[Exalted] Protectors of the River Province

[Marcao]

“Those shiny little wonders improved the life of millions Kolth not just a precious few, you can find the bones of those wonders even now.â€

[rhoenix]

The very fact that Kolth was listening carefully, and considering carefully before replying seemed wildly incongruous for those who didn't know him very well. This is what he was like when he was involved with a project.

"I certainly wasn't comparing you or any of us to Deathknights in any other way than to use them to illustrate a warning. Their creation was a result, and some might argue a contributing factor, to the fall of the First Age."

"Think of it this way," he said, gesturing in the air with the remainder of his blunt. "Let's say you get your way, and find hundreds of thousands of suitable candidates, and you train them into the most fearsome and effective fighting force the world has seen for centuries. You use it to sweep the lands clear, and you realize your dream of re-conquering all these lands. Then what?"

His eyebrows raised, he paused to let that final question sink in for a moment before continuing. "Once the wars are over, the sword must give way to the crown - and that's when trouble begins. Those of my particular bent will likely be given the task of making sure things are the way they should be when people think nobody's watching. This is a noble cause, and one I am willing to do - but remember that though the First Age was wondrous and held wonders almost inconceivable to us, it fell because we had hubris - we had forgotten what it was like to be human, and quit trying to remember. And that, Yvela, is what concerns me."

"However," Kolth said with a small smile, "perhaps you are right in that this was the reason circles form as they do - to ensure balance. That's why I'm still here with you - because I believe it is possible, and I will work toward that."

Having pointedly not paid attention to Liayna's efforts to get the conversation dropped until now , Kolth finally looked at her, making sure to only look directly into her eyes. "If you would be a part of us, then this concerns you too. Something momentous has begun, and it will be partially up to us to decide how it unfolds."

[Hotfoot]

Liayna smiled at the two men, "Yes, but all this talk of your ambitions is a little much for a first meeting. It gives me some fascinating insights, but I was looking for something a little more...immediate. Here we are, six individuals who, if our true nature were to be known, we would be feared by many, and even hunted by some. These grand plans all assume we live to see tomorrow. Make no mistake, you all have my interest," A brief pause accentuated the nuances of her statement for the others, "but we should look at what is now. You are mercenaries by trade, I have a caravan. I just arrived to Lookshy recently, so I need at least a few days to trade for what I need. Beyond that, I wouldn't mind having you come with me, or I with you, but it would be nice to know what you have in mind. I have trades to make and where we go will determine what goods I will want to focus on." She guided the both of them to sit with her between them, the room in the wagon was limited, and so they had to press in close to sit properly. However, it was clear that even though her touch to guide them was gentle and soft, there was unspoken power rippling underneath.

"Now then, what immediate plans do you all have? Do you have a contract currently, or should I be making preparations to bring you all with me right off? I can get another wagon or two easily enough, and some nice new clothes for you poor hopeless men. I mean really," she picked at the clothes Yvela and Kolth were wearing with feigned disappointment, "I've got some things that you both might enjoy." She sipped her whiskey a little more, leaving a thin layer at the bottom of her glass.

[rhoenix]

All this caused Kolth to chuckle, some of his usual smirk returning. He had allowed her to guide him to sit down (closely) next to her, still studying her; she was the newest potential member of their circle, and well aware of her gifts as well. "You're right, this is heavy conversation on the first meeting."

After he was comfortable, he looked thoughtful again. "This also raises the question of whether Orduin and I continue as we've been doing, or what. Personally, Lookshy hasn't become overly curious about us quite yet, so right now, I consider it a good base of operations to get our feet wet now so we can swim later, as the saying goes. Besides," he said, looking at Liayna with a smirk, "this town is fun."

[SirNitram]

"Actually, my plans involve drinking, sleeping, and getting into the stores division as I finally got access to some of the really interesting stuff. That, and I promised to do PT with some of the newer recruits." Orduin shrugged a bit. "My ambitions, at present, are little more than gain access to more knowledge, so I can do what's best. Yes, I see those looks, what's best for Lookshy. But that's not the same as 'What's best for the General Staff'. We're standing in a power capable of protecting most of the River Province.. And maybe more, if we can get the ancient wonders working."

