Chapter 2-8: An Explosive Entrance And Exit [For A Better Age]

[Inari]

Narrante


Halted by the hand on her shoulder, Narrante looked back at the woman who had been with Bjarn, unsure of who she was. She was armed, though, and her proximity to Bjarn encouraged Narrante to think she was a warrior of some kind. Though she was encouraged somewhat by the offer of assistance, Snowflake's lecture was not well-received, even if the woman laughed during it. Narrante turned her gaze away sourly; had she not said moments ago she was done running? Though she wondered whether the woman had taken one too many knocks to the head, Narrante tried to ignore the comments and followed compliantly.


It isn't always bad to be forgotten, thought Narrante as she followed, unsure of how to feel. Snowflake spoke of what she wanted more than anything, but made her feel more out of place than ever. As she listened to the woman, Narrante was silent, contemplating.

 

[Archivist]

Narrante


“There, you see,†says Snowflake and she smiles mischiefly. “You’re in good hands, Bjarn himself said so. No need to worry.â€


The Night Cast Solar is lead to the barracks of the Valhal. A relatively Spartan building meant to just serve the most basic functions of housing many individuals. Little more then a giant warehouse. Dozens are housed in the building, and they are spread out among various camps within the building. “Over here,†says Snowflake as she waves towards one of the ‘camps.’ “Watch your step, and are people sleeping all over the place.â€


After navigating their way to the camp, Narrante finds herself in the presence of about a dozen young to middle age women around a campfire talking. They turn to the new arrivals. “Hi Snowflake, whose the new girl?†asks one of the women in the circle.


“Hello everyone,†Snowflake places her hands on Narrante to force her forwards to be seen by everyone. “This here is Narrante, she came into town on that merchant ship a couple days ago. Aaaannnnnddddd, she is a Solar to boot.†Ohhs and aahhs go out from the collection of women, and young ninja now has everyone’s attention. “Yep, saw her cast mark and everything, little hard to fake that. Seems she doesn’t have anyone, and does not feel like she belongs anywhere, so I say we change that, don’t you all think so?†There is a general murmur of agreements, and offers for Narrante to sit with them.


Sharp Snowflake guides Narrante to an empty spot large enough for the both of them to sit at. One of the older women smiles at Narrante as she gets herself situation. “Well aren’t you a precious little thing?†she says teasingly. “Bet Snowflake thought you would die out in the cold if she left a poor thing like you. She always one to bring back cute little animals home that she collected.†There are some giggles and laughs at the inside joke, and Snowflake reddens slightly.


“Well we are all pretty much a collection of strays at this point,†says a red headed women in her early 20’s. “We are all pretty much sad and alone,†she says remorsefully. “The Varajtul and the winter cost us all of our families. Well Gilana and Tricy over there are sisters and still have each other, but the rest of us have pretty much lost all of our kin.†She motions towards the sleeping girl whose head is lying in her lap. Probably between 7-9 years of age. “We found poor Chamidy here wondering out in the wilderness all alone. Dazed and starving. We went to her village to try and find her kin, but…there wasn’t anything left mentioning there. At least for a girl her age. No idea how she managed to survive what happened to her village, but we took her with us none-the-less.â€


“Lots of that going around,†confirms Snowflake. “I lost half my family to the Varajtul last year, and then the other half to that monster Ofran. Traitorous bastard struck my mother down when she was trying to lead my people against the Varajtul.†She looks down sadly. “Yes, a lot of that going around. Why we are sticking together. I hear the other Valhal have taken to calling us the Lost Girls.â€


“Lost maybe, but not alone,†says one of the women playfully. Which gets some laughs and nods of agreement from the other women.


“So where are you from Narrante,†asks one of the women curiously. “You don’t have the look of a North-girl to me. What brought you to Icehold of all place?†There are nods of agreement as the women pay attention to Narrante, intent on learning more about her.


