Oni leaves what could have been home 29AUG20
1
SEP/20
The Rescue of Ardeid:
Lady Meshah let Lord Vashir have a couple of her house slaves join the quest to rescue little Ardeid. Oni looked at them and hoped they would be valuable. Sora had talked a great game, but he had not seen her in a fight. David was the house mage so must have some skills, but he had softer hands than Lady Meshah. And Naga. He was angry and not wanting to go. He wanted to run off. Oni knew he would need to be set free to actually be helpful.
They followed the trailed up to the Stoneface camp. They made their camp within some old ruined buildings just outside of Raam. Oni and Mar’iya flanked the camp to try and understand the number of elves in it. It was not a large camp, but large enough to make fighting them undesirable. Oni was also tired of killing people. Yes the Ra Cult people will all die now, but these were just elves trying to eke out a life in the scraps that Tiamat left behind. Oni fell back to the group. Mar’yia watched his back from the other side of the camp.
Oni and Sora moved up to talk to the elves. They had worked out a plan and Oni was there to try and bring the plan to the StoneFace’s. They were slowly walking up when one of the them commanded, “stop!, don’t make another move.” Oni and Sora stood still. Oni spoke for the two of them, “our Lady demands proof of life.” They all shifted a little on the speaker ran off. Oni and Sora just stood firm.
As if from two directions the leader came out from one direction and another elf came from a different direction. The other elf was carrying a large baby. It seemed larger than Oni expected. No three-year-old would have been that big in his tribe. Oni looking mildly pissed, boldly stated, “that is not her. Do not try and trick me with one of your elven beasts. Bring out the real girl.” Sora looked over and nudged Oni. She spoke in almost growls, “that is her.” Oni was surprised. He put his hands in the air and approached the elf with the child. The tension was high, but he was able to approach.
Oni touched the girl’s hand. She wiggled. She was three and seemed scared. Oni’s own heart filled with fear. No that was not correct. His heart filled with guilt of his own cowardice. He had a similar touch weeks ago and had done nothing with that touch. He felt a connection here as he did then. He would need to take action here even as he did not the last time. Courage swelled within him.
Oni was back in the room with Lord Vashir and Arnia. She had brought breakfast for the three of them. Lunch was sitting on another tray but she was serving breakfast. She plated some food for Vashir and placed it in front of him first. She plated food for herself and Oni next. The three sat at the table together. She was uncomfortable, knowing it was not her or Oni’s place to eat with Lord Vashir. She was brave and fought through the process, only speaking when spoken too.
Oni was looking at her. He was looking into her very soul. For Oni Lord Vashir was not even present. He had his arm placed on the table so that he would not hold his own side. Arnia moved Oni plate in front of him. Her hand brushed across his. He was still looking at her. He longed for her in that touch. He had never kissed or been with a woman but knew what he wanted in that moment. He wanted to take her in the bed behind Vashir. What he did not know; did she feel the same way. He knew her job here and knew she would bed him as part of her job, but Oni could not, would not do that. He could not take something that was not his to take.
He wanted to find out but could not muster a single word. Did she touch him on purpose? He could not tell. He sat there with all his desires but could not act. Cowardice filled his heart. All he could do was try and help her with her job and plight. He started to talk to her far more openly that day. He shared details of his former friends and battles, never saying the name Yavapia in his stories. He just always implied they were working for Lord Vashir. He longed for her.
Oni turned back to the lead Stoneface, “What can we do to take the girl with us?” He almost laughed out, “1800 CP.” Oni cleared his throat a little, “and the other three?” The leader openly laughed and said, “a lot more coin.” Oni’s own resolve moved through him, “we have no money, so how else can we resolve this without bloodshed.” The leaders face turned to anger, he reached for his sword and yelled, “attack!” Oni was saddened a little as he knew bloodshed was now the only path forward. He thought to himself, “damn you Tiamat.” He was not willing to say it out loud, but Oni did curse that god that day.
