Part the Sixty-First
In which: the party enjoys the hospitality of the Sovereignty, and seeks to recompense their hosts.
After a few more days of riding, the party comes across signs of human habitation. First Eva spots a hill, terraced into farmland. Then, the party notices human peasants, working the fields. They’re oddly dressed to the eyes of the travelers, wearing wide-brimmed hats in the shape of a shallow cone. As they approach, they can also see that these workers are also obviously very poor.
Anvil rides at the head of the party, and he signals to one of the peasants. Tentatively, the man approaches, bowing deeply.
“What is your name?” Anvil demands.
“I am Kooni, Honored Justicar,” he says, almost too softly to hear, and further muffled by another deep bow.
“Whose lands are these? And speak up this time.” Anvil is completely unruffled by the man’s excessive deference.
Kooni visibly flinches, and steals a glance up towards Anvil’s face before bowing again even more deeply and replying, with a bit more volume, “My master is His Honored Lord Agasha Yosomotu, long may Kettenek preserve him in good health, and yourself and your honored companions as well, Honored Justicar.”
Anvil nods. “And you as well. Tell me, where can find Lord Yosomotu?”
Kooni looks up again and blinks rapidly in confusion before bowing this time. “Lord Agasha’s manor is to the north. If you continue on this road you cannot miss it, Honored Justicar.”
“Thank you, you may return to your duties.”
The man bows and makes his thanks before practically sprinting back to his place in the fields. The party watches him go.
“That human was terrified,” Reyu observes.
Thatch looks over at her. “Even I could tell that.”
“I wonder what kind of man this Lord Agasha is?” Eva asks.
“Well,” says Anvil, “there is only one way to find out.” He turns his horse back to the road, and begins walking north again. A somewhat subdued party follows him.
###
A few hours later, the party is met on the road by two mounted men riding south. They wear leather armor with a symbol of Kettenek as a crest. Both are armed with exotic-looking swords and small shields. They announce that they have been sent to escort the party to the household of Lord Agasha Yosomotu.
“Excellent,” Anvil replies.
Eva, Dennis, and Lira exchange more wary glances, but have little choice but to follow the guards.
Lord Agasha’s manor is a low, timber-frame building built on stone foundations. It is surrounded by rock gardens with sparsely planted ornamental trees laid out with an aesthetic very different than what one would find in the Confederacy.
The party dismounts in a courtyard, where they are met by Lord Agasha Yosomotu. Lord Agasha is remarkably spry for a man of his apparent age, but when he steps forward, the party can see that the years have conspired to slow him somewhat. His son, Agasha Hiru, probably in his forties himself, stands behind him, hovering at his father’s elbow.
“Greetings,” Lord Agasha nods to the party, “you are far from your home. May I ask what brings you to my lands?”
The party, per previous agreement, lets Anvil take point. He explains their mission to seek out the archmage of the Kuio Valley, and asks if Lord Agasha has any information on where they could find such a place.
“Ah, I regret that I cannot help you, but I would be honored if you would accept my hospitality for the evening.”
Anvil takes a quick glance over his shoulder to the rest of the group. The prospect of sleeping in a bed for the first time since they left Noran is evidently a popular one. He turns back to Lord Agasha. “The honor would be ours.”
Before they enter the house, Lord Agasha and his son stop to remove their shoes. The party does as well, although they find traveling boots take a little more effort to shed than the sandals worn by the locals. Anvil takes the opportunity of waiting for Thatch to unlace his boots to asks Lord Hiru if the household has a shrine to Kettenek, that he might make his prayers there that night.
“Of course, Justicar,” he replies. “The rest of your companions are certainly welcome to make use of it as well.”
Anvil nods. “I will tell them. Although, they usually make their own observances in their own ways.”
Hiru blinks for a moment, and casts a careful eye over the rest of the party. However, all he says is, “I see. Dinner is at seven. There will be a gong announcing it is time to gather at the table. Please be punctual.”
###
Dinner, when it comes, is a pleasant affair, although the party finds the food unfamiliar and has a little bit of difficulty learning to use chopsticks. Anvil eventually gives up entirely and eats with his fingers.
It seems that Lord Agasha was, in his day, quite the hunter, and the house is filled with mounted trophies of his various kills. Thatch is entranced.
