Oni and Mar'iya settle in
28
AUG/20
Day 2: Rumors of need
Oni struggled to sleep on his bed. It was a little too soft. As he walked over to the window the sun was on the rise. He kneeled in the open space and started to meditate. The last two months poured through his head. He was still in pain. He could feel his body now was hurt in more than one place. He was not sure if he could survive the desert now, especially without Rain. He was going to go back into the sand, but he needed to be a little better prepared.
He stood and glared over to Mar’iya. He thought for a moment who was he now, was he Mar’iya, the man that came in with the wind, or was he Lord Vashir, tyrant and man to be hated. Oni hoped he was still his friend. Oni smiled as he now considered him a friend. He was sleeping like a baby. Oni wondered how he could sleep in such a soft bed. Oni reached out and touched the bed. It was even softer than his. This slight movement stirred Mar’iya.
Oni looked at him and with a sarcastic tone, “good morning, princess.” Oni turned and headed to the bathroom. Mar’iya started to sit up and in Lord Vashir’s most frightening voice, “I am not sure, but I think I would have killed you for that statement… in my past” He started to head over to the bath but looked at the trays of food. “We ate all that food,” Mar’iya said as if a question. As if answering only to himself he continued, “We were hungry.”
Oni was in the bathroom washing his face. He had taken much of fruit last night and mashed into sheets. He had it laying out the window for the sun to dry. Oni decided not to answer Mar’iya. He was still not sure who Mar’iya would end up being. Mar’ya walked in to clean up as well. Both men cleaned quickly. Oni started the conversation, “what’s the plan here?” As they cleaned and dressed, they talked.
Mar’iya: I do not have one. I do have my powers back so I should be able to come up with something.
Oni: Well I think we need some supplies. I am planning to head south to the Pyramid.
Mar’iya: Yes, we need to go back. I might be able to find out some information about me. So, let’s give a little time but yes, we need to head out. I am not sure how long we can keep this up.
Oni: If I can get over to the market, I think I can make a little money
Mar’iya: I think we can make this happen. I need to figure enough to make a good story for our guests. For now, you are my loyal servant, but not a competent guard.
Oni: hey
Mar’iya: No insult intended. You are basically unarmed, and I want them to underestimate you. Just in case. I think the servant girl will be back soon. I want to know what I should do about her. You are different than them or me. So, I need to know what you think.
Oni: what about her.
Mar’iya: The expectation here my friend is she joins me in my bed.
Oni: where would I go?
Mar’iya: Nowhere. You are my valet and it is as if you do not exist. Sorry my friend. About the girl. They expect it, and if I don’t, they will punish her and think it is weird. I can likely delay one more day. I think. But after that we need a plan. I have three ideas. First off, the easiest thing would be to just sleep with her. Second, I could make them think that you are my current slave lover. Last, we could just tell her I have no interest, but I understand her role, and she can stay with us in our room.
Oni: why would they expect her to sleep with you? Why would they punish her? I do not get it.
Mar’iya: Well, she is a spy. Her job is to sleep with me and talk to me from the pillow. If she cannot do her job, she will be punished. They want to know why I am here.
Oni: well if we can have another day, let’s take that day to decide. Maybe we can gain more insight into her.
Mar’iya: You are truly wise my friend. You must have been able to meditate while I slept. If you need to talk to me in my head, stumble a little as you walk. I should be able to notice it.
Oni: How do you know all this?
Mar’iya: I do not know, but I do.
A little wrapping of knuckles hit the door. Both men stopped talking. Now Lord Vashir was in the room again. He sat at the desk and quickly handed Oni a comb. Oni took the comb just as Vashir said in his commanding voice, “come in.” The servant girl came into the room. Oni was combing his hair. She rushed through the room. She moved into the bath and swapped out clean towels for used ones. Oni watched her out of the corner of his eye. Maybe he could get a couple of towels for their travels. She moved back into the main room stood near the two men and said, “My Lord.” Vashir looked up, licked his lips a little, and responded, “yes my dear.” Without a beat she responded, “breakfast is being served downstairs with her ladyship and her lordship. They are hoping you will join them.”
