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Barsoom Tales I - COMPLETE
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<blockquote data-quote="barsoomcore" data-source="post: 1232697" data-attributes="member: 812"><p>Arrafin scribbled madly as Kalibar spoke.</p><p></p><p>"The human mind has powers undreamed of by most. Sadly, for the majority of us, if we do not receive training to develop these abilities at a very young age, the mind grows resistant and unable to manifest these powers.</p><p></p><p>"For some, however, the power lurks so strongly within them that even without training, it begins to manifest. Such are you, Elena. Within your mind this power lives, radiant enough that I could perceive it before you were even aware of its existence.</p><p></p><p>"I can draw this power forth, Elena de los Santos, if you wish."</p><p></p><p>Elena looked over at Arrafin. The Naridic girl's normally wide eyes seemed to fill half her face. She nodded, curls shaking. Elena scowled and turned back to the old man.</p><p></p><p>"Alright. Is it going to hurt?"</p><p></p><p>"Hold still."</p><p></p><p>Arrafin forgot to write as she watched the frail old man reach out and grasp Elena's face in a gnarled hand. He smiled and exhaled slowly. Elena's eyes fluttered and she sagged, groaning quietly. Startled, Arrafin moved to help her friend, but Nitara's strong hand on her shoulder restrained her.</p><p></p><p>"She'll be fine."</p><p></p><p>She stared in confusion and growing wonder as a fine tracery of dark lines worked themselves into Elena's face, like a striking, but barely visible tattoo of some abstract design. Elena's eyes popped open and she sat up, staring around her in confusion.</p><p></p><p>"That's the weirdest thing I've ever seen."</p><p></p><p>*****</p><p></p><p>Breakfast at the River Inn was a wholesome affair of eggs whipped and fried with spicy sausage, fresh peppers, sliced cabbage and sharp winter onions, served with an almost-frozen mix of wine and fruit. Philip came downstairs with his mouth watering, to find the two girls eating quietly.</p><p></p><p>"Where's Nevid?"</p><p></p><p>They both shrugged.</p><p></p><p>"What's the plan?"</p><p></p><p>Another shrug.</p><p></p><p>"Are we going to the palace?"</p><p></p><p>Elena did not look up as she spoke.</p><p></p><p>"Don't know."</p><p></p><p>Philip stood for a second, unhappy with the lack of information but too confused by the attitude of his friends to figure out how to proceed, then shrugged and sat down. Women had largely been a source of confusion in Philip's life, anyway, so that Elena and Arrafin were behaving in some incomprehensible manner only reaffirmed his notions.</p><p></p><p>He signalled for food and got down to business.</p><p></p><p>Arrafin looked up, glanced quickly at Philip and then studied Elena's face. The lines that had formed there last night were just barely visible, surrounding the Saijadani woman's eyes in a delicate filigree of curls and swoops. Elena met her eyes and they stared at each other for a second. Arrafin was burning with questions, but last night Elena had refused to talk about what had happened, and now, in front of Philip, she just couldn't bring herself to mention it. She took a deep breath and smiled, then turned to Philip.</p><p></p><p>"It's too bad we don't have Aubrey with us. This would be right up his alley, don't you think?"</p><p></p><p>Philip nodded and wiped at his chin. Elena scowled.</p><p></p><p>"I guess Isabella had more important things for him to do."</p><p></p><p>Philip shrugged.</p><p></p><p>"I get the impression she was more worried about those Kishaks in Highpass than her note let on. I hope he's okay. They find out he's spying, he's not going to last long. There's probably <em>Nevakada</em> agents all over that town."</p><p></p><p>All three of them suppressed a shudder at the mention of the Kishak secret service.</p><p></p><p>"So? There's probably <em>Nevakada</em> here, too. One of us is probably a <em>Nevakada</em> agent."</p><p></p><p>The three friends looked up to find Nevid standing at the head of the table, studying them curiously. Elena stood up to glare at him.</p><p></p><p>"How can you say that? You think I'm a Nevakada agent? To hell with you."</p><p></p><p>Nevid swallowed and backed away from Elena, who was substantially taller than he and clearly outweighed him by a significant amount.