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Arcanis: Gonnes, Sons, and Treasure Runs (COMPLETED)
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<blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 1796353" data-attributes="member: 3285"><p><strong>So Shall Ye Reap: Prologue</strong></p><p></p><p>"They pass that law, and we're out of business."</p><p></p><p>Kham thrust one hand through his shock of black curls. The idiot next to him was getting drunker by the minute and spewing information like a fountain. A fountain of beer.</p><p></p><p>"You mentioned smuggling," Kham repeated, slow enough for even the extremely inebriated to understand. "So?"</p><p></p><p>Kham's drinking companion's face, an explosion of stubble, jowls of flesh, and scars, crinkled up in confusion. "We're in the same boat, mate. I know what you do."</p><p></p><p>Kham fingered the green brooch at his neck. "Oh you do, do you?"</p><p></p><p>"Right," the fellow said. Kham didn't even know his name. "You're…fond of doing what needs to be done, and laws be damned, right?" He jabbed Kham in the ribs with an elbow. "Right?"</p><p></p><p>Kham nodded before he was bruised further. "So if the Senate calls for the interdiction of any ships in Coryani waters of piracy or smuggling, we're all kicked, is that it?"</p><p></p><p>"Damn right," the drunk said, slurping loudly from his mug. "It's plebs like that," he gestured at a man dressed in a finely tailored toga at the far corner of the tavern, "that ruin it for the rest."</p><p></p><p>Kham's eyes lit up. He recognized the jeweled brooch on the man's cloak. Kham adjusted his overcoat and slid off the stool. </p><p></p><p>"You give him what for," muttered the drunk from the bar. Kham nodded over his shoulder but kept his eyes on the plebian. He was talking intently to three other people at the table.</p><p></p><p>Kham could sniff out a mercenary recruitment drive from a mile away. He slid over to a seat nearer the four of them to get a better look. </p><p></p><p>"I thank you for your quick response to my request," the white haired plebeian said. "Rest assured, you will be well compensated in assisting my master for this small matter. You each have been selected for your particular skills. I trust you will not disappoint."</p><p></p><p>He nodded towards a large man, dressed in scale armor. "Master Martell will be your guide. He is a native Milandisian." The Milandisian thrust out his chin a bit but otherwise said nothing. </p><p></p><p>Kham thought there was nothing quite so pathetic as a Mliandisian down on his luck. He must have been desperate to take on such work.</p><p></p><p>"Mistress Galen's vast knowledge will serve you well. She has come very far from Entaris."</p><p></p><p>The female was undeniably Elorii. She was also quite striking, with perfect posture and an icy gaze. She was an Osalikene, descended from the wind god, as evidenced by her pointed ears and silver hair.</p><p></p><p>"If the child is still alive," she said in a monotone whisper, "we'll find him."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, we shall!" shouted the third man, with a dimpled chin, angular features, and a bearskin draped over his armor. "I, Aurelius Ignatius, swear that the Legion of the Reluctant Warrior shall not fail!"</p><p></p><p>The speaker was Coryani, like the plebian. Kham hated Coryani. He couldn't take it any longer. </p><p>"Again?" Kham said.</p><p></p><p>"What?"</p><p></p><p>"I said, 'Again?' An entire century of legionnaires were dispatched to find the boy. They have not yet returned," he said defiantly from the nearby table.</p><p></p><p>Aurelius' mouth opened in surprise—for once, no sound came out of it. His brows furrowed, but before he could come up with a retort, the plebian waved Kham over. </p><p></p><p>"You must be Master Kham. I was not sure if you were going to join us."</p><p></p><p>Kham stood up, smoothed his coat, and walked over to the table. "Why didn't you tell them about the century, Decimus?"</p><p></p><p>Decimus stared at Kham for a long moment. Then he turned back to Aurelius. "Senator Tensen-Balin is a scrupulous man. He's also General Menisis' uncle. Master Ignatius is insurance that the glory of the legion will be retained, even in as secretive a task as this. To not send a member of the legion would be disgraceful."</p><p></p><p>Kham smirked. "A signifer? The mighty Legion of the Reluctant Warrior sent their signifer? Why not a centurion?"</p><p></p><p>Decimus put a calming hand on Aurelius' shoulder as the legionnaire's face turned red. "Because a centurion has already been sent. It is my master's hope that a small group can do discreetly what a century could not."</p><p></p><p>"I didn't agree to him going along," said Aurelius, jabbing a thumb in Kham's direction.</p><p></p><p>"You weren't asked," Decimus said firmly. "The Senator insists."</p><p></p><p>"Let's go," said the Elorii before Aurelius could protest. "Every moment spent talking is more time for the Harvesters to get away with the Senator's son."</p><p></p><p>"Good. Here is a writ of passage," he handed a scroll to Aurelius. "A priest waits outside to shepherd you through."