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<blockquote data-quote="Delemental" data-source="post: 5217140" data-attributes="member: 5203"><p>Kaliel’s forces made better time than expected, and were only a few days behind the others when they drew within sight of the narrow gap between the glaciers that marked the entrance to Crystal.</p><p></p><p> The Knights halted as they were challenged by sentries, wearing the markings of the Icewalkers. Kaliel and Zanka rode forward to address them.</p><p></p><p> “I am Kaliel, Lord of Chrysanthemum, Commander of the Knights of the Golden Flower. I seek an audience with your general.”</p><p></p><p> “We have been told to expect you,” said the leader of the sentry detail. “You may enter the camp, Lord Kaliel. The others must remain here.”</p><p></p><p> “No,” Zanka said. “I will go with him.”</p><p></p><p> The man’s eyes narrowed. “Only Kaliel is permitted to pass at this time, woman. Hold your tongue.”</p><p></p><p> “Inform the Bull that I will only meet with him if my circle-mates are with me,” Kaliel said.</p><p></p><p> A runner was dispatched, and returned a half hour later, conversing with the squadron leader in their guttural native language. “Lord Kaneko apologizes for the misunderstanding. Both you and Zanka Odokari may enter the camp, and will be granted audience.”</p><p></p><p> Zanka and Kaliel dismounted, and after giving instructions to the Knights, were led into the camp of the Bull of the North, which was much larger than they had originally realized. Kaliel estimated that the forces camped here numbers roughly five thousand, which was as large a military force as the Sword of Heaven had ever heard being fielded in a single engagement. To realize that this was likely only a portion of his army was staggering.</p><p></p><p> They eventually reached the center of the camp, where a large command tent had been erected. Ayama and Ghost were waiting outside.</p><p></p><p> “You made good time,” Ghost said, clasping Kaliel’s arm.</p><p></p><p> “I thought that we might expect to see you two here when they already knew our names,” Zanka said.</p><p></p><p> “We advised them of your arrival,” Ayama said. “But we have not spoken to the Bull since our first audience. Since then, we have kept busy among the Icewalkers, in our various ways.”</p><p></p><p> “Where is your son?” Kaliel asked.</p><p></p><p> “Training with the Bull’s force,” Ayama said. “He decided he needed additional practice in scaling ice cliffs.”</p><p></p><p> The four Exalts were led inside, to a room thick with carpets and furs. A throne carved from mammoth ivory sat at the apex of the chamber, upon which sat a powerfully-built old man, appearing to be in his sixties or so, with a mane of gray hair framing a stern face and a thick neck. He was bare-chested, and the thick muscles of his torso and arms were crisscrossed with scars. A huge longbow leaned against the throne on the right side, and a massive daiklaive of red jade sat in a scabbard mounted to the left side. There was no doubt from the sheer presence of the man, and the deference given him by the other Icewalkers, that this was Yurgen Kaneko, the Bull of the North. Standing behind the throne to the right was a much younger woman, also of the Icewalker tribe; Kaliel guessed that this would be Samea, the Zenith caste Solar who acted as an advisor to the Bull.</p><p></p><p> “Welcome, Lord Kaliel,” said Samea. “And welcome as well to the Beguiling Flower of the Dancing Lights. General Kaneko greets you and extends his gratitude for your support. The Haltan ambassador, Three Certain Truths, spoke well of you and the courtesy with which he was received, and we hope that we may provide the same for you.”</p><p></p><p> Yurgen Kaneko did not look like he was extending gratitude or courtesy of any kind, despite his advisor’s words. In truth, it appeared more as though the Bull of the North and the Auric Lion were sizing each other up. Kaliel stood half a head taller that Yurgen, but the Icewalker general was broader in the shoulder, and more muscular. The others held their tongues during this silent exchange between the two Dawns, knowing that it was necessary for each to assert their place. Glancing over at Ayama, Zanka was somewhat surprised to see a strange look in the Zenith’s eyes when she looked at the Bull of the North, a look that went just slightly beyond mere admiration or respect.</p><p></p><p> “What is your intention?” the Bull finally asked.</p><p></p><p> “We intend to aid you in dealing with the threat posed by the forces of the demons and the unquiet dead,” Kaliel replied. “Though my own force is small in comparison to yours, they are well trained, and can be deployed in a variety of combat roles.”