"Please forgive this unworthy one, but I could not help overhearing your conversation. It occurs to me that perhaps it would be wise of you to seek guidance through the dangerous lands in which you plan to travel. Should you agree, I most humbly offer to you my services to this end." He performs a second ungraceful gravity-defying bow, his deep-set eyes glinting hopefully behind their fleshy ramparts.
"Mr....Hassan?” His voice is smooth, urbane. "I have been a messenger through the lands of the Four Dominions for many ywars now. I am quite familiar with many of the paths and byways....however, an additional guide might possibly be of use. What unique skills can you offer?" As he speaks, it seems to Pater almost as though he's using another accent, a more flavorful exotic one coloring his simple English.
**
Out on a nearly deserted dirt street, a wagon lumbers up with aching creaks and groans announcing it's arrival. A hunched man behind the reins glances around, satisfied, then twists uncertainly to address his cargo.
"Here's as far as your coin'll take ye. Git off me wagon and off with ye!" he growls, hiding his fear with gruff words.
Cool eyes return his squinting gaze. A hooded head nods. "Fair enough," the whispered voice agrees and with a single, fluid motion, the entire cloaked figure quits itself of the odorous wagon.
A small, drawstring bag flies in the direction of the driver. He ducks, afraid for a moment of harm, but then his eyes glint greedily and he catches the coin purse. He smiles with satisfaction to the sound of sweet chimes within. Burying the purse within his many layers of clothing upon his person, he snaps the reins and whistles his team on as swiftly as he can drive them, which is to say at a fast walk.
The abandoned figure turns and surveys the surroundings. Glancing upwards at the sign over the noxious smelling establishment immediately before it, the traveller shrugs with a sence of fatalism and steps up to the interior.
Inside is the usual, almost stereotypical group of drunkards and casual drinkers. Some talk far too loudly for comfort, others huddle together as if plotting the downfall of the universe.
**
"Aaah," Hassan croons, seething inwardly at the delay, "you are indeed a most wise and experienced traveler, I see. But, while my humble knowledge of Nexus no doubt pales before your own, I have yet more to offer: you would, perhaps, find me of use in any dealings with the various other merchants, officials, and minor dignitaries who shall inevitably cross your path. And I would be honored to use what small skill I possess in the esoteric art of crystalomancy in your service."
Eric considers the offer seriously...."I actually don't know that much of the Nexus...only the Dominions," he offers in the way of honesty. And truly, he doe soccaisionally have problems with minor figures of authority. While his bargaining skills are not lax, there really are only merely adequate. This man is obviously on the run, and probably a criminal of some sort. Godd enough, he has more reason to want this mission to be sucessful.
"That seems reasonable to me. Very well, you are welcome."
"Excellent!" Hassan exclaims, clasping his hands together. "And so, if I may ask, where shall this errand take us, and when shall we depart?"
Eric explains urbanely, "I have a very important package to deliver in Patashoqua...as you are probably aware, most Nexus gateways in the Dominions are in the Second, near the Autarch's city...we will go there, and move through the Third, to the Fourth, where my destination lies. The difficulty being that we may not be able to use the more well traveled routes, such as the Lenten Way."
"Aaaaah," coos Hassan, noding sagely, "so, this package of which you speak: it is one which would attract much unwanted attention to us, yes?"
Eric nods. "Could do...I don't ask anymore than that." He eyes Hassan cooly, keeping his face as calm and cordial as before. //And I think I might have to keep some prying fingers away from it, soon enough....//
Pater simply sits there throughout the exchange. It is not his place to comment, not yet.
But a question does come to mind, "If we are waiting for someone, how long do we wait before we give it up as a bad job?"
"Not that I have something better to be doing right now, of course."
Hassan's eyes flick to Pater with a glint of annoyance. Dismissing the warrior as an overmuscled buffoon, he quickly turns his attention back to Eric.
Eric grins at the other man, his pale eyes sparkling. "Well, the package I am handling won't be delivered to _me_ until tomorrow, so I have all night...but I was interested in moving on to a seedier locale, eventually."
Sharp ears hear travel bargains being made. Glancing up, the newcomer spots the large man who suddenly exploded with enthusiasm and studies him and his companions. They seem a likely group. The hooded head nods with satisfaction.
