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20:47, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon.

Posted by DworkinFor group 0
Dworkin
GM, 2965 posts
Renegade Lord of Chaos,
creator of the Pattern...
Sat 8 Sep 2007
at 19:10
  • msg #1

Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

Harbonah.

An Archon considered cruel, even by the standards of other Archons.  A leader who controls by inspiring the fear of things far worse than mere death, in the minds of lesser Archons.

And now a group of Questors must travel to the very heart of Harbonah's domain.  The last place in all the Myriad Worlds, or beyond them, that any sane creature could wish to find themselves.

Cyan seeks solitude and quiet to work on the palanquet, unsure if it will even work.  Palanquet utilises energies which can reach from Amber to the Courts of Chaos... even so, Harbonah's stronghold may lay too far away.

For hours she works, and every stroke of the pen brings another memory of torment and pain.

All day...
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:58, Sat 08 Sept 2007.
Dorian
player, 1759 posts
My spirit is broken,
my days are extinct.
Sun 9 Sep 2007
at 16:44
  • msg #2

Re: Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

Dorian can't help wonder about Cyan as he prepares. What turbid depths did she plumb to recall the details of Harbonah's place. Or was it merely art, no more stressing than painting a bowl of fruit? He didn't know.

And would it even work? Would they end up in Harbonah's Fortress, or some facsimile of it out amidst the untold vastness of shadow?

Only time would tell. That was a problem for Cyan to wrestle, and he had larger things to deal with. New discoveries, he had called them--her. Fascinating. And what was the risk of bringing this discovery along?

He looked at the ground of his new hut, conjured to replace the old one that was smashed in the storm. Awkward? Definitely.

He sighed, and then stood. He could prepare no more. Time to see if the others were ready.

He walked to the other hut and entered.

"I am ready."

OOC: not sure if we're in the same location, but here goes....
Galatea
player, 1 post
Oh thou undaunted
daughter of dreams...
Sun 9 Sep 2007
at 16:48
  • msg #3

Re: Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

A small face leans out from behind Dorian, peering at the others in the hut with wide, curious eyes. She is a child, barely eleven years old, with a face like porcelain, which is framed by glossy black curtains of hair that hangs past her shoulders like a waterfall of pristine black oil.

And she floats. Strands of hair fans out behind her, as if in an invisible breeze, as if she had forgotten gravity once exited for her.
Cyan
player, 4690 posts
Forged of dust,
sunlight, and tears
Sun 9 Sep 2007
at 21:03
  • msg #4

Re: Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

Cyan works feverishly but with meticulous care, creating the command room with every stroke of her quill pens.  First, the outline - a dark, squared-off room, with tiny, shimmering lights on the obsidian walls, and a single, rough-hewn throne in the middle.  A door, another door - two, in total, both visible from where the 'observer' stands.  A spray of lights and symbols in the air before the throne itself, hanging without visible means of support.  The 'display', as she came to know it.

A woman, pale skin and a black-silk robe, seated upon the-

No.  Cyan closes her eyes.  Her lips thin.  That was me.  Me.  And not me.  The General.  The Warrior in Jet and Gold.  She bites her lip, ceases to sketch the woman, marked to be filled in as the picture progresses.

Filled in, but never forgotten.  Nor forgiven, for that matter.

Concentrating as she sketches, Cyan begins to slowly weave a pattern of forces into the art itself, creating (she hopes) a sympathetic link to the place depicted.  A drumskin she will settle over the underflow, to be pulsed by her spirit, its particular vibrational signature matching perfectly only one place in all of the Myriad Worlds.  And then, once signal reaches receptor, it will enable a gate to be opened.

So goes the theory, filled in recently by Berd's recollection of the Underflow and its uses.

But an interruption - Dorian, entering their own little fortress through the door, rather than any magical means.  She glances up with a wry smile, and brushes damp hair from her brow, then freezes at the sight of the little child behind the dark man, an apparition made solid.  "Dorian?" Cyan begins, and stares at the girl's dark eyes with her own, ruby orbs.

Berd lets out a tiny little chime, fixing his burning gaze on the entering pair.
Dorian
player, 1760 posts
My spirit is broken,
my days are extinct.
Mon 10 Sep 2007
at 16:25
  • msg #5

Re: Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

"Yes?" Dorian frowns, following her gaze. It ends at the child. He pauses, thoughtfully, then turns back to her. "You can see her too, now?"

Again, he looks back to the child at his heels, and then back to Cyan.

"Very well," he concludes. "I suppose an introduction is in order. This is my daughter: Galatea. At least ... " he voices turns somber, " ... at least a fragment of her psyche that I, apparently, managed to salvage at the moment of her death--unknowingly, even."