</p><p></p><p> “I have no intention of engaging with either force,” the Bull stated. “They war with each other. I will simply wait until one force has routed the other, and then descend upon the weakened remnants. You have walked a long way, Lord Kaliel, to sit and wait with us.”</p><p></p><p> “General,” Zanka said, stepping forward. “Lord Kaliel and his men have come here for my sake. As you may already know, I was born and raised within this city. To hear that it has been destroyed, and my people slaughtered… I must speak the truth, and say that to hear you speak of doing nothing to avenge them brings me no succor to my grief.”</p><p></p><p> “The death of my Icewalkers will not bring back your people,” Yurgen said. “Perhaps if they had been harder warriors themselves…”</p><p></p><p> “Not all of your people were killed in the attack, child,” Samea said. “We encountered many fleeing south as our forces were arriving. We tended to their wounded, gave them such supplies as they could purchase, and sent them to the Haslanti League for refuge.”</p><p></p><p> “Did you record the names of those who survived?” Zanka asked, hopefully.</p><p></p><p> “No, child,” Samea said, “We are warriors, not bureaucrats. Their names meant little to us.”</p><p></p><p> “Then, with your permission, I would like to speak with those who aided the refugees from Crystal. I have family whose fate I would know.”</p><p></p><p> Samea looked at Yurgen, who nodded. “Very well. Speak with our quartermaster. He can guide you to those who dealt with the survivors.”</p><p></p><p> “General Kaneko,” Ghost said. “What is it the demons and ghosts are seeking here?”</p><p></p><p> “We do not know,” Samea admitted. “Their battles rage mainly near the locations of the excavations into the glacier. Those we have tried to send into the excavation have not returned.”</p><p></p><p> “Then it seems they seek something within the ice,” Kaliel said. “If that is the case, can we afford to wait them out?”</p><p></p><p> “Both armies are equally matched,” the Bull said. “They are at a stalemate, and neither side has progressed far into the glacier itself. I am not concerned.”</p><p></p><p> “Then may I suggest a new tactic?” Ghost asked. “Instead of waiting for one side or the other to find what they seek, why not enter the glacier ourselves to retrieve whatever they hope to recover? If done properly, the demons and ghosts may fall upon each other with renewed fury, each side thinking the other possesses the prize. They may eliminate each other without you raising a single blade against them.”</p><p></p><p> “Why am I not surprised that you would suggest such a plan?” Kaliel said with a smile.</p><p></p><p> “You are a thief?” Yurgen asked.</p><p></p><p> “Among other things,” Ghost replied.</p><p></p><p> The Bull nodded. “A noble profession.”</p><p></p><p> “The Unconquered Sun seemed to believe so.”</p><p></p><p> “He thinks many things. I have heard that you have spent your days gambling with my men – I appreciate that you have chosen not to ply your trade among them.”</p><p></p><p> Ghost had, in fact, lost a great deal of money in the Icewalker camp. This had been deliberate, in order to build good will.</p><p></p><p> “I approve of your plan. What do you require from me?” Yurgen asked.</p><p></p><p> “Simply the right of passage through your encampment,” Kaliel said, “and permission for my own men to make camp within your domain.”</p><p></p><p> “It will be so,” the Bull said. He then turned his attention to Samea, a clear indication that the audience was at an end. The four Solars walked out of the tent, and made their way back to the edge of the Bull’s army, where the small contingent of Knights were already setting up camp.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">۞</p><p></p><p> Zanka’s conversations with the Icewalkers who had aided the refugees from Crystal proved less than satisfying. She was gratified to learn that a third to as many as half of her people had escaped the destruction of the city, but none of Kaneko’s Icewalkers had bothered to ask for names or even to recall faces. Thus she had no way of knowing if her family was among those who had lived. Her only hope was to follow the refugees to the Haslanti League, where she would learn the truth.</p><p></p><p> The wind howled through the narrow gap between the glaciers, sounding like the wail of lost souls as Zanka walked back to their camp. She ignored the many lewd shouts from the Icewalkers as she walked past them, lost in her own thoughts. She wanted to go to the League now, to find out about her family. But she knew that Kaliel and the others would never agree to leave, not with the threat of the demons and ghosts looming so close. And part of her knew that they could not leave as well. The faint memory of the voice of her dreams stayed with her, reassuring her that she was where she needed to be. And somehow, the thought of facing an army of demons or an army of ghosts was not as terrifying to her as she thought it should be.