The Heart Of Ruhir

[ThetaOrionis01]

Kyrika is taken aback by the manner of the one who calls himself Kane. What uncouth place does he stem from, to speak so rudely? And if truly he is only looking out for his own interests, what harm might he not do to the group?

 

But of course it is not her place to question him - that, she feels, is the prerogative of the leader of their group. But who is their leader? As she can recall, Desani did not appoint one. Yet she feels it is imperative they appoint one, if their quest is to succeed. There is so much to be discussed - but perhaps she is the only one who does not know anything about this country, and the others have already formed plans. She frowns - she is certain that at least one other person attended the meeting with Desani, yet is nowhere to be seen among the crowd in the tavern.

 

She is glad when what she perceives as an uneasy silence is broken by the bard. He seems friendly, although his appearance is such that she finds it hard not to stare. She bows her head to Khyros.

 

"My name is Kyrika, and I hail from Niyobi. I perceive that you, too, are a stranger in this country. How do you endure the heat? I have not yet grown accustomed to this climate - even in summer I have not known it to be this hot in Niyobi."

 

She smiles apologetically at the others. "I hope you will not think me ignorant and of little use to our task, but I fear there is so much I do not know about this country. I am not even certain what equipment I shall require, and hope that you will be able to advise me. I had just enquired of Lord Valantius how one travels between cities in this place, and I have many more questions yet - I hope I will not try your patience too much."

[WereWolf531]

Khyros laughs before responding, "You think too little of yourself! I assure you that you will be an essential part of this group. All of us are foreigners here, so don't belittle yourself because you don't know much of this place. I'm probably in the same state as you are in terms of foreign cultures!" He laughs again before continuing, "As for this heat, it's unbearable to me. I'm used to spending my entire life underwater, so this really couldn't be much more uncomfortable. Regardless, just so you guys know a bit about me, I'm an actor and musician by trade. But through those professions, I'm excellent at speechcraft and disguise. In terms of magic, I'm useless, unless you consider music to be magic. But in combat, I have a little skill with a trident, but not nearly as much combat skill as these two," motioning towards the two Jourtresians. "Anyway, that's about it for me, I'm sure we are all specialized in certain areas or Bharat would've never trusted us. so who's next to explain themselves?"

[ThetaOrionis01]

Kyrika waits politely, to give Valantius and Kane a chance to speak. But when both of them remain silent she feels it is impolite to keep Khyros waiting for a reply.

 

"Have you tried the hot, sweet tea they serve here? I have found it an excellent means of quenching my thirst, and indeed, I recommended it to our companion over there." She inclines her head towards the tattoed man. "As for my trade, I fear I have none, and the best I can offer are some skills and... abilities... I have. Spending my youth as an unwanted guest in my sister's house, a house full of politics, intrigue and secrets, I have learnt to move silently. There were many times when my sister would walk past without noticing me as I stood in the shadows. I overheard many things not meant for my ears because no one knew I was present in the room. My curiosity led me to practice picking locks - the best use for hairpins I have found. If you show me a piece of writing, I can copy the author's hand, and even forge a signature - a skill which saved me from captivity."

 

She pauses. "You see, I have an ability that my countrymen view with suspicion, and that the authorities of Niyobi seek to suppress. Once my sister's husband discovered that the skill was in my family I was no longer safe."

 

Kyrika lowers her voice, so that only the members of her party should be able to hear it, and not the entire tavern.

 

"I am a shapeshifter; I can adopt the shape of any animal I wish, as long as it is smaller than my normal form. As a bird I can fly, as a spider I can scale walls - and many more."

 

Anxiously she looks at the others, to see what their reaction will be.

[Morgoth]

Completely absorbed in the act of slowly emptying the cup of tea and enjoying the uncommon but pleasant taste of the brew, Chucahau hears little of the talk around him (and misses Khyros' remark about his usual environment, which would have otherwise incited quite a different reaction from him) until he notices a sudden drop in the noise level.

