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Exalted Episode 3 - part 2
The circle of Solar Exalts entered the city of Khacin through the
alabaster white walls. This was the first ring of walls that defended
the small outer villages and farms. The Blue Road led on towards the
main walls of Khacin. The festival atmosphere was increasing, and once
they had entered the city itself, the circle was met by the roar of the
crowd. All about were slavers, traders, warriors from many kingdoms.
All were here for the Festival of the Grey Tiger, the great festival of
ritual combat. The circle could see ahead the looming form of the
Circle of Blood. This dark metal arena stood over all the buildings
around, and from it hung the red flags of Khacin, proudly displaying
the emblem of the Claw of Khacin.
From here, in the main square, the circle split up. Kheralin and Echo,
using their charms, vanished into the crowd. Kheralin headed off to
listen in on the rumours being whispered in the bars of the upper
classes. Echo however went off to cross the river to the army barracks
and find out more about the military situation of the kingdom.
Meanwhile, Dorn headed off to sign up to the tournament, taking Aisha
with him to act as his manager, while Light went off into the markets
to go get a better weapon. Rain however had someone to see, his mother.
Rain's mother, Unfettered Emerald, lived in one of the more impressive,
upper class, private walled homes. She was the political mind of the
family, while his father was more content with tending to the manor
house gardens. Rain knocked on the door to his family home, aware that
he could be spotted by those still hunting for him. The first servant
that answered did not recognise him, while the main servant of the
house did. Rain was eventually let back into his home, and he met with
his mother. She was a haughty woman, with luxurious clothes and pinched
features and red hair. They had much to talk about regarding the cult
of followers that had now grown up about his mother and the revelations
that he had discovered. But first Rain need to wash and redress in
something more fitting.
Meanwhile Aisha and Dorn were registered for the tournament. Aisha was
able to haggle for Dorn, and they were given a private apartment for
the tournament, and access to an apothecary. They were also to get sex
slaves for the evening, and Dorn was to start at a higher ranking in
the tournament given his own experience.
At the apartment having made themselves at home, the brothel mistress
arrived, and with her were 6 slaves. There 3 young men, and 3 young
women. One of the men was a lizard beastmen, while one of the women was
a bird like person, with feathers and wide eyes. Dorn selected 2 of the
men, and two of the women, and left Aisha outside while he attended to
his own pleasure. While Dorn enjoyed himself Aisha was confronted by a
pleasant monk who offered his blessings for Dorn.
Now washed and dressed in clothing more fitting of the nobles of
Khacin, Rain was once more speaking with his mother, intent on meeting
the others of the cult. Emerald was carefully pouring tea for both of
them when the master slave entered the room to announce they had
guests. It was Echo, Kheralin and Light. Together they all dined
together at a low table, drinking cordials, and eating fine meats and
fruit.
While talking Echo explained that there were some rumours of Ashuriana
forces gathering, but that this was not made public what with the
tournament in full swing. There was also rumour of Dragon Bloods from
Greyfalls in the court of Khacin. Apparently they were here to see the
tournament and bring good tidings from the Scarlet Throne. As the
circle discussed these matters, Emerald expressed some interest in
Echo, and was obviously flirting with him. She also mentioned that she
would be going to the evening tournament fights and that the others
were welcome to come along. Rain was not sure he wished to attend, and
would instead wait for the cult members to come to the family home
later in the evening.
That early evening Aisha and Dorn left the apartment, now a mess after
Dorn's antics, and headed out to the private estates and Rain's home.
It was then that Aisha realized that they were being followed.
Part 3
The gang of bandits leapt upon Dorn and Aisha and Dorn's bear, Grunsen.
Aisha drew her sword, dodging the blades of their attackers. The bear
growled out in pain as his hide was cut. But Dorn, though hit by a
blade, took the advantage. He summoned his essence and in a pulverising
blow sent one of the men flying back into another, sending both into a
wall and crushing their bodies with the impact. Aisha called upon the
powers of the trapped ghost within her Yasal crystal, and from her
mouth erupted a stream of foul liquid. However, the gang were not so
soft hearted and fought on.
Now surrounded, Grunsen lashed out, gripping one man in his jaws. Dorn
summoned more of his essence and landed another blow, smashing the man
back against a wall, causing his head to snap back and his skull to
crack open against the wall in a big spray. Aisha, seeing her chance,
called again upon the ghost in the crystal, and through her own mouth
it spoke the ancient words of death, awakening the hungry ghost in the
dead outlaw. The body, though broken and crumpled, shambled to life and
attacked its living compatriots. The outlaws knew their number was up,
turning tail and running, but not before Dorn launched the shambling
ghost at them.
