out at
the 'town' ahead. She does not lean, though, but stands with one
hand shading red-rimmed, ruby eyes. A long night, it would
seem...but while she appears tired, some of the hard edge has left her
manner. "Jonnee, speak to us about anything else you
recall. And I wonder where might these dreams originate?"
"Another question - how will we return our assistants and their ship to
their rightful land? Berd might be able to manage it, but I have
not seen him since - ah, never mind."
With an aggrieved chirrup, Berd floats down from the roof of the boat to land on Cyan's shoulder.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
"What I remember? Let's see now."
Jonnee concentrates, thinking back to the already fading dream, "There
were three people in the church. Two of them, a man and woman, I
didn't recognise, though the man was a priest called - ah -
David. That was it, David. At least that's what Luke called
him."
"Oh, Luke was the third person there. Him I recognised, too
well. He was as sarcastic as ever, but he did say that if we
spoke to David then we would find a way to where we're going."
He pauses, and rethinks his statement, "No, that's not right. He said we'd find a way to where we should be going."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
At the meniton of Luke, Aaron frowned.
"Luke again. And he said where we should be going? According to whom?"
Sighing, Aaron leaned his head in his hands and ran his fingers through his hair, gazing up across the watery expanse.
"I like this not at all, but I see no choice as to our next
destination." To Cyan he glanced, and shrugged. "I believe this ship
will find its way to more suitable waters, Cyan. It's... quite
probable."
Aaron closed his eyes once more and, though the difference between this
manipulation of the Pattern and that of his walking were slight, did
his best to make such a thing slightly more probable.
"This is going to be an interesting day." He said, straightening and
turning his back to lean against the rail and face the ship itself.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
"And here I was hoping for uneventful. Boring would be even better." James moves to join the others. There are dark rings under his eyes. It's clear he didn't sleep well.
"For what it's worth, I think Luke is trying to help us. He just needs a healthy attitude adjustment."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Luke." Cyan makes a face. "Something in me does not like
the man. And no, it is not even his attitude. There is an
odd...resonance." She glances at the others. "I have
withstood worse attitudes, I assure you. Perhaps it has something
to do with palanquet. I do not truly know. 'Where we should be going'? How...splendid."
Suddenly dour of countenance, she taps the railing with a blunted
fingernail. Then, just as suddenly, the bard grins. "My
thanks, Jonnee. David. Luke. A church. It is
more than what we knew before...and will not be the first Church we
have visited." A sudden thought occurs to her, and she swallows
it before speaking. What of that other church? Does it now lie in ruins, with the Archons holding sway over all?
"I'm certain the crew of the ship will appreciate your guidance,
Aaron...but look, now, we are joined - at least in body - by another of
our company." Sapphire eyes grow worried. "Did you suffer
from ill-omened dreams, James? Or were you simply unable to find
rest?"
"And...I would agree. With both your statements. There was
a time I wished for excitement. I fear I am growing up. As
for Luke..." She taps the rail again. "While I dislike the
man, I feel you are correct about him." A glance at Berd, but the
dragon merely lies on her shoulder, basking in the sun.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian appears, walking briskly. Once again, his cloak wraps around him
like a swaddling shield against all light and color. He wears a sour,
unhappy countenance, which might not be so unusual. Having retirned to
his room the longest, he appears to have completely missed any
opportunity to rest. In fact, he appears to have worn himself down even
further, if that could be possible in such tight quarters.
"What is next?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
"No, no dreams. Just hard to find a comfortable way to sleep. I must be getting soft."
Joining the others at the railing, James keeps an eye on Dorian as he
approaches. The sour expression on Dorian's face raises a smile
from James in defiance of the black-cloaked man's unhappy mood.
"We're going to church is what. So you'd better put on your Sunday best."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Mikkem is not a large town, but it is crowded to the point of claustrophobia.
It occupies an area of perhaps a square mile, all of it on the
hill. Buildings seem almost to be stacked atop each other, so
closely spaced are they. On three sides the town is bordered by
marshland, and on the fourth there are docks fronting onto salt
water. It is at these docks that Travel in Hope moors, along with an eclectic collection of other water craft; sailing ships, steam-driven vessels, oared galleys, and others.