 

"I am a shapeshifter; I can adopt the shape of any animal I wish, as long as it is smaller than my normal form. As a bird I can fly, as a spider I can scale walls - and many more."

 

His eyes widen, and he begins to tremble all over his body. "Aeea!" he exclaims, and jumping from his chair, drops onto his knees in front of Kyrika, his forehead pressed firmly onto the ground. "Thank you, oh Great Mother, my journey's destination I have found! Forgive me, oh Great Mother, that I did not recognize you! Forgive me, oh Great Mother, that I did not show you more respect when we met! Forgive me!" He starts weeping.

[ixnos]

Kane doesn't speak, he sits back in his relaxing state while listening to the conversation being exchanged until the tattoo man jumps from his chair and what seems to be 'praying' to the young girl. Kane raises an eyebrow and smirks taking a gulp of his ale.

 

 

 

"What did you put in that tea...I think I will have to get me some of that...as for me...what you see is what you get...simple as...I hold no fear and no mercy...I am a fighter till death...I can repair items such as weapons and armour and can move the heavier objects that may pose problems for others such as yourselves"

 

 

 

Kane glances at the bard for a moment, remembering his introduction.

 

 

 

"Also, there is no need for humble introductions or any of that verbal sickness...my race are honest to the very last word, we have no religion and if I didn't have to work with you lot...the nobleman's tongue would have been the first thing I would have cut off...you all may prefer to be kind and courteous but I believe it doesn't get you anywhere but death..now I'm going to fill in the documents needed but we're going to need somesort of 'leader'...I ain't bothered who it is but whoever it is they will have the responsibility of choosing what we do, when we do, where we do and how we do it...so choose carefully"

 

 

 

OOC:

 

 

 

Name:Kane Nighy

 

age:26

 

race: Jourtresian

 

class: Mercenary

 

abilities: armourer, block, natural strength (has more strength than the average fighter), master swordsman, survival skills (can hunt food, build shelter and so on)

 

 

 

Weapons: Family Crested Longsword and Broadsword, Dagger concealed under armour

 

 

 

Armour:Family crested heavy armour

 

 

 

Items: pouches clipped to his waist full of gold

 

 

Items to buy: Food and drink

[ThetaOrionis01]

It takes all the discipline installed in Kyrika from earliest childhood on not to let her shock and surprise show as the tattooed man throws himself on the ground in front of her.

 

What will the other patrons of the tavern make of this? Kyrika doesn't relish the idea of being lynched by a superstitious mob, and hopes that Khyros or Valantius may be able to diffuse the situation. It seems that no help in that regard will be forthcoming from Kane.

 

'What kind of life must he have had, to be so completely... disregarding... of anything and anyone other than himself?'

 

 

She sinks to her knees beside the man at her feet.

 

"I am greatly honoured and flattered, that you think me someone so important to you - but I am afraid that you must be mistaken. I don't think I am who you think I am - I am not anyone of importance, I am just me, Kyrika. Perhaps you have been sent a sign, and I think it is important that you tell us all why you think I am the Great Mother - but this tavern is not a good place. Too many people are watching and listening here. Please, will you get up and tell us your name? I am Kyrika, and I come from a land of mountains and forests, the cold land of Niyobi."

[Morgoth]

You fool! Chucahau chides himself when he listens carefully to Kyrika's words. As though our Great Mother wants to reveal her true identity in public, with all those blasphemous and faithless bystanders! You are making one mistake after the other! Your little intellect will earn you severe punishment some time!

 

He lifts his head from the floor and looks respectfully at Kyrika. In his current emotional state, his harsh and slightly raspy pronunciation are additionally intensified. "F ... forgive me ... I ... I ... it's ... you are right. Let us go somewhere we can talk ... alone."

 

He gets up quickly and fetches his wooden staff from the lean, then turns around and looks expectantly at Kyrika as though he is awaiting orders where he should go.

