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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="ellinor" data-source="post: 6200127" data-attributes="member: 14561"><p><strong>36x01</strong></p><p></p><p>As the group stopped to catch its breath, Kormick brushed some leaves from a rock and sat down to write in his journal. A gust of wind fluttered the pages.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Kormick sketched what he saw: chipped shale punctuated by tufts of flat, pitch-black grass that, if it were just a little stronger, would be less like grass and more like blades. Luckily it collapsed under a bedroll. Mostly. </p><p></p><p>He felt Mena’s gaze on the back of his head. “Ready?” she asked, and handed Kormick a skin of water. He took a swig. “Yup.” He shouldered his bag, passed the skin of water to Tavi, and began the day’s climb. </p><p></p><p>###</p><p></p><p>Nyoko had found the journey well-suited to walking meditation. Without any forcing, her feet and breath rose and fell with the rhythm of the Mountain Mantra in her mind: “O Kettenek, high as the peaks with diamond roots, I climb to greet you, low as the springs that breathe the clouds, I stoop to—” </p><p></p><p>“HALT! Heathen Infidels! Lay down your arms and surrender to the Lord’s Holy Might!”</p><p></p><p>Nyoko’s focus shifted outward at once. She scanned her surroundings. The group was in a gully, among scattered clumps of tall bushes. As she looked more closely, she could see glinting arrows among the greenery. They were surrounded.</p><p></p><p>A tall, stern woman in a Sovereign military uniform emerged from some foliage. Her uniform was of the old style, but crisp and well-kept.</p><p></p><p>Nyoko pushed back her hood. “I am Adept Nyoko of Cauldron. Identify yourselves for my Witness.”</p><p></p><p>“I am Lieutenant Commander Tomahura of Divine Mark.” the woman responded. “You show wisdom and sagacity, so do not be foolish. Lay down your arms.”</p><p></p><p>Nyoko recalled something from one of the Histories about a military commander named Tomahura. <em>What was that story?...</em> Nyoko saw an image of a plaque in her mind. That’s right: a commander named Tomahura had been honored with a posthumous promotion to the rank of Marshal and a commemorative pool in one of Divine Mark’s public spaces. <em>But that’s not everything … </em> Nyoko began to run through her standard memory recall exercises, but the woman glared at her with a piercing gaze that implied that it would be a mistake to wait any longer before laying down her arms. Nyoko set her bow on the ground, where she could flip it up with her foot if necessary. </p><p></p><p><em>Perhaps this woman is a descendant of that historical Tomahura,</em> Nyoko thought. <em>Regardless, her expedition to the Ketkath is not authorized by the Military in Divine Mark—or stranger yet, the Military in Divine Mark is keeping her expedition a secret...</em></p><p></p><p>Some of the party laid down their weapons. As Kormick set down his warhammers, he said, “I am a servant of Kettenek in my land. We have come in peace, in service of the Lord High Regent.” As Tavi put down his sword, his wakizashi glinted in the sunlight.</p><p></p><p>Nyoko observed a puzzled look on Tomahura’s face. “Lay down the flail, Infidel,” she said, glaring at Mena.</p><p></p><p><em>Infidel? She calls the heathens infidels? Since the Affirmation, the only ones who used the term “infidel” were the Tide… or their supporters,</em> Nyoko thought. <em>A secret expedition with a closed-minded—possibly Tide— leader . . .</em> </p><p></p><p>“I want them all searched,” Tomahura barked. “Especially the Infidels.” Several soldiers advanced and searched the party. The search was rough and thorough; they found every blade and implement the party held, aside from Arden’s well-hidden daggers, and piled them—including Nyoko’s bow and arrows—several yards away. They confiscated all of Twiggy’s magical accoutrements, as well, although they piled them with the party’s supplies, rather than its weapons. <em>No respect for wizardry, either,</em> Nyoko thought. </p><p></p><p>“I’ll want that back,” Savina insisted, as one of the soldiers tore the Alirrian symbol from her neck. Tomahura lifted a wakizashi from the pile of weapons. “Where did you come by this?” she asked. </p><p></p><p>“In service to the Inquisition,” Mena responded. “Inquisition, Inquisition,” Mena’s armor whispered.</p><p></p><p>Tomahura glared. “Bind the Infidels and the so-called Adept. It is obvious that you are lying.”</p><p></p><p>“Obvious only to one who does not know all the facts. You do not know all the facts,” Nyoko explained. <em>Nor do we,</em> she thought.</p><p></p><p> “Has it occurred to you that we’re telling the truth?” Kormick asked. “That we have served the Inquisition? That the Lord High Regent has--”</p><p></p><p>“Bind the madman,” Tomahura said.</p><p></p><p>A soldier grabbed Kormick’s arm. “Really?” Kormick asked. “Your four archers and ten pikemen can’t defend yourself against eight travelers you have forcibly disarmed?”</p><p></p><p>Another soldier grabbed a rope and threw Savina to the ground. </p><p></p><p>“That does it. Disrespect me all you want, but you keep your paws off the Blessed Sister.” Kormick tore free of the guard, dove toward the pile of weapons, and grabbed a wakizashi. </p><p></p><p>“Get them!” Mena pulled a wakizashi from a soldier’s belt and slashed at the soldier.