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::The party has been staying in the fortress of Byal Haff Tir since recovering the Staff of Order. Bai and Zoya have spent the time creating an enchanted arrow that will hopefully steal Yb's soul, making it possible to defeat Chaos.:: <Bai> ::to the party:: I believe we are ready to attack Yb now. But I would like to know what has happened during our absence. If you could visit the temple of Shadra, you should be able to contact Whisper Leaf and find out what has transpired. Also, we will need assistance. Please ask Whisper Leaf if she will negotiate with Logos for troops for the assault. * Zoya looks about ready to protest any further delay, then sighs and shrugs. "It's probably the easiest way of figuring out where she is, anyway." * Jaret has spent the days sleeping in, staying up late, wandering all over the fortress, idly riding the immediate countryside on a borrowed horse, and chatting with the officers. "I suppose that won't be too much trouble, Bai. Where is the temple?" * Tyl has spent the last few days complaining of extreme boredom, filling her pockets with all sorts of not exceptionally valuable jewelry and trinkets that belong to the various snotty officers' wives, and generally making a nuisance of herself, yawns widely. "Anything to get OUT of here." ::Byal Haff Tir is a fortress town built around the base of a great reservoir. Three earthwork dams, and one stone dam have permitted a mountain valley to be flooded, and great stone aqueducts now carry water from the reservoir to the farms scattered throughout the desert surrounding the town.:: <Bai> ::Bai points out a rock formation over looking the reservoir and informs the party that a trail leads from the formation to the temple.:: * Tyl bows elaborately. "Lead on, oh dark and mysterious one..." * Zoya looks at the trail and sighs. "How long a trail is it?" * Bai shakes his head. "I can not. The Staff does not permit it." <Bai> It should take two to three hours to reach the temple on foot, or an hour by horse. <Zoya> Oh. Well, that's not as bad as I'd feared. Okay. ::glances at Tyl and Jaret:: Shall we, then? * Tyl mutters under her breath... "... damned messenger service..." <Jaret> Oh, of course. Are people interested in borrowing horses from whoever will volunteer them, or shall we proceed on foot? * Zoya makes a face. "I'd rather walk. But I'm willing to be outvoted if you want to make better time." <Tyl> You walk, I'll ride... ::she looks up at her overly tall friend:: Your legs are about longer than all of me. If I try and keep up with you in a walking contest, I'll be half a mile behind in twenty minutes. * Zoya looks down at her diminutive companions and grins. "Oh, fine. We'll ride, if we can find three horses." <Tyl> ::snorts:: Well, no one *told* you to grow so tall. ::The militia is happy to loan the party three horses and they set out.:: ::Bai's directions lead them deep into the hills above town. A spring bubbling up from shattered rock beside the trail becomes a creek and then a river, cutting deep into the red sandstone of the hills to form a broad canyon.:: ::As the party continues along the path, signs of habitation return: small cabins, semi-permanent tents, even homes carved into the rock itself. The bare stone doorways are exquisitely carved. In place of windows, the rock is pierced and carved so thin as to resemble frozen lace more than stone. In one doorway, a woman and her child dance gracefully to the delight of onlookers.:: * Jaret slows his horse to appreciate the dancers before moving onward. * Tyl eyes the river distrustfully and keeps her horse as far away from the banks as elfly possible. ::The canyon widens further as the party travels towards a grove of trees which form the heart of the community. As the trail comes along side the grove a seamless archway of the same stone as the canyon becomes visible, leading into the grove.:: ::As the party passes under the archway they find the center of the grove to appear to be a natural amphitheater carved out by the river, each step of seats a single a single gradation of stone. The stage of the theatre is under a stone arch, with a view of the river visible behind the altar which sits in its center. The stage itself is enclosed in a huge shell of rock, broken at the "wings" by gaps leading to separate open areas.:: * Tyl looks around. "Ostentatious, isn't it?" * Jaret dismounts his horse and looks for something to tie it to outside the amphitheater. <Zoya> Well... That wasn't too bad. ::She swings down off her