Oni moved to attack the leader. The one holding the baby was dropped and the baby fell. Oni heard a crack and hoped she was okay. Another elf grabbed the baby and headed back into the camp. Sora took flight after the child. Her goal was to protect the child. In rare moments in her role as protector, she had connected to the child. She wanted to protect her now.
Oni continued his attack on the leader, trying to draw all of the attacks to him. David ran to support Sora. He seemed more concerned with her then the child. Sora ran up to the elf and could see the child was stone again. With a masterful display of her weapon use she frightened the Stoneface. She looked through him, “free the girl or die.” Mar’iya became visible and commanded, “UNSTONE.” Although, the stone mask did not change, he did. He moved out towards his master, the leader.
Several Stonefaces had dropped. Oni continued to attack the leader, “This can end.” Oni was surrounded but not afraid. He was bringing fear to them, and not the other way. The leader dropped his weapon. Oni moved away from the men to see if they would attack him. The tension dropped.
The leader freed the girl from her stone skin. He looked at Oni through some blood matted hair, “take the girl and be gone.” Oni looked directly at him, “I want the other three too.” Oni looked over to Naga, and nodded for him to come up. Naga kind of strolled up. He had a “what do you want” look on his face. Oni turned to him and whisper shouted, “join us or leave.” He forced himself to calm down and his voice now showed it, “make up you mind now.” The leader talked back like a wounded animal, “that would leave us with nothing, and now I need to replace some of my people.”
He looked back over to the leader, “I have something better for you. I can offer you something more.” The leader leaned back, “coin.” Oni wanted to help him with his rebirth, “if coin is all you want, no, but if you want more for your people and the world, yes.” He nodded just coin. Oni looked back to Naga who had clearly decided to stay, “can you heal his people.” He looked at Oni, clearly deciding if he was in or out, “maybe two of them.” Naga healed the two men. The Leader partially sneered, “you can have all of them.”
Oni had hoped they would have gone with them to the pyramid to the south, but the Stoneface’s were not interested. Oni a little saddened he could not reach them, turned back as they started to walk off, “hey the next time we meet, I hope we meet as friends.” The group gathered up the hostages and headed back to Raam and house Gardiwards…
The house and trying to get out of town:
Mar’iya became Lord Vashir the moment they walked through the gate on Raam. He was now leading the group and the rest of us followed as his people. The cast was set into place once again. Sora carried Ardeid. She played with the giant scaley dragonborn. They had a bound well beyond this interaction. The other three hostages walked uncomfortably. They did not know if they were now free or if they just had a new keeper.
As he came through the gate, Yiri Knapmer spoke up, “House Knapmer is this direction, I could just go that way.” Lord Vashir turned his head very slowly. He looked like an owl as his head turned around, but his shoulders stayed square to the road. In his soft, mildly scary voice, “no need, I would hate for something to happen to you. We will escort you to House Gardiward. They will safely move you to your homes.” He turned his head back forward. All three knew the conversation was done and they were going to House Gardiward. Whether they were safe or not was not yet clear.
Lord Vashir led them into the house and directly into the entertainment room. Lady Meshah smiled as she saw her daughter safe in Sora’s hands. Her grin gained a calculated look as she watched the other three hostages come in the room. Oni saw her head crack open. Gears started to move. She was looking at them as a new resource. How could she gain the most from them? She smiled again. Yiri started to speak, but she raised her finger to hush him before he said any actual words. She needed more time to think about it.
She walked over to Sora and grabbed her baby girl. She grabbed her is an awkward many. It was clear to her, Ardeid and everyone in the room, she rarely touched her daughter. Ardeid cried out and reached back to Sora. Sora lowered her gaze and moved to guard the door. Oni could see the change in Sora’s face as she did. She was now on duty. Lady Meshah nodded up a servant to take the child. The servant took Ardeid and walked out the back of the room. Meshah still needed time to process. She now moved about, almost floating. She engaged with Lord Vashir alone, “Thank you, Vash.” She moved her eyes across the other three, “you rescued them as well; you are as amazing as you indicated.” She looked down the hall, “what about the others?” Vash understood she was asking about the people that were traveling with Ardeid, and responded, “they were not there. My guess is they are dead, My Lady.”
