Ursurper 1x1 (Mitheral and Becky)

[Mitheral]

Noone seemed to speak any language Deruk knew. She could have begged and pleaded until she turned blue, but to no avail. Since she had arrived on this strange world of four moons she had been, for all intents, more alone then ever in her life. This world was savage and barbaric, lacking even the simplest of conveniences. Their technology was literally medieval.


Deruk had been given manacles and a collar, chained to a post whenever the caravan wasn’t moving. She had been kept apart from the other slaves, not branded or whipped. From the moment the master slaver had laid eyes on her, inspected her rudely in the most humiliating ways, she had been set apart. At one point another of the female slaves had gotten ahold of her and beaten her once to take away some food. The slave master had literally come over and cut the older woman down with a sword.


They had boarded a ship - a primitive thing like something out of an old movie. There were no sanitary facilities. Deruk was fed better than the rest, but barely. It wasn’t until the last couple days of the voyage that they improved her fare. When the ship had docked they had forcibly washed her head to toe nearly scrubbing her skin raw, checked her hair - presumably for parasites like lice. Then they had brought in a tailor.


Deruk was dressed up like a harem girl: No jewelry, just the veils and a simple but decent tunic. When she looked about to see where they were heading, one of the slavers pointed at a large keep deep inside the city walls. It wasn’t long before any suspicions that they meant to sell her into a harem became confirmed. They entered into the citadel past armed guards, who appeared to be of a middle eastern origin, possibly Turkish. In fact the architecture was reminiscent of the old Ottoman Empire.


The slavers and their retinue received odd looks from all they passed. And when they entered the imperial grounds they were forced to surrender their weapons - save for whips. Then the march continued until they arrived in the court room. It seemed that there were hundreds gathered. The slavers had arrived behind a long line of other petitioners.


It didn’t take long to figure out what the hold up was. The one person missing was the Emperor himself. They ended up waiting a good two hours before he even showed up. He was half covered - head to toe - in mud. His appearance seemed to shock his own advisers. He just looked hard at them, grinned, then laughed as he looked down at the mud. He gave one of those helpless gestures, rolled his eyes and started shaking off the muddy garment right in front of the whole crowd. Oh it was just an outer layer, but clearly unbecoming of his status. He laughed and gave a laughing order. A couple young men ran and grabbed a tapestry right off the wall and - at the Emperor’s request - stuck it up higher on a couple poles. Another ran and fetched a royal cloak.


He turned to the crowd, but before he could speak, an adviser cleared his throat meaningfully and made a gesture of placing a crown on his head. again the Emperor rolled his eyes and nodded, tired with all the fuss.


It was two more hours of what were clearly legal disputes for the man to judge. One of the most frightening was when two men were clearly in dispute over a woman. The Emperor called the woman forward and had a couple of his men step forward to grab the woman and hold her while he drew his sword as if ready to split the woman in two. That set the two men to begging. He ignored the men and turned on the woman who suddenly looked as if she had the fear of God in her. The Emperor’s tone was harsh. Then after a few minutes he eased up. He gestured to the men and dismissed the lot of them. His point was clear. The matter should have never made it to the courtroom. He had clearly threatened all three with retribution if they didn’t work things out.


All the while scribes were busily writing down all that transpired.


Other petitioners brought tributes, pledging loyalties. The Emperor clearly seemed less than impressed, but politely accepted them.


More scribbling by the scribes.


Finally the slavers approached. And that was when things got very interesting. the slavers talked a smooth line. The Emperor fought to keep his expression neutral, but scowled at his advisers. His advisers were right there, bowing. He glared as they spoke. Their speech became hissed.


Deruk was standing there to be shown off.


The Emperor made a throat cutting gesture that made everyone pale. Then he made hand waving gestures to stop swords from being drawn with an expression that looked like he was coming down with a headache. His eyes narrowed a little as he winced. Then he rolled his eyes a little. Then as he turned to deal with the slave girl being presented to him he uttered a single word under his breath, the word still audible in the silence of the court as the Emperor spoke..





“Crap.”

 

[Becky]

Deruks short hair was visible and even though they almost forced for to wear a wig she had put up a hard protest. The months of travelling and not speaking to anybody how knew her language had taken its toll. She had drawn into herself and never even tired to speak anymore unless giving a person like the slavers a warning to stay again. She was treated differently and almost never once whipped she learned to use this to her advantage. She would disobey and not get punished by a whip. She learned how to act without being caught. To say the least she was a bit of a trouble maker for the slavers. She made her wrists raw from pulling at her chains while on their travels on the ship like thing. However she didn’t want to call it a ship since it looked so old and ancient.


She found herself just waiting in a large room for somebody. She blinked looking around and then saw a man walk in with mud all over him. She wasn’t impressed like the others seemed to be in fact she thought of him to be a fool. When it was the slavers turn to address him they pulled her forward and she growled at them. Her head tilted finally hearing a word she thought she understood. Her eyes widened “Can you speak English!?” she yelled excited at him in hopes that her ears weren’t playing tricks on her “Please I’ve been kidnapped!” she says almost pulling away from the slavers her eyes filling with tears. She didn’t know how the idiot in front of her could speak English. He was full of mud and seemed a bit idiotic. Deruks tunic was too big since she lost weight from not getting fed the right food. She was tall but thin and seemed like her body wasn’t as womanly as it should have been at her age of twenty. However Deruk didn’t care she had small breasts and a skinny but healthy figure she wasn’t looking for love. Her main goal was to escape her captures.

 

[Mitheral]

Duncan had turned away when he heard those four words, largely to hide his displeasure. Slavery was the first things he had abolished. Phaedon’s economy had been rooted in slavery much as the plantation of the Deep South had been before the US Civil War. His actions had very nearly resulted in a civil war here. His response to the first reprisals had been swift and harsh, but tempered with an understanding of the damage on Phaedon’s future. He had emptied the kingdom’s coffers - not that it had had much left. But in two years he had turned things around - years ahead of his schedule. Personally he had expected Phaedon to collapse.


“Can you speak English?” the woman had asked.


Duncan turned back to face the room, his face impassive. He was a giant of a man, standing a solid 6’9” tall and built like a warrior. His hair was jet black, a mane that hung to his shoulder. His eyes were a steel blue that piece right into one’s soul. He gestured Deruk forward, which got her prodded in the back. Two of Duncan’s men, in particular two who seemed to be his right hand men.


Duncan “pretended” to survey Deruk’s form. Truth to tell it was hard not to stare. His own men had to look away to avoid staring. Then he spoke - not in the native tongue - but in English - with a very, very bad John Wayne accent. “Well is this a slave I see before me? Wah huh!” His eyes sparkled dangerously, but without animosity towards Deruk. Then he gave a barely patient sigh and rolled his eyes slightly toward the slaver nearest Deruk. “Apparently, these idiots aren’t aware that you became a free woman the instant you set foot on my lands. Stay calm.” His eyes glanced up and out at the room as he gave a silent nod. Gone was the fool and humor.


A dozen men stepped out of the crowd with weapons out. The eyes of the slavers suddenly widened in shock. Duncan eyes were now cold. Half of his men began separating the other slaves from the slavers as well. He spoke in the native tongue. “Gentlemen. Slavery and the practice of slavery is illegal in these lands. By law, any slave that sets foot on Phaedon land is free. And any slaver is regarded as a criminal.” He simply nodded.


The Emperor’s men began moving the slavers out at sword point, looking as though they hoped the slavers would try something. Once they were gone Duncan turned to the courtroom. The slaves were pulled aside by others - all but Deruk whom Duncan asked to have a seat up near his throne - first in the native language, then in English. When he saw noone moving, he gestured to his throne, raising instant objections. He smirked a little. Then one of them got up and gestured to his own chair.


