GDRP - Book One: Norrburahki

Trundum wished she had stayed. He didn't trust this Governer guy, or his men. He'd rather everyone stayed together.

He looked at the ceiling and quietly laughed in response to Vressian.

0----0----0----0----0
Miles from Cantai, the slave caravan that had split from group that went into Cantai, is laying in a heap of rubble. Blood was splattered along the road, and on the nearby foliage. The bodies of the slaves and the slave-guards however, were gone. A creature of origins unknown had ambushed them, taking the cover of night. The predator blended in perfectly in the darkness, it's body sleek and well designed to prey upon men.

It had attacked silently, picking of the guards first, a sign of intelligence. When the guards were downed, one by one, they were dragged off silently into the night, whether into a lair, or nest, none would find out soon enough to save their lives. By the time the slave caravan noticed, it was too late, only two of the guards remained, and twenty or more odd slaves.

By torchlight, the creature was a horrific sight, and it took out the light sources, leaving the slaves in the dark. They were easy prey, shackled and defenseless. The predator took it's time with these ones, they tried to move, tried to run, but when one fell, they all suffered, and the creature of the night picked them off, until one remained.

And by then, she'd gotten free of her shackles, and she ran into the field, she ran and she ran through the tall grass. Blind and tired, her run slowed to a jog, and then a meager walk. In time she fell to her hands and knees, panting hard, she looked around, her hands sinking a bit into the mud. The rustling of grass made her look around franticly. The snap of twig made her scream out, and then all was silent. The fate of the men, women, and children of the caravan are unknown, as the luminance of the moon shone through the night, giving the remains of the caravan a ghastly look.
0----0----0----0----0

"What's on your mind, Trundum." Said Vressin, sitting down on his bed. "You seem to have forgotten that I am the quiet one in this group.

Cejiso sighed as one of the guards called out to him. He didn't say much really. In his gruff, accented voice, he simply said; "Company." Cejiso nodded, and turned on his heel before leaving the hall, the men each standing over the smooth wooden doors as he departed.

-

"More? Hm. I'm not entirely sure about this, Cejiso. The Northerner had been a slave his whole life, as has she, but... she's very different to him... Not at all the same situation."

Adím spoke up again in his typical tone, watching his idol closely, for any flicker of a smile or twitch of delight. He had so always yearned for the Governors approval. It was kind of sad.
"Think of the publicity, lord Governor. Two ex-slaves, given anything they desire by the caring Governor of Halid. Two poor, weak, innocent people, who had been mistreated longer than they can even remember, and you of all this earths people chose to make them feel good once again."

Solúmn leant back in his chair, thinking for a while, leaving Cejiso to stand awkwardly as he awaited a response.

"Only two, Cejiso. And not as expensive."

The Ljnn bowed and, once again, made way for the Crimson Shroud.

-

Cejiso returned to the Guests Hall, two women tailing him once again. Cemil, and Ishin, two of the kinder women of the renowned brothel, were the ones he'd chosen. The innocent little slave girl would have been shocked to have anything like he'd given the Northerner - these two would at least treat her well.

"You say she used to be a slave, Cejiso?" The Ljnn nodded, as Ishin looked at her sister sadly.
"The poor dear! We will have to make her feel welcome and happy in her new life then!" They nodded happily. They were an animated pair, a bit of a favourite amongst the guards, from what Cejiso could tell. He personally didn't like them, too bubbly.

They had no new clothes. They were well dressed for the situation already, as the Jazierih stood to the side for them to enter.

"Remember, she's young. Go easy on her."

The two girls nodded happily and made their way in, as Cejiso pulled the door closed. The guard smirked to himself, looking at his partner across the hall, with an equally dumb grin.

"Perverts."

Spoiler:

Thesia was sitting on her bed, having again shed her nice dress and setting it on a chair when the two girls entered. She looked up, and was kinda shocked. She...they were dressed like...what?
Her mind was blank, and she struggled to figure out why they were dressed in such clear fabric.

Out of instinct, she pulled the covers to her chest in an attempt at modesty that made the girls laugh. Thesia's face started to burn, but the two were at her sides, speaking soothing words.
"I'm Cemil." The first said. She was the lighter skin of the twom like caramel and chocolate brown eyes. Her outfit was purple.
The second, gently took her arm, smiling. "Ishin. What's your name sweetie?" She had more chocolate skin,backed by a dark green outfit.
Thesia stuttered a bit, but finally managed to say her name. "Thesia."