“Yes, tell us about yourself!â€


“You’re only among friends here.â€


“Don’t worry, and there isn’t any story too wild for us to believe. Wild stories are an artform around here.â€


“And you’re probably too far from whatever troubles you might have to be a problem all the way out here.â€


“And what’s said around the campfire can stay ound the campfire. If it’s an embarrassing story, we aren’t above changing names to protect the innocent.â€


“We know all about each other, so no reason for you to be any different.â€

 

[Axelgear]

Calypso


"Please, please, calm yourselves!" Calypso shouts over the crowd, gesturing for them to quiet themselves. "The people on this ship were Ofran's prisoners, one way or another. When they had the chance, they tried their best to make sure no others would come to harm because of him, with no knowledge of their own security." She tells the mob, well aware of the anger they must be feeling.


"They have committed crimes, against you all and others. They admit their fault. They have done what they can to redeem themselves. They cannot make up for their faults, but they have earned at least some leniency." She offers, trying to calm the people preparing the rope for some hangings.


"They will be punished, you have my word, but, please, let them be dealt with properly and not through regretful violence. Go and help the wounded and tend to the dying. It will be a far better use of your time, and a better tribute to those whose lives have been cruelly taken this night."


Her peace said, Calypso lowers her arms, and waits to see what the people of Icehold will do...

 

[Archivist]

Calypso


Calypso’s words seem to take the wind out of the sails of the mob (that and a reluctance to deal with an Exalted to get to the Valhal). They mill about looking at each other unsure of themselves, seeing if anyone does anything. The battered Irkuk Woodcut, one of his captors weapons now at his side, steps forward to stand beside Calypso. “What she says is true,†says the new Valhal chief. “Look at my face, these wounds were inflicted by Ofran, the man who perpetuated these attacks, and kidnapped me to torture me relentlessly. The man murdered my father on the fields outside Icehold. I have no love for the butcher Ofran and his murderous thugs, but I also call on you to allow these men to face justice.â€


He looks around at the faces that make up the mob, making eye contact with as many as he can. “Real justice, not that of a disorganized mob.†Irkuk places a hand on Calypso’s shoulder. “This young woman speaks the truth, there are better uses of your time than simple vengeance. Please, show you are better than these men and women who have done so many wrong.†The crowd seems to lose its heart and will to go on with the lynchings after being faced down by Calypso and an injured man. A handful of guard come, and start to help disperse the mob that is already starting to mill away.


Calypso notices that Irkuk is putting more and more of his weight on her shoulder. She sees that his knees are shaking, and his breath heavy. He whispers to Calypso weakly. “I don’t suppose you could help me down with some grace and dignity? I’m afraid Ofran laid into me a little harder then I originally realized, and I think I just overdid it. That was either a brave or stupid thing you did. Heh, but I couldn’t just lie to the side and face down a whole mob by yourself. Not much of a chief if I-“ Irkuk stumbles slightly from weakness as he depends even more on Calypso to support his weight.

 

[Axelgear]

Calypso


Calypso turns her head up to look at Irkuk, before quickly having to direct it down slightly, having forgotten that she was floating at the moment. The realization of Irkuk's words come with a smile, as she looks back from him to the mob, hoping his words will grant the power to disperse them. As they start to leave, she bows respectfully, first to the people, and then slightly towards Irkuk.


Then, she notices he is leaning on her more strongly.


Then, he leans even more.


With a squeal of surprise, Calypso collapses, her legs shaking and slipping as the full weight of a barbarian chief is placed on her shoulders. With mental strength to pull steel doors off their hinges, Calypso is still relatively flimsy in frame.


Still, a bout of quick thinking keeps Irkuk standing. As she falls, Calypso's feet rush upwards, compressing her body and using the disk of light to support herself. As she recovers, quickly if not gracefully, invisible hands move to support Irkuk, lifting him gently off the ground.


"Thank you. And... Sorry..." She apologizes. There is a glance over her shoulder, before looking back at the guards. A glance follows in the direction of the castle.