</p><p></p><p>Aurelius abruptly stood up and shrugged on a large shield over his back. The shield was emblazoned with the sign of a stylized warrior, shield held up and sword lowered. He snapped up the symbol of his legion, a spear in the shape of an open hand. Five medallions dangled from it. </p><p></p><p>The Elorii shook her head and gracefully left the table. That left the Milandisian. He smiled at Kham and extended his hand. "My name's Vlad, by the way."</p><p></p><p>Kham couldn't help but smile back. He shook the larger man's hand and followed him out the door. </p><p></p><p>Outside, the Elorii was keeping her distance from the Coryani, who stood with hands on hips, scowling at the surrounding terrain.</p><p></p><p>"So tell me Vlad," said Kham, keeping his eye on the legionnaire's back. "How does a signifer get caught up in this mess?"</p><p></p><p>Vlad shrugged. "Never met him before," he said in low tones. "But he is a bit…loud."</p><p></p><p>"He stumbled upon accounts documenting the missing century," said the Elorii, turning towards them. "They had to send him along to shut him up."</p><p></p><p>"I didn't think you were in earshot," said Kham.</p><p></p><p>A sly smirk slipped across the Elorii's lips. "I'm always in earshot," she said in the same monotone. "My name is Ilmarė."</p><p></p><p>"Ilmarė," said Kham. "Pretty name."</p><p></p><p>The Elorii turned away from him as a haggard-looking man approached them. A bracelet of thorns was wrapped around his left wrist. Kham recognized him as a Priest of Anshar, the clergy dedicated to maintaining the teleportation gates that could move anyone from one side of Arcanis to the other.</p><p></p><p>"Wait," he said. "We're going through a Gate? "</p><p></p><p>Aurelius turned around. "Of course. How else did you think we were going to get to Milandir?"</p><p></p><p>Kham began patting himself down. "It's just that I wasn't…"</p><p></p><p>"Prepared?" Aurelius watched as Kham silently counted to himself.</p><p></p><p>"He's an Altharian," said Ilmarė. "He's counting his ammunition."</p><p></p><p>Aurelius walked face to face with Kham. "I will not have you endanger this mission with your foolish 'gifts'!" </p><p></p><p>Kham counted to twenty. "We'll be fine. I don't have enough powder to cause any problems."</p><p></p><p>"Is there a problem?" said the priest.</p><p></p><p>"No!" Aurelius and Kham shouted at the same time. </p><p></p><p>"Then follow me, please. Time is of the essence."</p><p></p><p>Aurelius harrumphed and followed the priest with a swirl of his cloak. Vlad fell in step behind next to Kham. "Why is Aurelius so angry?"</p><p></p><p>"Because he's insecure?" he responded.</p><p></p><p>"He's angry," Ilmarė said softly behind them, "because if too much powder goes through a gate, it explodes."</p><p></p><p>Kham smiled sheepishly back at Vlad as the man's eyes widened. </p><p></p><p>"Powder for what?" Vlad said after a moment.</p><p></p><p>Kham shoved his hands into the pockets of his overcoat. "Altherian secret. You'll find out soon enough."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="talien, post: 1796353, member: 3285"] [b]So Shall Ye Reap: Prologue[/b] "They pass that law, and we're out of business." Kham thrust one hand through his shock of black curls. The idiot next to him was getting drunker by the minute and spewing information like a fountain. A fountain of beer. "You mentioned smuggling," Kham repeated, slow enough for even the extremely inebriated to understand. "So?" Kham's drinking companion's face, an explosion of stubble, jowls of flesh, and scars, crinkled up in confusion. "We're in the same boat, mate. I know what you do." Kham fingered the green brooch at his neck. "Oh you do, do you?" "Right," the fellow said. Kham didn't even know his name. "You're…fond of doing what needs to be done, and laws be damned, right?" He jabbed Kham in the ribs with an elbow. "Right?" Kham nodded before he was bruised further. "So if the Senate calls for the interdiction of any ships in Coryani waters of piracy or smuggling, we're all kicked, is that it?" "Damn right," the drunk said, slurping loudly from his mug. "It's plebs like that," he gestured at a man dressed in a finely tailored toga at the far corner of the tavern, "that ruin it for the rest." Kham's eyes lit up. He recognized the jeweled brooch on the man's cloak. Kham adjusted his overcoat and slid off the stool. "You give him what for," muttered the drunk from the bar. Kham nodded over his shoulder but kept his eyes on the plebian. He was talking intently to three other people at the table. Kham could sniff out a mercenary recruitment drive from a mile away. He slid over to a seat nearer the four of them to get a better look. "I thank you for your quick response to my request," the white haired plebeian said. "Rest assured, you will be well compensated in assisting my master for this small matter. You each have been selected for your particular skills. I trust you will not disappoint." He nodded towards a large man, dressed in scale armor. "Master Martell will be your guide. He is a native Milandisian." The Milandisian thrust out his chin a bit but otherwise said