He turned back to the room. “That will be all for today - unless … any more ex-slaves are present? No? See that the petitioners are boarded and fed appropriately, their livestock and steeds cared for as well. I want to speak with the former slaves as a group later. They will join me for dinner. This one -” he gestured to Deruk. “I am going to offer a guest room. See that she is cleaned up suitably as a guest - at MY expense, not the kingdom’s. When she is ready, bring her to me.”


“Your Majesty!” one of the advisers objected.


“Adviser!” Duncan shouted back his smile fading. “I am not ‘No Emperor ever, No Emperor would, or any other sort of Emperor you have had the pleasure advising. I have something to discuss with these men - whatever their origins. They will dine with me. See that they get a decent lunch. I’ll ask you to overlook their customs as well.”


The Adviser looked angry, but bowed.


“And what have I told you about bowing? I hate all that bow, yield, kneel crap,” Duncan chided the older man.


“I choose to do so,” the adviser refused to acquiesce the point. For once Duncan was left with no point of objection. The Adviser had played his hand well. “Your Majesty misunderstood my point. The woman. I hope you Majesty isn’t thinking of making a lowborn woman like that anything more than a servant. You may show promise as a great emperor, but you lack in political strategy.”


Duncan grumbled. “I wish you guys would stop trying to marry me off.”


“It has been two years. Phaedon needs an heir.”


“So soon? Why? You guys planning to kill me off already? Oh wait, that’s been tried already - several times.” Duncan gave a grim faced smile. “Now then. Thank you for your advice. I will think on it. That’s a promise. Dismissed.”


Duncan finally turned to explain the gist of what was happening to Deruk.


“We will speak later - after you have had a chance to clean up and get some food in you. I am guessing the slavers only fed you enough to get you here. It may help if you try to listen and feel the language - not with fear, but appreciation. At least that helped me. But then, I was once a linguist. I have in my employ an excellent linguist that I have instructed to begin to have write dictionaries. One way or another, you’ll learn the language.


“As to where we are. I can’t be certain, but the native maps suggest we are in the middle east - Istanbul, Turkey to be exact. Only this isn’t Earth. The world is called Tetra. You may have noticed the four moons. But despite the moons, the geography appears to be much the same. Well, talk more about it later - after you have had a chance to relax.”

********

​

Deruk was led out to a bathing chamber - basically one of those royal hot tubs - minus the bubbles of course. Unfortunately it included servants - older women - to see to the hot water, scented oils, and such. But they didn’t bathe her. They merely supplied every need. There were signs of covered wrists, probably where manacles once existed. Duncan had apparently hired the former slaves.


Once she was cleaned and dried a woman entered with a couple servants and walked about Deruk studying her in detail. She reached up and touched her hair and wrinkled her nose. Deruk was draped in what amounted to a sheet and a man entered. He carried with him a small satchel bag similar to that of a doctor. It didn’t take long for the purpose to be made clear. He was there to cut or style her hair. He ran her hair until it caught on a tangle, not yanking hard or anything. Shook his head with exaggerated distaste. Then he made what was clearly an introduction of himself.


“Ru-fe-tas-sa. Rufetassa,” he gave a gallant bow, his eyes never quite leaving her.


Rufestassa. Strange name, but pronounceable with a little practice. He indicated he didn’t plan to take much, just the split ends, plus disentangling her hair. While he worked the tailors worked with a manikin to start on an outfit. Yet another man entered and began working with her feet making a set of soft leather boots.


Well, they didn’t try to make her look like some freaked out Victorian lady. If anything the style was somewhere between a barbarian or maybe a Celtic woman .. with just a touch of modern equestrian riding garb, but loose and flowing much as a dress might be. It clung where it needed to, with movement and comfort. And the colors were a mix of natural, and a little color - neither gaudy, nor drab.


Finally she was escorted back to Duncan. Well - to the dining hall where she was to be served lunch. He entered in armor rather than the muddy clothes from earlier. He apologized and asked if he had kept her waiting long, chiding the cooks for making her starve. He softened his words by asking them to serve up something while he got rid of his armor. He rapidly undid fastenings of his outer armor that oddly resembled a bulletproof vest. Then he removed the chain. Once he had removed enough to sit without stewing in his own armor he walked over and washed his hands and face. He still looked a little rough.


“Now then, where were we? Ah … English. As you may have guessed, I am from Earth as well. Enjoy.” He gestured to the soup placed before them. It smelled like lamb or goat, with various vegetables, potatoes and a thick broth served with a sourdough bread. Duncan didn’t eat every meal like an emperor at all. No, he seemed to prefer simple meals when he wasn’t entertaining.


He refused to answer questions about getting home until she had eaten…


“So … you don’t by any chance have any unique skills - like engineer, doctor …” he looked hopefully, but clearly wasn’t expecting a good answer. Then he suddenly looked as he if had just remembered something vitally important. “Oh cr--, uhm. Duncan. My name is Duncan. I almost forgot …. to introduce myself, not my name.” He gave a wry grin. Then he seemed to quiet himself. “It’s been a very long time since I heard English. I hope you’ll forgive my manners.”

 

[Becky]

Everything was happening so fast Deruk was a little amazed at how quickly everything was happening. She washed her slim body making sure nobody was watching. She didn’t like how everybody was looking at her and making a fuss. She watched as a man was walking over to her and said “Ru-fe-tas-sa” slowly and she guessed it was his name. Nodding she repeated it slowly “Rufetasa” and not saying it properly by dropping one of the S’s which was often done in English. She smiled and stood still as he cut her hair. The man told her to try listen to the language without feeling scared and confused. It didn’t really help in her opinion. The language was really weird and her ears just couldn’t take in and process the information. It didn’t sound like any language she ever heard before. She was dressed in clothes that seemed a bit fitting for her heritage. Her stomach had become use to not eating so even though she was hungry she felt no hunger pains and ignored the wanting for food. She blinked moving her eyes around quickly examining all the people within the bathroom and the tailor. She felt a bit unsettled by being here all alone. Her captures were sent away and she should have been happy. In fact she was happy however she felt somewhat afraid. The only people she knew in this land was gone and now she was around a large number of people which is couldn’t understand. She relaxed alittle assuring herself that everything was going to be fine. The people seemed nice “Why else would they take care of you?” she asked herself in her head.


Soon she was in a dining room watching the man who was now in armour and cleaned up. She gave a weak smiles knowing that know she could talk to somebody. She listened to him and nodded “I’m a computer engineer …..” she says looking down at her soup “Well I USED to be” she added while picking up a silver spoon that was heavy in her smallish hands. She took a mouthful in a cautious way. The only food she had for months was bread and some porridge tasting object. Her taste buds went into shock tasting the soup and her body relaxed finally get some nutrition. She rubbed her wrists enjoying her freedom from chains “Emmm Deruk…” she said introducing herself after the man introduced himself. She gave a smile putting out her hand for a hand shake. However drew it back again now knowing the customs around here and not wanting to offend him *

 

[Mitheral]

(Getting a lot of extra time to write today at the moment. Store deliveries with long unload times.)


Duncan tried not to show his disappointment at the lack of technical skills useful in a feudal setting. His own stomach growled at the smell of the food. He just smiled and suggested they concentrate on eating for a bit.


Duncan inhaled three bowls and a loaf of bread by the time he was done. He told Deruk not to be shy, but to eat all she wanted. He further let her know the same consideration was being applied to the other former slaves.


