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A Rose In The Wind: A Saga of the Halmae -- Updated June 19, 2014
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<blockquote data-quote="Ilex" data-source="post: 4791490" data-attributes="member: 82687"><p><strong>2x02</strong></p><p></p><p>Savina winced, her meditations interrupted. She opened her eyes and saw the troop of men standing beside the stone at the entrance to the square. To her surprise, she detected a hint of enjoyment on the leader's otherwise stern face. She also saw that the Honored Mother didn't look startled – just frustrated and tired. <em>This has happened before</em>, Savina realized.</p><p></p><p>The Honored Mother resumed his prayer. "Alirria, Sister, Lady of Spring, let rains pour down to wash us – "</p><p></p><p>"Public proselytizing is expressly forbidden. Disperse your mob, or my brothers and I will do it for you."</p><p></p><p>"Alirria, Goddess, Lady of Life, protect us with your mercy," said the Honored Mother. He had skipped to the concluding line of the prayer, Savina realized, and now he was walking over to the interloper. Savina's confusion became tinged with fear as she heard Twiggy whispering to Rose: "They look like Sovereign Inquisitors. Your mother said terrible things about them. . . ."</p><p></p><p>The Honored Mother was explaining to the man that he was not proselytizing. "We are all Alirrians," he insisted. "Already."</p><p></p><p>"But today, I see new faces," said the Inquisitor. "Explain." He looked straight at Savina and she felt a chill. </p><p></p><p>"Indeed, I'm already a servant of Alirria," she whispered. "I'm an acolyte in Alirria's Temple, in the city of --" </p><p></p><p>Kormick stepped forward, flashing his holy symbol like a badge. "Perhaps I might be of assistance?" he asked.</p><p></p><p>"A heathen?" The Inquisitor spat at Kormick’s feet. "I think not."</p><p></p><p>Kormick glanced down at the wet spot. "That's adorable," he said. He sounded sincerely charmed.</p><p></p><p>For a split second, the Inquisitor looked unnerved. Then he turned back to Savina. "You were telling me where you're from," he said.</p><p></p><p>"We're all brothers here," resumed Kormick, now sounding more like a cool, reasoned Justicar than Savina had ever heard. "If a law is being broken, you might enlighten us all as to its nature. It is always fruitful to learn more of the ways of Justice."</p><p></p><p>The Inquisitor glared at Kormick, but hesitated. Then: "I suspect proselytizing," he growled. </p><p></p><p>"Ah. I assume you would require proof of such proselytizing in order to prosecute, yes? Allow me to be of service. Who here was given the hard-sell by an Alirrian this fine morning?" He looked around expectantly. No one stepped forward. </p><p></p><p>"Any new converts?" Kormick asked. "Anyone?"</p><p></p><p>Silence. Kormick turned to the Inquisitor and shrugged. The Inquisitor turned to the Honored Mother. </p><p></p><p>"Hear me," he said. “This is not over. But for now . . . " The Inquisitor gazed out across the crowd of Alirrians and smirked. He raised his hand in mock benediction. "Go in peace."</p><p></p><p>The crowd scattered with the speed of fear. The Honored Mother wilted, exhausted, as the Inquisitors strode away down the street. Watching, Savina struggled with an uncomfortable realization. <em>It's really true. I heard . . . but I never really believed anyone could hate the Goddess</em>.</p><p></p><p>The Honored Mother turned to her and smiled. "It's all right," he said. "We're used to it. Thank you for speaking when you might have stayed silent. Will you come in?" He gestured toward the Temple of Alirria. </p><p></p><p>Upon entering, they were hit by the smell. Among other things, it was, of course, a hospital, and it was crowded. Many of the people seemed bruised or broken, rather than sick. "Did – did something happen? Was there an accident?" asked Savina. </p><p></p><p>The Honored Mother shook his head. He was unwilling to say.</p><p></p><p>"Ah," said Kormick. "There's been a sudden outbreak of falling down stairs."</p><p></p><p>The Honored Mother sighed. "Yes. You might say that."</p><p></p><p>As she grasped what they meant, Savina felt the stirrings of an unfamiliar anger. "Honored Mother," she said, "With – with your permission, I can help." </p><p></p><p>The Honored Mother gave her a puzzled nod. Savina walked to the middle of the ward and closed her eyes in prayer. She felt the glow of Alirria's healing energy gather within her and she sent it forth in all directions, feeling the wave wash outward from her like soft warm water. She heard murmurs and gasps – the sounds of people suddenly relieved from pain. She opened her eyes, reeling slightly from the effort she'd expended, and smiled. "What else can I do?" she asked. </p><p></p><p>(<em>DM’s Note: That would be the warm healing glow of “Beacon of Hope,” Savina’s Daily Power. Yes. Savina’s player used her DAILY POWER outside of combat to heal a room of faceless NPCs.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>There’s a reason I love her so.