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Barsoom Tales I - COMPLETE
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<blockquote data-quote="barsoomcore" data-source="post: 1247355" data-attributes="member: 812"><p>"Execution? Who said anything about execution?"</p><p></p><p>Boyce grinned and ran a hand through his hair as he tried to calm Isaac down.</p><p></p><p>"Look, all I know is the guards're coming for you lot right now. Apparently that del Orofin yahoo was a favourite of the Queen, and she's right miffed that a couple of foreigners have cut down her little buddy."</p><p></p><p>Isaac looked around at his friends, all of them seated at a trestle table in the common room of the River Inn. They'd just been congratulating each other (particularly Isaac) on the success of their mission (and Isaac's survival) when Boyce came rushing in with the news that they were all slated for immediate arrest and execution.</p><p></p><p>"But... but... it was a duel. It wasn't a murder. A duel. Damnit, he nearly had me! I made this last incredible swing, Boyce you should have seen it --"</p><p></p><p>Elena cut off Isaac's burgeoning description.</p><p></p><p>"Alright, we have to get out of town. Can we leave by the gates? How long until the guards are here?"</p><p></p><p>She frowned ferociously at Boyce.</p><p></p><p>"And why are you helping us, anyway?"</p><p></p><p>Arrafin kicked Elena as hard as she could. The Saijadani woman didn't appear to notice. Boyce plastered a big grin on his face and bowed.</p><p></p><p>"Well, you lot are old friends, aren't you? I'd hate to see you brought to a low end for something as admirable as cutting off the head of a damned foreigner. No offense. Besides," he took Elena's hand and kissed it, "How could I allow the world to be deprived of such loveliness?"</p><p></p><p>Elena's scowl dropped away entirely, replaced by astonishment as she gaped at the friendly rogue. Arrafin was delighted to see her friend blush.</p><p></p><p>Nevid shook his head and spoke quietly.</p><p></p><p>"Gates'll be closed. We need another exit. Everybody stay here. I'll be back."</p><p></p><p>The young man got to this feet and went into the kitchen. Boyce watched him go with a bit of a confused expression, then grinned once again.</p><p></p><p>"And with that, I ought to leave. Can't be found, you know, consorting with criminals."</p><p></p><p>Isaac snorted.</p><p></p><p>"Right. Not you."</p><p></p><p>Boyce bowed, grinned, winked and left. Elena turned to find Arrafin grinning at her.</p><p></p><p>"What?"</p><p></p><p>"Nothing."</p><p></p><p>"What?"</p><p></p><p>"No, no, nothing. So, Isaac, your father was executed, huh?"</p><p></p><p>*****</p><p></p><p>Nevid spoke rapidly with the innkeeper and after several nonsensical phrases were exchanged, showed to middle-aged woman a letter with Isabella's seal on it. The woman bowed immediately and led Nevid to a corner of the kitchen, pushed aside a crate of potatoes and yanked up a hidden trap door.</p><p></p><p>Nevid nodded and rushed back to his friends.</p><p></p><p>*****</p><p></p><p>"Arrafin, what is it?"</p><p></p><p>"Nothing, Elena. Look, Nevid's back."</p><p></p><p>The young Saijadani rushed up to the table and looked around at his friends.</p><p></p><p>"We can get out. Through the sewers."</p><p></p><p>Isaac scowled.</p><p></p><p>"Just wander around in the muck and hope we find an exit?"</p><p></p><p>"No, Isaac. I have directions. Isabella gave them to me before we came here, in case we got into trouble."</p><p></p><p>Elena didn't quite grab Nevid and shake him.</p><p></p><p>"Why didn't you tell us about this? You don't trust us?"</p><p></p><p>"I'm telling you now. We have to go."</p><p></p><p>"Alright, alright, you've got it all figured out. You and Isabella."</p><p></p><p>"We have to go."</p><p></p><p>"Fine. Let's get our stuff and go. But if you keep hiding stuff from us like this, Nevid..."</p><p></p><p>*****</p><p></p><p>A hundred paces through the sewers of Bayonne and Isaac was ready to take his chances up on the streets, execution or no.</p><p></p><p>Nevid kept insisting they just go straight, ignoring all turns and side passages. The walls dripped with cold muck and their footsteps echoed down the brick tunnels into darkness. Strange and alarming things skittered unseen on all sides. SOMETHING crawly and possessed of far too many legs had already dropped onto Isaac's shoulder, only to be flung to the ground and stomped into bits.