Boldly, the figure approaches the table. Guessing carefully, the shadowed opening of the hood turns to Eric.
"You have need of a blade?" a soft, feminine whisper asks.
Eric eyes the woman carefully. "Deep hood....and I have several blades of my own." His voice is pleasant, charming, and the smile that goes with it matches. "But, if you mean, I am looking for a bodyguard or other fighter type person, I am indeed. Are you looking for work?"
Hassan turns an oily smile the newcomer's way, but inwardly he seethes. //*Another* guard? This could make what may become necessary all the more difficult...//
For the moment, the cloaked figure seems to disregard Hassan and Pater. The hood nods at Erics inquiry. "Yes. I am skilled at combat and familiar with wildland survival. My terms are simple. I have no concern for the reason of the journey, except where hazards might arise as a result, or for the destination. If you have need of another swordarm, I offer myself in that respect."
"As with many journeys, the hazards are not predetermined." The phrase has the resonance of ritual, not an actual offhand response. Eric's green eyes sudden clear, and he smiles that dazzling smile again. "But another swordarm would be welcome..." He raises a hand to slide over his hair, and then reaches out, incredibly fast, to pull back the hood. He purses his lips, as though hiding amusement.
The hood falls back to reviel a head of blazing red hair and eyes the color of frosted leaves. The woman reacts just as swiftly as Eric's action: she steps back a half step and her sword appears as if by magic in her hand, nearly swiping Eric's hand off at the wrist.
Eric pulls back his hand quickly, smiling. He obviously anticipated the gesture, if not the target.
She is not human, or at least not entirely human. High arching brows, almond-shaped eyes and softly chisled features suggest an almost otherworldly breed. More than slightly pointed ears provide a broad hint to her bloodline.
"And what does the lady wish in payment?"
Her alarm fades from her face quickly as she ascertains Eric's gesture was not hostile. "I am Blayze Redwood. My terms for employment are thus, if you should choose to accept them. First, I require no direct recompence, however responsibility for my transportation, food and lodging is yours. Maintenance of my equipment is mine. During the journey I shall guard your body and your goods at all costs. If that should include the necessity of using my blade with deadly force, I reserve the right to keep the worldly goods of my opponent. At the end of the journey, or at any point when you feel my services are no longer required, you may offer any additional rewards as you see fit."
//What rewards I see fit? What is she running from, that she offers herself so cheaply?//
She glances at Pater and Hassan. "Furthermore, it should be understood that you are paying for my skills as a swordsman and that this does not confer any other privaleges regarding my person."
Eric arches one winged brow, and glances at his other two companions. "I'm sure these two will act like gentlemen, and you certainly need have no worries on my part. That is, if you do yours, and act like a lady...." He grins suddenly, remembering one female swordsman who constantly brushed the men off with her frosty attitude...until a bodyguard hired by a friend beat her in fair combat. She turned a Red Sonja, and constantly kept trying to seduce the poor man. She never did catch on that he was gay....
She shifts her shoulders, drawing a seat over she lowers herself into it.
"Do these terms seem agreeable to you?"
Pater has to try very, very hard to suppress roaring laughter. His last wife basically burned out all his interest in such privileges. That woman had been a force of nature. Mother nature.
The mercenary estimates that it will be about ten or so years before he regains any such interest in women. Or men, or sheep, or whatever, he thinks, keeping an open mind.
For his part, Hassan observes the female's lithe form with inadequately-disguised lust, but he manages a polite bow. "Indeed, Fair One!" he says with a crocodile grin. "As agreeable as ale to a thisty throat!"
Eyes narrowing, Blayze considers the large man cooly.
Eric glances over at Hassan...//Yet ANOTHER thing I'll have to keep the man's hands out of! Maybe I reacted too hastily in allowing him to travel with us...// He found himself wishing, he was sure, not for the last time, that this job was not quite so dangerous. Then he would not be bothered with the hassle of companions so haphazardly gathered.