“Believe it or not, three years ago this land was almost in ruin. Crops weren’t doing well. People were starving. There was disease - and still is. I’m working on that one still. The kingdom’s coffers were half empty with debts owed to neighboring kingdoms. Oh.” He paused, then re-introduced himself. “Duncan Moran - the Usurper. Emperor of Phaedon. Yes, I killed the last ruler. He had it coming. He was a corrupt tyrant that was leading his people to their ruin. He was an inbred fool. If there was ANY argument for arranged marriages to members of foreign lands, it would be to stop inbreeding.”


“A little common sense will take you a long way once you speak the language. I am normally called Emperor, but I am really just a King. The last Emperor was a Sultan. His position had religious significance. So me walking in here, killing him and laying waste to an army kinda boosted my reputation. I hate using fear to rule. I hate ruling. I really never wanted the job. But it was the only way to save tens of thousands from a lingering death. These people are like children.” He shook his head


“Anyways now for the news you’ve been waiting for, I’ve been here about 20 years. I look - what? - like I am in my late 20’s? I was over 50 years old on Earth. When I arrived here I was in my early 20’s, and hardly in the shape I am in now. They have been 20 hard years. If you are able to feel words and their meanings, I suspect you will enjoy the same great health. Some of my men thought I was a god just because I used CPR to save a life. Others feared I had possessed the victim with a demon. I told them I am a man, but some still think I am at least something comparable to Hercules.


“Now in all this time, I have found nothing to suggest a way home. In fact, I fear that even if I DID find a passage, it might not take me to the same Earth I came from. I am still looking, but I am not going to waste my life obsessed with getting home. Yes, this world is primitive and barbaric. But it has its good points too. I just wish the bad points weren’t so really bad. War sucks. Having to watch your back every waking moment sucks. But I seen some very beautiful things. Magic is real in this realm, for example.


“For now, I recommend you stay - at least long enough to learn the language. I can find work for you. You’ll be paid. I don’t know if you have any other skills. I do not much care for charity. Even I get out and work. I don’t ask my people to do anything I wouldn’t - with a few exceptions. All that mud? Farm work. Even my soldiers do farm work. Many were farmers before they became soldiers.


“Don’t sell yourself short. You can learn. And .. the skills you do have may be more useful than you think.


“If you do not want to remain here, you are free to leave. You’ve committed no crimes to get here. You are neither slave nor prisoner, but a guest. Those other former slaves? While you were getting ready for lunch, I went out to secure the services of a sea captain. I seized the slavers’ ship the moment they entered the palace grounds. The ship will belong to the captain once he has returned all the former slaves to their homes if they have homes to return to. And he will be paid for it. The men will receive some funds to cover their expenses and for serving the captain during the journey.”


Duncan thought he saw the expression on Deruk’s face when he confessed to how he had assumed the throne and grimaced. Tetra was indeed barbaric. “I wish inbreeding wasn’t as common as it is here. Fortunately it occurs mostly among nobles and royalty. I am going to do what I can to change that as well. The laws of these lands are so messed up. I break at least a dozen laws every day, I think. My advisers are always complaining about that. To be very honest I don’t really WANT to be an emperor. I never killed anyone before I came to this world.


“I would say that the average man on Tetra lives to around 40 or so. Those who live better live longer. But with hard labor, famine, pestilence and war, lives tend to get cut short. It is another reason many of my men think of me as descended from gods. Whatever you do, never mock their beliefs, no matter how silly. There are times when men do mock one another’s gods. But it is generally when they are boasting about whose gods are greater. Then it will get to where one guy’s god pees on another god’s head.”

 

[Becky]

Deruk frowned and shrugged “I know a lot of medical stuff…..was going to be a doctor “. Deruk was somewhat of a genius on her earth and had a lot of skills. She almost became a doctor until she found her calling in computers. Computers she found more interesting than people. She ate only a bowl and some bread. Her stomach was use to small rations and she became full quickly. She decided she would stay long enough to learn the language. She didn’t really know what to do. Looking around she turned her attention to the man again “In my time they considered me a genius of sorts” she says and frowns sadly remembering her old life and wanting to be home. She saw how the people lived and she wanted to improve their technology “Maybe I could stay awhile and help around….then in my free time I can work on creating a telephone line”.


She was oddly interested and in disbelief at how this world was. She could help improve this world better than her own. Not in any real rush to return home before she suddenly arrived on this plain her old life was falling apart. Her family had died and her family’s fortune was being taken by the government to pay bills. Deruk could live on this world in peace and without fear now that she was free and her slavers captured. She rubbed her flat belly that now felt really full. She listened to his stories trying to get a sense of the new land she was in “So….no way back?” she asked again just to make sure she didn’t misunderstand him. However she knew what he had said and really didn’t need an answer. Her bowl was completely empty and she made a small smile not remembering the last time she felt so full*


(i hope my posts are okay for you?)

 

[Mitheral]

(They're fine. Lost a few hours fixing my computer. Picked up a nasty virus and had to clean it out. Sorry mine is short. Need to get some sleep. Got a royal pain of a load to grab in several hours. Going to try to get Deruk to Dinner, then map out her next day.)


“No way that I know of. And to be very honest, there really wasn’t much for me back there, just the usual rat race. I had seen more of the world than most people seen there whole life. I had even lived in Turkey and Germany. I was in my third career and honestly bored. I always did love to teach and that is something I get to do here in abundance.”


He paused abruptly. “If your knowledge of medicine is anything more than first aid, you could be a godsend here. That is one area I was weak in. Biology. I made it all the way through college without ever taking a biology course - except Biochem, of course. A working telegraph or telephone system would be great. I mean I have a way using magic. But that is the problem with it. It is magic.


“Anyways, so much for skills. Is there anything you like to do for fun? I mean I know you have just spent some considerable time in a bad situation. And I’d like to see you able to stand on your own two feet. But did you have any hobbies. Were you a shopaholic? Did you ever get out? Oh, how’s your math and writing skills? And if you took any self defense classes, you would find those very useful if you strike out on your own. I do plan to assign someone to watch you. Now that I have found someone that might actually get some of my jokes I am not about to let her come to any harm.”

 

[Becky]

*Deruk nodded quickly "Yes I was planning on being a doctor....graduated and everything..." she tilted her head and shrugged "Just didnt want to be one after all the trouble" she says and smiles alittle. She had spent a long time in the hands of them mad people. She knew that the process to recovery would be really hard. She couldnt even stand looking at people in the eye anymore she was surprised and how well she was having a conversation after so many months. She shook her head "Never had much time for hobbies back home....apart from modelling figurines " she says looking around the large dinning area amazed slightly by its beauty. All of a sudden she sneezed her attention was brought to the flowers in the center of the table. She looked down at the table her face flushing red "Excuse me" she says rubbing her nose a bit. She didnt remember how she got to this world. The last memory she had of her earth was walking home from a bookstore. She was taken by surprise by this question "I have excellent maths and writing skills...if I had as much people skills as I have math skills" she laughed "I'd be doing very well for myself". She was curious about the workers her "Re-ta-fes-sa" she says trying to say it correctly "Was that his name.....or was he just saying hello?" she asked. She was amazed at how little she picked up from her captures "I spent months if them people and didnt learn a thing..."


Infact she didnt mind she wasnt at home anymore. She was happy to have a chance to be free "I never really did have time for myself back home....maybe now I will" she says hoping that in this world she can do things that she likes not things that people expected her to do. She was always running around helping her dad with his company and working trying to support her family after the company began to fail. Since they were all dead now she had no reason to return. She didnt really mind having to short a new life since her old one wasnt much fun*

 

[Mitheral]

“No way that I know of. And to be very honest, there really wasn’t much for me back there, just the usual rat race. I had seen more of the world than most people seen there whole life. I had even lived in Turkey and Germany. I was in my third career and honestly bored. I always did love to teach and that is something I get to do here in abundance.”