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="ellinor, post: 6200127, member: 14561"] [b]36x01[/b] As the group stopped to catch its breath, Kormick brushed some leaves from a rock and sat down to write in his journal. A gust of wind fluttered the pages. Kormick sketched what he saw: chipped shale punctuated by tufts of flat, pitch-black grass that, if it were just a little stronger, would be less like grass and more like blades. Luckily it collapsed under a bedroll. Mostly. He felt Mena’s gaze on the back of his head. “Ready?” she asked, and handed Kormick a skin of water. He took a swig. “Yup.” He shouldered his bag, passed the skin of water to Tavi, and began the day’s climb. ### Nyoko had found the journey well-suited to walking meditation. Without any forcing, her feet and breath rose and fell with the rhythm of the Mountain Mantra in her mind: “O Kettenek, high as the peaks with diamond roots, I climb to greet you, low as the springs that breathe the clouds, I stoop to—” “HALT! Heathen Infidels! Lay down your arms and surrender to the Lord’s Holy Might!” Nyoko’s focus shifted outward at once. She scanned her surroundings. The group was in a gully, among scattered clumps of tall bushes. As she looked more closely, she could see glinting arrows among the greenery. They were surrounded. A tall, stern woman in a Sovereign military uniform emerged from some foliage. Her uniform was of the old style, but crisp and well-kept. Nyoko pushed back her hood. “I am Adept Nyoko of Cauldron. Identify yourselves for my Witness.” “I am Lieutenant Commander Tomahura of Divine Mark.” the woman responded. “You show wisdom and sagacity, so do not be foolish. Lay down your arms.” Nyoko recalled something from one of the Histories about a military commander named Tomahura. [i]What was that story?...[/i] Nyoko saw an image of a plaque in her mind. That’s right: a commander named Tomahura had been honored with a posthumous promotion to the rank of Marshal and a commemorative pool in one of Divine Mark’s public spaces. [i]But that’s not everything … [/i] Nyoko began to run through her standard memory recall exercises, but the woman glared at her with a piercing gaze that implied that it would be a mistake to wait any longer before laying down her arms. Nyoko set her bow on the ground, where she could flip it up with her foot if necessary. [i]Perhaps this woman is a descendant of that historical Tomahura,[/i] Nyoko thought. [i]Regardless, her expedition to the Ketkath is not authorized by the Military in Divine Mark—or stranger yet, the Military in Divine Mark is keeping her expedition a secret...[/i] Some of the party laid down their weapons. As Kormick set down his warhammers, he said, “I am a servant of Kettenek in my land. We have come in peace, in service of the Lord High Regent.” As Tavi put down his sword, his wakizashi glinted in the sunlight. Nyoko observed a puzzled look on Tomahura’s face. “Lay down the flail, Infidel,” she said, glaring at Mena. [i]Infidel? She calls the heathens infidels? Since the Affirmation, the only ones who used the term “infidel” were the Tide… or their supporters,[/i] Nyoko thought. [i]A secret expedition with a closed-minded—possibly Tide— leader . . .[/i] “I want them all searched,” Tomahura barked. “Especially the Infidels.” Several soldiers advanced and searched the party. The search was rough and thorough; they found every blade and implement the party held, aside from Arden’s well-hidden daggers, and piled them—including Nyoko’s bow and arrows—several yards away. They confiscated all of Twiggy’s magical accoutrements, as well, although they piled them with the party’s supplies, rather than its weapons. [i]No respect for wizardry, either,[/i] Nyoko thought. “I’ll want that back,” Savina insisted, as one of the soldiers tore the Alirrian symbol from her neck. Tomahura lifted a wakizashi from the pile of weapons. “Where did you come by this?” she asked. “In service to the Inquisition,” Mena responded. “Inquisition, Inquisition,” Mena’s armor whispered. Tomahura glared. “Bind the Infidels and the so-called Adept. It is obvious that you are lying.” “Obvious only to one who does not know all the facts. You do not know all the facts,” Nyoko explained. [i]Nor do we,[/i] she thought. “Has it occurred to you that we’re telling the truth?” Kormick asked. “That we have served the Inquisition? That the Lord High Regent has--” “Bind the madman,” Tomahura said. A soldier grabbed Kormick’s arm. “Really?” Kormick asked. “Your four archers and ten pikemen can’t defend yourself against eight travelers you have forcibly disarmed?” Another soldier grabbed a rope and threw Savina to the ground. “That does it. Disrespect me all you want, but you keep your paws off the Blessed Sister.” Kormick tore free of the guard, dove toward the pile of weapons, and grabbed a wakizashi. “Get them!” Mena pulled a wakizashi from a soldier’s belt and slashed at the soldier. [/QUOTE]
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A Rose In The Wind: A Saga of the Halmae -- Updated June 19, 2014
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