</p><p></p><p> That night, as they all slept, Zanka was awakened by a faint sound. She held still, straining to hear what had disturbed her slumber. The others slept still, undisturbed.</p><p></p><p> The wind blowing through the camp moaned and howled, and caused the walls of the tent to vibrate, sounding like the beating of a heart, or someone pounding on the lid of a coffin. Then, faintly, Zanka heard a faint cry through the wind, the sound of someone calling her name.</p><p></p><p> Ayama awoke when she heard Zanka rise, and Kaliel and Ghost were alerted a moment later when Zanka threw open the door to the tent, letting the freezing air inside.</p><p></p><p> “I hear you,” Zanka whispered.</p><p></p><p> Ayama rose and tried to put her arm around Zanka. “Time to return to bed,” she said gently.</p><p></p><p> Zanka ducked under Ayama’s grasp and walked out into the night, her feet crunching in the snow. The other three quickly threw on furs and followed her.</p><p></p><p> Ayama was the first to catch up to Zanka, who had already left the edge of the Knight’s camp and was walking southwest. Ayama, her caste mark glowing to give her light to see, ran up and draped another fur around the slender Eclipse.</p><p></p><p> “I hear you,” Zanka repeated quietly, “I am coming.”</p><p></p><p> Ayama strained to hear what Zanka was talking to, but heard only the wind.</p><p></p><p> “Zanka, there is no one out here.”</p><p></p><p> “It is just a little farther,” Zanka said, waving off her friend. “I can hear them calling my name.”</p><p></p><p> Suddenly suspicious, Ayama called upon her Essence, giving herself the ability to see into the invisible world of spirits. She squinted as she peered through the dark and the snow being blown by the wind. She caught a glimpse of a form at the edge of her caste mark’s light, a spectral entity that was beckoning Zanka forward, whispering her name.</p><p></p><p> “Zanka!” Ayama shouted, as Kaliel and Ghost ran up to join them. “You are being lured away by a spirit!”</p><p></p><p> This news stopped Zanka in her tracks. Ayama pointed in the direction the spirit stood, so that everyone would know where it was in case it decided to manifest and attack.</p><p></p><p> But a few moments later, Ghost drew the attention of the others. “Rider coming,” he warned, pointing to the west. Ayama noted that the ghost had vanished from her sight.</p><p></p><p> A single horse appeared out of the gloom as they waited, bearing two riders. The rider in front was hooded, with their hands tied in front of them. The second rider could not be seen behind the first, but had one arm wrapped around the other’s waist, with the reins in their hand. The other arm held a khatar to the hooded figure’s neck.</p><p></p><p> The horse stopped about twenty yards away, its breath steaming in the cold. The second rider’s head appeared from behind the shoulder of their prisoner. Kaliel hissed as he saw a familiar face, framed by locks of red-brown hair.</p><p></p><p> “You,” he growled.</p><p></p><p> “Hello, lover,” said Nine Wounds Laughing, a wicked smile on her face. “And good evening to the rest of you as well.”</p><p></p><p> “What do you want here?” Kaliel demanded.</p><p></p><p> “Ironically enough, the same thing as you. I want the armies occupying Crystal to be gone. And you are going to make that happen.”</p><p></p><p> Kaliel laughed out loud. “And why in Creation do you expect us to help you?”</p><p></p><p> Her smile widened. “Allow me to show you something.” With that, she jammed the blade of the khatar into the heart of her prisoner, who let out a muffled scream and then slumped forward. Ayama stiffened at the sight of such wanton disregard for life. As blood poured from the wound, a dark gem mounted to Nine Laughing Wound’s gauntlet began to glow with a silvery light.</p><p></p><p> “You see, my kind have learned many secrets in our time,” she explained. “Including this one.” She passed the hand with the glowing gem over the wound in her prisoner’s heart. The light faded, and the wound stopped bleeding. A second later, the dead prisoner jerked upward, drawing breath again.</p><p></p><p> “A useful trick,” Nine Laughing Wounds laughed. “Now, you will go north and defeat the general of the demon’s army for me.” She stabbed her prisoner in the heart again, again inflicting a mortal wound. She then lifted the body over her head, and threw it at the four Solars, tearing the hood free. The body rolled to a stop at Kaliel’s feet, and the face of his sister Kalliope stared up at him with lifeless eyes.</p><p></p><p> Kaliel’s furious glare locked onto Nine Wounds Laughing. “You die tonight!” he roared.</p><p></p><p> “If I die, then so does she!” the corrupted Solar warned. “She lives only if you do what I want. And you must do it before sunrise, for the soul gem will release her soul once dawn comes.”