| Heartwood Logs |
2000-07-28
| Heartwood |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
Within the Walls of Bordertown
- It is deep into the night, in fact far after all the other
patrons have left, that a single figure slips down the Dragonstooth
stairs. This late it is hard for Anuje to see, but the lone figure is
unmistakable. Mordyn's sashay... light, and alone in the night. She
carries no lantern, a shadow draped in a black cloak vanishing up lonely
street.
Anuje glances around quickly and then carefully and quietly follows, taking advantage of whatever darkest portion of the street is available. The barmaid's pace is fast, sure, as if she knew this path by heart. About halfway up the street she turns to the left, heading into a dark, dark alley... and when Anuje reaches its entrance, she is gone.
Anuje frowns and looks into the alley, stepping into it carefully. The alley is tight, the walls of the building a sharply bounded valley of stone and plaster. It weaves straight ahead, with a branch vanishing to the left and a set of stairs leading down a handful of paces in, on the right hand side of the little street. Anuje shrugs and picks a direction, turning to the left. The alleyway is narrow... so tight Anuje has to turn sideways... but soon it opens into a small courtyard. It stretches, black in tall shadows, to the right and left...
A brisk breeze suddenly kicks up, a sudden whirlwind...
And then there is a clat-clat-clatter, a tumble a rough and awkward squawk from above, and then a round black object just falls from the roof tops, landing spread-eagled on his back. It is a little, mousy man, in a heavy black cloak. He doesn't notice Anuje. He just looks up into the night sky. "You are laughing. I know it. You bitch."
Anuje blinks. She bites her lip and considers and then quickly moves to his side, crouching. She speaks quietly, "Are you alright?"
The little man closes his eyes. "Ya. I'm a little guy. Nothing on me to get hurt. She knows that. And you are?"
Anuje says, "Anuje. Who are you?"
The little man holds up his hand. For a shake, for a lift up. "Dominic. Dominic Dominee. I was just... falling through."
Anuje chuckles and offers her hand, bracing to help him up. She speaks softly still, "What were you doing on the roof?"
Dominc sits up and shakes himself out. "I was... uhm... I was looking for a lost purse? I saw this crow you see... And they pick on small folks like me, since they think they can weave us into their nests or something, and I was never raised to be a pillow for a bird? And then this wind kicked up. I bet my purse is now on the other side of the building?"
Anuje smirks. "That's certainly an interesting story. Have you seen a fine looking serving girl, by any chance?"
Dominic Dominee just looks up at Anuje. "Don't tell me She kicked me off the roof just to get you a date with a girl now!"
Anuje blinks, confused. "What? Who kicked you off?"
"Not what. Who. Her." Dominic slips his hand through his black hair. "The one with a sense of humor. You know... sweet little girl voice who never says anything but a tease?"
Anuje's eyes widen a little. "Her? You hear her, too?"
Dominic laughs, "Of course we do. We are Hers."
Anuje frowns. "You don't know anything about me. I just met you."
Dominic shrugs. "Don't say things like that. It's not nice to gainsay a Goddess." He then look to the sky. "Oh, I know he's safe, you'll just pick on me!"
Anuje glances up and then back at Dominic. "She told you about me?"
"Of course she did. You were supposed to follow the girl into the tavern, get into a lot of trouble, and I'd rescue you."
Anuje laughs. "Maybe that'd be more dramatic, but it was less likely to show me what she does after work."
Scratching his head, Dominic nods. "Let that be a warning for you, kid. All plans fall apart the moment it catches our Lady Arilys' attention."
Anuje leans against the wall. "So... finally a name. Uhm... does it ever go your way?"
Dominic laughs again. "Oh, most times it does... especially when she gets a laugh out of us. She likes sneaking, lying, hiding in shadows, baiting the hounds and tweaking those higher than oneself... and being as small as I am, that's most folks for me."
Anuje hmms. "Sounds like it could be fun... occasionally. Now... why were you really on the roof?"
"Oh, no..." he smiles, "I don't ever have to tell the truth. She doesn't mind that at all." But then he shrugs. "Lets just say I was trying to find something. Well before it was lost? A bit of information."
Anuje nods. "Well, I suppose I've lost my girl, then."
Domnic nods quietly. "That's probably for the better. Jagnar's girls are bad news."
Anuje frowns slightly. "What do you mean?"
"Jagnar? Lord Jagnar the Dark?" He laughs, "Youngling Imperial God of the Dead who no one is supposed to worship? The assassin's God?"
Anuje swallows. "You're serious, aren't you? I wouldn't have guessed."
The little man looks up slightly to Anuje. "Of course. You don't joke about him. Well, you do. Because he doesn't realize he's just Aunt Krysta's pawn for collecting Imperial souls. So, Fox... how long has she been teasing you?"
Anuje says, "Fox? Uhm... two days."
Dominic rests an arm on your shoulder. "Oh, my... She's like that. Lady Arilys. Lady Fox. Lady of Shadows. We are the game of prey against predator, the love of the chase and the thrill of deception."
Anuje looks at him. "Why now?"
Dominic slowly considers... "I don't know... she picks us all at different times. The question is, do you want to wear her Cloak?"
Anuje considers quietly for a moment. "What does that mean? I mean... what will that mean to how I live?"
Dominic takes a long, long breath "It's actually the most fun way to live, kid... we amuse her... do you like shadows, looking and seeing, teasing the hounds and leading them on a merry chase? That is our life, Anuje. The play of prey and predator... and we, the prey, always win."
Anuje smiles. "That does sound good but... what changes will I have to make? I have to make a good choice, right?"
