Zion: Light of the New Moon, Ch 1.1 Myrh
Zion - Light of the New Moon Chapter 1.1
Myrh Some Bite Back
Myrh gained +1 Luck from the prior Event Arc. Due to the 11 comments in support of Myrh from readers, a second +1 Luck was provided.
As expected, the caravan leaders took Captain Rakken's advice, traveling expediently, and taking one large break mid-day instead of several smaller ones. I overheard their discussion, which was relatively direct. According to the wagon masters the most time consuming part of breaks was getting the caravan moving again afterward-- Captain Rakken's suggestion meant only having to move out twice in a day: morning and afternoon. The extended break during the day seemed to do everyone a lot of good... at least, until the fourth day.
We remained close to the Myrhian Highway after leaving the city's Periphery; even with the two Divine Shields we weren't about to take undue risks. During our daily break most of the wagon-travelers used the opportunity to stand and stretch their legs; I was no exception, of course. Beo, right alongside me, got out of the wagon, "Hmm... I wonder..." he pondered. It was a not-so-subtle invitation to a discussion if ever I heard one.
"Excuse me." I quickly declined, and headed further down the wagon train. While I had nothing against the mage specifically, I really wasn't interested in getting too friendly with him... there were too many other problems to contend with-- friendship wasn't a past time I could afford to entertain during such a trip. He took it well enough, heading off into the crowd to ask some question-or-other about where the guards were going to meet up. Based by the wag in his tail I could assume it wasn't a casual inquiry.
I moved through the caravan making a mental note of all the travelers... it was my usual activity during the breaks. Making it a point to be casual without looking like I had anything to hide, I strolled by social gatherings, declined invitation to join other travelers for drinks, passed up the chance to join a few drinkers for a round of ale, and side-stepped a group of foragers heading out to look for extra supplies. I'd become skilled at evading obligations over the years, but apparently I still had something to learn about avoiding a shadow.
"You're up to something." announced a quiet-yet-firm voice. I already knew who it was before the cowled figure nimbly dropped down from his place in a tree.
"The guides said that it's not safe to be sulking around in the canopy." I offered, hoping to change the conversation; I didn't expect for it to work so I wasn't surprised when he pressed the issue, his paw going casually to the downward-pointing handle of the large sword on his back.
"I'm not comfortable having someone wandering around the caravan without knowing why." he stated, his voice as icy as the gaze of his eyes from beneath his mask.
"Not very surprising, Kell Vederik." I noted calmly, and watched as his eyes widened for just a moment once he realized I knew who he was, mask or no mask, "If I were in your shoes I'd be uncomfortable too."
"You're here for me then?" he questioned. The comment was cool, and without emotion-- but his lack of concern would have been more convincing if I hadn't noticed his stance widen ever-so-slightly... I'd known how to read body language for years.
"No." I explained, "I'm not here for you... but I heard you came to Myrh some time back."
His stance didn't ease in the slightest, and his sword was slowly drawn from its sheath. Kell held it casually and, even though I can't claim to be skilled in the ways of battle, I could tell that he wasn't holding it for an attack-- my heart was beating quickly regardless, but I knew I was better at bluffing than he. "You're using enchantments." he accused.
"Just illusion." the explanation came calmly-- the calmer I was the less likely he was to act, which would hopefully result in me living "Neither of us want to be recognized." I admitted.
The assassin's stance slowly relaxed and, glancing around with his eyes, he reached up and undid the cloth covering his muzzle and drew the cowl from his head. I'd seen the posting regarding the assassin on numerous buildings. Any number of times I'd looked at that face, and yet found it almost hard to acknowledge the man standing in front of me. He had features from both a snow leopard and a wolf, but that was almost the only thing in common with the drawing on the wanted poster-- scars and deep pits from dirty-healed wounds created a road-map of past agony across his face. "My disguise is gone... now your turn." he said flatly.