From the docks, the church can clearly be seen. It stands alone,
in the only open space visible, close to the water, its white tower
topped by a heavily verdigrised dome. The front of the church,
the side which faces the ocean, bears a faded mural depicting a
eight-winged being, wreathed in light, reaching down a hand to men
floating in a storm-tossed sea while their ship sinks nearby.
The words, "Sailors' Mission of Tamiel, Watcher over the Deep" are marked above the door to the church.
As the group stand before the gates of the churchyard, only a few paces
from the gangway which they have so recently descended, they can see a
man dressed in patched blue overalls sweeping dead leaves from the
steps of the building.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Well, this is the place alright."
Jonnee gazes at the fascia of the church, then at the man sweeping the steps, "And, unless I'm very much mistaken, that's our man."
He walks forward, approaching the sweeper, "Say, is your name David?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian had no idea what his team had cooked up, this time, and he
truthfully didn't care. He spent most of the time with a look of
concentration, as if he were running over some important list of
details in his head. This broken only by the mention of David, with a
quick interested glance, and the occaisional absent glance around the
town. He glances seemed somehow expectant.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
The man turns at the sound of Jonnee's voice, blind eyes staring blankly from a scarred, though still relatively young face, "Yes, my name is David. Father David to be exact. How can I help you... ah, I'm sorry, I don't
recognise your voice, and clearly you don't know me by sight?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
How appropriate, Dorian muses as David turns around. So would this be a case of the blind leading the blind, or the blind leading the naked? It was apparent Jonnee didn't know this man, so what were they doing
here. For the most part, Jonnee was quiet and sincere, not giving the
party any trouble, unlike some. What had lead them here, that he had
missed?
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Having the most information of the group on this particular venture, Aaron let Jonnee lead.
He figured that Arianne and himself would do a better job attempting to
absorb information. If something caught his attention amidst the
conversation, he'd no doubt interject. In the meantime, he cast his eye
about the environment, looking for any familiar faces.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Jonnee." Jonnee replies, smiling in spite of the man's inability to see his friendly expression, "Call
me Jonnee. I was sent here by a friend who said you might be able
to tell me how to get somewhere I need to be. Guy goes by the
name of Luke?"
He looks around, checking for anybody who might be nearby, listening in, "Could
we go inside? I have a few friends with me too. Three men,
a woman, two animals. Dogs, that is. Guess we all need some
advice."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"No dreams...I suspect, James, that might be a good thing. If
only the price were not bone-weariness, yes?" At the Dark Man's
approach, Cyan smiles brightly. "Good morning to you, as well,
Dorian. For visiting a church, I suspect you are far better
attired than some of us." A flick of the wrist at Dorian's sombre
blacks and greys, then a wave toward her iridescent, silk shirt.
"Would that I had something a trifle less ostentatious...."
No matter. They near the town, and they arrive at the town.
As they walk the short distance to the Church, the bard drinks in the
sights around her through her emerald eyes, studying the architecture,
the people, the age of the buildings. Berd lies on her shoulder
quietly, staring at the church with an odd intensity, then sitting up
as they approach the man sweeping the leaves. Cyan gives him a
curious look, but the little dragon ignores her, eyes sweeping across
the inscription, the picture. The bard slows, dragging her feet,
staring up at the eight-winged glory, nibbling on her knuckle in
consternation. "Tamiel...."
Berd's eyes flicker, then burn for an instant.
With a shake of her shoulders, Cyan hurries to catch up, arriving in
time to see the priest turn to face them with blind eyes.
Shocked, she pauses, glancing at the others then turning back to listen
closely to Jonnee speaks.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
David nods and beckons for the group to follow him inside.
He climbs the steps and opens the great door with all the sureness of a
sighted person, a clear indication that he has done it on very many
occasions. Just inside he pauses and genuflects towards an altar
at the far end of the church's main aisle. The altar is in the
form of an old wooden table, and there is a tall statue behind it, a
man with hands clasped before him and a gentle smile upon his lips.
The statue is backlit by a large, circular window of stained glass,
depicting a scene similar to the one upon the outside of the church.
When the door shuts, the noise from the docks immediately becomes noticeable by its sudden absence.