"Actually she doesn't offer to folks who aren't already walking the path, lad. The only thing you have to watch out for is never... never become the hunter. Oh sure, you can look for things, go out and do things, but always with the sense of the fox sneaking into the farmer's field to sneak the chicken from beneath the guard ruffs nose. But never the hunt for the hunts sake, for revenge... or some other motive. We are Lady Shadow's children. The Trickster Goddess."
Anuje says, "Sneaking around behind the serving girl is... sneaking." She smiles. "Yes."
Dominic nods, "Yes. Especially when you try to get her to seduce you..." He blinks and ahems. "But not her. Bad, bad news. So... you want Her cloak?"
Anuje says, "She tried to seduce my friend... but was only... uhm... pumping him for information." Then she nods. "I do. Do I have to do anything?"
With a dramatic show Dominic rolls up the arm of his tunic, stretching his hand out, fingers spread and palm open. "See, nothing up my sleeve..." And with a flourish he reaches into a shadow and... and pulls out a black cloak, one to perfectly fit over Anuje's shoulders. He looks wide eyed, and just blinks. "I'll be damned as a hound... yours has a hood." And indeed it does as he lays it across Anuje's arms. "No, until it wakes you make another cloak and use this as its lining. Just the black cloak, that tells everyone who you belong too... and She doesn't like Her secrets told to just anyone..."
Anuje stares as he produces the cloak from seemingly nowhere. "Wakes?"
"When you are skilled enough to wake him, you will know." Dominic smiles, "Come, let's teach you some magic, Anuje..."
Anuje says, "I know a little. I can heal my friends if they're hurt." She adds, "Are my friends more than anyone?"
Dominic shakes his head. "Let's see... certainly not your two Imperial friends... but Arilys amuses Dayalla... and Trystan, he follows The Horned God... Arilys' Father."
Anuje nods. "I hope they don't already know... I thought I was... well... when I heard voices I guess I didn't expect a Goddess would want to speak to me."
Dominic looks up to the night sky. "Oh, most gods and goddesses are well behaved." He shrugs and looks up to Anuje, laughing. "Ours is a busybod- ouch!" Dominic rubs his head as if he had just been hit by an acorn.
Anuje laughs. "She did that to me, too." She reaches out and touches the new cloak. "So... I shouldn't wear that until I have one to wear over it?"
"Ya... anything will do. You'll find it will fit beneath quite well. And if you ever see anyone with such a cloak, you know he or she is one of us."
Anuje nods. "So. You were going to show me some tricks, Dominic?"
The short man laughs softly. "You already know one, kid. You know the saying, Lady of Shadows, look out for me... or Lady of Shadows, lend me your cloak. Usually used when someone wants to hide?"
Anuje says, "I've heard it, but I don't think people really know about Her."
Dominic smiles, "Well, Anuje, when we say it... and you think as hard as you do when healing someone... She does lend us Her cloak."
Anuje nods. "Okay... I'll remember."
Dominic says, "It's our most important, useful trick," he smiles, "-not being seen. You know she spotted you coming up the street... here, follow me... I'll show you how to slip through the shadows..."
Anuje frowns. "I was trying to be careful." She moves to follow him.
Dominic laughs as he snares her shoulder and draws her into the shadows with him... "Come, laddie, I'll show you what type of lassies these shadows really are."
Late at night it is... the room is dark, the only light from a single candle upon the little table. It casts soft shadows through the room. Romana sprawls on the bed comfortably, lying gently against Brisa. All she wears is a loose surcoat, barely covering her tall, lithe figure. Her arms are crossed and her chin rests upon them. Anuje sleeps upon the floor now, although only her baggage is neatly stacked there currently... and Roxanna has the couch for herself. Outside the air is cool, the stars sparkle. It's nightwatch in Bordertown, everyone asleep except for Captain Garrick's men. And three ladies...
Brisa is slowly, contemplatively brushing Romana's long, dark mane... she tilts her head, watching the candlelight pick up shimmers of color in the silky waterfall of hair across her fingers, then smiles, "So, mishkhhya... so patiently you waited for us to ask questions... will you tell us your story now, babochka? What do Easterners say is the story of the beginning of the world?"
Roxanna settles down on the sofa, also dressed in a loose robe, having just come from the baths. "So... now that the others are gone, Romana... what can you tell us about the stories of the Gods you were told?"
Brisa laughs softly, her eyes sparkling in the candlelight too as she glances at Roxanna, "I see we all are wildly curious!"
Romana look down at the pillow, very, very quiet. "Please... will talk. Yes? But Romana... Romanas do not the four follow... or taught to follow. Roxannas, Brisas... my love Brisa... will not kill Romanas?"
Brisa gives Romana a puzzled look, "No, of course not, mishka. Why would we want to kill you?" She pauses... then says slowly, "Mishka... who do you follow?"
Roxanna says, "If anyone."
Brisa glances at Roxanna, then nods, "True... if anyone."
"...In the beginning there was the Forest... those that ran within... and the ever-changing form of Chaos." Romana closes her eyes tight. "The Chaos Lords. The old ones. The ones banished beyond the Starwatch Reaches. That... that is al'Lharhonshah power. Those Forbidden. Those Unspeakable."
Brisa gives Romana another puzzled look -- why's she so worried? -- then mentally shrugs and simply gathers Romana up into her arms, so she can lean against Brisa as she talks. She loops her arms loosely around Romana, quietly warm and secure, as she listens. "These are not associated with the Four then?"
Romana shakes her head, looking back, perplexed. "No. Different. Don't of them speak, for they are hungry and insane. They hear all, even locked beyond the stars. They old... one of three... piers of the world. How to say..." Romana looks to Roxanna with no joking, so serious. "Chaos Lords make Marin look like Lady Attera."
Brisa blinks slowly, startled, "Beyond... the stars?! How can anything be..." she falls silent, trying not to interrupt. Roxanna nods, listening.