A crick of his neck. "That being said, before I run off with pretty young caravan women, I do have people to report to."

[Academia Nut]

Ake quietly sipped his whiskey for a long, long time, stewing on his thoughts. Unlike the words of his fellows, he had one bright, shining memory from his previous life to go along with his many fuzzy ones. A pity that memory was not a pleasant one.

Finally he sighed and set down his glass. "Hubris is not a pretty trait, but I fear we all succumb to it. Let us be honest here for a second. By our very natures we attract power, and are in turn attracted to it, like two lodestones brought next to each other. We're just easily blinded to all the implications of that power."

He paused for a moment before he asked, "Liayna, how much power do you wield? I mean, honestly, how much? If you wanted to, could you place an embargo on a village? Could you refuse to stop trading with them, and convince other merchants you have arrangements with to stop trading with said village? Could you deny the people what they need and watch as people either starve or abandon their homes in desperation? That's power, just as surely as the ability to raise armies or throw about First Age magics."

"There are many sorts of power, but all of them can become corrupt. Perhaps we need more than simple strength of arms from this circle, we need stability. Perhaps we have been brought together into a circle such that no matter how fast we spin, we will remain together and remain balanced. So that we do not forget our duties... all of them, including the ones we do not want to do. So that we do not forget the world beyond our armies, our books, or our bedmates."

Ake blinked and a grin spread across his face. "I have long felt that the truest strength in the world rests not in the hands of a few strong men and women, but upon the backs of many pulling as one. The First Age was brought low by the actions of many against few. Perhaps if we wish to end this age and usher in a new, better one, we should remember the powers that can move us, and let them move us. Perhaps we should see if we can harness the power of many not just to drive our swords, but to steer our crowns away from the path of wickedness should we fall again. Do not quote me on this, I have no idea how to achieve it yet, but it is certainly something to ruminate upon, no?"

[LadyTevar]

Teamhair finished off her whiskey, nodding in agreement with the others. She was one of the ones who gave Orduin a look when he said 'what's best'. She was slightly mollified when he mentioned protecting the whole River Province. To those who read nuances well, there was obviously a little disagreement between the Mates over 'what was best', even if the two themselves had not brought that out into the open just yet.

"We just finished a little task the Lookshy Generals set before us," Teamhair explained to Liayna. "I have a feeling they do not mind Exalts, as long as we can be controlled and thrown at problems they don't want to send the 7th Legion after, such as the DeathKnight we've been referring to. That one was attacking villages along the river, stealing or killing villagers who did not practice ancestor worship. Those villages that did have ancestor cults were allowed to live."

Teamhair gave a dark smirk. "Lookshy didn't want obviously involved, so they sent Orduin, Ysela, and Kolth to deal with it. Ake and I just happened to go along for the ride." She made it sound like Ake had been on it from the first, which he could protest as he chose. "We destroyed the ship, but the DeathKnight fled to the Shadowlands. Kolth and I intend to finish the job when he reappears." The last was not a threat, but a deadly promise, followed by a wicked grin. "Kolth and I are still arguing who gets what part of his anatomy for a trophy." They weren't, but Teamhair was sure that Kolth would pick up on the dark humor and play along.

"Other than that... I believe Lookshy wants to use us as ... what is the phrase, Orduin? 'Deniable Resource'? Either way, a troupe of mercenaries they can throw at a problem while seemingly keeping their hands clean."

"But I do agree... the boys need better clothing. So far, telling Orduin this has only gotten groans and complaints."

[Academia Nut]

Ake grinned and said, "My plan for the Deathknight involves pissing him off so we can lure him into an ambush by smashing his precious little cults, not by destroying the villagers, but by turning them away from their current practices and on to religious rituals more becoming of say... the Unconquered Sun?"