"Now. How can I help?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian eyes come into focus, once again, as he looks around the
interior of the chapel in detail, studying, appreciating, scanning.
Finally, with a forged, practiced smile on his lips his gaze settles on
David. His eyes narrow. The look is not unlike a cat with a mouse
between its paws, a swirl of predatory and curiousity.
Enough games and uncertainty, the dark man thinks. Let's find out what's going on here.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
He took in the church itself, noting resemblances and differences in
design between this place and others he had seen on his journey through
the myriad. A curious place, and not without its own sense of peace.
Aaron took in the remainder of his group, and his eye fastened on
Dorian's focused attentions. He didn't favor the idea of psychological
penetration at this time, and he was sure to say something if the man
made the attempt.
That is, if Aaron could even sense it. He decided to pay attention to David instead, for he felt he'd notice the signs, overt or not.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Following the man inside, Cyan stares with wonder. The lines of
weariness smooth from her features, and her face seems to grow young
again, regaining its proper age. The bard shakes her red hair,
settling it more comfortably (to Berd's disgust), and shifts her
shoulders, relaxing a little more. Pausing, she glances down at
her passenger for a moment, then sidles close to Aaron.
"Aaron," she whispers quietly, topaz eyes calmly watching the priest, "Berd requires a word."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
James follows the other into the church. Courtesy suggests that
they introduce themselves, especially since Father David cannot see
them, but before James can speak the priest comes right to the
point. The moment lost, James settles back to listen.
In truth, he likes the place. Religion aside many places of
worship have a sense of peace that James finds comforting.
This sense is stronger here by contrast to the claustrophobic
bustle of the town around it. There's something reassuring about
all those people going about their daily lives, oblivious to any
impending doom, but James is not fond of crowds.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Well, it's a bit strange." Jonnee says, with a nervous laugh. Where to start? "I - I have a friend who said you'd be able to help me. I need to go somewhere, and I don't know how to get there."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Interesting." the blind priest makes his way to a nearby pew and seats himself, "Where
is it that you are tring to get to? And why would this friend
think that I can direct you? Unless, of course, you're talking
about a metaphysical journey into the next world? That I can help you with."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Ah, thank you, Cyan." Aaron whispered in return and, raising his hand,
calmly gestured for the drake to proceed thereupon, and thence to his
shoulder as well.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to take a look around. I'm quite
interested in architecture." Not waiting for a response, Aaron began a
nonchalant stroll through the church, taking in the sights and senses.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd unhurriedly steps across to Aaron's shoulder, then settles
down. Cyan, looking a little confused, steps back to stand beside
Dorian and James, watching through topaz eyes as Jonnee deals with
David.
The little dragon yawns, then settles in.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
"So, tell me David," Dorian says smoothly, as if he is about to sell a used car. "Does
this metaphysical journey have anything to do with what is in the vault
beneath this church; or would that be a different... doorway?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd's flexible neck swivels his grinning head around to look at Dorian.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
The blind man chuckles, turning his head towards Dorian's voice, "Ah... so we come to the truth of it. You're interested in The Legend of the Sailor's Church." He even seems to pronounce the capital letters.
"I wish people would just come straight out and ask
me about the Legend, instead of trying to pretend they're interested in
the gospel, or seeking guidance, or whatever. I don't mind
explaining the story to them, it is tied in to the founding of the
church, after all, though it would be nice if a few of them came back
to worship here from time to time."
"And yes, that is a hint."
He pauses, scratching his head while he thinks about the matter, and then clears his throat before continuing, "Ahem... let's see now. Ah yes..."
"Four hundred years ago, there was nothing on this hill. Mikkem didn't exist, and there was no reason for it to exist. t was just a rocky outcrop between the 'Glades and the
ocean, with nothing, not even a fisherman's hut upon it. Then
came the great storm."
"The storm blew up out of nowhere, out of season and all, and many said
it was the work of the Dark One, for no storm of such violence had ever
been seen."
"Now, there was a ship, the Saturn, the biggest ever built
at that time, and she was caught in the storm and swept far off course,
towards a reef about four miles off-shore from this very hill.
She was carrying eight hundred and twenty three souls, and all her
boats had been torn away in the storm."
"It looked as though those people were doomed."