"You," she gestures to the guards, "keep these men here, below decks. Do not allow anyone in or out without my say-so. There's enough food here to keep you all supplied until you're relieved." She orders, hoping her words have authority, before she helps Irkuk and the hostages off the boat. As she leaves, she gives one last glance over her shoulder at the Valhal. She gives them no words, merely a concerned glance, before drifting off with Irkuk and the hostages, back to Icehold.


(Think that's it for Calypso in this thread)

 

[Inari]

Narrante


Narrante had not noticed until they arrived in the warehouse how crowded Icehold seemed to be. From what she had gleaned, the Valhals were not native to this place, and their presence seemed only to make the confines of the walled city more snug. It was with a note of sadness that she understood overpopulation would probably not be a problem after the next day.


Snowflake was wise to usher Narrante forward when they approached the ring of women, but her brown eyes widened in momentary alarm when the matter of her Exalt nature was spoken of so freely. Immediately all eyes were on her, most looking to her forehead, though her caste mark had faded on the walk through the city.


Though the girl wanted to get to bed to rest, it seemed sleep was beyond her reach for the moment. She took the seat Snowflake offered her, listening quietly as the others spoke to her. Though she naturally tried to remain distant, the explanation of their shared situation was difficult to ignore, and Narrante couldn't help a faint feeling of kinship with the lonely women. Her keen eyes roved over each of the women who spoke or indicated others, but when the topic turned to herself, she clearly recoiled.


Still, the insistence of the women was strong, and the offer of feeling like part of the group was tempting. She was silent a long few moments, considering after they had grown silent, before she spoke up for the first time.


"I am from the Blessed Isle," she murmured, having to fight the urge to turn her head longingly South. She was difficult to hear among the motion in the warehouse, but she spoke slowly in Skytongue. "In a valley distant from the Imperial City, my clan flourished. Ninja, serving as assassins or spies or thieves for the wealthiest patricians or any dynast with a difficult problem." She had been loathe to speak of her clan before this, but now that she thought of it, attracting attention to the Ashen Rose might be the best thing she could do to ensure its ruin.


"I grew up on the same path; I don't know much about the world beyond the Realm, and I know much more about swords, locks, running, and hiding than my homeland. I did very well in my studies, truly; I was the best in most fields of our practice. Until another person came along...someone I could never beat, except with the sword," she continued, her eyes very distant as they stared at the fire; unseeing. She was looking only into memories. "I...fell in love," she said this part quieter than anything else, but pressed on at normal volume. "But my clan was very strict. They had to be, to stay secret and survive. There are rules on everything; even love and marriage, and I broke a very, very heavy rule." Her mouth was dry at this point, and she paused to sip some water, working up her courage for the next part.


"We were caught together, and my lover said I was a deceiver, that I forced them...I was to be executed. I escaped and ran and hid wherever I could on the isle for a couple of years. I got by doing whatever job I could. And I kept searching...for love, I suppose." She didn't have to debate whether to leave out the details of said search. "I got attached to the wrong person again...I exalted while we were together in her manor, and was attacked by the lord of the house. A Dragon-Blooded. I managed to kill him and fled again, but I couldn't hide in the Realm any longer. I thought they might expect me to head East or South, where it isn't so harsh and is filled with more people to hide among, so I headed North instead. I...met Keikan," she paused here, unsure if all of them would know him yet, "another Solar who has come here. He was seeking out Anoke Jandro, and I thought it couldn't hurt to have some company for a while. So...here I am," she concluded, realizing only then how long she had been talking. She hadn't spoken so much about her past to...anyone. When she was done, though, she looked uneasily among the so-called Lost Girls, awaiting their reaction uneasily.

 

[Archivist]

Calypso


Irkuk seems to relax easier now that he doesn’t have to support his full weight. Though he still looks like he is in pain from his injuries. “Thanks also. I think I’m just going to need my wounds to be addressed, and get some rest. I don’t think anything was broken. Damn that Ofran to Malfaes. Told Bjarn he couldn’t be trusted. Should have executed him for treason when we had the chance.â€


The guards seem unsure if they want to follow Calypso’s instructions, but the leader waves them on. “Come on, it’s a decent enough place to hole up until the prison cart shows up. Could be awhile anyways given the mess on the streets.†They step onto the ship to secure it, and the prisoners.