A sudden plan formulated in Ake's mind and an evil looking grin spread over his face. "Wait a second... there are many ways to convince people of things, and a great one is to hit them in the purse, or the 'other nutsack' as I do believe I once called it in a previous life. What if... now hear me out now. What if we started telling people how the ancestor cults are causing the destruction of the villages and convinced the merchants to stop trading with any village with clear ancestor cult activity? It wouldn't be easy, and we would have to be subtle about how we do it lest we trigger an upswing in cult activity as people turn to ghosts to try and protect them, but we put an economic squeeze on all of those who the Deathknight supports while simultaneously start offering another way. With fear, guilt, and economic pressure, people will be much more willing to listen to alternative religious practices than they are now. And we start recruiting, start finding those who are good with spears and bows and we make a nice little peasant army whose only job is to sit back and shoot at the undead while we take care of the boss man. Five prepared Solars and one Lunar against one pissed off, irrational Deathknight? Who knows what he can do, but I'd bet if we could engineer such a scenario we could make him wear his ass as a hat before we start divvying up the body parts."

[rhoenix]

After hearing Teamhair talk about the "argument" she and he were having about the Deathlord, Kolth chuckled, and was about to reply when Ake began speaking.

At first, his eyes narrowed slightly, but as Ake continued, Kolth nodded once or twice, and listened intently. Afterward, he blinked for a moment, and then slowly broke into a wide smile. "Excellent. That neatly covers all the bases, since I know Yvela here has his heart set on having a huge army," he said, grinning in Yvela's direction.

[Academia Nut]

Nodding sagely, Ake said, "Yes, there is a little something for all of us to perform. There are many, many people to talk to, many people to train, and many things to do. All of our unique talents and skills can be put to full use.

"As to what happens after that, well, there are still more deathknights out there, there are still the fae, there are still a dozen different threats to creation. The more attention we draw, the bigger the enemies we will attract, but also the more we will attract those who have had it with the slow institutional rot of the current system. It will be a careful balancing act, but if we all work together I feel we can pull it off. I feel we can turn Creation around, and I feel we can not just achieve our goals, but find some way to preventing a second Usurpation caused by our own hubris."

[LadyTevar]

"If you wish, Orduin... I can handle PT for the recruits, as long as it doesn't involve donning your armor," Teamhair offered. "It will give you more time in the stores."

It was a generous offer, and one that would also make some wonder how Teamhair could do it. Of all of them, Kolth would be the one who might realize what Teamhair was planning. After all, she'd impersonated Kolth nearly perfectly after only an hour's meeting. The only thing she'd been missing was the blunt.

[rhoenix]

Upon realizing some of the mischief Teamhair had planned, Kolth put his head into his hands, hiding his face. After a few moments, his shoulders were shaking, and it became evident that he was laughing silently. Suddenly, he sat bolt upright with a completely neutral look on his face.

"You're a very generous woman, Teamhair - I'm sure Orduin blesses you re-arrival every moment of every day. As for me, I'm sure there's some fun I can find to occupy myself with over the next few days," he said finally, looking innocently thoughtful.

[Marcao]

He had all of Kolth’s attention and that was encouraging if a little surprising. He had grown accustomed to another side of the chosen but now he was seeing a clearer picture of who the Night caste truly was. It was yet another reminder that appearances were more often than not very deceiving. He nodded his head when Kolth clarified his thoughts about the Death Knights. He knew not about the specific relationship between the Death Knights and the fall of the first age. He admitted that his information on such matters was thin and any memories or dreams about the past were too fragmented for him to effectively draw any conclusions.

When Kolth sought a different approach and gestured expansively with his cigar he had all of his attention. In the end, he could agree with most of what the chosen said but there was a leap in logic involved that he could not completely support. He was not sure why, but he knew that there had to have been more to it than simple hubris. Something had transpired that had come from an unexpected quarter. He could not prove it, but he was certain of it as certain as he knew that the Sun would rise and fall in the comings days.

“You are right of course. Assuming that I found such an army and I was able to effectively utilize it the face of Creation would indeed change. You are also right in that the reconstruction that would occur afterwards would likely be more challenging and perilous than the conquering would be.â€

[rhoenix]

Shaking his head a bit more soberly, Kolth answered Yvela's earlier question. "You asked what proof I have of what I say - and I have none but fleeting memories. I remember what must have been me doing that time, doing terrible things, things I would never do to someone or people, and in the memory, feeling...like I was enjoying it. Now, I enjoy causing trouble, but enjoying the causing of untold suffering and drawing it out so I'd enjoy it more - that's way past the line," he said emphatically.