He paused abruptly. “If your knowledge of medicine is anything more than first aid, you could be a godsend here. That is one area I was weak in. Biology. I made it all the way through college without ever taking a biology course - except Biochem, of course. A working telegraph or telephone system would be great. I mean I have a way using magic. But that is the problem with it. It is magic.


“Anyways, so much for skills. Is there anything you like to do for fun? I mean I know you have just spent some considerable time in a bad situation. And I’d like to see you able to stand on your own two feet. But did you have any hobbies. Were you a shopaholic? Did you ever get out? Oh, how’s your math and writing skills? And if you took any self defense classes, you would find those very useful if you strike out on your own. I do plan to assign someone - a couple of someones - to watch you. Now that I have found someone that might actually get some of my jokes I am not about to let her come to any harm.”


“Rufetassa. Good man. I’ve known him most of his life. He will be checking in on you a lot until his relief arrives. But … “ Duncan stood, mildly displeased. “Much as I hate to eat and run, I have work to get back to. We’ll speak again at Dinner. And I am going to get after you to eat more. I just have a lot of things to get done before then. I’ll leave word to give you mostly free run of the castle. Just a few places you won’t be allowed - without me present anyways. My quarters, the blacksmith, and a few other spots.”


(Dinner and After Dinner has a little bit more. And the next day it gets better when bodyguards start showing up.)

 

[Becky]

*She nodded and smiled at him "Sure....maybe I could be shown the medical center. " she says wanting to get to work as soon as possible. She hoped there was a medical center if not she would have to set up one. She blinked watching him not thinking she would be able for dinner. She tilted her head "At dinner?" she says and rubbed her belly "I dont think I could eat anymore" she says humbly "Thank you though " she says bowing her head slightly in politeness for the food and the freedom.*

 

[Mitheral]

Later at Dinner Duncan announced to the former slaves his actions regarding the ship. Their spirits brightened at the news. Duncan had had to leave Deruk to wander the royal grounds while he handled business. Her movements were a bit limited. There were apparently many places she was not allowed to go. For example, she was welcome to watch some of the men train. She was welcome at the stables. But the blacksmith was off limits. One odd thing was that she wasn’t allowed to return to her room. She was politely turned back and informed the whole wing was off limits until after Dinner.


It was after dinner that Deruk finally learned why her own room had been off limits. Duncan escorted Deruk back to her room himself. Her room had had some new furniture moved in while the wing was closed off. They included a roll top desk that appeared to have been carved of ice, with a set of shelves and an extension that turned the whole thing into what resembled a rather unique work station. The “ice” had that frosted look to it so one couldn’t make out what was kept in drawers. The extension looked like a light table.


He gestured to the instruments. “These were the least I could do.” He tried to fight a smile and failed. “Okay … I was showing off a little. This is why sort of snuck everything in while diverting you elsewhere.” He glanced around. “Think about what you’d like to do around here. I mean if you are stuck here you may as well make the best of it. Make a list.” He gestured over to a desk where there was a book, a stack of blank paper and inkpot. “That book is blank so you can keep a journal if you want to just use the loose pages for a list.”


Duncan smiled. “You know, I didn’t really need anyone to explain much to me when I arrived here. I already knew how to use a sword and wear armor. I knew how to make lesser armors and weapons. I had once lived in these lands on Earth as a child. I’m not saying life was easy. The hardest part was accepting that this world had a far more primitive social structure. Death was a part of that, much as it was in ancient times on Earth. I am a pragmatic individual. Once I dealt with the fact that I was here with no known way home I just adapted. When in Rome as they say. The second hardest thing was learning to ride a damned horse.”


The emperor sagged onto Deruk’s bed and sighed. “You know, these people are like children. The worst thing I had had to watch for the past 20 years was starvation. My first year as emperor, I managed to triple their crop output. This past year I repeated that, plus showed them how to increase even that number tenfold. That’s what I was doing earlier. Greenhouses. I am building them by the acre. Back on Earth we can get 850,000 to a million pounds of crop per acre. I am only getting a fraction of that. That’s why I hoped you knew more about agriculture.”


He nodded his head back at the desk. “I’m going to have some things to add to your desk later. I could only do so much on short notice. The desk has some magical properties, but I need to take some time to explain as the energy stored is limited. Think of it as working on a self recharging battery.”


“Magic. Yes it is very real here. But I have to warn you it can be very dangerous. And most magic isn’t combat magic. It simply takes too long. But if prepared in advance it can completely change the outcome of a battle. There are so many kinds of magic. I don’t know where to start.


“I guess the simplest magics are Primitive Talents. This includes simple spells of communication and detection. One of my favorites is Animal Messenger. The spells helps the creature move much faster, guides it, and even conceals it. The next most common type of magic is Divination. If you think about it, that makes sense. People always want to know what the future has in store for them. Elemental Magic is the really time consuming one. You can’t actually create or destroy matter or energy. You can only move it about. So if I were to summon a rock, that rock would have to come from somewhere.


“The best magics, in my opinion are Enchantment and Alchemy. Enchantment has different categories: Weaponsmithing, Jewelcrafting and Engineering. The worst magics? Demonology and Necromancy.


“Now a demonstration. I think something simple.” He looked at Deruk and gestured. Her body began to feel feather light. Then slowly she started to rise off the bed … floating. Duncan floated likewise. “Flight.”


Duncan’s warning not to try to move too fast almost came too late. He barely snagged her foot in time. “The spell is independent. I only control the duration. But I can’t keep continuing it if you get too far away. It will last for a few minutes once I stop. This isn’t the faster flight spell. But for that we’d need to be outdoors.”


Duncan gestured to the window. “I strongly debated whether to put you in a room with barred windows or none at all. Fact is, the very fact that you spoke a language that only I recognized will not have gone unnoticed. I have enemies that may consider you leverage against me.” He glanced about, trying to spot Rufetassa’s presence. He had no doubt the man was somewhere near by. But even Duncan’s magic had troubles spotting the man. He sighed. Well, he wasn’t exactly defenseless. He could make sure the both of them would be fine.


“I’d be happy to teach you --” Duncan started. But there was the noise of the clearing of a throat. It was Rufetassa.


Duncan lowered himself to the ground. Rufetassa bowed and spoke politely to Duncan, then nodded to Deruk as well with a smile. Deruk actually managed to catch a couple words in the foreign language. Majesty. Lady. Sleep. Judging from Duncan agitation Rufetassa was likely reminding the Emperor that he had a busy day tomorrow and needed to get some sleep. Duncan, like a spoiled kid, didn’t seem to like being told to go to bed.


Rufetassa looked up at Deruk with an almost pleading look and a gesture to Duncan. He made a gesture of sleeping, then made a violin gesture. Duncan grumbled. “I do NOT need a lullaby! I’m just not tired.”


Duncan grumbled about not being tired. But Rufetassa drew a feather and brandished it like a sword threatening Duncan with it. Again Duncan rolled his eyes. But he sighed and nodded. Clearly Rufetassa was a great deal more than just a barber. Before he followed Duncan out the door he gave a graceful bow to Deruk.

 

[Becky]

Deruk listened to the news of what had happened to the slave ship. She was happy along with the others. She wondered the castle grounds trying to find her way around it. She was surprised she wasn’t allowed back into her room so she decided she’d go see if there was a medical centre around the place. She wasn’t allowed to venture to far away from the castle so she didn’t. She looked around at what was called the “Medical centre” however she was displeased with what was going on in there. It seemed not everyone who was working there seemed to know what they were doing. She decided she could help around alittle once she got settled in.


She went to her room with the man and looked at the desk in awe. She couldn’t believe how nice it was and listened to him when he was speaking about magic. She never believed magic was real until they were flying and she almost fell. She laughed slightly “Yea I need to learn how to do that” she says excited “Oh and hey….the medical centre needs supplies where can I get them?” she asked wondering what the trading around the castle was like.


