Trial By Fire - Exalted 2e IC Thread

[Sherwood]

Sirocco launches into the air with a beat of her powerful wings and heads up towards what she believes is the building of the lord Solar of the town. It does not take you long to fly over; Gwynnin is not a very large town by area. Do you plan on landing on the roof or setting down in front of the entrance at the ground level?

As you fly up, the old woman Dragon-Blooded waves farewell to you, then quickly sends a message using her Essence to Aredin. "M'lord, you should prepare yourself for a pair of guests; a Lunar and Solar that have just arrived in the town and are coming to introduce themselves to you and the rest of the Circle."


Inside the meeting room, the message from Apple arrives to Aredin. At the moment, Hax is looking a bit overwhelmed with all of the information that he's been bombarded with, and is probably in need of a bit of down time to digest what he's been told.

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Her Anima flaring, everyone in town, and for miles around, can see seven silver wings outstretched, beating in rhythm. She comes close to the ground in front of the building, leaving Heaven standing on the ground, her Anima flaring behind her, and she is hovering behind him, ready to take any action that might be needed.

 

[Rykon]

Aredin dismisses Hax into the care of Ram, letting his friend and military advisor mentor the now addled Dynast. "We'll have to discuss matters with your fellows tomorrow, seems today is going to be...loud..." he'd state dryly as the heat of light baring through the windows intensified. "I don't hear fighting, the hells is going on out there?" Aredin grumbled stepping out of the solar and onto a balcony. "Hey! Can you calm it down out here!? You're scaring the farmers... and the guards..." The shout echoed from midway through the tower as Aredin could feel the panic emanating from the outskirts of town.

 

[Psychie]

Darian focuses her hearing on the sounds outside. "It would seem that Apple is trying to calm things down outside, but the presence of the flier out there has gotten some people a bit . . . unnerved. We need to settle them down before we have a riot on our hands. Let us both be seen out there, dealing with this in a calm fashion, and it will go a long way to put things right." She kicks on her Infinite Resplendence's Amulet's power to provide her a bright glow and raise up her Appearance at the same time. It will make her quite visible to the people out in the square watching the area.

Walking out onto the balcony, Darian holds up her hands to the crowds. "Attention everyone! There is no need for concern. Everything is fine! Please, calm yourselves."

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Sirocco cocks her head to the side at the human who steps into the balcony "If your farmers and guards are so easily scared, from one Anima flaring, i suspect you might have a bigger problem that you need to address." She decided that she didn't like his tone. But when the lady comes out, she gives a short bow and proclaims "My name is Seven-Winged Sirocco. I am a Full Moon Lunar, and I have come here with my Solar Bond, Pale Heaven's Star, to talk to the Solars who we have heard rule this place."

 

[Kalin Scarlet]

"Sorry! Just a moment!" Heaven yelled to the Solars standing above them, before hurriedly pulling his Lunar partner into a huddle.

"S-Sirocco! This was supposed to be an introduction, not a power play!" Heaven whispered to his companion, though seeing the magnificent display of her anima that he admired so made him soften his reprimanding tone of voice, and brought the slightest blush to his cheeks. "Please...try not to be antagonistic when dealing with these people. I know we've had our share of struggles dealing with people who tried to take advantage of us, but I think, perhaps one more time, we can give these people the benefit of the doubt. Okay?" As he spoke, he reached out to her, grasping her hand, only to pull it away, blushing harder when he realized he'd done so. "Wh-what do you say?"

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Seeing Heaven so distraught about her behavior, Sirocco's feathers cease their bristling. She lets her anima fade, as she assumes her human form, and then turns to the humans standing on the balcony. "My apologies if I have caused any trouble, but am on edge."

 

[Rykon]

Aredin smiles and invites them up with a wave. "We've been attacked before. I assure you raising alarm at strange anima flares is desired protocol as any one of us may be preoccupied with day to day affairs. Speaking of..." Aredin shades his eyes and scans the breadth of his view for signs of Durke mounting a charge. "So far so good... Maybe he ran into Apple..." Aredin whispered to himself.

"Anyhow looks like things are settling back down. Head on up and we'll get you guys some proper food." Sun knows I'm getting hungry after all of this mess. It was at this moment, as Hax was likely making his way down the tower with Ram, Aredin remembered the note Annika showed him earlier. "Er... Annika, before I forget, about how urgent is that news?"