</p><p></p><p>"I'm not saying that. Just, I mean, you never know, right? That's all. I'm not saying you're a, you know, that we shouldn't..."</p><p></p><p>Arrafin rolled her eyes.</p><p></p><p>"Sit down, Nevid. Elena won't hurt you."</p><p></p><p>Elena raised her eyebrows in silent query but sat down again, still glowering at Nevid, who managed to get himself into a seat without shaking too much. He leaned forward and spoke quietly.</p><p></p><p>"The del Orofin have rented a house here in town. Collette is staying there along with Juan Antonio del Orofin, the family representative here. He's the one negotiating the deal with the King."</p><p></p><p>Philip clenched his fists at the name "del Orofin".</p><p></p><p>"Who's this Juan Antonio?"</p><p></p><p>"He's the son of Pilar del Orofin, one of the senior family members. Kind of young to be handling something this important -- I bet Pilar is grooming him for future leadership. Supposed to be good with a rapier, at least he's killed a few folks in duels back in Cadencia."</p><p></p><p>Philip sneered and put a hand on the hilt of his father's sword. He spoke quietly.</p><p></p><p>"There must be a copy of the agreement there. I say we break in, search the place, steal the document and get out of town before anyone even knows we're here."</p><p></p><p>"What about Boyce? He's expecting to show us around the palace."</p><p></p><p>Elena smiled.</p><p></p><p>"Assuming he wasn't feeding us a complete pack of lies. I wouldn't trust that man any farther than I could throw him. What?"</p><p></p><p>The last question was directed at Arrafin, who was regarding Elena with a skeptical expression. She hurriedly looked down at the tabletop.</p><p></p><p>"Nothing, nothing."</p><p></p><p>Elena scowled around at the others.</p><p></p><p>"It's not like I have some crush on him. Sure, he's handsome enough, but I'm not some silly girl losing her head over the first guy to wink at her. I'm NOT falling for with Boyce. As if."</p><p></p><p>Boyce coughed from behind her.</p><p></p><p>"I won't say I'm not disappointed."</p><p></p><p>*****</p><p></p><p>"That's Roanna, Captain of the Palace Guard. Hey, Ro, whaddya know?"</p><p></p><p>Boyce waved at the tall woman in her gleaming armour, who smiled back and shook out her hair. Elena's scowl deepened. She still hadn't looked at Arrafin since they'd left the River Inn.</p><p></p><p>The palace gleamed with polished marble, brass and dark teak. Everywhere the clank of armour and the tramp of booted feet. Every belt supported either a big battlefield sword or, sometimes, a massive double-headed axe. Even the Chancellor looked ready to take on half the Kishak army.</p><p></p><p>Philip sighed. The people of the Gap were mad, always ready to go to war over the slightest provocation -- with each other. He could understand cutting down Kishaks anywhere they stood, but fighting each other seemed the height of idiocy.</p><p></p><p>Nevid's mind was racing. Boyce really WAS connected to King Percival. He certainly had full access to the palace, where everyone seemed to treat him like a well-loved little brother, indulgent of his lackadasical attitude and cheery nonchalance. And he seemed to trust Nevid and the others absolutely -- he was blithely showing them around the palace without the slightest hint of concern.</p><p></p><p>He dropped back to whisper to Philip.</p><p></p><p>"You know, it might be easier to break in here and steal the document. There must be a copy here as well."</p><p></p><p>"Well," said Philip, "At least at the del Orofin house the guards aren't already on a first-name basis with us."</p><p></p><p>"Juan Antonio! Let me introduce you to my friends."</p><p></p><p>Both Nevid and Philip froze as Boyce waved over a tall, hook-nosed individual in the red and yellow of the del Orofin. The newcomer looked over the little group with evident disdain.</p><p></p><p>"This is Elena de los Santos, Arrafin al-Fasir beni Hassan, Nevid of the del Maraviez and Philip di Guzma."</p><p></p><p>His eyes widened as Philip's name was given and he stared at the burly Saijadani, clearly thinking with furious speed. He came to some decision and smiled, then sneered.</p><p></p><p>"del Maraviez lapdogs. Go back to Isabella and tell her her meddling will do no good here."</p><p></p><p>Boyce looked back and forth between Juan Antonio and his friends.</p><p></p><p>"We'll just be moving along, then. Sorry to bother you, Senor del Orofin."