The two laughed. "Aww. Don't be afraid sweetie." Cemil began. She ran a hand through Thesia's hair. "Oh, poor thing..."
Ishin mimic Cemil. "So many knots...that's ok! We'll have you all cleaned up soon. Cemil and I will take care of you." She smiled, but could tell the girl was nervous.
So, the dancer went to break the ice. "What's your favorite color?" Ishin continued, trying to break the poor thing's shell.
"P-purple..." Thesia said shyly, her face trying match Cemil's hair. Ishin's hand deftly slid under the sheet, meeting Thesia's back. She flinched slightly, feeling scars. She looked sympathetic to the poor thing, rubbing slow, warm circles into Thesia's back.
"When was the last time you had a bath?" Cemil asked, tucking loose strands of hair behind the girl's ears.
"I don't know." she answered truthfully.
Ishin kept rubbing Thesia's back as Cemil started to caress Thesia's side. "That's a pretty dress...aww, but there's a tear! What happened princess?"
"Some Undead tried to take me...but a mage saved me..."
Cemil replaced Ishin with the warm circles on her back. "Thesia? Where did...these scars..."
"My former owners..." She started. "When I dropped something...did something wrong...one because I was mistaken as the owners' daughter and not a slave..."
Cemil bent down a bit, nuzzling Thesia's hair gently. "So...what do you like to do? Are you good at anything?"
Thesia nodded. "I can clean...I can cook too...I like cooking...I can dance a bit...not much, but...enough for a few of my past masters..."
Ishin giggled. "If you're not gonna travel, you should become a dancer then. You've got the eyes for it." Ishin's caresses slowed. "But sometimes things happen...Cejiso got three girls for some guy in this area..." She glanced at Cemil. "Asyun, Daialy, and Cemila."
"Who are they?" Thesia asked quietly.
"The more expensive dancers...must be someone important..." Ishin pulled away to study her. "And I wasn't kidding. You're cute. Managed to keep yourself well."
Cemil pulled away as well. "So, what is it like, traveling with the Standur?"
"...it's nice..." She smiled. "Their kind to me...they bought me my new dress. One carried me to the city on his shoulders after a bandit attack."
"OOoh!" Ishin looked a bit giddy. "How cute. Bet you could see everything."
She nodded. "Yeah..."

Cemil slipped away and started to draw the bath as Ishin kept up conversation, talking about family and clothes. Ishin glanced over, and soon smiled. Cemil had undressed and was waiting in the bath already.
"Come on. Let's get you cleaned up."
With tender care, Ishin led Thesia to the bath, and gladly helped undress her. She studied the scars, then helped Thesia in.
"oh!" She gasped, pulling back. This caused Ishin to grip her firmly, to avoid having her fall. "Are you ok?"
Thesia nodded. "I...I've never had a warm bath..." she admitted.
Cemil opened her arms up, like a child asking for a hug. "Come on!" she grinned, but when Thesia hesitated, Cemil gave the girl an adorable pouty face.

Beaten, Thesia slipped into the bath and entered the hug that Cemil offered. She then found herself turned around and sitting on the woman's lower thighs, her head pulled back to rest on the pillowy chest behind her. Ishin began to wash her legs as Cemil began to massage her shoulders and arms. Thesia closed her eyes as knots and kinks were massaged away. They really meant it when they said they'd make her feel good.

When Ishin had cleaned her completely, Cemil gently pushed her forward, and started to deftly massage the tension away as Ishin dump a mineral that Thesia vaguely knew into the water.
Together, the two began to massage every bit of tension they could find away, and while Ishin started to be a bit more erotic, starting a slow dance in the water, it was merely a distraction as Cemil started to attack the mess that was Thesia's hair.

Whereas it took an hour for Nádúiranam's hair be untangled, Cemil had to work for two hours, with Ishin having to pitch in after the first hour, until finally her hair was straight and no longer knotted, Ishin and Cemil finished bathing the girl, then helped her out.

Fifteen minutes later, she was seated down, dry, and then the two went to work grooming her, keeping up a steady flow of conversation ranging from how cute some boys were, how pretty other girls were, to clothes and even the war. The two dancers avoided talking about the scars, instead aiming to keep Thesia relaxed and happy.

Finally, two and a half hours after they got there, the two dancers had entangled Thesia between them in the bed, giving her warm hugs and gentle nuzzles, until she was fast asleep. Ishin kissed the cross, Cemil kissed Thesia's forehead, and the two dancers quietly talked with each other about this peculiar but rather enjoyable time, until sleep took them.


[Just talk to me if I totally messed something up >.>]

Trundum laughed again, this time a bit louder. "That is true, my friend." He looked at him now. "I'm worried about what's going to happen.
Tomorrow we head out, right? Against the Undead. And you saw how does guards didn't die, even though they were missing their spines."
Trundum sighed bitterly before continuing. "How do we even fight them? Let alone protect Thesia from them."

Solúmn had been more than a little kind today, and chose to end it by offering Cejiso his own room, one of the larger rooms in the barracks, meaning he wouldn't be cramped away with the rest of the Jazierih. After all, they weren't about to lead an army to war. He laid back on his bed, rubbing his head softly and sighing. He didn't even bother admiring the fine things in his room, he needed sleep.