"These terms seem agreeable. I think you'll find I'm a fair employer. But I should let you know..." he turns his eyes to his other bodyguard, "And you, too, Pater. I will occasionally ask odd things of you I may not at the time explain. When I do so, I don't want to hear alot of whys or wherefores....and," he looks back to Blayze, "I will certainly pay for your food, lodging, and transportation. But I'd rather not hear any complainst if it does not somehow live up to your standards. Sometimes we rough it, and sometimes we stay in taverns with a bunch of drunken boors. You look like a woman who can handle yourself, but also remember, I don't want any attention drawn to us. So if a man decides your ass is fair game, you don't cut them off, understand?" Hsi tone is matter of fact, practiced. He's done this before...and probably had to deal with some of the problems he's outlining.
Blayze listens to his speach without change of expression. When he's finished, she nods. "Fair enough. 'Odd things'... Sounds interesting. You will find my standards are quite flexible as far as the lodging et al. I expect no better nor worse than you would provide for your other men here," she gestures broadly at the two others seated with them. "As for unwanted advances, you may trust me to be descreet."
Considering the matter settled she leans back slightly. "Do we leave soon?"
Eric leans back a bit, and surveys the bar. "Actually, no...unless you want to. I'll be having the good delivered to me tomorrow morning. I thought we could meet back here....if that's acceptable?" He addresses the question to the entire group.
Hassan nods solemnly, forcing himself to repress a delighted grin. //Even better than I'd dared hope...//
"Indeed, most acceptable," the turbaned man assures him. "As I have told you, I am a humbled man with few possession; but that which I have, I shall now have time to prepare for the journey."
Blayze nods. "In the morning then." This is acceptable to her. She has matters to attend to first.
***
The next morning dawns rainy and grey...the water falling from the sky in fine sprinkles that are almost mist-like in their insubstantiality. The Four Winds Bar is open all hours...but few people stay at this early hour. Eric leans against one of the riding beasts he's procured.
His travelling clothes are not far from his 'meeting' clothes...leather pants wrapped in bads around his legs, though these are more worn and a bit thicker. Flexible soft boots, but still sturdy. Blue cotton tunic, with a leather vest over the top, studded with steel rivets. Guns and knives protected with a heavy poncho over everything else, rich wool hood hiding the eye-catching red hair. He smokes casually waiting for the others to arrive.
Four riding beasts...two legged, a strange cross between large birds, and llamas. Graceful long necks, thick sturdy boodies, wooly brown-grey feathers, mamallian faces with mournful black eyes. Each beast has a set of saddle bags...his are already full, the one one with the all important package carefully sealed with a simple sigil. Eric doesn't name his animal, merely leans against its warm side, blowing sweetly scented green smoke to mingle with the rain.
Blayze approaches from within the bar, her cloak again covering most of her form. She eyes the strange creatures with curiosity. She has seen much in her travels, but finds herself never dissappointed for new surprises.
Stepping up to Eric she nods in greeting. "How are they handled?" she asks quietly, her eyes on the beast behind him.
Eric looks around at her, and smiles. "Prompt, too. I like that." He moves around to the front of his mounts head, and shows her the harness, much like a horse's, but without a bit. "They have fairly sensitive muzzles, and are also a bit smarter than a horse...simple directional tugs, much like a horse's rein, will show them which way to go."
Blayze watches carefully, nodding.
He pats the creatures broad back affectionately. "You don't really need a saddle to ride them, because of the shape of their backs. The saddle bags generally snug you on there pretty good, and they're suprisingly smooth rides for being two legged creatures. Lots of endurance, if not a lot of speed. Good for a long haul." He grins over at Blayze in an easy, boyish manner.
Stroking the creature's side tentatively, Blayze murmurs, "Is it's back resistant to the rub of the rider's behind? No blanket needed? Are they plant eaters?"
Eric nods..."Yeah, they seem to be pretty tough skinned, and that thick fur stuff helps. Though you may WANT use a blanket, because they smell can sometimes rub off onto cloth clothes," he chuckles. "And yeah, they eat plants, though they do occiasionally suplement their diets with bugs. I'm not really sure how that works...they seem too big to be real bug eaters, but then, I'm no biology expert."
She nods.
"Want to take her around a bit before we head out? Get used to the feel?"
Blayze nods. Following Eric's directions she mounts up and takes the reins. She turns the animal around the street before the bar getting the feel of the creature's sensitivity to the reins.
The creature seems to be getting a feel for her, too...modifying it's gait for the way her body moves. It's not unlike riding a camel, a sort of slow roll.
//I wonder if it could be trained for hands-free,// she observes as she rejoins Eric and dismounts.