Letting out a breath I pulled my own cowl down to my shoulders, "I don't believe you'd know me." I explained, "I am far less infamous, I assure you." I had no intention of dismissing the illusion that gave my face the appearance I had chosen... those enchantments were far too hard to stop then start anew. He didn't seem the least bit concerned. Holding up his sword, Kell turned it sideways. The golden blade had numerous runic symbols on it; I'm no scholar, but I could tell they were dwarven in make, and etched with elven words of power. Gazing at the blade I could see the reflection of his eye and, at that moment, I realized that he was looking at the real me.
"Now you have your guarantee." I told him, "You know that I can't give you away without you giving me away." it was an empty offer considering that I wasn't wanted for the attempted murder of a High Priest, but I hoped it would satisfy him.
"You're prettier than I expected." he announced simply, swinging his sword to the side before twisting his arm at the elbow, and sliding the weapon back into its sheath on his back, "Most people who hide their features have a reason to do so."
"Beauty is in the eyes." I countered.
"of the beholder." he nodded.
I smiled at that, "No... I meant it as I said it." I explained, "The only part of you that's the same as your picture... your eyes."
He stared me down for several seconds and, though I very much wanted to look away I found myself transfixed, frozen in place almost as if meeting the gaze of a serpent. Then, without another word, he pulled his cowl back up. Affixing the cloth across his muzzle, the leopard-wolf walked off into camp, "Don't follow me." he gave me the warning; I didn't need one.
I continued my walk-around, mindful to avoid any further encounters with Kell or anyone like him. I suppose I should have been relieved to find Beo, but, unfortunately he was talking with Jerard, and the human was someone I had enough sense to avoid. The fact that the two were casually discussing the fine points of Divination magic made me feel even less at-ease... considering my desire to avoid being seen the last thing I wanted was to know that there were two skilled Diviners in our midst.
I skirted their discussion, making it a point to avoid being seen. The husky was discussing the finer points of ritualistic preparation for scrying while the human was refuting the logic, saying that a more intuitive approach would yield a better result. Being no expert on magic, the majority of the discussion went over my head. I don't know if I would have better understood it if I was part of the discussion but I was more interested in being ignored than trying to learn something about a topic so otherworldly as spell casting.
The two were apparently getting along well, which was unfortunate, especially when Beo suggested sharing the same carriage. At that point I realized I would have to find a new method for traveling; Beo might have been easy-going enough to avoid asking the wrong questions, but I got the feeling that Jerard would demand answers, and I wasn't interested in providing any. Sharing a carriage with two Diviners was completely out of the question... especially with one as pragmatic and chaotic as the human.
There was still another hour to the afternoon break and, even though most of the travelers had taken the chance to eat, I was still interested in getting a better view of where the leaders, commanders, and priests chose to take their rest. The first gathering I came to involved two individuals of interest: Yearl Rakken and Ryan Fartrider. The two were talking as if they were old friends. As I continued listening it turned out that they were.
"I really didn't expect to see you here." Ryan admitted. The wolf's ears were focused entirely on Yearl, "I assumed you'd stay in Myrh for the rest of your life."
The lion nodded in response, "Perhaps there was more to the 'senseless ramblings' of a young wandering priest than I first suspected."
The priest laughed, "What happened that finally made you come around?"
Yearl gazed down at the ground as he let out a sigh, "I suppose the same thing that happened to me in Doen... things got too comfortable."
"You were getting soft?" Ryan asked.
The lion shook his head, "No... I started getting confused."
"How so?" the wolf questioned. I strained my ears to hear the discussion; it seemed almost out of character for the mighty Yearl Rakken to be so casual.
"In Doen I began to question the value of my service... was I doing the right thing? Was the word of the priesthood worth as much as it once had been? Was I giving my life to help others perpetuate their own sloth?" Yearl shook his head.
"And Myrh?" Priest Farstrider pressed.
"Similar questions." the Captain answered, "I wasn't sure what I thought I saw was really the way it was... certain things I wanted but couldn't have... certain things I thought I had but really didn't know if it was real."
