Only with a plan to leave 27MAR21
1
APR/21
Battle of Fire:
Oni Scanned the area. A man was tied to a pole. Fire was getting ever closer to him. A scaly looking priest was moving towards them with a small group of thugs. He looked broader for just a second. It looked like the entire city was on fire. He hoped that this would help convince Lady Meshah to move her house. On a wall on the far end of the courtyard was some paint on a wall. It was a symbol of the two dawns. Others were coming to life within the wreckage of this city. The Owl was resting on a rooftop, watching us. No, he was looking for something or someone. Oni waved briefly, guessing it was looking for him.
Oni’s thoughts came back to the battle in front of him. A crowd had formed to watch the burning. They were cheering like all crowds do. They were enjoying the burning that was about to occur. Oni looked over to Mar’iya. His face was so hard. He had been here many times. The city itself turned him into the stoic Lord Vashir. Oni knew he needed to get him out of the city as quickly as possible. The city would corrupt him, but for now he could be Lord Vashir.
David moved up. He was not close enough to get his powers into the fight. He moved a little fast. Rushing in was one of David’s foibles. Oni thought to himself, “man that guy is fast.” He jumped up on a bench. He was fast but not always careful. The thugs started to shift up and shut him with crossbows. The flying guard moved up as well. They were being careful, moving up to protect Pakku first. There were two women that moved up. They were running along the edge of the area, but now charged in. It was two women warriors. One of them looked a little familiar, and it sent butterflies through his stomach.
Oni wanted to control the battlefield and protect the commons as much as possible. He knew it was not their fault they cheered. They had grown in the chamber of hell, called Raam, and this was normal. You cheer to avoid being the next to burn. Oni felt effulgent and ran to get in a little closer. He would use the very terror of fire against them. He slammed his staff on the ground and a wall of fire sprang out along the edge of the commoners. The thugs and the priest were not killed as they dodged and moved, but they all became febrile in appearance.
Mar’iya moved up next to David. He had a new powerful item. The rod that Naga had taken from the vampire’s tomb was now in his hand. He pressed one of the buttons. He turned it into a sword of fire. Oni’s first thought was, yes, let’s kill these cultists with their own chosen terror. His second thought was a long stretched out, “no” which may have left his mouth. The sword drew its power from the area around it. It was a defiling item. Plants withered, and even power left David as the sword came to life. Mar’iya became enraged and changed even more into his stoic self.
David took his revenge. He Reached out with his powers, and grabbed the thugs around the wall. He threw them into the fire. As if by plan thugs died in mass from the walls second attack. David yelled some foul language as he stood a little more proudly on the bench. Voramir the priest yelled out commands to his thugs and the followers and through all his power at David. David smashed to the ground unconscious. Oni was worried as they did not have any healing. Some dragonborn was running up to David. Oni could only hope it was to help. He reached out his hand and David was starting to recover.
Oni moved again and pushed one of the thugs into the fire. Then looked over and saw who the woman was, but he could not believe it. Arnia was here. It was not possible, and she looked so different. She was fully armed and armored and attacking the priest. He shook his head. “back into the game,” he thought. She was doing fine and did not need your protection. He saw her fight and thought about the sword. That was intended for her. He would need to talk to David about it.
Mar’iya, more as Lord Vashir stood next to David stirring body and yelled out to the snake priest. He still had the defiling rod in his hand but no longer wanted to use it. The fire coated the blade as he stood on the bench. He pointed and yelled with his other hand to the priest, “Voramir, my brother. Let me show the wrong path of our childhood.” He sent him memories and tried to connect or at least distract the priest. Voramir did not recognize the Purple Knight, “who calls my name.”
Oni was trying to quickly clean up the thugs. He looked through the fire and saw another man moving through attacking the thugs on the other side of the wall. He looked to where he was heading. He was going to free the man on the pole if given the chance. His name was Niki, they would meet later this day in a clash. Oni would give him that chance. He charged and did a flying kick towards the wall. He dropped the fire just as he flew through it, killing the first thug on the other side. This drew the other thugs to him, giving Niki time to move.
Niki freed Sandini. “Don’t make me regret this,” he whispered. His clothes had just started to burn and padded himself until all the embers went cold. A little girl by the name of Wink appeared as if by magic next to him and handed him a weapon. Niki and Sandini charged in to attack the snake priest. Oni finished off the last of the thugs and moved in to attack the priest as well. Most of the commoners had fled but a couple attacked the group.
Niki stabbed him and moved back to survey the battle more closely. Wink saw something move on the priests back. Snakes were moving around in a laying eight pattern. They moved and dove into his back at the center. She yelled out, but no one heard the little girl. Niki saw The Purple Knight. He knew him. Anger gurgled up through him. His dagger started to shake in his hand. That man had tortured and killed his father. For the second time in the courtyard, he was stuck in place and could not move.