</p><p></p><p>They passed a couple of ancient staircases climbing up, presumably to entrances like that they had descended from the River Inn. One was guarded, but a sharp crack over the head with the hilt of Isaac's father's sword took care of him, and the group was quickly on their way again.</p><p></p><p>"So... your father? Executed?"</p><p></p><p>Arrafin had tried a few conversational gambits but Isaac so far had resisted her probes. He did so now by simply grunting in reply. Elena took up the challenge.</p><p></p><p>"So what should we call you? Philip? Isaac? Or just, 'Hey you, the one that's been lying to us all this time'?"</p><p></p><p>Isaac grunted again.</p><p></p><p>"You're going to crack eventually, whatever your name is."</p><p></p><p>Grunt.</p><p></p><p>*****</p><p></p><p>The tunnel eventually opened onto a cave that opened onto the river, where a pair of rowboats were tethered. Isaac and Arrafin took one boat (Arrafin struggling just to lift the paddle), while Nevid and Elena took the other (Nevid not even bothering to lift the paddle).</p><p></p><p>The river flowed broad and smooth, winding its way down through the rocky, tree-covered hills of the Gap. Stands of oak sent heavy roots down the steep riverbanks, where tall grasses waved in slow celebration of the foursome's escape. Occasional herds of crested hadrosaurs teemed in the shallows, bellowing to each other and watching the rowboats drift by.</p><p></p><p>Three days passed on the river, quiet times with no sign of pursuit. Isaac remained uncommunicative, staring at the water or the passing banks. He turned over and over again the death of Juan Antonio in his mind, wondering at the lack of satisfaction in his own heart. It was over too fast, maybe. Or perhaps the lucky nature of his victory took away some of the joy he should be feeling, having begun to acquire his revenge. Strange the way Juan Antonio had just frozen like that, just at the right moment...</p><p></p><p>Arrafin caught up on her notes, elaborating extensively on the relationships of Las Familias. She knew the del Orofin Familia was bitterly opposed to the del Maraviez, and that both were among the wealthiest, the most powerful of the trading families that controlled Saijadan. Her notes included comments like, "Must get more names!" and "Ask Nevid?"</p><p></p><p>Elena studied the water and the banks with nearly as much moodiness as Isaac. The nature of her new-found powers confused her. She'd never know such things were possible, and suddenly now here she was, apparently performing miracles. Over and over again she wished they hadn't had to leave Bayonne so precipitiously, that she'd had another chance to talk to the elderly Kalibar. She tried to reach out to him in her mind, but felt nothing.</p><p></p><p>Nevid glowed with satisfaction. He had the contract, Juan Antonio's death could only complicate things even further for the del Orofin, and Collette had been foiled quite nicely. The King, lacking del Orofin funds, might have to abandon his plan of conquest. An excellent few days' work. He smiled.</p><p></p><p>*****</p><p></p><p>A single figure stood on the rocky shoal that was the mouth of the river. He was tall, slender, and pink.</p><p></p><p>Leaving their boats in the shallow water, the four struggled across the loose rocks to approach him.</p><p></p><p>He was obviously part-Kishak, but equally obviously part-not-Kishak -- instead of the Kishak deep red he seemed pale, though still with the dark hair and eyes of his Kishak heritage.</p><p></p><p>"I'm Etienne. Marques sent me to pick you up and bring you to Pavairelle."</p><p></p><p>"Marques?"</p><p></p><p>"Marques del Maraviez."</p><p></p><p>Isaac snorted, unimpressed.</p><p></p><p>"How could he have known we would be here? WE didn't even know we'd be here."</p><p></p><p>The man named Etienne shrugged.</p><p></p><p>"Marques will explain. This way."</p><p></p><p>Arrafin had already gotten out a sheet of paper with a little blank space on it.</p><p></p><p>"'Etienne' doesn't sound like a Kishak name."</p><p></p><p>"My mother was from Cour Chonfoux in the Gap. I grew up in Pavairelle."</p><p></p><p>"Ooh. What's it like?"</p><p></p><p>"Greatest city on Barsoom."</p><p></p><p>Arrafin's eyebrows rose.</p><p></p><p>"Have you been to Al-Tizim?"</p><p></p><p>"No."</p><p></p><p>"Then how do you know?"</p><p></p><p>"I know. Wait and see."</p><p></p><p>*****</p><p></p><p>"Is that a sail?"</p><p></p><p>They'd come aboard a small fishing vessel, lacking in basic amenities but apparently sea-worthy. Nevid immediately began to throw up, and was still doing so when Elena pointed out away from the coast they were following.