[ThetaOrionis01]

"Yes, I think it would be wise if we left this tavern," Kyrika nods. "I fear we have been attracting altogether too much attention. Lord Valantius, are your countrymen given to superstition? The sailors who rescued me after... that wave... did strike me as superstitious - they seemed to regard it as a good omen to have found me alive. But perhaps seafarers are more prone to superstition than others?"

 

 

She looks at the others, somewhat at a loss as to what to do next. Is it really appropriate for her as the youngest to make suggestions? She does not want to be perceived as ordering the others around, but equally she cannot shake off the feeling that other patrons of the taverns are staring at her.

 

"Would it be possible, do you think, do have food and drink sent to our lodgings?" she asks the others. "I must confess that I am very confused - there are so many things I would ask I hardly know where to begin. I know so little about this country, and am therefore at a loss as to what equipment I should request from Desani. Perhaps we should also ask the landlord for some pieces of parchment, so that we may begin preparing the list Desani asked for?"

 

She smiles apologetically. "All I know is how little I know. I would greatly appreciate it if we could retreat somewhere quiet where it may be easier to ask and answer questions. And, -" her gaze sweeps the room -"it seems to me that there should be at least one other member of our party. Perhaps we may find the missing member of our party back at our lodgings?"

 

She looks at the others, waiting for a reply.

[WereWolf531]

Khyros watches, slightly amused at everyone's actions. "Well, now isn't this something," he thinks to himself, "it seems one of our warriors regards Kyrika as some kind of goddess. Not only that, but our other fighter doesn't care about the group at all and someone else hasn't even shown himself yet! This is shaping up to be quite the challenge indeed..."

 

Thinking it best not to interrupt the tattooed man in his...display, after all he wasn't sure what kind of religious response that would invoke, Khyros simply stated: "I have some parchment with me, Kyrika," as he produces a quill, inkwell, and some parchment, "go ahead and use that. I guess I'll do the same in the meantime."

 

He then writes:

 

Name: Khyros

Age: 21

Race: Shallaran

Occupation: Actor

 

Skills: Persuasion, Seduction, Music, Acrobatics, Disguise, Acting, Minor skill with a trident

 

Inventory: Blue cloak, Blue shirt, Brown pants, Brown shoes, Trident, Knife, Guitar, Makeup kit (for disguises), Journal, Inkwell, Quill, Flask, decent amount of money (enough to live on for about 2 weeks).

 

Items to buy: food, drink (all I can think of at the moment).

 

OOC: sorry for not posting recently, just installed Oblivion so I've been glued to that.

[Kheskeim]

Kheskeim is captivated by being addressed as Lord Valantius by the young woman, who obviously not only has courtesy in abundance, but also knows very well the hidden magics of speech. That she on top of that seems to be able to control her display of emotions while still being expressive only enticed his interest in her even more.

 

While listening to her voice and studying her he smiles and looks concerned. So she is not from this country? She is definately different than anyone I have met before...

He sips the wine as she had just done. He don’t really like this wine at all, but it was the most prestigious he could muster from the barkeep.

 

Listening to her questions, he is quite surprised but doesn’t let it show. She seems very determined to proceed with the task given to them by Bharat Desani. He finds it odd that she didn’t ask him about his lineage, his home, or told him more about herself. Very foreign indeed.

 

He has no intention of introducing her to anyone, not just yet anyway. Maybe take her for a stroll or go someplace else at least, so they could be without the many eyes in this tavern.

Before he can respond a gruff voice disrupts the pleasant atmosphere entirely and murky skies gather above their little group. Will it be rain, storm or does the sun have a chance?

 

“Leave the poor lass alone, we all just got here and she don't need some snotty noble trying to woo her torso into your chambers”

 

Dumbstruck he turns to look at the man uttering words that would get him killed faster than he could bottom any ale, had Kheskeim just gotten there a few days before and established some authority around his person, due to his family status. Although Bharat Desani hadn’t invited him to his court at all, heck he hadn’t even wanted to talk with him it seemed... didn’t he respect the authority of the noble families? Didn’t anyone here? Without showing it on his face the fear creeps through his mind and fester his thoughts.