"Then the captain saw a flash of blinding light from the coast, and a
glowing cloud which rose from the light and made straight for the ship,
moving across the wind."
"The ship tore her belly out on the reef, and started to break up, and
then the light arrived above her. It was a creature of light, who
calmed the waters and helped the people to reach the shore, here on the
only land for miles in any direction that rose above the storm surge,
and offered some shelter, on the lee side, from the gale."
He pauses, gathering his thoughts, then, "The
creature stayed awhile, until the storm abated, and then went to a
certain spot where there was a cave, and inside it was a large stone
slab marked with an odd sign. Then he spoke to those who were
there, saying, 'This is my mark. I am Tamiel, and the sea is
my domain. Those who respect the sea, and live their lives upon
it, will have my protection always.'"
"Then the stone opened, and there was a flash of light and the sound of
ten million voices singing, and Tamiel stepped through the door.
It closed behind him, and that was the last time he was seen by so many
people."
"Now, those he rescued paid for the church to be built here, on the
very the spot where the stone lays, and pretty soon every ship that
passed this way would stop so that their crews could call in and pay
their respects, and before long a town was built to cater for those
sailors, and the pilgrims who came here to pray for loved ones at sea."
"Mikkem, as the town became known, prospered. Soon the dock was
extended, and the whole hill was covered with buildings, right down to
the tide line. And that's pretty much the whole story, about
Tamiel, and the church, and the town itself."
"The slab is still below the church, of course, though I don't believe
it ever opened again after that day. I can show you if you want?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
As the man finishes his story, Dorian looks to Aaron. The answer is
obvious, but their leader will probably be the one to make the
decision. "Thank
you, David. I imagine our leader will want to take a look. You story is
interesting. I am particularly interested in this Tamiel. We
have encountered other beings of light... or fire... with similar names
and description, yet those fear water where this one does not, it
seems. We, I suppose, are wondering if this legend relates to those... legends... in some way. Those others are evil, without mercy, while this one seems benevolant. While beneath it all lies..." his eyes shift to the others. "A more familiar Pattern, albiet a broken one."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
The autumnal colors in Aaron's single eye flickered for a moment, and he nodded in Dorian's direction.
"Curious. And yes, I would certainly like to examine this slab, if it's
not too much trouble, David. I'd hate to intrude, after all."
Reaching up, he scratched the back of Berd's head and returned his attention to the building itself. He actually was interested in the architecture, for what it was worth, though he had a certain desire to see the thing in the basement.
And yet another Broken Pattern? I will have to see that for myself, though I don't doubt Dorian's talents, that's for sure.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"The Broken Pattern." Cyan turns away, her attention distracted
from the story of Tamiel, the oddly compelling story.
"Everywhere, of course, but at the heart. The broken pattern in
Cadinagart, and the sphere upon it. Jack. Jadus. The
Dark Well." Her eyes narrow, shoot to Berd. The little
dragon, obviously enjoying Aaron's attention, pauses and gives her a
slight nod.
"Patterns on the spheres. But not THE Pattern. Energy being
drawn. The Breaks in the Pattern. Cracks to the
source. The breaks in the worlds, created by the spheres. A
line from Amber to Chaos. The Broken God. Worshipped, but
not heeded when he wishes to die." Teeth gritting in frustration,
Cyan clenches her fists, ruby eyes flashing. "I cannot...there is
something, just out of my reach." Still muttering, she
paces. "We miss one piece...."
Her head snaps up. "A creature of light. The Seraphim. Nephillim. Archons. Shall we encounter Thrones?"
"So close, I think, and yet...what are we missing?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
David stands and leads the way further into the church, and then across
to a doorway set off to one side. As he walks he explains, "I
can show you the slab, and I know it has the mark, because I can feel
it with my fingertips... but whether that will prove anything to you,
one way or the other, I can't say."
"Personally, I believe the tale, oherwise I wouldn't be working here,
but others have a little less faith than I do. I suppose that's
the way of the world, nowadays".
He opens the door, releasing a gentle breeze of cold and damp from the
depths, and revealing a flight of ancient steps leading down into total
darkness. He starts to descend, then stops.