"Again, I haven't had but brief snippets here and there - but those, with the exception of one, have all been of that sort. Having them made me question myself and what it means to be a Solar quite often, thinking that the Immaculates might have been right to call us Anathema, if what I saw was true, and what they say is true."

Now," he said a bit more brightly, "with all that said, I certainly do grant that the Solars brought truly astounding and wonderful things - but in all I've seen thus far, which hasn't been much, those wonderful things were merely the backdrop for terrible things to take place. I am willing to work toward the ideal that I would strive for, despite my disquieting memories. I am willing to believe in all of your happy memories, believing that if we don't hide the truth from ourselves for any reason, we can succeed at this. This is the right time, if there would be one. If there are going to be heroes in the world, we're probably it - but I will temper my grand dreams with the sobering memory that I was once human, and the more sobering memories of when I was once drunk on my power, when I was not a mere human."

(EDIT: clarified, and made it much better)

[Hotfoot]

Liayna smirked as the men talked once more about grand plans and huge armies. "Well, I think I have a decent idea as to what more we need to speak of, but perhaps later in the day would be a better time. I still have customers to see to, and it would appear that Orduin and Teamhair have things to do as well. All this talk of armies and religion can wait just a while, perhaps?" She gently put her hand on Yvela's, looking him in the eye. "I think you could use something more...commanding. Sharp lines, solid colors. The sky and the sea, blue and white, with brass or gold buttons, cufflinks, and other accouterments should do nicely. Stay for a bit, and I will see what I can find for you." Her eyes lingered a moment longer than they needed to, the scent of her perfume powerful from the lack of distance between the two.

Kolth as well could feel the effects of the scent, and as he and Yvela continued talking through Liayna, it became more pronounced, even through the haze of smoke from his cannabis.

[rhoenix]

"Good point, Liayna," Kolth said as he was suddenly on his feet, putting away the end of his blunt. "More mundane concerns take precedence at the moment - my humble thanks for your thoughts and hospitality, good lady," he said with a grin.

"See all of you around soon," he said, before he let the blinding sunlight in through the open door for a moment, letting it close on it's own with a gentle push.

[Academia Nut]

Ake listened quietly, trying to absorb all of what was being said, but he was having trouble concentrating. Not exactly from memories, not exactly from the close presence of Teamhair and Lianya, not exactly from the whisky, but from some combination of the three.

At some point, he had a small epiphany that caused his sudden melancholy shift. He defined himself in others. He was brave so that others would not feel fear. He was strong so that others would not feel weak. In turn, he drew courage from those standing behind him. He gained might from two thousand hands holding a thousand spears. When others laughed, he roared. When others wept, he bawled.

And when others partied he drank wine straight from the casket while naked women abased themselves before him and the thousands of revellers watching their priest-king in awe, because that was what he thought they wanted.

Ake knew that his passions, and the passions of the Hunt Leader drove him. He knew that he was so eager for an army because he would define himself in them while he defined the shape of the force itself. Perhaps a part of him wished to create such a force just so that he could see his own reflection in it. He hoped he could redefine himself, cast off the reckless hedonism that had destroyed his past life.

He doubted it.

It was a humbling thought. He felt that he could control his passions, but simultaneously he could not rule them. His control was as man's control over a river. He could build dams and channels, he could direct the flow, but he could not stop the water from returning to the sea.

He was going to drink. He was going to end up with one of Kolth's blunts between his lips at one point. He was going to have sex with people. Lots of people.

The question was not if he would, the question was when, where, how, and for what reasons. Most of all, for what reasons. Not an easy question, but one that needed asking.

Putting the glass down, he coughed lightly and said, "I have just... ah... remembered something that I too must do. I shall meet up with you all later."

Exitting into the warm glow of the sun a few moments after Kolth, the light kissing his skin and gently reminding him of what exactly he needed to do. Lianya's closeness, the scent about her, he needed to clear his head of it. And unfortunately no amount of sunlight or breathing would clear the head in need of cleaning.

He had a few silvers to rub together, but it wasn't much. He could not indulge the way the instincts of his previous life suggested, so he would need to carefully choose his next action. The considered for a long, long moment, trying to let his heart guide him in a way that was not disastrous, to balance his tremendous passions against his lacking self control.