And then, as if the Gods wished for nothing more than to annoy and anger Cejiso, someone began rapping on his chamber door. Cejiso got to his feet and walked over, opening it hesitantly, hoping for anything other than news.
He got just that.

"Mavirh? How did you get in here?" The Investigator, who was still dressed in her typical beige attire, looked down at Cejiso a little, smiling.
"The Governor sent me here. He said that you were heading out tomorrow and I should come see you." Cejiso stood aside to let her in, watching her as she sat down on the end of the bed, looking up at the Ljnn who had closed the door and began to pace a little.
"Why did you want to come here, Mavirh? I'm leaving in the morning. If you wish to say goodbye, say it then."

She looked at him with her big beautiful eyes, seeming a little sad. Cejiso walked over, confused.
"I... I want to say goodbye in my own way."

Cejiso waited, before she grabbed him around the shoulders and pulled him into the bed.
This was gonna be a long night.

-

The smoke was thick and deep in its colour as the black heavy clouds rose up and up into the air, diluting the already dark and murky sky. In their streams, which faded up from the earth, was the bright flickering light of flame.

A great wall of flame in fact, burning through the forests and bushlands and plains, as towns and cities crumbled into ruin around him, his eyes scanning for the crawling martyrs, pleading for life to those around them, all choking and hacking and bleeding and dying.

Even the children took up arms in bewilderment, slaying themselves and each other in the confusion of the finality of all of this. And up, up high in the tower, in the Pinnacle of the Majya Höpha, which slowly turned into the Tower of the Jyllan Star, stood Cejiso.
It was from here he could see it all, the anarchy, the fury, the war, the famine, every aspect of life that had caused this apocalypse of the ages.

It changed, sometimes. Sometimes it was unsullied war, Ljnn on Maeyr, Otaizine on Standur, all out blood combat. Other times, great beasts and shadows rose out of the earth and rent it in twain for Cejiso to witness. But recently, it was new. The dreams had changed.

-

Cejiso lurched up in shock, sweating, looking around in terror. He looked down at his side and saw an Otaizine woman, holding him around the waist, still deep asleep. He fell back onto the pillows, sighing and holding a hand to his head, taking deep breaths.
"Again... What does it mean..."

Mavirh stirred next to him, nuzzling into his side a little bit before looking up at the Ljnn and smiling.
"Good morning."
Cejiso feigned a smile, running a hand through her hair and looking out the small window in the room, sighing a little.

"It is." Cejiso turned and stood, out of the bed and began to pick up his clothes, most of which were scattered around the room in heaps, near Mavirhs. "Why in such a hurry?"
Cejiso looked back, expressionless.

"I need to get out there first. I'm leading this force. I cannot show up late to them." Cejiso sighed a little, looking at himself in the mirror, Mavirh behind him in the bed as he began to dress himself up slowly. Mavirh got out of bed begrudgingly and did the same.

The two left the room in silence, and as she returned to the Investigators Department, Cejiso made his way to the stables. Assuming the guards had done right, which he knew they had, the 'guests' should all be waking right about now, weapons and armour set up in their rooms, along with new clothes. The guards would escort them as they had done before, all the way to the main gates of Cantai, where the Ironkitoi, Steelbyziars, and mercenaries would all be waiting for them.

By the time Cejiso arrived, his mottled brown steed dressed in fine, light armour, few soldiers had arrived themselves. A few of his personal guard were ready, but overall, he would be the one waiting.

He looked out to the horizon at the slowly rising sun.

"A new day..."

-Yesterday-

My meeting the Governor couldn't have gone better, he had a very calm demeanor even though you could see his patience wearing thin as he day passed. It must be hard ruling over a large population. The breniin was pleased with his journey so far, he was told to stay in a room and meet up with a group in the morning. The breniin was ready for what was to come. Quickly he made his way to his bed and fell asleep, he didn't want to ruin his good friends name.

-Present-

The morning air was dry, almost stale. There was this tension and worry with the world that seemed to bother Nyoka. To please himself he brought out his ocarina and started to play a calm tune. Everything was packed and a little music never hurt anyone.

Nádúiranam
Cantai
Grand Hóuis, Dignitaries Chamber

Nádúiranam lay adrift in a sea of purple and black. As the tides caressed him, thin tendrils began to encircle him. Barely visible to the naked eye, these flagellate structures moved in erratically, jerking this way and that, as if a barely contained anger lay at their core. They began their unstable movement towards Nádúiranam, and as they touched him, they moved beneath his skin, creating a stark contrast of black on white to his skin. They slithered beneath his epidermal membrane until his entire being had the black lines of the tendrils in them.