Oni and the others attacked Voramir from all sides. Finally, he fell to the ground. The ground came to life. Snakes started to burst from the dirt and wrap around him. To Oni and the desert folk it looked like Thunderherders had made it into the city and were taking him down with them. Wink charged up and stabbed him in the center of his back. She wanted to kill the tattoo. As soon as she did the ground became instantly still. Most of the group stood around the Priest.
Mar’iya was standing alone off by himself. Courage overtook Niki’s fear and he charged him. Normally he would have snuck up, but all his rage took over. He screamed, warning everyone, “you killed my grandfather?” as he plunged his dagger into his back. Mar’iya’s wings spread and lifted him into the air. He looked down and put it all together and yelled likely the worst thing back down, “which one?” Niki’s brain nearly broke as he screamed, “Artellius Quintus, you templar piece of shit.” Oni ran up and did a few nerve pinches to stun Niki, “He has changed, he is no longer that man.” Mar’iya wanted to make things better violated Niki one more time and flooded him with memories on his grandfather, “he withstood the torture…he was a powerful man.”
Pakku ran up to Niki. Oni and Pakku held Niki back. Pakku started to explain how they met Mar’iya in the desert. They all calmed Niki down. As the three danced within the courtyard, they looked as if they were one. David’s head cocked to the side as if he was seeing something, but he could not put it all together. All three men looked the same to him. They would merge and un-merge. Magic was at work here, and he could not put it together. He looked over and saw something strange between Wink and Mar’iya as well. He knew in that moment they would not travel together.
Pakku calmed Niki down. Niki agreed to not kill Mar’iya for now. He was still angry and wanted to move the group, “we need to get her to House Gardiward.” Sabrina looked up, “and what is wrong with my house?” Niki starting to get a little frustrated with the lady, “as we told you, your house is destroyed. You’re painting and some of your documents are at house Gardiward.” He turned and started to walk off, “I will take point.” Without looking he yelled back, “and keep that templar dog away from me.” He led off to the north.
Sandini stopped them briefly to tell them what has been happening in the city.
Mar’iya stood over his brother’s body on the ground. Oni walked up, “you okay?” Mar’iya looked over to the fire, “yes, I am fine. Will you help me a minute?” Oni helped Mar’iya carry Voramir’s body over to the fire. They both watched the fire for a second as if giving silent prayers. They through the body into the flames. It looked like it burst as if filled with oil. Oni reached his hand out to turn Mar’iya and whispered, “may this be the last body you burn my friend.” Mar’iya did not have a tear, but he looked about as close to having one as he ever would. “thank you, my friend. He was my brother. We were not close, but he was my blood.” They both rushed to catch up with the group as it left.
The path Niki was following went close to the market cart. He raised his hand in the air and the entire group stopped. Oni thought to himself, “Pakku taught him the tribal hunting signals.” Niki crouched and stocked off to the right. He did not see anything, he just wanted to check the cart. To his horror, the cart had been moved and it looked like a small scuffle had happened. He looked around for an ambush but did not see anything. He ran back to the group. He did the hand signal to gather up. The entire group came up and gathered around Niki.
David stood tall and walked tall as he walked up. It felt just like when Pakku left the group. He knew it was going to happen. He looked through the group and knew that Wink and Niki were about to leave. Something was wrong with them. Pakku’s exit had made sense, he was part of the flying guard and it was time for them to do whatever they do, but this was not making sense. David just saw them in less color or something. They were no longer complete and becoming something else. They were no longer needed. They were no longer a part of the story to destroy Tiamat.
Niki: “I think our hideout is in danger.”
Oni: “let’s go check it out.”
Niki: “No, I will go check out it out. You take Lady Sabrina to house Gardiward.”
Wink: “I will go with you.”
Inex: “should I go, to guide you.”
David knew in that moment, the dragonborn would not go with them. He should but would not. Something was going to keep him with their group. He was now caught in the web of the destruction of Tiamat. It did not make sense, so these new gods must know something that he could not see.
Wink: “no, Niki and I will check it out… you help Arnia and the others.”
Inex: “sounds good.”
Niki: “Wink and I will check it out and get back to you guys when we can.”
Oni: “Good, may the dawns protect you.”
Niki: “thanks, may the cycles of the moon guide you.”
Wink: “let’s go.”
Niki: “give me all the spare weapons, we will need them.”
With that Niki and Wink ran off towards the cart and what they called the Hideout. David smiled as the rest of the group headed to house Gardiward.
House Plans:
Arnia now led the group to house Gardiward. She had no idea what would happen as she entered the house. She was still a slave, and she ran off. By all rights, that they should not have, they could have her killed. No one would even think twice about it. Her thoughts went to her childhood. She had seen slaves that had run away would have one of their feet removed. Fear went through her. Some internal force that was new was telling her that she would be fine. This voice was making her feel better, but it was like an inner conflict with two strong forces.