Romana looks back, perplexed, as if both Brisa and Roxanna just didn't understand. Then she just shakes her head. "Dragon. Unicorn. Chaos. From Dragon's bones grew the Forest. From Unicorns came the Firstborn Horses. And Chaos is Chaos over all, insane and gibbering across the heavens."
Brisa looks really startled now, "Wait, unicorns first?! But I thought they were second cousins of the Firstborn horses!"
Roxanna says, "Let her tell it her way, Brisa. We already know that there are inconsistencies in our legends."
Brisa looks guilty, "Er... sorry. Go on, please, mishka."
Romana shakes her head. "NO. Three make up everything. Dragon. Unicorn. Chaos. Then The Forest. Horse. Chaos. Then... then Starbreeding killer came, set order to the world. Dayalnya'han'cthkhanna'hai. Chaos Lords were angered, broke the world. Broken world brought Trystan's lord and lady... then the Shattering Wars and everyone else." Brisa blinks confusedly, but just nods silently, hoping Romana will go on... and things will get clearer...? Romana looks down, quiet. "At end of War, my Father's Lords banished. But their revenge had already been hidden, waiting."
Brisa blinks again, her gaze far away, and whispers, "The... the three prime components? Is that what dragon unicorn chaos is?" She blinks again, her face very still, "Then... then Dayalla did break paradise? Nyeh... nyet, surely she wouldn't have...?" She shivers, then asks a little plaintively, "Weren't there supposed to be three causes too?"
Roxanna says, "Break is such a strong word. She changed it... made it grow."
Brisa blinks a little blankly at Roxanna... then nods slightly, "Da... there must have been a reason..."
Roxanna says, "I suspect that a system with the Chaos Lords in it would not have been paradise, anyway."
Brisa takes a deep breath, then nods a little more firmly, "Da. That is an excellent point, Roxy-varishch." She hugs Romana gently, "Go on, babochka?"
Romana considers, so very, very quiet. "Chance. Order. Growth. Dragons grew Forest. Unicorns brought chance. Dayalnya'han'cthkhanna'hai forced order on Chaos."
Brisa struggles with that mentally, "So... those are the... the causes?" She looks a bit surprised, "So... Dayalla wasn't a hero? She was... was one of the causes -- growth, chance, and order? But... where was chaos in that, please?" She blinks confusedly, "I... don't understand, mishka... are... are you saying Dayalla is a cause born of chaos?"
Romana buries her head in her pillow. "Said so. Dragon to Forest. Chaos to Chaos. Unicorn to Horse. Chaos always there, from the very first. Can't have something from nothing!"
Brisa still looks confused... gently she runs her hand down Romana's back, and says softly, "Mishka... we're not angry, mish'khhya, just confused. Come back, please, babochka?" She looks up puzzledly at Roxanna, "Am I misunderstanding her? Is she saying that Dayalla is order, born of chaos? That She's one of the prime causes?"
Romana looks to Brisa and shakes her head. "No. Not just cause. When Dayalnya'han'cthkhanna'hai rose over Forest, other Chaos Lords were furious." She looks to Brisa, nodding... "Close... sometimes said that way, yes?"
Brisa says, "Other..." she blinks, "Wait... you're saying Dayalla was one of the chaos lords?" She murmurs bemusedly, "Can... can we worship a cause?"
Romana looks to Brisa and nods. "Can't get something from nothing."
Brisa is still struggling to wrap her head around new concepts, even as she lightly and absently runs her fingers in slow caresses through Romana's shining dark hair, "So... so there were three prime components -- dragon, unicorn, chaos. And... and one of the chaos lords was Dayalla... and she became a prime cause somehow? She and her order, and the dragon's growth, and the unicorn's chance... somehow caused forest, horse, and chaos? Is that it?"
Romana nods quietly. "Yes. That how world began."
Brisa says puzzledly, "But... how can chaos become order? And... and what happened to the dragon and the unicorn? Did they die?" She adds bemusedly, "The Starwatch Reaches... are they in the sky?!"
Romana shakes her head quietly. "That greatest secret. If know, all of east would try to bring Chaos Lords back. World ends then."
Brisa's eyes widen slightly and she goes still for a moment... then, slowly, her hands go back to their gentle, slow caressing. She murmurs with dry amusement, "Well, let's not do that just yet then... so... did the dragon and the unicorn die? How are there still unicorns in the world if so?"
Romana shakes her head, her own hand reaching to the side to drift slowly up Brisa's tunic skirt, following the curves of calves and thighs. She looks to Brisa, "If unicorns still here... dragons must be too. Somewhere."
Brisa nods slowly, "Maybe... maybe they're in the Forest..." She falls silent, thinking, her gaze distant and unseeing... finally she murmurs, "So... Dayalla was a chaos lord that became a cause, Order..." She shakes her head slowly in wonder, "-where did the humans come from? and the... the Corlayyan? And... if the chaos is so insane... why would your people want to bring it back? Wouldn't it consume them too?" She adds bemusedly, "If horses are the first born... were the unicorns not born then? Did Dayalla make them black? Were they just... made? They must have come from something...?"
Letting her fingers echo Brisa's soft touch, Romana leans closer, her soft mane the touch of a silken breeze. "Humans from the shattering wars came, we... we are not people." Romana ducks her head. "Corlayyan means revenge, Brisa. Chaos Lords knew they were being banished. We, Romana, only purpose for being is to be their revenge on Brisa kind." Romana shakes her head. "They just were. Like Dragons and Chaos. Always there, just were."
Brisa gives Romana a rather shocked look, "They... they used you?! That's it? That's horrible! Why would you want to serve them at all if they treat you so badly?!"
Romana looks back quietly. "Never said treated badly. Follow Chaos Lords before make mad, much power is given. Power is best carrot, yes?"
Brisa draws a slow breath, "Bozhemoi... first power, then madness. What a price to pay."