"What is their disposition like? What are they called?"
Eric grins cheerfully. "Well, I can't pronounce their native name. But the humans I know who deal in them call them cho-kas. Don't ask me where that came from." He pats his own mount on the side. "They're pretty steady, which is why I picked 'em for a long journey like this...and even when they're spooked, they tend to return to their previous spot, so if they run, you just have to wait around for a bit, until they calm down and come back. They're also pretty smart, though, and sometimes take dislikings to people for whatever reasons. I mean, it's not them sensing if the person is good or bad...I've seen them get nasty with perfectly nice people."
Studying her mount closer, looking into her eyes and stroking her neck, Blayze asks, "Are they herd creatures? Do they keep together?" She speaks softly, wondering if her beast will take a liking to her or not. An unruly mount would be disasterous.
Eric shrugs..."I don't know. I don't think they are, though...herd creatures. They get along okay with each other, but they don't seem to bolt in the same direction or anything."
//I wonder how they'll react to Pater and whats-his-face, the fat human.// She finds herself imagining the obese man struggling with one of the animals. //And the other way around.//
"Cho-kas," she tries the word experimentally.
Blayze then settles in to await the rest of their group.
Her cho-ka nuzzles at her hand, as if looking fro food, blowing hot, wet air, scented with grass.
Shortly thereafter, Hassan trundles up with a bejeweled leash of black leather in one beefy hand. On the other end, a 15' bow-legged octapedal reptile with tan scales mottled with black and the blunted snout of a mastif crawls forward with surprising speed. Thick straps hold four long saddlebags to its broad back.
Blayze examines the animal dubiously. //He brings a meat-eater as a mount. Marvelous.// She strokes her cho-ka reassuringly.
The eight-legged reptile's beady black eyes take in the riders and mounts with little apparent interest. "*Groarck!*," it croaks boredly.
"Greetings, my most worthy compatriots!" Hassan proclaims, offering them one of his elaborate bows. "I trust the morning finds you rested and well?"
Eric sweeps an over formal, exagerrated bow. "Your trust is well placed...this morning holds good omens for our journey." He looks at the reptile curiously. "This is your ride, then?"
The lizard sidesteps to one side of the path in order to munch on a previously decorative shrub, in the process proving Blayze's fears to be at least partially unfounded.
//Omniverous then,// Blayze decides, mollified only slightly. //Perhapse like the cho-kas.//
"Alas, sadly, no," Hassan replies, shaking his head ruefully. "My misfortunes have left me without a proper mount. While Zarakus could serve such a purpose if the need were great, he is, in truth, but a beast of burden."
Blayze nods, accepting the bow but not returning it. //Now we are only missing Pater,// she sweeps the area with her eyes, wondering where her fellow strong-arm is.
Eric nods..."Then it's good I brought a mount for you...you are familiar with these creatures?" He gestures to the cho-ka, indicating one burly specimen in particular.
Hassan nods with a forced, oily smile. "Indeed, I am quite familiar with such" //unruly spiteful malodorous// "mounts." He ambles up to the indicated cho-ka, mounting with no small degree of difficulty and tying Zarakus's leash to the animal's harness.
The cho-ka, quite simply, ignores the large man, glancing over at the reptile briefly, then returning to it's seeming contemplation of a nearby bush. It makes no attempt to help him mount, as the other beast had done for Blayze.
Blayze watches the human's difficulties with supressed amusement. //This,// she decides, //Is going to be an interesting journey.//
Eric smiles quietly to himself, and looks around. "Well, only one more...it seems you've arrived in the opposite order that I have met you..."
The elven woman nods. "Indeed, though I wonder if Pater will be in any condition to travel. He seemed the indulgent sort..." she glances at the bar meaningfully.
*****
Pater looks at his reflection in the bowl of water and draws the razor across his chin. He washes the stubble off the blade, and waits for the water to settle again. One day, he'll buy one of those bronze mirrors, but not this day.
It's early in the morning for him. Before any of the others has woken. He intends on being the first one out there, waiting for them all. To that end, he prepared his equipment the night before. His pack stands ready, his clothes all laid out, his weapons near to hand. The swords are all unornamented, servicable. Even if they haven't seen much use. The crossbow, however, is old.