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Letting Heaven take the lead here, Sirocco is a step behind him, ready to be there if he needs any help. She would have told them that she could hunt for her own food, but she knew that Heaven still hadn't fully come to grips with her eating her meat raw, despite her telling him that in her falcon form, cooked meat tasted bad.

 

[jaydude]

Seconds earlier:
Annika began to notice the shining light from outside the room at around the same time that Aredin did. Following him and Darian out onto the balcony, it didn't take long for her to notice the huge, shining bird, as well as the exceptionally handsome young man stood nearby. After Aredin and Darian addressed the two, the bird's light disappeared, and the creature itself shrunk down to the form of a young woman as Annika watched with her mouth slightly agape.

Is this one of those "Lunar" exalts?

Now:
"I can't say for certain until I knew exactly what kind of information the spies in question have been able to obtain." Annika replied to Aredin. "But even if they're just living here, they'd be able to get things like rough estimates of our military strength, as well as local news and gossip, such as the failure of the recent Wyld Hunt, the fact that you and Darian are the rulers of this place, and the recent arrival of Sirocco and Heaven. I do however believe that the spies from the Realm are the more urgent concern. While Lookshy would have a much easier time attacking us, the Realm's more likely to want to do so. Would you agree?"

That last question was directed at Viktor, Annika thinking that a Lookshy native would have a far more accurate opinion on what Lookshy might do than she would.

 

[Rykon]

Aredin turned, "Wait a minute... spies? Already? Hells' bells, I'm getting tired of our neighbors' meddling. Have your agents verify they have sufficient cause to warrant an arrest and search with the uniformed authorities. Our plain clothes agents can take point on these arrests if they wish, but I want any fallout contained. This is a first swing at this job for most of your crew I'd wager, so be careful. I want to speak to them once it's done. Savvy?"

 

[Psychie]

Darian places a calming hand upon Aredin's shoulder. "We have been here for over a year now, and word has started to spread of our presence. Do you really believe that the neighboring nations wouldn't want to learn more about us? It is hardly surprising, but yes, we will need to make a move. But consider, we may wish to let some of them stay in place and we can then use them to feed what we want back to Looksky."

 

[jaydude]

"I understand." Annika replied to Aredin's orders. "My people and I will look into the matter once I return to our headquarters. And you needn't worry; true, we're used to stealing silver, jewels and trinkets rather than secretly finding information. But I imagine that an ability to enter forbidden places without being seen would be well suited to the latter job, as well as the former."

She then turned to Darian. "I was thinking the same thing, or at least that it would be pointless to execute the spies or run them out of town; they'd just be replaced by new ones. Perhaps we can convert the spies to our own cause, and have them relay false information to their former masters. After all, you seem to be quite good at winning people over."

 

[Rykon]

Aredin nods, "I'm planning on plumbing them for intelligence actually. Should prove enlightening to know what our entrenched opponents have learned."

 

[jaydude]

"But of course. At minimum, we can do that." Annika said, before a troubled look appeared on her face. "I should probably let the two of you know that the reason I had my people check for spies today, was because I was thinking about how Mellar was able to escape us. And speaking of him...can we really be certain that he's truly abandoned the Dynasts to their fate? For all we know he's hiding out somewhere nearby, if not within Gwynnin's walls, trying to come up with a way to break them out. It's what I would do if I were him."

 

[MasterDAF]

Viktor also followed the group out onto the balcony, keeping quiet at first so as not to interrupt Aredin and Darian as they spoke with the new pair of Exalts waiting outside. Hmm, now isn't that interesting. She flies like a bird, but with a silver glow shifts form to that of a woman. He stroked his chin, thinking. I'm almost certain the faded scrolls in Sahim's library mentioned such iconography as being natural to the beastial Exalts, those chosen of Luna! The crafter smiled. I wonder if she is as deft with a tool as she is with her magnificent wings. It would be a real treat to forge Moonsilver alongside one who is innately familiar with its quicksilver properties.

Blinking, the blacksmith tore himself away from his craft-filled daydream and turned his attention to the Night caste beside him. "Goodness, your crew of loyal vagabonds has already proven their worth, haven't they? I dare say Annika, your arrival here in Gwynnin has turned out to be as much a blessing for us as it has been for you." He leaned in closely and smiled. "I look forward to seeing how they perform on our pre-arranged side-project."