horse and loops the reins over a convenient branch:: <Zoya> ::grins at Tyl:: I can't say much about ostentatious. I live in the Tower, after all. <Jaret> It's a temple. Only poor, shabby gods prefer poor, shabby temples. * Tyl dismounts and stares at her horse for a long moment. The horse lowers its head to the grass and begins grazing. * Jaret winds his reins around a loop in a stone carving. "Well. Here we are." * Zoya looks around closely, her eyes narrowed. "I don't see any priests; do you?" * Jaret looks around for an attendant priest or something similar. "Not as such, Zoya." He starts to descend down the steps. "Hallo? Is anyone here?" * Tyl closes her eyes, leaving her horse to munch contentedly on the nearby greenery, turning in a half circle facing the stage. ::A young man approaches the party:: Welcome. How may I help you? * Zoya turns, startled. "Oh! Where did you come from?" * Tyl mutters something in elvish that sounds a bit rude, and then smiles at the young man. "We're looking for Whispery Leaf. Is she accepting visitors today?" <Jaret> Oh, look, there one is. Good afternoon my good man. We're here to see Whisper Leaf. We're companions of Bai.. you know, I don't even know if he has a last name? We're companions of Bai, and are here to find out the most recent actions of Yb, the holder of Chaos's token. Can you take us to her? <Young Priest> ::the priest points towards a wooden structure built at the edge of the trees:: From the lighting cabinet. <Young Priest> ::The man goes a bit pale and stutters momentarily:: I I I... Whisper Leaf always accepts visitors but... I don't know if she'll... answer. <Zoya> ::raises an eyebrow:: Has something changed? <Jaret> And why would that be? Are you all right? You seem slightly distressed. * Young Priest looks at Zoya like she's grown a second head, "Saints can't answer every requests mortals make of them. There'd never be time for them to do anything." <Jaret> Dear fellow, if she always accepts visitors, there's nothing to say that she won't do so now. Run along and let her know we're here, would you? * Tyl looks down at her maimed hand. "I am *never* going to understand the rules on this world." * Zoya raises the other eyebrow. "There's no reason to be condescending, young man. First you say she always accepts visitors, then you say she may not answer. They sound like conflicting statements to *me*." <Young Priest> ::The man sighs resignedly:: May I give her your names? <Jaret> I am Jaret Malkier, swordsman of note and itinerant gentleman. * Tyl sighs. "Tyl'gainia Nightstorm Quel'shu, Headmistress of the Psionics Academy." <Zoya> ::nods:: Zoya Natovna, High Priestess of Erdian. <Tyl> ::adds helpfully, since he didn't seem to be paying attention the first time:: Friends of Bai, former Saint of Mir-whatever her name is. Sent by his request. <Zoya> Mirgianne, I think. <Tyl> Thank you, Zoya... ::grins:: The names these people come up with around here... I can't imagine calling some of these people to dinner when they were children... <Zoya> ::under her breath:: And he's still a saint, if only for putting *up* with this crazy world. <Young Priest> ::The man leaves the party heading towards the altar. As he sets foot on the stage the party can faintly hear the whisper of his robes as he moves. Incongruently, the river flowing behind the temple is completely silent.:: <Young Priest> ::The man bows before the altar, then begins singing a short prayer to Whisper Leaf, informing her that Jaret, Tyl, and Zoya wish to speak to her on Bai's behalf.:: * Tyl makes a face. "Lovely acoustics." <Zoya> At least he has the voice for it. ::She rolls her eyes:: *Bards.* ::Shaking her head, she strides down the steps toward the stage.:: * Tyl takes three steps for every one of Zoya's, pattering rapidly behind the tall mage. "I thought you and Kevil were lovers for years..." She winks slyly at Jaret. <Young Priest> ::The man bows to the altar once more, but makes a started gasp as he straightens from the bow. Standing on the opposite side of the altar is a cloaked figure, the voluminous folds swallowing the shape, rendering it sexless and anonymous:: <Zoya> We were. Why do you think I'm so sick of the breed? * Jaret follows the women down to the stage. * Tyl laughs. "If you say, Zoya... " * Zoya eyes the cloaked figure and waits resignedly for it to pull out a flute. <Jaret> Whisper Leaf? Is that you? <Whisper Leaf> ::A few moments later Whisper Leaf steps out of the left wing, her flame red hair tied back in a bun, dressed in a green tunic and leather breeches and sturdy boots. Her clothes are dusty and worn.:: Hello you three. Where's Bai? <Zoya> ::turns to look at Whisper Leaf in surprise, then looks back at the cloaked figure:: * Jaret looks back and forth as well. "He couldn't make it... we'll explain later. Who's your guest?" ::The priest drops to his knees and places his forehead on the stage, bowing to the cloaked figure:: Mistress Shadra. ::his voice is full of awe:: * Jaret bows respectfully. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance." * Tyl looks at Jaret with a sigh. "You know, I think we should have gotten Bai to give us a playbook before we started acting on this stage." Bows slyly to Whisper Leaf. "Pardon the metaphor." * Zoya nods to the (apparent) goddess with cautious respect. * Whisper Leaf laughs softly, though the weariness and concern doesn't leave her face. "I'm her guest. Welcome to my mother's house. Or temple at least. ::gestures to the cloaked figure:: Jaret Malkier, Tyl'gainia Nightstorm Quel'shu, Zoya Natovna, may I present to you Shadra, Inspiration of the Arts." * Jaret deeply bows again. "Shadra, it is an honor." <Whisper Leaf> ::turning to the cloaked figure:: Mother, may I present to you Jaret Malkier, swordsman, dancer, and lover. Tyl'gainia Nightstorm Quel'shu, thief and professor of psionics. Zoya Natovna, high priest of Erdian and scholar of chaos magic. * Shadra returns Jaret's bow, but remains silent. <Tyl> ::snorts:: I usually put those in the *other* order. * Whisper Leaf nods. "I'll try to remember that in the future." * Zoya nods again, then looks back to Whisper Leaf. "Bai wants the news." <Tyl> I'll assume it's all bad and you can surprise me... ::smiles:: * Whisper Leaf sighs. "Do you want a list of all the communities that she's affected, just the ones that have been wiped out, or just the ones that stand out?" <Zoya> He didn't get that specific. What about the ones that are most important? Include her most recent whereabouts. * Tyl scrubs at her face and sighs. "We should have let her run off with the beholders. We really should have." <Zoya> ::grins wryly at Tyl:: She'd have come back. <Whisper Leaf> She's currently in Alljair, incinerating the sulphur mines, though there's no telling how long she'll be there or where she'll go next. As for important points in her travels... She transformed everyone in Absalom's temple in Herra Tear into undead. Unfortunately my bards had sent everyone within two days travel of the temple there thinking it was the safest place for them. <Tyl> ::dryly:: So nice that Absalom seems to care. <Zoya> ::horrified:: Didn't he even protect his *own*? <Whisper Leaf> She also doubled back on her trail once and transformed a bunch of Archon's demons into angels. Fourteen nations combined their armies and marched on her. We haven't been able to find any of their remains. The city-state of Thaurkhal, which was composed almost entirely of mages combined all of their magic and life force into a single spell to attempt to destroy her. <Whisper Leaf> The surge is still in progress two weeks later. * Tyl sighs. "It's a wonder there's any people *left* on this planet. Well, Bai said it had been a long time. Even a single pair of rats can repopulate in that time." <Zoya> ::looks pained:: <Shadra> ::lifts a "hand" though "her" form remains hidden inside the cloak:: There was nothing Absalom could have done to prevent it. Even if he had been there Yb's power is currently such that even he would have been transformed. It is unfortunate that Yb's gaze fell on the temple at Herra Tear, but many other temples have been overlooked and provided the shelter Absalom intended. * Zoya gives Shadra an unreadable look, then turns back to Whisper Leaf. * Tyl rolls her eyes elaborately, then looks at Whisper Leaf again. "Is there anything worth repeating, or is it just list upon list of atrocities?" * Whisper Leaf thinks for a moment, then turns to Shadra. "Show them Demondinmer." * Shadra nods and waves an "arm" causing a tapestry to unfurl on one of the stage walls. The tapestry depicts a battle, except that the picture on the tapestry moves, the acoustics of the theatre amplifying the rustle of the tapestry until it can be clearly heard as the sounds of the battle. * Jaret looks at the tapestry. "What is it exactly I'm looking at here...?" ::In the tapestry Yb can be seen, clothed in robes which seem to shift between being white flames and a rainbow of light. Her crystal staff sparkles like all the stars in the sky combined. Around her plants, animals, and the very ground and air shift and change, all