Prepared and ready, he reaches for the heavy-bladed spear that lies across the door, blocking it.
And stops.
He doesn't own a spear.
What the hell?
***
Late, Pater strides out into the courtyard. He nods to his new employer, and eyes the various beasts cautiously. With a shrug, he sees to an unclaimed one, and packs his gear away. Mounting the animal, he takes up the reigns.
Couching the spear like a lance.
"Are we off then?"
Blayze is not unhappy to be surprised that her suspician about Pater was completely wrong. "You were the only thing holding us up," she says in a flat tone, but her eyes are obviously reassessing the man.
Glancing at the others, she nods her readiness.
Eic smiles his crooked grin, and swings himself up on his mount. "We are indeed 'off' He clucks to his cho-ka, and it moves smoothly west. The gateway to the 2nd Dominion is a clear, shimmering doorway, as are most of the portals to the Four Winds. It wavers like water as he steps through, to an astounding vista.
The Autarch's city is spread out before the riders in magnificent, watery splendor. The streets run with water, and wreckage floats gaily along the streets. Some buildings are burnt beyond recognition, others stand straight and true, beautiful, as though they were always meant to be placed in the middle of a raging flood. The perch on the hilltop overlooking the city reveals the true extent of the city, stretching for both long long miles to the north and south, as well as climbing to great heights, towards the ruined palace of the Autarch. The water climbs, too, flowing smoothly up hill. Straggling trails of people inch into the city, tiny from this vantage.
Eric watches it all with a curious expression, though his only comment is, "Things have...changed, since I was here last." He looks east, searching for something, but shakes his head after a few moments peering, and turns his mount to move down the hill, towards the great road leading into the city. And out.
Blayze studies the region and the lines of people. "Perhaps you should tell us what you recall," she suggests to Eric as she gently prods her mount to follow his.
"Yes, please," Hassan agrees, taking in the ravaged cityscape with the black covetous eyes of a rat at an abandoned feast. "This unworthy would be most humbled to hear your recollections. As long as it has been since last you graced this place, I suspect my absence has been longer still."
//Far too long,// he thinks as his eyes climb to the ruined palace. //Such opportunities are few, and not to be missed.//
As if in agreement with his master's thoughts, Gort buzzes mutteringly in Hassan's pack.
Eric looks quickly over at Hassan, before answering Blayze's question..."Well, as Hassan no doubt remembers, this was a land-locked city. It isn't even on the ocean..." he sweeps his hand over the horizon, "...as you can see."
The elven woman follows his gesture. Indeed, she can see the land is devestated by the unnatural waters.
Pater looks around, and makes certain notes about the scenery.
One: The closeness of the portal to the city, which implies regular traffic.
Two: The lack of guards around said portal, which implies the local authorities are quite confident about handling anything that may come through from other realms.
And more importantly, three: Water runs uphill here.
He grumbles and hefts the spear, "Number one of my mother's Rules of Combat just came into effect in overdrive. Also, we're violating number ten, presenting nice little targets along the top of this hill. I suggest we keep moving."
Putting his suggestion to action, he coerces his mount into moving off down into the shadow of the hill.
Eric nods absently, adding, as an aside, "Normally that would not be a problem, but best safe than sorry in a strange situation..." He urges his mount to follow, and continues to Blayze.
"This city was the seat of the Autarch's power...the ruler of all the Dominions, but the First and Fifth, of course. As you can see...the city is huge, and houses an enormous population...or used to." Indeed, while there ARE people visible, there certainly aren't enough to fill a city the size of the sprawl on display. "It is...or maybe was...called Yzordorrex." He shakes his head, still a bit bewildered by it all.
Blayze rolls the alien name on her tongue silently.
Pointing out an absolutely enormous tower that casts a long shadown on the rest of the city, he explains, "The Pivot is there, moved from the Third Dominion by the will of the Autarch." The tower seems to be the end point for the water...it flows into the building in rushing streams. As the party moves down the hill, people can be seen in the streams, flaoting along...some clinging to debris, others merely swimming. On closer inspection, the buildings seem to be damamged by more than just water...as if artillery of some sort where being used. The signs of martial conflict are all evident.
"Something must have happened to the Autarch for the city to be in this State. Which means this whole journey....well, everything will be different."