Romana nods her head, taking a deep breath. "That's why Romana not them really follow..."
Brisa looks down at Romana with a faintly wondering look, "What happened, babochka? Was it knowing you were being pawned that made you come out different?"
Pale shoulders shrug, her surcoat shifting soft and nice. "Romanas..." She smiles quietly. "Was when Romana learned going to die. Killed. Sacrificed. Romanas didn't want to die. Then realized, no one else wants to die either. Then lead to rest. How can Romana be happy, if built from others not happy?"
Brisa nods slowly, thinking, her hands absently and lightly brushing along Romana's hair again, "I... understand, I think." She's silent again for a bit, then nods, "I interrupted, I didn't mean to. Go on, mishka."
Turning her head into Brisa's caress, so small and natural a motion, Romana closes her eyes. "Romanas finish thought?"
Brisa says, "Oh... I thought you were going to say who you followed." Curiously she adds, "Who do you follow, mishka? And... are the four Eastern lords like our Second Age deities? Did they arise out of the people's need for some particular concept or something?" She frowns puzzledly, "Is the East physically a nasty place or something? Is that why the Eastern lords are so unpleasant?"
Romana blinks. "Romana... Romana has no god or goddess to follow. And east is no harsh. Just one law. If strong enough, can do."
Brisa thinks about that one for a long time, her face quiet, "Then... then there's really nothing we can do here to stop the fighting, is there... we can't reason with them because they don't care for the same things we do, we can't make treaties with them because they won't follow them..." she sighs softly, "The only thing that would work is if someone so incredibly powerful turned up that could beat all of them came... and forced them. And... that would last only as long as that someone lived." She sighs softly, her face wistful, "How... sad..." A moment later she blinks slowly, "Or... we could grow trees across the path to Trundle, until they reached the Dirkwood, and got... hungry... that might stop them..."
Romana leads forward to gently kiss Brisa, soft on her lips. "Brisa... it's the same, take hero to stop East. Just as it takes Hero to gather every Easterner and convince them a long war is a good thing."
Brisa blinks at the kiss, then smiles quietly, "Da... but heroes like that only occur at the ends of Ages, mishka." She thinks about that, then adds wryly, "...probably just as well, too."
Romana rests her head upon Brisa's shoulder, her fingers light atop Brisa's tunic. "Yes... end of Ages. Each time east wins, each time east loses. Never learns."
Brisa looks puzzledly at Romana, automatically shifting slightly to more comfortably accommodate her, "Mishka... why did the East withdraw at the end of the Long War? After all, hadn't they... won?"
Roxanna says, "A very good question, that one. Pyrrhic victory, perhaps?"
Romana shakes her head quietly. "Remember what Romana said... strong hero to take the West... and once taken, once won... or if hero falls... we get restless... bored... start to argue amongst ourselves... always happens."
Brisa blinks, "But... they all left? Surely there must have been a few that were powerful to hold a tower here, that could have been more powerful here amongst beaten humans that are predictable, than amongst the erratic easterners?" She adds confusedly, "Not a single one tried to claim land here?" She looks up suddenly, "Oh! Or... maybe they did... and that's where the hatred for sorcerers came from... that could do it... maybe?"
Romana doesn't answer right away, and for a long moment she just rests her head against Brisa. Then she slowly, so very slowly, lifts her head again, answering both Brisa and Roxanna. "Romanas not say no ones didn't, yes?"
Brisa nods to Romana, "Da, you did not. But I can see what might eventually happen to an Easterner living here publicly... no matter how powerful." She lightly strokes Romana's hair, thinking quietly.
Romana lets her fingers trail down across Brisa's figure, smoothing her tunic skirts. She says one word. "Hysthainian."
Brisa curiously asks Romana, "Could an Easterner somehow... silly question, of course they could, if they kept who they were secret." She smiles, adding, "How do easterners see the fickle white unicorns, mishka?" She blinks at Romana, her eyes widening slightly, "Are you saying, mishka, that they are Eastern? The Hysthainians, I mean?"
Roxanna says, "Velikii doesn't sound all that Western, either..."
Romana just looks at Brisa. "Cunning, smart, devious, planners, makers, magic, dangerous, walking wherever they wish." Then she blinks again. "Of course. How else do you think east finds out what is happen-" And then a knock interrupts the conversation. Brisa stares in shock and horror at Romana, opening her mouth to reply... then takes a breath, forcibly changing her train of thought.
Anuje leads Dominic quietly down the hall. She moves her hand to knock on the men's room, but realizes at the last moment that it would appear it should be her room as well to Dominic. She purses her lip and twists the knob, pushing the door open and entering. "Benny, Trystan... I'd like you to meet someone."
Benedict looks up in surprise from a scroll, blinking. "Anuje! Hello, how did you... do?" He spots Dominic, and stands, smiling quietly. "Hello there, Sir."
Anuje tries to keep her voice down, "This is Dominic. I met him on my... foray tonight." She grins impishly.
The small, mousy man just gives Benedict a sudden hard look. Then he smiles, and with a bright bounce steps up and extends his hand. "Dominic, lad. And I'm no Sir. See, I'm... well-" he climbs up on one of the chairs, "I'd have to be this big to be a Sir."
Anuje remembers the light under the door to the women's room. "The ladies are still awake?"
Benedict blinks at the abrupt look, almost taking a step back, then smiles quietly, shaking the man's hand. "I meant no disrespect, Si- Dominic. I try to speak respectfully to everyone I meet."
Dominic drops down from the chair and laughs. "Then just think of me as the little brother you never had. And I'll think of you as the big brother I never had. Do you have a couple crowns I could borrow, Big Brother?" Anuje laughs.