"Oh, sorry, I forgot. You do have lights with
you, don't you? Only I never use them myself, so I tend not to
remember to bring one."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan fades to the rear of the group, frowning. Then she nods,
once, turning to look at the people ahead with concerned, sapphire
eyes. Pulling on her thin gloves, she allows the others to go on
ahead.
Pausing back in the Church, Cyan reaches out with one hand; Kirilinde, sheathed, lies in her other, out of reach of any who might 'step through'...
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
To Cyan, Aaron turned and nodded, concern obvious in his singular gaze.
"We'll return shortly. I'll take Berd with me to keep the connection open. Be careful."
He then looked to Dorian at David's mention of needing a light.
"Do you think you could provide a light for us, Dorian? If not, I could probably find us one."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
While others talk about getting hold of a light, Jonnee decides to try a small experiment of his own.
"Well, I'm glad that Luke told me to just come here. I never would've thought of just asking, straight out." he says, wondering if the priest will recognise the name.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
Serena suddenly appears carrying the familiar bags and dresse much the
same way as beore. With her holding her hand is a tall dark haired dark
eyed man. Serena motions to Devlin for silence and awaits someone to
speak to them first.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Devlin
-----------------------------------------------------------
Devlin remains quiet as Serena silently requests, but his eyes ajust
quickly. His head tilted to one side he takes in his new surroundings
and the red-haired woman. They are inside a building; from the looks of
things it is some type of church or temple, whatever they call it here.
He waits, eyes locked on this new person that apparently just grabbed
them and drew them through a card. He's unhappy that Mordin kept this
bit of information from him and he wonders why.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Of course," Dorian smirks. "I think I have one right here." Dorian begins to conecentrate, drawing in his mind the image of an filled and ready-to-use oil lamp.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan keeps hold of Serena's hand for a moment, squeezing it firmly in
greeting and pleasure at the sight of the other woman. She grins,
then, amethyst eyes shining in the dim light. "Good that you have
returned, Serena...we shall have to speak of your work later."
Turning to the man - another man in black, it would seem! - the bard gives a quick, apologetic bow. "Sir, introductions
will have to attend to a better time. For now, I am Cyan - we
need to follow my friends."
Motioning both of them forward, Cyan heads to the door where the others
went. "This way - we go to study a Broken Pattern. Perhaps
it is the Broken Pattern of this land, perhaps of an adjacent
world. I know not. But this one may hold a key...if all is
not well within its power." Glancing back, she gives both people
that same devil-may-care smile. "As for speech, we were two less
when we entered than we now are - I merely did not wish the priest to
hear you step from thin air, to hear new footfalls, new voices, without
the door opening. He is blind, you see."
One finger flicks out, taps the card in Serena's hand. "I am glad to see that came of some use."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron had allowed David to lead the way, while he waited for Dorian to
cook them up a bit of illumination. He thought he faintly heard Cyan
speaking, but he wasn't totally sure on that matter.
"David, has anyone recently come to the church, save for us? Perhaps
asking similiar questions or acting odd in any way? I'm curious as to
how many people know of what you keep here."
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Devlin
-----------------------------------------------------------
Devlin looks at Serena and then the one that just called herself Cyan.
"Devlin" is all that Devlin says in reply. There are too many questions
in his head. Broken Pattern?, Trumps/Cards? Too many new faces. He's confused.
Devlin looks back at Serena. For some reason he trusts her and he still
doesn't know why he should, but he trusts that he is somehow safe with
these people. He finally notices that he's still holding Serena's hand
and he lets it go, reluctantly.
He waits for his companion to move before he does. While he waits he
adjusts his hearing so that he can hear the heartbeats of those around
him. Devlin wants to be aware of everything. He then transforms his
eyes so that he can see as well as an owl; his eyes actually seem to
glow.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
OOC: Hmm, a fair bit happened over the weekend..."
James ears perk up at Dorian's and his attention is fixed on the
conversation as Father David retells the story of Tamiel, as Dorian
hints at the Broken Pattern and as Cyan attempts to make sense of the
information and clues collected over the length and breadth of her
quest so far. There's obviously a fair bit tangled up
there. James resolves to sit down and talk it through when they
get the chance. But not now, James has mail.
Recognising the insignia, James opens the Berd-post package.
