That elicited a grim smile from the Khundari Oathsworn.

"That he is."

She put a bit of inflection on the pronoun, though the meaning of it was foreign to Arui.

Arui wasn't sure of Cara's meaning.  "I speak only of the wind that blows across the plains.  There are others. I don't know much about sea winds."

"So if all of your people are horsemen and horsewomen, what is your roll in Tarenti? A hunter? A warrior?  Is there a title I should call you other than Guardian Arui?"

She seemed to care a great deal for the formalities.

"If we are to be working together in this, I will need to know where your strengths and talents lie.

Arui shrugged, "I have sworn oaths of guardianship, but in the tribe we need to share the labors.  I hunt, and fight, I have sharp eyes.  I'm not skilled at the trickery as Etzagith, but I can move quietly.  I do better than talk.  I'm called Arui daughter of Tegama, of the Chetan tribe; I claim no other title.

"What about you?  What should I call you? and what are your strengths?"

And what about him?"

She tilted her chin up to where Nathan was up in the crows nest.

"I know you haven't been working with him long, but what is it that he does?"

"His name is Nathan, and he should speak for himself."  She called up to the crows nest, "Hey Nathen.  Get down here. We are making plans."

"Ah, that explains it."

Cara answered, when Arui spoke of the winds of the Aren Plains.

"Then let us hope Bound Investigator Nathan Serule has some gift for such things."

She allowed a single eyebrow to raise when the horsewoman asked her what her strengths were, as the Oathsworn were the boogiemen of a thousand tales. The Tarenti had their own versions of said stories, cautionary accounts of foreign mages brimming with alien magic and stolen power.  Even as far away from Khune as the Mondat Mountains, their name was whispered around camp fires when it was time for the telling of ghost stories. They were the bloodthirsty witches who stole children and murdered in cold blood, stealing power and magic that was not theirs, wrapped in their Coats of Red and Black.

"You might as well have told me that my knives were chipped and dull."

She said with a grimace, chuckling at her own expense.

"I've found Green Landers don't have much taste for the proper forms, so most just name me Oathsworn."

She waved a hand dismissively.

"Oathsworn Cara of House Yasil is my full title, and that title is my strength. It will close many doors to us, and open many others, as few will want an Oathsworn of a Great House to darken their doorstep for long. Green Landers fear blood magic, and they fear those of us who employ it.  In that, at least, they show some wisdom."

She nodded, as if that answered the question. If it didn't, she rested her hands around the hilts of her two long knives.  Both were massive things, more properly short swords than knives, except they were only bladed on one edge.  The guards were thick and brutal looking half-circles of nubbed iron, chipped and dented, and looked to be more like knuckles for punching than proper guards.  They were clearly brawler's weapons.  The sort of blades one might expect to find in a back ally turf war between rival gangs, and were perfectly at home on the deck of a ship.  Their presence answered much about their barer's capabilities.

"Speaking of dulled blades, will you be alright without your horse?  I know little enough of the Tarenti, but even a fool knows that your people are born of two souls, not one."

"On Sachs Isl, they say the Coats of Gules breathe fire and eat babies, and that Tarenti are one with their mount."  Lilith said. "The myths rise like leavened bread. "

Lilith looked up from her net-weaving.  She'd been listening with interest, trying to learn as much as she could about those she was supposed to work with.  Social graces weren't her strong suit, so she felt it better to listen.   But, as often was teh case, her tongue got the better of her.   "From what little digging I did before we got here, I'm told there's a fair number of Khunari freemen in Pennryn.  You might well cause a stir. If you actually wear the Gules and Sable, I mean."

--
OOC: Freemen is intentionally meant to suggest that they were slaves before, thus potentially runaways.  Cara might (might not) feel on obligation to see them returned... or otherwise punished, I suppose.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:40, Thu 19 Nov 2020.

"Don't believe all the stories."  Rickard offered.   He'd come up the length from the aft-castle after a couple of words with the first mate.  "Some of the tales I've heard of Tarenti get confused with the myths of centaurs.  Goes back to the first days of Druvir, and the beastiary they tried to draw up of this new land."