</em>) </p><p></p><p>"Bless you, Daughter," said the Honored Mother, looking awestruck. "I think the real question is, what can I do to repay <em>you</em>?"</p><p></p><p>Savina began to demur but then saw her companions looking at her expectantly. "Oh," she said. "Could you tell us how to find the oracle of Alirria at the Vale of the Holy Spring in the Ketkath Mountains?"</p><p></p><p>Suddenly, Kormick closed his eyes theatrically and sighed. Mena’s eyes narrowed. Even Tavi's handsome face registered displeasure. <em>But if my companions cannot trust the Honored Mother with information about our destination,</em>, Savina thought, <em>who can they trust?</em> She suspected, with regret, that the answer might be "no one." </p><p></p><p>To her even greater regret, the Honored Mother responded with a look of exhausted resignation, as he'd looked when confronting the Inquisitor. "The Spring vanished," he said. "It is lost to the ages of time."</p><p></p><p>Twiggy stepped forward. "Do you have any old maps – ?" she began, but the Honored Mother shook his head.</p><p></p><p>"No earthly maps show it," he said. "None that are now known, anyway. It was located near the Ironroot Mines, beyond the Sharpstone Pass. But the monks that guarded it for generations were found out by the Sovereigns. The monks fled and the Spring . . . the Spring has since been lost. I'm sorry – there's nothing more I can tell you." He stared at the floor, and Savina, to her shock, didn't believe him. <em>He knows more than that.</em> Horrified at her own audacity – daring to doubt the Honored Mother's word – she pushed the thought away. It returned. <em>There's something he's not saying. But surely he has a reason. . . .</em></p><p></p><p>"Well," pressed Twiggy, "how do you get to the Ironroot Mines, then?" </p><p></p><p>"It is a long trek through the mountains. The Water Walkers may know more." The Honored Mother seemed to be lost in thought.</p><p></p><p>"We'd better go talk to them," said Twiggy. "I'll go. Water Walkers are very interesting people."</p><p></p><p>"You being another one of these overly trusting youths," said Kormick to Twiggy, "I'll go along—merely in order to clap my hand over your mouth every time you try to speak."</p><p></p><p>Mena frowned. "I'm going across the square to speak with the Ehktians. They may be of help."</p><p></p><p>The Honored Mother stirred from his reverie. "If you truly intend to travel outside the foreign quarter, let alone outside the city, you would do well to appear . . . less conspicuous." He looked at Savina's and Arden's Alirrian robes and Mena's Sedellan armor. </p><p></p><p>"I will be fine," said Mena.</p><p></p><p>"Still, a few plain cloaks would not go amiss," declared Kormick. "Signor Octavian, perhaps you might locate the market and buy us a few supplies?"</p><p></p><p>Savina could tell that Tavi, understandably, considered shopping to be beneath him. He was a warrior, not a drudge. "Savina's slave can handle that," he said. "I'll keep an eye out for that Inquisitor." <em>He says my name in such a nice way,</em> Savina thought.</p><p></p><p>"We are trusting the slave with money now? Lots of money? On her own?"</p><p></p><p>Savina couldn't imagine why Kormick was objecting to Tavi's helpful suggestion. She glanced at Arden, who was standing politely a few feet behind her, as usual. "The – the Honored Mother in Pol Henna wouldn't have sent Arden if we couldn't trust her," she said.</p><p></p><p>"Of course we trust Arden," declared Mena. "Sending her will allow Tavi to stay here and keep an eye on Rose. Arden, will you please buy plain cloaks for Savina and yourself? And we've brought food and basic supplies, but should we consider horses?"</p><p></p><p>"No," said Kormick. "We will be heading into the mountains, over rough terrain. Horses will be trouble. You may buy one mule, slave. Do you know how to select a good mule?"</p><p></p><p>"Yes, Justicar."</p><p></p><p>"I don't believe you."</p><p></p><p>"You look at their teeth, Justicar."</p><p></p><p>"Not just their teeth. Oh, no. What else do you study closely?"</p><p></p><p>Arden hesitated, then shook her head. </p><p></p><p>"Poop," announced Kormick triumphantly. "You are looking for robust, healthy poop. Teeth and poop, slave. Say it with me."</p><p></p><p>"Teeth and poop, Justicar."</p><p></p><p>"What kind of poop?"</p><p></p><p>"Robust and healthy, Justicar." Savina thought that Arden might be on the verge of laughing. </p><p></p><p>"And do you know what I will do to you if I suspect that you're skimming off any of this money for yourself? Do you understand what will happen if you do anything other than come back faithfully – with <em>exactly</em> what we asked for?"</p><p></p><p>"I am honest, Justicar." </p><p></p><p>"We'll see." </p><p></p><p>Savina counted out one hundred in gold and handed it to Arden, who tucked it inside her robes and slipped silently out the door. Mena followed, aiming for the Ehktian complex across the square. Kormick and Twiggy left the hospital to visit the Water Walkers. Tavi took up a station with Rose in the entry hall of the Alirrian Temple. Savina contemplated keeping the siblings company. There were cross-currents in the air here that she didn't understand, undertows of hidden conflict, and she wanted to stay close to their comforting presence. </p><p></p><p>But the Honored Mother was still standing by her side. "The patients in the leprosy ward . . ." he said. Savina nodded and hurried after him to render what help she could. She would do her duty, but she was nervous. <em>This man lied to me about Alirria's Spring</em>. She took a deep breath and resolved to find out why.