Benedict blinks and laughs. Lord Hastur, between you and I, only you know where this fellow came from, but I like him already. If Anuje vouches for him, I certainly have no problems. "I would, but we may have a lot of troubles coming up. The others are in Brisa's room."
The little man nods, "The others' rooms? Anuje, you didn't tell me what a popular lad you are!" Benedict grins slightly.
Anuje grins and shrugs. "You would've found out soon enough." She drops a black cloth bundle on Benedict's bed, letting Dominic assume that they're sharing it, then enters the hallway and knocks on the womens' door.
Roxanna raises her voice to carry to the hallway. "Who is it?"
Anuje answers through the door. "It's Anuje. Are you ladies dressed enough to meet... uhm," she glances at Dominic and grins, turning back to the door, "-a gentleman?" Dominic just looks at Anuje, as if he was... theatrically... hurt.
Brisa glances at the door... then blinks. Swiftly she flips the cover over Romana, glances at Roxanna as she rises -- looks fine, good -- then nudges Anuje's saddle bags firmly under the bed. She looks around, making sure everything is acceptable for public view... money pouches out of sight, sword in easy reach, another tunic tossed over hers... she nods, sitting on the edge of the bed near Romana. "Da, Anuje." She settles cross-legged and pulls her armor into her lap, going over the damaged chest area.
Benedict pads in behind Anuje and Dominic. "I hope we're not interrupting anything," he says mildly and curiously.
Anuje smiles back, shrugs, and opens the door. "Hello pretty ladies. I hope we're not interrupting anything important." She leads Dominic into the room. "This is my new friend Dominic. I met him this eve while... exploring."
Brisa has a slightly odd look on her face -- much like the time when she was hit with the realization that she was expected to kill the sunset rider -- but she nods politely to the new person, "Gospodin. I am Brisa, this is dama Romana and dama Roxanna."
Romana looks up, eyes flashing over the newcomer. Dominic himself smiles brightly. "Laddie... such friends you have, yes?" And he then falls to one knee, sweeping his arms with a bright flourish, his head bowing. "Fair ladies... good eve... I am Dominic... at your service... uhm, services?" Anuje blinks and actually manages a blush, kneeing Dominic imperceptibly in the back.
Brisa is still a little shocked at the plethora of world-staggering new ideas she's been hit with tonight... she smiles a little puzzledly, then nods politely again, "Spacebo."
Roxanna smiles at this obvious rogue. "Good eve, Dominic. I hope our young lad didn't cause you any trouble..."
Anuje says, "Uhm... actually... I think he kept me out of it."
Roxanna raises an eyebrow at Anuje. "In that case, I hope you thanked him properly."
Brisa raises an eyebrow, her gaze starting to sharpen as she tries to mentally jerk herself out of her mental fog. She studies Dominic curiously. Dominic oof!s at Anuje's touch. For a moment he seems almost ready to sprawl upon the floor, but instead he end sup sitting at the base of the bed. "Oh! No trouble at... all. We just... it was... okay. I fell on him."
Brisa raises the other eyebrow! Anuje blinks. "Not directly," she quickly corrects. "I was following Mordyn into an alley...but I lost her." Brisa grins quietly, and goes back to examining the armor -- then looks up suddenly again. Interesting that Anuje is willing to talk about Mordyn in front of this person?!
Roxanna says, "Hmm. And this kept you out of trouble?"
Anuje nods. "Well... I didn't think so until he told me that all the serving girls here at the Inn are Jagnar's." She glances back at Benedict. "Including Mordyn."
Benedict blinks, looking between Anuje and Dominic. "Ah... thank you for trying, Anuje. How do you mean, kept her out of... troub... le..." His eyes widen. "Hastur above!" he murmurs. "Jagnar the Black..." Shaking slightly, he lowers himself to the floor, crossing his legs beneath him.
Romana raises her eyebrows, and so does Dominic. "I did not. Reveka's a nice girl!"
Anuje shoots Benedict a look for his slip and then glances at Dominic, wondering if he picked up on it. "I thought you said... uh... no you didn't, did you."
Roxanna says, "All of them?"
Anuje says, "Uhm... well, he says Reveka's not... I misheard him, I guess."
Roxanna says, "I would hope so..."
Brisa stares at Anuje, then at Dominic. She shifts the armor out of her lap, and says slowly, "And you are, gospodin...?"
Dominic looks up and up at the taller fighter. "And I am... I am Dominic? I'm too small to be much more!"
Brisa studies Dominic intently for a moment, her expression intent and worried... then without looking away says softly, "Anuje? You say this is a friend of yours, da? You vouch for him?" Anuje glances at Brisa and nods -- then returns her attention to Dominic. Dominic looks to Anuje and just nodnodnodnodnods! Brisa's gaze flicks up to Anuje, standing slightly behind and to the side of Dominic, when she nods... and Brisa nods herself, slowly, "All right." She adds politely to Dominic, "I am sorry for wariness, forgive please." She settles back, returning to examining her armor... although she occasionally gives Dominic puzzled, thoughtful glances.
Dominic looks back and raises one eyebrow. "It's fine... most folks look at me suspiciously. It happens when you are short. They expect to find you lurking in the flour bin or under the carpet. I hate it under the carpet. The dust merebeasts are very territorial."
Anuje smirks. Roxanna stifles a giggle. "Being short isn't that bad." Benedict chuckles softly, but after so long of knowing Brisa, he picks up on her wariness.
Brisa blinks puzzledly at Dominic... but just smiles a little uncertainly and goes back to her armor. She reviews mentally... does she know anyone short that's regarded with suspicion? Hm... currently just Roxy and Benny, and most folks like them. Interesting. But at Roxanna's comment she grins teasingly at her, "Oh, da, of course you would say that...!"
Dominic takes a second look at Roxanna, and places his hand upon his forehead. "Oh, lady!" he swoons. "I'm in love!"