She looked over to the three survivors like a cat that just ate the canary. She called a new guard. He moved up bowed and said, “yes my lady.” She moved her attention to just him, “Grab a squad of men. Take these three home and make sure they arrive safely.” He clicked his heels and responded, “yes my lady.” He marched over to them and escorted them out of the room. She had decided to create good will with the three houses. The new Whithall house was now a bigger threat than the older houses. Gaining a little good will with House Knopmer, Augustbow, and Clffster will benefit her much more than a little coin for their return.
Almost without bringing attention back to him she asked Vashir, “what now Vash?” He bowed slightly as he spoke, “it is time for me to leave Raam.” She smiled a little. Vashir had seen Sora and Naga’s usefulness and he had seen Lady Meshah’s face when her daughter connected to Sora more than herself. She might have Sora killed if it continued. Vashir started to speak again, “My Lady, if you please, could I borrow your guard and slave. They would be very useful for me.” The undertone was that they would not be useful to her any longer. Normally she would have just had them killed, but she did owe Lord Vashir a little. She looked at him,”If you can answer one question for me, I will give them to you.” Vashir shifted a tiny bit as he was a little nervous, but he did respond, “as I can My Lady.” She, through a mostly closed mouth as if she was afraid to say it out loud, “Why did the Thir-King try to have you killed, and wants you killed today.”
Vashir or maybe Mar’iya was terrified on the inside. He could not really answer as he did not know. Thoughts streamed through his head. He felt like he had been trained to interrogate people and this was a great technique. You ask questions you know the answers too, to see if they are still lying to you. He reached out with his mind link to try and read her surface thoughts. All of his fight or flight instincts hit him at once. He was convinced she did not really know. She did now reveal that she knew something about him. He wanted her to change some of her thoughts without probing deeper. Vashir spoke in almost hushed tones, “it is not something I should talk about.” He paused for a minute, “for your protection my lady.”
She looked at him through the tops of her eyes, “I am not afraid of the Thir-king. I took you in when the order from him was to not render aide. He is in Balic and I am in Raam. We are not worried here.” Vashir calmed a little as he could see that was not completely true. She was afraid of him. No, not exactly, she was afraid that his influence was bolstering house Whithall. She wanted to know about it. Vashir felt like he could make something vague up. He bowed a little, “well my lady, I found out something. Something dangerous to his everlasting power over Balic.” He forced himself to shift uncomfortable. He was uncomfortable, but he forced it anyway. His statement was true or not, he had no idea. The only thing he knew was if he had some information about the Thir-King it must be something really dangerous to him, or that ruling fuck just thought it would be fun to punt Vashir out into the sand. One of the two. Lady Meshah would not believe the former even if it was true. Vashir looked at her directly, “I found his weakness, or at least a weakness.” He stood tall and stepped back. “I am sorry my lady, I should not speak of it more.”
Lady Meshah waved her hand. She clearly needed no more information. She smiled and looked at Vashir in a brand-new light, “So, shall we have a ball this evening to celebrate. I am sure the other houses will like knowing who rescued their people.” Vashir looked back to Oni and waved his hand. Oni left the room. He turned back to Lady Meshah, “I am sorry, but I think we will be leaving this evening and I do not think that would be wise. He smiled and added, “besides my lady, you rescued them.” They continued to talk about it for a little bit but she was clearly done with him and this conversation.
Lord Vashir stopped at the door to address Sora and Naga, “you two are going with me. Please gather your things as we are about to travel south.” Sora bowed her head to Lady Meshah and then to Vashir. Rage moved through her. She thought she was a valued member of the house, but now she was just a gift for this other lord and her life was possibly forfeit in the sands to the south. She turned and headed off to gather her things. Naga just stood there. Vashir looked at him, “what about you.” Naga huffed a little, “this is everything I have.” Vashir looked at him, “well, come with me.” Naga followed Vashir back to the room.