She laughed as he was told to go to bed by the other man with the strange name. She bowed slightly back to him as he left her room.

 

[Mitheral]

(And now the fun really begins.... Yes, Meiko is to be one of the bodyguards. Rufetassa was handling the role until she arrived. Both are master "assassins". Spies might be a better word.)


Duncan stopped so abruptly that Rufetassa scowled a little, but turned and smiled at Deruk. It was clear that Rufetassa had a great tolerance for any affect Deruk had on Duncan - and his emperor was practically tripping over himself at Deruk’s every whim. He had no idea what the woman had asked for, but Duncan’s smile was genuine. He pointed at the desk. “Make a list. I’ll see what we can get. Although, you don’t really know what all you need quite yet. This world has dragons and demons. It also has strange herbs and alchemy. I happen to be an alchemist. I’ll see --” Duncan stopped as he was prodded by Rufetassa who smiled and bowed slightly toward Deruk. Then the man prodded his emperor.


There was a brief conversation between the two men before Duncan again addressed Deruk. “I’ll see what writings I can find on things that should be new to you. These people don’t even have penicillin.”


By morning Deruk would find a stack of writings with pictures on her desk with her name written in calligraphy. Of course, Deruk never really got the chance to look at the bundle. And the shelves were half filled with books and scrolls. Duncan must have been up half the night to find all these.


+++++++++++++


Morning came far too soon. Deruk was woke up at the crack of dawn. Again came the entourage of servants to help her bathe, get dressed, do her hair. Of course it was Rufetassa who did her hair again - minus the cutting. Only this time he styled it differently. And the clothing was very different as well. They made two sets of clothes. One set was clearly for walking around town without being a spectacle. The second set, which she was apparently going to be wearing today, was a riding / light combat outfit which sported light leathers.


As they were finishing a woman of what appeared to be Asian descent entered the room. Her eyes darted to Rufetassa’s and took on a look of what appeared to be instant dislike. Rufetassa hardly seemed to notice, but he introduced the woman as Meiko Sanori. The woman stepped in to test the outfit the tailors were putting together. She was clearly dissatisfied. She glared at Rufetassa again. She took Deruk by the ankle and lifted her foot so high in the air that she nearly lifted Deruk off the ground. The leggings were simply too tight.


By the time they were done Deruk had been tested for flexibility several times in every way imaginable. Begrudgingly Meiko nodded her acceptance. The servants scattered before the woman could call them back. She turned back to Deruk and uttered a short phrase rapidly. Seeing no comprehension she frowned and gestured for Deruk to join her. Meiko did not seem to be a very patient woman.


The first place Meiko led Deruk to was what had to be a dojo. There were no real weapons, only practice weapons. She led Deruk over to a full stand up mirror and stood at her side. Then she assumed a martial arts stance.


(OOC: The plan here is to see where Deruk’s ability to defend herself is at. Next would be putting on some practice armor - padding and a helmet really - and try some weapons. If Deruk’s ability is really just girl slapping, Meiko will figure this out soon enough.)

 

[Becky]

*She began to read some of the material that was giving to her. She decided that the world was worse off than she thought it was. She wrote down some things that she would need to create some simple medical equipment that the centers didnt have. She knew that everything was going to be different here but still she could help a small bit.


She watched all the people who shuffled around her. She tilted her head wondering why she needed people to get her changed and dressed. She could do that herself. However when she saw what she was wearing she knew she probably couldnt have put it on by herself. Her hair was brushed and styled but that same man. Deruk was beginning to enjoy the attention until Meiko came in and suddenly her ankle was grabbed and she almost fell over. She looked at Meiko confused and somewhat in alertness. Deruk blinked and backed away from her not particularly liking the woman. She followed as the woman gestured to her and found herself standing in a dojo. Deruk heart raced and she looked at the stand up mirror watching her and the womans reflection. When the woman did the stance Deruk quickly backed away *

 

[Mitheral]

Meiko’s general armor style.


Meiko’s cheeks twitched as she watched Deruk. Fortunately the torture wasn’t prolonged - probably because Deruk’s skills as a warrior were questionable at best. She stopped the testing process and had Deruk stand still. The warrior maiden turned and studied the training weapons, glanced back at Deruk. She was annoyed. Then there was a sudden flash of insight in the woman’s eyes - which resembled a mischievous gleam.


Meiko gestured sharply for Deruk to follow again and they were off. They made a pass by a Deruk’s bedroom where Meiko grabbed up one of the satin pillows. Then they made a beeline for a seamstress. Meiko drew her katana and stabbed a hole near one corner and started pulling out some of the stuffing until the corner was loose. Then she handed it to the seamstress with some instructions. While the seamstress worked Meiko headed off to find something, indicating that Deruk should wait there. The asian warrior returned with a primitive gear hook which she stuck on Deruk’s belt. When the seamstress was done she took the pillow and hung it on the hook.


Meiko made an exaggerated gesture and mentioned Duncan’s name. There was no misunderstanding her meaning. It was time to go see the Emperor.


Duncan was out with the men watching them drill. He looked as though he had just arrived. With all the people that were filing out of the area it was apparent that he had spent the morning making up for all the people he had sent to inns the previous day. This, then, was his chance to escape the tedium of the court.


Meiko and Deruk’s approach drew attention all around the yard. It wasn’t long before eyes caught sight of the pillow and suddenly turned away, clearly bemused. One of Duncan’s right hand men slapped his arm gently with the back of his hand. Duncan turned and did a doubletake. His jaw dropped as he caught sight of the pillow. Slowly his left hand went to his forehead to knead his temples.


For a brief time Duncan spoke with Meiko. Meiko snorted back and gestured to the pillow without looking. Several men turned away, shaking with silent laughter.


Duncan turned to Deruk a little embarrassed and spoke in English. “I must apologize again. I asked Meiko to help you with the selection of an appropriate weapon. Apparently that is what she came up with. I should have been more specific. My fault. Glad I didn’t ask Katsya. You’d have had trouble lifting whatever meat cleaver she found.”


Meiko had no idea what Duncan was saying. But she interrupted now and gestured to the pillow, then an attacking motion at Duncan. She looked completely insubordinate. Duncan couldn’t help but grin.


Again the two spoke, this time more at length. Meiko didn’t seem thrilled but nodded. Duncan translated - at least as much as he wanted to explain. “”I’ve asked her to teach you basic self defense and to help you strengthen up from your ordeals. The slavers didn’t do you any favors by practically starving you. Don’t worry, you will be in good hands. She will help you select a real weapon and instruct you in its basic use. I know you don’t believe you can do this, but you can.


“Meiko is also going to introduce you to Kata Sanori, her grandfather. I have a contract with him to produce some books. He is going to get you started with learning to read and write. Meiko will drill you in speech. The very fact that you can read and write at all - in any language gives you advantages. That you can do even basic math is very important. Most people in these lands are illiterate.


“If it helps, Meiko and Kata Sanori are a people from the region you and I would call Japan. They have many similar traditions and cultural tendencies.”

 

[Becky]

*Deruk felt herself turn red finally understanding what had happened with the pillow. She threw it back at the woman clearly annoyed and uttering a curse word she wouldnt understand looking at the ground sadly. She looked at Duncan annoyed then back at the woman her eyes clearly showing rage. She didnt know how she felt about seeing the woman more after today. She would rather just never see her again "Grr do I have to ?" she complains eyeing the woman still clearly feeling ashamed and hurt by what the woman did to her "Now I know why the nice guy doesnt like her" she says mentioning the hair dresser. She folded her arms scolding the woman. This showed her young age and her level of maturity. She nodded watching and listening to Duncan her face finally broke into a smile finding out she will learn to read and write the new language she found herself living in. She blinked blankly looking at all the people in the yard that saw what just happened. She sighed sadly "Great now they all think I'm a fool!" she remarks and storms off hitting into the woman as she walked by her. It was a long time since she has been that angry and even though she was 20 her youth clearly came through. Tears welled in her eyes as she stormed off into her room or somewhere.