"I saw a copy of one--the beastiary, I mean."  Rickard said.  "Was the prize of a noble in the Westmarches, I think.  Lord Uxuria, I think.   "Such fantastical beasts.  I think the authors were ripe on  brandy-wine or worse."

"Please forgive me, Oathsworn Cara of House Yasil." she bowed her head briefly. "I didn't recognize you.  In the legends, your red coats are more, blood soaked."  If it wasn't bad enough that the Mondain were killing her people, there was a blood witch queuing up.  She would need to be watched.

"Ninlil is my friend as well as my horse.  I do miss her, but I know she's well, and cared for."

She raised a hand in greeting to Lilith and Rickard when they joined the conversation.

From the crows nest Nathan had waved at Arui’s summons though it took some time for him to return to the deck. Despite everything, he wore his trademark blue cloak over a white linen shirt and well-fitting blue trous, clasped with a bronze broach that born a fist surrounded by cord

Finally leaping the few feet to the deck, he bowed, “Oathsworn. Guardian”

Cara allowed her gaze to drift slowly up and down Lilith, inspecting the other woman and taking her measure.

"It would be rather counterproductive if I had the need to slit someone's throat and drink their blood every time I needed to prove my measure. Does that not seem rather extreme?  Still, no Khundari would be foolish enough to wear these colors without having the Patronage of a Great House."

She emphasized the proper term.

"They know what is at stake, what this coat represents."

She made a slashing gesture with her hand, and several of the Khundari crew around them made the same gesture in response.  While the greenlanders could not know its meaning, the slashing gesture they all made banished the attention of any of the Three from upon them.

"If there are Clanless there..."

Again the emphasis on the proper terms, not that she expected a Kumlaran to have them memorized.

"... they will know to follow the proper forms.  In that, at least, they will not shame themselves. My presence there will serve as a sharp reminder if they have gone astray."

Her already whipcrack sharp voice had grown harder.  At last, she turned to Arui and gave her a small bow.

"You have given no offense, Guardian Arui of the Chetan Tribe. It is my own thrice damned fault if I have failed to convey my legacy and Oaths. There will be plenty of chances to correct my error.  As to your friend.  There are no horses in Khune who have not felt the touch of..."

She made another slashing gesture, fingers interlocked in an intricate pattern.  Almost as if it were reflex, she reached into a small pouch on her belt and pulled out a piece of burnt charcoal.  This she crushed in her hand, letting the ash fall between her fingers.  She didn't even appear to notice that she was doing so, as if it were something she had done so many times it was rote.

"... well, such things are not for riding, or for friends. None of our ships carry them, so I could not procure a vessel that was equipped for such.  I am sorry we had to leave her behind, I would have loved to witness your skill with her."

Her attention was again interrupted by Nathan lowering himself onto the deck, proffering the man a slight bow.

"Bound Investigator Nathan Serule, perfect timing! We were discussing my many failures to convey both my capabilities and the legacy of my House. Why don't you join us?  I find myself deathly curious to know what skills is it that the Queen values in her Bound Investigators, what talents were you required to learn?  We are to be fighting together, and bleeding together.  I would know what I can count on you for, and what I cannot."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:02, Sun 22 Nov 2020.

Offering a formal court bow, Nathan used the moment to herd his thoughts into a semblance of order. The formality matched his attire, the sun glinting off his broach as he straightened, "You speak of two, perhaps three, responsibilities, Mistress Cara"

"Foremost, at least in term of visibility, I am a Bound Investigator of the City Guard of Druvir - the Blue Cloaks, as they are known" and he paused, considering the nuance he wished to clarify, "In that capacity, I work for the Crown, technically, not the Queen. Of course, with King Dorian sick that is perhaps moot"

"Beneath the blue cloak, I serve as a Mage-Enforcer of the Sigiled Fist of the College of Mages, trained both as an Evoker and Ritualist", and he removed one of his gloves to reveal the ritualistic circle tattoed upon his palm, "It is not common for one to serve in both capacities, but there is much in common in the cases I handle specifically"

Pulling the glove back into place, he continued but softly so as not to be overhead, "It is perhaps the skills needed for both roles for which the Queen has selected me for the Veiled Hand. Beyond the obvious training in investigation, law and the sciences, I have some skill in magic and with the blade. Less useful today, but I have cultivated many sources of information and rumour in the city."