</p><p></p><p> Calmly, Ayama bent over and picked up the corpse. “We must get her into shelter, Kaliel.”</p><p></p><p> Nine Wounds Laughing shrugged. “I doubt she cares about the cold now.”</p><p></p><p> “Exposure will stiffen her joints and damage her flesh,” Ayama said.</p><p></p><p> Nodding, Kaliel knelt down and placed his hand on his sister’s already cooling check. “Do not worry, my sister,” Kaliel said. “You will see the dawn.”</p><p></p><p> He then looked up at Nine Wounds Laughing. “And so will you.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Delemental, post: 5217140, member: 5203"] Kaliel’s forces made better time than expected, and were only a few days behind the others when they drew within sight of the narrow gap between the glaciers that marked the entrance to Crystal. The Knights halted as they were challenged by sentries, wearing the markings of the Icewalkers. Kaliel and Zanka rode forward to address them. “I am Kaliel, Lord of Chrysanthemum, Commander of the Knights of the Golden Flower. I seek an audience with your general.” “We have been told to expect you,” said the leader of the sentry detail. “You may enter the camp, Lord Kaliel. The others must remain here.” “No,” Zanka said. “I will go with him.” The man’s eyes narrowed. “Only Kaliel is permitted to pass at this time, woman. Hold your tongue.” “Inform the Bull that I will only meet with him if my circle-mates are with me,” Kaliel said. A runner was dispatched, and returned a half hour later, conversing with the squadron leader in their guttural native language. “Lord Kaneko apologizes for the misunderstanding. Both you and Zanka Odokari may enter the camp, and will be granted audience.” Zanka and Kaliel dismounted, and after giving instructions to the Knights, were led into the camp of the Bull of the North, which was much larger than they had originally realized. Kaliel estimated that the forces camped here numbers roughly five thousand, which was as large a military force as the Sword of Heaven had ever heard being fielded in a single engagement. To realize that this was likely only a portion of his army was staggering. They eventually reached the center of the camp, where a large command tent had been erected. Ayama and Ghost were waiting outside. “You made good time,” Ghost said, clasping Kaliel’s arm. “I thought that we might expect to see you two here when they already knew our names,” Zanka said. “We advised them of your arrival,” Ayama said. “But we have not spoken to the Bull since our first audience. Since then, we have kept busy among the Icewalkers, in our various ways.” “Where is your son?” Kaliel asked. “Training with the Bull’s force,” Ayama said. “He decided he needed additional practice in scaling ice cliffs.” The four Exalts were led inside, to a room thick with carpets and furs. A throne carved from mammoth ivory sat at the apex of the chamber, upon which sat a powerfully-built old man, appearing to be in his sixties or so, with a mane of gray hair framing a stern face and a thick neck. He was bare-chested, and the thick muscles of his torso and arms were crisscrossed with scars. A huge longbow leaned against the throne on the right side, and a massive daiklaive of red jade sat in a scabbard mounted to the left side. There was no doubt from the sheer presence of the man, and the deference given him by the other Icewalkers, that this was Yurgen Kaneko, the Bull of the North. Standing behind the throne to the right was a much younger woman, also of the Icewalker tribe; Kaliel guessed that this would be Samea, the Zenith caste Solar who acted as an advisor to the Bull. “Welcome, Lord Kaliel,” said Samea. “And welcome as well to the Beguiling Flower of the Dancing Lights. General Kaneko greets you and extends his gratitude for your support. The Haltan ambassador, Three Certain Truths, spoke well of you and the courtesy with which he was received, and we hope that we may provide the same for you.” Yurgen Kaneko did not look like he was extending gratitude or courtesy of any kind, despite his advisor’s words. In truth, it appeared more as though the Bull of the North and the Auric Lion were sizing each other up. Kaliel stood half a head taller that Yurgen, but the Icewalker general was broader in the shoulder, and more muscular. The others held their tongues during this silent exchange between the two Dawns, knowing that it was necessary for each to assert their place. Glancing over at Ayama, Zanka was somewhat surprised to see a strange look in the Zenith’s eyes when she looked at the Bull of the North, a look that went just slightly beyond mere admiration or respect. “What is your intention?” the Bull finally asked. “We intend to aid you in dealing with the threat posed by the forces of the demons and the unquiet dead,” Kaliel replied. “Though my own force is small in comparison to yours, they are well trained, and