When she asked the question concerning Lookshy and the likelihood that they might use the spy-gathered information to support an attack on Gwynnin, Viktor forced himself to think objectively before giving an answer. "Well, I'm inclined to say that the Seventh Legion will wait and give us the benefit of the doubt. We're targets of the Realm, and one would hope that such a shared situation between ourselves and Lookshy would make us fast allies." He shrugged halfheartedly and sighed. "Yet the reality probably isn't that simple. While its true that the Realm has dogma on their side to justify sending the Wyld Hunt to eliminate us, it is also true that Lookshy does not take kindly to powerful kingdoms cropping up in their own backyards. The Seventh Legion likes to view itself as a first among equals, sort of a 'leader of the pack' within the overall Confederation of Rivers."

He shook his head, then continued solemnly. "As individuals we can be hired and disavowed with relatively little issue or oversight, so long as our true identities as Solars aren't overly-flaunted around the Scavenger Lands. But building a nation on this side of the Inland Sea to rival their own...I don't know. There's a definite possibility it could be viewed as much more threatening. The General Staff prides themselves on their intelligence gathering, almost as much as they do on their ability to wage war. Understanding our current capabilities both on and off the battlefield, as well as those advantages we may be cultivating in the near future, will be their first goal. I don't want to imagine my countrymen would come after Gwynnin, but as a potential future threat, it would be a lie to say the possibility doesn't exist."

 

[Rykon]

Aredin speaks candidly, "I can't say I've ever seen them at work, protectors or otherwise. They will be treated as any other foreign insurgents until we see tangible intent from them. However, I have big plans to partner with them after Rathess, so let's keep things as cordial as possible, alright?"

 

[jaydude]

Seconds earlier...
"You flatter me, Viktor." Annika said while giving him a smile that could be considered more than friendly, though privately she thought that their joint scheme to get an implosion bow would have to wait until the Rathess objective was achieved, however long that took. And that was assuming they didn't find one in the First Age city and make their plan redundant.

Now...
Annika listened as Viktor gave his assessment of Lookshy's likely attitude towards the circle. It was somewhat more bleak than she had expected, and she decided that she'd just have to hope that they could pass under Lookshy's notice for as long as possible.

"I can't say I've ever seen them at work, protectors or otherwise..."

That remark - and the following implication that it would color Aredin's views on the matter - worried Annika a bit, as she recalled the earlier disagreement between Aredin and Viktor over a percieved insult towards Lookshy. She decided to ignore the fact that Aredin hadn't answered her concerns about Mellar, in order to get some words in before things could escalate.

"To be fair, Aredin, you grew up in the South. As far as I know, Lookshy's main area of focus in the Threshold has always been in the Scavenger Lands."

 

[MasterDAF]

Viktor bit his tongue as Aredin spoke candidly of Lookshy. The blacksmith appreciated Annika's smile and her words to the Eclipse caste, helping to provide some context. After his earlier outburst, Viktor recognized that further speaking on the subject could only muddy the apology he had given. As such, he refrained from reiterating the merits of the Seventh Legion, and instead silently nodded in response to Aredin's question.

 

[Rykon]

"That's kind of my point. I came from Yane, where all I knew of the protectors of creation was that they were wonderfully absent while my family was devoured by monsters, while I was fleeing slavers, murders, and..." Aredin stopped. "I've said too much... my point being, I need you to understand, you may be familiar with them, felt happy in their fold. I don't blame you or fault you. I have no experience with them, I do not trust them. So all I have is your word and the fact that they haven't tried to kill us yet. My wariness of strangers isn't personal, I promise."

 

[MasterDAF]

[EXTREMELY PREVIOUSLY...]

VIKTOR: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS
ENTRY #3​

Map:

Spoiler

Story:

Spoiler

16TH DAY OF RESPLENDANT AIR, RY 769​

“Steady now!” Talbar called, urging caution as the sailors steered closer to the fast approaching docks.

Viktor watched from the side, standing next to the mast and observing the coordinated efforts of the crew. The deckhands moved like a well-oiled machine, everybody knowing where they were needed and acting in a concerted fashion. They had made good time on their journey, avoiding the sleek Realm cutter and its accompanying skiffs by slipping northward towards the mouth of the Great Yanaze. As expected, the patrol ship and its escort eventually slowed and then left rather than following its quarry further. The Dynasts knew better than to risk their Terrestrial cousins’ ire and enter the Lookshyan waterways undermanned.