"Indeed," Blayze agrees, her eyes on the living flotsom in the odd current. "This would appear to be fairly recent, however. No doubt Pater's mother's "Rules of Combat" should be observed carefully."
Checking the ground in front of her mount momentarily she asks, "Who might have altered this city so?"
Eric sighs heavily, as they move down the hill...slowly, the view is obscured by trees and vegetation. "That I don't know. Which is very unfortunate...the Autarch has a habit of crushing his enemies utterly. Who would be left that could destroy his city? Unless he did it himself..." he shrugs helplessly. "Who can say?"
With a small nod, Blayze grows quiet for a short time. More questions arise within her, however, and she finds she cannot remain silent. "This Autarch. What can you tell us of him?"
Eric twists his lips thoughtfully. "Well, for someone from outside the Dominions, the Autarch is like a sort of God-ordained emperor. He conquered the Second, Third, and Fourth Dominions mostly through force of arms...and with the apparent approval of Hapexamendios, the Unbeheld. Hapexamendios is...well, He's God. It is said that the Autarch killed the Goddesses to secure his position....cults of these Goddesses still exist, but in small, hidden pockets. They are exterminated when found."
"As for the man himself, most people don't even know what he looks like. He lives with his wife in the palace you saw, around the Tower, which holds the Pivot. He moved the Pivot...a MASSIVE undertaking, from the Third Dominion her to Yzordderex...and thus his city became the center of the Reconciled Dominions. Reports about him are conflictual...he is cruel, he is thoughtful, he is weak, he is a God....perhaps he likes to keep it that way. Keeps his enemies from getting a hold on him...and he has enemies. Like any good dictator, he has spawned many revolutionaries."
Eric turns his glacier eyes to Blayze. "You see why I find it so startling what has happened to his city."
The trip down the hill is uneventful, and it is only a few minutes ride to the great winding road that leads into the Autarch's city, the Lenten Way. Eric motions that they should stay out of sight from the road...a difficulat task, but doable with some winding around. The Way itself contains many travellers...oddly enough, all women, entering the city. Leaving the city is a more mixed group....men, women, unknowns, families...of all types, shapes, and colors.
The elven woman watches the odd parade with fascination.
The road itself, what Eric has called the Lenten Way, is cool...a soft breeze whistles along the road, here paved and well maintained...until recently. Eric obviously longs to stop and talk with some of these people...he stares at them in deep interest....but shakes his head to himself, then turns to the rest of the group.
"I think it is too much of a risk for me to make myself visible...but intelligence is also imprtant. Maybe one of you could intercept one of the departing groups?" he asks.
"Ah," croons Hassan, porcine eyes gleaming, "I believe this unworthy one may be of some some assistance here!"
Without waiting for a reply, he spurs his cho-ka onward toward a likely-looking group of travelers.
A small child looks towards the lizard in interest, and runs over towards it, long tassles streaming from her hair in rainbow colors, swaying, mysteriously, against the wind. Her father cries out in consternation, so that the whole family's attentention is now turned to Hassan....father, mother, and five children.
Hassan slows his mount to a halt and watches the approaching child with the welcoming grin of a carnivorous flower.
For his part, the eight-legged lizard Zarakus observes the girl with the same vigorous apathy he displays toward the rest of reality.
The elven woman murmurs something under her breath, and turns her own beast after Hassan's, certain that a second of their number should hear what is said.
Pater watches dispassionately, and then turns a sudden grin onto his employer, "Why do I get the feeling those two don't like each other over-much?"
The little girl reaches the lizard, and smiles up at Hassan, though she does not touch his mount. "He's lovely..." she says, as her father hurries after her. "May I pet him?" Suddenly she is scooped up, and makes an irrtated squeling noise, as her father pulls her close.
Zarakus turns his head to sniff the girl, as if to verify that she is, indeed, fauna and not flora.
"My apologies, sir....my daughter is impetuous..."
Hassan's oily smile widens to clamlike proportions. "Ah, that is ever the way of children, is it not? But her bravery is well founded, for Zarakus is as harmless as a child himself."
He bows to the father. "I am Abbas Saleem Hassan, a traveler of the Dominions sadly long absent from the shadow of Yzordderex. If this unworthy one might so trouble you, could you perhaps enlighten me as to the source of the city's current... state?"
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