Finally he decided his path. He had needs, needs he knew he could not deny, but so did others. Others needed money... or protection. An evil little part of his mind reminded him that soldiers marched on their stomaches, fought with their hearts, and relaxed with an organ lower than either of the other two. For all its austere military bravado and stoicism, Lookshy had to have what every other city had, and what every army camp had.

Ake would not cause trouble. Ake would not go looking for trouble. He was a gentleman seeking to fulfill a gentleman's needs. But if he happened to be in place where trouble was likely to be and trouble found him... well, one could not blame a gentleman for defending himself or those next to him, now could they?

Ake looked out over the city and he silently asked, "Now where's the nearest red light district?"

[LadyTevar]

Scents were something that Lunars could pick up easily. And a courtesean could read body language. "Come Orduin," Teamhair said, putting down her glass as she stood up. "Let us go explore the storehouse like you wanted." A hand placed on Orduin's arm was insistant.

"Liayna, it was a pleasure to meet you. Perhaps this evening we might get together again?" Teamhair was making a polite goodbye. "Ysela, I think Liayna is right. You really should stay and let her show you what she has in mind."

With that comment, loaded in inunnedo, Teamhair all but dragged Orduin out of the wagon and into the sunlight.

[Marcao]

His eyes sought those of Kolth as he spoke. That the chosen was burdened by those memories was obvious and hearing him explain why he could hardly offer much comfort. They all had their own ghosts, but Kolth seemed to be awash in them. He wanted to point out that he did not know all the circumstances involved but that would have been little comfort especially if his fears about enjoying what he had done in those dreams was true. No, he had no words to offer his friend. In the end, they all had to come to terms with what they were and come to terms with one simple fact.

The past cannot be changed.

That did not mean that they could not learn from their mistakes however. He did not question who he was and he doubted her ever would. Maybe he was still enamored with the possibilities before him. Maybe in time he would learn to fear who he had been but those days had not come. The future seemed as bright as the noonday sun and he planned on taking hold of all that light and bathing in it.

I will change the world as I have changed it before.

He drew strength from those words but he was not so empathic as to completely ignore the warnings of the chosen near him. The man that seemed so frightened of what he had once been. “A pragmatic approach would be best.â€

[Hotfoot]

Liayna respectfully said her farewells to each one of her guests that left, a little longer for Ake, though he seemed to leave in a hurry. Still, he lingered, and she pondered for a moment going after him. Still, one in the hand, as the saying went...

She smiled demurely at Yvela, now alone in the wagon with him. "Oh no, I couldn't make you pay for this. If you are all to be coming with me, I need you to look as you should according to your station. Anything less would be improper, wouldn't you agree?" She slid off her seat, still keeping a hand touching his as she crouched down, looking up at him with practiced charm and grace before standing up, her hand guiding his to join her. As he did so, she produced a thin ribbon from seemingly nowhere and began to dance it around his body, sliding around him smoothly and using the softest of touches to guide his arms up and around as she did her work.

"You have such a handsome frame, it is a shame you choose to hide it away from the world, when you should be proud and commanding," the ribbon was wrapped around his chest, with her behind him, whispering into his ear. "Take a deep breath, please. Good, good. Oh, I think we can find something just perfect for you. If you'd like, you could try it on now. Maybe you could even...help me model it for other potential customers? Someone as...exotic as you would certainly be enticing..." She swung back around to his front side, her hands still holding the ribbon around his chest, close enough for him to feel the silk of her kimono brush up against him with the breeze. Her face was one of pleading, she wanted him to say yes to everything she was asking, and even to the things she had not said. She walked the line between commanding and coy, and currently she was playing the card of the woman in need, something few men could fully ignore.

[Marcao]

She did have a beautiful smile. Her body was also not as hard as he had originally expected. It was fit of course, but she was a chosen and her height no longer seemed to be as much of an issue as it had been moments before. She spoke about not desiring payment and nodded his head gracefully. What more could he do in his position? It was true that not every mortal or chosen alike saw life as a means to collect wealth. However, he could not completely agree with her sentiment.