“Though you?†Says Irkuk through a grimace of pain as he steps down from the ship. “I think I may have been wrong about you. Didn’t think you could trust a demon-blooded. I just thought the others were using you as a tool, a weapon to fight this was. But I it seems to me that you have proven different. I hope you will continue to do so.†The young chieftain smiles. “Need to find someone I can trust on this awful night.â€

OOC

Yep, I believe we are done with Calypso here. [OOC] [B]Narrante[/B] The group of women listens intently to Narrante’s story about how she ended up coming to Icehold. “Well that is an interesting story,†says Snowflake as she thinks of Narrante’s story. “Ninja’s in the Blessed Isle, Dragon Blooded, and Exaltation. Certainly contains a lot there. Though I am curious to hear what rule you ended up breaking that demanded you be executed. The sentence of death seems a bit stict for the indiscretions of some young folks.†One of the older women speaks up. “That seems to a strict standard to hold. Here in the North life can be brutish and short. Certainly during the long months of winter when you get trapped by the snow and ice things can get stressed and relationships get a bit crazy and young people will do what they will when there is little to do and confined spaces. And from the sounds of it you lead was about as stressful a life with the constant opportunities for death hanging over you. Can’t put young people in a situation like that and not expect something to happen.†“That does seem like a strict standard to hold.†“Though love can make you a bit crazy. Impairs your judgment at times. Not the best of things to having happen for spies and assassins.†“Maybe, but you always fight harder for those that you love. Why you can’t trust mercenaries, their only love is money, nothing tying them down to fight for a righteous cause.†Many agree with this statement. “I personally don’t see what the problem is as long as it doesn’t interfere with ones responsibilities†says as she pats Narrante on the hand to comfort her. “Your people certainly sound completely different from ours.†“Was it a caste difference that caused this problem,†asks one of the women. “I have heard in some lands marriages between those of different castes or certain groups are forbidden for some reason.†“Yes, but even then half the time nobles and the like just have secret lovers, or not so secret lovers,†comments another. “I figure the one of lesser social standing could just have taken that role. Always to be discreet about that.†“Maybe they just don’t allow for that,†one of them adds unconvinced. “Do they have arranged marriages in your clan,†asks another trying to figure out what the issue was that lead to Narrante running away. “Was you clan upset that you were having relationships outside of strictly approved partners?†“I wouldn’t see why you wouldn’t be allowed lovers before you were formally married,†says one woman as she intently follows the discussion. “As long as you take precautions like drinking some Maiden’s tea there shouldn’t be any major complications to a relationship like that.†Another tries to interject with an answer. “Well there are some clans and Icewalkers who seems to think there is a drop in market value, if you want to put it like that, if a potential marriage partner is no longer a virgin.†“True,†says one of the others. “But to kill a young girl for her indiscretion seems a bit much.†One of the women grunts in frustration. “Well for a loss of other ideas, I have heard that in some lands further south it is taboo to have relations between those of the same sex.†“I don’t see how that should be a major issue,†replies one of them. “Lots of way that can be worked around.†One of them nods. “Right, if marriage is the issue then just have a man and women of the same persuasion just marry, and seek outside company.†“As long as a women does her duty to her clan by producing children to keep her clan strong, then whose company one prefers doesn’t really matter,†says Snowflake matter of factly. “What my mother did even when she didn’t have a publically acknowledged relationship with my father.†“Of course,†says the older woman teasingly. “No reason you can’t put those hips to use to make some babies in the name of your clan even if you have no interest in menfolk. Just set up some ‘play dates’ with a man or two to get the job done. You don’t need to enjoy the act to get with child. If need be you can get one of your brothers or cousins to act as a father figure to the child. Seems the practical way to handle it.†Some of the women give varying levels of agreement while others blush in embarrassment at the idea. “I had a sister and her partner who did something like,†says one of the women. “Had a friend of their help out with that little issue.†“Seems a bit…odd to…seek help outside of the relationship wouldn’t you think,†asks one of the women unconvinced. “It’s not ideal,†admits the older woman. “But we all have to make sacrifices to keep the clan strong. The Varajtul and our other enemies aren’t going to slay themselves.†“So nowe have been beating around the bush on the issue, and now doubt embarrassed poor Narrante terribly,†says Snowflake as she turns back to Narrante. “Why did your people feel the need to execute you? Executing a highly trained individual such as yourself, one of their own kin seems a bit much. Not even some lighter punishment to start with.â€