Forewarned of the arrival of visitors, he loiters part way down the
stairs. Hidden from sight by the inclination of the passage and
the darkness he waits to make sure that all is well before continuing
to the vault. The light of Dorian's lantern should make it easy
to catch up with those ahead if it becomes necessary.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan typed:Cyan keeps hold of Serena's hand for a moment,
squeezing it firmly in greeting and pleasure at the sight of the other
woman. She grins, then, amethyst eyes shining in the dim
light. "Good that you have returned, Serena...we shall have to
speak of your work later."
Turning to the man - another man in black, it would seem! - the bard gives a quick, apologetic bow. "Sir, introductions
will have to attend to a better time. For now, I am Cyan - we
need to follow my friends."
Motioning both of them forward, Cyan heads to the door where the others
went. "This way - we go to study a Broken Pattern. Perhaps
it is the Broken Pattern of this land, perhaps of an adjacent
world. I know not. But this one may hold a key...if all is
not well within its power." Glancing back, she gives both people
that same devil-may-care smile. "As for speech, we were two less
when we entered than we now are - I merely did not wish the priest to
hear you step from thin air, to hear new footfalls, new voices, without
the door opening. He is blind, you see."
One finger flicks out, taps the card in Serena's hand. "I am glad to see that came of some use."
Serena returned Cyan's smile with her own of genuine warmth and
returned her squeeze of her hand. Serena liked and respected Cyan a
great deal and after so long of not having a woman she could call a
true friend she felt that Cyan was liley to be that person. Serena knew
all that it would need is a bit more time and not long.I am glad to have returned and see yo all well, although I have things to tell they are probably not what you expect."
Serena listened as Cyan explained about the broken pattern and felt
badly for Devlin. If only we had had more time then at least I could
have told my story and he could have asked questions which would at
least have probably explained some things. " <Purple>"Good
thinking about the Priest Cyan. Hopefully this broken pattern will
yield something of value. Yes the trump was very useful thank
you."<Purple>
Just then as Devlin dropped her hand Serena found herself wishing he
had not. Unsure of why she would feel that way about someone she just
met Serena simply smiled as reassuringly as possible at Devlin and she
tried to give him a look that promised to explain everything as soon as
possible. He seemed very adept at reading body language so she hoped it
would reassure him.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
David pauses on the stairs, waiting while his guests obtain a light source. In answer to Aaron he says, "We
get people through here all the time, wanting to see the Tamiel
Door. Students mostly, from the college at Leonerm. They
hire a boat and a pilot and make their way along the coast. It's
an all-day trip for them, including a couple of hours in Mikkem."
"I imagine they hear the story, and how close Mikkem is, so they think
it'd make them look 'cool' to be able to say they'd been here. I
take people down into the vaults, and tell them the story, once or
twice a week, during term time."
He pauses, frowning, "Is this Luke one of the students? I don't think I know anybody named Luke, not by name anyway."
As soon as he hears that there is a light, he proceeds down the steps
once more. After a couple of seconds he stops again. "Have more people joined us? It sounds like at least another set of footsteps, maybe two... "
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Devlin," Cyan whispers in reply, reaching out for his hand. If
he takes hers, her clasp is firm without being crushing. "I am
sorry - everything will be explained, soon," she repeats.
Turning her ruby eyes on Serena, she gives the woman a crooked
smile. "I am learning that I should expect things not to be as I
expect. Keep the palanquet for now...I shall need to make others of myself for everyone."
The hand-clasp and reluctance to release isn't lost on Cyan, but she
hides her noting of it. To Cyan, that Serena obviously enjoys
Devlin's company is a good thing. It speaks highly of the
man. Some might view it as Serena's thoughts being clouded, but
not the bard.
Motioning for them to follow, she does a quick double-take at the sight
of Devlin's shining eyes. Setting that issue aside for another
time, Cyan hurries for the stairs, hoping to catch up with the others
before they get too far ahead, and presumably 'bumping into' James on
the way...unless James decides to keep to the shadows, moving ahead of
them to the group.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
Satisfied that all is well, James steps away from the wall of the
passage and releases Fangmir. He waits for Cyan and the others to
join him before continuing down to the vault. It won't hurt for
Serena and her companion to know he is keeping an eye on things.