From that point on, the trip was relatively smooth sailing. Talbar kept the ship barely within eyesight of the coast as they continued northward, unfurling both large sails on the sunnier days and using teams of rowers at times when the winds failed them. Skirting away from the coastal regions allowed them to speed along the water without worry of the larger vessels the Wind fleet sometimes launched from their ports nearer the Imperial City.

Viktor turned to look over his shoulder, hearing Koharu walk up from behind him.

“Ah, you’re getting more attentive,” she teased the Twilight crafter. Her arms were laden with the last few items to be packed, and the bags they were intended to be placed within. “I’ve collected the last of our things for the ongoing trip. Including,” she held up a small corked vial containing drops of frothy ocean spray, “salt water. This should help cover your friend Aredin’s portion of the arcane link, when you are ready to start forging the wedding rings.”

“Good, thank you.” He looked back to the shoreline and the small harbor that was drawing near. “This might be a Realm tributary, but at least its smaller that Chiaroscuro. I imagine we shouldn’t have too much trouble moving through to the snowy villages beyond its borders.”

Koharu took on a slightly pensive look. “I don’t wish to disagree with you; however, unlike the Delzhan-controlled tributary, Cherak is wholly owned and operated by offshoot Dynasts. The entire city lives and breathes the Immaculate Philosophy.” She favored him with a quick wink. “And you won’t always have a sea monster to slay and change their minds.”

Viktor chuckled. “No, I suppose not. Still, as long as we keep a low profile, I think we’ll be okay.”

“Let us hope so.”

For what they lacked in hygiene and a proper understanding of grammar, the rugged deckhands and veteran sailors easily made up for it in their honed naval capabilities. They brought the ship into the cloud-covered port as one might lay a newborn into a crib, nestling it gently against the adjacent docks and strapping it to the posts without a single scratch to the hull.

Before much time had passed, the two passengers found themselves leaving the ship behind and disembarking. They were guided down the gangplank by Talbar and two of his sailors, with the merchant walking ahead of them and the sailors bringing up the rear. A clipboard-carrying man wearing a breastplate engraved with the seal of Cherak began walking towards them, and Viktor leaned close to Koharu to whisper. “Let’s hope Talbar holds up his end of the bargain.”

The merchant warmly greeted the oncoming harbormaster, raising his silk-covered arms and then clasping the other man’s hands between his own. To one with a quick eye, they might have noticed the smooth transfer of silver coins from the merchant’s sleeves to the harbormaster’s possession. To the casual onlooker however, it would simply appear as something more akin to a strange attempt on the part of the Delzhan trader to feign friendliness. “Hello, my friend. I am glad to be here in the wonderful city of Cherak again.”

The harbormaster quickly moved the silver to a pouch on his hip, looking around nonchalantly to ensure nobody caught the transaction, then turned his attention back to Talbar. “Yes, of course you are. Who wouldn’t be?”

Viktor looked around, taking note of the murky water in the harbor and the dirty slush-covered streets along the route into the city. More like, who would be?

“What is your business here in our fine city?” the man droned on.

“Mostly mercantile,” the merchant responded. “I wish to sell my dazzling wares and magnificent spices to the great Dynasts of Cherak, that they might find comfort in their boredom and brighter flavors within their bland foods.” The harbormaster began making notes on his clipboard, and Viktor noticed that the feather-pen seemed to be producing its own ink as the man wrote with it.

“Additionally,” Talbar continued, “my associates will be making their way along the Traveler’s Road towards Whitewall.” He gestured towards Viktor and Koharu. “Though it is certainly a trifling city in comparison to the majesty of Cherak, I do hope to expand my business. The walled outpost will serve as good a purpose as any to stake a claim further north, you understand.”

“Well…” the harbormaster began, uncertain how he felt about such a plan.

“Please, my friend!” the merchant threw an arm over the other man’s shoulder, depositing additional coins on the top of his clipboard in the process. “I would be grateful if you would attempt to share in the vision I have birthed for my business dealings. Wouldn’t you attempt the same as me, were you but in my shoes?”