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ilex, post: 4791490, member: 82687"] [b]2x02[/b] Savina winced, her meditations interrupted. She opened her eyes and saw the troop of men standing beside the stone at the entrance to the square. To her surprise, she detected a hint of enjoyment on the leader's otherwise stern face. She also saw that the Honored Mother didn't look startled – just frustrated and tired. [i]This has happened before[/i], Savina realized. The Honored Mother resumed his prayer. "Alirria, Sister, Lady of Spring, let rains pour down to wash us – " "Public proselytizing is expressly forbidden. Disperse your mob, or my brothers and I will do it for you." "Alirria, Goddess, Lady of Life, protect us with your mercy," said the Honored Mother. He had skipped to the concluding line of the prayer, Savina realized, and now he was walking over to the interloper. Savina's confusion became tinged with fear as she heard Twiggy whispering to Rose: "They look like Sovereign Inquisitors. Your mother said terrible things about them. . . ." The Honored Mother was explaining to the man that he was not proselytizing. "We are all Alirrians," he insisted. "Already." "But today, I see new faces," said the Inquisitor. "Explain." He looked straight at Savina and she felt a chill. "Indeed, I'm already a servant of Alirria," she whispered. "I'm an acolyte in Alirria's Temple, in the city of --" Kormick stepped forward, flashing his holy symbol like a badge. "Perhaps I might be of assistance?" he asked. "A heathen?" The Inquisitor spat at Kormick’s feet. "I think not." Kormick glanced down at the wet spot. "That's adorable," he said. He sounded sincerely charmed. For a split second, the Inquisitor looked unnerved. Then he turned back to Savina. "You were telling me where you're from," he said. "We're all brothers here," resumed Kormick, now sounding more like a cool, reasoned Justicar than Savina had ever heard. "If a law is being broken, you might enlighten us all as to its nature. It is always fruitful to learn more of the ways of Justice." The Inquisitor glared at Kormick, but hesitated. Then: "I suspect proselytizing," he growled. "Ah. I assume you would require proof of such proselytizing in order to prosecute, yes? Allow me to be of service. Who here was given the hard-sell by an Alirrian this fine morning?" He looked around expectantly. No one stepped forward. "Any new converts?" Kormick asked. "Anyone?" Silence. Kormick turned to the Inquisitor and shrugged. The Inquisitor turned to the Honored Mother. "Hear me," he said. “This is not over. But for now . . . " The Inquisitor gazed out across the crowd of Alirrians and smirked. He raised his hand in mock benediction. "Go in peace." The crowd scattered with the speed of fear. The Honored Mother wilted, exhausted, as the Inquisitors strode away down the street. Watching, Savina struggled with an uncomfortable realization. [i]It's really true. I heard . . . but I never really believed anyone could hate the Goddess[/i]. The Honored Mother turned to her and smiled. "It's all right," he said. "We're used to it. Thank you for speaking when you might have stayed silent. Will you come in?" He gestured toward the Temple of Alirria. Upon entering, they were hit by the smell. Among other things, it was, of course, a hospital, and it was crowded. Many of the people seemed bruised or broken, rather than sick. "Did – did something happen? Was there an accident?" asked Savina. The Honored Mother shook his head. He was unwilling to say. "Ah," said Kormick. "There's been a sudden outbreak of falling down stairs." The Honored Mother sighed. "Yes. You might say that." As she grasped what they meant, Savina felt the stirrings of an unfamiliar anger. "Honored Mother," she said, "With – with your permission, I can help." The Honored Mother gave her a puzzled nod. Savina walked to the middle of the ward and closed her eyes in prayer. She felt the glow of Alirria's healing energy gather within her and she sent it forth in all directions, feeling the wave wash outward from her like soft warm water. She heard murmurs and gasps – the sounds of people suddenly relieved from pain. She opened her eyes, reeling slightly from the effort she'd expended, and smiled. "What else can I do?" she asked. ([i]DM’s Note: That would be the warm healing glow of “Beacon of Hope,” Savina’s Daily Power. Yes. Savina’s player used her DAILY POWER outside of combat to heal a room of faceless NPCs. There’s a reason I love her so.