Brisa blinks at Dominic startledly again! -then reflects that she seems to be doing that a lot with him. Roxanna snorts. "Won't do you much good. I'm not in the market for romance."
Anuje's eyes widen a little in surprise. "Dominic... she's practically nobility." Brisa smiles quietly to herself, going back to her armor.
"Alas, my heart is broken. And being such a small heart, it is a fragile thing. I shall bear this wound for all of... well, maybe until morning." Dominic settles back against the bed. Romana just puts her hand over her mouth and tries not to giggle... and fails -- horribly.
Brisa looks up suddenly and says curiously, "Wait... how do you know Mordyn's Jagnar's?" She frowns, adding worriedly, "-and... what does that mean, in regards to Benny-varishch?"
Roxanna says, "It means she's very, very dangerous. And quite possibly opposed to our little... project."
Brisa wonders aloud, "Why does she care what's on the hill?"
Domonic looks back, quiet and daring. "Because she keeps a knotted red scarf beneath her skirts. Got a couple coins tied in it." Anuje blinks at Dominic, not remembering telling him anything about their affairs, and yet that would concern the whole town.
Brisa says bluntly, "How you know what is under her skirts?" She politely does not ask how he knows, however... there are some things she suspects she really doesn't want to know! Anuje just knows he's going to make some quip about his height. She smiles to herself.
Benedict nods softly, his humor disappearing. "Worship of Jagnar is... discouraged strongly by the Imperial Court. I'm hesitant to ask about why a Jagnarian is so interested in the hill that she would approach an Eye, even a young one."
Dominic looks up at Brisa, "You really want to know? Oh... for a coin at Brandreth's... you can buy most anything..."
Anuje chews her lip and then asks Benedict, her cheeks pinkening a little, "Uhm... did you see a red scarf?"
Looking to Anuje, Dominic nods, "Four crown. Oh. In the scarf. She, however, might be easy but she certainly isn't cheap."
Benedict blinks in surprise to Anuje, and suddenly his complexion is much ruddier. "Ah... hem, er... ah... I... didn't get the chance to..." he murmurs uncomfortably.
Brisa raises an amused (if disbelieving) eyebrow at Dominic, "Ah... Brandreth's... of course..." She nods, thinking, then asks again, "So... why would she be so interested in the hill? -and how do we peel her off Benny?" She raises another amused eyebrow at Dominic at the 'easy' comment... but politely doesn't say anything. Romana buries her head in her pillow.
Anuje looks at Dominic, frowning slightly. "I thought you said to stay away from her. You're barely taller than me."
Dominic speaks again. "You stay away. She is bad news."
Brisa says gently, "Anuje, lad... height has nothing to do with dangerousness." She turns her gaze back to Dominic, waiting for him to reply to her questions.
"What hill?" Dominic looks back.
Brisa says, "The one the Randoms live on."
Roxanna says, "The one Lord Random's tower is on."
Dominic looks back, thinking, thinking. "She's be interested in knowledge. Not cash or treasure, but lore and secrets."
Roxanna says, "If she's one of Jagnar's... I'd be inclined to agree."
Benedict frowns slightly. "She seemed to be disappointed that we didn't find any treasure there..." But he's wary now. If Mordyn could be Jagnarian, then that's one time his trust in someone failed... and could have very likely cost him his life, deep in the lonely, quiet tubs of the Dragonstooth... he can't let that happen again, and Brisa's wariness of Dominic is starting to rub off on him. "You're right, Roxanna. I don't think the priests of any of the other Imperial gods know rightly what Jagnar's own do."
Anuje hmms. "I can think of one priestess that might know."
Benedict blinks, glancing to Anuje. "But, who-? Oh! Krysta's Lady, you mean?"
Anuje nods. Roxanna says, "Indeed..."
Dominic smiles, "Kara? Oh she's fun. I like. She even likes small folks... then again... she likes everybody."
Benedict nods slowly, fretting. "Death in the Third Age hasn't changed much from death in the Second Age... but after meeting Lady Kara... I don't know, there'll seem to be a big difference between her and... well, the stories I've heard of Jagnar." He nods quietly to Dominic. "That's true. She's very, very pleasant. A very far cry from how we've come to see Jagnar. I wonder if that's not another change of perception..."
Dominic shakes his head. "No. If you've seen the Talantal priestess and her Ferryman, you would know how special Kara is."
Anuje lifts a brow. "No... we only met her."
Benedict blinks. "Her Ferryman...?"
Dominic looks to Benedict. "You know. Tall, dark, wears a black hood, carries a real, real, real, real big axe. Shows up when folks get the Kories really mad at them."
Anuje says, "You have?"
Benedict blinks, and shakes his head slowly. "Ah... er, no, I can't say I've... ever met him... and I can't say I'm not happy I haven't!"
Brisa looks up from where she's quietly sitting and working and says thoughtfully, "Is Mordyn... vengeful? If Benny-varishch will have nothing to do with her, might she try... ah... alchemical means?" Romana loops an arm around Brisa's shoulder, leaning up against her. Brisa smiles, turning her head enough to lightly nuzzle Romana's hair, then turns her gaze back to Dominic.
Benedict looks in horror to Brisa. "If that's the alternative, I would rather hope that she was on some fact-finding duty for her temple."
Dominic considers. "Could be. Especially if she thinks he really does know something. The other thing you could do is... well... feed her what you want her to hear. But that would be sneaky. And even more dangerous if you made a mistake. No, she'll only use you. Get her angry, and she'll kill you."