The child beams at Cyan, eyes sparkling with warmth.
Cyan
player, 4694 posts
Forged of dust,
sunlight, and tears
Wed 12 Sep 2007
at 02:22
  • msg #6

Re: Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

His...daughter.

She knows he had one...at least, Cyan can remember he did.  Remnants.  That was far, far too close to her capture, and such memories are cracked, to say the least.  She stares back at the bright-eyed spectre with her own, bright emerald eyes, then flicks a look back up at Dorian for the rest of his explanation.

A fragment.

One eyebrow rises, and she turns her head to Berd.  The little, bejeweled beast bobs his own in reply, and chirps again, this time in greeting to Galatea.  He doesn't appear the least bit surprised to see the girl, and obviously has no trouble recognizing.

"Suddenly I feel as though I am the last to meet her," Cyan murmurs, a small smile touching her lips.  "Galatea," she begins, more seriously - truly serious, not offering a gesture - "it is my pleasure.  I have heard something of your father's past; that you are here no doubt means a great deal to him."  Her face is sober.  "I, too, am glad - the tale of your loss was a heavy one."

She falls silent, then, uncertain where to proceed, and a frisson runs down her spine.  To Cyan, distinctions of 'fragments of psyche' break down in translation.  The girl is a ghost, a spectre of her former self.  An unfettered soul.  Years ago it might have frightened her.  Now, after this quest...it simply feels unreal.

And the friendly light in Galatea's eye helps to put her at ease.
Devlin
player, 653 posts
Dark Wanderer
Wed 12 Sep 2007
at 02:41
  • msg #7

Re: Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

Devlin stirs from his place in the corner of the hut, he'd managed to finally get some sleep while Cyan worked, though he'd dreamt of blackbirds, Archon, gray eyed attachers, lovers with red and black hair, and even lying in pieces across the myriad worlds.

He was not exactly asleep when Dorian came in, he's woken earlier but rather than stir he simply stayed where he was, watching Cyan work on her drawing. He had to admit it was rather life like.

He didn't say anything still, rather he remained where he was. Better to wait, he thought. But soon...
This message was last edited by the player at 00:29, Thu 13 Sept 2007.
Galatea
player, 2 posts
Oh thou undaunted
daughter of dreams...
Thu 13 Sep 2007
at 04:50
  • msg #8

Re: Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

The child's bright smile diminishes to merely one of warmth. "It is the past," she says. Her lips don't move, but her voice is like a flute that has learned to speak. "That past will take care of itself. I am here because I wish to help however I can. And the pleasure is all mine. Father thinks very highly of you."
Dorian
player, 1765 posts
Let my stars be not dark,
Let me hope for the dawn
Thu 13 Sep 2007
at 04:52
  • msg #9

Re: Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

By way of explanation, Dorian adds, "Somehow, she has figured out how to prepare and cast sorcery, among some other things. This is why I took time to prepare, in fact. I had to ... come to terms, I guess ... with her manifestation. It seemed a convenient time, since you needed to work on the palanquet. How is it?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:53, Thu 13 Sept 2007.
Cyan
player, 4696 posts
Forged of dust,
sunlight, and tears
Sat 15 Sep 2007
at 12:05
  • msg #10

Re: Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

Cyan glances down at her work, embarassed at Galatea's words.  It still amazes her that anyone could think highly of her, after the last two years.  Then again, they did not see much of the ruin she left in her wake...  Stop that.  Be fair.  Dorian himself has fallen to low points - surely he knows what it is to tumble from a state of grace.

That almost gets a snort from her.  'State of grace', indeed.

The past will care for itself.  Cyan mulls over that thought for a heartbeat or two, considering how it applies to Galatea, how it applies to her.  Then she smiles again at the girl.  "Few indeed offer to help freely, and we welcome any who will.  As for your father's respect, for this I am gratified."  She inclines her head to Dorian, a small smile on her face.  Memories dance in her thoughts, memories not her own.  Dorian's memories, offered freely.

She does not yet know what to do with them.  But she will, Cyan knows.

Her eyes still upon Galatea, she answers her parent - her only true parent.  "Galatea is your daughter, Dorian - I hardly find it surprising she already weaves the forces of the Worlds."  How Dorian 'came to terms' with Galatea's presence, she knows not, especially after the agony she knows he felt, the guilt and pain at her loss.  A small smile quirks her lips, and Cyan finally looks up at Dorian with topaz eyes.  "I am mostly finished.  Only a few finishing touches left.  I hope Aaron will not be long."  She studies his eyes for a long moment, but as always, they are impenetrable unless he chooses to give.

What do you feel with your daughter at your side, Dorian?  Is the pain assuaged?  Or does it grow sharp at the sight of this beautiful spirit?
Devlin
player, 660 posts
Dark Wanderer
Tue 18 Sep 2007
at 01:37
  • msg #11

Re: Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

Devlin pays only small attention to what is happening, he does not pretend to understand what is going on with the specter that Dorian calls his daughter. At any rate he's got other things on his mind.