Slipping the extra silver into his pouch, the harbormaster jotted another mark onto the clipboard and then nodded in agreement. “Yes, I suppose I would.” He tore a piece from the page he had been writing on and handed it over to the Delzhan trader. “Take this to the clerk in the dock-house when you’re ready to leave, and you’ll find the process greatly expediated.”

The merchant gave him a large smile, and exuberantly shook his hand one more time. “Ah, that is most wonderful! Thank you! You are truly a great man, my friend!” The harbormaster gave a curt nod and then walked off towards another boat slip. He switched out the papers, preparing his clipboard to for the next ship to dock and leaving the small group alone by their vessel.

Viktor adjusted the bag hanging from his shoulder. “Well, that went well.”

The merchant quickly turned and shushed him. “Do you how many of the Realm’s spies watch the ports on the Inland Sea?”

The blacksmith shook his head, “I don’t know, how many?”

“More than enough to hear you blathering, that’s how many. Keep quiet until we have exited the city.”

Viktor frowned in return but did as he was told and stopped speaking. The merchant directed the small group across the crisscross of docks until they reached the small dock-house sitting at the water’s edge. He handed the slip of paper over as instructed and began smiling and smooth talking with the young attendant inside. Within minutes the entire docking transaction was completed, and the group was free to make their way from the port to the city proper.

“Now,” the Delzhan trader said, “I could use a stiff drink. Join me.” It wasn’t a request.

Viktor was at first tempted to refuse the man. He was tired of the gaudy Delzhan and the constant rules he’d had to follow aboard the ship, ready to put it all behind him. Yet he also realized that they would not have gotten as far as they had, if at all, without the man’s timely help. They owed their current presence in Cherak to the portly merchant, and for that he would suffer one drink.

“All right, one drink,“ the blacksmith responded. “But you’re buying.”

The group made their way along the slick cobblestones the led from the seaside harbor up to the city-proper. They entered through a raised portcullis unmolested, Talbar waving the pass he’d been given at the dock house to keep the guards from frisking them. The buildings were all squat and made of some kind of mud and brick compound, with thatched roofs to keep out the sun. With the constant dreary overcast they were experiencing however, Viktor imagined the inhabitants suffered much more from rain leakage than sun exposure.

The streets seemed to be in even worse shape, with many of the stones cracked or missing and leaving large hollows for rain to gather in. As wet as his boots were getting, the blacksmith was glad they weren’t attempting to ride up the street in a wagon. He saw the pieces to multiple wooden wheels emerging from holes in the street, evidence of the depth that some of the openings promised beneath their rippling surface.

After a half hour of walking, the group finally arrived at a large wooden building shaped similar to a barn. A sign hung above the doorway showcasing a large tankard of mead and a faded dragon-like creature wrapped around the bottom of the mug while sipping from the top.

“Welcome,” Talbar stated as they stopped to gaze at the sign. “to the Drunken Wyrm.”

Viktor’s eyebrows lifted slightly, but he decided he would reserve judgement until seeing the inside. Two minutes later, they had all taken seats inside the loud massive establishment. Metal tankards filled to the brim were slammed down in front of them by a large slovenly man, their contents spilling over the edges and covering the table in a thin layer of the sticky drinks. Unapologetically the server wandered back towards the bar, while two brightly clothed men fought at the bar for the right to be served first before the other.

“What a…charming place,” Viktor dryly commented as they took sips from their individual flagons. He looked about, letting the boisterous crowd and their crude behaviors sink in. “Talbar, how in Creation did you learn of this place?”

The merchant took a large gulp of his drink, then lowered the tankard. “The proprietor and I have known each other for many years. He is a consumer of rumors, both concerning the Blessed Isle and their northern holdings, and this proves both cautionary and profitable for me. I stop by for a drink and a chat each time my travels near Cherak.”

“Ah, so the Drunken Wyrm is a means to an end.” Viktor nodded, putting it together. He looked over to Koharu, swallowing a large amount of the mead. “I never considered it until now. Does alcohol affect you?”

She shook her head. “No. But it would look strange to anyone observing us not to partake in drinking while sitting here.”

Before they could continue speaking, a tall wiry man sporting an oiled black mustache approached the table and took a seat alongside them. The facial hair above his lips stuck off the sides of his face in a way resembling a pair of short daggers placed pommel to pommel. Viktor had to take a large drink to hide his smile and avoid laughing.