This blackness did not stop flowing into him, however, more began to slither into his body, extending their reach to his organs, and when he was completely filled with them, they began to poke out from his skin, from his eyes, from him they entered and exited. Then, when no more could enter him, he became aware of them, and when he awoke to his sight dotted with blackness, and the feelings of millions of tendrils sick out of him, poking through his insides, and writhing about his person, he panicked. He screamed, but all that came out was air, no sound.

Then when he felt hopeless, unable to rid  his body of thee impurities, a god appeared in a flash of white. the tendrils of darkness within him were dissolved, banished from his frame. A holy fire engulfed Nádúiranam, burning away his impurities, his darkness. And when his world was illuminated, a fiery figure hovered before him. The goddess of Power, the Desert, Hardship, Forge, a goddess whose people hailed from the eastern desert of the land he grew up in. Din, her bronze skin and intense brown eyes looked down at him, she was the perfect image of the people who worshipped her.

Her divine light shone upon him, his very essence revealed in it. He was afraid now, it was a different kind of fear than when the darkness writhed within him. It was the fear of the divine. A fear so base, so ancient, that Nádúiranam couldn't even react. All he could do was stare. The bronze goddess floated down towards him, slowly, threateningly, and when she was mere feet from him, she slapped him with the back of her hand. The blow of the strike sent Nádúiranam spinning downward. Falling from the light, and further into the dark abyss.

Nádúiranam woke up with a start, his cheek burning. He brought his hand to cheek, it felt hot, like it had been hit, hard. A female voice made him look to his left, a girl with a light tan, dark-red hair, and gorgeous green eyes looked up at him. He felt her hands tenderly drag across his chest. He smiled, and put his hand in her hair, tousling her hair. Another hand brushed his cheek, and he looked to his right, where a darker skinned women lay, her soft brown eyes looked at his cheek, and she said something and then kissed his cheek. Then he felt movement in his nether regions and looked down, and a mass of brown hair brushed against his inner thigh.



This went on until the sun began to rise, Nádúiranam was a slave to their desires, in their vice.

When the girls were satisfied, and his groin sore, Nádúiranam crawled out of bed, to the door of his room. Outside the door he found some clothes, which, he had forgotten he was naked. So he pulled them inside, and then shut the door. They were typical Otaizine clothes, the pants were baggy, and were a little big on him, but that was fine. After he put on the pants, he put on the leather boots, then a blue tunic followed by a dark blue, almost purple vest. Then these wrist guards and the sash. There was an extra piece of clothe with his clothes, he examined it for some time before concluding it was a head wrap of some kind, and after some fiddling around, he managed to wrap it properly around his head.

Nádúiranam stood quietly in the room, getting used to his new attire. Then he took off the head wrap, and looked around the room. With the girls sleeping on his bed, he moved around quietly, stepping softly. Until he saw himself looking back at himself. He was baffled, what trickery is this? There can't be two of him! He stepped closer to himself, keeping eye-contact, until he was but mere hairs away from his own eye. He jumped back, and so did his other self, he moved his right hand, the mirror moved it's left, every move he did, the other him did the same, only reversed. Finally, he stepped far enough to one side to no longer see himself, and again, he was struck with confusion. He moved to the wall, looking at it, seeing that it was solid and then moved in around it, seeing himself suddenly appear just a few inches from his face, he jumped, startled.

After exploring this, he found that if he stood within a certain degree of part of the wall, a copy of him appeared, and did the opposite of what he did, moved left when he moved right. In a short time, he discovered that this doppleganger was not dangerous. And positioned himself in front of himself again, looking at his features. He drew up a razor from one of the wooden furnishings in the room, and brought it to his face, looking at himself bring the razor to his face, it was strange to him. The only reflection like this he's ever seen has been in the running water of a river. but a wall? never. Surely this was some sort of magic at work?

Such strangeness. Nádúiranam began to shave his beard, bringing the razor to his hair and slowly removing it, being careful not to cut himself in the process. When his sides were shaven, and all that was left was his goatee an mustache, he looking in the mirror to examine his work. He liked it, but wasn't sure if it was the right look for him right now. So he shaved that off too. Nádúiranam now had a clean-shaven face. He went over his face again with the razor, to make certain that he didn't miss any hairs. Wetting the blade several times.

Satisfied with his clean shaven face, he pocketed the razor and pulled his hair back into a tight pony-tail. Smiling at his new look, he re-adorns the head wrap. Now he was dressed, but he had no weapon to defend himself. He frowned, but then, he didn't need a weapon to defend himself, he had his hands and his feet, he could fight well, but against an armored opponent? He would need something. He slid his foot back, and fell into a sequence of hand-to-hand combat moves, keeping his form, and moving slowly.