Brisa nods thoughtfully, "P'jalst, Benny. Just always stay with one of us." Anuje nods to Benedict and puts a hand on his shoulder. Brisa says, "Hm. Actually... she's a bar maid. It would be easy to slip something to all of us. Perhaps all of us should wander in pairs, and not all eat together." She sighs, "What a bother this woman has become... this whole town." She shakes her head ruefully, "And I thought we'd be able to winter quietly and relatively peacefully. What a dreamer I am."
Roxanna says, "Hmm. I think folks would be suspicious if her table keeled over."
Brisa says, "Da, Roxy, but what if it is slow acting? An hour or two later, who would connect it to her?"
Anuje says, "We could try to get friendly with the other one. What was her name again, Dominic?"
Benedict smiles wanly. "In that case, Dominic, I hope that she remains happy." He sighs and lets his head fall into his hands. "Oh, Hastur, what have I gotten us into? Blast it all to cinders..." He sighs again, looking up to Anuje with a wan but thankful look.
Roxanna says, "Well, we know, but we don't need to let on that we know."
Anuje says, "We did kind of urge you..."
Dominic looks back to Brisa, smiling quiet. "Garrick's a good man. So is Mohlkavin. Donner too. The people you meet on the street, most of them are good folk. They live very happy and peaceful lives. It's only when..." he shrugs, kicking a mote of dust. "It's only when you reach the top of the social ladder that you meet the idiots... and those with no sense of humor."
Benedict sighs softly, listening to the conversation. At this point, he thinks, the hell-ride to Dawnview sounds so much more appealing than gaining the attention of a Jagnarian. Why in blazes do we seem to be garnering the attention of more than our fair share of deities' representatives?
Brisa nods to Dominic, then says slowly, "Da... but that is not what I am confused about, gospodin. What confuses me is when good people do nothing, even when they know someon- something wrong, something very bad approaches. I only hope the truth is that they do have a plan, but do not wish to tell me... because I, my friends and I, we can simply leave. They..." she shakes her head, "-they live here, they must live with the consequences of inaction." She shakes her head again, determinedly returning to her armor... it's their town, not hers, and they must have reasons for their actions... reasons she must just not know about.
Anuje says, "Maybe they're tired of fighting, Brisa. How long have they been fighting the chaos riders? Maybe they finally think they can take a break and recover."
Dominic pauses, looking back at Brisa, "I don't understand. Now I have only a very small brain, and that could be the problem here... just what is haunting Bordertown now?"
Roxanna says, "Velikii."
Brisa nods gravely, "That could be it, Anuje. I do not know. If that is it, though, then we are well shed of this town as soon as we can leave safely come spring." She glances at Dominic... then shrugs and smiles ruefully, "Da. Velikii."
Benedict sighs, "An apostate Imperial."
Brisa murmurs dryly, "He has hired... Michael to be his personal family guard... for when he moves into this area. And he has bought the Hysthainians and the Marrennenns."
Benedict says, "And he's apparently moving in with enough marble to make a right grand palace."
The change is dramatic. "Him. Goddess damned Velikii. No good news. And you are saying Garrick and Mohlkavin are being silent?"
Brisa shrugs. "I do not know what they plan, gospodin."
Benedict is rather glad that they're not the only ones to be concerned about Velikii. "They seemed... at a loss for plans, but were in no rush to make any."
"Look, Brisa... where did you grow up?" Dominic asks -- it's obviously a serious question.
Brisa blinks suddenly at Dominic... then stares at him intently again... then, just as suddenly, tosses her head back and laughs! Benedict blinks, looking between Brisa and Dominic. Brisa grins, her eyes bright with amusement, "Ah... schto, gospodin? Oh! I am Highgaarder-born." Her grin turns sly, "Is there any more information we might give you, gospodin, regarding Velikii?" Anuje sits on the edge of the bed, listening to the conversation. Benedict frowns slightly, unsure as to the sudden change in attitude Brisa has towards Dominic. Brisa grins reassuringly at Benedict. She seems relaxedly amused, and far less alertly wary now.
Dominic holds up his hand, "Look, you're from the Frontier. Highgaard follows Allaine and Allaine walks the dagger's edge. But here. Here you have to be careful. Brisa, never, never forget that most folks want to be good Imperial citizens. No wonder Garrick and Mohlkavin are slow and reserved. Turning this town against the Empire is like pushing down the black mountains to give the sun a soft place to go to sleep!"
Brisa grins quietly, "Perhaps... but then you must also know that what we do is strive to give Herself a soft place to sleep -- and I am not angry with the gospodin warriors here. I simply do not understand why they are willing to blandly accept what they know is coming. I would not be... I would fight for family and home, did I live here." She adds softly, "-but... I do not, and while I will help others that wish it all I can, I will not hammer my hand repeatedly for someone who says they want nothing built for them."
"But who knows what Velikii is going to do when he moves here?" Benedict asks. "Safe or not, good Imperial citizens or not, Velikii killed Lord Shannon's son in Cragside for no other reason than to justify his excuse for putting the town under the auspices of Talantal!"
Dominic nods quietly. "Then know this. I'd rather face the Lord of the Rothian Forest before I would face Karntu Velikii. Period. Even with him bound and me with a sword in hand." Outside there is a low, low rumble and rain begins to pound the diamond-paned windows, splashing in the courtyard.
Brisa smiles quietly and grimly, "I would prefer to face neither... but often Herself doesn't take those desires into account." She gently disentangles from Romana enough to rise and tilt the window casement closed enough that they won't be splashed... then goes and seats herself again. She sighs, "Which does not help the gospodin warriors any... but they have nay-say'd all my suggestions. At this point it would be rude for me to try things... in their town... so the best I can do is remove my friends swiftly as soon as spring arrives."
Dominic frowns, resting his chin in his hands... he then looks back quietly. "Why wait until spring?"
Brisa says, "Because there is no better place to winter close by, and because my friends are all city folk." Her face darkens, "And we've been chased out of one good wintering town already by that -- that tov yo mat!"