“Talbar, you devil!” the man happily exclaimed, grasping arms with the large merchant across the table. “It has been too long! You almost forced me to look for a new spice supplier!”

The merchant responded in kind, “ah, you never would do such a thing Provar! You and I both know you trust no other Delzhan besides myself!” This drew a laugh from the wiry man, and they began to negotiate over the new shipment of spices to be brought up from Talbar’s ship for Provar to peruse and approve of.

After a few minutes of haggling the two men came to an agreement, with Viktor and Koharu observing the strange ritual of two men who obviously had danced this vocal-tango many times before. Then the conversation turned to rumors originating from farther up north, and Viktor leaned in to better pick up on the gossip.

“You know,” Provar began, “there have been sightings of an Imperial Magistrate watching over the westbound roads of late. They claim to be doing this as a sign of good faith to deter the creatures that escape from the dark Fell, yet that is not keeping them from extracting a ‘travel-tax’ from all who pass-by.”

Oh great, guess we won’t be going that way. Definitely don’t want to tussle with a Dynast. Viktor looked over at Koharu’s clothing-covered abdomen, thinking about the scar that lay beneath. Especially with her – it – still injured.

They continued to spend the next hour listening to the merchant and his friend exchange rumors and stories, with Viktor adding in an anecdote or two as well. The blacksmith was able to quickly piece together a basic picture of the current political landscape of the northern satrapies and their outer territories. He also gained an understanding of the undead monsters that seemed to wander freely from Marama’s Fell, threatening death and assimilation to all those who neared the shadowland to their west.

With his fifth tankard drained dry, Provar was finally ready to excuse himself. “Thank you all for coming,” the wiry man said between hiccups, “I hope to see you all again, especially you Talbar, when next you are near Cherak.” He excused himself, walking back towards his office behind the bar.

Viktor and Koharu finished off their final drinks and moved to leave, but before they could stand Talbar placed a hand on Viktor’s wrist to keep him at the table. “Wait,” the Delzhan slurred, removing his hand following a look from Koharu. “There is something I need of you.”

“I already ate up most the afternoon drinking with you. Isn’t that enough?” Viktor questioned.

“You were given free information and free food,” the merchant retorted drunkenly. “And, not everyone gets an audience with Provar. You certainly would not have, not without my presence.”

Viktor sighed. “Fine, what do you want?”

Talbar smiled, then reached into a pocket of his robes. He retrieved a small circular brass trinket and handed it over to the craftsman. Viktor laid it flat upon his palm and examined the curious item as the merchant spoke. “I have an associate to our west, in the little village of ---. I promised to deliver this ward to them before the season of water arrives and travel gets difficult through the snowy wastes.”

The disk only felt to be a half-pound at heaviest, and probably measured at roughly three or four inches across. Strange runes etched along the outside edges and across both faces, while a thin chain of steel was strung through a brass ring at the top. Viktor squinted as he tried to read the runes, thinking the object looked old and it was most likely an artifact of the First Age. Yet he was surprised when he found the glyphs unrecognizable. Whatever language was etched upon the trinket, it was not Old Realm.

“So why don’t you deliver it to them yourself?” he asked as he handed it over to Koharu for her own inspection.

Talbar grinned. “Because I am a busy man and have deadlines to meet. I have no time to run about as an errand boy.”

“Well if you think –”

“And after giving you a ride away from danger on your trip north to deliver you safely here, I believe you meet the requirements quite nicely.”

Viktor scowled. He had no desire to run such an errand, but it was also true that he had no immediate concerns to draw him away. If anything, his search for pure northern snow such as that Darian would have grown up around meant he would need to wander the area anyways. I guess --- is as good a place to start as anywhere else.

“I guess we’ll do it,” Viktor responded, causing a smile to emerge across Talbar’s face. “With that done however,” he prompted, “our debt is paid. Right?”

“Of course,” the merchant answered merrily.

The large man called for his tankard to be refilled, then lifted it to Viktor and Koharu as they stood to leave. “May your voyage be well, and my request not be forgotten.”

Viktor rolled his eyes. “You won’t have to worry about that. It’ll be our first stop.”