After some time of doing this, he left the room, the only evidence of his stay being the ragged pants he wore into the room the night before, and the 3 women covered in sweat on the bed.

What i imagine them saying during this:

Rubbing his eyes as he woke from his slumber Nyoka yawned for a couple of seconds, stretching afterwards. Wiggling his toes and rubbing his hair he looked around his room for his pack. His search ended when he saw it on a chair not far from him. Getting off his bed he headed for his pack, getting ready for his leave. He opened the door to the hall and walked out.

Tilki woke up, not having a restful sleep. The events of the previous day were still on his mind, and had kept his sleep restless. He walked to the door and opened it, finding his a variation of his old clothes sitting in a pile on the floor in front of the door. Groggily, he got the clothes off of the floor and went back into his room. He got dressed, a bit too tired to really think straight.

Thesia groaned and tried to say up, but found herself restrained. Calmly looking around, she saw...
Boobs.
Boobs everywhere.
She sighed softly, then felt hands caress her sides.
"Hey princess."
"Sleep well?"
She nodded, kinda confused to why she was pressed between boobs and encircled in warm arms. She blushed. "Hi..."
The two cracked up. "Aww, she's so cute!" Cemil said. Ishin nodded, hugging her closer...causing Thesia's head to press even deeper into Ishin's cleavage. Blushing badly, Cemil hugged her, and soon she just saw breasts.

How the hell did this happen?! Thesia thought nervously.I just didn't want to be alone, and now I'm going to suffocate in a sea of breasts?

In fact she wasn't, as the two moved back. a bit...then she found herself moved on top of Cemil, who positioned her ontop and held her steady as Ishin gave the girl another massage.
"Never had a nice bed or a massage, did you?" Cemil asked. Thesia shook her head, cheeks as red as Cemil's hair now.

Another round of giggles, then a slight gasp from Thesia as one of Cemil's hands strokes down.
"What -"
"Shh. Just teasing you." her hand left her alone, and after the massage ended...

"What are you doing?"
Thesia, on her back, got the answer, as the two began to plant soft kisses all over her body, from her cheeks to her feet. They covered (almost) every inch of her body, steering clear of her virgin sex...but giving extra attention to her breasts.

The two continued this for some times, light massages and kisses for the "princess" until finally they stopped to give her one last grooming session, then took the clothes that had been left for her and helped her get ready.
"Your hair is so beautiful." Cemil said, brushing it back and tying it into a ponytail that ran down her back. "That should let it flow free, but stay there."
Ishin, meanwhile, was looking at the clothes delivered, as well as a sidebag. She folded the nice purple dress and tucked it inside, then, as Cemil finished with her hair.

The two kindly helped her get ready, but never let her go still, their hands running over her butt, her back, her breasts...not that Thesia was complain. On the contrary, by now, the gentleness how softly they touched was enjoyable to her.

And it made her not feel like a slave. it made her feel wanted.

Once she was finally dressed, the two also dressed. "Good luck." They both said. "Don't hesitate to ask for us if you ever return."
With a practiced curtsy, the two retreated, leaving a slightly aroused, but very much happier, Thesia to sit in her chair and wait for someone to come collect her.

Trundum awoke, blinked, rubbed his eyes and looked around. He was still in the corner he picked. He yawned.
He couldn't remember who fell asleep first. Him or Vressian. He can't quite remember how the conversation ended either.
That was in the past now. Lost into the yesterday. Trundum stood up and looked for his pack. He found it laying on the floor.
Along with his axe. He was a bit tired last night, but who could blame him? He grabbed his things and looked at Vressian.

Who was still asleep. So Trundum went over and shook him. Normally he'd pull a prank or something, but they had a job to do.
He didn't want to put more on his plate then he needed. He's already going to fight nearly unkillable monsters whiling protecting a little Otaizine girl.

Vressin groaned and rolled over, waking up quickly when his head bumped against the wall. "Ugh...who put a wall in my way..." he said softly and sat up slowly. "When is it?"

The loud knock on the door answered him. Almost as if on queue. "Please arise and prepare to join the main force when you are ready."
Trundum snorted. "That settles it. We leave when you're ready."

I sat up in bed, playing with a dagger that had been left on a cabinet in my room. I was dressed and had been for about an hour. Early mornings were always key to the most successful journeys. The knock on the door sounded and I bounced up off the bed and over to the door, my feet barely touching the floor. I opened it quickly.

"Yes?"

"You are to join the main force. You will be escorted. You have ten minutes."

I sighed and walked out, tossing the dagger back onto the bed. Very few people were up and moving about, none of which were the ones I saw yesterday.

Thesia heard the knock and stood. Grabbing her satchel, she headed outside, where a guard started to lead her away. "Wait..." she stopped by a door and another guard. "I'll...I have to b with my...my masters..."