Lord Vashir stood in mid comb. He wrapped his arms around to his back and started to head to the door. The servant girl headed out of the room after him. Oni dropped the comb and followed his master. They all headed down for breakfast. Just before entering the breakfast room, Vashir reached out with his mind trying to scrape off the surface thoughts. He stopped dead in the hall. The girl stumbled behind him. If Vashir was a man that would smile he would have. He read all her thoughts. She was terrified of him. She does not want to share his bed. Vashir could not tell if she was more afraid of him or the lord of the house. No not the lord but the Lady. He worried he had stumbled and presumed this house was led by the man. He will not make that mistake again. He needed to address her.
Vashir stepped into the room. It was setup in almost the same way as before. He scanned Lady Meshah Gardiward first. She was worried. He could not tell why, but she was worried. Vashir bowed a little to her alone as he walked in, “thank you my lady. I hope I am not late.” She smiled, “Oh no Lord Vashir. Please join us for breakfast.” They all took seats again. Oni pushed in his chair and moved back to the wall. Vashir did not want to scan her deeper yet. So, he moved on to the wizard at the table. He was not as worried. He was looking at Vashir and wondering why a Templar was here from Baric. Vashir could tell his job was to find out. He was here to watch and report. He scanned the dragonborn. She was tired. She was thinking about killing them all. She knew it would be her last act but maybe it was worth it to end these royal monsters. She stood still.
Meshah picked at her food. She gently looked over to Vashir, “what brings you to Raam, Lord Vashir.” He looked up and forced a tiny smile from one side of his face, “I have been hunting heretics and defilers.” he placed some food in his mouth and chewed it slightly, “I would not bore you with all the details. I will need to go to the temple to report what I found. And please Lady Meshah, call me Vash.” Vashir hoped this would explain why he was there and give him cover without making any mistakes. “My man must go into the market, to resupply us a little.” He shifted his gaze a little through the wizard and over to the room guard. “Is it possible to borrow one of your amazing guards? My man is not a warrior.” Lady Meshah actually laughed a little, “of course. He does not look like he would last long in our games.” The court wizard spoke for the first time in two days, “My Lady. If you will, I can guide our guest to the temple.” Vashir had dropped his power as it had run out. She looked at him slightly angry he spoke out of turn. She changed back to her calm self, “I think that is a great idea. Lord Vashir, sorry Vash please take my highguard and David here to guide and protect you to the temple.”
Vashir bowed his head. He looked at her as placed his fork down, “if it pleases you, I will make my leave and head out.” She quickly and a little too kindly responded, “of course.” He glared back to Oni. Oni felt a little uncomfortable with the glare. He licked his lips in a slightly nervous manner, “is it possible to have some food brought to our room for later. No one should be forced to watch my man eat. I have not been able to break him of his barbaric roots.” She smiled in her most elitist manner, “again, of course.” With that the four of them left the room and headed out into the streets again.
They strolled very slowly. Vashir looked over to David, “you are clearly a valued person for the house. Please speak freely. I am curious about your city and its politics. I would hate to make a mistake and embarrass me, my family or even worse our host.” David knew he should not make eye contact but, he was now safe to speak. David trying to ingratiate him, “My ladies house welcomes anyone from house Tenewrath. I will try and fill you in.” he paused for some length of time, “Please inform my lady if I fail you in any way.” Vashir waved his hand, “I am sure it will not come to that.” He was now trying to use every bit of persuasion he could muster. David continued, “My lady had just wished she had known someone was coming from Balic. She would have prepared for your arrival.” Vashir gave him an audible hmm in response.
Their conversation changed to Raam. David explained to Vashir about the four major royal families within the city. He told him about house Knapmer, Augustbow, Cliffster, and Whithall. He was careful to not inform him about any real political intrigue. He gave Vashir the head of each house, but not any minor players within them. It was useful but did not give Vashir anything he would not have found out anywhere in the market. It was the dry unleavened bread of information. Vashir knew he was told to not share house Gardiwards interactions and this made the info dry.
Oni looked over to the silver Dragonborn. She walked tall with a watchful eye. Her hand slid to her weapon a few times. Oni never saw what concerned her, but he was glad she was there. Both of the Dragonborn he knew were well trusted friends and he felt a connection straight away. He wanted to play into his young and weak stance Mar’iya had sold him. Using all of his acting abilities he pulled out his young naïve voice, “hi. My name is,” he made sure to say it loud enough for Mar’iya to hear, “Ippi. What is your name?” She broke her watchful eye to look down to Oni, “I am Sora.”