She took some notes from her desk that Duncan gave her wanting to find comfort in books and words. She began to cry and flung the book to the other side of the room not being able to understand it. This was the first time since she was kidnapped that she actually broke down to cry. It was all just to much. She crawls into the corner of her room hiding her face in her hands bringing her knees up to her chest. Being made a fool of and embarrassed finally broke her shield. *

 

[Mitheral]

As Deruk stormed off Meiko closed her eyes, then reopened them to glanced over at Duncan.


Duncan nodded, his expression stern. “That’s right. You’ve dishonored her, not just to her face, but in front of all she knows. She may very well just quit and leave. For her that would amount to certain death or worse - and you better than most understand just how bad worse can be. She knows nothing of these lands, nor how to care for herself. But she does have a sense of honor.”


Meiko was silent for a moment before she spoke. “How am I supposed to teach her if she can’t even understand me?”


“Kata, your grandfather. He will teach her. And even without you being able to speak her language, she will learn faster than any student you have ever met. Have I ever been wrong?” Duncan looked stern.


Meiko knew of many occassions when Duncan had been wrong, but this wasn’t the time to bring those up. Instead she bowed and took off after Deruk. She didn’t catch up until Deruk had reached her room. She babbled in a couple different languages, neither of which made any sense. She actually looked a little helpless. So Meiko did the only thing she could think of.


She kow tow’d. There was no mistaking the gesture. Duncan had forbidden nobles and knights from forcing lesser social classes to bow. But he had never decreed one couldn’t choose to bow. And that was what Meiko was doing. But that wasn’t all. Meiko sat up, her head still bowed and drew her katana, offering it to Deruk palms up.


(This one is a little short, but I need to wait to see what Deruk will do here.)

 

[Becky]

*Deruk rubbed her red eyes dry looking at the woman. She knew she over reacted and she felt bad for it. Deruk knew Duncan was fair and she wouldnt get into any trouble. Deruk stood up looking at the woman and laughed alittle "It was alittle funny " she says and then remembers nobody knows english. She saw this many times in movies and her eye brows raised. She tapped her on the shoulder and then looks at her confused wondering if that was the right way to do it. Either way she knew the woman was sorry. Deruk sat down beside her as she knelt and looked at her in the eyes now smiling. The woman looked strong and somewhat angelic. She blinked in awe looking at her armor and katana. Deruk's eyes widen and she remembered the right gesture. She rose to her feet and bowed back at her with her hands at her belly the way woman in Japan are meant to bow. Deruk nodded feeling like they both got forgiving "I'm sorry" she says to her biting her lip maybe she heard the phrase before from Duncan. She picked up the book she had thrown making sure it was okay. Even though she couldnt read it she would learn to read and write soon. *

 

[Mitheral]

It took quite a bit of convincing to get Meiko to stop apologizing. But when Deruk had finally done so Meiko gave yet another bow, more respectful and friendly than a kow tow. She looked over at the Pillow Sword as it would be known as and picked it up off the ground. She didn’t offer it to Deruk though. Instead she simply carried it along. She led Deruk down into a lower level of the palace to a vault. It wasn’t a huge vault and its purpose was readily obvious.


Two guardian suits of armor stood at attention at the entrance. They animated as soon as Meiko approached. She spoke to the guardians and they returned to their silent watch. Then she beckoned Deruk to follow her in. Displayed around the room were numerous swords. Some were bejeweled; some were not. Some glittered. Some glowed. One was on fire. Another was thrust into a miniature iceberg like a frozen Excalibur. Others had heads of dragons or demons for the hilts. Noises ushered forth from around the room, whisperings, growls.


One of the blades rattled and seemed to shifted closer to Deruk as if it desperately wanted to be drawn forth for some glorious battle. Meiko saw it and grabbed Deruk’s hand, shaking her head. Her sense of humor had returned. She made a wincing expression and held her ears, trying not to laugh.

Glitterguard


Of all the swords Meiko pointed out one. Glitterguard. It was a beautifully crafted knights broadsword with a blade that appeared to be crystalline and glittered with all the colors of the spectrum. Set in its pommel was a huge ruby.


But there was another sword that drew Deruk’s attention. That was the sword that whispered. It was similar in size and design to Sting, from The Hobbit. It was little more than a short sword. The closer anyone got, the louder it whispered as if warning them away. Meiko seemed to shy away from the sword. But seeing Deruk’s interest she allowed her closer to inspect the weapon. She pointed out the bad crack in the blade. The thing looked ready to break. This blade also had a ruby set in its pommel.


Meiko gestured around the room, but seemed to think the shiny sword was best. But then the asian woman seemed to be biased. The smaller sword did seem to WANT to be drawn. The whispering seemed to warn everyone away - no matter who approached. It would certainly have helped to understand what was so special about the swords. Truth to tell it was a surprise that Meiko was even trusting Deruk with anything deadlier than a butter knife.


Meiko sighed and got Deruk’s attention. She unslung her pack and pulled out a two scroll tubes, one medium length and one very short. The short one proved to contain an hourglass, though it looked like a shorter duration - like a few minutes at most. The longer tube held a short branch with leaves. The branch was still green and the leaves moist. Meiko gestured for Deruk to draw a single leaf, emphasizing the point repeatedly. Then she got ready to turn over the hour glass.


As soon as the leaf was pulled Meiko took the branch and began putting it away while she spoke - in what sounded like English, though it looked as though the sounds were dubbed like in a bad martial arts movie. She got right to the point not wanting to waste the magic.


“This lasts 5 minutes. The shiny sword is Glitterguard. It is a Defender of very rare power. With it a single man of great skill could hold off a small army at a choke point. It is enchanted to defend against multiple attackers. The other blade that you seemed interested in is Whisper. It is probably the most powerful weapon in here. But it was taken and used to torture and slay its former wielder. The weapon was found locked away in unholy waters. Duncan nearly died retrieving both the weapon and the corpse. It was a halfling girl. He gave the girl a proper burial and has kept the sword here. Such a weapon is supposed to be unbreakable. It was probably broken when it was used to kill the girl. It’s spirit was broken. While I would not trust such a weapon, the choice is yours. But if you are going to trust Whisper I would take Glitterguard as well. My people would have frowned on anything but a small blade - to you a dagger - until you had mastered its skill and fought with honor. Then a blade of Whisper’s class would be awarded. But we are not in my lands. Lord Duncan wishes you well defended. If any weapons here would be best suited to defense, it would be those two. If you wish I can teach you a two sword technique.”

 

[Becky]

*She watched as they walked and hymned slightly to herself. She drew back in alert when the armors moved then smiled moving into the vault when the armors let them by. She looked around the vault at all the weapons and suddenly heard something talk to her. The sword wasnt just whispering it was talking ! She tilted her head and then watched the woman do something with a hourglass. Her eyes widen as she heard english coming from here "Whisper...." she says looking at the small dagger that she knew would be great for her it talked in a language she couldnt understand. It seemed like the language the other people spoke "It talks....." she says somewhat scared but drawn to it. She nodded and smiled "Yeah we can do it your way if you wish" she says smiling gratefully to the woman. She looked at the shiny one that was rattling almost eager however her eyes were forced back to the crack in Whisper. It was cracked and broken sort of like herself. They could repair themselves together. She didnt care the blade looked weak it just needed to have a owner again.