Nodding, the first guard left, leaving her with the other guard, waiting for Trundum and Vressin.

Not knowing where to go Nyoka wandered the hall.

Tilki had gotten out of the room, under the watch of his guard. His head was hung low, more from being tired. He had been spared parting from a part of his humanity, but now faced the sheer inevitability of death that he felt far too soon.

Well...At least I have some clothes on. That's a plus. But I still smell...but still, not as bad as last night...

Tilki's guard took position behind him, along with another guard, who was guarding Thesia. Tilki looked to Thesia, "Hello there, Thesia..." His voice stuck in his throat, feeling like he couldn't speak for a moment, then added, "I'm sorry I got you all into this mess that we're in." He didn't feel like he could look at her after what happened yesterday. "Can I ask you a question?"

A guard arrived as Vressin fit his armor on, the last piece being clasped into place. He looked at the man and followed him, putting the robe on over his armor while grabbing his shields. The guard led him to Thesia, who almost stunned Vressin with how well she looked. He managed to get out a thumbs up sign to her before he cleared his mind.

Thesia blushed as Vressin gave her the thumbs up, then looked to Tilki.
"It's ok..." She smiled. "You're safe at least...we're all...ok..."
She sighed, moving closer to Vressin.

Tilki kept his head to the ground, not feeling able to look her straight in the eye.

Yes...but how long will that last. Who's going to be left alive?

He then looked at them, directing his question at the both of them, "Why did you stand up for me? Even when they told you I was a criminal?" It had been on his mind, as well as the other things that happened yesterday. He hoped that his words didn't come across the wrong way. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, he was just curious.

Vressin just looked around the room, both at Thesia and Tilki and took a step towards Thesia, remembering to sling his weapons onto his back with a perfectly avoidable, but not, loud clanging noise on his armor. A warning to Tilki that he was still in the room and willing to do something.

Thesia tilted her head to the side.
"Th...that's what friends do...right? They...they stand up for each other..." She looked nervous. "Am I right?"

Tilki blinked, not sure if he heard that right. No, he definitely heard that right. To hear that someone considered him a friend, was not something he was used to. He went red briefly, and looked to her. He gave her a smile, "Yes...it is." He saw Vressin, knowing that any wrong move would result in Tilki's head rolling. Tilki said, "You know...you're the first person that has ever called me a...friend."

Tilki looked at the ground, "Thank you, once again."

Thesia smiled, nodding.
"You're welcome."

Trundum sorta sighed, his axe in hand. He kept it from touching the floor though, he didn't want to ruin this floor with it's blade.
He stood next to Vressian and Thesia. Just kinda standing there. He was kinda glad that Thesia was talking out of her own accord.
Which was good, for obvious reasons. But it might not matter, they'd all probably die later today.

Tilki nodded, feeling happy for the first time since they met. He looked at his two intact hands, once again feeling grateful. But for how long, he didn't know. Fate wasn't in his hands anymore.

He looked to her once again, feeling his old confidence come back once again, saying, "Any time you want some more help when we're out there, just say my name." He smiled, "Because, like you said, friends help each other out."

Nádúiranam
Cantai
Grand Hóuis, Hall

Looking around, Nádúiranam sees a pale creature and some others like him loitering in the hall. He examined them from afar, watching them interact. The young girl seemed to be behaving awkwardly, her movements were quirky. The young man, however, seemed to be flirting with her, or perhaps, something of the sort, his face was red, and his movement also awkward. However, the pale creature donned his weaponry, in a sort of aggressive yet reserved threat towards the young male. How intriguing.

Nádúiranam watched the spectacle from afar, knowing that he had no way to communicate with them, and so attempting to would be futile. The young girl had a nice smile. Nádúiranam shook his head, why was he thinking of her as young? she was probably just a few years younger than him, that didn't make her young. Nádúiranam frowned suddenly, furrowing his brow. This morning was a mistake, he should have never let that happen.

Nádúiranam looked down and sighed. Vices of the human form. But surely it was natural to engage in such an act at his age? He was old enough to marry after all, should he not be exploring the women of the world? No, no he shouldn't, he was a mage, a man of intellect, these things should come much alter in life, after he's done something noteworthy.

Upon this reflection Nádúiranam realized that had probably gotten one of the girls pregnant. His heart sank. He was going to be out traveling with this group, fighting a war that was not his own, and his unborn child would be here. His frown deepened, what a strange thought. In truth, he was not sure how to feel about this.

He folded his arms, and crossed his legs, leaning against the wall. His eyes in the direction of the pale creature and the man and woman. His thoughts were focused else where. Trying to put pieces of a puzzle together, but the shapes keep on changing and those pieces that once fit ceased, and those that did not before, did now. He put every detail from the previous night, and this morning, in an imaginary pile, and sorted through it. Putting things to the side that stood out to him.