They talked in much more casual manor but hushed enough that the two in front of them could not hear. Oni told her brief, true tails of the fights in the desert. He talked about his two friends, the other Dragonborn, Nessy and Yas. This seemed to open her up. She had been a slave and fought in the games. She even laughed about Oni’s ability to fight in the games. To Oni, it was clear she was not happy as a guard in the house of Gardiward, but it was better than the pits. She told Oni that little Ardeid had been taken by the Stone faced bandits. She did not seem to think much about the family itself but did not like a child getting involved. She thinks it is not right that her ladyship will not pay the ransom but will pay for her rescue. That seemed uncaring to Sora. She sadly sad said, “little Ardeid was traveling the Hermit’s Path to visit family when she was captured. It is just sad.”
David stopped at a street intersection. He pointed down to the right, “that way is the market.” Oni looked up a little. He bowed to Sora, “it was nice meeting you.” Most people would not have been able to tell but she smiled back. Had a great experience with the dragonborn and saw that smile right away. Oni actually limped a little as he moved down the alley to the market below. He knew he wanted to talk to Mar’iya later.
David turned left to lead them towards the temple of Badna and Tiamat. Vashir knew that the discussion of the royal family was dead. He wanted more information about current events. He turned to David, “Are there any other groups I should know about here? I have talked to a few from the Flying guard but anyone else?” David nodded and said, “oh yes. Have you heard of the Stone Face Bandits?” Vashir’s mind perked up, “No I have not.” David continued, “they are these crazy elf bandits that live in the wilds around the city. They wear stone masks to hide their identities. That is where the name comes from. They are elves so you know they are crazy. They move about never staying in one place very long. Their heads are worth a CP if it is still in the mask. Several noble houses have had members kidnapped.” He stopped talking all of sudden. Vashir knew he had said too much, but he had opened the door and Vashir wanted to fling that door open, “who?” Vashir probed Davids and Sora’s mind as he asked the question. David grimiest as he knew he was not allowed to say. Names flashed through David’s and Sora’s mind. Yiri Knapmer, Rand Cliffster, Hemid Cliffster, and Ardeid. The last one came from Sora.
They entered the Badna Temple of Tiamat.
Oni moved into the Market. It was a surprisingly lively place. He moved off to a small corner and started to perform. He placed a small rag down on the ground to hopefully collect coins. He used his Eskima Sticks to go through drumming techniques. He moved on to juggle for the crowd with tumbling to heighten the show. Coins started to fall. He started a new acrobatic stunt, that ends in a fire ball from his mouth. He even landed with the stick in his hand, but he was without oil, and could not do the finally. He had a few coins and wanted to buy a little oil.
As he picked up his cloth a Mul stood in front of him with a small club in his hand. Oni looked at him and smiled with an uncomfortable manner. The Mul glared at him, “hey, you cannot perform here without being a guild member.” Oni bowed a little, “I am so sorry my friend. Could I just pay you for my membership? I hope to be here each day.” The Mul’s demeanor cooled down a little. He was willing to get some free coins, “Five CP.” Oni looked into his bag. This was going to be half his take each day. Oni hoped he would make more money once he added fire breathing to his act. Oni pulled six coins out and handed them to the Mul, “here good sir, and an extra coin for your services.”
Oni purchased some oil and headed back to the house.
Oni arrived at the house before Vashir. He took this time to do a little work. He repacked his backpack. He wanted to make sure he was ready to go. He pulled the bottle he made from the turtle shells. He still did not have anything like ink. He tried to move it around within the bottle. It was not moving in any way useful. He looked at his hand and thought about Rain. Maybe blood would help. He pricked his finger and dripped a couple drops into the bottle. He still could not tell if it would work. He corked it again and slipped it back into his pack.
He looked about the room. It looked like he still had time. He moved over near the window but made sure to not be visible from the outside. He pulled a small amount of dung he had found in the market. He grabbed a flat rock and some cloth. He sprayed it all with a little of the perfume and lit it a fire. He made the magical chants and reached out to find a new friend. After a about an hour a small beetle came up to Oni. Oni connected to it. His name is Herman the Hurrum.