</p><p></p><p>The captain immediately shouted something incomprehensible and their ship's sail sagged and suddenly dropped. The fishing boat slowed in the water as the other ship approached.</p><p></p><p>Arrafin caught the expression of worry in Etienne's face and turned to watch him face the captain.</p><p></p><p>"What is it?"</p><p></p><p>"Pirates."</p><p></p><p>Isaac started loading his pistols.</p><p></p><p>Elena sighed and swore loudly.</p><p></p><p>Nevid's stomach heaved again.</p><p></p><p>Arrafin took out a short pencil.</p><p></p><p>"Pirates? How long have there been pirates around here? Have you ever met a pirate? Are they as ferocious as everyone says?"</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="barsoomcore, post: 1247355, member: 812"] "Execution? Who said anything about execution?" Boyce grinned and ran a hand through his hair as he tried to calm Isaac down. "Look, all I know is the guards're coming for you lot right now. Apparently that del Orofin yahoo was a favourite of the Queen, and she's right miffed that a couple of foreigners have cut down her little buddy." Isaac looked around at his friends, all of them seated at a trestle table in the common room of the River Inn. They'd just been congratulating each other (particularly Isaac) on the success of their mission (and Isaac's survival) when Boyce came rushing in with the news that they were all slated for immediate arrest and execution. "But... but... it was a duel. It wasn't a murder. A duel. Damnit, he nearly had me! I made this last incredible swing, Boyce you should have seen it --" Elena cut off Isaac's burgeoning description. "Alright, we have to get out of town. Can we leave by the gates? How long until the guards are here?" She frowned ferociously at Boyce. "And why are you helping us, anyway?" Arrafin kicked Elena as hard as she could. The Saijadani woman didn't appear to notice. Boyce plastered a big grin on his face and bowed. "Well, you lot are old friends, aren't you? I'd hate to see you brought to a low end for something as admirable as cutting off the head of a damned foreigner. No offense. Besides," he took Elena's hand and kissed it, "How could I allow the world to be deprived of such loveliness?" Elena's scowl dropped away entirely, replaced by astonishment as she gaped at the friendly rogue. Arrafin was delighted to see her friend blush. Nevid shook his head and spoke quietly. "Gates'll be closed. We need another exit. Everybody stay here. I'll be back." The young man got to this feet and went into the kitchen. Boyce watched him go with a bit of a confused expression, then grinned once again. "And with that, I ought to leave. Can't be found, you know, consorting with criminals." Isaac snorted. "Right. Not you." Boyce bowed, grinned, winked and left. Elena turned to find Arrafin grinning at her. "What?" "Nothing." "What?" "No, no, nothing. So, Isaac, your father was executed, huh?" ***** Nevid spoke rapidly with the innkeeper and after several nonsensical phrases were exchanged, showed to middle-aged woman a letter with Isabella's seal on it. The woman bowed immediately and led Nevid to a corner of the kitchen, pushed aside a crate of potatoes and yanked up a hidden trap door. Nevid nodded and rushed back to his friends. ***** "Arrafin, what is it?" "Nothing, Elena. Look, Nevid's back." The young Saijadani rushed up to the table and looked around at his friends. "We can get out. Through the sewers." Isaac scowled. "Just wander around in the muck and hope we find an exit?" "No, Isaac. I have directions. Isabella gave them to me before we came here, in case we got into trouble." Elena didn't quite grab Nevid and shake him. "Why didn't you tell us about this? You don't trust us?" "I'm telling you now. We have to go." "Alright, alright, you've got it all figured out. You and Isabella." "We have to go." "Fine. Let's get our stuff and go. But if you keep hiding stuff from us like this, Nevid..." ***** A hundred paces through the sewers of Bayonne and Isaac was ready to take his chances up on the streets, execution or no. Nevid kept insisting they just go straight, ignoring all turns and side passages. The walls dripped with cold muck and their footsteps echoed down the brick tunnels into darkness. Strange and alarming things skittered unseen on all sides. SOMETHING crawly and possessed of far too many legs had already dropped onto Isaac's shoulder, only to be flung to the ground and stomped into bits. They passed a couple of ancient staircases climbing up, presumably to entrances like that they had descended from the River Inn. One was guarded, but a sharp crack over the head with the hilt