coherence to form and purpose lost.:: ::Encircling Yb is an army of what has to be the meanest, toughest, nastiest orcs anyone has ever seen. Whisper Leaf indicates one that easily stands twice the height of his companions.:: That is Demondinmer, God of the Orcs. He believed that no one would aid or save his people. So he gathered the greatest of his race into a single army, and marched against Yb. * Tyl looks at Whisper Leaf with a raised eyebrow. "No one did, did they?" * Whisper Leaf ignores Tyl's question, concentrating on the tapestry where the orcs can be seen charging Yb, there progress slowest by the shifting terrain surrounding Yb. Missiles can be seen flying over the heads of the charging troops along with the flash of spells being consumed in wild surges. ::Demondinmer leads the charge against Yb, swinging a massive spiked ball at the end of a length of chain over his head. The swing brings the ball in a path that would intercept and pulp Yb's head only for the chain to break at the last moment, sending to ball into the orcs on the opposite side of Yb, dismembering dozens of them.:: ::Demondinmer continues his charge, drawing a great sword and swinging at Yb. Yb carelessly taps the sword with her staff and it shatters, the shards of the sword hovering in the air for a moment before flying at Demondinmer, tearing his body to pieces. As each piece of flesh is carved from his body it seems to evaporate into the air.:: * Tyl crosses her arms and affects an expression of contemptuous boredom. * Zoya watches intently, frowning. ::The orcs continue their attack, growing even more fanatic with Demondinmer's fall. In the few minutes it takes for the battle to play out, only one orc manages to actually strike Yb, a lock of her hair transforming into serpents which promptly attack the orc .:: * Zoya sighs and bows profoundly to the tapestry. "All honor to he who tried. Even if he should have known better than to attack Chaos with something so chaotic as a physical battle." <Jaret> Well. A lesson what not to do, I suppose. Too bad for all those orcs, though. And everyone else who's come across Yb's path. ::After a few minutes, the handful of remaining orcs scatter, fleeing in all directions. Yb ignores them and a second later vanishes from the image as well, the area finally settling into a fixed form. Few recognizable orc bodies remain.:: <Tyl> ::snorts disdainfully:: We're aware of this. Yb is horrible and terrible and destructive and most of you are sitting on your asses watching in mock horror. Do you have anything useful, or can we go now and tell Bai that you're just going to continue to leave it in his hands? * Whisper Leaf bows her head. "As terrible as that battle was, that's the closest anyone has come to stopping Yb. No one else has even been able to engage her in melee, let alone actually hit her." <Zoya> ::mouth twisting, she turns back to Whisper Leaf:: Mass destruction, apparently without pattern, except for the preservation of her own existence. Fine... Bai would like you to have Logos produce some troops for the battle where we *will* stop her. * Whisper Leaf is clearly considering the implications and consequences of Zoya's statement but nods. "Very well. Does Bai have any other instructions?" <Jaret> I believe that was all he had to say. Is his request feasible? * Whisper Leaf shrugs, "I'll certainly speak to Logos. The only reason I can think of for Logos to refuse is because he thinks it's a lost cause and would rather conserve his strength for after Yb's fall. Were you successful in retrieving the Staff?" <Zoya> We were successful. I hope you all- ::her silver gaze encompasses Shadra and, by implication, all the other saints and gods:: -appreciate his sacrifice. * Tyl stares down at her hand. "He's not the only one. But I don't expect gratitude." <Zoya> ::gives Tyl a sympathetic look:: It's possible you can be... fixed. I'm not sure Bai can ever recover. <Tyl> ::snorts:: Bai was pretty badly broken to start with. * Shadra speaks once more in a voice that refuses to give any hint as to who or what owns it. "Some of us more than others. Isn't that correct Palyres?" Shadra turns, facing the entrance to the right wing. * Zoya looks toward the right wing, her hands curling at her sides into loose fists. <Tyl> :eyes the newcomer with extreme disgust:: <Palyres> ::A man who can only be described as bishonen, with long blond hair, dressed entirely in black, with two rapiers at his side appears from the wing:: You already know my opinion of that mortal. ::His voice has an arrogant sneer to