She turned to look at the woman "I want Whisper" she says nibbling on her lip "Its not as bad as you think it is" she says picking up on the feeling that the woman had for the blade. *

 

[Mitheral]

Meiko spoke thoughtfully. The sands were draining rapidly. “Lord Duncan is a great man. Whether he will be a great leader remains to be seen. While many would argue that point he does risk himself too often. But that is why his men love him. Unfortunately if he dies, all that he has accomplished will be for naught.. He is a man of very strong principles. That is why I choose to serve him.


“He even risked himself for Whisper - and the remains of its previous owner. He took the risk for a single life - one he never even knew. He did so because he felt it was the right thing to do. He once said something to me.


“The honorable man is honorable - even when nobody is watching - without need for validation.”


“She was nothing but skeletal remains. Duncan risked his life to recover them and bury her with honor. It is not the only time he has risked his life, unwilling to ask even his own men to do the same. And after he recovered the remains, he researched Whisper trying to discover what he could of her.”


“You are drawn to Whisper. And He may be the very thing you need. (OOC: Whisper has a male personality and works best in the hands of a lady. It is that whole lady’s honor thing.) Duncan bade me to find a suitable blade for your hands. I think both blades may be right for you - Whisper and Glitterguard. I know I seem difficult. As your trainer I will be very difficult to impress. But that will be for your own good.


‘While there are still sands left. The Emperor contracted my grandfather to create several dictionaries. Duncan has been showing my grandfather a new way to write as well, It is not as beautiful as calligraphy, but it can write the same thing many times. He wants to create schools for thousands - to teach them to read and write. Now I have some very special scrolls that I will use to teach you. They are Mimic Scrolls.”


Meiko looked at the sands. There was a couple minutes left, but for the life of her she had no idea what she wanted to say now.


“Noone knows where the Emperor comes from. You will hear many rumors. I do know that he has searched many libraries for lore about gateways and portals. So it is likely that whatever lands he is from they are very, very far away.” She glanced down as the last of the sands ran out. She returned the hourglass to its container. She had more leaves, but didn’t want to use them up all at once.


When Deruk approached Whisper the blade’s noises increased in warning. It was as if the blade was afraid to be held. Or perhaps it was simply afraid to be depended upon. That was more likely. The blade was afraid of failing. But the instant her hand grabbed the blade’s grip the whispering calmed to the point that it was inaudible.


Glitterguard was everything whisper was not. The blade was flamboyant. There was almost an urge to swashbuckle. The blade seemed to like movement where Whisper was more of a direct purpose. Glitterguard would have issued a challenge to an army. Whisper would have sought only to protect Deruk.


Meiko was patient with Deruk, but eventually she gestured for her new student to follow. Their next destination was to get Deruk measured for some training armor and to have weaponsmiths begin designing practice versions of Glitterguard and Whisper. It didn’t take very long. All they did was measure. Clearly making the practice weapons still took time.

Kata Sanori


After that, THEN they went to meet Meiko’s grandfather, Kata Sanori. There was no doubting who he was. It wasn’t as though Meiko’s racial stock was even common in this region. And, of course, when they found him he was busy scribing a beautifully illuminated text. Duncan might have tried to teach the old man typesetting, but the man clearly loved his art. Meiko bowed deeply to the old man waited for the longest time before getting an indication she was allowed to speak. Meiko had had the good sense to tell Deruk to be silent with gestures.


Once the old man set his quill down and looked up from studying his work he looked Deruk over. Meiko squeezed Deruk hand in warning. Finally the old man gestured. Meiko then began formal introductions. After listening, the old man reached out and patted his hand with the other and pointed at Deruk’s. Meiko took Deruk’s hands and held them out. The old man seemed to study Deruk’s hands. His expression was hard to read.


Kata Sanori then reached over and took a piece of paper and laid it out in front of Deruk. Then he set an ink pot and a quill in front of her. He took a scroll from a stack and laid it out. He touched the scroll and a beautiful word or letter - Deruk couldn’t be sure which - appeared. Mimic scroll. That was what Meiko meant. It looked like a thin sheet of leather. And it had the ability to produce writing at a touch. Kata, however, wanted Deruk to learn with paper and ink first. He simply used the mimic scroll to show her what he wanted her to copy.


The test didn’t take long. He simply had Deruk try to mimic his calligraphy. After a few tries Kata spoke to Meiko who bowed and stood up, gesturing for Deruk to follow.


Kata had already sized Deruk up. He hadn’t expected Deruk to be a master of calligraphy. In truth she had a little promise. Her fingers were capable of fine detail. She had done better than he would have expected for someone of her age with ‘no training.’ It was more of a disappointment that he hadn’t met her when she was young. The old master started to stand and stopped. He asked Meiko to fetch some scrolls, then some blank paper. Finally he indicated the mimic scroll.


The scrolls Meiko found had already been bound into a book. She glanced inside, then bowed to her grandfather. Then she nodded at Deruk. The book was a primer of the local language - or the beginnings of one anyways.

 

[Becky]

Deruk listened carefully knowing that soon the hourglass would run out and again the woman would not be able to speak English. She listened to the story of Duncan and wondered why he did all that stuff. She sighed considering it in her head and then before time the woman stopped talking. The sand ran out. She frowned sadly not wanting the woman to stop speaking English. She followed the woman when she was told as they walked to a place where she was measured. They spoke in the language she didn’t know so she found herself drifting away in her head and looking at all the times in the workshop place. It seemed to be a mixture between a blacksmith and a tailor. She touched a chain hanging from a wall like a curtain and wondered why it was hanging on the wall. It didn’t seem to be used for decoration. She stood still while she was being measured and smiled to the people as they were leaving.


They soon arrived at the place of an old man who looked like a wizard to Deruk. She smirked and held a laugh inside her chest. She looked at Meiko who have her an warning with her eyes. Deruk stopped smirking and stayed silent looking at the wizard man. He reminded her of the wizard in the Lord Of The Rings. She guessed this was the man who was going to teach her to read and write. Looking down at the paper and the old feather pen she began to copy something the man had wrote down. She wrote quickly and carelessly however her lines where straight and neat. If she learned correctly and took her time it would have been almost as good as the old mans. She looked down at her hands wondering what the man looked at and sighed. She examined the book not knowing what to do. She was confused at what all the nodding was for.


She looked around puzzled and somewhat complexed feeling a little frustrated not understanding anything. She rubbed the side of her head and frowns. She then looked at the writings in the book . It was simple and probably what she would learn. Smiling she examined the words carefully

 

[Mitheral]

From the moment she picked up the two magical blades, Deruk began to receive sensory information from both of them. Most of the information was duplicated, possibly something common to such blades of power. At first some of the information was meaningless. Some of the information was simply confusing, perhaps contradictory. And without Meiko’s able to explain, Deruk was going to have to wait to see Duncan again. Deruk wasn’t to see the emperor until later that night.


Meiko allowed Deruk to swing by her room to drop off her new writing materials. Then Meiko fed Deruk, allowing her a brief respite so as not to make her sick. Then she got down to work. Meiko was nothing short of cruel. But she asked nothing of Deruk she didn’t do herself. She began with stretching exercises - nothing too bad. Then some tai chi. Then swimming. Then real exercises. More swimming. More tai chi. More stretching. It went on for hours. By the evening meal Deruk was sure she had already lost weight - as if she had any to lose. And there could be no doubt that Meiko would try to force feed her apprentice.


On the way to dinner Deruk got to meet yet another woman - if that’s what she was. Her name was Katsya. She was a giant of a woman who stood over 6 and a half feet tall. She was built like She Hulk. When she greeted the much smaller Meiko she wrapped her arms about the woman and lifted her a good foot and a half off the floor with an enthusiastic, crushing bear hug. When she dropped Meiko, she nearly staggered off her feet. When she recovered, Meiko gave the woman a harsh glare that was simply ignored.