As he did this, his mouth moved, making silent words. As he did this, he analyzed the girls behaviors, now realizing how lewd they had been. Nádúiranam concluded that they were professional in the art of seduction. Yet another foreign concept to him. Why had he not realized this before? Surely the signs were obvious at the time. Nádúiranam was ashamed with himself. Such behavior on his part was unacceptable. He would have to redeem himself in such way, or cleanse himself at some temple. But this land does not have the temples his homeland had. Or at least, if they did, Nádúiranam never saw them. Or knew what they looked like.

Upon further reflection Nádúiranam realized that he knew next to nothing about these peoples' culture. How would he know if he offended someone? Should he behave as he would among his own people? Even then, he was a mage, he spent most of the day indoors studying and practicing magic, and at night when the people were asleep he would practice self defense by torchlight, or moonlight.

After some time of thinking, he pushed himself from the wall, and walked down the hall.

I watched the Standur's talking with the Ozaitine and the girl. They would get themselves killed protecting her and then she would die anyway. I didn't care much, so long as they died away from me. However, it was the foreigner that intrigued me, he was also watching from the other side of the room. Then he began to move. I did the same, intercepting him and placing my hand on his chest, shaking my head and beckoning elsewhere.

Nádúiranam
Cantai
Grand Hóuis, Hall

Nádúiranam was stopped by a man with pointy ears. Pointy ears. A rare sight for Nádúiranam. The man had put his hand to Nádúiranam's chest, halting Nádúiranam in his tracks, then the man beckoned with his other hand to follow him elsewhere. And Nádúiranam followed. Nádúiranam was taken aback by the forwardness of this interception, this pointy-eared man, who was he? What did he want?

Nádúiranam's curiosity is what led him to follow the man. He seemed to walk with an inborn confidence. Or so Nádúiranam interpreted the mans' walk. How would this man communicate with him? some sort of hand language perhaps? That would be primitive, but it could work. Nádúiranam then wondered what would constitute a "Hand language".

I lead him over to a quiet corner of the hall and turned a pot on it's head, sitting down.

"Rúcina"

I pointed at myself and repeated it.

Nádúiranam
Cantai
Grand Hóuis, Hall

Nádúiranam followed the man to a remote corner of, and stood as the he turned an empty pot onto it's mouth and sat upon it's flat bottom. After he had sat down he pointed to himself and repeated a word, "Rúcina" after a few moments it dawned on Nádúiranam that he was giving his name. Nádúiranam pointed at the man, and said, "Ahhh, nomine Rúcina estis." Nádúiranam continuing to point, "Rúcina." He then points to himself, "Nádúiranam." He repeats himself a few times, the same as Rúcina did.

This might be easier then he thought, communicating this way.


[Ahhh, you are named Rúcina.]

I signalled a guard over and asked him for some writing materials. While he was retrieving them, I pulled out my bow and showed it to Nádúiranam, pointing to me. Then I pointed to him and looked confused.

[What weapons do you use?]

Nádúiranam
Cantai
Grand Hóuis, Hall

Nádúiranam looked at Rúcina, confused by his actions. He had taken out his bow and presented it to Nádúiranam. He then pointed to himself, what sort of thing could this mean? He was showing a weapon, and pointing to himself. Perhaps he was showing Nádúiranam that he used a bow as a weapon? That he was an archer, a bowman? And then his confused look when he pointed to Nádúiranam. Is he asking where Nádúiranam's weapon is? Or what kind of weapon Nádúiranam uses? How would Nádúiranam answer that, considering the only way he could show to Rúcina that he was a mage would be by using magic. But he was cursed, he could not use his magic, he could fight with his hands though, and his feet.

Nádúiranam lifted up his hands and clenched them into fists. He then pointed to Rúcina, and then his bow, and then he pointed to himself, and then to one of his fists.

I nodded and drew one of my daggers, offering it out to him.

"You'll need something better than those where we're going."

Nádúiranam
Cantai
Grand Hóuis, Hall: talking with Rúcina

Nádúiranam looked at Rúcina as the man held up a dagger. Nádúiranam looked at the dagger, then back to Rúcina, then back to the dagger. Was he saying that his hands would not be enough in the coming fights? Nádúiranam thought so, if this was a war, he'd rather have some sort of staff to bludgeon his foes. But, a dagger could be concealed in his oversized clothes. That could be potentially useful. So, as a utilitarian, Nádúiranam held out his hand, taking the dagger from Rúcina.

Nádúiranam nodded his head in thanks, giving a half smile. He didn't understand a word of what Rúcina said as he accepted the blade. But he thought it was something along the lines of what he'd thought the man meant when he handed him the blade.

I nodded back to him as the guard came back over and handed me some writing tools. I drew a hasty map of the region and circled my hometown. I pointed at me, then at the circle before passing it over to Nádúiranam.