 

[Inari]

Narrante


Narrante did little to paint a picture with words, but she had given the women what they wanted. Unfortunately, that did not mean it was time to rest. She was left sitting, quietly aghast as the women not only proceeded to debate the merits of her clan's workings at face value, but to postulate their own ideas as to what got Narrante in trouble in the first place. By the time the conversation wrapped up, Narrante was sitting with her face in her hands. She was sorely tempted to slip away during the excessive chatter, but barely resisted the urge.


When attention finally turned back to her directly, she peered up at Sharp Snowflake, her expression pained and exhausted. She answered slowly again, after a delay. "There are people for whom belief is greater than any material limit. This drives some to protect what is theirs against all dangers. It can just as easily drive another to punish someone who has wronged them, no matter how valuable they are."


"I was not highly trained. There were dozens like me. I was one of the better initiates, but my clan does not suffer from a lack of numbers." She was quiet for a while longer, considering. She had thrown her lot in with that of Icehold. If she were to die tomorrow, would she feel heavy with the weight of her past? She had already started to share it with others. Keikan knew a little. So did Bjarn. Now she had given the Lost Girls this much. Perhaps she would feel lighter...


"I loved a woman," she murmured, quietly enough that any but Snowflake had to strain to hear. "My only classmate who could defeat me in most things. She told my clan I deceived and forced myself upon her. She's married by now; maybe has a child of her own to support the clan. What good are either?" For the first time, a note of anger entered into her voice, overriding her melancholy for just a moment. When it faded, she was staring at the fire, her large eyes empty and distant. At last, she stood up and left the group, moving to a corner away from any other beds. Without a word or a look back, she laid out her bedroll and laid on it, her back to the fire.


She didn't know whether she felt better or worse.

 

[Archivist]

Narrante


An uncomfortable silence decent on the camp at Narrante’s outburst. Seeing her pain they allow her to leave and set up her bedroll and lie down. When she lies down looking away from the fire she feels a hand touch her shoulder in a comforting manner. She can see Snowflake on her knees next to her smiling sadly. “I can see that you must be hurting Narrante.†She looks away with a pained expression. “To be falsely accused of something so horrible, it must have been awful. And as a result you lost so much. Family, clan, friends, and loves. All at once. You are hurting because you lost everything that mattered to you. Everything you knew. And you nearly lost your life. All over something that was stupid.â€


Snowflake looks back up with a harder features of determination. “But it is good to talk about it. Even if it hurt to do so. Like resetting a bone after it has been broken. It hurts a great deal when you do it, but it’s necessary to heal right. After my family were all killed, when my mother was betrayed by Ofran and mortally wounded by him, I nearly fell apart. I fell into darkness, and nearly consumed by a desire for vengeance. I went after Ofran, seeking a battle I would not likely have survived. I don’t think I cared what happened to me. Luckily I was stopped by Calypso and Bjarn from becoming totally self destructive. And then those that remained who cared for me helped me, talked with me. I know what it is like to be hurt by injustice. So I like to think I understand where you are coming from Narrante.†She breaths in and out slowly. “Don’t discount your own worth so quickly. You do matter, maybe more than any of us realize.â€


Snowflake stands up stretching her legs. “I’ll let you sleep. It’s going to be a busy day in a few hours, and I would prefer not to face it too tired Good night Narrante.â€