[/i]) "Bless you, Daughter," said the Honored Mother, looking awestruck. "I think the real question is, what can I do to repay [i]you[/i]?" Savina began to demur but then saw her companions looking at her expectantly. "Oh," she said. "Could you tell us how to find the oracle of Alirria at the Vale of the Holy Spring in the Ketkath Mountains?" Suddenly, Kormick closed his eyes theatrically and sighed. Mena’s eyes narrowed. Even Tavi's handsome face registered displeasure. [i]But if my companions cannot trust the Honored Mother with information about our destination,[/i], Savina thought, [i]who can they trust?[/i] She suspected, with regret, that the answer might be "no one." To her even greater regret, the Honored Mother responded with a look of exhausted resignation, as he'd looked when confronting the Inquisitor. "The Spring vanished," he said. "It is lost to the ages of time." Twiggy stepped forward. "Do you have any old maps – ?" she began, but the Honored Mother shook his head. "No earthly maps show it," he said. "None that are now known, anyway. It was located near the Ironroot Mines, beyond the Sharpstone Pass. But the monks that guarded it for generations were found out by the Sovereigns. The monks fled and the Spring . . . the Spring has since been lost. I'm sorry – there's nothing more I can tell you." He stared at the floor, and Savina, to her shock, didn't believe him. [i]He knows more than that.[/i] Horrified at her own audacity – daring to doubt the Honored Mother's word – she pushed the thought away. It returned. [i]There's something he's not saying. But surely he has a reason. . . .[/i] "Well," pressed Twiggy, "how do you get to the Ironroot Mines, then?" "It is a long trek through the mountains. The Water Walkers may know more." The Honored Mother seemed to be lost in thought. "We'd better go talk to them," said Twiggy. "I'll go. Water Walkers are very interesting people." "You being another one of these overly trusting youths," said Kormick to Twiggy, "I'll go along—merely in order to clap my hand over your mouth every time you try to speak." Mena frowned. "I'm going across the square to speak with the Ehktians. They may be of help." The Honored Mother stirred from his reverie. "If you truly intend to travel outside the foreign quarter, let alone outside the city, you would do well to appear . . . less conspicuous." He looked at Savina's and Arden's Alirrian robes and Mena's Sedellan armor. "I will be fine," said Mena. "Still, a few plain cloaks would not go amiss," declared Kormick. "Signor Octavian, perhaps you might locate the market and buy us a few supplies?" Savina could tell that Tavi, understandably, considered shopping to be beneath him. He was a warrior, not a drudge. "Savina's slave can handle that," he said. "I'll keep an eye out for that Inquisitor." [i]He says my name in such a nice way,[/i] Savina thought. "We are trusting the slave with money now? Lots of money? On her own?" Savina couldn't imagine why Kormick was objecting to Tavi's helpful suggestion. She glanced at Arden, who was standing politely a few feet behind her, as usual. "The – the Honored Mother in Pol Henna wouldn't have sent Arden if we couldn't trust her," she said. "Of course we trust Arden," declared Mena. "Sending her will allow Tavi to stay here and keep an eye on Rose. Arden, will you please buy plain cloaks for Savina and yourself? And we've brought food and basic supplies, but should we consider horses?" "No," said Kormick. "We will be heading into the mountains, over rough terrain. Horses will be trouble. You may buy one mule, slave. Do you know how to select a good mule?" "Yes, Justicar." "I don't believe you." "You look at their teeth, Justicar." "Not just their teeth. Oh, no. What else do you study closely?" Arden hesitated, then shook her head. "Poop," announced Kormick triumphantly. "You are looking for robust, healthy poop. Teeth and poop, slave. Say it with me." "Teeth and poop, Justicar." "What kind of poop?" "Robust and healthy, Justicar." Savina thought that Arden might be on the verge of laughing. "And do you know what I will do to you if I suspect that you're skimming off any of this money for yourself? Do you understand what will happen if you do anything other than come back faithfully – with [i]exactly[/i] what we asked for?" "I am honest, Justicar." "We'll see." Savina counted out one hundred in gold and handed it to Arden, who tucked it inside her robes and slipped silently out the door. Mena followed, aiming for the Ehktian complex across the square. Kormick and Twiggy left the hospital to visit the Water Walkers. Tavi took up a station with Rose in the entry hall of the Alirrian Temple. Savina contemplated keeping the siblings company. There were cross-currents in the air here that she didn't understand, undertows of hidden conflict, and she wanted to stay close to their comforting presence. But the Honored Mother was still standing by her side. "The patients in the leprosy ward . . ." he said. Savina nodded and hurried after him to render what help she could. She would do her duty, but she was nervous. [i]This man lied to me about Alirria's Spring[/i]. She took a deep breath and resolved to find out why. [/QUOTE]
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A Rose In The Wind: A Saga of the Halmae -- Updated June 19, 2014
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