The partners left Talbar to his inebriated glee, exiting the Drunken Wyrm and looking about the vicinity for cheap lodging. Viktor dug through the pouch on his hip, counting the small amount of silver within. The free food and lodging they had enjoyed aboard the ship, if one could call it that, was behind them. They would need to find a way to gather some more funds soon, or they would be spending a lot of their future nights sleeping under the stars outside the city walls. With the wandering undead.

Viktor shook his head, trying to clear such unwelcome thoughts from his mind. “Alright Koharu, let’s find a place that won’t cost every last piece of silver to our name. We’re gonna need it when we get out of the city.”

The automata nodded, “yes, very true.” She pointed to a poster attached to the side wall of an adjacent bar. “How about we try there?”

He turned to see what she was indicating, then felt his face flush scarlet. The poster showed a largely-muscled man dressed just in pants and suspenders, carrying a scantily clad woman over his bare shoulder towards a bed.

“The poster,” Koharu announced aloud, “reads ‘any man looking for a good-night should try our fluffy pillows’ and provides an address at the bottom.” She looked back to Viktor, failing to notice his blush. “We are looking for a good night’s rest, and dependable pillows would be preferred to keep your neck from cramping during tomorrow’s travels. It certainly looks promising.”

“Uh…Koharu, I don’t think they’re advertising an inn or lodging. At least, not the kind we’re looking for. Let’s keep looking…”

She looked at him in confusion but shrugged her shoulders and did as he requested. After some additional searching they were finally able to find a small room for over-night rental near the northern walls of the city. It was small and poorly furnished, but inexpensive and thus for their purposes it would serve nicely.

“I’m gonna get some sleep, do you mind keeping watch?” Viktor asked his self-styled bodyguard as he pushed their bags under the bedframe.

“Of course, nothing will get in or out without my knowing,” she replied.

“Good.” He smiled at his companion, then clambered onto the bed and released a big yawn. Stretching his exhausted limbs, he settled down into a comfortable position and within minutes he was fast asleep.

 

[Kalin Scarlet]

Heaven made his way inside, patting Sirocco on her shoulder gently as he prepared to step in. "Hey...thanks for backing down. I know things have been difficult, but I think our fortunes are looking up." Heaven smiles, rubbing her shoulder once more before moving to head upstairs.

"You, uh...will the food be okay for you? I, remember you have your... preference. You can go eat and meet with me later, if you prefer." He asked, knowing his partner well enough to recognize her tendency to stifle herself for his sake. Something he appreciated more than she could know, but also desired more than anything to cease.

 

[Psychie]

"Best to know that they are there, and be able to deal with them after a thoughtful pause than not know of them and wonder how it is possible for the rest of the world to know so much of us so quickly." Darian turns to walk back into the building to wait for the newly arrived Exalts. "Annika, your people have done well. Please extend my complements and gratitude to them for a job well done. Now, let us prepare to welcome our new guests. I would gather that these two are not a part of the trainees that Aysik has told us are on the way here, and have come to Gwynnin on their own. It will be interesting to see just what is being told about us across the Scavenger Lands."

 

[jaydude]

"I see." Annika said in a voice not without sympathy, once Aredin had given his explanation. "I can't say I'd feel the same way if I were in your boots, but I understand where you're coming from." She would have prepared to head back to her headquarters to look into the matter of the spies, but then Darian was addressing her, requesting that the Night caste pass on her compliments, and suggesting that they all head down to greet Heaven and Sirocco.

"I'll be sure to let them know of your appreciation for their efforts." Annika replied in a bright tone. For now though, she would stay and offer her greetings to the two newest exalts to come to Gwynnin.

 

[Rykon]

Aredin dismissed the comment from his mind trying not to remember the days when he was the one who wanted to see the world burn. Hey now, you did come a long way. Not so much with the swords skills but...

Of course you would say that right now.

Yes, yes you would. Anyhow, we have been too biased by that history of yours to go any further yet. So don't focus on that too much.

You're starting to sound too much like me when I first made it in the merchant trade. Just like dad wanted... Not sure I like how much you remind me of those days.

Boy are you in for a rude rematch.

Aw F- Aredin opened the door and headed over to the unmolested dining area, finding himself still somewhat angry at Mellar for that debacle. With a wave he called a few servants over. "Would you two be so kind as to lead our guests here and see that the cooks start meal prep ASAP."