</p><p></p><p>As they walked off, Arrafin turned to Philip.</p><p></p><p>"Do you know him?"</p><p></p><p>"No. Why?"</p><p></p><p>"Well I can't imagine somebody would hate you that much unless they knew you."</p><p></p><p>Arrafin frowned.</p><p></p><p>"I didn't quite mean that the way it sounded."</p><p></p><p>"It's okay. No, I've never met him before."</p><p></p><p>"He sure seemed to know your name."</p><p></p><p>"Yes. He sure did."</p><p></p><p>Philip bit his lip.</p><p></p><p>"I shouldn't have come. I'm endangering the mission."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="barsoomcore, post: 1232697, member: 812"] Arrafin scribbled madly as Kalibar spoke. "The human mind has powers undreamed of by most. Sadly, for the majority of us, if we do not receive training to develop these abilities at a very young age, the mind grows resistant and unable to manifest these powers. "For some, however, the power lurks so strongly within them that even without training, it begins to manifest. Such are you, Elena. Within your mind this power lives, radiant enough that I could perceive it before you were even aware of its existence. "I can draw this power forth, Elena de los Santos, if you wish." Elena looked over at Arrafin. The Naridic girl's normally wide eyes seemed to fill half her face. She nodded, curls shaking. Elena scowled and turned back to the old man. "Alright. Is it going to hurt?" "Hold still." Arrafin forgot to write as she watched the frail old man reach out and grasp Elena's face in a gnarled hand. He smiled and exhaled slowly. Elena's eyes fluttered and she sagged, groaning quietly. Startled, Arrafin moved to help her friend, but Nitara's strong hand on her shoulder restrained her. "She'll be fine." She stared in confusion and growing wonder as a fine tracery of dark lines worked themselves into Elena's face, like a striking, but barely visible tattoo of some abstract design. Elena's eyes popped open and she sat up, staring around her in confusion. "That's the weirdest thing I've ever seen." ***** Breakfast at the River Inn was a wholesome affair of eggs whipped and fried with spicy sausage, fresh peppers, sliced cabbage and sharp winter onions, served with an almost-frozen mix of wine and fruit. Philip came downstairs with his mouth watering, to find the two girls eating quietly. "Where's Nevid?" They both shrugged. "What's the plan?" Another shrug. "Are we going to the palace?" Elena did not look up as she spoke. "Don't know." Philip stood for a second, unhappy with the lack of information but too confused by the attitude of his friends to figure out how to proceed, then shrugged and sat down. Women had largely been a source of confusion in Philip's life, anyway, so that Elena and Arrafin were behaving in some incomprehensible manner only reaffirmed his notions. He signalled for food and got down to business. Arrafin looked up, glanced quickly at Philip and then studied Elena's face. The lines that had formed there last night were just barely visible, surrounding the Saijadani woman's eyes in a delicate filigree of curls and swoops. Elena met her eyes and they stared at each other for a second. Arrafin was burning with questions, but last night Elena had refused to talk about what had happened, and now, in front of Philip, she just couldn't bring herself to mention it. She took a deep breath and smiled, then turned to Philip. "It's too bad we don't have Aubrey with us. This would be right up his alley, don't you think?" Philip nodded and wiped at his chin. Elena scowled. "I guess Isabella had more important things for him to do." Philip shrugged. "I get the impression she was more worried about those Kishaks in Highpass than her note let on. I hope he's okay. They find out he's spying, he's not going to last long. There's probably [i]Nevakada[/i] agents all over that town." All three of them suppressed a shudder at the mention of the Kishak secret service. "So? There's probably [i]Nevakada[/i] here, too. One of us is probably a [i]Nevakada[/i] agent." The three friends looked up to find Nevid standing at the head of the table, studying them curiously. Elena stood up to glare at him. "How can you say that? You think I'm a Nevakada agent? To hell with you." Nevid swallowed and backed away from Elena, who was substantially taller than he and clearly outweighed him by a significant amount. "I'm not saying that. Just, I