of Isaac's father's sword took care of him, and the group was quickly on their way again. "So... your father? Executed?" Arrafin had tried a few conversational gambits but Isaac so far had resisted her probes. He did so now by simply grunting in reply. Elena took up the challenge. "So what should we call you? Philip? Isaac? Or just, 'Hey you, the one that's been lying to us all this time'?" Isaac grunted again. "You're going to crack eventually, whatever your name is." Grunt. ***** The tunnel eventually opened onto a cave that opened onto the river, where a pair of rowboats were tethered. Isaac and Arrafin took one boat (Arrafin struggling just to lift the paddle), while Nevid and Elena took the other (Nevid not even bothering to lift the paddle). The river flowed broad and smooth, winding its way down through the rocky, tree-covered hills of the Gap. Stands of oak sent heavy roots down the steep riverbanks, where tall grasses waved in slow celebration of the foursome's escape. Occasional herds of crested hadrosaurs teemed in the shallows, bellowing to each other and watching the rowboats drift by. Three days passed on the river, quiet times with no sign of pursuit. Isaac remained uncommunicative, staring at the water or the passing banks. He turned over and over again the death of Juan Antonio in his mind, wondering at the lack of satisfaction in his own heart. It was over too fast, maybe. Or perhaps the lucky nature of his victory took away some of the joy he should be feeling, having begun to acquire his revenge. Strange the way Juan Antonio had just frozen like that, just at the right moment... Arrafin caught up on her notes, elaborating extensively on the relationships of Las Familias. She knew the del Orofin Familia was bitterly opposed to the del Maraviez, and that both were among the wealthiest, the most powerful of the trading families that controlled Saijadan. Her notes included comments like, "Must get more names!" and "Ask Nevid?" Elena studied the water and the banks with nearly as much moodiness as Isaac. The nature of her new-found powers confused her. She'd never know such things were possible, and suddenly now here she was, apparently performing miracles. Over and over again she wished they hadn't had to leave Bayonne so precipitiously, that she'd had another chance to talk to the elderly Kalibar. She tried to reach out to him in her mind, but felt nothing. Nevid glowed with satisfaction. He had the contract, Juan Antonio's death could only complicate things even further for the del Orofin, and Collette had been foiled quite nicely. The King, lacking del Orofin funds, might have to abandon his plan of conquest. An excellent few days' work. He smiled. ***** A single figure stood on the rocky shoal that was the mouth of the river. He was tall, slender, and pink. Leaving their boats in the shallow water, the four struggled across the loose rocks to approach him. He was obviously part-Kishak, but equally obviously part-not-Kishak -- instead of the Kishak deep red he seemed pale, though still with the dark hair and eyes of his Kishak heritage. "I'm Etienne. Marques sent me to pick you up and bring you to Pavairelle." "Marques?" "Marques del Maraviez." Isaac snorted, unimpressed. "How could he have known we would be here? WE didn't even know we'd be here." The man named Etienne shrugged. "Marques will explain. This way." Arrafin had already gotten out a sheet of paper with a little blank space on it. "'Etienne' doesn't sound like a Kishak name." "My mother was from Cour Chonfoux in the Gap. I grew up in Pavairelle." "Ooh. What's it like?" "Greatest city on Barsoom." Arrafin's eyebrows rose. "Have you been to Al-Tizim?" "No." "Then how do you know?" "I know. Wait and see." ***** "Is that a sail?" They'd come aboard a small fishing vessel, lacking in basic amenities but apparently sea-worthy. Nevid immediately began to throw up, and was still doing so when Elena pointed out away from the coast they were following. The captain immediately shouted something incomprehensible and their ship's sail sagged and suddenly dropped. The fishing boat slowed in the water as the other ship approached. Arrafin caught the expression of worry in Etienne's face and turned to watch him face the captain. "What is it?" "Pirates." Isaac started loading his pistols. Elena sighed and swore loudly. Nevid's stomach heaved again. Arrafin took out a short pencil. "Pirates? How long have there been pirates around here? Have you ever met a pirate? Are they as ferocious as everyone says?" [/QUOTE]
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