For a moment he thinks about telling them that he'd sent part of the group in an unexpected direction, then decides against it. Again he did not like himself for his secrets and again he reminded himself of their necessity.

Finally he speaks up on an entirely different subject. It seems he does not realize that he might be interrupting a conversation that Cyan an Dorian might be having. It seems that he just was not paying close enough attention to notice. "Cyan, I have been thinking. There was some mention of there being a virus or something that has infected those, what do you call them, pulankits?" He still wasn't sure about her pronunciation. "It seems there was something mentioned about the ones in Amber not being usable? Is this correct?"
Galatea
player, 3 posts
Oh thou undaunted
daughter of dreams...
Wed 19 Sep 2007
at 01:52
  • msg #12

Re: Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

Galatea's eyes slip towards the ground, and she bows towards Cyan. "Not so free--I am bound to my Father. He helps, so I help. Yet, I think I would be inclined to help despite that, if given the chance."
Dorian
player, 1769 posts
Let my stars be not dark,
Let me hope for the dawn
Wed 19 Sep 2007
at 01:55
  • msg #13

Re: Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

A small smile plays over Dorian's lips as his daughter speaks with Cyan. What could be more interested than those two conversing.

When Cyan addresses him again, he nods. "Hardly surprising, indeed. We will give you time to finish."
Dworkin
GM, 2977 posts
Renegade Lord of Chaos,
creator of the Pattern...
Thu 20 Sep 2007
at 09:31
  • msg #14

Re: Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

Time passes, long hours of work, and discussion of ideas and plans.  And then...

A thin whine, like the sound of a mosquito, pushes itself above the threshold of audibility, and continues to grow in strength.  There is a fluttering mingled with it, like a banner moving in a strong breeze.  Sourceless, it continues to grow in strength...
Cyan
player, 4698 posts
Forged of dust,
sunlight, and tears
Sat 22 Sep 2007
at 02:22
  • msg #15

Re: Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

"I have little doubt of that, Galatea," Cyan replies.  "In fact, no doubt at all - not after what Dorian has said of you."  She glances toward Devlin.  "Yes, the 'Trumps' of Amber have been infected by a disease - a magical curse, or sickness."  She draws out a single card, tosses it to the man.  It was - once - a trump, and even has the sign of the Unicorn on what remains of its back.  Now, though, the front of the card is burned through, and it is almost impossible to determine who the trump depicts.  "Here is the remains of one.  My palanqueti remain untouched...for now."  She nods her head.  "Pardon me."

After the conversation, Cyan turns back to her work.  But her varicoloured eyes turn to Dorian and his daughter more than once, and a thoughtful expression works its way onto her face, even as she focuses upon the palanquet.  But soon the picture takes over her concentration, and her jaw tightens as she draws.  Oh, yes - Cyan remembers this room all too well.

The noise, a grating annoyance, interrupts her work, and she glances up just as Berd, lying beside her, raises his head.  Confused, fuzzy-brained from her concentration, she runs fingers through her hair.
Dworkin
GM, 2980 posts
Renegade Lord of Chaos,
creator of the Pattern...
Sat 22 Sep 2007
at 09:08
  • msg #16

Re: Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

The noise, now sounding like a combination of angry wasps, and the frantic flapping of an injured bird, continues to rise in volume, and yet still has no visible source...

At the same time, there is a tension growing in the air, as if the world itself were being pulled out of shape, stretched...
Cyan
player, 4699 posts
Forged of dust,
sunlight, and tears
Sat 22 Sep 2007
at 10:50
  • msg #17

Re: Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

Cyan slowly rises to her feet, ruby eyes dark with concern.  "Berd?" she begins, hesitantly.  Berd shakes his head, appearing irritated, and hurries to hop atop her pack, still lying on the floor.

Abruptly Cyan freezes in place, then shakes her head.  "These things always have splendid timing," she mutters.  "Aaron?"  Her eyes unfocus slightly as she speaks.  "I stand ready for discussion or to receive your hand."  There comes a small, embarassed pause.  "One hopes you understand my meaning."
Devlin
player, 665 posts
Dark Wanderer
Mon 24 Sep 2007
at 00:50
  • msg #18

Re: Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

As the sound begins Devlin looks around wondering what it might be. Then the sound gets louder. He sees Cyan rise and does the same. Berd seems agitated.

"What in Hell is that?" He asks no one in particular. "It feels like something is trying to pull this world apart."
Dworkin
GM, 2981 posts
Renegade Lord of Chaos,
creator of the Pattern...
Mon 24 Sep 2007
at 09:58
  • msg #19

Re: Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

Devlin gets his anser within moments... the very fabric of reality seems to tear and shred... and a whirling nightmare of unthinkably sharp blades, some of them in improbably bright colours, pushes through into the world, from... somewhere else.  With it comes intense cold, and a brief flurry of snow, and then it is as if a gate slams closed behind it.