The two shared quiet nods and the casual break in the conversation was enough for both of them to look up and around during the silence. Despite how much I wanted to stay and learn about the commander, I realized that it was not worth being spotted spying on them... so I moved on. More chances would present themselves, I was certain, and I am a very patient individual.
My willingness to move on was rewarded by a very unique situation; I had never actually expected for Artemesia and Anya to come face to face, one-on-one. While it was a very simple discussion, any kind of interaction between the Demon of Ashlai and Priestess Fanewatcher would be well worth watching. I settled onto an empty stool next to a small cooking fire and took the opportunity to mix together some cooking oats, giving me something to do so it didn't look like I was listening in.
"I don't doubt that you've killed hundreds... perhaps thousands..." Anya spoke, "...I am certain that most of the stories about the Demon of Ashlai are true."
"Then what is your problem with me... Priestess?" the dragon-like warrior questioned, her talons clenching and unclenching as if she'd rather be wielding weapons than words.
"I have no problems with you personally, Artemisia." the jackal responded, "But I am sure you know that Father Tomal is no longer in favor with the temple."
"And the temple has no qualms about continuing to remind me of that." the dragoness replied caustically.
"Your association with him does not look good for either of you." Anya pointed out.
"Since when were you concerned with the opinions of others?" Artemesia questioned.
The jackal laughed in response, but didn't bother answering, instead, she changed her line of discussion, "I have no problem with you, but I have heard that there are rumors going through the caravan that the Demon of Ashlai is in attendance. Are you going to deny that Father Tomal had something to do with it?"
I could imagine the surprise on the dragoness' face because her voice certainly said it all, "I had thought the temple started it."
"Interesting..." the priestess replied.
The conversation would have continued, I'm sure, but, at that point, a cry came up from the edge of the wagon train... shouts of attack, and danger, and foragers in trouble. Even heading directly to the site of the disturbance didn't help me understanding what was going on. The two men, covered in what appeared to be cat-scratches had to be calmed down before any useful information could be gained from them.
I didn't understand what they were talking about and it didn't make any sense, but by the time Artemesia and Yearl had heard what the men had to say there was no doubt: Biteleaf. Not being all that familiar with the Wild Lands, I had no idea what it meant, but both the Captain and the Demon of Ashlai were quick to gather up a formidable fighting force. Jerard and Beo joined them, as did Priest Farstrider and Priestess Fanewatcher. I was about to excuse myself and continue looking for a new wagon for traveling when a strong paw came to rest on my shoulder. Turning, I saw Kell looking right at me, "Not thinking of losing a chance to prove yourself, are you, my Lady?"
I provided as convincing a smile as I could considering the circumstances, "Not anymore, apparently."
* * * * *
The Myrh Caravan is on its way to Zion!
The first part of Chapter 1 presents the group's first of many decisions.
Contributing readers now get to choose the way the party will face this situation. Myrhian Contributing Readers each get 1 vote on how to proceed. Anyone may spend 1 Willpower to get a second vote (with a successful social roll, Target number of 20). The following options are available:
1) The party will free the foragers. Contributing Reader characters will be involved in combat and may risk injury or death but will earn additional full Event Arc bonuses. SUCCESS.
2)Send the caravan guards to free the foragers. Caravan guards will be sent enmass to destroy the biteleaf without any risk to Contributing Reader characters. Story Seeds will be provided in full but only half of the Event Arc bonuses will be provided. SUCCESS
3) Pound the biteleaf field with prayer and magic. Artemesia, Ryan Farstrider, Beo Kyr, Anya Fanewatcher, and Jerard will bring powers to bear against the plants. All paricipating characters gain 1 Major Fatigue. If their magic is successful the copse of biteleaf will be destroyed and the party will receive full bonuses for completing the Event Arc. SUCCESS
4) Conserve resources and leave the foragers to their fate. The Event Arc is considered failed. Full Story Seeds will be provided but the party will gain no bonuses and suffer from the failure of an Event Arc. No experience is awarded. FAILURE.
Contributing Readers, make sure you make your vote before midnight (pst) on Friday, June 3rd.