Oni moved up to their room to pack up and be ready to go. He grabbed the fruit wraps from the windowsill and placed them in his pack. He used the water in the pitcher to finish off his water skins. He grabbed his belt pouch filled with coins. He held it for many moments. He did not have a lot of time. Mar’iya would be back soon. He held it and thought about Arnia. He could not ask her to come with him but could leave her with a gift. In a panic he searched the room. He moved into the bath. Oni took the comb and placed it on the floor like it had fallen. He slid the coins under the rug. He could only hope she found them and knew Oni had given them to her.
Oni moved backout into the main room just as Mar’iya came in. Naga was waiting at the door. Oni looked up, he grabbed the two packs and said, “My lord, I have our packs, ready.” Oni through his on and carried Mar’iya’s. He was so weak his pack barely weighed anything. Oni waited mostly in the path to the bath. He wanted to leave and have Mar’iya leave too, before finding the coins. Mar’iya spoke in Oni’s mind, “we need to go, but I think we need a guide.” Oni now used to this communication, “I think I have an idea.” Mar’iya wondered for a moment about the flying guard, “Are you thinking the flying guard?” Oni had not thought of that but did not think it was possible, “I do not think that is possible but after checking in the market we can try. We will need money too.” The two left the room and all three of them headed downstairs.
David was left alone with Lady Meshah. She emptied the room. She started to question David about everything he saw and heard. He gave her a detailed report of all his conversations and all of the hostages. He conveniently left out how Vashir treated all of them and that Ippi started to call him Mar’iya just as they left the city. He also knew Ippi was known as Oni, but this was left out as well. David’s back itched for some reason.
Once the Report was complete David bowed to Meshah, “I think I should go with Lord Vashir.” She piped back, “I need you here David. It was one thing to go on a quick rescue mission, it is another to leave for weeks.” David moved into his most persuasive pose and voice, “My lady, I could watch Lord Vashir and report back to you. You can finally find out why he is here.” She smiled at him as if it was her idea the entire time, “yes, go with him and report back.” David stood and headed to the front door, and she started to head out the back door. She speaking loudly, “take a couple of camels and some food and water. I would not want you to die out there.”
As the group started to head out the front door, David was standing there in front of two camels. Mar’iya more in his voice than Lord Vashir’s said, “what are you doing here?” David responded with a little less respect than in the past, “Her Ladyship thinks I should join you.” Mar’iya almost coughed out, “no.” David making direct eye connect, “I come with two camels, food and some water.” Oni tripped down the stairs. Mar’iya looked over but did not open mental communication. Oni just made a quick hand sign indicating, “let him come.” Mar’iya signed loudly, “fine. You can come with us. You will need to keep up, we will not be slowing down for you.” He shifted to look at the camels, “we need to hire a guide and then we leave.”
Oni lead the group to the market. He spotted one of the Mul that had been shaking him down in the weeks before. He hoped he had built up a little good will. He went up to him. He was about to call out his name, but he did not know it. None of the Mul had given him a name. he walked up to the Mul and said, “Hi there my friend.” The Mul looked back with an unfriendly smile, “whatch a need.” Oni smiled bigger, “I was looking for a guide, do you know any?” he needed a little time but gathered up three possible guides.
The three guides ranged from 15 Cp to 20 CP per day. Oni found out that it would take about 21 days to get to the pyramid. Oni was trying to figure out how much money they needed but could not figure it out. Mar’iya spoke up in a rude educated manner, “410 CP”. Oni could read but he was not educated like mar’iya. They would need a lot more money. They sold everything they had, Mar’iya’s buckle and one of Oni’s jars of honey. They were able to hire Leo and get 20 feet of rope.
Naga said very little but while they were shopping spoke up, “Can you get me a flute.” Oni wanted to get him one, but they were far more than they had. Oni still trying to bring him into the group, “Sorry Naga, we do not have enough coin.” Oni moved closer to Naga as he saw his spirits drop a little. Oni smiled and said, “I tell you what. I will make you one in route.” Naga smiled and said “good.”