Looking around, the fight over, and their caste marks glowing, Dorn and
Aisha fled the streets, making their way to Rain's house.
Rain had remained at the house, while his mother, Unfettered Emerald,
Kheralin and Red Echo had taken rickshaws and gone to the arena, the
Circle of Blood.
At the house Rain welcomed Dorn and Aisha and informed them of his
plans, and that to ensure their safety at the house he would be doing
some dangerous magic later, and that Dorn would be useful if it went
out of control.
At the arena Emerald led the others to the private boxes, and from
there, in luxury, they watched the tournament. Many fights were taking
place in the arena. All around, in the warm evening, were hundreds of
spectators, cheering for their champions and heroes as the fights took
place. Weapons rung out in the arena, and crowd roared as blood was
split upon the sand. Once all the evening fights were over the main
event for the evening began. Into the arena a demon beast with many
arms and eyes, skin a pale blue and shifting with screams, lumbered
out. It was almost 10 feet tall and towered over the fighter who walked
out to face it. Bearing a spear and rippling with muscle was a warrior
of Khacin. The fight started, with the two combatant trading
devastating blows. The anima banner of the man exploded, revealing him
to be of the Earth caste, a Dragon Blooded, and with each attack the
earth trembled.
With the fight over and the demon beast dead, the crowds began to
filter out of the arena. On departing Unfettered Emerald was talking to
many of the nobles of the city. It was here that Red Echo spotted a
person that made his stomach turn, and yet he found himself drawn to
her. The woman was dressed in little more that chains that barely
concealed her petite frame. She had voluminous black hair, and her
cloak was a deep crimson. She presented herself as The Lady of Darkness
in Bloodstained Robes. She made it known that she was in Khacin as an
ambassador of Thorns, and brought the blessings of the dead of Khacin
and of the Deathlord, The Mask of Winters. Echo could barely contain
his rage seeing this woman, a representative of the forces who had
killed his best friend.
Meanwhile, Kheralin had worked her way around the gathered nobles and
found out the identities of the Wyld Hunt. There was an Immaculate
priest, Ascendant Hawk of Fall, of House V'neef, a scholar, Luminous
Feather of House Cathak, a general, Solemn Topaz of House Peleps, and
an ambassador, Ribbon of Silver Hand of House Seus.
Back at Rain's home, in the basement, Rain had constructed the
summoning circle, with the help of Aisha. Aisha looked on in wonder,
and Light was also intrigued. Dorn simply sat, drinking from the house
wine barrels.
Using all his power Rain opened the gateway to Malfeas, to the demon
realm of the Green Sun. He spoke the ancient words of power that had
shackled the Primordials to their prison, and from the gateway, a
twitching hole of flesh and blood, came forth a Blood Ape. The beast
looked into the eyes of Rain, and bowed its head in respect. It
listened to Rain's command and then vanished to go and enact them.
Rain's mother, and the others, returned to the house, and the last
preparation were made for the arrival of guest for the party that
night. Rain waited in the basement as his anima banner diminished. The
others engaged in conversation with the arriving guests, and Dorn was
suddenly the objection of interest for Rain's mother, much to Echo's
relief. In time many of those present, Emerald, and her son Rain and
the rest of the circle went off to a more private.
Rain took the scrolls that the growing cult had been reading, scrolls
that spoke of other gods and beings, and he deemed it all folly and
false. He threw them on the fire and instead decreed that knowledge and
wisdom was found in the texts banned to them. That revelation was found
by the individual. But his words were attacked by a politician,
Grieving Silk. Rain was disturbed by his words, unsure why such a good
friend would seek to support the status quo. But he could see no sign
of influence.
With the meeting over, Rain sat pondering what had happened. It was
then he felt pain searing in his chest and he coughed up blood. Light
attended to him, examining the flow of essence through his chi points.
It seemed that whatever had attacked him had put his essence out of
alignment. Rain, feeling that something was off, instructed the Blood
Ape to apprehend Silk and bring him to the wine cellar.
With Silk now in their custody, Rain and the others questioned the man.
He simply laughed and patronized Rain. He called him a boy, lost and
with out a sense of place in the world, and so something that should be
put back in its place. The man spoke of the stirring sleep of
Sacheverell, and that the circle was causing chaos that would awaken
the dreaming Primordial and set in motion the end of the world. Rain
realized then that before him was Lucien, the Guardian of Sleep. But
before he had a chance to ask more the man fell apart, like a balloon
loosing air.
*****
In the Imperial Palace of Khacin, in the ornate chambers of the king,
Lord Kavar, came a guttural scream. The guards ran in to find, haunched
over the dead king, Rain. Both swords were driven deep into the king,
freezing the corpse. Rain grinned and fled, leaping from the window.
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chipper
calm
accomplished