Katsya was everything women of these lands wasn’t - loud. She may as well have been a man. Perhaps she was overcompensating for the sake of a man’s world. She was certainly armed like a warrior. And when it came time for the evening meal, she ate like a man. Her manners were horrible. This was when Meiko finally got a little revenge. Katsya had loaded her plate and had just managed to stuff her mouth, trying to ignore Meiko’s chastising noises about etiquette, when the smaller woman spoke a single word - “Demir” - that made Katsya freeze, her eyes go wide and suddenly try to swallow the food without being noticed, using her hand to try to cover up her bulging cheeks. Once Katsya managed to swallow her mouthful, she slowly dared to glance around in the direction Meiko had indicated.


He wasn’t a right hand man, but apparently had a skill that Duncan found indispensable. The look on Katsya’s face was priceless - as was Meiko’s. Meiko winked at Deruk as discreetly as she could manage. Then she caught Katsya’s attention and indicated some spots of food on the warrior’s face. Katsya, of course, looked horrified and immediately began trying to work on her image. Clearly Demir was a man she was trying to impress.


Demir was a muscular, rugged man with the physique of a bear that seemed important in Duncan’s court. He had long black hair, mustache and beard. While shorter than Duncan his burly frame made it look like he dwarfed the emperor. His arms were thick as logs and he had hands to match. He could have crushed most men’s heads in his bare hand. Meiko indicated one of her blades and made a gesture of hammering. Blacksmith.


Duncan arrived covered with mud yet again and looking a little haggard. But he smiled when he saw Deruk and nodded from across the room. The gesture of friendliness sparked a number of looks around the room - both from his closest friends and the advisors (many of whom would gladly have seen him dead). He either didn’t notice all the looks, or didn’t care. Instead he gestured Meiko over, prompting Katsya to stand as well. Duncan did his best to conceal a wince as Katsya stood. But he recovered nicely by calling Demir over. That sparked a few barely concealed and stifled laughs. Demir also winced, but smiled anyways.


There was a brief exchange between Katsya and Demir. Demir teased Katsya about a smudge of food on her face that wasn’t there - then indicated he was teasing. She punched him in the shoulder so hard he staggered a little. Meiko chastised Katsya - probably about punching being unladylike. Then Katsya said something that clearly shocked the advisors, Demir and Meiko ... and had Duncan laughing as quietly as he could manage. Duncan merely explained to Deruk that Katsya had made a little innuendo about hammers. He explained that Demir was one of his best weaponsmiths.


After the meal was over Duncan finally found some time to speak with Deruk alone - well almost alone. Meiko seemed to be her constant shadow. And Deruk also spotted Rufetassa hovering around Duncan. It was becoming apparent that they were bodyguards, spies, assassins and so much more. Duncan had apparently grown so accustomed to his shadow that he hardly noticed it anymore.


(Yes, Katsya is to be the other bodyguard.)

 

[Becky]

She was eating a small meal of some type of rice thing. She chewed and downed it hard taking a drink of water. They started to do exercise and before long she was already tired. After the first swim she felt like she was going to fall over however she managed to keep on going. Then more exercise and more swimming. By the end of it Deruk was almost ready to curl up and go to sleep. Her body ached and her shoulders from swimming were sore. She yawned walking into the area where everyone was going to meet for dinner. She was taken by complete surprise looking at the large woman. She greeted her with a smile. The woman seemed like she was fun and could have a good laugh. However Deruk couldn’t understand the language so it was no use in trying to talk. She watched the giant woman wolf down food until her crush came along. Deruk found this very amusing and she smiled giggling a little. She watched the two interact and began to pick up some of the simple words like hello. She was sitting down and didn’t notice Duncan coming in at first. When she turned her attention to the room she saw his standing there in muddy clothes again. She grinned watching him and then wondered why he was laughing at. Her eyes widen when she finds out there was something about a hammer. She nods “Oh…..” she says and laughs alittle “Hey tell me about the Wishper” she asked him when they were sort of alone. She smiled “I held it today” she comments remembering the feeling on what it was like in her hand. She wasn’t allowed to have it fully yet until after she trained “I choose it” she smiles looking down at her now empty hand

 

[Mitheral]

Duncan couldn’t help but grin sheepishly. “Sorry about earlier - the pillow thing. Yeeahh, that was sort of MY fault. I told Meiko to find a weapon suitable for your use. Let’s face it, with your experience she was probably afraid you’d cut yourself on anything sharper than a pillow. Either that or … “ The emperor stumbled in mid sentence, looking slightly embarrassed. His eyes took on a hypervigilance for a moment as he sought to change the subject …. fast.


“Anyways, Whisper is an ancient blade, a Holy Sword. Think of a sword like Excalibur. In the pommel is a relic, the dust of a saint. And those rubies in the pommels of both blades are Alchemist Rubies. Those increase the speed and power of the weapons. Plus Whisper has holy runes on him.


“Uhm .. anyways … yeah those senses you get from those swords. Whisper and Glitterguard are a class of magic weapon called an Ego Blade. Ego blades are thrice forged swords. They are intelligent.” He grinned. “I won the pool about your selection of swords. Glitterguard is perfect for you. And Whisper … that was the one I hoped you would pick. I’m not sure why. Maybe it is just because I think the sword needs someone to have a little faith in him. When he failed the woman whose hand bore him he cracked. Whisper is probably the most powerful weapon in the land though.


“The senses you are getting are common to pretty much ALL ego blades. Detect Status - social status that is. Detect Enemies - self explanatory. Detect Alignment - sort of a misnomer as good and evil are relative. Look at Islam and Jihadists. Detect Observation. Very useful combined with the Detect Enemies. Now these are the common abilities. A Holy Weapon typically can Detect Evil - demons, undead and the like.


“I believe that in the right hands Whisper may someday forgive himself.” Duncan paused and gave Deruk a quick appraisal. “You look sore as hell. I am going to guess that Meiko worked the heck out of you? I assigned Meiko and Katsya to watch over you. They will be your shadows. I know that Rufetassa shadows me. I think by now you have guessed that he is much more than a barber.”


Elsewhere Katsya had hollered Rufetassa’s name in a shortened form - Rufie - which clearly did not go over well. Meiko was wincing at Katsya’s clearly intentional error. Rufetassa finally glanced up, ignored Katsya’s eyes and studied her hair intensely. Then he shook his head gesturing at himself and gesturing to her hair. That provoked an immediate look of pain in Katsya and she scrunched up her face and muttered his full name - properly this time. Rufetassa tilted his head sideways and cupped his ear as if unable to hear her. It took a few tries, but Katsya finally gave in. She wanted her hair done by the man. Rufetessa looked over at Demir, then back at Katsya, then curtsied. Then he waited. Meiko had to look away as she couldn’t help but laugh as Katsya actually tried to bow.


Duncan smiled at Deruk. He was used to his friends teasing each other. But it had been a long day. He could tell that Deruk was sore. So he walked around behind her and dug his fingers into her shoulders - not too hard - but in a massaging squeeze. “I know the rest of you is sore, but somehow I think it would raise a few eyebrows if I did more than this.” After a few minutes of massaging he chuckled. “My Ex had a friend that studied chiropractic massage. I learned a few basics. I am guessing about now you’d like to get out of here, grab a hot bath and sleep.”


He considered the gossip that was sure to follow, but he gestured. “If you want to get out of here, I have the power to make that happen. Being the emperor has to have some advantages.”


(FYI, Katsya has an accent that sounds a bit slavic. Her hair is dark brown. She and Demir actually look like a decent matchup genetically speaking.)