"Hopefully that explains, in part?", he finished, with a wry smile. Whilst not a braggart, he was comfortable with the skills he had earned

Cara met his smile with a noise that was a mixture of contented sigh and growl.

"Finally. After they reassigned Loremage Indigo outside of his regular duties, I had begun to suspect that Viscountess Oanna Martiness was going out of her way to ensure that I spent as little time about Kumlaran Mages as possible. Though perhaps you were just the right Evoker at the wrong time, and the assignment couldn't have been helped. Only time will tell, it seems."

She finished the the ritual of mending she had been performing on the rope, a simple bit of house magic that nevertheless was the boon to many sailors. The rope was whole, ready for use upon the rigging.  She rose, and beginning the process of winding it up nodded her hawkish nose towards the prow of the ship.

"Have you any talent for Windcalling or Foglifting?  I carved a rune of Stormbreaking into the prow, but I am afraid my teachers would beat me bloody if they saw it.  Three years in Druvir as the Queen's pet Khundari monster have dulled my memories when it comes to even the basics of such seafarer's magic.  I intend to correct such foolishness on this journey, but I would not have any washed overboard due to my negligence and weakness."

Which seemed unduly harsh, but many things about the woman were such.

"Guardian Arui of the Chetan Tribe can hear the wind's name, but she's got no magic within her for calling it."

It wasn't an insult, just a statement of practical fact.  The Khundari were, if anything, a practical people.

Cara handed off the mended tropes to Lilith who took them and tested them, pulled on them and inspected the weave and weft, then nodded with succinct approval.  She didn't say anything, just nodded and coiled it returned to mending the netting without the use of magic.

"I know a few charms."  she offered.  "sailed on the Aven Du for a season, before she was lost. Her caulker was a weather-witch at heart, though he'd never admit it so."

Lilith glanced briefly at Nathan, then at Cara and Arui.   "I'm out of my element out of the city, but I've got a good memory for charms.  I'm not an Evoker, either.  I just..."

She looked up at Nathan and her eyes narrowed.   "Is working with me going to be a problem?  I've less than a lily-white record with the Blue Coats."  she said.  Then her voice dropped low and pointed, "But then, you're not exactly without stain on your record, either.  Are we going to have issues?"

A reference to The Mere Measurement Effect referencing his alleged fallen grace status.  It's a set-up for something... I just don't know what yet.

Cara's hungry gaze had snapped to Lilith when the woman mentioned knowing some charms, but had faded when she said she wasn't an Evoker.  She watched the interaction between the Blue Coat and the Thief, but kept her thoughts to herself.  In truth, she was glad to not be the source of such conflict for once.

Standing on the deck, with salt in the air, Nathan considered Cara's question. He was not a weather-worker, not by formal training nor practical application, but he knew he could turn his hand to the magic if needed. Still, a warning rumbled within, a recollection that the tides and the winds were temperamental to work with, subtle and nuanced if one didn't wish to call a storm - whether then and there, else for some other unfortunate.

He was considering his response when Lilith spoke, and his eyes clouded with sorrow and pain at her knifed reminder. His features paled and his voice was clipped and harsh when he spoke, low but urgent, "Silence! You know nothing of that which you speak of. Do not trouble me and I will not trouble you"

With that he nodded curtly to Cara and Arui, intending to seek solace in the loneliness of the crow's nest where other outlets might remain beyond reach

Cara returned the nod, and then eyed Lilith pointedly.

"Well now, look at you biting off more than you can chew.  That was certainly informative."