Kheskeim decides not to reply to the insult, but he will remember it, for as long as it takes. The stature of the man presenting himself as Kane Nighy is intimidating and if his clearly experienced hands are as quick as his tongue, Kheskeim would stand no chance at all should it escalate into a brawl. The pouches around his waist from where he pays the barkeep might hold more wealth that Kheskeim could produce at the moment, unless he sold his horse. He wasn’t used to being this severely outstripped of power; he was a cripple right now, but that would change soon, very soon.

 

He looks coldly at the mercenary, but steps a bit back signalling he does not want to confront him with his foul utterings. He hopes the fear has not shown to anyone but himself and is relieved when the big man turns his attention to the golden monster. Instead of continuing the conversation with the young woman, who he hopes does not see his act as weak, but hopefully instead shuns the mercenary, he listens to the conversations. He quickly learns that all of them are foreign to this land; too bad he is almost as much of a foreigner in this place as they are.

The golden monster turns out to be some kind of water being capable of living on land. Kheskeim is surprised to hear him speak eloquently albeit in a rather humorous accent. Khyros the Shallaran, Kane the Jourtesian and so was the other man sitting a bit away by the looks of it, Kyrika of Niyobi. Most peculiar, I never heard of these countries or indeed of persons or beings from there in my life. How strange that the lore does not tell of neighbouring countries, when apparently it is possible to transport from those to here. No wonder the country isn’t prepared for these happenings of late - whatever they are! But why were they here?

 

While contemplating what he’s hearing, he thinks of what to respond and just as important in what tone. Clearly he knows a lot more about this country than they do. Maybe he can impress them with his knowledge and put himself forward as a leader in the group. That will surely give him access to Mr. Desani and if everything failed, he would be able to decide where his little army should go next. Not a bad backup plan, he thought.

 

All of the sudden the other jourtesian jumps in front of them and drops to his knees. Instinctively Kheskeim steps two steps back and looks for the exit out of the corner of his eyes. The intent of the man is not a violent one though, rather is it a pathetic attempt at getting the woman’s attention he thinks. I should have moved faster with her... why did I keep my silence for so long? ...and what had she just said? Shapeshifter???!

Kheskeim feels completely out of the loop with so many things new to him. It is not good for a man of power to be unprepared and loose foothold. He must not let it show and has to regain control over this situation, if he is ever to be entrusted as a man of power and importance in this group.

 

He is pulled from his own thoughts by another question from the young... shapeshifter. His mind full of dread, he tries to look unsurprised and turns his head to eye to beautiful but too mysterious woman. I need information!

 

He imitates his father from when he’d given important speeches and finds a little smile to lead it.

“It seems you are all foreign to this country and the customs associated with our ways of life. It is fully understandable and therefore also lightly accepted that you have many questions on your mind; and I shall try to be of best service to you in this regard. I warn everyone here though that being ignorant of our ways should not fuel a mockery approach”, he says while furrowing his brow and turning his head to meet the stare of Kane. Reinserting an uneasy smile he turns his head back to face Kyrika while continuing: “But learning of your hardships in getting here and the understandable frustration of our climate, I shall let any incident of that nature pass” for now “ and let me take care of the need for a more private place. But keep your voices low and do not act like crazy zealots or anything else under the attention making category, while I do this, since people in my country are indeed of superstitious nature, unless they know better or perhaps even find foreign things interesting!”

 

“Now please excuse me for a minute Mlady”, he ends with a slight bow and a carefully mastered knowing smile.

 

Kheskeim walks to the bar and gets the barkeeps attention. Passing Kane on the way he ignores him completely. He tells the barkeep to shut the tavern down for anyone but those in the current service of the Minister for Internal Security. Seeing that the barkeep does not look pleased and might not go along with it, Kheskeim states to him that he will of course be reimbursed threefold in gold for the lost sales. To make sure he believes him, he hands him his last handful of gold coins and tell him to be on with it.

 

[ooc: yea sorry from me too, been occupied most of the weekend. Will try to keep up to speed and post less everytime too - if possible :)]