Oni started to walk next to Arnia, “how are you?” Oni cringed as the words came out in the softest manner possible. His brain exploded as the words went through it over and over, “how are you?” Arnia looked at him hearing that shy monk in his voice. She saw years of age in the still young monk, “you know, still a slave, running for my life within a city that is destroying itself. So good… how are you?” Oni could see just how stupid his question was. He was trying to not seem so sheepish, “good. You look good. Actually, you look powerful.” She shifted in the ill-fitting armor, “something changed while you were gone. Something great. I am now something evil can fear.” Oni remembering back, “this might sound crazy, but well look at the city.” Oni went on to tell her about meeting an ancestor of hers. She listened to the story as they walked through the streets, knowing his crazy story was true. Oni knew the sword David had, was for her. He would need to give it to her.
As they walked up to the gate, Arnia and Inex could tell it had been repaired. The streets right in front of the house had been cleared as well. The place was starting to look normal again. Oni looked at the gate knowing he dreaded the act he will be putting on. Mar’iya was now strolling as he approached. Lord Vashir was back. The guard’s voice boomed out without opening the gate, “what do you want.” Lord Vashir is masterfully blarney, “my good sir, I am sure you know Lady Meshah is expecting Lord Vashir. And we have Lady Sabrina”
The guard looked to someone within. The sound of boots rushing off could be heard. Oni was starting to hate this already. He smiled at Arnia, hoping she would smile back. She did but he knew she did not feel the way he did. She had changed and could not tell if her feelings had changed or if she had never felt the way he feels. He would bottle the feelings deep within himself and let her go. He had a quest that would take him into danger anyway, so it was better for her to be here. His thought scattered. He looked around knowing this place was not any safer. He was confused within himself.
The Boots came back. They spoke for a moment behind the gate. With a loud click the gate was unlocked and opened. The guard had a hand pointing down the hall, “this way my lord.” Lord Vashir took lead, with Lady Sabrina at his side. They gracefully moved into the Parlor. Lady Meshah was there but her husband was no way to be seen. David stumbled up next to Lord Vashir. Oni slid in and took a position against the wall, just as he had done in the past. Arnia made eye contact with Lady Meshah, stepped to Lord Vashir’s left and bowed her head. David sneered as she did. Inex stepped in and a joy washed over Lady Meshah.
Lady Meshah: “It is so good to see you Lady Sabrina, and you as well Lord Vashir.”
Lady Sabrina: “It is good to see you as well lady Mashah.”
Lord Vashir: “I am glad I am able to spend some time with you two.”
Oni had to hold in a yarn. This royal political masturbation drove him crazy. It was the worst thing about them actually. That no matter what was happening they had to play their little conversational games first. Raam was burning. The Cliffster house was likely destroyed, and these three had to say hello and have a little tea.
Lady Meshah: “I am surprised that painting is so important to you, the artist did not do you justice at all.”
Lady Sabrina: “I am going to have it fixed very soon I assure you.”
Lord Vashir: “Ladies, may I show you some memories? I think you will find them of interest.”
Oni’s yawn went away as this was finally moving forward. Lord Vashir shared his memories about the pyramid with them. Oni was excited as he knew they would jump to move to the pyramid. He had been walking through Raam and there was hardly anything to save. They were still in political mode and rubbing each other through words. They were not going to take the chance. Well, they might send some small group to check it out, but they were not going to take any real risk. Oni could tell, their fear of this risk would lock them into sucking tit of Raam even as it gave little or no milk.
Lady Sabrina: “I am fatigued good lady. I think I need to bath and rest.”
Lady Meshah: “well since my girl Arnia is back, you can use her as your room maid.”
Arnia nodded
Lady Meshah looking at David: “and you. …go clean. My court wizard needs that dust off him.”
David: “NO. I am no longer a slave.”
Lady Sabrina started to walk out of the room. A parlor guard was leading her to a room. Arnia started to move across the room to follow lady Sabrina. David watched her with great rage. Lady Meshah let a little anger over David’s outburst break to the surface. Lord Vashir stepped up and placed two of the platinum coins on the table. He looked at Lady Meshah, “I had hoped to do this a little more privately, but I want to buy the freedom for David, Sora, Naga, Arnia, and Inex.” She scooped up the coins and they disappeared with her sleeve, “Sora, I thought you said she died.” Lord Vashir broke is stoic visage for a second, “she did, …she desires to be free.” She looked up to Oni with a little smile, “and him, are you going to free Ippi.” Vashir formed a smile like he just ate a canary, “he is the freest man I know.”
They continued to bargain some more. Oni stepped up to Vashir, “My Lord, she clearly does not see the benefit. I think we should move on.” This was not going to be the exodus that they had hoped. Oni looked over to Arnia. She stood there like a peduncle. She was her own person for the first time. She would never be Oni’s. His heart both sank and rose in joy at the same time. They all fell back to a room to clean before dinner.
End of Chapter: Raam on Fire