She said with no small amount of relish. Her reputation was slipping, and while she didn't like pointlessly adding to it, there was something to be said for a little fear.

"But just a small part of the picture. What sort of trouble you aiming to avoid with our friend up there?  Because I've worked with him before, I've taken a liking to him before.  You?  What are you? Why should I care if you live or die?"

"What happened there." Lilith shrugged. "Was necessary. I know.  He doesn't know what I know, but he knows I know something.   I'm good with the knowing.  I die here--or there I suppose--nobody'll care.  I know this.

Lillith stood for a moment, as if considering, then shrugged again and pulled back the scarf from her throat.

At the base of her neck, sitting atop the prominent recess above her sternal notch, a small blue0-green gem the size of a child's fingernail.  It glittered slightly.  It could've been cheap glass, for all that it looked like a child's makeup plaything.   But there were fine markings  on it, and there was no mounting which was typical with such body-jewelry.  the stone looked like it has been sewn or magic'd right into her skin.


"I'm nobody important."  Lilith said, offering a smile. "At best, they wanted me here 'cause I'm good at keeping my eyes open and my mouth shut.  At worst?  I'm an inconvenience they needed to get rid of.   But if I see and hear something particularly juicy... even if I die, they'll know.

"Sometimes, even nobody hears the wrong thing."

Cara had gone deathly still at the sight of the stone, her mind reeling.  For an instant there, she had thought it something else, a secret too dangerous to exist.  For a moment she had thought it was a piece of a Fracture, impossibly bound in the flesh of this Cyrenni. She fought now to stop any hint of the roil of emotions that had played out within her manifest in her features, the bone chilling fear giving way to profound relief. She'd have burned the whole ship, and everyone on it, if that crystalline structure had born any resemblance at all to the power of the abhomination resting in her left forearm.

"What is that?"

She asked at last, staring hard at the gem.

Arui nodded to Nathan as he returned to his perch.

Lilith's statement was more disturbing than the revelation that she traveled with a blood witch. "Don't dismiss your life so easily."  She indicated the small gem.  "That is some kind of listening device?  Then let those who listen hear well.  All of the people are valuable.  I do not strive for my people just to let them die." She looked both Cara and Lilith in the eye before going back to mopping.

Returning aloft, the wind whipped at Nathan's cloak like something seeking to tear from him the solace of duty, and the salt of the sea air caused tears to run from his eyes. The salt air, of course. He wiped them angrily away, caught between the anger that had driven up here and the dearth of his usual options for dealing with it

"People are the most valuable resource."

Cara nodded at Arui's stare, as if the horsewoman spoken some great wisdom, though her intonation was substantially different.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:34, Fri 04 Dec 2020.

Lilith bowed her head, her expression locked between shock and derision at Arui's words.


"People are expendable." Lilith said after a moment.  "valuable, sure.   But there's always more people."

Lilith looked up at Cara, folded the hem of her hood over her chest.  "Seversi."  She said.  "A font of memory.  Inherited, for all the good that it'll do.  All that I do and all that I am... will be an open book to one who can read."

Lilith smiled.  "Thankfully, it's pretty much a moot point.  There's, like, four people who might know anything about them.  Loremaster Indigo nearly had an orgasm when I showed him.  Apparently, he has it's twin, but hasn't got much more than a few parlour tricks out of it."

There was a polite cough. And The Sea Baroness approached.   "We're beyond Kumlaren waters."  She stated flatly, without inflection.   "And that means there's someone you need to meet.   In the hold."

The old woman smiled with tight lips.   "We're carrying a couple tons of leather and steel, and  a fair bit of Arram and Carris Oil.  If you've a sensitive nose, it might not be for your liking.  But he's not coming topside before he meets his final rest."

Cara had hardly battered an eye once she'd realized the gem stone imbedded in Lilith's neck wasn't in fact an aspect of a Fragment.  Yet she at Lilith like she'd grown a second head at, and it had started singing Khundari tavern ballads, when she mentioned there always being more people.

