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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Delemental" data-source="post: 4833724" data-attributes="member: 5203">    “Cherak.”    The word came from his own lips, though his voice sounded different, more feminine.  He felt different in his body as well – not strange, just different, as though he were wearing a new set of clothes in an unfamiliar style, but which had been tailored just for him.    He was looking down at the city laid out before him, the collection of simple buildings that comprised the city, or at least the poor, land-bound portion.  He would start here, he knew, but the object of his search lay elsewhere.    “I will know what you are planning, Wind of Heaven,” he said to himself in his woman’s voice.  He (though he was no longer certain that ‘he’ was correct) cast his gaze beyond Cherak’s slums, to the true city beyond the shore…    “Ghost?”    He blinked, and looked about, slightly disoriented.  He looked for a moment at the ocean stretching out past Cherak’s docks, expecting for a split second to see… something.    Ayama stood next to him, a quizzical look on his face.  “You have the look of someone lost in their own thoughts,” she commented.    “It is nothing,” he said.  “A daydream.”    The five travelers stood atop a small rise, on the road leading down to the city of Cherak.  The city spread out from the shore, sprawling out from the wall marking the boundary of the old city.  From here, they could see that construction had begun on a new outer wall, nearly complete at the far edges of the city near the shore, and slowly arcing to meet in the middle.  Perhaps a third of the wall had been completed.    “What do you know of this city?” Ayama asked.  “I have heard only that it is known for smuggling.”    “It is a major port for the North,” Kaliel replied.  “In particular for the Realm.”  His attention was drawn toward the endless ocean beyond; though he had traveled widely in his life, he had never had the opportunity to see a true sea, and the sun dancing off the blue waves was mesmerizing to him.    “I would use stronger words than that,” Zanka said.  “It is a true satrapy of the Empire, practically an extension of the Blessed Isle.  The two major Great Houses in power here are the V’neef and the Ragara.”    “The Guild ships a great quantity of opium here,” Ghost added, “though the market is fairly tightly controlled.  It is known that the Realm’s own merchants ship in qat to give to the workers as a portion of their pay.”    A look of disgust crossed Ayama’s face.  “The use of drugs is unhealthy and vile.”    “But relatively harmless, considering the many alternatives that could be used,” Ghost pointed out.  “I can see where your thoughts are heading, Ayama, and while I am not unsympathetic, I suggest we walk lightly here.  Our intentions are not to remain in Cherak long.”    Ayama sighed.  “Very well, though I will do what I can while we are here.”  She turned to the young boy they had rescued from the village ravaged by the Wyld Hunt.  “Remember, you are my nephew.”  The boy, who they had dubbed ‘Luc’ when they learned that he had been given no name of his own, nodded in understanding.  Luc had remained mostly under Ayama’s tutelage during their travels, though he also took instruction in martial arts from Kaliel.  It was clear that the boy had led a hard life and had mostly fended for himself, fighting off other boys in the village.  Thus he had some experience in unarmed combat, though it was undisciplined.    “Then let us head into the city,” Ghost said, “ so that we may start making inquiries as to who did or did not accompany the Vermillion Legion out of port.”    “Will these inquiries be best accomplished by coercion?” Kaliel asked.    “Simple questions will do, Kaliel,” admonished Zanka.  “I suggest that you accompany me while I inquire among the legitimate merchants, while Ghost can check with the local smugglers to see if they know anything of Kalliope or Kassandra.”    They joined up to the main road leading to Cherak, and passed into the city with no troubles, passing by the minimal military waystation without incident.  Once within the bounds of the city, however, they were held up along the road by a large caravan ahead navigating through a narrow section of road.  While waiting, they noticed an ornate palanquin passing by, carried on the shoulders of eight burly slaves.  As the palanquin came close to the four Solars, a woman’s hand appeared through the silk curtains, signaling a stop.  The curtains parted, and Kaliel found himself face to face with a stunning woman, a courtesan whose physical beauty rivaled that of even Zanka.    The woman smiled serenely, but then turned her gaze to the man standing next to him.  “Greetings, Chuzei Tendo,” she said to Ghost.  “It is you, is it not, Tendo?”    Ghost beamed.  “Correct as usual, Pearl.  I would not have expected to see you here in the North.”    “Nor I you,” the courtesan replied.  “You are far from home.”    “Much has happened since we last spoke.”    “I am sure.  Tell me, who are your companions?”    Ghost blushed slightly.  “Of course, forgive me.”  He turned to the others.  “This is Pearlescent Lotus Whispers, whom I know from my youth in Greyfalls.  