can be deployed in a variety of combat roles.” “I have no intention of engaging with either force,” the Bull stated. “They war with each other. I will simply wait until one force has routed the other, and then descend upon the weakened remnants. You have walked a long way, Lord Kaliel, to sit and wait with us.” “General,” Zanka said, stepping forward. “Lord Kaliel and his men have come here for my sake. As you may already know, I was born and raised within this city. To hear that it has been destroyed, and my people slaughtered… I must speak the truth, and say that to hear you speak of doing nothing to avenge them brings me no succor to my grief.” “The death of my Icewalkers will not bring back your people,” Yurgen said. “Perhaps if they had been harder warriors themselves…” “Not all of your people were killed in the attack, child,” Samea said. “We encountered many fleeing south as our forces were arriving. We tended to their wounded, gave them such supplies as they could purchase, and sent them to the Haslanti League for refuge.” “Did you record the names of those who survived?” Zanka asked, hopefully. “No, child,” Samea said, “We are warriors, not bureaucrats. Their names meant little to us.” “Then, with your permission, I would like to speak with those who aided the refugees from Crystal. I have family whose fate I would know.” Samea looked at Yurgen, who nodded. “Very well. Speak with our quartermaster. He can guide you to those who dealt with the survivors.” “General Kaneko,” Ghost said. “What is it the demons and ghosts are seeking here?” “We do not know,” Samea admitted. “Their battles rage mainly near the locations of the excavations into the glacier. Those we have tried to send into the excavation have not returned.” “Then it seems they seek something within the ice,” Kaliel said. “If that is the case, can we afford to wait them out?” “Both armies are equally matched,” the Bull said. “They are at a stalemate, and neither side has progressed far into the glacier itself. I am not concerned.” “Then may I suggest a new tactic?” Ghost asked. “Instead of waiting for one side or the other to find what they seek, why not enter the glacier ourselves to retrieve whatever they hope to recover? If done properly, the demons and ghosts may fall upon each other with renewed fury, each side thinking the other possesses the prize. They may eliminate each other without you raising a single blade against them.” “Why am I not surprised that you would suggest such a plan?” Kaliel said with a smile. “You are a thief?” Yurgen asked. “Among other things,” Ghost replied. The Bull nodded. “A noble profession.” “The Unconquered Sun seemed to believe so.” “He thinks many things. I have heard that you have spent your days gambling with my men – I appreciate that you have chosen not to ply your trade among them.” Ghost had, in fact, lost a great deal of money in the Icewalker camp. This had been deliberate, in order to build good will. “I approve of your plan. What do you require from me?” Yurgen asked. “Simply the right of passage through your encampment,” Kaliel said, “and permission for my own men to make camp within your domain.” “It will be so,” the Bull said. He then turned his attention to Samea, a clear indication that the audience was at an end. The four Solars walked out of the tent, and made their way back to the edge of the Bull’s army, where the small contingent of Knights were already setting up camp. [center]۞[/center] Zanka’s conversations with the Icewalkers who had aided the refugees from Crystal proved less than satisfying. She was gratified to learn that a third to as many as half of her people had escaped the destruction of the city, but none of Kaneko’s Icewalkers had bothered to ask for names or even to recall faces. Thus she had no way of knowing if her family was among those who had lived. Her only hope was to follow the refugees to the Haslanti League, where she would learn the truth. The wind howled through the narrow gap between the glaciers, sounding like the wail of lost souls as Zanka walked back to their camp. She ignored the many lewd shouts from the Icewalkers as she walked past them, lost in her own thoughts. She wanted to go to the League now, to find out about her family. But she knew that Kaliel and the others would never agree to leave, not with the threat of the demons and ghosts looming so close. And part of her knew that they could not leave as well. The faint memory of the voice of her dreams stayed with her, reassuring her that she was where she needed to be. And somehow, the thought of facing an army of demons or an army of ghosts was not as terrifying to her as she thought it should be. That night, as they all slept, Zanka was awakened by a faint sound. She held still, straining to hear what had disturbed her slumber. The others slept still, undisturbed. The wind blowing through