“Clothes do not make a man or woman for that matter Liayna.â€

[rhoenix]

For his part, Kolth felt disquieted by this whole thing. The talk earlier brought to mind things that unsettled him still, and was beginning to make himself question himself again.

Sighing, he decided to clear his head the best way he could think of. Rapidly climbing the upper reaches of Lookshy, he soon found what he called his Thinking Spot: the top of a belltower that was one of the highest places in the entire city, and one with the best view - if you could reach it.

Now, he sat cross-legged on the flattened roof of the belltower, staring into the distance, both of Lookshy proper, and the outlying areas.

Though he didn't know what the future would bring, he did know that he wouldn't meet it with blind faith alone. Faith and conviction could help keep one going, but are dangerous if untempered with reason. Letting his mind drift, he just meditated atop the tower, letting his mind slowly calm itself.

[Hotfoot]

Liayna smiled as Yvela agreed to at least wear what she brought him, and she took a step back, gently pulling on the ribbon around the Dawn's torso before letting it fall slack with one hand, trailing it behind her with the other. A moment of attraction, followed by a wafting trail loosely hanging in the air behind her. She looked back over her shoulder, one last glimpse before disappearing from the wagon, her scent still heavy in the air.

Once outside, she pulled aside one of her staff and whispered in his ear, and within an instant, he was off, digging into the inventory. While she was waiting for the outfits to return, she glided around her circle, guiding customers to something that helped to complement them, and complementing them on the decisions she and her staff were helping them make.

Before long, the outfits came back, and she excused herself from the crowd, citing a special customer with exacting tastes. All of this was visible from inside her wagon, if Yvela moved to a window and pushed aside the curtains.

With both outfits draped over one arm, the graceful Liayna returned to her wagon, shutting the door tightly behind her. One was green, of a shade closely matching Yvela's hair, with golden trimming and buttons. The style is not overly ostentatious, but it is fine clothing. The form is loose enough to allow for free movement, but still styled enough that one could wear it to a somewhat formal event without concern.

The second was a deep, dark red, nearly a brown, blending well with his tanned skin. It was a more open garment, revealing the central line of his chest, and more of his arms, with loose wrappings making the better part of the upper part of the outfit, with a tight white wrap accentuating the lower part.

Liayna laid each outfit out for Yvela on her bedding, kneeling gently as she treated each set of cloths with almost a sense of reverence. She stood back up and worked her way back to Yvela, once again standing close to him, this time by his side and looking up at him as her hand hung just inches from his. "Which will you make yours?"

The statement hung in the air, ambiguous and filled with possibiilities. The scent of her perfume, temporarily waned in her absence now back in full force. Her posture, proud yet proper, with an edge of anticipation about her

[The Nomad]

Ake's steps carried him further into the District of Trade. While lacking a true 'red lights district', Lookshy had establishment to cater to the occasional vices of its inhabitants and visitors - which were largely tolerated as long as they did not impair one's ability to perform adequately on duty, or were done at the expense of family or co-workers.

The first floor of most buildings in the Trade was devoted to small shops, with other activities - including the one he was looking for - located above these businesses. It was not hard for him to gain access to a quiet bordello within his means.

[Academia Nut]

Ake lounged in the waiting room of a particularly run down looking bordello as part of some bizarre sense of charity, wondering not for the first time why his schemes seemed to get increasingly harebrained the longer he went without a fight. Admittedly, his ideas were insane when he was fighting, but he went through them rather more quickly and simple selection pressures kept the worst ones suppressed.

Virtue and vice were in conflict and were at a strange sort of compromise, similar to a blade stuck beneath armour but not actually penetrating flesh. Both parties were in a rather unfortunate position and the slightest change in position would spell disaster for both. Ake really wanted to get laid, but he also really wanted to help people. Thus, here he was, following out an idea that should have been dragged out back and executed upon first being dreamed up.

Ake ruminated on the combination of poor impulse control, excessive number of stupid impulses when bored, and super powers and came to the conclusion that he was probably doomed. Strangely he was not entirely upset by this train of thought as there was a part of him that knew he would live on and that his deaths tended towards the spectacular sort.

He sighed inwardly and wondered if he would ever be able to sort this out.