===========================================================
Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan, coming down the stairs, blinks topaz eyes at the sight of James
materializing out of the shadows, then grins, her teeth white in the
darkness. Always on his guard, always silently supporting those who he feels require it. Giving James a quick, half-bow, she jerks a thumb over her shoulder, whispering, "Devlin."
Catching the voice from up ahead, she calls out, "Merely two of our
friends, David - Devlin and Serena, catching up with us. My
apologies." The words will serve to give the stranger's name to
her friends, as well as inform David of the situation.
Berd turns glittering eyes back up the stairs, then settles his gaze back on David, waiting quietly.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
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"Luke is... someone we work with, David. He mentioned this particular
church to a member of my group, and we thought to check it out. I'm
pleased to see we entered into such pleasant company as yours."
Devlin? Cyan seems well enough about the man... still, we must remain cautious.
Too many images of the likes of Leonardo and Kaelyn sprang to mind.
Aaron chose then to focus his attentions on David and their descent
into the depths of the Church itself.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Serena
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Serena attempts to make eye contact with Berd. She has something she
wishes to tell him and wondrs if he could hear her mind to mind or
rather whether he will be illing to do so.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dworkin (GM)
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David leads the way down the steps into the vaults below the
church. There are extensive crypts down there, and more steps
leading deeper into the heart of the hill.
The walls down in this lower part are of raw stone, instead of the worked masonry of the upper level.
The cavern slopes down, deeper yet, and at the end of it is a vertical
stone slab, nine feet high, four wide, and one deep. On the
surface is carved a rune-like form, complex in its entirety but, on
closer inspection, composed of a number of simple elements.
"This is what you wanted to see."
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Devlin
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Devlin returns Cyan's hand clasp being careful to grip no harder than the woman does.
His head continues to move as he keeps scanning everything around him.
Devlin does not miss anything. Not the man who thinks he is hidden in
the shadows, not the way Cyan's eyes seem to change colors each time he
sees them, and not the strange little creature that looks like a dragon
resting on one of the others shoulders when he sees it. More questions,
but he puts them out of his mind.
Devlin continues to follow quietly behind Serena as the group heads
down some stairs and into the dark. Someone further up has a lamp, but
he would not need it if he were alone.
He looks behind and up the stairs every now and then, his sensitive
eyes seeing all the way to the top. Devlin wonders if there would be
any danger even if someone were following.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Jonnee
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Jonnee whistles, long and low, as he catches sight of the slab for the first time. "That's pretty neat."
He mioves closer, leaning in to study the glyph, running the tip of one
index finger over the lines cut into the surface of the stone, feeling
out the design, tracing its limits.
Then he backs away and studies the slab from every angle.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Dorian
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"Fascinating," Dorian says in a voice completely void of fascination. "I'll take a closer look, if that's alright?" he glances at Aaron, then looks back at the slab. Slowly his thick brow furrows and his angular jaw tightens.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Aaron
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"As you would, Dorian."
He too, took a long few moments to gaze intently at the object before
them. After a while, the gazing took on a more distant appraisal, as
Aaron centered more on powers that were different from mere mental
projection.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Berd
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Berd's eyes flicker toward the slab for a moment as Cyan and the others catch up.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by James
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James notes the strange half-light given off by the eyes of the man
identified by Cyan as Devlin. He pegs it as one of those
physiological peculiarities, similar to Jonnee's speed and bone
blades. I wonder how good his night-vision is?
Arriving in the vault about the same time as Dorian commences his
inspection, James settles by the door. Respecting the sorceror's
arcane talents, James contents himself with a visual examination of the
stone slab and surrounds.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Serena
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Serena was no no longer mentally occupied so she opened herself up to Devlin.
Serna then sent a feeling of understanding and reassurance through the link.
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Re: Part 36 - Highway to Hell by Cyan
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"Well..." Breathing out quietly, Cyan moves forward, but stays
behind Dorian, allowing the Dark Man unimpeded access to the slab.
Still, the bard studies the writing from a distance, comparing it to
other writings she has seen, hunting for a match. There are some
that spring to mind, immediately....
Then she narrows emerald eyes, concentrating on the stone.
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