Nádúiranam
Cantai
Grand Hóuis, Hall: talking with Rúcina

Nádúiranam stood by when a guard came by and handed Rúcina some paper and ink. Rúcina then drew what appeared to be a map, which at first looked like just a bunch of lines to Nádúiranam. However, when the pointy-eared man circled and area of the map,Nádúiranam figured it was a map. The man pointed to the circled area, and then back to himself, was he saying he was from that area? He must be, why else would he do that?

Then Rúcina handed the map to Nádúiranam. Nádúiranam looked confused when he looked at the map, he pointed to the circled area and said, "Rúcina?"

I nodded. Then pointed at him and gestured to the map.

Nádúiranam
Cantai
Grand Hóuis, Hall: talking with Rúcina

Nádúiranam the man had nodded in affirmation. So he was showing Nádúiranam where he was from. Then he pointed to Nádúiranam, and then the map. He must be trying to ask where Nádúiranam came from. Nádúiranam pointed off the map, he was not from this land. This, continent. But how would he accurately show that to this man? simply pointing off the map, and shaking his head seemed a bit too simple, too lacking. But without a thought of another option, that's what he did. Nádúiranam pointed to the map, and shook his head, and then he pointed off the map.

I turned the paper over and handed him the ink and quill, letting him draw his own land.

Nádúiranam
Cantai
Grand Hóuis, Hall: talking with Rúcina

Rúcina had turned the parchment over, and handed him the ink. Nádúiranam was to draw his own land. How would he do that? He hasn't seen very many maps of his land. The one's he's seen were shipping maps, and they didn't really show his land, only the port, the singular port at part of the island. Nádúiranam frowned. He could start from there. Nádúiranam drew the part of the island that had the port, far away from his village, so instead of drawing the whole island, he drew the path that led from the port, to a neighboring village, and then the path from that village to the one he lived in. He then pointed at the final village and said, "Nádúiranam."

"Alright, that's enough. Everyone begin moving, now."

The highest ranking of the guards, one who had apparently been guarding the exit to ensure no one could sneak out, stood proudly at the now opened double doorway, stepping aside as the other guards began to push people along.

Vressin, Trundum and Thesia were kept close for obvious reasons, though far enough away that they could not get any talking past the ears of the guards.
"Move! Move on!" One of the Steelbyziars hammered Vressins back, pushing him further on as the group began to form a disjointed, rather pathetic queue.

The other three guards walked with Tilki, Rúcina and Ast, keeping them separated in the same way as the first trio, though for what reason is unknown, as they shared no master-slave dynamic as the other three did. This trio formed the frontal form of the march, with the Standur group forming the rear. Between the two was the blind nomad and his Maeyr companion, who were kept separated, the large, built guards standing between them both as they marched.

The Capital Steelbyziar, Mehhid al-Darim, led them forward, sighing as he did so.

"I feel bad for you all, having to deal with Ljcien for so long. He's not like the rest of us, of course. He silences people, has a short temper, all sorts of unfair and unjust things. Feel free to talk and smile and laugh on the walk. This is essentially your Final Stroll, after all."

He looked over his shoulder, noting how young some of them looked.

"Best let you all enjoy it."

Vressin stayed quiet, letting the sounds of his gear speak for him. He extended his hand out towards Thesia, almost certain she was afraid if what was going to happen, and if she wasn't, it was still a nice thing to do. His face was neutral and passive his buckler and shield resting on his person in their usual manner, ready to be used should something happen.

Thesia pressed a bit closer so Vressin could hold the back of her neck. She stayed mostly silent, wishing the two dancers could have left something she could hold.
Not that the kisses to her cheeks were unappreciated.
But she was sure she had a hickey on her back.

Thesia hoped Vressin and Trundum never noticed. Then again...it was her back...

Ungratful, spiteful...Ljnn jerk...

Tilki just trudged forward, not quite touched at the other man's gesture. At least he had some courtesy. Cejiso has shown Tilki none. Of course, getting kicked while Tilki was making his escape on a stolen horse didn't do him any favors.

Tilki looked forward, and he now wished he had done his parents better.

Vressin gently massaged Thesia's neck and looked at her. He noticed a red mark on what little bit of her back he could see. He gently poked the spot with his finger, looking at her with eyebrow raised.

Now, the massage was fantastic.
Until Vressin poked her hickey.

She went red, then stuttered.
"I uh, uh...uh...was....uh....two dancers came to my room and kissed me...all over?"

The concept of lying had been beaten out of her long ago.
She hated that fact right now.

Vressin snorted in laughter and went back to massaging Thesia's neck, chuckling lightly as he glanced over at Trundum. "Was it fun, young on?" He asked, flexing and unflexing his hand on her small neck.