Roxanna says, "We may not. But travelling in storm season is rough."
"Actually, as long as you keep off the mountains it's not bad, just very wet." Dominic thinks. "And it all depends on what you want to do."
Brisa eyes Dominic amusedly, "You, gospodin, haven't traveled in rain recently, have you. It is miserable."
Dominic just looks back to Brisa, "Oh you of... well, all it takes is one raindrop and I am soaked."
Brisa raises an eyebrow at Dominic, "What's that supposed to mean, gospodin?"
Dominic smiles, "I'm small. It takes less to drown me. I mean, our village was so small we hardly ever got any rain. We'd collect water droplets in thimbles to last through the dry season."
Brisa gives Dominic an amused glance, knowing full well he's avoiding the issue, but doesn't push it. Instead she adds, "The closest place in the direction we need to go come spring is Cragside. We are not welcome there currently... and as you can hear, the rains have started." She adds thoughtfully, "Furthermore, why would we wish to leave now? It is not until spring that Velikii is due, soonest."
Dominic looks to Brisa and tilts his head. "I don't know. Why would you need to leave sooner... you tell me?"
Brisa laughs again, "It was your idea to leave sooner, not mine. I can't tell you your reasoning. Although I do wish I knew a messenger heading that way... I would like to send word up that way."
Dominic looks back, "It was you who said you were trapped here... and also that you couldn't stay... I admit, I'm easily confused. Just what is going on, Brisa?"
Brisa says, "It's simple. I find it frustrating to see folk merely accepting a repulsive fate, and not wishing to be helped... but it is not right for me to force them to do what I want." She smiles, adding quietly, "Trapped is not quite the word I used, gospodin... I simply want to winter here quietly with my friends, and get out quickly come spring, so we do not have to meet up with the Velikii. It would be nice if I could move much faster than the Velikii, and be up to Dawnview and back before he arrives... but although I will do my best, I do not think we will make it. Still... we will try."
Dominic looks back quietly. "That can't be all of it. Why do you need to go to Dawnview and get back so quickly?"
Brisa thinks for a bit... then nods quietly, "Very well. Velikii is an Imperial, and an apostate... and under the hill that Lord Random's tower stands on is a Dayallan temple. I want to bring my sisters back to reclaim it before Velikii arrives."
Dominic blinks. "Oh, my... that is a surprise... and I should have known my history better... but yes, if he's moving, the trip to Dawnview and back is long, Brisa. What other choices do you have?"
Brisa smiles dryly, "Slow down Velikii... but I cannot do that alone, and Garrick and Mohlkavin are, as you have noted, good Imperial citizens."
Dominic leans back in the bed. "What's he doing? Can you hurt his pawns?
Brisa shrugs, "I don't know. One of his pawns is the Korie, of course... and Michael here, which you already know, and ah... who else... oh, the Montague, whom I'd love to hurt, considering he killed the Kierkegaard son that was to marry Brittany Allaine... and her he still has." She adds matter of factly, "He's apparently hunting down Koromovs, for strange personal reasons. The leader of the Wild Horde is a Koromov. Excuse me, Velikii is hunting Koromovs, not Montague."
Dominic just stops. There is a smash of a lightning outside the room. "Montague did what?"
Brisa says softly, "You heard me. His men ambushed their caravan. It lies shattered in the Forest of Roth, mixed with the bones of the dead." Her eyes are hard and cold, although she's obviously seeing something aside from this room. Coldly, bitterly she adds, "And she, I believe... is still in Montague hands." She adds pragmatically, "Velikii bought all the marble he's going to use for his palace from Montague. Biggest order they've ever had, apparently."
"Oh, goddess, you aren't even laughing now. 'Never get a Korie mad... never disobey a Velikii, never try to out-horse-trade a Kierkegaard, and never, never try and outthink an Allaine.' This is going to be bad, Brisa-just-met." Dominic looks up. "What's so important about Dawnview?"
Brisa says, "Nothing really. I could just as easily bring the Wild Horde back instead... but not only do I not know where they winter, I don't think wandering around searching for them now would be wise." She grins at a sudden, mischievous thought... then, still smiling, just shakes her head... the men of the Wild Horde would doubtless protect the temple with the captain and Kori to claim it... but she knows there's no way she could convince Mohlkavin to guard the temple with her inside to claim it -- and she wouldn't ask -- he'd get into such trouble with his god! She smiles ruefully, "Of course it's going to be bad. We're trying to stave off the end of an Age, after all."
Dominic looks back to Brisa, his head tilting. "You can't hide anything from a little guy like me... what was that terrible thought."
Brisa laughs, and explains it, smiling. She grins mischievously again, struck with another funny image, "I wonder if I could claim my weeks in temple was fulfilled there, instead of having to travel all the way to Dawnview?" She giggles softly at the thought!
Dominic looks back at Brisa. "Actually rumor has it that Koromov, Garrick, and Mohlkavin get along. When they have to. Where did you last see them?"
Brisa thinks a bit... "We left Cragside together. My guess would be they're somewhere east of there, in some village? Hopefully they won't eat them out of hearth and home this winter... especially with the grain shortage." She snaps her fingers, making a note to herself, "Grain. Should start stockpiling grain if I'm going to be bringing a group down here. And lumber... so there's a place to put the horses." Brisa is silent for a moment... then blinks slowly, "Goddess bless... I think that would work!" She's silent again for a long moment, her eyes narrowed in thought -- then suddenly she laughs delightedly again, and in a quick, smooth move she rises and scoops Dominic up in a huge hug, "You wonder man! That was just the idea I needed!"
Dominic laughs and smiles and definitely hugs the Dayallan back. "Dominic uhhhm I don't have a last name... at your service!" He daringly steals a kiss upon Brisa's cheek.