mean, you never know, right? That's all. I'm not saying you're a, you know, that we shouldn't..." Arrafin rolled her eyes. "Sit down, Nevid. Elena won't hurt you." Elena raised her eyebrows in silent query but sat down again, still glowering at Nevid, who managed to get himself into a seat without shaking too much. He leaned forward and spoke quietly. "The del Orofin have rented a house here in town. Collette is staying there along with Juan Antonio del Orofin, the family representative here. He's the one negotiating the deal with the King." Philip clenched his fists at the name "del Orofin". "Who's this Juan Antonio?" "He's the son of Pilar del Orofin, one of the senior family members. Kind of young to be handling something this important -- I bet Pilar is grooming him for future leadership. Supposed to be good with a rapier, at least he's killed a few folks in duels back in Cadencia." Philip sneered and put a hand on the hilt of his father's sword. He spoke quietly. "There must be a copy of the agreement there. I say we break in, search the place, steal the document and get out of town before anyone even knows we're here." "What about Boyce? He's expecting to show us around the palace." Elena smiled. "Assuming he wasn't feeding us a complete pack of lies. I wouldn't trust that man any farther than I could throw him. What?" The last question was directed at Arrafin, who was regarding Elena with a skeptical expression. She hurriedly looked down at the tabletop. "Nothing, nothing." Elena scowled around at the others. "It's not like I have some crush on him. Sure, he's handsome enough, but I'm not some silly girl losing her head over the first guy to wink at her. I'm NOT falling for with Boyce. As if." Boyce coughed from behind her. "I won't say I'm not disappointed." ***** "That's Roanna, Captain of the Palace Guard. Hey, Ro, whaddya know?" Boyce waved at the tall woman in her gleaming armour, who smiled back and shook out her hair. Elena's scowl deepened. She still hadn't looked at Arrafin since they'd left the River Inn. The palace gleamed with polished marble, brass and dark teak. Everywhere the clank of armour and the tramp of booted feet. Every belt supported either a big battlefield sword or, sometimes, a massive double-headed axe. Even the Chancellor looked ready to take on half the Kishak army. Philip sighed. The people of the Gap were mad, always ready to go to war over the slightest provocation -- with each other. He could understand cutting down Kishaks anywhere they stood, but fighting each other seemed the height of idiocy. Nevid's mind was racing. Boyce really WAS connected to King Percival. He certainly had full access to the palace, where everyone seemed to treat him like a well-loved little brother, indulgent of his lackadasical attitude and cheery nonchalance. And he seemed to trust Nevid and the others absolutely -- he was blithely showing them around the palace without the slightest hint of concern. He dropped back to whisper to Philip. "You know, it might be easier to break in here and steal the document. There must be a copy here as well." "Well," said Philip, "At least at the del Orofin house the guards aren't already on a first-name basis with us." "Juan Antonio! Let me introduce you to my friends." Both Nevid and Philip froze as Boyce waved over a tall, hook-nosed individual in the red and yellow of the del Orofin. The newcomer looked over the little group with evident disdain. "This is Elena de los Santos, Arrafin al-Fasir beni Hassan, Nevid of the del Maraviez and Philip di Guzma." His eyes widened as Philip's name was given and he stared at the burly Saijadani, clearly thinking with furious speed. He came to some decision and smiled, then sneered. "del Maraviez lapdogs. Go back to Isabella and tell her her meddling will do no good here." Boyce looked back and forth between Juan Antonio and his friends. "We'll just be moving along, then. Sorry to bother you, Senor del Orofin." As they walked off, Arrafin turned to Philip. "Do you know him?" "No. Why?" "Well I can't imagine somebody would hate you that much unless they knew you." Arrafin frowned. "I didn't quite mean that the way it sounded." "It's okay. No, I've never met him before." "He sure seemed to know your name." "Yes. He sure did." Philip bit his lip. "I shouldn't have come. I'm endangering the mission." [/QUOTE]
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