With Leo they head south:
That night the six of them headed out of town. Oni now hated the city. It felt like a prison. He believed he would need to come back. He could not look back. He knew that Selise was there. Was she on the wrong side now? Oni left with that question. When he came back, he was not sure he could handle acting as a servant. It was fine this time, but next time he might need to kill those that imprison others. He even knew that someday he might need to kill that sweet little baby as it was on the wrong side. He looked up to the moon. It was not full, but he could feel anger flowing from it into him. He cursed that beast of a god. He spoke in the softest tones, “You will need to force your hate into me.” He stood for a moment to let the cool night air refresh him.
Oni let all his anger and fear leave his body. He smiled, like he does when the sun gives him birth each morning. He spoke the words, “No, I will not be your slave either.” He hated the city and what it was but not the people within it. They were just slaves to her; to the five headed beast. He would not come back a destroyer. He was come back a savior. Oni ran to catch up as the rest of the group as they were nearly out of sight in the dark of the night.
It was nearing dawn. The light from the sun was just starting to appear on the horizon. They had started to make camp. Leo yelled, “spread out, its coming from beneath.” Oni heart sank as he just knew it was another giant purple worm of death. He moved to spread out. The ground burst up and a land shark appeared in the middle of them. Sora moved over to engage it. Oni yelled, “Nes, No!” she looked back in confusion as she smacked with her scythe. Naga moved near Mar’iya and filled the creature with fear.
Oni initially miscalculated Sora blood lust and left her alone next to the creature. He was not going to let her die like Nes. He moved into flank it. He wanted it dead. Leo and David started to attack it from a distance. The creature now frightened and surrounded dove back into the sand. Oni started to dance, trying to draw it to him. He was foolish to the core. It was going to kill him one day. Not today as it moved underground and popped under Leo. He was hit by it but managed to deflect most of the impact. On the surface again the group killed the Bulette in moments.
Leo was a good guide. Like there former tribe, Leo lead the group to harvest the beast. Oni grabbed a large plate from its shoulder and some of it long hollow toes claws. He wanted to make some new items for himself and Naga. Naga wanted a flute. Oni knew he could not make that from the toe claws, but he should be able to make a very nice pan flute from them. Oni looked at the group, not tribe, dissect the land shark like vultures. He thought it would make him sad, but he loved it compared to the city. He looked for more useful items. The tendons on the thing were huge.
They rested the whole day. Oni pulled out his tools and started to work on the toe’s claws. He held the tools in his hand and moved them around. They felt right in his hand. He had not even pulled them out in the city. What a waste of two weeks. He did not make anything at all. He started to remove parts from within the claws. They needed to be smooth and different lengths. The day went without issue.
The next night they started to head south once again. Leo lead them through the sand most of the night. He was a really good guide. He had us shift off to the east a little. Oni looked off to the west and a sandstorm was moving through. For our group the wind picked up a little. Oni took his normal spot trailing the group as they moved. He liked being the last guy in the train. He was moving forward and noticed the group was starting to slow and stop ahead.
Oni walked up to the group and asked Sora what was going on. She did not need answer as sand dervishes came out of the ground. One of them spoke, “give us your supplies and you can go without bloodshed.” Oni was a little tired of these guys jokingly responded, “I am glad you have decided to surrender. We do not want to kill you. Lay down your weapons and we will let you go.” That was not funny for the dervishes and they attacked.
Sora moved up to protect Leo. He was the most important person in the group right now and she went up to protect him. David picked up two of them and flung them a little. The leader and two others in unison yelled, “get the Psion.” Oni tried to move to protect David, but they all attacked him. He fell to the ground. Oni could not tell if he went prone or if he was dead. He would check when he could. Mar’iya burst out mental energy at another couple of them. He then went prone. Naga healed David saving him. He fell back and fell prone. Oni moved up to try and draw their attention.
Oni again felt bad for these dervishes as the last of them were killed. He hated killing these slaves to the beast with five heads. He tried when he could to bring them rebirth, but some cannot be reached. He hoped he could still reach Sora, David and Naga. Leo seemed to be free already. Oni believed he had reached Mar’iya, but it takes time for the reborn to grow into a force for freedom and life beyond the ten eyed devil.
They searched to bodies and headed south again.