It hovers for a moment, and the pieces of metal which compose it bang together, generating loud clashing sounds, and showers of sparks.  Then it orients on Cyan, and a voice like the sharpening of knives fills the air, + YOU ARE DI/FFIC/ULT TO FIND, /GENE/RAL.  THIS IS FORTUNATE.  I D/OUBT I/T WILL /SA/VE YOUR LIFE, IN THE LONG TERM, BUT IT SHOULD, AT LEAST, EX/TEN/D IT A LIT/TLE. +

And then it laughs, like the tolling of a cracked bell.
Cyan
player, 4700 posts
Forged of dust,
sunlight, and tears
Mon 24 Sep 2007
at 12:34
  • msg #20

Re: Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

Berd hisses, and power gathers in the room...to die, an instant later, as Cyan steps forward with a glad laugh, even before the archon speaks.  "Hold, Aaron!"  She raises up one hand, mindful of the gleaming blades, and gives a short bow.  For an instant, there had been fear, rage...all gone, now, at full sight of the danioti.

"Right!"

Her brilliant eyes dance through shades, running from amber to sapphire.  She glances back at the Questors, a broad smile on her lips.  "You recall?  I sent Right and Left to the Nephillim...welcome, Right.  You have come far, and from cold climes.  And..."  Shadows fall on her features, and her eyes dim, growing colder, harder.  "You are hurt.  What transpires?  Where is Left?"
Dorian
player, 1772 posts
Let my stars be not dark,
Let me hope for the dawn
Mon 24 Sep 2007
at 18:29
  • msg #21

Re: Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

At the noise, Galatea looks around with curious eyes.

Dorian glances at her, then watches. His fingers twitch, as if preparing for something, but he does not appear alarmed.

The danioti appears, and his eyes narrow. His fists clench, but he doesn't speak. He knows this is one of the general's servants, for now, and he lets Cyan deal with it.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:27, Wed 26 Sept 2007.
Right
player, 17 posts
Action springs from
inner truth
Mon 24 Sep 2007
at 18:54
  • msg #22

Re: Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

+ I HAVE BEEN INJ/URED/, YES, AND I WILL RECOVER, WHEN THERE IS OPP/ORTUN/ITY.  THERE HAS BEEN MUCH FI/GHTI/NG BETWEEN THE FA/CTION/S.  MY ROUTE HERE WAS... CIRC/UITOU/S TO REDUCE THE CHANCE THAT AN/OTHE/R MIGHT TRACK ME. +  The Archon seems quite proud of his cleverness.

+ LEFT STILL WORKS WITH THE N/EPH/ELI/M, AS DO I.  THEY CAME INTO PO/SSESS/ION OF SO/ME INFOR/MATION WE FELT YOU SHOU/LD HAVE IMM/EDIATELY, SO IT WA/S DECI/DED THAT I SH/OUL/D BRING IT TO YOUR AT/TENTI/ON. +

+ SHOULD I REV/EAL TH/IS INFO/RMATI/ON BEFO/RE THESE OTH/ERS, GEN/ERA/L?  IT CONC/ERNS... HAR/RY. +

Devlin
player, 666 posts
Dark Wanderer
Tue 25 Sep 2007
at 01:49
  • msg #23

Re: Part 62c - Into the mouth of the dragon

As IT appears, Devlin backs away. As he does so the black metal on his wrist spreads out and covers his body, encasing the man in a suit of thin black armor. At his fist a blade begins to form. He doubts that he had a chance of defeating IT but he would protect those with him...

Then Cyan steps forward and greats the thing. It is then that Devlin remembers the two creatures that left Charyk with her; the two that swore their allegiance to her. This was one of them. That did not matter, he trusted none of them. In the end even these would turn against them rather than meet the fate that Devlin had planned for them.

Devlin does not relax, he has no love of these things and he is not about to pretend he cares to have them about. But it says it brings information.

And so, Devlin stands, arms crossed, listening for what it has to say.

As he waits Devlin begins to study IT.

...Tamiel had once told Devlin that is was not possible for IT to explain what it it was. Something about fish and water. Jibberish spoken by one that thought itself a god speaking to creatures it felt were insignificant. He still resented the way these creatures thought of those they destroyed...

Devlin looked deeply into the structure of the thing, he could learn the way any living or non living thing worked. If he chose he could become anything... animal, mineral, solid, liquid, gas... It made no difference. At the most elemental level all things were made of the same stuff, it was just put together  differently. Given enough time to study it he would even be able to use the things own powers as his own.

The man stood motionless like rock, his ears listening for this news, his eyes staring out of the black armor like daggers.
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