nothing. Kham thought there was nothing quite so pathetic as a Mliandisian down on his luck. He must have been desperate to take on such work. "Mistress Galen's vast knowledge will serve you well. She has come very far from Entaris." The female was undeniably Elorii. She was also quite striking, with perfect posture and an icy gaze. She was an Osalikene, descended from the wind god, as evidenced by her pointed ears and silver hair. "If the child is still alive," she said in a monotone whisper, "we'll find him." "Yes, we shall!" shouted the third man, with a dimpled chin, angular features, and a bearskin draped over his armor. "I, Aurelius Ignatius, swear that the Legion of the Reluctant Warrior shall not fail!" The speaker was Coryani, like the plebian. Kham hated Coryani. He couldn't take it any longer. "Again?" Kham said. "What?" "I said, 'Again?' An entire century of legionnaires were dispatched to find the boy. They have not yet returned," he said defiantly from the nearby table. Aurelius' mouth opened in surprise—for once, no sound came out of it. His brows furrowed, but before he could come up with a retort, the plebian waved Kham over. "You must be Master Kham. I was not sure if you were going to join us." Kham stood up, smoothed his coat, and walked over to the table. "Why didn't you tell them about the century, Decimus?" Decimus stared at Kham for a long moment. Then he turned back to Aurelius. "Senator Tensen-Balin is a scrupulous man. He's also General Menisis' uncle. Master Ignatius is insurance that the glory of the legion will be retained, even in as secretive a task as this. To not send a member of the legion would be disgraceful." Kham smirked. "A signifer? The mighty Legion of the Reluctant Warrior sent their signifer? Why not a centurion?" Decimus put a calming hand on Aurelius' shoulder as the legionnaire's face turned red. "Because a centurion has already been sent. It is my master's hope that a small group can do discreetly what a century could not." "I didn't agree to him going along," said Aurelius, jabbing a thumb in Kham's direction. "You weren't asked," Decimus said firmly. "The Senator insists." "Let's go," said the Elorii before Aurelius could protest. "Every moment spent talking is more time for the Harvesters to get away with the Senator's son." "Good. Here is a writ of passage," he handed a scroll to Aurelius. "A priest waits outside to shepherd you through." Aurelius abruptly stood up and shrugged on a large shield over his back. The shield was emblazoned with the sign of a stylized warrior, shield held up and sword lowered. He snapped up the symbol of his legion, a spear in the shape of an open hand. Five medallions dangled from it. The Elorii shook her head and gracefully left the table. That left the Milandisian. He smiled at Kham and extended his hand. "My name's Vlad, by the way." Kham couldn't help but smile back. He shook the larger man's hand and followed him out the door. Outside, the Elorii was keeping her distance from the Coryani, who stood with hands on hips, scowling at the surrounding terrain. "So tell me Vlad," said Kham, keeping his eye on the legionnaire's back. "How does a signifer get caught up in this mess?" Vlad shrugged. "Never met him before," he said in low tones. "But he is a bit…loud." "He stumbled upon accounts documenting the missing century," said the Elorii, turning towards them. "They had to send him along to shut him up." "I didn't think you were in earshot," said Kham. A sly smirk slipped across the Elorii's lips. "I'm always in earshot," she said in the same monotone. "My name is Ilmarė." "Ilmarė," said Kham. "Pretty name." The Elorii turned away from him as a haggard-looking man approached them. A bracelet of thorns was wrapped around his left wrist. Kham recognized him as a Priest of Anshar, the clergy dedicated to maintaining the teleportation gates that could move anyone from one side of Arcanis to the other. "Wait," he said. "We're going through a Gate? " Aurelius turned around. "Of course. How else did you think we were going to get to Milandir?" Kham began patting himself down. "It's just that I wasn't…" "Prepared?" Aurelius watched as Kham silently counted to himself. "He's an Altharian," said Ilmarė. "He's counting his ammunition." Aurelius walked face to face with Kham. "I will not have you endanger this mission with your foolish 'gifts'!" Kham counted to twenty. "We'll be fine. I don't have enough powder to cause any problems." "Is there a problem?" said the priest. "No!" Aurelius and Kham shouted at the same time. "Then follow me, please. Time is of the essence." Aurelius harrumphed and followed the priest with a swirl of his cloak. Vlad fell in step behind next to Kham. "Why is Aurelius so angry?" "Because he's insecure?" he responded. "He's angry," Ilmarė said softly behind them, "because if too much powder goes through a gate, it explodes." Kham smiled sheepishly back at Vlad as the man's eyes widened. "Powder for what?" Vlad said after a moment. Kham shoved his hands into the pockets of his overcoat. "Altherian secret. You'll find out soon enough." [/QUOTE]
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