It was she who was most instrumental in my early education – far more so than my official tutors.  Pearl, this is Ayama, a healer from the village of Petgrana, and her nephew, Luc.  The young woman is Zanka Odokari, from the Northern tribes near Crystal.  And this…”    “Kaliel,” he warrior said, stepping forward.  “Protector of the city of Chrysanthemum and Captain of the Knights of the Golden Flower.”    “It is an honor to meet you all,” she said.  “I am on my way to visit a client at the moment.  Where are you staying?”    “Perhaps you could recommend an establishment?” Zanka asked.    “Then I suggest the Water Fire Inn,” Pearl said.  “It is against the inner wall, to the west of this road.  I advise that you move onto that smaller road there, and cut back at the first plaza.  You will reach it much faster that way.  I will join you this evening.”    “It would be pleasant to spend more time in your company, my lady,” Kaliel said, bowing.    Pearl smiled. “You have no idea.”  The curtains closed, and the palanquin began moving again, soon vanishing behind them.    Ayama looked at Ghost.  “My, what an interesting education you must have received under her tutelage.”    “Indeed,” Ghost answered, “Pearl was among the first to recognize my true calling in life.”    “As a thief, you mean,” Kaliel said.    “As one with talents in being in forbidden places and hearing forbidden things,” Ghost corrected.  “In defense of her honor, however, I must make it clear that I have never engaged her in her professional capacity.  Not that I never entertained the thought, but even I have some sense of propriety.”    “The relationship between master and student is only muddied by that type of fraternization,” Ayama observed.      “Or more likely he simply could not afford her services,” Zanka joked.    Ghost turned to face the Crowned Sun, and it was one of the rare times that he was not smiling.  “I make no apologies for the manner in which I live my life,” he said.  “But I will not be accused of being devoid of all morals.  I have refrained from approaching either you or Ayama for intimate companionship since the day each of you declined my initial propositions, have I not?  Or do you think I am merely biding my time for an opportunity to crawl under your skirts?”    “No one impugns your honor, Ghost,” Ayama said, stepping in.  “Perhaps we only reflect that a woman as lovely and refined as Pearlescent Lotus Whispers would be nearly irresistible.”    “Indeed,” Kaliel agreed.    Ghost paused, then relaxed.  “Well, you do not know how true that is until you have spoken with her further.  Since we will be seeing her again this evening, I should make one thing clear to you all.  When I mentioned that she was among the first to realize my true calling, I mean that in the fullest sense of the word.”  He looked at everyone meaningfully.    “Then she knows you are a Solar,” Kaliel said.    Zanka reached up and placed her fingers on Kaliel’s lips, while Ayama and Ghost looked around to see if his words had carried.  “Perhaps we ought to wait until we are alone to have this conversation,” Zanka suggested.    Kaliel shrugged.  He was accustomed to his nature being public knowledge.  Everyone in his city knew, of course, and his Exaltation had occurred during a battle in the Scavenger Lands, so many in that region knew his secret as well.    They arrived at the Water Fire Inn, a sturdy but respectable merchant-class inn which had been built directly against the inner wall.  A sign bearing bisected emblems of the Elemental Dragons of Water and Fire identified it to travelers.  They obtained two rooms to share between the men and women, not wanting to draw attention by displaying excessive wealth.  They spent the afternoon acclimating themselves to the city, each pursuing the social venues they were most comfortable with.  Kaliel learned that the outer wall under construction was being built as a precaution against the Bull of the North; though the Bull had not been seen in the region or indicated any interest in Cherak, the Realm’s satrap had decided to take no chances.  Ghost made some initial contacts with the local underworld, Zanka learned the names of the most prominent nobles and officials in the city, and Ayama spent her time among the poor, and also went with Luc to the market to find him some more suitable clothing than the rags he wore.    When they returned to the Water Fire Inn, they found that a private dining room had already been prepared for them.  They were each also offered a private bath before dining, a luxury of which each took advantage, even Luc, though he had to be persuaded somewhat by Ayama.  Pearlescent Lotus Whispers was there to greet them at dinner when they were washed and dressed, and had ordered a fine feast consisting of local oceanic delicacies.  Ghost sat next to his mentor, while Kaliel took the place opposite him on the courtesan’s other side.  Ayama and Luc sat across from each other as well, and Zanka took the end of the table opposite Pearl.  Ayama noted that throughout the evening, Luc had great difficulty determining where to rest his gaze.    “What brings you to Cherak, young Ghost?” Pearl asked as they sipped tea from gilded porcelain cups.  “The last I had heard of you, you were involved in some negotiations in Lynnisbrook, were you not?”    “Kaliel has brought us here,” the Night Caste replied, “or rather, his sisters.  They were taken in a raid on his home city by the Tepet Legions, before they retreated from the North.  Since they sailed from Cherak, we have come to try and pick up their trail.”    “I see,” Pearl said.  “The Roseblack is well known for maintaining strict discipline among her soldiers, and with the condition the Legions were in when they left, I presume that any ‘extra passengers’ would have been highly discouraged.  Thus captives would have been sold as slaves before they left.”  She turned and rested her hand upon Kaliel’s arm.  “How long ago did this occur, Lightbringer?”    Kaliel paused at Pearl’s touch.  “A little over a year ago,” he said to her.    The courtesan paused to sip her tea.  “I would advise looking into the business records of House V’neef here in Cherak over the past two years,” she said at last.  “I believe you will find them enlightening.”    At the end of the table, Luc suddenly flinched, as though he’d been nodding off and awoken, though Ayama knew he’d been awake and attentive the entire time.  He then looked down at his lap, his face slightly reddened.    “Thank you for the advice,” Ghost said.  “That sounds like a matter which Zanka would be most qualified to pursue.  I intend to approach the smugglers tomorrow.”    The six of them exchanges small talk and pleasantries for the remainder of the evening.  As they enjoyed their desserts, Pearl warned them that there were known to be two Wyld Hunts in the area.    “I would advise caution,” she said.    “I believe confronting a Wyld Hunt would be refreshing,” Kaliel replied.    “One of them is led by Peleps Deled himself.”    “We know.  We have seen his handiwork.  All the more reason to end him.”    “You will die,” Pearl said.  “As will anyone with you.”    “Perhaps.”    “There is no ‘perhaps’,” she said, a hint of sternness in her tone.  “In a year or two, there may be room for some optimism in that regard, but not at the present.  Save your righteous fury.”  She took a delicate bite of her pastry.  “At any rate, Deled has not been seen near Cherak for nearly a season.  The other Wyld Hunt active in the region is not nearly so experienced.  They have mostly concentrated their efforts on hunting Lunar Exalts, who have been seen with increasing frequency in the area.  Their methods are… crude, relatively speaking, and they were involved in a rather unfortunate incident in the city not long ago which has not endeared them with the common people.  They have apparently not been taught discretion in regard to manifesting their elemental animas in populated areas.” *    “We will heed your warnings,” Ayama said to her.  “We do not plan to remain in this city long regardless.”    “Of course,” Pearl said, as she rose.  “I am afraid I must take my leave now.  It was wonderful to meet you all, and hopefully our paths will cross again.  It was good to see you again, Resplendent Ghost of Midnight.”    He bowed.  “And you, Pearlescent Lotus Whispers.”    “Do you require an escort home?” Kaliel asked.    “I thank you, but I must decline.  I have a business engagement to attend.”    “Perhaps another time.”    Pearl smiled, and then walked gracefully out of the room.  After she left, Ayama turned to Luc.    “During the meal, I noted that something disturbed you.  What was it?”    Initially Luc protested, and tried to explain it as a slight gaffe on his part.  But under the Zenith’s persistent gaze, he finally relented.    “She gave me a note,” he said, pulling a small folded square of parchment from a pocket of his tunic.  The symbol of the Cult of the Illuminated was drawn on the outside.    “She gave this to you?” Ayama asked, taking the note from his hand.  She knew that Luc could not read, and so she opened the parchment up.  Inside was only one sentence - It is not time to go to the Blessed Isle.  Ayama informed the others of the contents of the message, though she was as unclear as the others as to the intent.  Ghost mentioned that he often found the courtesan to be far more knowledgeable about matters than he would expect, and that he trusted her.    “How did she give that to you in the middle of dinner?” Zanka asked.  “You were across the table from her.”    Luc’s face reddened again.  “She has nimble toes.”-------------------------------* All Exalted emit a visible aura as they spend Essence to use their powers.  At the highest levels, Solar animas manifest as a totemic image; Ghost's is a spider monkey, Kaliel's is a pair of golden wings raining chrysanthemums, etc.  Regardless of the form, Solar animas are harmless.  Terrestrial Exalts (or Dragon-Bloods), on the other hand, do not manifest totemic images, but their animas are manifestations of one of the five elements, and at the highest levels these animas actually cause damage to the surroundings.  What Pearl is referring to here is that the Wyld Hunt in question likely became involved in a serious battle inside the city, and their animas ended up killing a number of civilians in the area.</blockquote>

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