the camp moaned and howled, and caused the walls of the tent to vibrate, sounding like the beating of a heart, or someone pounding on the lid of a coffin. Then, faintly, Zanka heard a faint cry through the wind, the sound of someone calling her name. Ayama awoke when she heard Zanka rise, and Kaliel and Ghost were alerted a moment later when Zanka threw open the door to the tent, letting the freezing air inside. “I hear you,” Zanka whispered. Ayama rose and tried to put her arm around Zanka. “Time to return to bed,” she said gently. Zanka ducked under Ayama’s grasp and walked out into the night, her feet crunching in the snow. The other three quickly threw on furs and followed her. Ayama was the first to catch up to Zanka, who had already left the edge of the Knight’s camp and was walking southwest. Ayama, her caste mark glowing to give her light to see, ran up and draped another fur around the slender Eclipse. “I hear you,” Zanka repeated quietly, “I am coming.” Ayama strained to hear what Zanka was talking to, but heard only the wind. “Zanka, there is no one out here.” “It is just a little farther,” Zanka said, waving off her friend. “I can hear them calling my name.” Suddenly suspicious, Ayama called upon her Essence, giving herself the ability to see into the invisible world of spirits. She squinted as she peered through the dark and the snow being blown by the wind. She caught a glimpse of a form at the edge of her caste mark’s light, a spectral entity that was beckoning Zanka forward, whispering her name. “Zanka!” Ayama shouted, as Kaliel and Ghost ran up to join them. “You are being lured away by a spirit!” This news stopped Zanka in her tracks. Ayama pointed in the direction the spirit stood, so that everyone would know where it was in case it decided to manifest and attack. But a few moments later, Ghost drew the attention of the others. “Rider coming,” he warned, pointing to the west. Ayama noted that the ghost had vanished from her sight. A single horse appeared out of the gloom as they waited, bearing two riders. The rider in front was hooded, with their hands tied in front of them. The second rider could not be seen behind the first, but had one arm wrapped around the other’s waist, with the reins in their hand. The other arm held a khatar to the hooded figure’s neck. The horse stopped about twenty yards away, its breath steaming in the cold. The second rider’s head appeared from behind the shoulder of their prisoner. Kaliel hissed as he saw a familiar face, framed by locks of red-brown hair. “You,” he growled. “Hello, lover,” said Nine Wounds Laughing, a wicked smile on her face. “And good evening to the rest of you as well.” “What do you want here?” Kaliel demanded. “Ironically enough, the same thing as you. I want the armies occupying Crystal to be gone. And you are going to make that happen.” Kaliel laughed out loud. “And why in Creation do you expect us to help you?” Her smile widened. “Allow me to show you something.” With that, she jammed the blade of the khatar into the heart of her prisoner, who let out a muffled scream and then slumped forward. Ayama stiffened at the sight of such wanton disregard for life. As blood poured from the wound, a dark gem mounted to Nine Laughing Wound’s gauntlet began to glow with a silvery light. “You see, my kind have learned many secrets in our time,” she explained. “Including this one.” She passed the hand with the glowing gem over the wound in her prisoner’s heart. The light faded, and the wound stopped bleeding. A second later, the dead prisoner jerked upward, drawing breath again. “A useful trick,” Nine Laughing Wounds laughed. “Now, you will go north and defeat the general of the demon’s army for me.” She stabbed her prisoner in the heart again, again inflicting a mortal wound. She then lifted the body over her head, and threw it at the four Solars, tearing the hood free. The body rolled to a stop at Kaliel’s feet, and the face of his sister Kalliope stared up at him with lifeless eyes. Kaliel’s furious glare locked onto Nine Wounds Laughing. “You die tonight!” he roared. “If I die, then so does she!” the corrupted Solar warned. “She lives only if you do what I want. And you must do it before sunrise, for the soul gem will release her soul once dawn comes.” Calmly, Ayama bent over and picked up the corpse. “We must get her into shelter, Kaliel.” Nine Wounds Laughing shrugged. “I doubt she cares about the cold now.” “Exposure will stiffen her joints and damage her flesh,” Ayama said. Nodding, Kaliel knelt down and placed his hand on his sister’s already cooling check. “Do not worry, my sister,” Kaliel said. “You will see the dawn.” He then looked up at Nine Wounds Laughing. “And so will you.” [/QUOTE]
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[Exalted 2e] Chosen of the Second Age
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