it:: <Tyl> ::affects a look of surprise:: Oh, look... it's the walking dead man. * Jaret looks Palyres over. * Zoya snorts and turns her back on Palyres pointedly, turning back to Whisper Leaf. "How will we contact you to let you know where Logos should send his troops?" * Whisper Leaf looks at Palyres her expression shifting between anger, satisfaction, and amusement. "So brother, now that you've heard everything we've been talking about, do your informants have anything to contribute to the conversation?" <Whisper Leaf> The easiest course of action would be for me to shuttle between Logos's court and where ever Bai is located. Once I know where Bai wants the troops I can go straight to Logos. If you need to contact me you can come here, or to any of mother's other temples. Most bard's guilds will have a small shrine dedicated to one or both of us as well. * Tyl looks around the temple, fixing the marking points of the location in her mind. <Zoya> ::nods:: Very well. ::she glances at Jaret and Tyl:: Shall we go? We don't really have time to waste on this suicidal traitor now. <Tyl> ::nods sharply:: <Jaret> Thank you very much for your time Whisper Leaf, Shadra. I think we will be going. There's a rancid odor in the air I don't care to experience longer than I have to. * Palyres shrugs indifferently. "Not really. I've told all my people to hide the valuables and keep their heads down. We'll resume business once this all blows over. Though I have to say, I wish Yb had waited a while. I had so many other plans to torment Bai with. Now... Well, if he's lucky Yb will make it painless." * Tyl takes a step forward and spits on the ground in front of Palyres. "You disgust me more than any other I've met since Bai helped me slay my own brother. Should I not owe him for that, I'd gladly let you and your pathetic lot quiver in a hole until Yb roots you out and destroys you like the scum you are." <Zoya> ::Pointedly ignoring Palyres, Zoya climbs back to the top of the amphitheater. She pets her horse's nose and neck while she waits for Jaret and Tyl.:: * Tyl turns her back on the pretty (useless) boy and mounts the stairs, heading for her horse, muttering various speculations on Palyres's birth, parentage, unclean habits, disgusting mating rituals and dubious feeding grounds. * Jaret follows Zoya and Tyl up and out of the amphitheater, deliberately keeping himself between the women and Palyres. <Zoya> ::gives Tyl a faint smile, her voice carrying clearly across the theater's grounds:: Don't waste any more imagination on him than you have to. He's less worthy of the title of "Saint" than my horse, here. In another thousand years, the only living beings which will remember his name are these trees... ::she mounts up as Jaret joins them:: <Tyl> If Yb doesn't uproot them and turn them into broomsticks. ::shrugs:: What a waste of time. * Zoya kicks her horse and guides it back out of the grove. ::As the party exits the temple they find a great host of dwarves and humans waiting for them. All are arrayed for battle. A dwarven male and a human female step towards the party, the other deferring to these two. The woman speaks:: Are you the companions of Bai, Holder of the Staff of Order? <Zoya> ::raises her eyebrows:: We are. * Jaret surveys the arraigned troops, leading his horse out of the temple. ::The woman gestures to the dwarf:: This is Dokin, God of Dwarves, and I am Atami, Goddess of Humans. We've brought our champions to aid you in the fight against Yb. * Jaret breaks into a wide smile. <Tyl> ::grins widely:: Well, bloody damn *finally*! * Zoya bows from her saddle, aiming between them. "Honor to you and your champions. Will you accompany us back to Byal Haff Tir?" * Whisper Leaf walks up behind the party and bows to the two gods. "Atami, Dokin, my husband sends his apologies but the elves will be unable to join you in this battle." * Dokin and Atami return Zoya's bow and Dokin replies. "Of course. Our armies should be reminded of what can be accomplished when dwarves and men work together." * Atami gestures and a series of bugle calls can be heard passing through the armies. The troops come to attention and a moment later a drum beat sounds, playing out a marching cadence and the troops form up and begin to march down the trail to Byal Haff Tir. * Tyl looks back one final time to make a rude gesture in Palyres' general direction. * Jaret leans over to Zoya. "Maybe someone should ride ahead and tell them we're coming, so they don't think they're being attacked." |
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