“A few days ago, we saw these lizards,” he explains, “they were blue with these sparks that came off their heads…”
“Ah yes, shocker lizards… very dangerous prey.” Lord Agasha points to a corner where a stuffed shocker lizard crouches, as though ready to pounce. “You are lucky you were not harmed. If you could stay longer, I would take you to hunt them.”
Reyu, trying not to look at all the dead animals stuck to the walls, notices that Hiru shifts a bit when his father mentions going hunting. Thatch however, continues the conversation, oblivious. “Have you ever seen a giant squirrel?…”
###
The party is quartered that night in their own wing of the house. It is actually one great room, subdivided with sliding paper screens into two chambers with a hallway between. By the exterior door, there’s a communal washstand; the only other furnishings are the futons laid out for the party to sleep on.
Eva puts down her shoes by her bed, and surveys the chamber she shares with Lira and Reyu. Lira is already out for the night, Euro curled beside her on the pillow. Reyu is outside watching the stars.
Eva tests the bed. It’s hard. But compared to sleeping on the ground, it’s heavenly. Soon, she too is asleep and dreaming…
…dreaming that she’s home, in Dar Darine, walking along the city boulevards by the Senator’s Park, but Reyu is there, and suddenly, the ground begins to shake, and…
No, it’s not the ground that’s shaking, it’s her. It’s just before dawn, and in the grey light filtering through the walls she can see Reyu leaning over her, shaking her by the shoulder. Eva blinks groggily.
“What is it?”
“Lord Hiru wishes to speak to us.”
“Are we in trouble?” Eva asks, but Reyu is already gone.
She splashes a little cold water on her face as she emerges to join the others. Lord Hiru is there, and looks to be in a bit of a state.
“…Apparently, this bear has been killing Lord Fau Meen’s peasants for weeks, but he will do nothing. Finally, one of them came here, seeking aid, and now my father is determined to hunt the animal down himself.”
“Is he not a mighty hunter?” Anvil asks.
Hiru sighs. “My father was the greatest hunter of his generation, even before the rest of his generation admitted they were old men and left the hunting to their children. He will not admit weakness, but if he goes after this bear alone, it will surely kill him.”
“What do you wish of us?” Reyu wants to know.
“Ask him for the honor of accompanying him. Do not tell him it was my idea, and do not let him deny you.” Hiru sighs, but his eyes shine with something akin to desperation. “He will not be pleased if he senses you are an escort, but… an entourage might be acceptable.”
The party exchanges glances.
“I know you are already on a mission, but I will compensate you for your trouble. And,” he adds, “you will have my gratitude.”
Thatch looks at Hiru seriously. “I would be honored to hunt with such a warrior.” Dennis shoots him a look. “What? I really would.”
Dennis just shakes his head. “You’ve been hanging around the Justicars too long, kid.”
“You—You will go then?” Hiru asks.
Anvil nods. “We shall.”
Hiru bows. “Thank you. Quickly, you must gather your things and be ready to go before he departs. Mount your horses and we will meet you in the courtyard.” Then, as he goes he adds, “Do not let him think you are watching over him!”
Minutes later the party is mounted and waiting in the courtyard as Lord Agasha is coming out to mount his own horse. Seeing the party, he stops cold.
“What are you all doing here?” he demands. He turns back to his son, “Hiru, what is the meaning of this?”
“They wish to accompany you on the hunt, Father.” Hiru bows.
Thatch quickly adds, “A mighty hunter such as yourself, I’m sure we could all learn much from your example.” Behind him, Benedic and Reyu nod.
Lord Agasha does not seem flattered. “Could you now?” He surveys the group, eyes settling on Lira. “You don’t look like much of a hunter.”
She ducks her head. “Appearances can be deceiving.”
“They did ward off three shocker lizards,” Hiru reminds his father.
“Dealing with this bear is going to require more than throwing a few rocks,” Agasha replies acidly.
“We are certainly capable of more, if it is required.” Anvil states.
Agasha sighs darkly. “Oh, it will. Do not be mistaken.” He swings up to his horse and turns to face the party once more. “I ride hard. If you cannot keep up, I will not slow for you.”
And with that, he kicks off to a gallop. The party follows close behind.