"You Greenlanders."

She whispered, sounding amazed as she shook her head.

"I am glad I was too busy to tug on that particular thread then."

Was all she said in response to the revelation that this font of embedded memory was Seversi.  Instead she merely nodded, and turned to greet Huarta.

"Grain Mother Huarta Patil."

She said by way of formal greeting, then set down the rope she had been mending and moved to follow her.

Grain Mother Patil's warning was accurate.

The Carris oil--a thick oil used for lubricating mechanisms and keeping leather supple--had an acrid smell that smelled of burning pitch and offal.

On the Upper-deck it was barely noticeable, but traversing into the down-below, the air in the fore-hold became increasingly acrid.

Eight-ten foot lengths of steel were lashed to the internal spines, separated by bolts of leather.   Though the waters had been calm so far, the set-up was carefully managed to minimize shifting and noise.

Patil took a ladder down to the hold.

There were a couple of inches of looses sludge water in the bottom, adding to the smell.   The fore-hold was lit only by a handful of leviathan-lanterns, minimizing the chance that fire would spread should anything untoward happen.

By the dim lighting, though, it wasn't hard to make out the near emaciated form a a man lashed to a series of stones made up into a makeshift table--an altar perhaps?

He was naked from head to toe, except for the dark cloth over his eyes--keeping him blind to his surroundings.  He had pale skin stretched taut across muscles that clenched and unclenched spasmodically. His legs and arms were bound by ropes that extended beneath the stones.    His jawline was  a smooth arc broken at the midpoint by a jagged scar decades old.    And on his left side, burned into his flesh was the stylized scar in the likeness of an deciduous tree with branches extending over his mid-point.   It looked like maybe an Oak.

And though the prisoner struggled, the astute eye would note that he bore no fresh injuries.

The man struggled more, as Patil approached, wordlessly, making no effort to hide the sounds of her approach.

"Avil."  She said finally.  "I am honoring your last request.  There is an Oathsworn aboard.  Would you speak with her?"

The prisoner went still, though he still strained--uselessly--against his bonds.  "What... what house?"   he asked.  "Karkanen?"

"Karkanen?"

Cara echoed, tinging her voice with no small amount of wariness. House Karkanen had been one of Khune's dominant powers for hundreds of years, having only lost their prominence at the Empire's heart by the formation of the triumvirate between House Praven, House Isilider, and House Mortren thirty three years ago. Matriarch Neeri Karkanen had been but an adolescent then, but the plots she had orchestrated to usurp what she believed House Isilder had taken from her were legendary among those in the know.

Karkanen might no longer be considered the strongest House, but that was because their power had been surpassed, rather than waned. They were still an ancient House, the Mantles of their Oathsworn empowered by a multitude of Dependents. While House Yisil's star was rising, flush with foreign magic, they were still relative newcomers to the game of Houses.  Cara would not relish matching her wits or her power up against one of Karkanen's Oathsworn, despite her own mantle being flush with the magic of two of her Dependents. Worse than that, the Karkanen were famous throughout Khune for how deadly their Oathsworn were with their blades. Oathsworn Leeta of Karkanen was practically a legend among most of the other Houses, and those trained under her were deadly artisans with the dueling knives. Cara had not thought to encounter any such here, as House Karkanen's interests these days mostly steered towards fallen Khadid and the artifacts of magic that could be found there.

"No. I am Cara, Oathsworn to House Yisil. Name yourself fully, Avil, and speak what you would have of me."

She drew nearer, evidently unafraid of the man despite the great care that had been taken in his binding. It seemed Grainmother Patil had prepared him for The Final Boon, though such intricacies were not strictly necessary in the claiming of such. Blood was blood, and heart's blood doubly so.  Still, the Grainmother had spoken of endings, and such was her burden and her responsibility.  Cara did not know why Huarta would do such a thing, but she would hear the story of it and judge for herself. Such was the way of Houses.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:30, Sat 02 Jan 2021.